Chapter 311 — Candidates

Having weathered great storms in his time, Song Yan felt a flicker of disappointment that passed as quickly as it came, unlike Dou Yan's deep dejection.

He mused for a moment and said, "If that is the case, it is not impossible, only it will take more effort and time... Tell your aunt that when we return we will help Cousin look further, and we are bound to find someone suitable for her." Then he added, "Did your aunt raise any other conditions?"

Dou Yan shook her head and laid her hand on Song Yan's arm. "I am afraid my aunt still hopes the Zhao family can produce a scholar!"

Song Yan hastened to comfort her: "Never mind. Leave it to me!"

Even as the two were speaking, a dry cough sounded from behind them.

Dou Yan and Song Yan turned to see Dou Huaide winking and grimacing at them. "Fourth Sister, this is your natal home. Whatever sweet nothings you have to whisper, save them for when you are home."

Dou Yong thought this a bit much and called out in warning, "Dechang."

Dou Yan shot Dou Huaide a glare.

This Twelfth Brother, whose own affairs were a hopeless muddle, had taken it upon himself to meddle in hers!

The reserved Dou Yong could not help laughing at the sight.

Fourth Sister was always so proper and solemn; who would have thought she had such a charming, playful side?

He smoothed things over: "There are no outsiders here. Come in and sit. I hear from Yantang that he keeps a dozen fine horses at his estate in the Western Hills. Shall we go have a look together one day?"

Song Yan did not stand on ceremony either, entering the flower hall with Dou Yan at ease. He smiled and said, "If my eleventh brother-in-law likes them, I will have two gentle mares sent over."

"No need, no need." Dou Yong waved his hand again and again. "Horses are born to run out in the open. My home has no space large enough, and giving them to me would only make them suffer. Better that I visit your estate whenever I wish to ride." Seeing that Song Yan meant to press him further, he added, "I cannot carry home everything I happen to admire, can I? Sometimes appreciation is a pleasure in itself!"

Song Yan murmured his assent, though in his heart he admired Dou Yong greatly.

As the group chatted, the aunt finished her preparations and summoned Gao Sheng's wife, handing her a bank note for fifty taels. "Today the treat is mine. Invite the Fourth Young Master and the Fourth Young Mistress to dine at home."

"How could we let you pay!" Gao Sheng's wife dared not accept, but the aunt insisted she take it, so she had no choice but to report to Dou Yan: "The aunt bids—bids the Fourth Young Master and you to stay and dine at home."

Dou Yan, still feeling for Song Yan over his wasted efforts, smiled and said, "Tell my aunt we want Eight Treasures and Eight Delicacies."

Seeing Dou Yan in such fine spirits and even joking with the aunt, Gao Sheng's wife cheered up as well, and with a smiling curtsy she answered and went off to the kitchen.

Dou Huaide nudged Song Yan and whispered in a voice everyone could hear, "See that? She is all smiles on the surface and iron underneath, taking in but never giving out. You are in for a treat from now on—she has dragged every last alley of Yunqi Temple Lane into your household."

Song Yan laughed heartily.

He thought Dou Huaide a rare and delightful character.

The mood in the room grew even warmer.

A young servant came in to report: "Mr. Song and Mr. Song have arrived. They say they set out for their hometown tomorrow and have come to take leave of the master."

Dou Yong said quickly, "Show them in at once!"

Dou Huaide explained to Song Yan, "Mr. Song is the tutor Seventh Uncle engaged for Fourth Sister. Now that Fourth Sister is married, Mr. Song has resigned his post. He had meant to return home right after her wedding feast, but he ran into a former classmate here in the capital and has been touring the city for some days. Mr. Song is his clansman's nephew; his parents are dead, and he has been looking after Mr. Song's daily needs all along."

As he spoke, Song Yan saw Dou Yong escorting an old man and a youth in blue gowns along the zigzag covered walkway toward them.

Song Yan asked, "The Song family—are they a scholarly household?"

Dou Huaide gave a grunt of assent. "Their ancestors produced officials. They were never very prominent, but in their hometown they count as a family of letters."

Song Yan's eyes lit up, and he turned to look at Dou Yan.

And Dou Yan's heart had already given a jolt the moment Song Yan asked whether the Song family were a scholarly household.

This was a classic case of the lamp casting darkness beneath itself!

How had she never thought of it before?

Husband and wife broke into the same faint smile without consulting each other.

Dou Huaide, watching them, felt his heart skip a beat.

How come her fourth brother-in-law and fourth sister were smiling in a way that struck one as a little eerie!

The thought had scarcely crossed his mind when Dou Yan had already risen to her feet, saying with a smile, "I'm going to have a word with my aunt," and then, beaming, she stepped out of the flower hall.

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Sisters and brothers, here is today's update.

o(n_n)o~

ps: begging for pink votes!