Dou Wenyi shook off her hand. "Mother, is this vast rear courtyard somehow off-limits to me? Or do you believe I'm responsible for killing these fish?"
"Without any evidence, must every misfortune in this household be blamed on me?"
"Mother, these fish could have died from improper care or perhaps someone poisoned them? Instead of investigating the true cause, you immediately pin the blame on me? What kind of logic is that?"
"In your eyes, am I truly less valuable than a few fish?"
"How dare you!" Madam Gu's anger flared as she raised her hand to strike.
"Stop!" Old Madam Dou approached, supported by Zijuan.
Her voice carried authority. "Foolish! Gu Shi, anyone would think Fourth Girl isn't your daughter but your sworn enemy. Is this how a mother should behave?"
Madam Gu's hand froze mid-air. "Mother-in-law, I'm merely disciplining this wretched girl."
Old Madam Dou, seething with rage, declared sternly, "Then I shall discipline you as a daughter-in-law!"
Madam Gu's face flushed crimson, humiliated that the old madam would undermine her before so many people.
"Mother-in-law, it's her restlessness that brings turmoil to our household…"
Old Madam Dou said coldly, "You feel ashamed being reprimanded? Yet you strike Fourth Girl publicly without regard for her dignity? When servants gossip about her, instead of defending her, you think she deserves to be beaten?"
"The servants' chatter is mere nonsense…"
"It's not nonsense at all!"
Second Madam Yang arrived with a group of maids and matrons, storming toward them with aggressive energy.
"Dou Wenyi, why did you come back!"
"Harming one of my children wasn't enough? Now you must bring disaster upon my Cheng'er!"
Furious and desperate, Yang rushed at her as if wanting to tear her apart.
Granny Cao swiftly stepped in front to block her.
Old Madam Dou's eyebrows twitched with irritation. "Yang Shi, what are you doing? It's just a few dead fish. What does this have to do with Cheng'er?"
Yang burst into loud sobs. "Cheng'er was perfectly fine yesterday. His wet nurse said he visited Yi Lan Courtyard today and returned with a high fever that won't subside. I've consulted several physicians and tried numerous medicines, but nothing works…"
"Master Xuanming said someone with extreme yin energy has attracted evil spirits, bringing misfortune to our household that harms young relatives."
"Who else here has extreme yin energy besides her!"
Seeing Yang's relentless attitude, Madam Gu was reminded of four years ago.
Back then, it was also Dou Wenyi whose influence caused Second Branch to lose a child—a boy—leaving Yang heartbroken.
Only after countless apologies and reassurances did Madam Gu manage to calm Yang down. Because of this debt, she still felt inferior in Second Branch's presence.
Now this happened again. Cheng'er was Yang's only son—she would never let this go…
Madam Gu clenched her fists tightly.
"Mother-in-law, as soon as Wenyi returned, healthy fish died and Cheng'er lies critically ill… Do you still think I was wrong to keep her away from others?"
Old Madam Dou observed the chaotic scene before her, her expression grim.
"Mother, Grandmother, please calm down and speak reasonably." Dou Mingyan's eyes shifted thoughtfully as she spoke gently. "Fourth Sister, Mother only means well. Quickly apologize to Mother and Second Madam. We're all family—no conflict is insurmountable."
Dou Wenyi gazed at her quietly, as if transported back to her previous life.
In her previous life, after the incident occurred, her mother had immediately confined her to the ancestral hall as punishment, forcing her to kneel. Second Madame Yang stormed in, slapped her several times across the face, and screamed for her to pay with her life.
Dou Bochang, on his way home, had nearly encountered an accident as well, and it was conveniently blamed on her, the so-called star of disaster. He repeatedly shoved her head into a water vat, nearly drowning her to death!
She would never forget the way they had looked at her.
They wished for her to die in atonement!
That night, as she knelt in the ancestral hall, she developed a high fever and convulsions, eventually passing out. The physician prescribed medicine, and she narrowly escaped death.
Later, she lost hearing in her left ear, never to hear any sound from it again.
She was also branded with the charge of "defying her mother." No one dared to speak up for her; everyone called her a star of disaster who deserved to die!
Admit her mistakes?
What fault had she committed?
Her only mistake was being born into the wrong family—twice reborn into the cold and cruel Dou household.
"What mistake should I admit? That I am the so-called star of disaster?"
Dou Wenyi spoke lightly, uttering the two words that everyone avoided mentioning.
Dou Mingyan looked stunned, covering her mouth. "Fourth Sister, how could you…"
"Dou Wenyi, you're still making excuses! If you're not the star of disaster, then who is? It was the same four years ago, and it's the same today. How can there be so many coincidences? If anything happens to Cheng'er, I'll make you pay with your life!"
Dou Wenyi gazed coldly at Madame Yang. "Indeed, there aren’t so many coincidences in this world. Second Aunt, I have never wronged you, and I fear no divine retribution. Cheng'er isn’t possessed by evil spirits—have you considered that he might have ingested something toxic?"
Madame Yang refused to relent. "Impossible! Several physicians couldn’t identify the illness. How could it be poisoning?"
"If they can’t determine the cause, find someone capable. There’s a barefoot doctor named Sun Siqi under the southern city bridge who specializes in puzzling childhood ailments."
"Why not wait until he arrives to determine who is truly responsible for today’s events?"
"That way, we can avoid those who feign mystery and conceal filth."
Hearing this, Dou Mingyan’s eyelid twitched violently. She discreetly signaled to Hu Po.
Understanding the cue, Hu Po slipped away unnoticed while others were distracted.
Old Madam Dou, hot-tempered, frowned deeply. "Are you all dead? Go and fetch him at once! No matter how important other matters are, the child’s well-being comes first."
Madame Yang had also heard of Sun Siqi’s reputation, but in her panic, she hadn’t recalled him earlier. Now that he was mentioned, it helped calm her somewhat.
"Fine! Once I’ve cured Cheng'er, I’ll settle this with you!"
Madame Yang hurled the threat and hurried off.
Many took advantage of the commotion to gather and watch the spectacle.
Just then, a deep voice echoed from the corridor. "Why is everyone gathered here? Disperse at once!"
At the shout, the servants scattered in fright. Dou Bochang, beaming with satisfaction, approached alongside Dou Mingxiu.
Seeing him completely unharmed, Dou Mingyan’s heart sank, and she grew utterly panicked.
Where had things gone wrong?