After that day, Mother fell ill.
Dou Zhao was very worried and stayed by her mother’s side every day.
Mother would smile and stroke her head, saying, “I’m fine, darling. I’ll get better soon. Go play!” But her face grew paler with each passing day.
Father came to visit her.
Mother took Father’s hand off her own accord.
His fingers were long, fair, and well-defined – as straight and elegant as bamboo.
“I love your smile the most,” Mother said, pressing Father’s hand to her cheek. “Whenever you smile at me, I think, how can someone smile so joyfully, so carefree? Like spring sunshine warming my heart.”
“The doctor says your pulse is steady. Rest well, and you’ll recover soon,” Father said, his eyes reddening. “When you’re better, I’ll smile for you every day.”
“Silly,” Mother smiled gently, looking at him as if he were a mischievous child, with a hint of indulgence. “People smile together because they’re happy. If you’re not happy, you naturally won’t smile. Don’t force yourself.”
Father was stunned.
Mother continued with a smile, “I just wanted you to apologize and tell me you weren’t doing well without me.”
Father was taken aback, then smiled awkwardly. “I’m not used to you ignoring me.”
“You’re just not used to me not being by your side!” Mother teased, her gaze very tolerant and peaceful. Her voice gradually lowered, “I thought only I could make you laugh so happily. It turns out others can make you smile just as freely…”
Father didn’t catch Mother’s last words. He leaned over her bed and asked softly, “What did you say?”
“Nothing!” Mother smiled. “I’m just a bit tired!”
“Then rest your voice,” Father said, holding her hand. “I’ll stay here with you until you fall asleep.”
Mother nodded and closed her eyes, quickly drifting off.
Dou Zhao, who had been eavesdropping, ran out and angrily threw her small sandbag onto the heated kang bed.
What was this supposed to be?
Making up as if nothing had happened?
The thought flashed through her mind, leaving her deflated.
Even if they reconciled, what difference would it make?
She still needed a little brother!
But why did it feel like hands were squeezing her heart, making her chest feel tight?
Dou Zhao sat blankly on the edge of the kang.
Father came out of the inner room. Seeing Dou Zhao, he paused, then sat down beside her. “Shougou, everyone says you’re clever and can speak in long sentences now. Say something for me to hear?”
Dou Zhao glanced at Father, then lowered her head to play with the sandbag in her hands.
Father smiled good-naturedly, “This sandbag is very well-made. Who helped you make it?”
Dou Zhao still didn’t respond.
Unfazed, Father chuckled and picked her up. “Come, let Father teach you how to write!”
“I don’t like writing,” Dou Zhao said rebelliously. “I want to swing!”
“Alright!” Father laughed. “Let’s go swinging.”
The back garden was still lush with competing flora.
After swinging for a while with Father, Dou Zhao’s mood gradually improved.
Perhaps Mother’s approach was right.
Taking the initiative to reconcile, keeping Father close… It was better than this cold war with no way out.
She looked at Father more favorably now.
“Father, push me higher!”
“Okay!”
Father pushed her high into the air.
She felt like she was riding the wind, the grounds of the Dou residence expanding and shrinking beneath her feet. She saw someone washing clothes by the well in the side courtyard, Aunt Ding scolding a young maid under the eaves, and Mother’s courtyard eerily quiet… It was as if she could see everything around her. The feeling was wonderfully strange.
Dou Zhao’s laughter rang out like pearls scattering on a jade plate, clear and melodious.
Father also smiled, his eyebrows lifting.
Only Tuo Niang foolishly jumped out, blocking Dou Shixing’s path. “Seventh Master, it’s too high! Fourth Young Miss might fall. Please bring her down!”
Dou Shixing recognized Tuo Niang and smiled, “I didn’t expect you to be so loyal!” Instead of scolding her, he simply walked around her and gave Dou Zhao another strong push on the swing.
Tuo Niang was so anxious she broke out in a cold sweat.
Dou Zhao, enjoying Tuo Niang’s concern, laughed heartily.
She saw Nanny Yu rush out of Mother’s room, calling from the steps under the eaves. The previously invisible maids and wives suddenly surged forward and then scattered in all directions, creating a chaotic scene.
What had happened?
As the swing rose again, Dou Zhao craned her neck to look towards the main courtyard.