Chapter 71 — Coercion

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The Dou family was prominent in Zhending, and supplicants flocked to their gate like fish swimming upriver. Yet one tree does not make a forest. If the Dou family meant to strike deep roots here and flourish, they had not only to cultivate ties with the local officials and the wealthy gentry of the surrounding villages, but also to keep on good terms with the ruffians and idlers. When ordinary folk came seeking help, so long as it did no harm to the Dou interests, the family helped where it could; where it could not, it would still send a little silver to tide them over. Thus had they earned their present reputation for generosity and good works.

She herself was nothing but a sheltered girl of frail constitution. If this young girl truly had a grievance, why come to her, and not to her Third Uncle, who managed the household affairs, nor to her Third Cousin, who was always out and about in the world?

Either the girl's story was false, or this was a matter the Dou family would find it inconvenient to meddle in.

She instructed Haitang, "Pay her no mind. We're going home."

Did it follow that because someone blocked her path, she must stop and stand off against them?

Haitang had never met with such a scene before and was trembling with fright. She drew back the curtain, called out an order to the driver, and edged closer to Dou Yan.

Dou Yan could only sigh to herself.

The old acquaintances of her former life had all been reconnected. In a few years, with Cui Da managing her estates and Zhao Liangbi handling her trade, she could set her mind at ease about matters outside the courtyard. But matters within it... Ganlu and Sujuan could not be close to her heart, and Haitang and the others were of no great use. She feared it would take some effort yet.

At this thought, she heard the girl blocking the carriage say, "Fourth Miss, I kowtow to you. I beg you, save my father! I'll set up a longevity tablet for you, I'll serve you like an ox or a horse to repay you... They said that so long as the Dou family will vouch that my father never consorted with bandits, he'll be released at once... I beg you, just say a word to Lord Lu..." And with that she burst into loud weeping.

That cry was enough to tear the heart and lungs, and all who heard it were moved to pity.

Dou Yan frowned and said to Haitang, "Tell her to stop crying. Take her to see Third Uncle."

Haitang answered and got down from the carriage.

But the girl clung desperately to the shaft and would not let go. "I've already begged Third Master," she said, "but Third Master says the evidence in this case is conclusive... Yet my father is plainly innocent... It's all that fat swine Shan Jie. He wanted to take my elder sister as a concubine, and she refused. So he framed my father and forced him to sell my sister to him... Fourth Miss, I'm not lying to you! If I lie, may the heavens strike me with thunder, may I die a wretched death! No—if I speak even one false word, may I be denied rebirth after death..."

To swear such a vicious oath!

Dou Yan was moved in spite of herself.

Whether or not the girl's father had been framed, at least in this girl's heart her father was pure and blameless.

Who knew how many children in this world, out of fond devotion, believed to the end that their fathers were men of noble character—when in truth they were despicable villains capable of any evil...

For some reason, .

A sudden stifling feeling came over her. She drew a deep breath before saying gently to the girl beyond the carriage curtain, "You say your father was framed, and you say my Third Uncle calls the case against him 'conclusive.' Whom am I to believe?"

The girl was startled, then said hurriedly, "Fourth Miss, if I can find evidence, will you vouch for my father?"

This girl could reason from one thing to another—she was quick-witted indeed.

A pity that even Third Uncle called her father's case "conclusive." It would likely not be so easily settled!

Dou Yan said thoughtfully, "Who is Shan Jie?"

"He's the only son of Old Master Shan of Zhending Prefecture," the girl said quickly. "Old Master Shan was once prefect of Songjiang, and their family is very rich. My father runs a martial arts school, and one of his students, Chen Lanxu, works as a guard in Old Master Shan's household. Last year, when my father celebrated his birthday, Chen Lanxu came to offer his congratulations, and Shan Jie, having nothing better to do, came along. My father entertained him with good wine and fine food, but he took a fancy to my elder sister. How could my father agree to give his daughter to another as a concubine? Shan Jie felt his face had been slapped. It so happened that a household in Zhending Prefecture was robbed, and he accused my father's friend of being the robber, claiming that my father had tipped off the bandit and arranged horses and a carriage afterward for his escape. My father knew he had offended Shan Jie, so he sold the family's ancestral property and scraped together three thousand taels of silver to give him. Shan Jie took the silver but went back on his word, insisting that my father hand over my sister to be his concubine. How could my father bear to give my sister to Shan Jie as a concubine? Even when my father kowtowed to him and begged his pardon before so many people, he would not agree to speak a single word on my father's behalf..." The girl wept. "Fourth Miss, I truly am not lying to you! If you don't believe me, send anyone you like to Zhending Prefecture to ask—everyone knows of this matter... Old Master Chen next door said that Lord Lu was once the magistrate of Zhending County, and that the Dou family must have a voice with him, so I slipped away and came here—only to find that Third Master Dou won't come forward." And with that she knelt on the ground and began kowtowing to Dou Yan again.

Dou Yan's expression darkened slightly.

Since Old Master Shan had been prefect of Songjiang, the Dou family must have had dealings with him.

No wonder Third Uncle would not take it up.

In her heart, Dou Yan was already half convinced.

She had lived two lives, and in her former one she had dwelt in the capital, where she had heard of countless unjust and false cases; yet this was the first time she had met with such a thing as a man bullying a girl and forcing a virtuous maiden to be his concubine.

As a woman herself, she was filled with indignation.

Dou Yan had Haitang help the girl to her feet and said thoughtfully, "How did you come to find me?"

The girl said uneasily, "Third Master Dou wouldn't help me, so I had to ask around about who might have a voice with him. Someone mentioned you—said you were not only dignified and lovely, composed and generous, but also kindhearted and always willing to help others. They said the Dowager of the Dou family treasured you like the pearl in her palm, and that the ladies of the house were all exceedingly fond of you. So I thought I would ask you for help..." she murmured.

Dou Yan frowned.

Was that a description of her?

She rather thought herself cold-hearted. Unless an oil jar fell right in front of her and blocked her way, she would not even stretch out a hand to set it upright...

Still, if Third Uncle would not come forward, it showed that this matter carried some consequence for the Dou family. She must not take it upon herself out of mere hot-blooded zeal.

"Do you know that even if you found me, I likely have no way to help you?" As she spoke, Dou Yan drew back the carriage curtain, revealing a face that still bore traces of childishness.

The girl stood beside Haitang, looking no more than twelve or thirteen years old, with slightly dark skin, thick brows, and large eyes. She was sturdy of build and wore a lilac cotton-lined jacket; at first glance she looked like a boy.

What must her elder sister look like?

The thought flashed through Dou Yan's mind.

The girl had already jumped up. "You—how are you so young?"