TRBDM -Chapter 34 Lodging a Complaint

Dou Shuyao’s heart sank. It must have been Xie Wanyi bullying Dou Shuxin!

She quickened her pace into Ruixiang Courtyard and saw Dou Shuxin’s face pale as paper, gripping the railing and gasping for breath.

Dou Shuyao immediately stepped forward, half-embracing her and gently patting her back.

“Shuxin, your sister’s here. Don’t be afraid. Breathe slowly—follow my rhythm. Inhale—exhale—”

Following Dou Shuyao’s lead, Dou Shuxin gradually steadied her breathing.

“Shuxin, tell me what happened. Don’t hide anything. I need to know every single detail.”

Dou Shuyao’s expression was grave, her voice low and firm, allowing no refusal.

Though reluctant at heart, Dou Shuxin also wanted to warn her sister. Life in the Marquis’ Manor was fraught with hidden dangers now; her sister had to guard against being schemed against.

After hearing the whole story, Dou Shuyao’s heart ached only for the ruined flower-and-bird embroidery.

“The handkerchief was destroyed by Xie Wanyi—that was a whole month of your hard work.”

“Elder Sister, if the handkerchief is ruined, at worst the nanny will scold me. But I’m worried about you. Xie Wanyi said that once Brother-in-law comes out of the Eastern Courtyard, he’ll find a way to divorce you. What are we going to do?”

The two sisters worried only for each other, never for themselves.

“Don’t worry about me. Let’s see if the handkerchief can still be mended first.”

“Sister! If a handkerchief is ruined, so be it. The important thing is you. If Brother-in-law really plans to divorce you, what will you do?” Dou Shuxin was so anxious her eyes brimmed with tears.

Dou Shuyao fell silent for a moment.

Half a month ago, Xie Wanyi’s threat would indeed have thrown her into panic.

But Xie Wanyi didn’t know—the skies had already changed over the Mingde Marquis Manor.

The one who held the lifeline of the household, the Old Madam, Wei Zhaorong, had changed.

During this period, Dou Shuyao had been quietly observing Wei Zhaorong.

Wei Zhaorong not only confined Xie Chuan to the residence but also gave Xie Sheng the cold shoulder. Even her doting affection toward Xie Wanyi was no longer what it used to be.

Instead, she had shown Dou Shuyao—and Xie Lan—an unprecedented level of care and support.

Without Wei Zhaorong’s intervention, Xie Chuan marrying Liu Yi’er would have been a foregone conclusion.

When Liu Yi’er first appeared in the Marquis’ Manor, Dou Shuyao truly felt as though the sky had fallen.

If Liu Yi’er bore a child, she would have had no way out.

Yet to everyone’s astonishment, the Old Madam caught Liu Yi’er in an act of infidelity on the spot and directly removed Dou Shuyao’s rival.

It was clear that the Old Madam distinguished right from wrong and tolerated no sand in her eyes.

Even when it came to her own son, if punishment was due, she punished; if a beating was warranted, she beat—without the slightest regard for blood ties.

First please yourself; only then consider pleasing others.

Wei Zhaorong’s words echoed in Dou Shuyao’s ears.

She felt those words were absolutely right. So now, she would please herself. She would never again allow Xie Wanyi to trample over her with impunity.

“Let’s go!” Dou Shuyao stood up, pulling Dou Shuxin along with her.

“Go where?”

“Anhe Courtyard.”

“Ah? At this hour? The Old Madam must be resting.”

“At this time, Mother has just finished dinner. She’s either reviewing the account books or taking a walk to aid digestion. We won’t disturb her.”

“We… what are we going there for?” Dou Shuxin asked.

“To lodge a complaint.”

“What?”

Before leaving, Dou Shuyao did not forget to bring along the handkerchief that had been so badly ravaged it was hardly recognizable.

By the time they arrived at Anhe Courtyard, Dou Shuxin’s heart was pounding.

She was afraid of the Old Madam. She always found her stern and unapproachable. Whenever the Old Madam’s face darkened, Dou Shuxin scarcely dared to lift her head.

Her palm was suddenly squeezed gently. Noticing her younger sister’s fear, Dou Shuyao comforted her softly, “Don’t be afraid. Mother will definitely handle this matter fairly and impartially.”

“Mm.”

Wei Zhaorong was feeding the fish in the courtyard. As the weather gradually warmed, the fish had become livelier as well.

“Madam, the Eldest Madam and Second Miss Dou have arrived.”

“Oh?” Wei Zhaorong withdrew her attention from the fish. “Let’s go take a look.”

In the front hall, Dou Shuyao and Dou Shuxin sat on opposite sides.

“Madam Dou, it’s rather late. What brings you to see me?”

“Mother, please have a look.”

Dou Shuyao handed over the misshapen handkerchief.

Wei Zhaorong fixed her gaze on it. At first, the filth on the cloth caught her attention. Only afterward did she notice that beneath the stains lay a delicately embroidered design of flowers and birds.

“What a pity. Such a lovely floral-and-bird embroidery—how was it ruined like this?”

“It was done by Second Sister.”

Dou Shuyao’s blunt answer startled Dou Shuxin; she nearly stopped breathing.

The Old Madam was famous for being protective of her own. Sister would surely be scolded.

As expected, Wei Zhaorong gave a heavy snort.

“Hmph. One could guess it with their toes.”

Xie Wanyi had never been a quiet, well-behaved child. It had only been a few days, and she had already stirred up trouble again.

“Second Miss Dou, tell me exactly what Wanyi did to you, from beginning to end. Rest assured, I will handle this impartially. I will not shield or indulge her just because she is my daughter.”

Dou Shuxin hesitated and glanced at her sister. Dou Shuyao gave her a nod.

So Dou Shuxin, trembling slightly, recounted the entire incident—though she omitted the matter of the “divorce in the main branch.”

It concerned her sister’s reputation; she did not wish to spread it around.

“This is outrageous. Xie Wanyi has grown more excessive with each passing year. Second Miss Dou, tell me honestly—when you were studying court etiquette with the nanny, did she ever bully you?”

Naturally she had. The more outstanding Dou Shuxin was, the harsher Xie Wanyi’s bullying became.

“Occasionally,” Dou Shuxin replied, carefully choosing her words in a way that tugged at the heart.

“This is preposterous!” Wei Zhaorong slammed her hand on the table.

After a moment, she said, “Second Miss Dou, I owe you an apology. Because the Marquis Manor failed in its discipline, Wanyi hurt you. Please forgive us.”

How could Dou Shuxin endure such words? She hurried to her feet. “Old Madam, please don’t say that. I was at fault as well. It wasn’t entirely Second Miss Xie’s problem.”

Wei Zhaorong’s heart tightened. What fault did Dou Shuxin have? Her only fault was being too outstanding—without anyone standing firmly behind her.

The strong preyed upon the weak; such was the survival rule of the wicked.

“Second Miss Dou, to be frank, my Lan’er encountered something similar at the Shen family’s private school. Do you know what I did?”

Dou Shuxin looked at her in confusion.

“I demanded that the student who bullied Lan’er withdraw from the school.”

Dou Shuxin was speechless. Making Xie Wanyi withdraw from her lessons? She would never have dared to imagine it.

“Rest assured, Second Miss Dou. From now on, you will not see Wanyi at the nanny’s lessons.”

“?” Dou Shuxin thought she must have misheard.

“Whoever commits a wrong must bear the consequences. With Wanyi’s attitude and ability, attending the nanny’s lessons is nothing but a waste of the manor’s silver and a stain on its reputation. If this method of discipline doesn’t work, then we’ll change to another.”

As for what that “other method” of education might be, neither of the Dou sisters had the faintest idea.

“Your handkerchief…”

“Old Madam, I can embroider another one,” Dou Shuxin quickly said.

“Then I’ll trouble you. I will write a letter to the nanny explaining the situation, so she won’t wrongly blame you.”

Wei Zhaorong’s fair and impartial handling of the matter—even to the point of siding outward—left Dou Shuxin unable to utter even half a word of refusal.

Not until she stepped out of Anhe Courtyard did she still feel as though she were dreaming.