Chapter 64 You Can't Be Favorited Anymore
The Dou family soon had two pieces of good news: Dou Mingxiu was not only pardoned and released by Emperor Muzong, but Dou Bochang was also successfully promoted to the fourth-rank position of Vice Minister of Rites. The gloom that had shrouded the Dou family was finally swept away.
Dou Bochang was overjoyed by the Emperor's great favor. After having a few drinks, he went to Madam Gu's courtyard.
He specifically instructed, "You keep saying that Fourth Sister is a jinx, but I think she is the lucky star of our Dou family! Prepare more dowry for her, and we need to finalize her marriage with Zhang Chengxian as soon as possible."
Out of consideration for his pride as a man, he naturally wouldn't tell Madam Gu that her promotion was entirely due to the Zhang family's help, and that the Zhang family was doing so because of Dou Wenyi's influence.
With the downfall of Master Xuanming, many high-ranking officials and nobles are busy severing ties with him.
It's outrageous that Mr. Gu still can't see the bigger picture.
Because Dou Mingxiu had caused trouble, he thought his promotion was hopeless, but unexpectedly, a glimmer of hope appeared. Changing his marriage partner was truly the right decision; Dou Wenyi really brought him good fortune!
Madam Gu couldn't stand these words, her eyes reddening. "Master! If it weren't for Fourth Miss, would Mingxiu have been locked up in prison for so long?"
Dou Mingxiu had just returned from prison, and he was so thin he was practically skin and bones. Right now, Dou Bochang was completely blinded by the joy of his 'promotion,' ignoring Mingxiu and treating him with cold indifference, which really chilled her to the bone.
Upon hearing this, Dou Bochang's face flushed with anger, and he glared at her. "Woman's perspective! Do I need to remind him how he got into prison? Is it something a human being would do to murder his own sister? He almost took a prostitute as his wife back then. If that charge had been proven, our whole family would have been implicated."
"I'm afraid he felt that Fourth Sister had messed things up, so he held a grudge and did those foolish things out of revenge!"
Madam Gu, seething with anger, cried out in a trembling voice, "Master, is Fourth Miss completely without fault? If she hadn't disregarded the bigger picture and insisted on making a scene, would Mingxiu have been implicated?"
Dou Bochang looked disgusted. "According to you, even if she died, it's only natural that she couldn't fight back? Even a rabbit will bite when provoked! You're too biased. If this continues, you'll ruin your good son one day!"
Dou Bochang's good mood vanished instantly. He left after saying a few words and went to Aunt Xu's courtyard.
Madam Gu was heartbroken, vaguely feeling that everything had deviated from its original course.
Dou Mingxiu was clearly the most promising child; he shouldn't have been imprisoned. And Mingyan was the most obedient, sensible, and fortunate child.
Furthermore, how could Master Xuanming be a heretic? Then wouldn't Mingyan's fate be...?
What kind of morality has she believed in all these years?
Was she wrong all along?
She shook her head, not daring to think about it further, and lay helplessly on the bed, letting her tears soak the quilt.
Granny Tong poured her a glass of water to calm her down and advised, "Madam, no matter how capable Fourth Miss is, even if she has Consort Zhang backing her up, she still has to acknowledge you as her mother."
Madam Gu took a sip of water, her heart filled with sorrow. It was because she didn't want to acknowledge Dou Wenyi as her daughter!
Because she is a jinx, bringing misfortune to her family and relatives, she not only brought misfortune to herself but also to Dou Mingxiu. Who will be the next one to be harmed?
"Madam, you also need to think of a solution. Master's heart is completely biased towards Concubine Xu. Besides, Second Young Master Dou Ruzhang received an A grade in the Jianghuai evaluation this time, and he might be transferred back soon."
Madam Gu raised her head with a face full of resentment.
She never imagined that one day she would be outshone by an aunt because of her children.
If that bitch dares to cause any trouble, she'll make her regret it.
She grabbed Tong Mama's hand, a hint of resentment in her eyes, "You're right, the master is blinded by wealth and is too biased. It's all their fault. Isn't it the old lady's birthday? Just say I'm not feeling well and push this troublesome matter away."
Only when something goes wrong will Dou Bochang remember her kindness.
When Madam Yang learned that Madam Gu was ill and unable to host the banquet, she was overjoyed. She had coveted the Dou family's power for many years, and now that she had the opportunity, she naturally wanted to reap as much benefit as possible.
When Dou Wenyi learned of this, she volunteered to help Yang with the banquet. Old Master Dou also wanted her to learn more about managing the household, so he agreed.
In the afternoon, she went to Ruifutang, where Madam Gu usually met with the head maid.
When Dou Wenyi arrived, Madam Gu was wearing a snow-white brocade headband, looking listless, and was talking to Madam Yang while holding an account book in her hand.
A faint, aloof smile played on her lips. "Yi'er, you've arrived?"
Dou Wenyi bowed respectfully, "Mother, Second Aunt!"
Madam Gu pointed to the pile of invitations and nameplates on the table, "Your second aunt can oversee this banquet; you, as a junior, don't need to get involved. Have you visited your eldest brother since he came back?"
The room was completely silent.
The second wife's family was unaware of the details of Dou Wenyi and Dou Mingxiu's falling out. They only learned from Dou Mingyan that Dou Wenyi had startled a horse at the hunting grounds, injuring Prince Duan and causing Dou Mingxiu to be imprisoned.
Madam Gu was dignified in appearance, with fair skin and an extremely elegant face. Even though she was nearly forty, she possessed a refined and otherworldly charm.
Dou Wenyi looked up and met her gaze.
In her previous life, her reputation was damaged, making her life difficult. She was confined to Yilan Courtyard until her marriage was finalized, at which point she was allowed to leave the courtyard.
It was at this banquet that Madam Dou suffered a shock, and she later fell, which caused her health to deteriorate.
Something must have happened at the banquet that she didn't know about. In this life, she must pay close attention to every detail and find out the truth of what happened back then.
“Mother, I’m afraid my brother is ashamed to see me, so I’d better not go and upset him,” Dou Wenyi said with a smile, her tone unabashed.
She smiled brightly, her demeanor unabashedly displaying an aggressive air, as if she didn't take Madam Gu seriously at all.
Yang remained silent, a hint of schadenfreude flashing in her eyes; she wished the two would tear each other apart.
Madam Gu's brows furrowed with impatience as she beckoned to her. "From childhood to adulthood, you've never been involved in anything, and you dislike these mundane affairs even more. You don't even have enough servants in the manor. Even if you help your second aunt organize the banquet, you're just a figurehead, trying to steal your second aunt's credit and gain a good reputation."
"Don't think that just because you've kept it secret, others won't know. Which member of a prominent family isn't shrewd? You've just broken off the engagement, why put yourself in the spotlight and let others gossip and laugh at you?"
"Don't try to cheat like that!"
Her tone was gentle and polite, as if she genuinely cared about her.
But his words were full of belittling of her and he didn't forget to sow discord.
Dou Wenyi stared at her steadily and said slowly, "Mother, the mansion is going to hold a banquet, invite guests, set up a stage and hire an opera troupe, select dishes for the banquet, and hire maids and servants to serve... There are so many things to do, big and small. If you think about it carefully, it is indeed quite complicated."
"But there are precedents for these things. Mother has organized countless banquets, big and small, and she has always done a great job. Do you not want to help your daughter, or your second aunt? Or are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for us? Does Mother intend to ruin this banquet on purpose?"
......
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