"Excellent, excellent. Talented young men, all of you!" Dou Shishu and Dou Shiying, the elders of the Dou family, sat in the courtyard exchanging polite pleasantries with a crowd of sycophantic young noblemen.
Meanwhile, the young ladies from various noble households gathered in groups of three to five, gossiping about rouge, jewelry, and the latest silk fashions. Of course, behind their fluttering fans, their eyes frequently drifted toward the courtyard, each secretly hoping to spot a suitable match—a gentleman worthy of their favor.
On the surface, the scene appeared harmonious, as though taken from a painting of springtime nobility.
That harmony was shattered in an instant by a sudden commotion not far away.
Everyone turned to look.
There, entering the courtyard hand in hand, were Wei Tingyu and Dou Zhao—husband and wife.
The moment they appeared, the crowd erupted like a kettle brought to boil.
"Who is that?! How audacious!"
"Isn't that the Marquis of Jining? And the lady beside him... that must be the eldest miss of the Dou family!"
"Ah, it must be the Marquis and Marchioness returning to visit the maiden home today. Still, walking hand in hand in public like this—how improper!"
"Indeed! This is utterly disgraceful behavior!"
"Enough already! Look over there—Fifth Master Dou and Seventh Master Dou both have thunderclouds on their faces!"
The young gentlemen began to murmur in disapproval, and whether by accident or design, many of their voices were loud enough for Dou Shishu and Dou Shiying to catch most of it.
The young ladies, however, had a different reaction altogether.
"Oh my! The Marquis and his wife are so affectionate!"
"So what if they are? It's indecorous! If word spreads, won't people laugh themselves to death?"
"For a woman, isn't it enough that her husband adores her? Who cares what others say—you're not living your life for them!"
"Let him dote on her in private, then! Why must they flaunt it before everyone's eyes?"
"That's unfair! Tell me this—if a man like the Marquis adored you openly, wouldn't you be moved?"
"...To be honest... I would. sob Where am I supposed to find a man like the Marquis now?"
Whether influenced by romantic storybooks or simply due to their nature, the ladies had their own views on the matter, some approving, others disapproving—but all undeniably intrigued.
Still, one truth was clear: regardless of gender, everyone knew that this display would surely damage the Marquis of Jining's reputation if word got out.
Dou Zhao's heart tightened. She was now the Mistress of the Marquis' household—how could she allow its name to be sullied?
She turned slightly and glanced at Wei Tingyu. His face remained calm and impassive, utterly unaffected by the voices around them. His hand still gripped hers firmly, unwilling to let go.
There was no helping it. When the Marquis insisted, who could say no?
That thought warmed her heart once more, sweetness blooming within.
And when she overheard the other ladies whispering that they didn't know where to find another man like Wei Tingyu—one who dared to show his love so boldly—her pride swelled.
And so, hand in hand, Wei Tingyu and Dou Zhao continued toward the very center of the courtyard, followed closely by Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhaoru.
At that moment, Wang Yingxue and her daughter Dou Ming also arrived. Just as they stepped into the courtyard, they saw Dou Shiying walking quickly toward Dou Zhao.
"Shougu!" Upon seeing his daughter cherished so openly by her husband, even the timid Dou Shiying couldn't help but feel gratified and joyful.
Unlike Dou Shishu, Dou Shiying was not obsessed with courtly prestige, and so his reaction was more subdued.
Dou Zhao wasn't particularly close with her father, but seeing the sincere smile on his face, she returned it with a graceful curtsy, heart softened.
Still, even as she greeted her father, her hand remained intertwined with Wei Tingyu's.
This, at last, made Dou Shishu snap.
He stormed forward, casting aside all courtesy and puffing himself up with the full authority of an elder.
"Today's banquet is hosted in honor of distinguished guests! This public display is utterly inappropriate!" Dou Shishu scowled. Of course, he didn't dare scold the Marquis himself, and so he directed his fury at Dou Zhao.
After all, no matter her new title, Dou Zhao was still his niece—and a scolding from an uncle should be acceptable, no?
But Dou Zhao, a woman not to be trifled with, had no intention of swallowing her anger quietly.
She opened her mouth to retort.
Before a single word escaped, however, she felt a light squeeze on her hand.
Startled, she turned just in time to see Wei Tingyu step forward and place himself between her and her uncle.
"Fifth Uncle, what sort of logic is this?" Wei Tingyu's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes gleaming with disdain. "Zhao'er and I are husband and wife. How is it improper for us to hold hands?"
"This… well…" Dou Shishu, ever the bureaucratic worm, was stunned. He never expected the Marquis to speak on her behalf, and now stood awkward and tongue-tied.
Still, he quickly composed himself, forcing a smile. "Naturally, it is not improper for husband and wife to hold hands. It's simply that… such a display, in public…"
"Is not the cycle of sun and moon, of yin and yang, conducted in public view? And yet no one accuses the heavens of indecency," Wei Tingyu said, smirking. "This Marquis is merely holding his wife's hand in harmony. Whom exactly have we offended?"
Holding hands in harmony?
Everyone was left speechless.
Absurd though his words were, they somehow made sense—and left no room for rebuttal.
Dou Zhao flushed crimson, and quietly gave Wei Tingyu's hand two firm squeezes, signaling him to stop speaking nonsense.
Yet that very act only made Wei Tingyu more amused.
Oh? So his sweet little wife had this kind of playful side? Secretly flirting with him under the gaze of a hundred people?
He could definitely get used to that.