Chapter 4 Want to marry her? Dream on!

Dou Mingyan and Dou Mingxiu walked out of the courtyard one after the other, attracting everyone's attention.

Dou Mingyan wore a peach-red brocade dress with gold-sprinkled cloud patterns, adorned with pearls and jade, and even the strands of her hair exuded an air of wealth and luxury.

"Yan'er, you're still weak and not fully recovered. Why did you come out? Come sit down next to your mother!"

Madam Gu, her face full of affection, took her hand and instructed the nanny, "Hurry up and make tea for the Third Miss?"

"Mother, I'm really fine. Why are you making such a fuss... and even alarming the Crown Prince's Palace."

Madam Gu looked her over and nodded with satisfaction. "You look good. You're engaged, so you can't be careless."

"Mother, you're making fun of me again!" Dou Mingyan said shyly, turning to her with concern, "Sister, is your leg feeling better? I only heard later that Father got angry and injured your leg. It's all my fault. If I hadn't gotten sick, I would have stopped Father."

Dou Wenyi's eyes were deep and dark, and a surge of hatred suddenly welled up inside her.

Ha, and they even made her act like they had a deep sisterly bond!

If she loves acting so much, why doesn't she go and become a Peking Opera singer?

Dou Wenyi raised her head and said slowly, "Thank you for your concern, sister. I am fine now."

"Sister, what exactly happened that night...?"

"Shut up!" Dou Mingxiu's expression suddenly changed, and he immediately interrupted her.

Dou Wenyi chuckled inwardly. She thought she was so good at pretending, but now she couldn't help but show her fangs and wanted to tear her apart.

In the past, she would have been provoked into losing control of her emotions and becoming flustered by their words, but now, she doesn't care at all and no longer expects their insincere feelings.

If she gets caught up in rumors of 'losing her virginity,' she will be stigmatized for the rest of her life.

Instead of hiding, take the initiative and prove your innocence!

“That night, I stayed in the side room and didn’t go anywhere. However, this matter really shouldn’t have been kept from Young Master Xie,” Dou Wenyi replied casually.

Hearing her reply, Dou Mingxiu became even more irritated. Did she have no shame at all?

Xie Guidu is her future husband. How could she be so nonchalant and bring up her shameful past during the marriage proposal?

Dou Mingxiu subconsciously looked at his father and mother, but they seemed oblivious to anything amiss, and neither of them stopped his fourth sister from speaking!

"Enough! Shouldn't we be discussing the matter of the Eldest Princess now?"

Dou Mingyan's expression hardened. She had originally intended to expose her shameful deeds and let Xie Guidu see her true, dissolute nature, but she didn't expect that idiot Dou Mingxiu would feel sorry for her instead.

Sure enough, they are siblings after all; blood is thicker than water!

Dou Mingyan smiled radiantly, “I still have some connection with the Eldest Princess. If she really doesn’t want to give up, then I can just go and beg His Highness the Crown Prince… This matter concerns Fourth Sister’s happiness for the rest of her life, so as her older sister, I should take on more responsibility.”

Madam Gu's worry turned to joy. "Look, our Yan'er is so thoughtful."

Dou Bochang glanced at Dou Mingyan with satisfaction, then changed the subject, "Young Master Xie, what are your thoughts on what has happened to Yi'er recently?"

Why bring this up again?

Dou Mingxiu was taken aback, and his heart jumped into his throat.

Just as Dou Mingxiu was about to speak up in support, Xie Guidu said seriously, "I believe in Fourth Miss. May I speak with her privately about this matter?"

The elders exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

The two moved to the flower hall.

Xie Guidu pondered for a long time before finally speaking slowly, "Yi'er, what you said just now was not an excuse. I believe you, and I don't care about those rumors."

Dou Wenyi's voice suddenly became heavy, "You don't mind, but I do."

"Are you saying that you believe I haven't lost my virginity, or that you're willing to humiliate yourself and come to marry me even if I have?"

A cold glint appeared in Xie Guidu's eyes; her words were far too sharp.

“If this rumor isn’t clarified, I’ll become the subject of gossip and never be able to hold my head up high again. Your marriage proposal today will not only fail to save me from this predicament, but will also make people think that you’re trying to cover up the truth, and they will criticize me even more.”

"I don't need your self-righteous help, much less your cheap sympathy and charity. I disagree with this marriage, and I will never marry you in this lifetime!"

"No!" Xie Guidu paused, then turned to look at Dou Wenyi.

Dou Wenyi smiled meaningfully, "Why do you insist on marrying me? Do you have some ulterior motive?"

Xie Guidu frowned and turned his face away.

"Yi'er, the marriage agreement is a promise between our two families. I don't want to break it, and please don't belittle yourself. Reply properly, and we'll talk again when you're in a better mood."

He walked away quickly, and Dou Wenyi watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.

Judging from his appearance, he was quite frank with himself, but he was very secretive about the engagement. It didn't seem like he had been reborn, but rather like he knew something and therefore brought forward the engagement.

What secrets does this engagement conceal? And how does he know my childhood name?

If given the chance, she would have to test the waters.

——

"Miss, what will you do if Young Master Xie really breaks off the engagement?" Cuizhi asked, her face full of worry, as she followed behind her.

Dou Wenyi was eager to break off the engagement smoothly, but her parents would never agree to it, especially since her reputation had been damaged.

Her mind was racing when she suddenly remembered something. Lifting her skirt, she hurriedly turned and ran towards the backyard.

"Young lady, where are you going? This isn't the way back to Yilan Courtyard. Wait for me—"

In the courtyard, plump cherries are hidden among the lush green branches, emitting an enticing fragrance.

The cherry trees in the Dou family's yard are several decades old, quite rare, and have an excellent taste. Every time they ripen, greedy children would sneak over to pick them.

The Dou family and the Zhang family lived next to each other, connected by a lake. It was during this time that the young master of the Zhang family came to steal cherries, but he accidentally fell into the lake and drowned!

When his body was recovered, he was still clutching a cherry tightly in his hand.

Later, the Zhang family made a scene at the Dou family, demanding that they pay with their lives. Consort Zhang cried and complained in the palace every day. As a result, Dou Bochang was not only demoted, but also had all the cherry trees in his family cut down.

Some people said, "Since the Fourth Miss returned, the Dou family has been plagued by misfortunes. She really is a jinx."

An unexpected disaster ultimately implicated her.

Dou Wenyi stood on the shore, looking around, when suddenly, a shrill cry for help broke the silence.

"Help! Help!"

Not far away, a tiny child was frantically splashing and struggling in the lake.

"Girl, it looks like someone has fallen into the water!"

Without hesitation, Dou Wenyi immediately jumped into the lake.

She had no choice in her past life, but in this life, she will definitely take her destiny into her own hands...