Chapter 342 — A Demand

"There, there, don't cry." He comforted Dou Ming somewhat clumsily. "Don't talk about your sister like that. You know as well as I do that because of that chest of silver notes, thieves got into the house. How would we dare make public the properties under your sister's name? It may be that when your Third Uncle and Third Cousin were checking the accounts in the Yizhi Hall some days ago, someone learned of it and the word spread."

Dou Ming gradually stemmed her tears and said, "Father, why not match Dou Zhiwei's dowry and give me a supplement of fifty thousand taels of silver?"

That way, she would have something to show the Wei family.

Dou Huaiying's smile was a little forced. "I fear the household cannot produce so much silver at the moment."

At these words, Dou Ming's fury flared up again. "Father, how can you say such a thing? The family takes in fifty or sixty thousand taels a year. I am not trying to compare myself with Dou Yan—I only want to give the Wei family an accounting. You hand me the silver, and I hand it right back to you. Surely the Wei family cannot go through my dowry item by item?"

Dou Huaiying frowned slightly at this. "Does the Wei family truly set such store by how much dowry you bring? You must know your dowry is already far from small!"

Dou Ming gave a cold laugh. "Who ever complains of having too much money! And if the Wei family is like this, it is because you have spoiled them—had you not given my sister such a vast dowry, would the Wei family have grown so greedy?"

Dou Huaiying was greatly discomforted to hear this.

He seemed to see another Wang Shuying.

Always accusing him—if not for him, how could she have fallen to such a pass?

Dou Huaiying could not help saying, "In the dealings between husband and wife, what matters most is mutual forbearance. Your sister is the eldest legitimate daughter; her dowry being a little larger is only fitting. What has the Wei family to contest?"

Dou Ming's face went white.

So this was what her father had believed all along.

Dou Yan was the rightful eldest legitimate daughter, while she herself was a concubine's child, unfit for the light of day. She had been born to make way for her sister.

She swept the teacup from the table to the floor and, straining her neck, cried out, "Then what am I? What are you? Why did you bring me into this world at all? Why didn't you strangle me in the birth basin the moment I was born? Fine deeds you have done—and now you would have me bear the blame for them. By what right? By what right?"

Dou Huaiying's face was white as paper.

"You!" His lips trembling, he pointed at Dou Ming, and for a long while could find no words. Then he sank down limply into the grand chair.

Gao Sheng, who had hurried over at the commotion, had fire in his eyes.

The Seventh Madam had been her own undoing, and she had warped the Fifth Miss as well.

He knew Dou Huaiying had always been soft-hearted and cherished his two daughters like pearls beyond price—but today was not as before. At the Fourth Miss's return visit the other day, his own wife had heard the Fifth Madam ask the Fourth Miss about the Fifth Branch's wish to arrange a concubine for the Seventh Master. The Fourth Miss had refused at the time, saying that the matter of taking a concubine was for the Seventh Master to decide, though she would speak to him about it.

Others might not know, but he saw it clear as a mirror.

For all these years, the Seventh Master had been so harsh with himself because he felt he had wronged the late Seventh Madam.

If the Fourth Miss spoke of it, the Seventh Master might truly take a concubine, and then the Seventh Branch would have an heir. How could he let the Fifth Miss drain the household dry? Would the young master still study in the future? Take a wife? Sit for the imperial examinations?

For the first time in his life, he carried tea forward and urged Dou Huaiying: "Seventh Master, you feel you wronged the Seventh Madam, and so the Seventh Madam traded away the Fourth Miss's marriage. Now you feel you have wronged the Fifth Miss as well... But if a husband and wife are to live their lives together, held together by money alone, each eyeing the other's heights, then even a mountain of gold and silver will be eaten away to nothing one day. This matter deserves more thought."

Before Gao Sheng had finished speaking, Dou Ming flung a cup of water full in his face.

Tea leaves clung to his temple and his face.

Gao Sheng paid it no mind; not a brow did he move, but fixed his eyes on Dou Huaiying.

And Dou Huaiying thought of Wang Shuying.

She too had once thrown tea in his face like that.

Slowly Dou Huaiying rose to his feet and, gazing at Dou Ming, said, "If the Wei family wants me to supplement your dowry, then let them come and ask me for it!"

Dou Ming looked at her father and suddenly felt that Dou Huaiying stood very tall and straight, and that in his countenance there was a solemnity and dignity she had never seen before.

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Brothers and sisters, I feel the pace has been a little slow lately, so I have reorganized the outline and revised parts of Chapters 340 and 341 in order to speed things up. Those interested may go back and take a look; not reading them will not affect the overall progress or plot.

o(∩_∩)o~

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