Dou Mingyan and Dou Mingxiu walked over from the courtyard one after the other, drawing involuntary sidelong glances.
Dou Mingyan was dressed in a peach-red gold-sprinkled cloud-brocade moonbeam skirt with interlocking branches, her hair adorned with pearls and jade, gold hairpins dangling with jade ornaments—even a single strand of her hair exuded an air of extravagant wealth.
"Yan'er, you're still weak and haven't fully recovered. Why have you come out? Come sit by Mother!" Madam Gu affectionately took her hand and instructed the matron, "Why haven't you brewed tea for the Third Young Lady yet?"
"Mother, I'm really fine. Why is everyone making such a fuss… even disturbing the Eastern Palace?"
Madam Gu examined her and nodded with satisfaction. "Your complexion looks good. But you're betrothed now—you mustn't be careless."
"Mother, you're teasing me again!" Dou Mingyan blushed shyly, then turned to her sister with concern. "Younger sister, is your leg better? I only heard later that Father was so angry he injured your leg. It's all my fault. If I hadn't fallen ill, I would have stopped Father."
A deep, sudden surge of hatred flashed in Dou Wenyi's eyes.
Hah, still putting on this sisterly affection act!
If she loves acting so much, why doesn't she become an opera singer?
Dou Wenyi lifted her head and replied unhurriedly, "Thank you for your concern, Elder Sister. I'm already much better."
"Younger sister, that night you actually—"
"Enough!" Dou Mingxiu abruptly changed expression and cut her off immediately.
Dou Wenyi chuckled inwardly. She thought she could maintain the act, but now she couldn't resist baring her fangs, wanting to tear her apart?
In the past, she would have been provoked into losing control of her emotions, thrown into disarray. But now, she didn't care in the slightest—she would no longer cling to their hypocritical affections.
If she were trapped in rumors of "losing her virtue," she would carry that stain for life.
Rather than avoiding it, it was better to take the initiative and prove her innocence herself!
"That night, I stayed in the side chamber and didn't go anywhere. However, this matter really shouldn't be hidden from Young Master Xie." Dou Wenyi answered lightly.
Hearing her reply so calmly, Dou Mingxiu grew even more agitated. Had she no shame?
Xie Guidu was her future husband. During marriage discussions, how could she speak so frankly and bring up her own scandal?
Dou Mingxiu instinctively glanced at their father and mother. They seemed unaware of any impropriety—not one of them stopped the Fourth Younger Sister from speaking!
"Enough! Aren't we supposed to be discussing the matter of The Eldest Princess now?"
Dou Mingyan's expression stiffened. She had intended to expose her scandal and make Xie Guidu see her wanton true nature, but that fool Dou Mingxiu actually felt sorry for her instead?
As expected, they were biological siblings—even broken bones were still connected by sinews!
Dou Mingyan smiled radiantly. "I do have some friendship with The Eldest Princess. If she truly refuses to give up, then at most, I can beg the Crown Prince… This matter concerns Fourth Younger Sister's lifelong happiness. As her elder sister, I should take on more responsibility."
Madam Gu's worry turned to delight. "See? Our Yan'er is always so thoughtful."
Dou Bochang looked at Dou Mingyan approvingly, then shifted the topic. "Young Master Xie, what are your thoughts on the recent events concerning Yi'er?"
Why bring this up again?
Dou Mingxiu was stunned, his heart tightening.
Just as Dou Mingxiu was about to speak up in support, he saw Xie Guidu say solemnly, "I believe the Fourth Young Lady. Regarding this matter, might I have a word with her alone?"
The elders exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement.
The two moved to the flower hall.
Xie Guidu pondered for a long while before finally speaking slowly, "Wen'er, my earlier words were not mere excuses. I believe in you, and I don't mind those rumors and gossip at all."
Dou Wenyi's voice suddenly grew heavy, "You may not mind, but I do."
"Is this line of reasoning because you're convinced I'm still chaste, or because you're willing to suffer humiliation and marry me even if I've lost my virtue?"
A cold glint flashed in Xie Guidu's eyes—her words were far too sharp.
"If these rumors aren't cleared up, I'll become the subject of others' gossip, unable to hold my head high for the rest of my life. Your proposal today won't save me from this predicament; instead, it will make people think we're trying to cover things up, leading to even more condemnation against me."
"I don't need your presumptuous help, nor do I need your cheap sympathy and charity. I do not agree to this marriage arrangement, and in this lifetime, I will never marry you!"
"Absolutely not!" Xie Guidu paused mid-step and turned to face Dou Wenyi.
Dou Wenyi smiled meaningfully, "Why are you so insistent on marrying me? Could it be that you have some ulterior motive?"
Xie Guidu frowned and turned his face away.
"Wen'er, the marriage contract was an agreement between our two families. I don't wish to break it, and I ask you not to belittle yourself. Think it over carefully. We can discuss this again when you're in a better state of mind."
He strode away quickly. Dou Wenyi watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.
Judging by his demeanor, he seemed sincere toward her, yet he was evasive about the marriage contract. It didn't seem like he had been reborn; rather, it appeared he knew something that made him advance the wedding date.
What secret was hidden within this marriage arrangement? And how did he know her childhood name?
If given the chance, she would have to probe further.
"Miss, if Young Master Xie really annuls the engagement, what will you do?" Cuizhi wore a worried expression, muttering as she followed behind her.
Dou Wenyi desperately wished to smoothly cancel this marriage arrangement, but her father and mother would never agree to her breaking off the engagement, especially since her reputation was already tarnished.
Her thoughts churned until she suddenly remembered something. Lifting her skirts, she hurriedly turned and rushed toward the backyard.
"Miss, where are you going? This isn't the way back to Yi Lan Courtyard! Wait for me—"
In the courtyard, plump, crimson cherries hid among the lush green branches, emitting an enticing fragrance.
The Dou family's cherry trees were several decades old, extremely rare, and produced exceptionally delicious fruit. Whenever ripening season arrived, greedy children would sneak in to pick them.
The Dou and Zhang families were neighbors, separated only by a lake. It was during this time that the young master of the Zhang family had sneaked in to steal cherries, accidentally fallen into the lake, and drowned!
When his body was retrieved, he still clutched a cherry tightly in his hand.
Later, the Zhang family caused a huge uproar at the Dou residence, demanding they pay with their lives. Consort Zhang wept daily in the palace, and Dou Bochang was not only demoted but also had all the cherry trees at home cut down.
Some began to say, "Ever since the fourth young lady returned, misfortunes have plagued the Dou family. She truly is a star of disaster."
A calamity that was none of her doing had ended up implicating her.
Dou Wenyi stood by the shore, scanning her surroundings, when suddenly a piercing cry for help shattered the silence.
"Help! Help—"
Not far away, a small figure was flailing and struggling desperately in the lake.
"Miss, it seems someone has fallen into the water!"
Without hesitation, Dou Wenyi immediately leaped into the lake.
In her previous life, she had no choice, but in this life, she would seize control of her own destiny…