Chapter 58 — Funeral
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Grandfather passed away at the hour of the Ox on the twelfth day of the eighth month.
Until then he had lain in unbroken coma, leaving behind not a single word.
Father wept until he could not control himself, and the people of the Eastern Dou came over to help with the lesser encoffining rites.
Dou Yan stood quietly in the side corridor, listening to her father's sobbing and thinking of Grandmother.
Three years from now, Grandmother too would be gone.
Was there anything she could do to buy Grandmother two more years of life?
Grandmother had collapsed in the fields one day while watering the melon seedlings in the back garden... Her health had always been excellent; no one had expected it...
Wang Shuying came over and addressed Dou Yan in a tone of command: "Shouyuan, there will be many people coming to offer condolences in the next few days. Your sister is too young to know how to handle things, and Mother must rely on you. Keep an eye on the kitchen for me."
At Grandfather's funeral, relatives and friends, fellow villagers and neighbors would all come to pay their respects. She had seen how Dou Yan had conducted herself these past days with method and measure; no doubt she feared Dou Yan would shine at the funeral, win the praise of the elders, and become even harder to control afterward.
Dou Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Mother?" She looked Wang Shuying up and down with a critical eye. "Has the mistress been so busy she's lost her wits? Since when did you change your surname to Zhao? Grandfather has only just passed, and the day for announcing the death has not even been set, yet already someone comes to offer condolences. Has the mistress never managed a funeral and knows nothing of such things? If you truly do not know, then invite the Third Madam to help! Grandfather passed the imperial examination, and the Dou family is a household of consequence in Beizhili. When the time comes, Grandfather's old friends and colleagues will likely come to see him on his final journey. If we make a spectacle of ourselves, the Dou family truly cannot bear such shame! As for the kitchen, if the stewardess in charge of it now cannot manage, then replace her!" As she spoke, she called for Haitang. "Go and invite Gao Sheng here." Ever since Wang Shuying had been elevated to wife, Grandfather had paid no heed to the inner household, and Dou Yan had lived year-round in the Eastern residence. The stewards of the inner household were either Wang Shuying's people or those who dared not offend her. Gao Sheng was Father's man; in her memories of her last life, he was loyal to Father alone. So long as Father gave no clear signal otherwise, as Father's daughter she would be respected the same as Father, just as he respected Dou Ming.
Wang Shuying's expression had changed drastically. She said in a low voice, "Shouyuan, I do not know what the ladies of the Eastern residence have been saying to you, but you are, after all, one of the Western household..."
Dou Yan cut her off: "Mistress. I think there are some matters you would do well to think through clearly yourself. Grandfather has only just died. Do not imagine that there is no one above you to keep you in check, that you may do as you please."
Just then, Gao Sheng arrived.
Dou Yan broke off and had only begun to repeat Wang Shuying's words when Wang Shuying hurriedly said, "I have been so muddled with busyness these past days that I spoke rashly. Shouyuan, do not take it to heart..."
If blame there was, it could only be laid at the feet of Wang Shuying's ill fortune.