"Sister!" Just as the three women and Wei Tingyu passed by the side chamber, the door suddenly swung open. A young maiden cried out while rushing out at full speed.
As luck would have it, the three ladies had walked a few steps ahead, but Wei Tingyu was standing right at the doorway.
Thus, that soft and fragrant body charged forward and, without the slightest deviation, crashed right into his chest!
"Ahhh!" A sharp scream from the girl instantly drew the attention of the three women ahead.
As they turned around, they were just in time to witness the scene—Wei Tingyu embracing Dou Ming in his arms!
The atmosphere instantly grew cold and awkward. Even Wei Tingyu felt embarrassed, for this incident was entirely out of his expectations. Who would've thought that this silly girl, Dou Ming, would come stumbling out and crash straight into his arms?
And that reflexive action of his to hold the delicate beauty—that was purely an instinctive response! Yes, that's right—just instinct!
Yet in the eyes of Dou Zhao, Miao Ansu, and Zhao Zhangru, this scene painted an entirely different story.
My goodness! The brother-in-law hugging the younger sister-in-law in public? And in front of his wife and her two closest friends? Isn't that far too inappropriate?
Leaving Dou Zhao aside, even Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru were visibly upset, expressions of anger creeping onto their faces.
Especially Miao Ansu—her gaze toward the young Dou Ming was not only filled with hostility but even a trace of... envy?
"Young Master… I-I beg your pardon!" Realizing what had happened, Dou Ming blushed furiously and quickly stepped out of Wei Tingyu's embrace. She gave a courteous bow, her manner demure and apologetic.
She had never seen Wei Tingyu before and naturally didn't recognize him as her brother-in-law. She had assumed he was just some guest at the family banquet who had lost his way.
"Why are you calling him 'Young Master'? You should be calling him 'Brother-in-law'!" At that moment, Dou Zhao finally stepped forward with a faint smile, positioning herself between Wei Tingyu and Dou Ming.
Oh dear! Is she... jealous?
Wei Tingyu understood the situation instantly. Though Dou Zhao had previously spoken about allowing concubines, if the candidate was none other than her own younger sister, then that would be a completely different matter.
After all, in her previous life, Dou Zhao had suffered betrayal by Wei Tingyu and her own blood sister. That traumatic experience was something she'd never forget.
Thus, any closeness between them now was bound to stir unease in her heart.
"B-Brother-in-law?!" Dou Ming was stunned. She turned to Wei Tingyu with a dazed expression. When she saw him smiling and nodding at her, she finally accepted the truth.
So... she had just foolishly thrown herself into her brother-in-law's arms. How mortifying!
"Sister! I-It wasn't intentional, I swear!" Though Dou Ming did find Wei Tingyu handsome and dignified, she had no particular affection for him. In fact, she feared Dou Zhao might misunderstand, and quickly tried to explain herself.
"I know," Dou Zhao replied with a gentle smile, fully assuming the calm demeanor of a big sister. She looked Dou Ming up and down and added, "Little Ming, you look absolutely stunning today!"
After all, today's family banquet was arranged specifically for Dou Ming's prospective suitors. Her attire was undoubtedly the most opulent the Dou family could provide.
Yet, even so, when standing before the marquis' wife, Dou Zhao, she still felt somewhat lacking.
At that thought, Dou Ming's cheeks flushed faintly. She shyly nodded and said, "I heard Sister would be attending today… It's been so long—I truly missed you."
As she spoke, Dou Ming's eyes drifted toward Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru beside Dou Zhao.
Compared to Dou Zhao, dressed in lavish finery, the two women looked more like humble maids. The contrast was stark, and Dou Ming couldn't help but wonder: Why was her noble sister associating with such plainly dressed merchant-class women? Wasn't that beneath her station?
Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru, of course, could read the doubt in Dou Ming's eyes. A feeling of indignation welled up inside them.
Yet even they had to admit that standing beside Dou Zhao right now, they couldn't help but feel inferior.
They were all women of the same age, yet Dou Zhao's regal presence and resplendent dress placed her on an entirely different level.
Although Dou Zhao never looked down on them, being her closest friends, the awkwardness still lingered.
"There are too many guests today. Why don't you come to my room first? I'll find something nice for Sister's friends to change into." Dou Ming blinked and offered kindly.
Clearly, she was showing goodwill—reassuring her sister that she bore no ill will toward her companions. On the contrary, she was willing to help dress them up so they wouldn't feel out of place among the guests.
This gesture left Dou Zhao slightly stunned. In this life, she hadn't interacted much with Dou Ming, and still saw her through the lens of her previous life—a manipulative girl who tried to seduce her husband and even plotted against her.
But the Dou Ming before her now seemed elegant, courteous, and thoughtful—nothing like the villainess she once knew.
Wei Tingyu couldn't help but sigh internally. He knew the truth of the original story—Dou Ming had once been a genuinely kind girl, but was eventually twisted by the toxic influence of her wicked mother, Wang Yingxue.
And Dou Zhao—being as intelligent as she was—quickly grasped the true nature of the situation. The biggest difference between her sister in this life and the last… was timing.
This version of Dou Ming hadn't yet spent years being poisoned by her mother's manipulative teachings.
If she could intervene now… perhaps she could steer her little sister down a different path—a path of goodness.
And so, a surge of responsibility rose in Dou Zhao's heart.
Yes! That vile woman Wang Yingxue had once forced her way into this household, leading to the tragic death of their mother.
And now, the best revenge she could exact on that woman was to destroy all of her hopes—especially Dou Ming.
If she could teach Dou Ming well, liberate her from her mother's influence, and raise her into a woman of virtue—then that, truly, would be the most fitting revenge!
With that thought, Dou Zhao's expression warmed. She nodded with a smile and was about to lead Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru to Dou Ming's quarters.
But before she could even speak, a shrill and unpleasant voice called from behind:
"Zhao'er! You've finally arrived!"
Dou Zhao's brows instantly furrowed. Just from that voice alone, she could tell—it was her most loathsome stepmother, Wang Yingxue, making her appearance at the worst possible time!