Chapter 369 — Passing Muster

Dou Yan knew that in three years this eldest cousin's husband of hers would pass straight through the provincial and metropolitan examinations, become a Hanlin bachelor, and observe administration at the Ministry of Works.

She consoled her uncle: "Your eldest son-in-law will most certainly have his name on the golden roll, Uncle. Do not fret. When in a man's life is everything fair winds and smooth water? He is still young. More experience can only do him good, never harm."

Her uncle laughed aloud at that. "A little thing like you, and you talk like a grown man — you even know that no one's life runs smooth and easy the whole way!" He was rather taken aback by her.

Dou Yan pouted.

It was so rare to see such a little-girl look on her that her aunt and Zhao Zhangru both burst out laughing.

The mood turned lively at once, and Dou Yan felt that she and her uncle had grown considerably closer.

Everyone chatted casually until the little maid set out the chopsticks, and only then did the company fall quiet.

But a serving boy came in to announce: "The heir of the Duke of England has arrived."

Dou Yan was greatly startled.

Song Yan ought to have been on duty in the palace today.

Zhao Zhangru, however, was winking and grimacing at Dou Yan.

Her aunt had already risen, beaming with delight, and said to her uncle, "I daresay Yantang heard you had come to the capital and specially asked for leave to give you a welcome dinner!"

It was Dou Huaiying who had proposed this match, and though his wife wrote in her letters that Dou Zhiwei's marriage was a happy one, he remained skeptical. Word had also reached the Northwestern Army of Song Yan crushing martial men from every region as one might knock three scholars down with two peaches, and with it had come a certain displeasure toward the man. Hearing that Song Yan had come calling, he pondered a moment, then said to the boy, "He is no outsider. Ask him to the hall to sup with us."

The boy was one of the Yizhi Hall's own; at these words he flew off at once and soon escorted Song Yan in.

Song Yan respectfully paid his respects to Zhao Si.

Zhao Si's heart grew only more tangled.

Handsome of face, ruthless of method. How could Shouyuan be a match for such a man?

He gave a slight nod, and heedless of the maid who was about to serve tea, said to Song Yan, "Come with me to the study."

Song Yan went to the study with deference.

Zhao Zhangru at once pressed close to Dou Zhiwei. "It's over. It's over — Father has surely gone to examine the heir's lessons. Even my eldest brother-in-law is routed before my father's face, to say nothing of the heir!"

Dou Yan glared at her. "Have a little faith in the heir, won't you?"

What she feared was not that her uncle would test Song Yan's learning, but that, because of her father, he had judged Song Yan before ever meeting him, and would make him suffer for it.

Still — how had her uncle come to be like this?

Dou Yan pondered it.

Zhao Zhangru said, "What use is my faith? He has to pass muster!"

Their aunt, overhearing their muttering, scolded Zhao Zhangru. "All day long you do nothing but make mountains out of molehills. Is your father the sort of man to have no sense of measure?"

Yet she feared nonetheless that Song Yan had too little in him to show, and would be put to shame by her husband; she could not help glancing toward the study.

Pray the heir truly has two parts real talent to him, as you say!

Zhao Zhangru shot Dou Yan a look, straightened herself in her seat, and said no more.

For a time the hall was silent as still water.

As the tea in the cups slowly went cold before their eyes, Zhao Si and Song Yan emerged from the study, one behind the other.

Dou Yan looked at her uncle's grave face and let out a long breath of relief.

No change was the best outcome.

She glanced at Song Yan and indeed caught the laughter hidden in the depths of his eyes.

Only then was Dou Ci wholly at ease.

Her aunt was relieved as well.

She knew the knot in her husband's heart concerning Dou Huaiying; since he had not taken a dislike to Song Yan, it seemed the two had got on well enough in the study.

"Eat, eat," she said hurriedly with a smile. "Whatever there is to say can be said over the meal."

Song Yan — all grace — took the seat below Zhao Si and poured his wine for him.

A faint smile showed on Zhao Si's face.

The whole meal was eaten amid smiling faces.

Afterward they moved to the sitting room in the west chamber for tea, and Zhao Si even fell to discussing the various commanders of the Northwestern Army with Song Yan.

On the way home, Song Yan made a show of wiping his brow and sighed. "Your uncle is far harder to deal with than my father-in-law!"

Dou Yan giggled.

Song Yan said suddenly, "I have decided. If we have a daughter, I shall treat her as my father-in-law treats you; if a son, as your uncle has treated me."

Dou Xin laughed until tears nearly came.

Yet within, her heart ached.

Song Yan wished to be a good father, and had only his father and her uncle to look to for example.

Song Cen was of no help at all.

※

Sisters and brothers, here is today's extra chapter.

Our pink votes have doubled! "The Noble Physician's Daughter" is about to catch up with us — everyone, put your backs into it and push "Ninefold Purple" to the top!

o(n_n)o~

ps: Today's update will still be at the usual time.