Chapter 307 — Facing the Moon

Her aunt by marriage was talking with her Sixth and Fifth Aunts-by-marriage; seeing her come in, she beckoned to her.

Dou Xin glided over and paid her respects to each of her elders in turn.

Fifth Aunt looked her up and down, then smiled. "That rose-red k'o-ssu jacket looks splendid on Fourth Sister-in-law — truly spirited."

"Doesn't it!" Cai-shi seized the opening at once with a laugh. "And that kingfisher-feather hairpin Fourth Sister-in-law is wearing today is lovely too — just look at the phoenix head, so finely made, its eyes shining bright as though it were alive."

Dou Yan merely smiled faintly.

Everyone had something to say, and the mood was merry.

After the noon meal, several tables of ma-jong were set up in the flower hall.

Dou Yan had a hard time excusing herself, and Zhao Zhangru drew her into the small parlor behind the flower hall to talk.

Because of Dou Zhiwei's wedding, her aunt had already been delayed a good while; the departure was set for the first of the tenth month, and if the roads went well they would be home in time for the New Year. So Zhao Zhangru's spirits were somewhat low: "Who knows when we sisters will meet again?"

Dou Yan thought of their eldest cousin Zhao Biru, who in a few years would take up residence in the capital with her husband. "Who can say what will happen in this world? Look at me — three months ago I never dreamed I would marry Song Yantang. You mustn't be so downcast."

Zhao Zhangru's eyes went wide. "You called your husband Song Yantang!"

Dou Yan coughed softly twice and said in a low voice, "A slip of the tongue!" Then she winked at Zhao Zhangru in jest. "You mustn't tell anyone!"

Zhao Zhangru giggled and cheered up again. She asked about the fire at the Ying family's estate of the Defending Duke: "Did they catch those thieves? Did you really reward someone a thousand taels of silver?"

"Of course it's true!" As Dou Yan talked with Zhao Zhangru, she saw Sixth Aunt come out of the flower hall and say to them with a smile, "I'm getting on in years, my back won't take it — I can't sit so long. I'll come out and stretch my legs."

Zhao Zhangru quickly rose and fetched a thick cushion. "Do sit down!"

Sixth Aunt sat down with a smile and asked them, "What are you talking about, so happily?"

"About the reward offered by the Ying family's estate of the Defending Duke," Zhao Zhangru said, chattering gaily to Sixth Aunt, who listened with a pleased smile.

Dou Yan's heart stirred slightly, and she shot a glance at Suxin.

Suxin went into the flower hall.

After a while she came out and said to Zhao Zhangru, "Cousin, your aunt asks you to come look at her tiles."

"Ah!" Zhao Zhangru was surprised, but she rose, bowed to Sixth Aunt in farewell, and followed Suxin into the flower hall.

Dou Yan took Ji-shi's arm. "Sixth Aunt, let me walk with you along the covered gallery."

Ji-shi gazed at Dou Zhiwei with eyes full of tenderness.

The two strolled slowly along the covered gallery outside the flower hall, while the maids and serving women stood beneath the side eaves of the flower hall, where they could answer a call from those inside at any moment and still keep an eye on the two walking in the gallery.

Only then did Ji-shi speak, low: "Shouyuan, what am I to do? Your twelfth brother has done something disgraceful, and I dare not tell a soul. I'm frantic as an ant on a hot pan, and I can only pour out my bitterness to you…" Before she could finish, tears were pattering down.

Dou Yan's heart gave a thump; she vaguely guessed that Dou Huaide and Ji Lingze had been found out.

She hastened to comfort Ji-shi. "Sixth Aunt, there's a way out of everything. Don't fret — if I can't manage it, there's still the heir. This is neither the time nor the place to talk. I'll stay at home a few days; with no one to keep the household in hand, I'll ask Father to beg you to stay and help. Whatever there is to say, we'll say it tonight."

Dou Zhiwei's calm composure steadied Ji-shi.

She nodded, quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears, and let Dou Yan walk her two more turns along the gallery. When she had settled, she patted Dou Zhiwei's hand lightly and said in a low voice, "Good child, I'm all right now. Let's go in!"

Dou Yan murmured "Mm," and with a smile went into the flower hall with Sixth Aunt.

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Here is today's update!

o(n_n)o~