Chapter 8 He had made up his mind to marry her, and no one could stop him.
Yilan Courtyard.
When Zilian helped Old Madam Dou arrive, Dou Wenyi, dressed in coarse cloth, was directing several maids and servants to cultivate wasteland and plant medicinal herbs in the courtyard.
"Grandmother? What brings you to this courtyard?" Dou Wenyi wiped the sweat from her forehead and quickly got up to greet her.
Looking around, the dense weeds almost buried the bluestone road, making it look like a desolate wilderness. The walls were mottled and dilapidated, and there was a musty smell in the air.
This is hardly the kind of courtyard a young lady should live in.
Old Madam Dou's face immediately darkened. "You child, you've been wronged and haven't said a word. This courtyard is in such a state of disrepair..."
Her parents didn't even ask anyone to help repair it; they're really clueless!
"Grandmother, it's alright." Dou Wenyi felt a pang of sadness in her heart, thankful that her grandmother loved her.
She had long since given up on any expectations of the other people in the Dou family!
Yilan Courtyard originally had a large area of magnolia flowers. When she was five years old, Dou Mingyan entered the mansion. They said that Dou Mingyan's father died because he saved Dou Bochang.
The Dou family remembered this kindness and treated her very well.
Granny Ge, who served Dou Mingyan, said that she was in poor health and could not stand the smell of magnolia flowers. Overnight, all the magnolia flowers in the Dou residence were cut down.
Dou Mingyan is like a vine parasitizing a big tree, taking over the reins and usurping the nest. She pretends to be weak on the surface, but secretly uses underhanded tricks to gradually turn her into a stepping stone.
In this life, she will take back everything that belongs to her!
Dou Wenyi helped Old Madam Dou into the house and personally served her tea.
Madam Dou looked around at the simple furnishings of the room, her brows furrowed. "Why don't you stay in my courtyard for a while?"
"Won't Grandma think I'm noisy?"
"You're such a chatterbox." Old Master Dou poked her forehead and looked at her with affection.
“With Fourth Miss by her side, the Old Madam’s appetite will be better,” Granny Cao couldn’t help but interject.
“Okay, then I’ll go bother you.” Dou Wenyi smiled slyly.
Her grandmother's death in her previous life was suspicious, but no matter how hard she investigated, she couldn't find any evidence. Perhaps she could move into her grandmother's courtyard first and slowly look for clues.
Old Madam Dou took a sip of tea, then, remembering the important matter, began to criticize bluntly, "Are they so poor that they can't afford to support you? Do they want you to work in the palace?"
My grandmother was in poor health, and her family kept what happened to her at the temple a secret from her.
“Grandmother, it has nothing to do with them. I was just curious and wanted to broaden my horizons. The Imperial Kitchen has very strict selection criteria. I only know a little about pharmacology. How could I possibly be selected?”
All she needs is this selection process; it's better for her grandmother to stay away from those troublesome details.
"Oh?" Old Madam Dou's expression softened a bit, and she patted her hand. "I've already prepared your dowry; it won't be any worse than anyone else's."
Dou Wenyi's eyes instantly reddened. "Grandmother, I don't want to..."
Granny Cao presented a delicate sandalwood box and said with a smile, "Fourth Miss, you should accept it. These house deeds and land deeds have already been transferred to your name and are yours long ago."
Just like in her previous life, her grandmother prepared a generous dowry for her, including shops, house deeds, land deeds, estates, and banknotes, enough for her to spend for several lifetimes.
Old Madam Dou said earnestly, "The Marquis of Dingyuan's family is of high status and has complicated interpersonal relationships. When you marry Xie Guidu and become a lady, how will you manage without money to support you?"
Dou Wenyi felt unbearable whenever she thought of Xie Guidu, and her whole body was covered in goosebumps.
In this life, she will never marry him; he is simply not a good man.
My grandmother was the only daughter of Marquis Zhongxin. In her youth, she went to the battlefield with my great-grandfather and experienced many trials and tribulations. Her upbringing was unlike that of ordinary noble ladies, which gave her a more courageous and stubborn nature.
It's time to explain things to Grandma.
“Grandmother, your granddaughter is unfilial. I really don’t want to marry Xie Guidu.” Dou Wenyi knelt down, waiting for her scolding.
Unexpectedly, Old Madam Dou's deeply lined face paused slightly, and she said gently, "Didn't you used to have Xie Guidu all over your mind? You were always chasing after him, and you didn't even glance at the other sons of powerful families. Get up and tell your grandmother what the reason is?"
Dou Wenyi stood up and sat down, a self-deprecating smile on her lips, her voice mocking, "Grandmother, the world is hard, and people's hearts are fickle. I was young and ignorant back then, and it was just wishful thinking on my part. He never had me in his eyes."
She clearly didn't push her second aunt, Madam Yang; the one who caused her miscarriage was actually Dou Mingyan. No matter how she explained, no one believed her.
She not only endured the wrath of the second wife, but was also personally sent to Yuqing Temple by her mother, where she stayed for four whole years.
At the time, besides Dou Mingyan's maid Hong'er testifying against her, Xie Guidu was actually nearby. She thought he would testify for her, but he remained silent throughout and didn't say a word in her defense.
In her past life, she deceived herself, finding excuses for him and firmly believing that he hadn't seen the truth at all back then.
His eyesight is as sharp as a hawk's; how could he not see clearly?
Such things left her no time to think them through!
Xie Guidu had already made his choice. Even after being married to her for decades, he still chose to sacrifice himself to protect Dou Mingyan.
He is not worthy of her true love at all!
Old Madam Dou lowered her eyes, seemingly wanting to say something but stopping herself.
Dou Wenyi raised her eyes and gazed quietly out the window. "I have long since seen through my own heart. I no longer like him. Grandmother, I want to break off the engagement."
Breaking off an engagement is no easy task, but she had no choice but to do so.
Old Madam Dou naturally sided with her, but this marriage was quite complicated. "I'm afraid it won't be easy to explain to your father and mother..."
Outside the door, Xie Guidu paused, his hand tightening subtly beneath his sleeve.
Dou Mingxiu, who was behind him, was even more agitated. He knew all too well how worried his fourth sister was about Xie Guidu.
In the past, she would beam with joy at the slightest gesture of kindness from him. What went wrong?
Dou Mingxiu gave him a look, and the two of them moved to the flower hall in the garden.
His expression was solemn, and he lowered his voice, "Tell me the truth, have you done something to wrong your fourth sister? Why doesn't she like you anymore?"
Xie Guidu lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Dou Mingxiu's expression changed. "Nothing happened to Fourth Sister at the temple. I'm warning you, marriage is not a game. If you're not sincere about marrying her, don't come here to propose!"
Xie Guidu scoffed at this.
"And what about you? What were you doing that night when she had the accident? When she returned to the manor, did you, as her elder brother, stand up for her?"
The light in Dou Mingxiu's eyes dimmed.
“I have decided to marry her. The betrothal gifts are ready. I will come to present the betrothal gifts on an auspicious day.”
Xie Guidu's face was as calm as still water, his voice gentle yet unusually firm.
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