Chapter 25 — Instigation
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 4 of 4
"Ai!" she answered with a beaming smile, then called Yuzan and Tuoniang. "Have the little maids bring in some water. I'll help Fourth Miss wash and change into fresh clothes so she's presentable for her guest."
Yuzan hurried to relay Aunt Ding's instructions.
Aunt Ding helped Dou Yan wash her face, now sending Tuoniang to fetch this, now sending Yuzan to fetch that, until both maids were spinning in circles.
She asked Dou Yan gently, "Shouyuan, do you miss your mother?"
Dou Xin: "I do!"
Aunt Ding said, "Then would you like to see your mother?"
"I would!" Dou Yan said loudly.
"Our Shouyuan is such a good girl!" Aunt Ding kissed Dou Zhiwei on the cheek and carried Dou Yan toward the main hall.
Her own maids crowded around her and Dou Yan, keeping Yuzan and Tuoniang far behind.
Past the great pagoda tree, spreading like an umbrella, lay the main hall.
Aunt Ding said softly, "Shouyuan, your aunt has come to fetch you. Whatever you do, don't go with her later—otherwise she'll sell you off to some backwater ravine, and you'll never see your mother again, never taste osmanthus cakes again, nor ever see Tuoniang, Yuzan, your grandfather, or your father."
Dou Yan nodded.
Aunt Ding was a little surprised.
She had not expected Shouyuan to be so easily coaxed!
She smiled and stroked Dou Zhiwei's hair. "Good girl. Once you've seen your aunt, Aunt Ding will take you to find your mother—shall we?"
"Yes!" Dou Yan answered.
Aunt Ding rounded the great pagoda tree and entered the main hall.
Like two armies facing off, the Madam Dowager and Matron Peng stood in the center of the hall, while Third Sister-in-law and several unfamiliar women stood below the central dais.
Hearing the commotion, both sides turned their eyes toward her.
Third Sister-in-law smiled and beckoned to Dou Yan. "Come, Shouyuan, come to your Third Sister-in-law!"
The Madam Dowager's smile was somewhat forced. She called softly to Dou Yan: "Shouyuan, let your aunt hold you!"
Aunt Ding set Dou Yan down on the ground and whispered in her ear: "She's been sold off to some deep mountain hollow, where she'll be beaten every day. Quick, go to your Third Aunt!"
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O(∩_∩)O~
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