"This Lady Zhao is truly something! This was meant to be a simple family feast, and yet she turned it into a merchant's bazaar!" Lady Wang Yingxue, seated at the head seat among the women, craned her neck and stared toward Dou Zhao's corner with a sour expression. She finally couldn't help but mutter bitterly.
That so-called "perfume" — she wanted one too! But her pride wouldn't allow her to step down and fight the younger generation for a bottle. So she sat there, muttering passive-aggressively.
But no sooner had the words left her mouth than she sensed something was amiss. With a jolt, she turned sharply — only to meet the chilling, knife-like gaze of Wei Tingyu, who still sat unmoved in the center of the host's seat.
A cold sweat broke out across her back.
"But since the son-in-law says nothing, it is not my place, as a stepmother from the maiden family, to say anything either!" Wang Yingxue quickly forced a smile and gulped nervously before attempting to explain herself.
"Many thanks, Madam, for your understanding." Wei Tingyu's lips curled faintly into a contemptuous smirk as he nodded toward her. "After all, our Marquis Household hails from martial roots, and Zhao'er was raised in the countryside beyond the city walls. Naturally, we cannot compare to the refined Dou family, who regard gold and silver as filth!"
"You jest, my Lord! You jest!" Wang Yingxue was frightened once more and quickly forced a laugh. "It was but a foolish woman's nonsense. Allow me to drink a cup of wine as an apology!"
The mother-in-law offering wine in apology to her son-in-law? Such a thing was unheard of!
But Wang Yingxue had no room for pride. She stood hastily, lifted her wine cup, and downed it in one gulp!
The Dou brothers — Dou Shishu and Dou Shiying — looked away in embarrassment. They could no longer bear to witness their family matriarch disgracing herself so thoroughly.
Truth be told, both of them also found Dou Zhao's act of promoting perfumes at a family banquet unbecoming. Yet, under the weight of Wei Tingyu's authority, they dared only to mutter such thoughts in their hearts.
Who would have thought that Wang Yingxue would be bold — or foolish — enough to voice them aloud!
"As for your Dou family's previous offenses… Had Zhao'er not cared, I wouldn't have bothered with them either." Now that Dou Zhao was not present, Wei Tingyu turned to address the three Dou elders directly.
"But if you dare use vile and underhanded schemes against her again…" His eyes gleamed with a frosty light as they locked onto Wang Yingxue. "Do not blame this Marquis for disregarding familial ties!"
The meaning was clear — even if the culprits were from the Dou family, if anyone harmed Dou Zhao, he would show no mercy.
"Yes, yes! I understand completely!" Wang Yingxue was stunned, then quickly nodded with a forced smile. "Now that Zhao'er is married into the Marquis Household, our whole family is overjoyed. Why would we harbor ill intent? Husband, Fifth Brother, isn't that so?"
"Indeed, indeed! There's no need for concern, Lord Marquis! We are all pleased to see Zhao'er wed into your household!" Dou Shiying and Dou Shishu echoed in agreement, nodding quickly.
Of course, Wei Tingyu knew exactly how much value to place on their words. A dog cannot change its habit of eating dung. Until Wang Yingxue suffers a proper lesson, she will never awaken from her folly.
With that thought, Wei Tingyu no longer spared them a glance. Instead, he turned his attention toward the women's side, where Dou Zhao sat at the center of the guests.
One had to admit — today's "product launch" was rather successful. Many young ladies from noble households eagerly reached into their pouches to purchase their favorite perfumes on the spot.
Little Dou Ming, too, had happily picked a bottle of jasmine scent and now sat sweetly to the side, her eyes filled with affection as she gazed at Wei Tingyu.
When Wei Tingyu finally looked her way, their eyes met — and her cheeks instantly flushed red.
But this time, Dou Ming did not shy away nor avert her gaze. Instead, she responded with a sweet smile.
Seeing her open affection, Wei Tingyu lifted his wine cup in her direction and offered a toast from afar.
Startled but elated, Dou Ming quickly filled her cup and raised her slender white wrist — downing it in one gulp.
After all, it was a toast from her brother-in-law! How could she not drink?
…
Inside the Marquis of Jining's carriage, the feast had long ended. Wei Tingyu sat upright at the central seat, while Dou Zhao leaned gently against his shoulder like a docile bird.
Seated to the left and right were her two closest companions — Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru, cousins and bosom friends of Dou Zhao. Though they sat respectfully at a slight distance, it was still within the same carriage.
Ordinarily, such a private space would only accommodate immediate family. Unrelated men and women would never be allowed inside.
But as merchants, Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru were not permitted to ride noble carriages — they had arrived in hired donkey carts earlier.
Now that it was so late, Dou Zhao, fearing for their safety, insisted they join her in the Marquis's carriage and stay the night at the estate.
Zhao Zhangru was carefree by nature. Being both a close friend and a cousin to Dou Zhao, she did not hesitate to accept.
Miao Ansu, on the other hand, hesitated for a long while. But the moment she caught sight of Wei Tingyu, she clenched her jaw and agreed to Dou Zhao's arrangements.
Now, she sat nervously in her seat, eyes constantly stealing glances at Wei Tingyu.
Her heart pounded beneath her blushing cheeks as her mind raced.
She could not understand Dou Zhao's true intent.
After all, propriety between men and women could not be taken lightly. When Dou Zhao had invited her and Zhao Zhangru into the carriage earlier, many onlookers had already taken note.
By tomorrow, there would no doubt be gossip — whispers about the relationship between them, the Marquis's estate, and the two girls.
Surely, Dou Zhao must have foreseen this? Then why still insist?
Could it be… that her dear friend had already seen through her heart's desire — and was trying to fulfill it?
If she could truly enter the Marquis's estate as a concubine, Miao Ansu would be willing — utterly willing! To remain close to the man she loved and not part from her dearest friend — what more could she want?
As for conflict between wife and concubine — she held no fear. She knew both Dou Zhao and herself well enough to believe that even serving one husband together would not break their bond.
But in front of Wei Tingyu, she dared not ask outright. The weight of all this turmoil pressed on her chest, leaving her fidgeting restlessly.