Chapter 273 — Heading Out (Extra Update — Begging for Pink Votes)

Early the next morning, the First Madam Song arrived at the Yingguo Duke's residence with Madam Dong, a matron, and two maidservants, bearing the particular arrogance of an elder, and took over the tally tokens of the Yingguo Duke's residence from the Duke of Yingguo's own hands. She seated herself in the upper-room flower hall where Madam Jiang had once given her instructions, and sent someone to summon Dou Yan for a talk.

Dou Yan answered "Understood," and went to the flower shed in the small garden to look at the water radishes and little yellow flowers she had planted.

The water radishes had already put forth lush green sprouts, and the tendrils of the little cucumbers had climbed onto the trellis; both were growing most pleasingly.

Dou Yan rewarded the two wives in charge of the flower shed with two fine red packets each.

The two wives thanked her again and again.

The person sent by the First Madam Song came to urge Dou Yan along: "...The First Madam and the managing matrons are all waiting for you to come and discuss the matter of presiding over the household these next few days!"

Dou Yan did not even raise her head. She patted the hem of her garment, which bore no dust at all, and said indifferently, "Go and tell the First Madam that the affairs of this household have their own established customs. So long as one follows those customs, there will be no mistakes, and there is no need for discussion. Since my mother-in-law passed away from illness, this household has had no one presiding over its affairs, and yet no disorder has arisen." Fearing that the messenger might be too intimidated by the First Madam's authority—backed as she was by Song Cen's warrant—to speak up, she called Su Xin to go with her, and added, "Make my words clear to the First Madam, and do not be so foolish as to go waving your hands about here." That last sentence was meant for the messenger, so that she would spread the word and let everyone in the residence know where Dou Yan stood.

Su Xin departed with a smile, bearing the order.

Dou Yan returned to her room. She changed her clothes and lay on the bed reading.

Another wife came over: "My lady, the Duke of Zhenguo asks you to come and speak with him." Her eyes were full of curiosity as she looked at Dou Yan.

Dou Yan gave an "Mm" and told the wife to wait outside: "I will change my clothes and come over."

This was the most basic of courtesies, and the wife naturally answered "Yes" respectfully and waited outside.

Dou Yan continued reading until Su Xin returned.

"The First Madam was so angry her mouth twisted crooked," Su Xin reported in a low voice, smiling. "She immediately sent someone to report to the Duke of Zhenguo."

Dou Yan said, "So she is calling me over to be reprimanded."

She put down her book. Taking Su Xin and Su Lan with her, she went to the Osmanthus Fragrance Courtyard.

But because of this delay, Song Cen was already on the verge of setting out. He had just finished reprimanding Dou Yan, who stood with lowered brows and submissive eyes, when Lü Zheng walked in: "Duke of Zhenguo, the auspicious hour has arrived."

Song Cen had no choice but to stop. He was seen off to the main gate by Song Han, Dou Yan, and the others, then mounted his carriage and departed.

Dou Yan then asked Song Han, "I had some walnut cakes made. Would you like to try them?"

"Yes!" Song Han said cheerfully, about to follow Dou Yan to the Hall of Cherished Aspirations.

But Lü Zheng, standing to one side, called out urgently, "My lady," and said, "The Second Master still has his lessons—when the Duke of Zhenguo left, he repeatedly instructed us that if the Second Master were to miss his lessons, we would be held to account. I beg you, my lady, to grant us this." With that, he knelt down.

Studying was a proper matter, and Lü Zheng's attitude was respectful and submissive, which left Dou Yan no room to lose her temper. She smiled and said in a low voice to Song Han, "Then come to my room for some snacks after your lessons?"

Song Han answered "Yes" again and again, and was escorted by a crowd of maidservants and matrons to the outer study.

The First Madam Song then said with a smile that did not reach her eyes, "Yantang's wife, shall we go to the flower hall to discuss matters?"

Dou Yan did not say a single word, and swept away.

The First Madam Song was left gaping, and only after a long while did she come back to her senses.

"I'm going to tell the Duke of the Realm! I'm going to tell the Duke of the Realm!" She was so furious she stamped her feet.

Suxin said with some worry, "What if the Duke of the Realm comes back?"

"Isn't the Duke of the Realm not coming back until half a month from now?" Dou Yan said with perfect frankness. "The Heir will be back tomorrow! And besides, even without the Heir, half a month is plenty of time for me to knead this Mrs. Song into pulp."

Sulan could not help but burst out laughing. "Miss, it's been ever so long since I've heard you say that."

Suxin immediately put on a stern face and scolded, "Address her as Madam!"

Sulan made a face at Dou Yan, then composed her features, bent her knees in a curtsy, and addressed her respectfully as "Madam."

Dou Yan laughed heartily.

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Chen Yanzhou was also leaving the capital today.

He was taking his leave of Yan Che. "As for your lady, I won't go to bid her farewell—it would only invite questions I'd be hard put to answer. I'll hurry back to Zhending now. We'll meet again in the tenth month."

Yan Che could not hide the delight at the corners of his eyes and brows either, and said humbly, "It's all my fault for being so impatient, dragging you all this way and putting you to the trouble of shuttling back and forth—the fault is entirely mine. When you come to the capital again, I beg you not to decline a cup of tea with me."

Yan Che was the foremost advisor under Song Yan's command, and now that Dou Yan had married Song Yan, Chen Yanzhou naturally hoped to keep on good terms with Yan Che, for this would be of some help to Dou Yi as well.

Chen Yanzhou made a flurry of modest protests of "I wouldn't dare," then climbed into his carriage and drove straight out of the capital.

Yan Che returned cheerfully to Yizhi Hall.

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Sisters, brothers, first let me make up for the extra chapter from July 6!

o(n_n)o~

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