Chapter 222 — Not as Good

Her aunt assumed she was worn out and merely told her to rest well. It was Zhao Zhangru who teased her, saying she had less stamina than Zhao herself, and sat with her in her room, chatting idly.

Dou Yan responded half-heartedly, until the afternoon, when Chen Yanzhou came over.

His expression was very grim.

"A few days ago, Steward Gao drove the Seventh Master to the summer palace. They say he went to see a colleague from the same examination year who serves in the Messenger Office," Chen Yanzhou said gravely. "As for the heir, I have already asked Mr. Yan to help pass along a message. Mr. Yan says the Emperor will be moving to the Forbidden Palace in the next day or two, so the heir is sure to be very busy. But if the heir receives the message, he will certainly find a way to come see you, Miss. He asks you to be patient and not fret."

How could things be so coincidental?

Dou Yan felt the sweat on her forehead seem to grow heavier.

Could Father have gone to see Song Zhi?

She thought with horror.

If Father really went to see Song Zhi... would this count as lifting a rock only to drop it on her own foot?

Dou Yan was filled with regret.

She should have told Song Yan clearly and plainly from the start that she did not wish to marry—she should not have been vague and ambiguous.

Chen Yanzhou, meanwhile, frowned deeply, feeling that the smile with which Yan Che had said "be patient and not fret" was rather meaningful, as if something were about to happen—and Yan Che was keeping it from him.

He could not help murmuring, "Two days ago, the old master of the Ji family sent an invitation to the Seventh Master, asking him to drink at Yuqiao Alley. But the Seventh Master went instead to Wanming Temple in the southern suburbs outside the city, giving everyone quite a search. Tell me—could the Seventh Master's avoidance of the Ji family have something to do with the Duke of Ying?"

She did not know what was wrong with her in this life.

First there was Wu Shan, then He Yu and Ji Yong, and now Song Yan had to stick his foot in as well!

In her previous life, she could not even find someone who would cherish her!

Dou Yan sighed. Just as she was pondering how to tell Chen Yanzhou her suspicions, a clamor of gongs and drums suddenly came from outside.

Her aunt and cousin came in together.

Both wore expressions of uncontrollable delight—Zhao Zhangru especially. Paying no heed to Chen Yanzhou's presence, she took Dou Zhiwei's hand with a grin and said, "Shouyuan's jade ruyi really did bring good fortune."

Her tone carried a hint of teasing.

Dou Yan was dumbfounded.

Her aunt, chuckling, scolded her cousin a couple of times, then said kindly, "Don't listen to your cousin's nonsense—she is only jealous of you."

A sense of foreboding immediately surged in Dou Yan's heart.

She could not help glancing toward Chen Yanzhou.

Chen Yanzhou happened to be looking at her as well.

Their eyes met, and in each other's gaze they saw deep worry.

Her aunt had already stepped forward with a smile and taken Dou Zhiwei's hand. "Shouyuan, congratulations. The Duke of Ying has come in person to propose marriage on behalf of his eldest son—Song Yantang, heir of the Duke of Ying's estate. Your father went to inspect him personally; the young man's character and appearance are both outstanding, and he has already consented. The Duke of Ying's estate has come to deliver the betrothal gifts!"

"What did you say?" Dou Yan gasped, drawing in a cold breath.

Chen Yanzhou opened his mouth and stared blankly at Dou Yan, unable to collect himself for a long while.

※※※※※

Before the Fifth Madam's sedan chair had even reached Yunqi Temple, she heard a burst of crackling firecrackers ahead, followed by a deafening blare of drums and music.

Smiling, she lifted the sedan curtain and asked the old woman walking beside it, "Whose family is celebrating a happy occasion?"

The old woman quickly smiled and said, "Shall I go and ask?"

"No need," said the Fifth Madam. "I was only asking idly. It is more important to get to the Seventh Master's house."

The old master of the Ji family had specially prepared a banquet for the Seventh Uncle, yet the Seventh Uncle had sent not a word and simply failed to appear, leaving both the Ji and Dou families deeply embarrassed. Her husband had specially sent her over to ask what had happened.

Since she had given the order that getting to Dou Huaiying's house was the priority, the bearers quickened their pace, and they soon reached the Crane Cry Temple Alley, only to be blocked at its mouth by a crowd packed layer upon layer.

Displeased, the Fifth Madam lifted the sedan curtain once more and said in a low, stern voice, "What is going on here?"

The old serving woman who accompanied the sedan came trotting up: "Fifth Madam, they say the eldest young lady of the Dou family—the Hanlin scholar's household in Elephant Mountain Temple Alley—is betrothed, and everyone has crowded round the Dou residence gates to watch the excitement!"

"What did you say?" The Fifth Madam's face drained of color, and she said urgently, "Are you certain? Which Hanlin Dou is it?"

In Crane Cry Temple Alley, apart from the Seventh Master, what other Hanlin scholar was there?

The old woman muttered this to herself, yet dared not speak it aloud. Though she well knew which family it was, she still ran over and asked again.

"How could this be?" The Fifth Madam slumped back in the sedan, feeling as though a cloth had been stuffed into her chest, leaving her unable to breathe.

※

Sisters and brothers who read this book, the month is drawing to a close—I beg you for your pink tickets!

o(n_n)o~

※