Chapter 58 — Funeral

Grandfather passed away at the hour of the Ox on the twelfth day of the eighth month.

Until then he had lain in unbroken coma, leaving behind not a single word.

Father wept until he could not control himself, and the people of the Eastern Dou came over to help with the lesser encoffining rites.

Dou Yan stood quietly in the side corridor, listening to her father's sobbing and thinking of Grandmother.

Three years from now, Grandmother too would be gone.

Was there anything she could do to buy Grandmother two more years of life?

Grandmother had collapsed in the fields one day while watering the melon seedlings in the back garden... Her health had always been excellent; no one had expected it...

Wang Shuying came over and addressed Dou Yan in a tone of command: "Shouyuan, there will be many people coming to offer condolences in the next few days. Your sister is too young to know how to handle things, and Mother must rely on you. Keep an eye on the kitchen for me."

At Grandfather's funeral, relatives and friends, fellow villagers and neighbors would all come to pay their respects. She had seen how Dou Yan had conducted herself these past days with method and measure; no doubt she feared Dou Yan would shine at the funeral, win the praise of the elders, and become even harder to control afterward.

Dou Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Mother?" She looked Wang Shuying up and down with a critical eye. "Has the mistress been so busy she's lost her wits? Since when did you change your surname to Zhao? Grandfather has only just passed, and the day for announcing the death has not even been set, yet already someone comes to offer condolences. Has the mistress never managed a funeral and knows nothing of such things? If you truly do not know, then invite the Third Madam to help! Grandfather passed the imperial examination, and the Dou family is a household of consequence in Beizhili. When the time comes, Grandfather's old friends and colleagues will likely come to see him on his final journey. If we make a spectacle of ourselves, the Dou family truly cannot bear such shame! As for the kitchen, if the stewardess in charge of it now cannot manage, then replace her!" As she spoke, she called for Haitang. "Go and invite Gao Sheng here." Ever since Wang Shuying had been elevated to wife, Grandfather had paid no heed to the inner household, and Dou Yan had lived year-round in the Eastern residence. The stewards of the inner household were either Wang Shuying's people or those who dared not offend her. Gao Sheng was Father's man; in her memories of her last life, he was loyal to Father alone. So long as Father gave no clear signal otherwise, as Father's daughter she would be respected the same as Father, just as he respected Dou Ming.

Wang Shuying's expression had changed drastically. She said in a low voice, "Shouyuan, I do not know what the ladies of the Eastern residence have been saying to you, but you are, after all, one of the Western household..."

Dou Yan cut her off: "Mistress. I think there are some matters you would do well to think through clearly yourself. Grandfather has only just died. Do not imagine that there is no one above you to keep you in check, that you may do as you please."

Just then, Gao Sheng arrived.

Dou Yan broke off and had only begun to repeat Wang Shuying's words when Wang Shuying hurriedly said, "I have been so muddled with busyness these past days that I spoke rashly. Shouyuan, do not take it to heart..."

If blame there was, it could only be laid at the feet of Wang Shuying's ill fortune.

Dou Yan was already vexed over Grandmother's affairs, and Wang Shuying had provoked her like this, even calling herself "Mother" to her face. Dou Yan was resolved to put Wang Shuying in her place, and paid no heed to what Wang Shuying said beside her; she simply finished her own words and added: "...If we make a laughingstock of ourselves at such a time, the Western household will be talked about for a lifetime. You are familiar with the household staff. If there is no one capable of shouldering the burden, then contract the funeral feasts out to restaurants and inns. If none can be found in Zhending County, then look in Zhending Prefecture. When people hear of it, they will not think our family has no capable hands—they will only say we are filial, sending Grandfather up the mountain with proper pomp and bustle." She went on, "At a time like this, the worst thing is for the family to fall into disorder. Bear with it a little more, and press these matters down for now. We will deal with them after Grandfather's affairs are concluded."

She did not know whether Zhending had shops that specialized in weddings and funerals, but in her days as the Marchioness, the capital had many such establishments, several of them on a very grand scale.

Gao Sheng guessed that Wang Shuying had meant to give Dou Yan a show of authority, but Dou Zhiwei's proposal was far too tempting.

Not to speak of Zhending, but in all Beizhili there was no family that had sent off its elders with such lavish hand. The so-called glory of the dead was measured by the filial piety and capability of the descendants. If this affair were handled well, it could only benefit the Seventh Master's prospects and reputation.

He said at once, "I will see to this matter immediately." With that, he turned decisively and went, without so much as a glance at Wang Shuying.

Dou Yan was well pleased with his conduct. She said, "Steward Gao, stay a moment," and asked Wang Shuying, "Is there anything else you are not confident about? Speak now, and Steward Gao and I will help you think it through. If some mishap arises midway through the funeral, when we must receive mourners every day, I fear we will have neither the heart nor the strength for it."

Gao Sheng accordingly stood still and waited respectfully for Wang Shuying to speak.

Wang Shuying was so angry her heart ached, her face flushing red and paling by turns.

Dou Yan watched her with a cold smile.

She had no choice but to grind out between clenched teeth, "There is nothing."

Dou Yan said, "Good. Then the mistress had best not think of something else in a couple of days that has gone undone." Calm and composed, she turned and left.

Naturally there was no reason for Gao Sheng to linger; he bowed to Wang Shuying and went off to find restaurants and inns that could cater the funeral feasts.

Wang Shuying took Nurse Hu's hand, crying over and over, "I am furious, I am furious!"

But Nurse Hu was worried about those serving women of the Dou household.

Because the Seventh Master had never given orders to clear out the principal chambers, and some of the former Seventh Madam's and Fourth Miss's belongings still remained there, and the old Master had said not a word about it, the mistress could not presume to move in. On top of that, the Eastern residence had always held the Western in check, so that those serving women had come to show the mistress less respect than was her due. It had taken great effort to subdue those women; would Fourth Miss's display today set them stirring again?

If only the Seventh Master would say a word!

She sighed inwardly, but aloud she urged Wang Shuying: "Mistress, the greater good must come first."

"I know," Wang Shuying nodded, and asked, "Who has come from my family to offer condolences?"

When Dou Duo could no longer take food, she had sent word to her mother, Madame Wang-Xu, hoping her family would send someone of weight to offer condolences, which would help her stand firm in the Dou household.

Nurse Hu said in a low voice, "The old Madam says the Eldest Master and the Eldest Madam will come."

Wang Shuying frowned. "The Second Madam is not coming?"

At an occasion like this, only her second sister-in-law, Pang Yulou, could understand what was in her heart.

Nurse Hu said, "Shall I send word to the Second Madam?"