Chapter 24 Pretentious Rewards and Punishments
Madam Gu's face turned cold, and her breathing became unsteady.
"Stop talking nonsense! Yan'er's life is hanging by a thread. In Young Master Xie's eyes, what difference does gender make? Can you bear to watch her die?"
She wouldn't even let anyone mention it; Dou Mingyan was truly her Achilles' heel.
Dou Wenyi laughed, "Mother, why are you in such a hurry? If I were really that heartless, why would I jump into the water to save her?"
She changed the subject, "Grandmother's health isn't good, and I'd like to cook more medicinal meals for her. But going to the main kitchen every day is inconvenient, as it's a long journey and there are too many people around. I'd like to set up a separate small kitchen in Yilan Courtyard. Is that alright?"
She needs to refine pills, which will require a lot of time in the small kitchen. Of course, she also needs to renovate the small kitchen.
Weren't we supposed to shut her up? Then she'll have to fight for some real benefits for herself.
“No.” Madam Gu frowned and immediately rejected the idea.
Only the old lady and her own courtyard had a small kitchen in the mansion; neither Dou Mingyan nor the daughters of the second wife had one.
This sets a precedent and will likely attract gossip.
Dou Wenyi said regretfully, "Mother is right. I can't eat lychees at all, but Xie Guidu sends them every year. My third sister loves lychees the most, and the eunuch even saw her fall into the water. If any rumors spread... Grandmother has always doted on me, and I've kept everything from her. I'm so unfilial. This marriage is really a step up for me, and Grandmother is afraid she'll worry that I'll be mistreated..."
The embroidery in Madam Gu's hands was almost twisted into a ball. Finally, she compromised, "Fine, since you are my child, it doesn't matter if I dote on you more. If your father blames you, I'll just cover for you."
Dou Wenyi couldn't help but laugh; she was willing to risk anything for Dou Mingyan.
Her eyes lit up with joy, and she pressed her advantage, "Mother, what happened to the set of rosewood furniture that used to be in my yard? And what about all my jewelry? Have you put them in the storeroom for me? When will you get them back for me?"
The wood was imported from Persia and was rare and precious. It was specially purchased by Madam Dou for Dou Wenyi at great expense, and skilled craftsmen were hired. It took five years to complete the work.
Madam Gu's face was contorted in anger.
The jewelry is fine, but that set of furniture is currently in Lan Yue Pavilion. Are we going to ask Mingyan to return it?
She and Dou Wenyi had long since drifted apart, and she didn't expect her to be filial at all. But Mingyan was different; she was obedient, sensible, dignified, and virtuous—the ideal daughter in her heart.
The key point is that she is also the Crown Princess, and she will be very wealthy and powerful in the future!
Madam Gu remained silent for a long time before gritting her teeth and saying, "When you were away a few years ago, I was worried that the servants would embezzle those things, so I ordered them to be put away. Nothing of yours will be missing."
Dou Wenyi smiled and said, "I knew Mother treated me the best."
This is just the beginning. She will take back everything that belongs to her, one by one.
Isn't Dou Mingyan only able to act so arrogantly because she is the 'future Crown Princess'?
Through this test, she clearly realized that even if the Dou family discovered that Xie Guidu was not in love with her, they would still marry her off to the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion.
If you want to break off the engagement, you'll have to find another way.
Unlike the undercurrents in Yilan Courtyard, shrill screams echoed throughout Lanyue Pavilion.
None of the maids and servants involved yesterday escaped punishment; they were all severely beaten.
Even though Dou Mingyan harbored deep resentment, she dared not show it. She cried with tears blurring her vision, "Father, please spare Amber for the sake of the affection she has shown me since she was a child! I have no relatives left in my hometown!"
"If Amber makes another mistake, do you know what the consequences will be!" Dou Bochang finally felt a pang of pity.
"I know, I will definitely keep the servants in check from now on." Dou Mingyan's face was slightly pale; this was the first time Dou Bochang had been so strict with her.
"Do you know how to respond to the Crown Prince?" Dou Bochang's expression was displeased; if this marriage were to change, it would be a huge loss...
Dou Mingyan raised her tear-streaked face, her voice choked with emotion, "Father, don't worry, Si Yan treats me differently, he won't hold it against me, I will explain the situation to him personally."
Dou Bochang's expression softened. "You are the future Crown Princess. A slight misstep could lead to disaster. In some matters, no one cares about right or wrong, only the outcome. Your father's intentions are good, do you understand?"
Dou Mingyan sniffed. "Father, Yan'er understands."
Dou Bochang wasn't standing up for Dou Wenyi; it was just that she made a poor move and was outmaneuvered by Dou Wenyi.
She couldn't understand why Dou Wenyi could predict her behavior in advance and even use Xie Guidu to break the deadlock. Wasn't Xie Guidu the person she cared about the most?
Dou Bochang paused for a moment, then said, "For the time being, you should stay at the mansion. Let's postpone the poetry gatherings and flower banquets."
This means being confined to one's home.
Dou Mingyan felt a chill run down her spine, and a hint of ferocity appeared in her eyes. "Yan'er will remember this."
After Dou Bochang left, there were several loud cracking sounds as the teacups on the table fell to the ground and shattered!
Dou Mingyan unleashed all her anger on the various decorative items in the room.
The ground was a mess.
Amber endured the burning pain in her buttocks, not daring to utter a sound.
After a long while, she finally spoke to comfort her, "My lady, you were born to be a person of the clouds, worlds apart from that lowly woman. This is not a time to fight for a moment's pride. Once you marry into the Eastern Palace and become the Crown Princess, who among them will not bow to you? Your good fortune is yet to come!"
"The Crown Prince is your greatest asset! You must pull yourself together, clear up the misunderstanding, and firmly grasp his heart; that's the right thing to do."
"As for that bitch Dou Wenyi, you will have plenty of ways to deal with her when you become the Crown Princess!"
With her beauty and talent, Dou Mingyan was naturally confident that she could make Pei Siyan her devoted follower. However, as long as Dou Wenyi, this potential threat, remained unresolved, she would not be able to eat or sleep in peace!
The thought of that secret being discovered...
A tremendous fear almost overwhelmed her.
Dou Mingyan couldn't help but shudder and forcefully suppressed the thought.
She was determined to sullied Dou Wenyi's reputation or force her to marry someone as soon as possible. It didn't matter if it was Xie Guidu, or some beggar, rogue, or playboy!
——
Madam Gu acted swiftly, and the next day she ordered a small kitchen to be built for Yilan Courtyard and a stove to be erected.
Those servants who were good at reading people's expressions and flattering the powerful and belittling the weak suddenly became very friendly towards the masters and servants of Yilan Courtyard, as if they all sensed that the world was about to change.
Dou Wenyi instructed Cuizhi to secretly give the craftsmen some silver, and a pharmacy that met her vision began to take shape.
For the next few days, she immersed herself in medical books, as she needed to find an antidote for Pei Siyan as soon as possible.
In her previous life, the antidote she concocted for Xie Guidu was called the Nine Immortals Jade Dew Pill, which could cure all poisons. This medicine required thousands of medicinal herbs, including hundreds of rare and precious ones, and its effects were extraordinary.
This should alleviate Pei Siyan's headache.
That day, Cuizhi suddenly ran into the alchemy room and reported, "Fourth Miss, Young Master Xie has come to propose marriage with a lot of betrothal gifts. Madam wants you to come over."
Dou Wenyi's heart sank. She had originally planned to go to Fanlou with Lin Zhiyi and Zhang Chengxian to eat sashimi today.
Last time, Consort Zhang only helped her because of Zhang Chengxian, and she had wanted to thank him properly in person for a long time.
The Gu family and Dou Bochang didn't reveal a word about such an important matter as the betrothal. Weren't they just trying to force the issue on us?
Since they didn't inform her in advance, she shouldn't be surprised if she left early and didn't give them any face.
Dou Wenyi changed her clothes and walked out on her own, saying, "Just tell them I'm not here; I've gone out to meet Miss Lin!"
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