Eldest sister-in-law
Her quiet, downcast face was full of elegance, and she looked very well-behaved. Her every move subtly revealed the demeanor of a well-bred young lady. As she spoke, her thick, dark blue eyelashes trembled slightly, and a blush appeared on her fair cheeks. Compared to her usual aloofness, she now had a touch of the charming naiveté of a newlywed.
A maid had already arranged a chair for her. Lin Xu picked up her wide skirt and sat down gracefully.
Bai remained silent for a while, then took a sip of tea with a smile on his face. He then slowly raised his eyes, toying with the teacup in his hand, and said:
"Now that you've married into the family, you'll be our Dou family's daughter-in-law. So let me have a heart-to-heart talk with you. Yi Hui was truly not a good person before, and as her mother, I saw it all and was always very worried about her. Lin Youcheng is of noble character and integrity, so I'm sure his daughter will be well-behaved. That's why my husband and I are willing to entrust Yi Hui to you. With you here, I can feel a little more at ease about my second son."
Is Yi Huai Dou Yanxun's courtesy name? She had never heard anyone or even himself mention it before.
Upon hearing Bai mention her father again, Lin Xu quickly bowed and said humbly, "Your daughter-in-law will remember Mother's teachings and will ask you to teach Zhuoyan more manners in the future."
As she straightened up under some pretext, she glanced at Dou Huaisheng as if it were an accident.
However, he remained seated upright in the black nanmu armchair, his expression dignified yet exceptionally approachable; apart from that, there was nothing else to be discerned.
The group sat quietly for a moment, then heard voices outside the door, mixed with the babbling of a baby. A well-dressed maidservant who was beside Madam Bai immediately entered and whispered:
"Madam, it is the eldest young mistress who has brought Lang-ge'er to pay their respects to you both."
Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed across Bai's face, and she quickly said, "Please come in quickly."
Before long, a young woman wearing a beige cloak with peony patterns and trim entered. She was followed by a kind-looking old woman who carried a child wrapped in red brocade with a dark pattern. They respectfully entered the hall and greeted Dou Huaisheng and Bai Shi.
Lin Xu only glanced at the woman briefly before being stunned by her stunning beauty and remaining speechless for a long time.
It was an exceptionally radiant face, as bright and delicate as a peach blossom. Her figure was graceful, her full, smooth forehead adorned with a vibrant peach blossom ornament, her eyes deep yet devoid of any sharpness, her lips pink as cherries—a beauty rarely seen in the Central Plains. From the moment she slowly entered, even the ancient and silent hall seemed to brighten with a radiant glow.
This must be Feng Daizhu, the daughter of a prominent family from the northern frontier, whom Dou Yanzhou met by chance by the pond yesterday when she entered the mansion.
Bai's smile grew even more amiable as she gently gestured for Feng Daizhu to stand up.
"You're here early today. Lang-ge'er was well-behaved last night. Don't let him keep you and Da-lang up all night again, will you?"
The nanny, with remarkable insight, presented the infant in her arms to Madam Bai. Madam Bai took the child and was immediately overjoyed, her eyes crinkling with deep wrinkles.
Feng Daizhu quickly removed her cloak and handed it to the maid beside her. As she straightened her skirt, she laughed brightly.
“But you should be worried. This child is usually closest to you. Last night he kept crying and wanted his grandmother to hold him. I was afraid of disturbing you, so I had to coax him for a long time before he fell asleep. That's why I didn't even have breakfast this morning and rushed to bring Lang Ge'er to pay my respects to you.”
As she spoke, her eyes and brows were full of smiles, her words were cheerful and playful, and she was very poised and generous. A few jokes made Bai laugh continuously, and she couldn't help but chide her, "You're such a joker, it's no wonder."
Lin Xu smiled slightly and replied in response to Bai Shi's words: "My little nephew has delicate features and looks quite like my elder brother. He also has some of his father's demeanor. I imagine he will grow up to be a clever and quick-witted child."
Langge'er was currently playing in Bai's arms, grabbing his fingers and frolicking. His big, dark eyes were rolling around, and he was babbling and occasionally letting out a few muffled laughs.
Upon hearing this, Madam Bai looked up at Lin Xu and said, "This child is only five months old, but he is already very cute. You have only been married into the family for a short time, so you should visit Lang Ge more often and get closer to your sister-in-law. You are about the same age, and as sisters-in-law, you can keep each other company in the future."
Lin Xu bowed and replied, "Your daughter-in-law will keep Mother's teachings in mind."
Feng Daizhu was sipping her tea with a smile when she took over the conversation with Lin Xu, saying, "I didn't even have a chance to greet you earlier. Look at my memory."
As she put down her teacup, she smiled and said:
"As you probably already know, I am Feng from the northern frontier, and my maiden name is Daizhu. We look to be about the same age, and the two brothers are very close, so they will have each other's company from now on. Sister Xu, please come and visit often when you have time. We sisters-in-law should visit each other more often. Since you have just married into the family, if there is anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."
Lin Xu looked at Feng Daizhu and nodded slightly in acknowledgment: "Then thank you very much, sister-in-law."
Feng Daizhu casually brushed the hem of her skirt aside and smiled, "We're family, why be so formal? We're both women of the Dou family, so we should naturally look after each other." Her voice was gentle yet charming, and her every move was graceful and poised. She also possessed a boldness and cheerfulness rarely seen in ordinary women, which made Lin Xu take another look at her.
Feng Daizhu was dressed in a soft satin dress with an indigo begonia pattern, and a shawl adorned with pearls was draped over her shoulders. As she spoke and laughed, the pearls swayed gently with her body, making her face even more radiant and beautiful.
Madam Bai smiled and nodded, saying, "Daizhu has always been a kind-hearted child. The two of you can keep each other company." She then looked at Dou Huaisheng, her expression revealing a hint of emotion, "In recent years, the family has gradually grown in number, and Langge'er has also grown up day by day. The house is becoming more and more lively."
Dou Huaisheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping gently over everyone, and said thoughtfully, "Yes, with more people in the family, there should be more liveliness. If you children get along well, our Dou family will prosper even more in the future."
Upon hearing this, Feng Daizhu smiled and said, "Father, you are absolutely right. Harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things. Our household has always been harmonious and peaceful, and I am sure that our family will only become more and more prosperous in the future."
As they were talking, the maid brought out fresh tea and carefully filled everyone's teacups.
Feng Daizhu took a sip and then smiled, "This tea is excellent; it tastes like newly harvested tea from Tai'an. I know then that my parents have many fine treasures here, and we daughters-in-law are fortunate to benefit from your kindness. We should be even more attentive in our greetings from now on."
Bai was amused by her jokes and pretended to scold her, saying, "You always like to joke like that. If you ever become really quiet, I'll think something's wrong."
Lang Ge'er was only four or five months old, at the age of innocent curiosity. Seeing everyone laughing, he started babbling and thrashing about. It was his first time seeing Lin Xu, and he couldn't help but find it fascinating, constantly reaching out his little hands to Lin Xu. Seeing this, Bai Shi let Lin Xu hold Lang Ge'er for a while. After sitting for only a short while, Dou Huaisheng, who had to attend to official business, took his leave and dispersed.
Stepping out of the main hall, the autumn sun shone brightly on the courtyard. It was a rare and exceptionally fine day. The sky was clear and blue, and the soft sunlight slanted in through the carved windows under the corridor, casting a scattering of golden light and shadow.
Tall osmanthus trees lined both sides of the path in the front yard, filling the air with their rich fragrance. Lin Xu walked along the stone path with her head down. Small pebbles were embedded in the bluestone, and in the utter silence, only the light footsteps of her and Zhu Ling could be heard, making the place seem exceptionally peaceful.
Passing through the back garden, a plaque came into view, with the words "Hui Ya Ju" written leisurely on it. The name was somewhat similar to "Luo Ya Ju," where she lived in the Lin family mansion before she got married. However, this villa was more quiet and composed.
Inside the courtyard, a sparse bamboo grove swayed gently in the wind, its reflection shimmering on the gray walls. Several stone tables and benches were set up against the rugged rockery, and a few delicate crape myrtle flowers bloomed in the corner. Although it was late autumn, a few of them stubbornly remained in bloom, standing out brightly among the withered leaves.
Everywhere you look, there are elaborate wedding decorations, with bright red "double happiness" characters everywhere. Deep red curtains sway gently in the breeze, accompanied by the fragrant aroma of incense burning in the hall. In one corner, a tall mahogany screen is carved with exquisite landscape paintings, and several antique blue-and-white porcelain vases sit quietly in the corner of the hall. A few drops of wax from the red candles still remain on the candlesticks, seemingly still retaining the warmth of last night's wedding.
Several calligraphic works and ink paintings hang on the wall. The calligraphy is vigorous and powerful, showing considerable skill. The paintings are delicate in brushstrokes and rich in ink, yet with just a few strokes, they depict the magnificent scenery of landscapes.
She stood in the hall, her gaze slowly sweeping over the objects. Each one carried an unusually unfamiliar aura, yet a subtle emotion stirred within her.
Although the entire villa appeared elegant and tranquil, it lacked a sense of warmth and life, making it seem rather desolate. It seemed that the former owner of this place was also of a detached and brooding nature... completely unlike his outwardly carefree and joyful appearance.
She had once meticulously planned how to get close to Dou Yanxun, and now that she had finally married into the family, she still felt surrounded by a hazy atmosphere, unable to see clearly. She would eventually have to learn to adapt. Lin Xu slowly sat down on the canopy bed, her fingertips tracing the soft, smooth mattress, embroidered with auspicious patterns of mandarin ducks playing in the water and colorful silk threads.
Last night, right here, she and Dou Yanxun lay fully clothed on this bed. Although they hadn't consummated their marriage, from now on, others would only call her Madam Dou. Between her and him, they would no longer be just passersby. From preparations to the wedding, only a little over a month had passed, everything felt like a dream.
In recent days, a series of events have occurred at the Lin residence.
After Qi Shuang'er gave birth to a son, she suffered severe bleeding during childbirth, leaving her weak and listless, barely clinging to life. Her older sister, Qi Rou'er, was naturally heartbroken, but as a guest in the Qi household, she could only cry and make a fuss to no avail, and could only take care of her younger sister by her bedside every day with tears in her eyes.
Qi Shi had committed countless evil deeds and was deeply scheming. Now, her health was ruined, and she was no longer able to take care of the child. After much deliberation, Lin Fu, at Gao Youyi's urging, arranged for the child to be raised by the gentle and considerate Lan Yue in the household.
On the eve of her wedding, Lan Yue had been taking care of Rong Ge'er for almost half a month and had been promoted to a concubine in the mansion.
In her haste to arrange everything, Lin Xu neglected her own wedding, inevitably leading to some mistakes. Gao Youyi, however, remained concerned and busied herself with preparing her dowry, wedding arrangements, and other chores. Before her departure, everyone in the household embraced and wept with deep reluctance, many of the servants who had watched her grow up also shedding tears.
But she had no choice; she could only steel herself and step into the bright red sedan chair. From this departure onward, she would no longer be Miss Lin, but the wife of Second Young Master Dou.
Because the marriage was approved by the Empress, and Lin Fu and Gao Youyi were extremely worried that she might be wronged, they gave her a very grand dowry, arranging a total of sixty chests. She originally wanted to keep things simple, but after much back and forth, she couldn't go against her parents' wishes and had no choice but to agree.
Accompanying her to the Dou residence were Zhu Ling, who was her dowry maid; Qin Mama, who had grown up with her since childhood; and the two maids Qing Mo and Rong Wei who had served her at Luo Ya Ju. Also present were the two guards, Zhou Qi and Zhou Quan, whom Liang Zhengyuan had instructed to stay behind to protect her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
