Chapter 78 Getting Serious? Dividing the Family
The Dou family's businesses were basically managed by Madam Gu. This can be seen from her indulgence of Granny Tong in lending money at exorbitant interest rates; she really didn't know how to manage a household.
Dou Wenyi lowered her eyes. "Grandmother, under whose name is the Dou family's kiln now registered?"
Madam Dou pondered for a moment and said, "I once suggested transferring the property, but your father is an official, and it's not good for him to get involved in these kinds of business matters. It should still be registered under my name."
The entire Dou family enjoyed the profits from the kiln and porcelain shop, but if anything went wrong, it would be the grandmother who would bear the responsibility. They weighed the pros and cons, considering everything except their grandmother.
Dou Wenyi pondered for a moment and suggested, "Grandmother, although you mentioned dividing the family today, you haven't actually divided it. I'm afraid Father and Second Uncle will become emboldened. Why don't we transfer the kiln to Mother or Second Uncle separately and let them do what they want?"
In this way, Dou Bochang and Dou Zhongyuan would also feel that Old Madam Dou was serious, and at least in the near future they would not dare to make any more moves on her private property.
Recalling how Dou Wenyi had confronted them by waving the Crown Prince's banner, forcing Dou Zhongyuan into a dilemma and forcing him to admit his shameful act, a trace of gratified smile appeared on Old Madam Dou's withered face. "My Yi'er has finally grown up!"
Dou Wenyi held her hand tightly, "Grandmother, I will not allow anyone to bully us again."
The deepest wounds often come from the people closest to us.
She had tasted this bitterness enough; she only hoped that her grandmother could be more accepting of it.
Dou Wenyi chatted with Old Madam Dou for a while, then went directly to the main courtyard to convey the intention to transfer the property to Dou Bochang.
Dou Bochang was slightly surprised. "Does Mother really mean this?"
Although he was punished, he was actually not seriously injured.
He was the head of the household, so which of the servants dared to hit him hard? They were just putting on a show. Dou Zhongyuan, on the other hand, was the one who was personally executed and used a bit more force, so he would probably have to lie in bed for a few days.
“Exactly.” Dou Wenyi’s eyebrows curved, and her eyes shone brightly like stars.
Madam Gu looked her over suspiciously. "What kind of tricks are you encouraging your grandmother to play now? Is it worth you stirring up trouble for a mere maid to be humiliated? If you hadn't interfered, things wouldn't have turned out this way. The second branch of the family will probably hate us to death!"
Even if Zijuan died, she was nothing to them.
If she hadn't insisted on standing up for her grandmother, her grandmother would have been heartbroken long ago and wouldn't have had the heart to seek justice. Dou Bochang would have simply downplayed the matter and let it fester inside.
A hint of mockery flashed in Dou Wenyi's eyes as she said indifferently, "To bully the weak, to envy the strong, to hate what you have, and to laugh at what you have—it's human nature. Mother, are you still so naive? Doesn't the second branch hate us? Our eldest branch is going to produce a Crown Princess. Yang even slandered Third Sister, accusing her of instigating her. How could she have good intentions?"
In the future, when Dou Mingxiu or Dou Mingyan plot against her, I hope she can remain as serene as a chrysanthemum.
Madam Gu's face was extremely ugly. She thought to herself that if she hadn't pushed Yang Shi back then, causing her to miscarry, their two families wouldn't have become such bitter enemies.
“Mother is in charge of the kiln and porcelain shop, so it’s fine to transfer them to her name. Father has made up his mind. He’ll go to the government office tomorrow to handle the relevant kiln licenses and other documents,” Dou Wenyi urged.
Dou Bochang shook his head and said in a deep voice, "No!"
Doing this at this critical juncture, doesn't it mean splitting up the family business?
Dou Wenyi said with some regret, "Grandmother said our household is too chaotic, and she dares not let you continue to cause trouble. If you are unwilling to transfer the property, then she will have no choice but to take back the kiln and porcelain shop."
Madam Gu was agitated. "How can this be?"
The Dou family's brick kiln is a major source of profit for the Dou family. If it were taken back, Dou Bochang's meager salary wouldn't even be enough to fill a gap in his teeth!
Dou Bochang was silent for a moment, then made a decision. "Yi'er, you did a great job at this banquet. Yang Shi is not as good as you. It is only natural for the old lady to be worried about the kiln. Transferring the ownership is fine, but it will take some time. Why don't you temporarily take over the management of the kiln for your mother?"
Madam Gu jumped to her feet, completely enraged. "What does a naive young lady like her know about business? Bochang, don't be fooled by her!"
Dou Bochang, looking impatient, angrily rebuked, "On the old lady's birthday, you're just shirking your responsibilities by pretending to be sick. If it weren't for that, how would the second branch of the family have had the chance to cause trouble? If you're afraid of being burdened, you might as well let Yi'er share the burden with you! I'm warning you, don't cause any more trouble, or don't blame me for not showing any consideration for our marriage."
Madam Gu's face turned pale, a surge of anger rising in her chest. Dou Wenyi had only become more and more demanding because she relied on that old vegetarian woman for support. She was born to bring misfortune upon her, and they were never on the same page, causing her to have everything go wrong.
Madam Gu's lips tightened, and she said reluctantly, "Fine, you don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. The relationships at the kiln are complicated. Go and try it out and you'll know your own limitations."
Dou Wenyi smiled dismissively, "A son doesn't despise his mother for being ugly, but a mother does despise me. You were so badly deceived by Granny Tong, but we don't really blame you."
Madam Gu was so angry that her chest heaved. With a cold face, she went directly to meet Lan Yue Pavilion.
——
On this day, the morning sun was warm and gentle.
Dressed neatly, Dou Wenyi boarded the sandalwood carriage that the steward had arranged, accompanied by Cuizhi, Granny Cao, and others.
Cuizhi was surprised to find that the servants in the mansion treated their masters with utmost respect, just like they would treat the master and mistress. This was something she would never have dared to imagine three months ago.
Dou Wenyi leaned lazily against the carriage wall, using a pillow as a cushion, and carefully flipped through the kiln's account books.
Indeed, the categories are numerous and the expenses are complex, making it quite confusing at first glance.
Granny Cao took the initiative to start talking, "In the past, the owner who managed the kiln was called Bai Weiqi. He had been working with the old lady since he was a child. He was honest, reliable, and had excellent skills. But in the past two years, I heard that Madam Gu replaced him two years ago. The current manager seems to be called Meng Wang. I don't know what his temperament is like."
Meng Wang?
Dou Wenyi rubbed her forehead, feeling that the name was strangely familiar. She must have met this person in her previous life, but she couldn't remember when.
The carriage slowly drove out of Tianning City. After an unknown amount of time, it bumped along the mountain road, the air filled with the fragrance of grass and wildflowers.
Silence reigned all around.
Dou Wenyi suddenly looked up and exchanged a glance with Granny Cao. They both saw a hint of wariness in each other's eyes.
Sure enough, the next moment, an arrow followed the car body, flying through the air like lightning, and embedded itself deeply in the wooden window.
Cuizhi was terrified and hurriedly looked up at her.
Dou Wenyi reacted quickly and pressed her down again, gripping the carriage wall tightly with her other hand and shaking her head to signal her not to move.
"Fourth Miss, hold on tight!" With the coachman's reminder, the horse, startled, reared up and pulled the carriage away at breakneck speed.
But the carriage stopped after traveling a short distance, and Dou Wenyi and the others were almost thrown out of the carriage.
She composed herself, her expression solemn. She heard a commotion of footsteps and shouts outside.
Are they bandits?
Who exactly wants her dead?
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