“Isn’t it better to find someone who can write and calculate?” Dou Zhao laughed. “Gou Sheng can only write his name. I think it would be better to have Cui Shisan help Bo Yan; isn’t he studying at the county school?”
She knew her grandmother disapproved of the Cui family getting involved with the Dou family, fearing that others would say the Cui family was taking advantage of them. However, compared to Zhao Liangbi, Cui Shisan was more suitable. Besides, since she had decided not to marry again in this life, she ought to find a way for Cui Shisan.
Upon hearing this, her grandmother hesitated.
Dou Qijun was a very perceptive man. He quickly understood that Dou Zhao was trying to elevate the Cui family’s status, and naturally, he had no reason to refuse.
“Then it’s settled,” he said with a smile. “I’ll trouble Fourth Aunt to send someone to bring Cui Shisan to me in the next couple of days. After the Double Ninth Festival, I’ll start working on this matter.”
Dou Zhao smiled in agreement. If her grandmother opposed it further, it would seem petty, so she dropped the subject. They began discussing their trip to Dafa Temple to watch the sunrise: “… We were awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of gongs and drums. Someone had brought a child actor to perform ‘King Han Qi’ in front of the main hall, and we watched it together with the monks and other worshippers. As dawn broke, we followed that person to the Shuangyan Pagoda at Dafa Temple to watch the sunrise. But by the time we descended the pagoda, that person had vanished. It would have been nice to make an acquaintance.”
Dou Qijun expressed his regret.
Wu Shan, however, was unconvinced. “That person was dressed extravagantly and accompanied by children and courtesans. I doubt he’s a good sort; it’s better not to know him.”
Dou Qijun countered, “That person spoke humorously, had an elegant demeanor, and moved gracefully. He seems to be a person of character.”
“Alright, alright, there’s no need to let an unknown person ruin our mood,” Dou Zhengchang interjected, smiling. “Are we going to Fayuansi tomorrow?”
Dou Zhao asked curiously, “What are you going to Fayuansi for?”
Dou Zhengchang replied, “There’s a hundred-year-old osmanthus tree there. Last year, it was struck by lightning and burned, but I heard it has sprouted new branches recently. We want to go see it.”
Dou Zhao laughed heartily. “A few days ago, Bo Yan boasted in front of my father that you all were at home studying hard. Turns out you were just preparing to deal with the elders?”
“We were studying at home for a while,” Wu Shan quickly explained. “But these past few days, Master Du has gone out to visit friends, giving us a seven-day break, so we’re just wandering around now.”
Dou Zhao felt a pang of envy.
Her grandmother suggested, “Then let’s go to Fayuansi tomorrow!”
“Fayuansi is built on a mountaintop,” Wu Shan quickly added. “There are nine hundred ninety-nine steps from the mountain gate to the main hall. If you’re going tomorrow, I can hire a sedan chair for you.”
“No need, no need,” her grandmother chuckled. “It’s just nine hundred ninety-nine steps; I can still manage.”
Dou Qijun and the others were skeptical, but they still arranged for two sedan chairs to follow them the next day.
Dou Zhao kept pace with her grandmother and reached the mountaintop in one breath, while Wu Shan and the others were still panting at the turn.
She couldn’t help but laugh. Her melodious laughter, like pearls falling on a jade plate, caught the attention of the abbot, who was waiting with a smile in front of the main hall.
Someone nearby exclaimed, “Oh!”
Dou Zhao turned toward the voice and was instantly captivated.
Not far away, under a cypress tree, stood a young man about fifteen or sixteen years old. He had a handsome face, and bright and clear eyes, and wore a robe of blue-green silk. A white jade hairpin adorned his head, and his waist was decorated with a pouch, a jade pendant, a fragrant sachet, and a folding fan. He stood there quietly, exuding an air of elegance.
Two young boys, both around twelve or thirteen, followed him. They were also good-looking, with a scholarly demeanor that made them hard to underestimate.
When the young man noticed Dou Zhao looking at him, he smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, displaying a dignified demeanor.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile back and nod slightly.
However, her grandmother seemed displeased.
The abbot quickly said, “This young master had already retired when we received your letter yesterday.”
The implication was that it wouldn’t be appropriate to send him away.
Fortunately, her grandmother was not a harsh person. She smiled and nodded, choosing not to pursue the matter further, and stood beside Dou Zhao, waiting for Dou Qijun and the others.
The young man then asked the abbot, “Could you tell me where the hundred-year-old osmanthus tree that has sprouted new branches is located?”
It turned out he was also there to see the osmanthus tree.
Dou Zhao perked up her ears to listen.
“It’s just behind the Mahavira Hall,” the abbot replied with a smile. “I’ll have someone take you there right away.”
The young man thanked him and followed the attendant to the back hall with the two boys.
Dou Qijun and the others finally arrived, bending over and supporting their waists as they climbed up.
“I admit defeat; Aunt Cui tends to the crops every day,” Dou Dechang said. “But how can Fourth Sister climb so quickly when she spends her days either embroidering on the kang or writing at her desk?”
Dou Zhao smiled proudly. “Do you think sewing and writing don’t require effort?” Yet, she felt grateful to her grandmother for making her walk every day.
Dou Dechang and the others naturally didn’t believe her.
Dou Zhao laughed, “So, are you going to see the osmanthus tree or not? Someone has already gone to the back of the Mahavira Hall ahead of us.”
“Who?” Dou Zhengchang asked, intrigued. “If they thought of it at the same time as us, they must not be an ordinary person. We should invite him to lunch.”
They had brought vegetarian dishes prepared by the Dou family’s cook up the mountain.
Wu Shan added, “What about Fourth Sister?”
Everyone felt a bit disheartened.
Dou Zhao also felt somewhat disappointed.
Dou Qijun suggested, “If Fourth Sister comes with us, she might as well dress up like a servant.”
Dou Zhao was tempted and quickly glanced at her grandmother.
Her grandmother seemed not to have heard, standing with a smile, admiring a pine tree.
Dou Zhao wished she could rush over and hug her grandmother tightly.