Lin Zhiyi tightly grasped her hand, voice filled with concern, "Wenyi, the Yanming Pond is deep, with so many maids and servants around, why did you have to jump in? Had we not coincidentally all been present today, you would have suffered a grievance worse than Dou E…"
Dou Wenyi collected her thoughts and murmured, "When Third Sister fell into the water, how could I remain unscathed?"
The assembled guests felt extremely awkward, and Madam Gu grew particularly uncomfortable.
Steward Chen's expression suddenly turned severe, "Family matters can be trivial or significant. I hope Lord Dou won't risk his official reputation over minor issues. Stories of wicked servants bullying their masters would also damage Miss Mingyan's reputation."
If Dou Mingyan cannot control her subordinates, how can she bear the responsibility of being Crown Princess?
Dou Bochang felt a chill in his heart, "Please rest assured, Noble Consort. I will severely punish those wicked servants."
Dou Wenyi watched his shift from arrogance to deference with silent amusement.
Without power, there is never justice—this is an eternal truth.
So in this lifetime, she wouldn't seek these people's favor anymore. She would climb upward herself!
As they prepared to leave, Dou Wenyi rose to see them out.
Her body swayed, and she stumbled forward, nearly falling straight down had Lin Zhiyi not quickly caught her.
Lin Zhiyi's eyes held suppressed coldness as she glanced at the crystal lotus seed pastry on the floor. "Madam Gu, Wenyi is different from others. Since childhood, she's suffered from consumptive weakness and dizziness, and cannot tolerate hunger. As her birth mother, you surely know this better than us outsiders."
"Earlier, she exhausted herself saving Third Sister, nearly fainting from effort. This crystal lotus seed pastry was sent by Noble Consort herself."
"No matter how angry you are, must you take it out on a simple snack?"
Madam Gu's face turned pale, rendered speechless by this junior's words.
How could she admit she didn't remember her daughter having this condition?
After they departed, the Dou family hastily returned to the Dou residence.
Back at Yi Lan Courtyard.
Cuizhi brought a steaming bowl of ginger soup, her voice choked with emotion, "Miss, Third Sister has gone too far, falsely accusing you repeatedly. The master and mistress don't even inquire about the circumstances—their favoritism is truly excessive… Miss, my heart aches for your suffering."
Dou Wenyi took a few sips of the ginger soup. "Enough. Don't let the Old Madam know about my falling into the water."
Cuizhi then brought out dishes from the food container: a bowl of duck steamed with rice wine, a bowl of crystal-braised pork shoulder, a bowl of green vegetable soup, and a bowl of white rice.
"Miss, will you eat?"
Dou Wenyi felt dizzy and had no appetite. Having fallen into water today, how could she stomach such greasy food?
If Madam Gu had cared even slightly, she wouldn't have arranged such a dinner. Probably she was too busy tending to Dou Mingyan at Lanyue Pavilion to bother!
Late that night, Dou Wenyi suddenly developed a high fever, her body burning frighteningly hot. Fortunately, she had prepared medicinal broth in advance. Cuizhi attended her all night by the bedside before the fever gradually subsided.
Dou Wenyi slept fitfully for an unknown duration, waking again near dusk.
"Miss, are you feeling better? Madam sent you many gifts!" Cuizhi's weary voice reached her ears.
Dou Wenyi rose and performed simple ablutions. Only after dressing properly did she notice several bolts of fabric and jewelry boxes arranged on the table.
Although those bolts of cloud-patterned brocade were rare and precious, their designs were outdated and dull, with gloomy hues. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that such fabrics were entirely unsuitable for a young maiden like her.
"Miss, would you like to open it and see?" Cuizhi asked cheerfully, pointing at the box. She genuinely hoped for reconciliation between mother and daughter.
Dou Wenyi's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she opened the box, revealing an exquisite set of ruby ornamental hairpins and combs.
Unfortunately, red was the color she disliked most.
Cuizhi racked her brains to smooth things over, saying, "Madam must have chosen red thinking of your upcoming marriage."
Only after speaking did she belatedly realize that her young mistress had no desire to marry at all.
Dou Wenyi coldly instructed, "Cuizhi, cut that cloud-patterned brocade to grandmother's measurements. I'll make a few outfits for her. As for these jewelry hairpins and combs, sell them and exchange them for silver!"
Cuizhi hesitated, "But…"
These items were genuinely fine quality—no one could find fault with them.
Madam Gu was shrewd and sophisticated, having befriended countless powerful families in Tianning City during festivals. How could she be ignorant of social niceties and make such a basic mistake?
She simply couldn't be bothered to put in the effort.
Madam Gu didn't care about her preferences at all, nor did she deign to understand her.
In contrast, every plant, piece of furniture, and daily necessity in Lanyue Pavilion was selected according to Dou Mingyan's preferences.
Dou Wenyi looked indifferent. "There's no need for 'buts'."
Bihe pushed the door open and announced, "Miss, Madam has come to see you."
Hah, the money-spreader has arrived.
Before Dou Wenyi could rise to greet her, Madam Gu entered the room. She looked weary, with dark circles under her eyes—clearly, she hadn't slept well last night either.
Madam Gu affectionately took her hand. "You've suffered these past days. Do you like the things I sent over?"
The word "like" was difficult to utter.
Dou Wenyi subtly withdrew her hand and ordered tea to be served. "Thank you for your concern, Mother. I'm unworthy of such fortune—those bright red hairpins and combs are too lavish for me to carry."
Madam Gu was momentarily taken aback. Glancing at the items on the table, her expression became somewhat awkward.
She had spent the entire previous night in Lanyue Pavilion—how could she have had time to select gifts for Wenyi? She had delegated the task to Granny Tong, instructing her to choose some valuable items from the storeroom.
She never expected the old woman to handle matters so carelessly.
"My daughter is about to be married! Red is auspicious—it suits you perfectly! How about I have a few new jewelry sets made for you? Or if there's anything else you'd like, just tell me."
Must this charade continue?
Dou Wenyi found it ridiculous. "Mother, there's no need for such expense. What brings you here today?"
Madam Gu looked embarrassed and spoke softly, "Yesterday's incident has far-reaching implications. Your grandmother is unwell—you mustn't tell her about it."
Did they think they could buy her silence with trivial gifts?
They were undoubtedly worried that Xie Guidu and Dou Mingyan's affair would be exposed, jeopardizing the Dou family's ambitions!
Seeing her remain silent, Madam Gu grew anxious. "Your Third Sister is filled with remorse—she's so distraught she can't sleep properly. Rest assured, we'll deal with those wicked servants from Lanyue Pavilion accordingly—the ones who deserve beating will be beaten, those who deserve execution will be executed."
"Are you apologizing on Elder Sister's behalf, Mother? If she truly feels remorseful, why doesn't she come personally to offer her apologies?"
"Wenyi, why do you keep dwelling on such trivial matters? You're sisters, as close as lips and teeth. Can't you be more generous?" Madam Gu spoke impatiently, scolding without hesitation.
Cuizhi could no longer stand by and watch. "Madam, our young lady was feverish all last night and is still very weak."
Madam Gu fell silent.
Only then did she notice the girl's pale and haggard complexion, and her heart suddenly grew unsettled.
Dou Wenyi stared into her eyes and said earnestly, "When Third Sister and I both fell into the water, Xie Guidu rushed to save her without hesitation, completely ignoring me."
"They say adversity reveals true feelings, Mother. Do you still believe Xie Guidu is infatuated with me?"