Chapter 33 Private Affair Exposed
Master Zhang just told him today that the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites will soon be promoted, and that position will be rightfully his. He also specifically instructed him to maintain harmony at home and not to let any bad things happen that would affect his official reputation.
His words implied envy that he had such a wonderful daughter as Dou Wenyi.
That wretched boy Dou Mingxiu actually dared to show off his power at such a crucial moment!
Why would someone make things difficult for their own sister over a 'strange woman' and even force her to commit suicide?
Absolutely outrageous!
"I was just joking with my sister, Fourth Sister, don't you think?" Dou Mingxiu was startled and quickly regained some of his senses.
For a moment, his mind was in turmoil.
He wasn't sure how much Dou Bochang had heard, and realizing that things were spiraling out of control, he could only look to Dou Wenyi for help.
He hoped that she would consider their past relationship and help him smooth things over, and he would definitely treat her well in the future.
Otherwise, Shuang'er would be in danger...
Dou Wenyi seemed not to understand his hint and deliberately looked away.
Madam Gu and Dou Mingyan had also heard the news and rushed over, only to find the father and son locked in a tense standoff.
Madam Gu seemed oblivious to the swollen handprint on Dou Wenyi's face, and softly advised,
“Master, it takes two to tango. Mingxiu is such an easy child. He heard that Yier was only concerned with her own happiness at the Treasure Pavilion, insisting on choosing those expensive jewelry pieces and ignoring my advice. He was worried that Yier would develop a spoiled and extravagant personality, so he got excited and wanted to discipline her, which is why he lost his temper.”
“Mingxiu is a scholar, a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). It’s only natural for an elder brother to discipline his younger sister. He just said a few words to Yi’er. What’s the big deal? It’s just a few words of argument!”
The maids in Yilan Courtyard were all stunned.
What did Madam Gu say?
They downplayed the real reason Dou Mingxiu hit people, omitting the crucial details and placing all the blame on the Fourth Sister.
The implication was clear: the eldest young master was doing this for the fourth young lady's own good, and should therefore give her a good beating to prevent her from becoming too spoiled.
He was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), so even if he hit someone, he was in the right.
Madam Gu patted her hand affectionately again, lowered her voice, and frantically hinted, "Your brother is a bit reckless, but he has always treated you well. Remember his kindness, and your mother will not mistreat you. Do you want to see him punished?"
"My brother only slapped me once. I really shouldn't have held it against him. It was wrong of me to make my brother get scolded." Dou Wenyi said sarcastically.
She really hoped that Madam Gu would remain calm and composed after learning Shuang'er's true identity.
Gu's face turned pale, and she endured it for a long time before she managed to suppress the anger in her chest.
Dou Bochang's expression softened slightly, and he turned to ask Dou Wenyi, "Fourth daughter, what exactly happened?"
Dou Bochang was a cold and indifferent person at heart, and he didn't have any deep father-daughter feelings for her.
She didn't expect him to stand up for her at all.
However, what if this matter implicates the entire Dou family, affects Dou Mingxiu's future, and even impacts Dou Bochang's career?
Dou Wenyi lowered her eyes, her voice filled with grievance, "Father, my brother wanted to arrange for a stranger like me to stay in Yilan Courtyard, but I was worried about her background and feared there might be hidden dangers that would harm our Dou family, so I didn't agree. Wasn't the Marquis of Wuqin's mansion on Xihua Street wiped out because of a maid?"
Dou Bochang's expression suddenly changed.
The affairs of officialdom are ever-changing, and political enemies often use seemingly insignificant matters to set up schemes, making it difficult to guard against them.
The evidence of corruption in the Marquis of Wuqin's household was found by the spy disguised as a maid, after which, naturally, everyone pushed the wall down...
Dou Mingxiu is also an official, yet he acts so recklessly; it's truly disappointing!
"You unfilial son! Tell me who that strange woman is, that she's worth you beating up your sister?" Dou Bochang was genuinely furious this time.
Dou Mingxiu's face turned pale, and he was at a loss for words, not knowing how to explain.
At this moment, Old Madam Dou also entered, supported by Granny Cao.
Old Madam Dou said sternly, "You shameless wretch, don't you dare to speak up? You want to keep Shuang'er in the manor, yet you still resort to tricks and schemes against your sister. You have no shame! You call yourself a scholar, but I think all your education has gone to waste!"
"Grandmother, I shouldn't have made you angry. But I would never dare to admit what you said."
Dou Mingxiu's face was extremely ugly. His grandmother had never been so angry before, and she scolded him mercilessly.
Granny Cao snorted coldly and threw the several unmailed letters onto the floor.
Dou Wenyi's eyes flickered slightly. Her grandmother was indeed efficient, finding out the truth of the matter so quickly.
She deliberately said she wanted to eat bamboo shoots to lure Granny Cao to Huanhua Villa, because Dou Mingxiu had secretly placed Liu Rushuang there in his previous life. He told Steward Zhang that she was a distant relative and that she should not be neglected.
Steward Zhang was loyal and righteous, how could he dare to interfere in the affairs of the eldest son of the Dou family?
The servants served him diligently, little did they know that Dou Mingxiu intended to keep a mistress in a gilded cage.
Madam Dou, exasperated, continued her tirade, "The sash you're wearing was also embroidered by that Shuang'er, wasn't it!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Gu and Dou Bochang's expressions changed drastically. They looked at Dou Mingxiu in disbelief, waiting for his explanation.
Dou Mingxiu looked up abruptly, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes. He quickly regained his composure. "Grandmother, these are the letters I wrote to Shen Lishu. How could you just look through them like that? As for this waistband, she embroidered it for me!"
He was always cautious in his actions, and those letters were unsigned. As for the waistband he wore, Shuang'er's embroidery was not special, and they could not expose their family scandals to the public by confronting Shen Lishu.
It would be most appropriate to put all the blame on her.
Dou Wenyi rolled her eyes inwardly. At this point, he still had the nerve to use others as a shield?
Dou Mingxiu and Xie Guidu are truly alike, both hypocrites who appear virtuous but are actually quite repulsive!
"Is that so? Then how did this black jade unicorn pendant, the heirloom of my Dou family, end up on a strange woman?" Old Madam Dou's blood boiled, and she pointed at his nose and angrily rebuked him.
The jade pendants were originally a pair, part of her dowry, and were extremely precious. She had given them to Dou Mingxiu many years ago, but he had given them to a disreputable woman.
Madam Gu's face turned deathly pale. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she cried out, "That woman must have used some underhanded trick to steal my son's jade pendant..."
Madam Dou said sarcastically, "It seems that Shuang'er is dishonest and must be the one who slandered my grandson! Someone, send her to the Prefect of the Capital immediately."
Dou Mingxiu panicked completely and knelt down on the ground with a thud, his face full of shame. "Grandmother, please don't make things difficult for Shuang'er. I love her and want to marry her as my wife. Please grant my request!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Gu felt dizzy and nearly stumbled and fell. "What did you say...?"
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