Chapter 433 — Thanksgiving
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Seeing that his son-in-law was on his side, Dou Huaiying was secretly pleased and found him ever more agreeable. "I hear your family's second son is to be married soon? Have you fixed the date for sending the betrothal gifts? We shall come and join the merrymaking when the time comes."
Dou Huaiying knew that Song Han's origins were somewhat tangled, but he had always regarded such things as the grudges of the older generation, having nothing to do with Song Han himself. So long as Song Han remained Song Yan's younger brother, he, as Song Yan's father-in-law, would do him the courtesy of saving face.
Song Yan looked upon Dou Huaiying as a father and was naturally unwilling to draw him into such sordid affairs. He hastened to smile and say, "Since this is a marriage by imperial grace, there are many formalities. The date for sending the betrothal gifts and fixing the wedding must first be submitted to the palace for instruction—a troublesome business. When the time comes, I shall send someone from Zi'ai Peak to invite you."
The implication was that he should not trouble himself over it.
Dou Huaiying thought Song Yan's words very reasonable. He was a man who disliked social obligations, and he was well satisfied with such an arrangement.
Dou Yan had returned to her parents' home for a short stay and was lodged in the east wing of the upper courtyard, while Song Yan was given the small study in the east wing. Having nothing to do, Dou Yan sent a maid for her needlework, and sat stitching while she listened to Dou Huaiying and Song Yan talk.
Dou Bingheng arrived unexpectedly.
Dou Huaiying was greatly surprised. "At this hour?"
The curfew had already fallen over the city.
He handed the child to Dou Yan and said, "I will go and see."
Song Yan rose to see Dou Huaiying out and reassured him, "Things have been calm in the palace these past days. Perhaps Fifth Uncle has come to you about some other matter."
Dou Huaiying nodded and went to the study in the outer courtyard.
Dou Bingheng was still in his official robes, seated in the grand armchair in the study drinking tea. Seeing Dou Huaiying enter, he wasted no courtesy but came straight to the point: "The Emperor wishes to begin the Imperial Grandson's education, and I intend to recommend you to lecture on the Thousand Family Poems. Are you confident you can do it?"
Dou Huaiying, however, was a man unwilling to be entangled in such things. He frowned and said, "My temperament is cold and withdrawn. Has Fifth Brother no other candidate?"
"Sixth Brother is even less suitable!" said Dou Bingheng. "He seems steady, but he pays no heed to small matters. Sending him into the palace would be his ruin."
Dou Huaiying felt the matter had come too suddenly and was not as simple as Dou Bingheng made it out to be. Remembering that Song Yan was under his roof, he could not help saying, "Let me think it over carefully."
After all, this was the tutoring of the Imperial Grandson, the future heir to the throne. Dou Bingheng had not expected Dou Huaiying to agree at once, and nodded. He inquired about Dou Huaiying's scholarship, then rose to take his leave.
Dou Huaiying saw him to the main gate.
Catching sight of the carriage waiting in the sedan hall, he struck his forehead in sudden recollection. "Yantang has come?"
"Indeed!" Dou Huaiying's face broke into a smile at the mention of his son-in-law. "He has come to see Shouyuan and Yuanheng, and I have kept him for the night. Since I did not know what business you had with me, I did not have him come along."
Dou Bingheng said, "It grows late. I shall not see him. Tell him for me." Then he hurried into his sedan chair.
Dou Huaiying, keeping a watchful mind, ordered a young servant to follow.
The servant returned and reported, "Fifth Master has gone toward Chang'an Street."
The offices of the Six Ministries, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review all stood on Chang'an Street.