"Today, I've truly seen it! The women in this Marquis's residence's backyard... none of them are worry-free!" In the tea room of the side hall, Wang Yingxue and Wei Tingzhen sat together, drinking tea. Wei Tingzhen, seeing Wang Yingxue frozen and silent for a long time, took the initiative to speak.
"Oh..." However, Wang Yingxue's mind was in a turmoil at this moment. She had been trying to process the fact that the jade-faced fox-like gentleman was actually Wei Tingyu. Hearing Wei Tingzhen's words, she didn't think about it at all, unconsciously nodding in agreement.
"So, I'll only be at ease if your Ming'er enters the Marquis's residence as my brother's principal wife! Otherwise, who knows what this Marquis Jining's residence will become!" Wei Tingzhen frowned, surprised by Wang Yingxue's cold reaction, and continued speaking.
"Mmm..." However, Wang Yingxue still had no reaction, her eyes still glazed over, unconsciously nodding in agreement.
"..." Wei Tingzhen was bewildered! This whole setup today was initiated by you, Wang Yingxue! Wasn't the purpose to get your biological daughter into the Marquis's residence as the principal wife? Why are you suddenly acting so indifferent? If things were to end this way, wouldn't the half of Dou Zhao's dowry that she was promised also be lost?
"Hey, hey!" Thinking this, Wei Tingzhen quickly tapped Wang Yingxue's shoulder with her round fan and asked, "What are you thinking about? Why have you been so absent-minded since the beginning?"
"Me?" Wang Yingxue finally snapped out of it with Wei Tingzhen's tap of the fan. Seeing the other party's puzzled expression, she also felt helpless. What could I be thinking about? Aren't I thinking about your brother?! But she couldn't directly tell Wei Tingzhen this. After all, there was a generational gap between her and Wei Tingyu! Moreover, it was originally for her daughter's marriage, but now it concerned herself... how could she possibly say such a thing? If the matter between them were to be exposed, it would truly become a huge scandal! Besides, her daughter Dou Ming might never speak to her mother again in her life!
Yes! Since what happened before has already occurred, I can't let the situation worsen! Cut losses in time! Pretend nothing happened before! She would confine that night's tenderness to her heart forever, treating it as a spring dream, and then everything would be fine! Of course, Wang Yingxue made this decision with a heavy heart! At this moment, she bit her lower lip hard to alleviate the pain in her heart! After all, the jade-faced fox-like gentleman was the only man she had truly felt for all these years! Giving him up like this would be heartbreaking for anyone; her heart would undoubtedly be filled with sorrow! However, thinking of her daughter's future happiness, Wang Yingxue had no choice but to make such a sacrifice!
"Could it be that after seeing my brother wearing the jade-faced fox mask just now... you were captivated... and stared blankly!" And Wei Tingzhen, this woman, didn't know what happened, but she suddenly truly grasped the truth and essence of the matter, speaking with a teasing chuckle. However, Wei Tingzhen saying this was completely just two married women teasing each other and telling dirty jokes. In reality, she truly didn't think in that direction. After all, Wang Yingxue was still matchmaking for Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu before, so no one would have thought that she herself had fallen into this emotional whirlpool!
"What nonsense are you talking about? How dare you speak so carelessly!" However, upon hearing Wei Tingzhen's words, Wang Yingxue was truly startled! She immediately shivered, thinking whether she had exposed herself by acting too obviously, and had been seen through! However, when she saw the teasing look in Wei Tingzhen's eyes, she realized that this woman was telling a dirty joke to her. While letting out a sigh of relief, she glared at Wang Yingxue and said, "How can you speak such rubbish? I think you're old in body but not in heart! How long has it been since Duke Jingguo visited your room? Making you so full of lust?!"
"What are you saying? Aren't you ashamed..."
The two women thus began their dirty jokes, one after another, but these words caused another layer of worry in Wang Yingxue's ears. Because although she had thought it through well earlier, burying that past deep in her heart, merely treating it as a memory! However, there were two people involved in that past experience! Although she was willing to never bring it up again, what if Wei Tingyu wasn't? What if he refused to cooperate?
Right! I still need to find an opportunity to talk to Wei Tingyu alone! To clear things up and make him wholeheartedly devoted to Dou Ming, completely forgetting her. This outcome would be good for everyone! However, although her rational mind told her this was the correct thing to do, emotionally, Wang Yingxue couldn't help but feel lost and depressed. It seemed that in this life, she truly had a connection but no destiny with the jade-faced fox-like gentleman! However, from another perspective, after Dou Ming marries Wei Tingyu, they will still be a family, and they will still be able to see each other on normal days. Sometimes, a glance between them might also reveal the affection of that night! Although the others present wouldn't understand, it could still be a tiny, pitiful comfort to her heart!
"Brother-in-law, look!" In the courtyard at this moment, Dou Ming was delightedly holding a kite, and at the same time, excitedly pointed to a couplet beneath the kite, speaking to Wei Tingyu.
"A single cry begins from here! Gazing at the azure clouds!" Wei Tingyu looked up and couldn't help but exclaim from the bottom of his heart. This couplet was truly well-written! It had a deep meaning and also perfectly matched Wei Tingyu's current state of mind!
"I wrote this myself!" Dou Ming's small face flushed upon hearing her brother-in-law's praise, and her expression became very joyful.
"Excellent verses! And good meaning too!" Dou Zhao, who was beside them, smiled, walked forward, and looked at Dou Ming, saying, "And written in Ming'er's own hand, are you hoping for the Marquis's smooth official career, and then for him and you to live in harmony, gazing at the azure clouds?"
"I..." Dou Ming didn't expect her innermost thoughts to be suddenly revealed by her sister Dou Zhao. And in front of her brother-in-law Wei Tingyu, her face immediately turned bright red.
"Why are you blushing?" Dou Zhao blinked. She genuinely liked this younger sister now. So she was especially willing to tease her; it always felt fun and also strengthened their sisterly bond!
"I was blessing brother-in-law and sister to live in harmony, gazing at the azure clouds!" Dou Ming knew her sister was teasing her, but she still spoke timidly and softly.
"Me and the Marquis gazing at the azure clouds?" Dou Zhao blinked, looked at Dou Ming, and asked again, "Then what about you, Ming'er? Where are you?"
"Me?" Dou Ming paused, then looked at Wei Tingyu. Seeing him also looking at her with a faint smile, her heart was instantly filled with courage. She took a deep breath, then said, "If brother-in-law and sister don't mind, Ming'er wishes to stay by your side..."
Good heavens! This is practically a direct confession! Wei Tingyu hadn't expected that Dou Ming, this young girl who was gentle and charming, and soft-spoken, would actually be so courageous for love!
"About this matter... let's see what the Marquis and Heaven think?" Dou Zhao's eyes darted around, then she pointed to a gourd hanging under the distant covered bridge and said, "If the Marquis can hit that gourd with an arrow, then it means Heaven also approves of this joyous event!"
"Good!" Wei Tingyu nodded, then took the longbow from Dou Zhao's hand, nocked an arrow, and aimed.
Dou Ming's heart immediately leapt to her throat. She had never expected things to progress so quickly. They were just chatting, and then it turned into Wei Tingyu shooting a gourd with an arrow to determine her destiny?! It seemed that brother-in-law also liked her very much, otherwise he wouldn't have agreed so readily! But what if brother-in-law missed? What then? Heaven, please bless brother-in-law to hit that gourd with an arrow! Dou Ming was both scared, expectant, and anxious, the expression on her small face changing repeatedly, which made Dou Zhao next to her cover her mouth and chuckle.
My younger sister is truly adorable! Since the Marquis also likes her, then let's take her in! Hitting the gourd or not doesn't really matter! Moreover, Dou Zhao knew Wei Tingyu's skill! She herself had practiced archery diligently since childhood, which was why she could hit the wooden pillar on the covered bridge from such a far distance with an arrow. However, compared to Wei Tingyu, it was completely on a different level! Of course, for Wei Tingyu, archery didn't require any practice at all! Although he had never touched a bow and arrow before transmigrating, after casually trying it a couple of times in the Marquis's residence, he already had pinpoint accuracy. After all, with decades of internal cultivation as his foundation, his hand wouldn't tremble at all when drawing a bow! Plus, his far superior eyesight and perception allowed him to fully account for the influence of wind speed and direction. One could say he could pin a fly on the wall from a hundred paces away with a single arrow!
Thinking this, Wei Tingyu didn't hesitate; he drew his bow and shot an arrow directly! And sure enough, the flying arrow instantly pierced the gourd under the covered bridge, then burst into a shower of scattered petals! It was clear that the gourd contained petals and had been hung under the covered bridge beforehand, meaning Dou Zhao had prepared it long ago! This little girl hadn't even given him a heads-up! Wei Tingyu thought this, glanced at Dou Zhao next to him, and was met with a smile in return. One had to admit, with a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?
"It hit!" Seeing Wei Tingyu's infallible shot, hitting the target with one arrow, Dou Ming immediately jumped up with joy, even clapping and cheering, "Brother-in-law is amazing!" Of course, at this moment, she wasn't flattering Wei Tingyu, but genuinely happy in her heart! According to what Sister Dou Zhao said just now, wasn't this fate? She was willing! Brother-in-law was willing! And Heaven was willing! Then this marriage would surely succeed!
"Does younger sister Ming like watching archery so much?" Dou Zhao smiled at this moment, looking at the jubilant Dou Ming and said, "I, your elder sister, never knew this before."
"I..." Dou Ming's face turned bright red. She secretly glanced at Wei Tingyu, who was smiling at her, her heart pounding. But she still nodded carefully and said, "I just saw brother-in-law's heroic posture while shooting... I couldn't help but cheer."
"Then if Ming'er wants to learn archery, let your brother-in-law teach you!" Dou Zhao was also intent on facilitating Dou Ming's entry into the residence at this time. After all, letting such a good younger sister remain by Wang Yingxue's side would truly ruin the young girl's entire life!
"Mmm..." Dou Ming nodded, her cheeks red, then cautiously glanced at Wei Tingyu but didn't speak. Instead, she took the longbow from Dou Zhao's hand, copying his previous stance, and prepared to draw the string.
"This posture is incorrect! Otherwise, you might injure yourself!" Wei Tingyu saw this and stepped forward to personally guide Dou Ming's stance for drawing the string. Of course, for convenience, he stood entirely behind Dou Ming, practically holding her during this instruction. Dou Ming naturally felt the warmth and stability of her brother-in-law's chest against her back, and she happily closed her eyes slightly, wholeheartedly savoring this unforgettable sensation. As for whether she learned archery or not, Dou Ming didn't care at all! After all, her original hobbies were just writing poetry and painting.
"Ming'er!" However, at this moment, Wang Yingxue's voice suddenly rang out from the covered bridge on the second floor. Dou Ming was instantly startled and quickly retreated two steps, leaving Wei Tingyu's embrace. Then she looked up at her mother standing upstairs, lowering her head somewhat ashamed.
"It's fine for your brother-in-law, being a man, to play with shooting arrows, but why are you showing off?" However, Wang Yingxue had just seen Wei Tingyu embracing Dou Ming and teaching her archery, and a flicker of inexplicable jealousy rose in her heart. She immediately said, "Horseback riding and archery are precisely what women should not learn!"
However, as soon as Wang Yingxue said this, Dou Ming was terrified, which goes without saying, and Dou Zhao's face instantly turned cold. After all, she was originally a free-spirited woman, and especially now, having entered the Marquis's residence with Wei Tingyu's support and even encouragement, she had become even more true to herself! Hearing Wang Yingxue say what women shouldn't do naturally made her even more indignant!
"Marquis!" Wang Yingxue hadn't expected to feel jealous of her daughter Dou Ming, but seeing everyone's gaze turn to her, she quickly forced out an awkward smile and nodded to Wei Tingyu, saying, "You've been playing for a while... Are you tired? Why not go back inside and have some fruit and rest?"
Around the long table in the room, all the seated women were clearly divided. Wang Yingxue and Wei Tingzhen, as temporary allies, sat on one side, while Dou Zhao, Miao Ansu, Zhao Zhangru, and He Weifang sat on the other. As for the pitiful Dou Ming, she was caught between the two sides, unable to choose either, so she could only sit in the middle, looking wronged. Her small eyes darted nervously, afraid that the two sides would clash, which would make her even more awkward!
"Where did my brother run off to again? Why doesn't he come inside to rest?" Wei Tingzhen rolled her eyes in annoyance, seeing the four women opposite, Dou Zhao, unified against outsiders. Then she asked.
"How dare we women of the inner quarters question the Marquis's affairs!?" Zhao Zhangru, with her fiery temper, naturally wouldn't indulge this nominal older sister-in-law. She gave her a huge eye-roll, then spoke sarcastically.
"You..." Wei Tingzhen was stunned. She hadn't expected these people to actually retort? And the one who retorted was neither Dou Zhao, the principal wife, nor He Weifang, the co-wife, but Zhao Zhangru, a concubine! A concubine was a concubine; even a noble concubine was not fit to be on such a stage! Wei Tingzhen was already displeased that Dou Zhao allowed a concubine to sit at the same table as them! After being spoken to sarcastically by Zhao Zhangru like this, her eyes widened even more in anger.
"This Marquis's residence is truly becoming more and more disrespectful!" Wei Tingzhen directly looked at Dou Zhao and asked, "Sister Zhao! As the Head Lady of the Marquis's residence, is this how you manage the inner quarters?"
"Is there something wrong with that?" However, although Dou Zhao usually didn't like to directly retort people, her heart was far more resentful of these so-called嫡庶 (legitimate vs. concubine-born) rules than Zhao Zhangru! At this moment, she feigned a bewildered expression, looked at Wei Tingzhen, and asked, "But the Marquis praised me for managing it well!"
"It is a great truth that a woman, after marrying, should follow her husband. Our Head Lady listens to the Marquis, so who can point out a single fault?" He Weifang also sneered at this moment. Her affection for the three women who had married into the Marquis's residence earlier was as strong as gold, and she spoke out in support of Dou Zhao without hesitation.
"The affairs of the Marquis's residence should be decided by the Marquis and the Head Lady!" Miao Ansu also raised her eyes, looking at Wei Tingzhen, and even showed a disdainful smile as she said, "Since older sister has already married out, you should worry more about the affairs of the Jingguo Duke's residence! There's no need for older sister to worry excessively about our Marquis Jining's residence!"
"This... this..." Wei Tingzhen hadn't expected that a single sentence from her would lead to such a barrage of angry retorts from the four women opposite. But she couldn't find any reason to suppress them! After all, simply because she had already married out, she truly had no right to question the affairs of Marquis Jining's residence. And it was very clear that what the four women were saying was not just about her past actions, but also about her and Wang Yingxue's collaboration today to try and force a concubine onto Wei Tingyu! Although Dou Ming was originally in Wei Tingyu's plan to take concubines, and the four women had no objection to her entering the household, the feeling of the Marquis actively wanting someone versus an outsider forcibly inserting someone was vastly different! Of course, this anger would definitely be directed at Wei Tingzhen and Wang Yingxue, and would not involve the young girl Dou Ming.