Chapter 352 — Sharp

She insisted that Song Jin apologize to her, and that the Third Madam's governess and maids apologize to Sulan and Ruotong.

The Third Madam would not agree, and Song Jin was even less willing.

Dou Zhao was not annoyed in the least. She looked at Song Cen and calmly instructed Ruotong, "You had better go and send word to the Yunqi Temple alley."

If she would not set the Fifth Madam to speak up for her now, when would she ever set her to speak up for her?

Song Cen was choked with fury.

He reasoned that Dou Yan dared to behave so only because she had Song Yan backing her. To catch a bandit, catch their leader; to strike a snake, strike it seven inches from the head. Why should he vent his anger on her? If he wanted to settle accounts, he should settle them with Song Yan!

His gaze shot toward Song Yan like a knife. "Your wife—do you expect me to discipline her for you?"

Song Yan bent slightly at the waist and said with great respect, "Father. My wife is the heir's wife of the Yingzhen Ducal Manor, and she represents the Yingzhen Ducal Manor. Jin'er behaving like this is most improper; she has indeed done wrong. Our family is not large, and we place exceptional value on offspring, so the discipline of our children has been relatively lax. The Dou family has passed down letters and learning for generations and is an illustrious clan of North Zhili; over these hundred years they have produced seven or eight metropolitan graduates one after another, and they must have some surpassing method in rearing their children. Considering that Jin'er is a first offender, I say an apology is unnecessary—better to have Jin'er follow my wife and learn proper conduct. When she marries in the future, she will know how to be filial to her elders, respectful to her brothers and their wives, and kind to her younger brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, so that she does not fail to tell right from wrong and be despised by her husband's family."

Everyone in the room widened their eyes.

Song Jin, who had already stopped crying, began to weep again. "I don't want to learn proper conduct from my third cousin-in-law! She will surely make things hard for me!"

Truly, a donkey's dung ball polished bright on the surface—a pillow embroidered with flowers and stuffed with chaff!

A pretty enough little girl to look at, yet without a shred of sense.

Even if she thought so, there was no need to shout it out that loudly!

Dou Yan shook her head to herself.

The Third Master scratched his ears and cheeks in his fluster. He could not spare much thought now; he stepped forward and shoved Song Jin. "Hurry up and apologize to your third cousin-in-law!"

The Third Madam also came round and, together with the Third Master, urged Song Jin, "Quickly, apologize to your third cousin-in-law."

Eyes brimming with tears, Song Jin apologized to Dou Yan in a small voice, both ashamed and resentful.

Dou Chi spoke up, looking at the maidservants still sprawled on the floor.

The Third Madam had no choice but to have her own wet nurse and maidservants apologize to Suxin and Ruotong.

What a fine mess this was!

Song Cen's anxiety surged, and he fainted away.

Song Jin no longer had to learn proper conduct from Dou Yan, and the reunion dinner on Little New Year's Eve could not be eaten either. Everyone sat in the hall of the Xixiang Court waiting for Song Cen to wake.

Dou Yan, wearing a small jacket lined with pearl fur, found the room too hot, so she sat on the beauty's seat in the side corridor, turning matters over in her mind.

Her advantage today had rested entirely on Sulan's skill in martial arts. But once Suxin and Sulan married and left, she would have no such capable hands about her again. If she met with such trouble in the future, she could only do as she had in her former life—persuade, compromise, weigh the options. She might still achieve her aims, but never with the exhilaration of today.

It seemed she still must find two maidservants skilled in boxing and footwork.

Only, women who studied such arts were rare to begin with, and they must also be utterly loyal to her—such people would surely be hard to find!

At this thought, Dou Chi could not help but sigh.

Song Yan, returning after seeing the physician out, found her sitting alone in the side corridor. He could not help going over, putting an arm around her shoulders and kissing her forehead. "Don't worry, Father is in good health. The physician said it was only a temporary choking of the breath; he will wake soon enough."

Dou Yan did not care in the least whether Song Cen woke or not.

She said, "I was wondering whether I might find two maidservants like Suxin and Sulan."

Song Yan thought for a moment and understood her meaning. He smiled. "Don't worry. I will think of something!"

Dou Shi knew that he meant what he said, and so she indeed put the matter from her mind, and instead sent a man with a letter to bid Dou Huaide come over.

Dou Huaide received the letter and came at once. "What has happened?"

Dou Yan told Dou Huaide about the events of Little New Year.

Dou Huaide burst out laughing. "Don't tell me you want me to play a part and give your father-in-law a good fright?"

Dou Yan gave him a thumbs-up. "I knew I had found the right man!"

Dou Huaide said, "For a business like this, how could we leave out Boyan?"

"Oh!" Dou Yan said happily. "Has Boyan come to the capital too?"

The last time her third uncle and third cousin had come to the capital, Dou Yan had not come along, saying he had gone to a friend's house in Lingnan and had not yet returned; for that, the Second Madam had berated her third uncle and third cousin soundly. Who would have thought that at this great New Year season, Dou Yan should arrive in the capital.

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Going home today.

o(n_n)o~