Chapter 337 — A Return Gift

Suxin could not help sighing with feeling. "Who would believe it if word got out? The august Duke of Yingguo actually fell ill from sheer anger because his daughter-in-law's dowry was too lavish—and not only fell ill, but when he could not secretly discover just how much she had brought, he sent his guards to abduct her personal maids, hoping to wring from their mouths the source of the properties held under her name…"

Dou Yi looked somewhat resigned and teased Suxin. "This only goes to show how well you manage those under you. Even the Duke of Yingguo could not pry into the people of my household, and was left with no choice but to risk a desperate, ill-conceived scheme."

Suxin shook her head and laughed.

Dou Fan said, "A Lord of the Zhenguo Estate, driven by us to such a pass—that is surely one of a kind!" Then he pressed his palms together, piously intoned "Amitabha" toward the west, and said with a solemn face, "And so, our Suxin can now have her wedding date set!"

Suxin's face was covered in shame as she called out, "Madam."

Dou Yan smiled with her lips pressed together for a while, then said, "Later, go ask Chen He where the residence Chen Jia originally pawned off is located, and see whether it can be bought back. I want to give it to Chen Jia."

Suxin was very surprised.

Dou Yan said, "He did me such a great favor; I cannot let him help for nothing. Buying back the residence he once pawned off and giving it to him can be considered repaying his kindness!"

Suxin nodded and instructed Chen He to handle the matter.

Chen He did not dare keep it from Song Yan, and reported the matter to him. Song Yan said, "Since it is the madam's reward for him, just see to it carefully."

Before many days had passed, Chen Jia received this gift.

Gazing at the small courtyard house with its gray tiles and whitewashed walls, Chen Jia was overcome with emotion.

This residence was near Yuqiao Lane, a property with a price but no market. He had sold it back then to the godson of Cui Yijun, the grand eunuch at the Crown Prince's side. He had sold it for only half the market price and had never expected to be able to buy it back from Cui Yijun's godson. He had not imagined that Madam Dou would not only inquire about his former dwelling but buy it back so quickly...

Resolution showed on Chen Jia's face as he called to Huzi, who was dashing delightedly all over the house: "Come, let us go look at the antique shops on West Street and see whether there is anything we can give Madam Dou!"

Huzi answered with a loud "Aye" and locked the main gate.

Dou Yan, meanwhile, was cheerfully looking through the almanac with her aunt and the others, choosing an auspicious day for Suxin's marriage.

Song Yan said with a smile, "When do you plan to hold Sulan's wedding? Rich or poor, taking a wife makes for a good New Year."

Dou Yan blinked and said, "No one has come to propose yet, so how would I know what to do?"

"You little minx!" Song Yan bent down and bit her shoulder.

Dou Yan's face flushed red. With a cry of "Aiyo," she hastily said, "Stop fooling around—Aunt is right here!"

Only then did Song Yan reluctantly rise.

Winter clothes were thick, so it could not hurt her skin at all.

Dou Yan giggled.

Song Yan said, "Have you spoken to Suxin about Sulan's marriage?"

"I have!" Dou Yan said. "Not only does Suxin think it good, but Old Chen does as well; she is only a little worried that their temperaments might not agree."

"Nanny Chen, however, thinks it good." Song Yan sat down beside Dou Yan. "She says Chen He's temperament is dull and quiet, with little to say either at home or abroad, while Sulan is lively and active, just the one to draw Chen He out. I asked Chen He, and he blushed and said he would obey Nanny Chen in everything. I think this match is quite good. Now that Suxin is married off, let Sulan be married next!"

Dou Yan nodded.

The next day, the Chen family invited an official matchmaker to come propose.

Joy was added to joy at Yizhi Hall; everyone wore smiles on their faces, as if it were the New Year.

Song Yan said, "Shall we go to the Eastern Palace these next couple of days? Before we married, His Highness Zhaohua once told me to bring you into the palace to pay respects to the Crown Princess. By rights, once you had returned to your natal home for the full month, our wedding rites would be complete and we could come and go as we pleased. But then Father fell ill, and with the taboo on celebrations and amusements, the visit to the Eastern Palace was put off. Now that Father has recovered, we ought to go pay our respects to the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess."

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To the sisters and brothers reading this: things at home have been in a hopeless tangle, so I am posting the draft first and will fix typos later. I ask for everyone's generous understanding.