Purple Streets of Chang'an - Chapter 443 — Double Ninth - 清風書屋

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Dou Yan asked, "Should we tell our eldest aunt the truth?"

Song Yan shook her head. "Better not tell her. With a matter like this, every person kept in the dark is one more measure of safety."

Dou Yan nodded and said no more of it. Turning to the Double Ninth Festival, he asked, "Will you be free that day?"

"I'm afraid I'll be accompanying His Majesty to Rabbit Mountain," Song Yan said apologetically. "I'll have Xia Lian and the others escort you." Then she asked, "Have you decided where you'll go?"

"Xiang Mountain," Dou Xin said. "We'll go a little farther out."

Since coming to the capital, this would be Dou Yan's first time leaving the city.

Song Yan felt her guilt deepen.

She took Dou Zhiwei's hand and said, "Where else would you like to go? Next time I have a day off, we'll go together."

Dou Shi said that he was currently locked in contention with Song Cen and could not afford the slightest carelessness where the Emperor was concerned; he needed to show his face before His Majesty as often as possible and had little time to spare for her. She chose somewhere relatively close: "Then let's go offer incense at Puji Temple! I want to burn a few sticks for Yuan Heng."

"Good!" Song Yan said gently, her gaze resting on Dou Zhiwei, brimming with a soft warmth. "Once the child is a little older, we'll go somewhere farther—Jiangnan, Guangdong... to see those foreign barbarians."

Dou Xin took Song Yan's hand with a smile.

Song Yan's hand traveled upward along Dou Zhiwei's arm.

Dou Yan giggled, ticklish.

A small flame kindled in Song Yan's eyes.

But someone came to spoil the mood, announcing from beyond the door, "Heir Apparent, my lady, the Second Madam has come."

Song Yan's brows knitted. "This late, what does the Second Madam want?" Her tone was exceedingly curt.

The little maid trembled and said quaveringly, "The Second Madam says the Double Ninth is nearly upon us, and the Miao family's uncle sent over some flower cakes and osmanthus wine. The Second Madam brought them especially for the Heir Apparent and my lady to taste."

Song Yan was irritated.

But it was Song Han who was her enemy—not Miao Zhi, newly married into the household.

Dou Xin said, "I'll go and see."

Song Yan said sullenly, "Go and come back quickly. Don't let her rattle on and on; whatever there is to say can wait until tomorrow."

Dou Yan smiled with pursed lips and went out to the hall.

Miao Zhi wore a jacket of bright red brocade woven with a ten-pattern damask, a gold buyao pin in her hair, a light dusting of powder on her face—dazzlingly beautiful.

She smiled and bowed to Dou Yan, calling her "Elder Sister-in-Law" with great warmth. "My family lives far from the capital. I set out this morning and have only just arrived. I thought other things keep well enough, but these flower cakes won't last, so I brought them straight over. I hope I haven't disturbed your rest, Sister-in-Law?"

Since they were to live under the same roof from now on,.

Dou Xin said, "I had only just lain down. Had you come a little later, you would have had to wait for me to get up and dress again."

Miao Zhi was rather taken aback by Dou Zhiwei's frankness. She laughed behind her sleeve. "With beauty like yours, Sister-in-Law, what need is there for dressing up? It's people like me who can't go out to be seen without a proper fuss."

She was showing goodwill, and Dou also wished to live in harmony with her; it was only that this was truly no time for conversation. Dou Xin smiled and said, "Don't be so modest, Sister-in-Law. Didn't you notice the stunned look on everyone's faces the moment you lifted your veil?"

Miao Zhi laughed softly. "I hear that on the Double Ninth you mean to go mountain-climbing with the young lady of the cousin's family. Might I come along too?"

Dou asked without betraying anything, "Is the Second Master going?"

Miao Zhi said, "Would it be a bit awkward if he did?"