Chapter 381 — Calling at the Door
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 4 of 4
Madam Tian had long since agreed with her daughter that today, no matter what, Dou Ming must be taught a lesson. She knew well enough that she was not a woman of ready speech, and had resolved not to show her face. When the Fifth Madam and the others came to visit her, she tied a brow band about her head and feigned illness, and clutching the Fifth Madam's hand she poured out her grievances: "Where is there such a daughter-in-law? Her mother-in-law is ill, and she does not come to tend her. How bitter my fate is!"
The Fifth Madam smiled and said nothing.
Then Madam Cai put in, "I hear our Fifth Young Mistress has been taking medicine every day since her miscarriage. Is she not overworking herself? I see your household has few serving women. Shall we send over a few matrons from the Dou family who understand the care of health, to attend our Fifth Young Mistress and nurse her back to strength? Otherwise, if it becomes difficult in the matter of heirs, that would be trouble indeed."
Madam Tian could not help shrinking back a little.
Wei Wan, however, was furious.
Do you mean that if Dou Ming bears no son hereafter, your Dou family will lay it at the door of this miscarriage?
She was about to speak in retort when Pang Yulou, following close upon Madam Cai, took up her words: "Is there such a thing? How is it we never heard of it? Our Fifth Young Mistress is too soft and yielding by nature. The matter of heirs is of the first importance." So saying, she looked at Wei Wan with feigned anger. "Our Fifth Young Mistress is young and has but newly married in, and does not know better; but the Eldest Young Mistress has borne and raised several children herself — why did you not remind our Fifth Young Mistress of it? The legitimate is the legitimate and the concubine-born is the concubine-born; the Eldest Young Mistress must not let her husband throw the household into disorder."
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Brothers and sisters who read this, here is today's first update.
The second update is postponed to around 11 p.m.