Chapter 59 — Condolences (Bonus Update for 330 Pink Votes)

If Dou Yan married into the Pang, that estate would become the Pang's.

Though the Second Dowager had issued a gag order, those who had lived through those years knew the truth in their hearts.

When Wang Shuying looked at Pang Yulou again, there was a shade more wariness in her gaze.

She is truly full of schemes!

Wang Shuying thought. Dou Huaiying was speaking with the mourners who had come from the Wu family: "...gone so suddenly, no one could have expected it... As for the Hanlin Academy, I've reported my mourning leave. It's a good chance to settle down at home and read a few books..."

Wu Shan, following at his uncle's side, quietly slipped a pouch into Dou Chu's hand. "My condolences—take care of yourself!"

But what did that have to do with a pouch?

She looked at Wu Shan, puzzled.

Seizing a moment when the elders were not watching, Wu Shan said in a low voice, "It's a safety charm I prayed for at the Dafang Temple." His voice was hurried, and his ears flushed red.

Dou Yan was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Many thanks"—her words earnest and sincere.

Wu Shan squinted with a smile, his ears growing even redder; after that he stood by his uncle's side, eyes on his nose and nose on his heart, and did not look at Dou Chu again.

Dou Yan dimly sensed Wu Shan's regard for her, and could not help falling into thought... After the forty-nine days of mourning rites, Grandfather was buried in the Dou ancestral graveyard at the North Tower, and the guests at the house gradually dispersed.

Pang Yulou took counsel with Wang Shuying: "Could Xiu and Kun study at the Dou clan school?"

Wang Shuying disliked Pang Yulou's greed and did not wish to do her this favor. Yet fearing that she might one day need something of the Pang, she was unwilling to fall out with them; so she shifted the matter onto Dou Huaiying. Dou Huaiying thought the two boys seemed rather worldly for his taste, and liking them little, passed the responsibility to Third Uncle: "...it's always been Third Master who manages it, and I don't know what requirements there are for studying at the clan school. You'd best go ask Third Master."

Both agreed with visible reluctance.

Pang Yulou had heard far harsher words than these and did not take them to heart. She had eight gift boxes brought and went in person to find Dou Heng.

The Dou clan school was renowned throughout Zhending Prefecture, and kinsmen and friends often sent their children to study under the Dou.

Dou Zhen agreed without a second thought.

And so Pang Jixiu and Pang Kunbai entered the Dou clan school, and soon came to know Dou Yong, Dou Huaide, Dou Yan, and the others. Now and then they even contrived to follow them back to the Eastern residence for meals—only they never once encountered Dou Yan.

Pang Kunbai could not refrain from complaining to his father: "It's no use at all."

Pang Yinlou slapped his son. "Your father's been in business for a dozen years and scraped together a mere twenty or thirty thousand taels. A fortune that size—you think you can get it without lifting a finger? Since when is anything that cheap?" Then he scolded him further, "Show me some spirit! That Dou fortune is watched not only by your uncle but by your aunt, who has her own little calculations. Don't let that Wang Tan fellow get the better of it and leave you weeping with no tears to shed."

"Truly?" Pang Kunbai was astonished. "Wang Tan is four years younger than the Dou Fourth Miss?"

"So what if he's four years younger?" Pang Jinlou said. "Pang Jixiu is six years older than the Fourth Miss!"

Pang Kunbai shut his mouth.

Pang Jixiu was steadier than Pang Kunbai. Having spent a great deal of silver to have someone investigate the Dou household, he not only applied himself earnestly to his letters under the Dou clan school's tutor, Madam Du, but also strove to ingratiate himself with everyone in the school.

Dou Junqi and the others were used to being flattered and did not take it to heart; yet through the attendants of Dou Junqi and his circle, Pang Jixiu learned that Dou Yan went to the country estate every summer to stay for a time.

The following summer he made his preparations early, and the moment he heard that Dou Yan had set out for the estate, he invited Dou Yong and the others to amuse themselves in the countryside.

Dou Yong and the rest were unwilling. "It'll bake us to death—what's there to do in a country place?" Dou Huaide was holding a bowl of iced sour-plum drink as he spoke.

Pang Jixiu did not think there was much to do there either, and could only say, "We could go down to the river and catch fish?"

"I can fish just as well from the bank of the pond," Dou Yong said lazily.

Wu Shan arrived.

Dou Yong introduced them, and asked in surprise, "I thought you'd come for the Dragon Boat Festival, but you didn't, and now you turn up in this scorching heat—is there something urgent?"

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