Chapter 12 — The Visitor
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 4 of 4
Dou Yan was stunned, and only after a good while did she collect herself and instruct her: "Quick, get through the door ahead of Third Aunt."
"Yes!" Tuoniang answered cheerfully and carried her off to her mother. "Seventh Young Madam, great joy! The Fourth Young Miss can speak!"
"Oh!" Her mother laughed and teased Dou Yan. "Say a few words for me to hear?"
Dou Yan said, bold as could be: "I want to go to Uncle's house—to play!"
Her mother laughed aloud.
Dou Zhiwei smiled too.
After all, they were not true brothers. The Second Old Madam might help her mother, but she was all the more eager to see her son cleared.
As for what this uncle of hers was really like, it would have to be tested.
Her Third Aunt came in just then. Tuoniang slipped out, and Dou Yan remained seated on the kang. Her Third Aunt took Dou Zhiwei's little hand and said quietly to her mother, "I asked them thoroughly. They all say it was 'a matter of feeling, kept within the bounds of propriety.'"
Her mother gave a snort of contempt.
Her Third Aunt laughed reproachfully: "What does it matter whether they speak true or false? If that is what they say, then that is what we believe. Since they are innocent of one another, when the Wang family's people arrive, we need only hand her over to them."
Her mother nodded. "I understand."
From outside came Hanxiao's flustered voice: "Seventh Master, the Seventh Madam is talking with the Third Madam even as we speak..." Before the words were out, the warm curtain was flung aside with a swish, and her father strode in, his face ashen.
"Seventh Uncle is back!" Third Aunt smiled and drew Mother behind her. "Where are your Third Brother and the others?"
"Third Sister-in-law." Father gave Third Aunt a perfunctory bow, the veins on his forehead bulging. "Aunt Ding has laid out a family feast in the Little Flower Hall. I'll change my clothes with Guqiu's help and be along directly."
Third Aunt hesitated.
Mother laid her hand on Third Aunt's shoulder.
"Third Sister-in-law, do go on ahead!" Mother said softly. "Third Uncle and the others must be growing impatient. Wanyuan and I will follow right after."
Third Aunt threw a meaningful glance at Nurse Yu, then smiled and left the inner chamber.
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*The Concubine's Daughter's Strategy* runs to seven volumes in all; the first three are out now and available on Dangdang. Volumes four and five will be released mid-year, and six and seven at year's end. Dangdang usually holds a discount event at the close of the year, so if you're thinking of buying *The Concubine's Daughter's Strategy*, you might as well seize the chance then—it'll be much cheaper. O(∩_∩)O~
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