Chapter 56 The Crown Princess, Don't Be a Wimp!
The next day, the Dou family visited Dou Mingxiu in the imperial prison, and upon their return, they went straight to Shouhe Hall.
Upon receiving the news, Dou Wenyi realized something was wrong and hurriedly changed her clothes and rushed over.
Because her broken engagement caused such an embarrassing situation, her grandmother eventually learned about Dou Mingxiu's imprisonment. The Dou family dared not tell her the truth, only saying that Dou Mingxiu's horse had startled Prince Duan's horse, injuring him, and that the Emperor might punish him.
Their purpose in going there at this time was simply to ask their grandmother to plead with the emperor to spare Dou Mingxiu's life, as the emperor had no intention of severely punishing him. Their frantic actions at this point would only be going against the emperor's wishes.
She had to stop them from courting disaster!
"...Mingxiu, have you been tortured in prison?" Old Madam Dou asked solemnly.
Remembering Dou Mingxiu's miserable state, Madam Gu knelt down with a thud, tears streaming down her face, and said in a mournful voice, "Madam, Mingxiu is really not well. Can you think of a way... to go to the palace and beg the Emperor for mercy?"
When Emperor Muzong ascended the throne, he received great favors from Marquis Zhongxin. Naturally, Madam Dou still had some influence with the emperor. Other members of the Dou family did not even have the right to knock on the palace gates.
Upon seeing this, Dou Mingyan hurriedly knelt down, "Grandmother..."
Old Madam Dou's expression turned slightly cold as she looked at Dou Bochang. "Eldest son, is that what you think too?"
Dou Bochang also knelt down, saying, "It is your unfilial son who has to worry about everything, Mother. It is only because Mingxiu is in prison that he is constantly worried and cannot even sleep. Mingxiu acted rashly, but after this great ordeal, he will definitely turn over a new leaf. I hope Mother will be kind to him."
Old Madam Dou felt a pang of pain in her heart; this was her filial son.
Granny Cao's expression immediately turned contemptuous. "Master, what are you all doing kneeling there? The old lady woke up three times last night and can't take any more stress. Do you intend to force her?"
With her thoughts exposed, Madam Gu felt a burning sensation on her face. She had planned to kneel there for a long time if Old Madam Dou did not agree.
Dou Bochang felt extremely uncomfortable. This Granny Cao had a sharp tongue, but she was, after all, a servant. How could she possibly interfere in her master's affairs?
Before even entering the room, Dou Wenyi heard Madam Gu's mournful cries, while Dou Bochang sighed deeply, and the room fell silent.
Whenever they encounter difficulties, they know to make things difficult for their grandmother.
Dou Wenyi concealed the annoyance in her eyes, politely bowed and greeted the Crown Prince, then asked, "Third Sister, didn't you go to the Eastern Palace the other day? What did His Highness the Crown Prince say?"
After her reminder, Madam Gu and Dou Bochang both looked at Dou Mingyan again.
Dou Mingyan felt a little guilty, her fingernails digging into her palms under her sleeves, but her smile remained impeccable. "Fourth sister, Si Yan told us to be patient... Father and Mother love their son dearly and want our brother to come out as soon as possible. Grandmother is very knowledgeable and has experienced many trials, so Mother came to ask her for advice!"
Did they think the Crown Prince was so easy to befriend?
She didn't see Pei Siyan at all that day, so how could she find out the truth?
The Dou family is Pei Siyan's in-laws, so he won't just sit idly by and let Dou Mingxiu spend his life in jail; it's only a matter of time.
She explained this to them when she returned from the Eastern Palace last time, but they were indeed getting impatient.
“I don’t agree with what you’re saying, Third Sister. Grandmother has been out of the public eye for many years and should be enjoying her retirement. She hasn’t even been to the palace to see the Emperor in recent years, so even the deepest affection has faded. Now you’re forcing her to go to the palace for the sake of her unworthy descendants.”
Dou Wenyi's gaze was indifferent as she continued,
"Whether it's thunder or rain, it's all the Emperor's grace. If His Majesty misunderstands that the Dou family is coercing us for our favor, we'll be unable to defend ourselves! Even if His Majesty considers our past relationship, if this matter comes to His Majesty's attention, he'll only think that my father hasn't disciplined his family well, which has affected my father's career."
"Besides, what if His Majesty doesn't remember our past relationship? Aren't you afraid that you'll make things worse and cause your brother to suffer even more punishment?"
Marquis Zhongxin did have merit in supporting the emperor back then, but that's all ancient history. Who would remember such a small favor for a lifetime?
In his previous life, Dou Mingxiu's affair with a courtesan caused his grandmother to risk her reputation by pleading with the emperor in the palace. However, she had to exchange her title for the favor, even though she knew the emperor was asking for an exorbitant amount.
This shows that Emperor Muzong had no regard for past relationships.
Madam Dou felt a warmth in her heart and almost shed tears. "Fourth girl, what you say makes sense. You all think about using kindness to ask for favors. No matter how great the favor, if you ask for too much, it will become annoying!"
Dou Bochang frowned, his heart hardened. If the Emperor disliked the Dou family, what hope did he have for promotion?
To his surprise, the fourth daughter had become so intelligent that she could even analyze important matters of the court.
No, she must have been advised by someone.
Dou Bochang, being an official, immediately understood. "Yesterday, what did Consort Zhang send someone to tell you?"
Dou Wenyi smiled and said, "Let's calm down and not panic. My brother will be fine."
Dou Bochang breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but look at her with newfound respect.
Dou Mingyan felt a pang of panic. The thought of all the valuable gifts given yesterday being sent to Yilan Courtyard made her feel a little sour. "Consort Zhang is so good to my sister. I'm afraid my fourth sister is about to have a good time!"
Her words were truly shrewd; weren't they a veiled accusation that she and Zhang Chengxian had been having an affair for some time?
Madam Dou exclaimed in surprise, "Fourth daughter's marriage has been arranged so quickly?"
Dou Wenyi raised an eyebrow. "Grandmother, Third Sister is easily swayed by rumors. Engagement is something that must be done slowly. Besides, I just broke off my engagement; how can I get engaged right away?"
"Is Third Sister in such a hurry because she thinks the Dou family can't afford to support me, or does she think I'll get in the way of your marriage?"
"Sister, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean that." Dou Mingyan was suddenly startled; she must not know her plans.
She's now just hoping Dou Wenyi will get engaged soon. Pei Siyan wouldn't steal Zhang Chengxian's fiancée from anyone else!
Dou Wenyi said calmly, "Too much talk leads to mistakes. Third Sister, you'd better be careful with your words. The Crown Princess is a role model for noble ladies. If she makes a series of mistakes, it's not a good omen!"
Dou Mingyan's face turned pale, and she looked like she was about to cry, as if someone had bullied her.
Old Madam Dou couldn't stand her like this. "Alright! You cry every day, you'll cry away all your good fortune! Fourth Sister didn't say anything wrong."
Dou Bochang glanced at Dou Mingyan and found her teary eyes particularly glaring.
The Crown Princess knew nothing at all; she's utterly useless when it matters!
Madam Dou took a sip of tea. "Eldest son, do you still think I should go to the palace to request an audience with the Emperor?"
"It's my fault for causing my mother worry, so I'd better not go for now." Dou Bochang looked embarrassed and very guilty.
He has more than one son, Dou Mingxiu. Aunt Xu also gave him a good son. Dou Mingxiu is indeed useless, but that's his own fault!
Old Man Dou gave them a few cold glances and said meaningfully, "To be old and not die is to be a thief! It is my fault that I, this old woman, have not been able to help you."
Madam Gu blushed and turned pale, utterly ashamed.
Dou Bochang, feeling ashamed and indignant, said, "Mother, don't say that. It's my fault for being incompetent and failing to discipline Mingxiu properly. Please don't take it to heart."
The meeting ended unhappily.
Dou Wenyi frowned as she carefully examined Old Madam Dou's pulse, and then instructed Granny Cao to supervise her meals before returning to Yilan Courtyard.
Although my grandmother's health was not at its worst, it was by no means easy to improve it.
Even if it meant exhausting all her knowledge from her past life, she wanted to extend her grandmother's life by a few more years.
That day, Cuizhi came in, lifting the curtain, and said mysteriously, "Recently, a prophecy has been circulating in Chaotian Temple, saying that a woman of divine destiny will appear in the Great Zhou Dynasty, causing quite a stir..."
Dou Wenyi squinted her eyes. Chaotian Temple was the place of Master Xuanming. Dou Mingyan couldn't help but try to embellish herself again.
Misfortune can strike at any moment, and unfortunately, this time, her plan is likely to fail.
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