Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1298: Winning Over

Following his severe beating with twenty large boards, Manager Dou lay nearly insensible. Though Young Master Dou would have preferred to ignore him, the surrounding crowd compelled him to hastily support his father, crying out, "Father, you have suffered greatly! Doctor Dou, please attend to my father's injuries quickly!"

The elder Dou internally scoffed, thinking, "Bah, what are you pretending for? I took this beating because of you!" However, remembering Junior Minister Ming's words, "You have a good son," he refrained from publicly reprimanding Young Master Dou and allowed Doctor Dou to assess his injuries.

When the Heir of Prince Heng witnessed Madam Dou Meng's collapse, he moved to strike Manager Dou again but was intercepted by Young Master Dou. "Young Heir, my father is already injured. I implore you, do not strike him further, lest it prove fatal."

Qu Shaoyin added his voice, stating, "Heir of Prince Heng, in this old affair, Manager Dou is the wronged party. You should cease your assault."

Denied the opportunity to strike Manager Dou, the Heir of Prince Heng could only point and rage, "Despicable merchant! Divorce that shameless woman, Dou Meng, without delay, or your head will turn greener still, and you may not even recognize your own son!"

These words struck Manager Dou with such fury that he nearly lost consciousness. Unable to afford offending the Heir of Prince Heng, he suppressed his anger, yet his heart began to fester with hatred for Madam Dou Meng.

He seethed, thinking, "That shameless woman! Had she obediently followed my instructions, none of this would have transpired today!"

After unleashing his tirade upon Manager Dou, the Heir of Prince Heng departed with his retinue of dissolute companions.

Governor Lord Jingzhao hastened to see them off with eagerness, "Young Heir, please travel slowly."

"Feel free to visit again whenever you wish. Jingzhao Mansion always has bizarre happenings, and gossip is plentiful every single day."

Despite his reputation as a playboy, the Heir of Prince Heng possessed a degree of courtesy. He turned back, cupped his hands towards Governor Lord Jingzhao, and said, "Thank you for your diligent efforts, Sir."

With that, he took his leave.

Manager Dou's face contorted with rage, turning a shade of blue. He harbored a violent desire to dismember the Heir of Prince Heng, and equally, Madam Dou Meng!

He knew that the events of this day would be the talk of the city by tomorrow. That wretched woman, Dou Meng, had turned him into the Capital's laughingstock. With Prince Heng's involvement, if the Prince were to become truly incensed, the Dou family would face severe repercussions.

"Why are you still loitering here? Quickly, have a servant carry me home by carriage."

He thought, "Am I not humiliated enough? Must I continue to stand here, losing face?"

Young Master Dou responded, "Yes, I will arrange it immediately, Father."

He spoke these words while glancing at Dou Zhi, who immediately set about preparing their departure. Young Master Dou then conveyed his thanks to Governor Lord Jingzhao and Qu Shaoyin.

Governor Lord Jingzhao beamed, replying, "Young Master Dou, no thanks are necessary. I was merely handling this case with impartiality."

The Governor knew he had no choice but to be impartial. With Junior Minister Ming and the Ouyang family supporting Young Master Dou, and even the Emperor's praise, opposing him would be tantamount to courting death. Moreover, the Emperor was in need of funds, and a favorable judgment in this case would yield a significant sum of silver, constituting a meritorious service.

Qu Shaoyin, while looking down upon the Dou family in general, felt a measure of sympathy for Young Master Dou. The visible injuries on Young Master Dou, coupled with older, unhealed wounds, suggested years of mistreatment by his stepmother.

After expressing his thanks, Young Master Dou approached the prison guard, cupped his hands, and inquired, "May I know your name, brother?"

The prison guard had remained standing nearby, showing no intention of leaving, implying he had something he wished to convey. Young Master Dou, being astute, understood that Junior Minister Ming had passed by Jingzhao Mansion and gone to the Meng family, prompting Imperial Censor Meng to bring Dou Meng in. However, he felt no gratitude, perceiving it instead as manipulation.

For today's proceedings, he possessed concrete evidence. With assistance provided by Master Ouyang, even if the Meng family sought to shield Dou Meng, he could, with some effort, compel a confession. He hadn't needed Junior Minister Ming's intervention at all.

The prison guard replied, "I dare not accept such an honor, Young Master Dou. You may call me Ah Ji."

Young Master Dou chuckled, "So, it is Brother Ah Ji. Dare I ask, Brother, perhaps Junior Minister Ming has some words for me?"

Ah Ji did not directly answer but said, "Your father is injured. Allow me to assist Young Master Dou in escorting your father home first, and then we shall converse."

Upon hearing this, Young Master Dou's heart grew heavier. The implication was that the matter was not suitable for public discussion, and Junior Minister Ming evidently had a considerable plan in motion. He nodded with a smile, "Brother Ah Ji is correct."

He accepted the silver note, secured Manager Dou's clearance, and boarded a carriage bound for the Dou Family residence.

Having learned of Dou Meng’s misdeeds, Dou Er and Dou San had been anticipating Dou Meng's return. Upon seeing Young Master Dou arrive, Dou Er pointed accusingly and rebuked, "Dou Ke, how dare you accuse your own stepmother and biological father, even causing Father to be punished! Such unfilial conduct!"

Young Master Dou chuckled, beckoning Dou Er closer, "Second Brother, come here."

Dou Er's countenance paled; he had fallen for similar ploys before and knew approaching would only lead to a beating from Dou Ke.

Dou Er remained rooted, continuing his tirade against Young Master Dou.

Could Young Master Dou, who had just brought down Dou Meng, tolerate Dou Er's insolence? He summoned Dou Meng, ordering the Shadow Guards to restrain Dou Er. Dou Ke then strode over and backhanded Dou Er.

Spitting blood, Dou Er glared at Young Master Dou, wailing, "Dou Ke, you assaulted me? You are finished!"

He had loyal followers. Once he rallied them, Dou Ke would undoubtedly meet his end.

With another slap, Young Master Dou struck Dou Er again, mockingly asking, "So what if I hit you? Your mother is captured, your grandfather's position is precarious, and you expect me not to strike you?"

Young Master Dou's gaze became piercing. He grabbed Dou Er by the neck, smirking, "Second Brother, you may continue to play the fool, but from this day forward, I will show you no leniency. You have lost all your backing, and now it is my turn to be unrestrained!"

Dou Er struggled, nearly losing consciousness from the pressure on his neck. Dou San rushed forward, lamenting tearfully, "Eldest Brother, please stop! Second Brother is simply distraught over Mother... This younger brother understands you never favored Mother, and perhaps she bears some fault, but we are, after all, family..."

"Family? Nonsense! I don't even share a table with you during New Year's. What kind of family is that?" Young Master Dou cut off Dou San, fixing his gaze upon him. "And you, why are you crying as if I have wronged you? I didn't know what to call this kind of person before, but now I do – you're a male lotus!"

This term, he had heard from the Young Marquis, who in turn heard it from Gu Jinli.

A male lotus? What peculiar term was that?

Dou San attempted to plead further but was subdued by Dou Meng.

Manager Dou was enraged and wished to defend his two sons, but his injuries prevented him from even raising his voice without causing himself pain.

Young Master Dou had no immediate time to deal with Dou Er, so he had him escorted back to the courtyard. After attending to Manager Dou, he met with Ah Ji.

Ah Ji presented an invitation directly. "Young Master Dou, you are young and full of promise, having established the Dou Ou Bank at such a tender age through your skill and wealth. Lord Ming holds you in high regard. This is an invitation to the Ming Family's September banquet, and we hope Young Master Dou will grace us with his presence for a drink."