Chapter 366 — Confidence
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Finding someone who suits your heart—that is no easy thing!
Suxin and Sulan had served her for four or five years already. She could not go on delaying them any longer.
Dou Xin said, "Isn't it just that we've run into the New Year? As for the maids' affairs, we can wait until after the second month, when the Dragon Raises Its Head and the weather warms a little. We can't have Sulan postponing her wedding over this."
Before the New Year, Dou Ji and Song Yan had discussed it and settled on the fourth day of the second month for Sulan and Chen He's wedding.
Suxin knew that no maid skilled in boxing and kicking had yet been found on Dou Yan's side. Thinking of how Dou Yan was locked in a contest with Song Cen, and how Song Cen would go so far as to mobilize his retainers to abduct them merely to find out how much property stood in Dou Yan's name—that he would stoop to any means—she grew deeply anxious.
She and her sister might not match the fighting skill of men like Duan Bing, but if an intruder came, a surprise strike could still stop those with ill intent and buy Dou Yan a chance to escape. If both she and her sister left, what would become of Dou Zhiwei's safety? Duan Bing and the others were men, after all—they could hardly shadow her all twelve hours of the day.
Suxin hesitated a long while, then said, "How about I come back and keep you company? Zhao Liangbi will be visiting the various shops these days anyway, so he won't be home..."
"No need for such trouble," Dou Xin said. "I don't even leave the Yingzhen Duke's residence. Nothing will happen."
Suxin said gravely, "With this matter, one fears the one-in-ten-thousand. If you won't agree, I'll go speak to the heir apparent..."
Before her words had faded, a voice suddenly came from within the room: "What is it you want to speak to me about?"
The two looked toward the sound and saw Song Dan walking in.
"Heir Apparent!" Suxin hurried forward and curtsied. She recounted the whole affair. "I beg the Heir Apparent to allow me to serve in the madam's chambers as I did before."
"How could that be right?" Dou Yan said before Song Yan could speak. "If you're bored, coming in to keep me company is all very well. But serving in my chambers—you're a managing matron now, after all. What sense is there in your waiting on people still?"
"She came out of your household, so it's only proper she serve you," Song Yan said after a moment's thought, smiling at Dou Yan. "Don't argue about this. Let Suxin enter the residence and serve you. Her monthly allowance will be doubled as before, charged to my accounts." Seeing that Dou Yan meant to say more, he added, "When Zhao Liangbi returns, Suxin will go home. And if she conceives, she can rest at home and needn't come back."
Suxin was a bride still, and Song Yan's last words made her blush. She lowered her head and answered "Yes" in a loud voice.
Dou Chi was not one to stand on ceremony; she thought she would simply be careful when the time came, and not let Suxin lose a child without even knowing she was with one, as she herself had in her former life, and bring about some great disaster.
"Then come into the residence and keep me company!" She nodded with a smile and instructed Ganlu and the others to prepare a place for Suxin to stay.
Suxin knew that once Song Yan came in he would be inseparable from Dou Yan. She had once thought Song Yan somewhat lacking in heroic spirit; now that she herself was married, she understood the sweetness of it. She curtsied.
Song Dan said, "It's still better to use these wives."
"Better your head!" Dou Yan shot him a glare, her eyes as lovely and soft as spring water.
Song Dan bent and kissed Dou Zhiwei on the cheek, then went to change his clothes.
Dou Yan handed Song Yan the tea a maid had brought. "Is something not going smoothly with the Kuang family?" she asked soberly.
Song Chu started. "Why do you say that?"