Among the noble houses of marquises and dukes, the greatest fear was always losing face. Typically, when a scandal arose, they would cast all blame upon the newly wedded wife without hesitation.
Yet Wei Tingyu was unlike the rest. For Dou Zhao—his bride of merely three days—he dared to bring the matter to court, even before His Majesty himself!
As his firm and resolute voice echoed through the hall, every guest present looked upon him with an indescribable expression.
All the noble ladies, regardless of their status, revealed admiration in their eyes. For such a man—bold, righteous, and loyal—was no doubt a towering figure in their hearts.
Even the yet-unmarried daughters of officials were near tears with envy. And beside them, Wang Yingxue's expression as she gazed upon her son-in-law was a complex blend of love and hatred.
Indeed, her emotions were a tangled web. The hatred she harbored stemmed from jealousy.
Such a fine husband! And yet, he had fallen into the hands of that wild girl Dou Zhao, instead of her own daughter, Dou Ming. The thought tore at her like claws—burning and bitter. She simply could not accept it.
As for the affection… that, too, was simple.
Wang Yingxue, even with her lofty standards, was a woman nonetheless. Witnessing Dou Zhao's husband defend her in court, even daring to raise the matter before the emperor—such love, such devotion! It was something she, as a remarried wife, could never hope to receive from her own husband.
From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Dou Shiying, and a wave of disgust rose in her heart toward the man who had always been so weak and useless.
And those so-called sons of noble families present—none of them, not even collectively, were worthy to tie Wei Tingyu's shoes. Even if her daughter Dou Ming had chosen the most promising among them—Wu Shan—would her life be any better than her own?
Absolutely not. She could not, would not allow her daughter to follow in her footsteps.
This was the single conviction that burned in Wang Yingxue's heart as a mother.
Yet, it was painfully clear that Wei Tingyu's affection for Dou Zhao was no shallow display of words. How could one so easily break the bond between such a husband and wife?
Especially when her daughter Dou Ming was a mild and obedient girl by nature, one who neither fought nor contended. With things as they were, how could she ever hope to drive Dou Zhao away from Wei Tingyu's side?
Wang Yingxue furrowed her brows, choosing silence. Her mind churned with thoughts on how to elevate Dou Ming's status.
"Hahaha! The Marquis truly has spine! I doubt even the Pang family would dare escalate this matter to court or before the emperor," Wu Shan chuckled, offering Wei Tingyu a slight bow.
It wasn't flattery, not entirely. Logically speaking, any sane family would choose to keep this matter quiet. After all, the root of it was clear—the Pang brat had spewed vulgarities at another's family banquet. Lady Marquis had merely slapped him in a moment of justified fury. While abrupt, such actions would likely earn approval from the upright scholars at court.
Wu Shan was well aware—his own grandfather would certainly praise both Wei Tingyu and Dou Zhao for their righteous stance and might even speak in their favor before the emperor.
So that blue-robed pig-head was surnamed Pang? Upon hearing Wu Shan's words, Wei Tingyu recalled the original story. Indeed, the man had been referred to as "Young Master Pang."
But it no longer mattered what he was called. After tonight, he would be the laughingstock of the capital, likely unwelcome at any future banquet.
"This Young Master Wu speaks with propriety. He is unlike the others," Dou Shiying nodded slightly, then turned to his fifth brother, Dou Shishu. "If Ming'er were to marry him, it would not be a poor match."
"Indeed, indeed!" Dou Shishu's eyes lit up, stroking the few whiskers on his chin as he nodded sagely.
He was no fool. The Wu family's only grandson! If they could form such a union, it would be a dream come true!
However, their conversation fell upon Dou Zhao and Wang Yingxue's ears and made both women frown in unison.
To Dou Zhao, her younger sister Dou Ming was a good girl—gentle, sincere. In order to keep her on the right path, it would be best to keep her close and personally guide her.
With her delicate temperament, if Dou Ming were to marry into another family, she might be bullied by her mother-in-law or sisters-in-law. Especially in the lofty Wu household, she would be looked down upon. And Wu Shan did not seem like someone who would defend her.
The idea that her father and uncle were once again arranging Dou Ming's future without her consent made Dou Zhao deeply uncomfortable.
As for Wang Yingxue, her disdain was even greater. Wu Shan? He was no match. Her eyes saw only one worthy son-in-law: Wei Tingyu.
"Truly, the Marquis and Marchioness of Jining are a harmonious couple. May they grow old together in joy!"
"Indeed! Just look at their mutual affection. It makes the rest of us envious!"
"From this day on, tales shall spread throughout the capital! Men should seek a wife like the Marchioness of Jining—virtuous and noble! And women, too, must marry a husband like the Marquis—upright and unyielding!"
"Well said, brother! The Marquis is a role model for us all!"
Among the noble sons, it was unclear who began it first, but soon voices of flattery filled the hall, one after another. It became a tide of praises toward Wei Tingyu and Dou Zhao.
After all, the disgrace of the Pang brat was still fresh in everyone's minds. Even the dullest among them knew not to offend the wrong person again.
"Heh." Yet, amid the overflowing flattery, Dou Zhao let out a cold laugh, one filled with contempt.
Those two faint scoffs were like thunderclaps, instantly silencing the boisterous hall.
Everyone turned to her in confusion, unable to comprehend her meaning.
But Dou Zhao paid them no heed. Instead, she gracefully refilled Wei Tingyu's wine cup at the main seat, then smiled as she asked:
"Marquis, this humble wife wishes to speak a few words to the young gentlemen present. May I?"
Even when addressing other men, she sought her husband's permission first. In that moment, Dou Zhao displayed the full dignity and virtue of a noble lady, as well as the deference of a proper wife.