"The rain is too heavy, Madam! You can't go out like this!"
"That's right! You've just recovered. If you catch a chill again from the wind and rain, what will we do?"
"If Second Young Miss returns and sees you ill, she'll surely blame us all!"
Outside the countryside estate of Old Madam Cui — Dou Zhao's grandmother — a group of servants and maids were doing their best to stop the stubborn old lady from charging into the downpour.
Yet their efforts seemed to be in vain. No matter how much they pleaded, Old Madam Cui was determined to leave the estate at that very moment!
Her beloved Second Granddaughter, who had been raised under her care, was now a noble Marquis' wife in the capital! Everyone feared that if the Marquis' wife returned and found her grandmother ill due to their negligence, they'd all be in serious trouble.
"Second Miss is back! Second Miss has returned!"
Just as the servants were about to lose control of the situation, a gatekeeper dashed in through the rain, splashing water everywhere as he shouted the news.
Everyone froze at once.
Second Miss? As in the current Marchioness of Jining? She came back?
Even Old Madam Cui was momentarily stunned. The estate was quite far from the capital — how could a prestigious noblewoman like Dou Zhao just return so easily? Surely her husband's family wouldn't let her leave without permission.
Then, a grand double-carriage slowly came into view from the main road.
Judging by its extravagant design, only nobles of the highest rank could use such a vehicle!
Sulan and Suxin, Dou Zhao's maidservants who had followed her as part of her dowry, were now acting as coachwomen.
Four male and four female guards rode on horseback, surrounding the carriage as a protective escort.
There was no longer any room for doubt. All the servants and Old Madam Cui could only watch in awe as the luxurious carriage stopped in front of the estate steps.
A handsome nobleman lifted the curtain and lightly jumped down from the carriage first. Then, with great care, he helped Dou Zhao step out.
Following behind Dou Zhao were two other women, whom everyone recognized — her childhood friends and cousins, Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru.
All three women wore elegant, high-bundled hairstyles — a sign of married status — and were dressed in noblewomen's robes and cloaks befitting high society.
The same nobleman also assisted Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru in stepping out of the carriage.
"Shougu! You're back!" Old Madam Cui's eyes turned red with emotion. Whatever confusion she had felt earlier was drowned out by the joy of seeing her granddaughter. She rushed forward, arms open.
Touched by her grandmother's deep affection, Dou Zhao dropped all formality and flew into her arms.
"Grandmother… sob sob sob…"
The pair — one elderly, one young — embraced and began crying together. Everyone around them expected as much. The deep bond between this grandmother and granddaughter was well known.
"There, there. Don't cry now. It's enough that you came to see me…" After a while, Old Madam Cui gently patted Dou Zhao's back and stepped back to examine her from head to toe, her eyes scrutinizing every detail.
Thankfully, her granddaughter looked well-kept and happy — clearly not mistreated in her new life at the Jining Marquis' residence.
"Grandmother, rest assured!" The nobleman who had helped the women out of the carriage now stepped forward, cupped his fists in a formal bow, and said, "Zhao'er hasn't lost a single finger or a strand of hair!"
This was, of course, the Marquis of Jining himself — Wei Tingyu!
"So this is my grandson-in-law!" Old Madam Cui looked Wei Tingyu up and down. He was dashing and dignified, and the fact that he had personally accompanied Dou Zhao to visit her filled her with warmth. Clearly, he was not a man who feared gossip or criticism — a trait she deeply appreciated!
But then her gaze shifted to Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru…
Having grown up together on the estate, the two girls had always been close to Dou Zhao, and Old Madam Cui had treated them like family. But something about their current appearance made her pause.
She knew both the Miao and Zhao families well — neither had the wealth or status to afford such luxurious clothing.
Especially those cloaks — clearly made of genuine high-grade fox fur, on par with Dou Zhao's own. Cloaks like that were warm and comfortable, but only ladies of noble houses could afford them.
Their hairstyles and the subtle glow of affection in their expressions left no doubt: these two women were now married as well. And judging by their attire, their husbands were at least equal in status to the Marquis of Jining — likely also nobles of high rank.
This confused Old Madam Cui greatly.
How could three close friends all marry into noble houses at the same time? And all so quickly? It was as if all the elite sons of noble families had suddenly rushed to snatch up brides!
Even more perplexing — how were these noble families okay with letting their wives accompany another man (Wei Tingyu) around so freely?
Especially when that man had personally helped both women out of the carriage — in public no less! Even the most liberal-minded noble wouldn't do something so bold unless…
There was only one possible explanation.
All three women now belonged to the Marquis of Jining!
You scoundrel of a Marquis! You only married Dou Zhao three days ago, and you already rushed to take in two more concubines?
And they're her best friends no less?!