Chapter Five: The Bond Between Father and Son (Part Two) – First Update

The Dou family’s ancestral residence lay outside Luoyang City.

Despite the familiarity between Zheng Yanqing and Dou Fengjie, their friendship spanning four years, Yanqing had only visited the Dou family once, during a martial contest three years ago.

The reason was simple: Yanqing’s status differed too greatly from that of the illustrious Dou clan.

Let alone the fact that Dou Kang was now a regional governor and imperial kin, the Dou family boasted numerous members in high office. Dou Xian served as a general of the Thousand Ox Guards; Dou Cong was a Tiger Cavalryman; Dou Wei oversaw another household in Luoyang; the Lady of the Duke of Tang, wife to Li Yuan, the Prefect of Loufan, was also a Dou. Yang Su’s entire household held office, drawing much criticism; yet the Dou family, all in government, received little reproach. The Dou clan followed the teachings of Daoism, advocating governance through non-interference and abstaining from the struggles for power.

Perhaps this was the secret to the Dou family’s enduring prominence.

Though Yanqing was famed and had formally joined the Zheng clan, the disparity had not lessened.

The divide between official and commoner was vast. No matter how renowned, without an official post, one could never enter the heart of this era.

Zheng Yanqing arrived at the gates of the Dou estate, requesting the gatekeeper to announce him to Dou Fengjie.

Family affairs were best kept within the family; no matter how highly Dou Wei regarded him, Yanqing could not presume to seek him directly. Such was the proper etiquette!

Having spent many years navigating officialdom in his previous life, Yanqing was well versed in such rules.

He could not directly seek Dou Wei, but nothing prevented him from conversing with Dou Wei through Dou Fengjie.

The gatekeeper soon went inside to report, and before long, Dou Fengjie hurried out, his face alight with surprise and delight upon seeing Zheng Yanqing. “Yanqing, what brings you here?” he exclaimed.

“Am I not allowed to visit?” Yanqing replied.

“Of course you can!” Dou Fengjie grinned. “I was just saying I’d look for you tomorrow, and here you are today. My father has returned!”

“Ah?”

Dou Fengjie’s father was named Dou Gui, whose own father, Dou Gong, was Dou Wei’s elder brother. Previously, Dou Gui had served as an official in Bashu, so despite Yanqing’s long acquaintance with Fengjie, he had only heard of Dou Gui, never met him.

However, Yanqing knew from other sources that Dou Gui was upright in character and skilled in martial arts.

Zheng Yanqing handed his horse’s reins to the gatekeeper and walked into the Dou residence with Dou Fengjie. As they went, he asked, “Fengjie, wasn’t your father serving in Bashu? Does his return mean he won’t go back?”

Dou Fengjie’s face grew somber. “He must go back,” he said softly. “Granduncle said my father was promoted for outstanding service and for quelling a rebellion among the Ba people. He’s risen from Assistant Magistrate of Ziyang County to Clerk of Ziyang Prefecture’s Western Office. It will be even harder for him to return home now…”

“And you?”

“I wish to go with my father, but he insists I remain in Luoyang to study and practice martial arts. He refuses to take me,” Fengjie replied, his voice tinged with deep grievance.

It seemed Dou Gui was the sort of workaholic who feared distractions, unwilling to let Fengjie accompany him lest it impede his duties.

Yanqing gently put his arm around Fengjie’s shoulders. Although Fengjie was a year older, he was a bit shorter than Yanqing.

“By the way, did you come today to see me?” Fengjie asked.

Yanqing hesitated, then answered softly, “You didn’t go to the bamboo grove this afternoon. I thought you might be ill, so I came to check on you.”

Dou Fengjie was a sensitive, fragile child.

He was in a low mood, and Yanqing had to choose his words carefully. Reflecting, Yanqing realized Fengjie was utterly devoted to him, regarding him as an elder brother, while Yanqing seldom paid attention to Fengjie’s inner world.

This realization filled Yanqing with guilt.

Fengjie brightened. “Perfect timing! My father is at home; I’ll introduce you. You don’t know—he’s always pleased to hear I spend time with you. He said he’d like to meet you someday.”

Meet me?

Yanqing scratched his head, inwardly groaning. He had intended to reach Dou Wei through Dou Fengjie, but now had found Dou Gui instead…

Nevertheless, he had no alternative but to follow Fengjie toward the rear courtyard. The Dou ancestral residence was several times larger than the Zheng estate. No wonder: the Zheng estate housed only one family, while the Dou residence sheltered several.

Each household had its own quarters, making the estate much grander.

After several twists and turns, Fengjie led Yanqing to his family’s quarters—a house within a house, three courtyards deep, with an elegant atmosphere. Entering, Yanqing saw a middle-aged man seated in the main hall.

He wore a magnificent beard that reached his chest, with thick brows and large eyes, his visage dignified and commanding.

“Father, this is Yanqing,” Fengjie announced, running up to the hall with a smile.

Yanqing stepped forward and bowed deeply to Dou Gui. “Nephew Zheng Yanqing pays respects to Uncle Dou.”

Dou Gui’s tiger eyes widened; Fengjie’s smile faded. He slowed his steps and timidly said, “Father, this is my friend, Zheng Yanqing.”

Dou Gui nodded at last, grunting.

Like a cautious mouse, Fengjie darted behind his father. Yanqing sighed inwardly, understanding at last why Fengjie’s temperament was so timid—Dou Gui’s stern parenting left Fengjie uncertain and hesitant, always criticized no matter what he did.

Strictness with children is not wrong.

What is wrong is the method and approach… This was much like modern parents, who often veered to extremes: either indulgence, praising the child no matter what and spoiling them; or the situation Dou Gui embodied.

Perhaps Dou Gui loved Fengjie deeply, but he did not know how to express it, instead feeling compelled to maintain paternal authority.

Thus, he found fault with everything, ostensibly setting high standards for Fengjie, but in reality…

From Fengjie’s usual words, Yanqing knew he loved and respected his father sincerely. Yet he dared not get close, keeping his thoughts hidden and never expressing them to Dou Gui.

What a pair, father and son…

Dou Gui turned to Yanqing with a smile. “I have long heard of your renown, young lord. Now that I see you, you are indeed a heroic youth. I am but a soldier and know little of conversation. Still, I must thank you for caring for my son Fengjie… I have been far away in Shu, unable to look after him. He is gentle in nature and has few friends. It is a blessing for him to befriend you.”

Yanqing responded politely, stealing a glance at Fengjie, who hung his head, looking forlorn.

Dou Gui was a warrior, but that did not mean he lacked perception or thoughtfulness.

He was aware that Zheng Yanqing seldom visited the Dou estate, and so suspected Yanqing’s sudden arrival meant he had business. Most of the family was absent, only Dou Wei and himself were present. Yanqing was unlikely to be seeking him; most likely, he sought Dou Wei. So, after a few words, Dou Gui steered the conversation toward Dou Wei.

“Your uncle often praises you,” he said. “Just at dinner, he remarked that he’s unhappy when you don’t visit.”

“That is too kind of him,” Yanqing replied.

“Indeed. Since you are here today, if Uncle knows you haven’t gone to see him, he will surely be displeased. Come, let me take you to him. You are both men of letters; surely you’ll find more topics to discuss than I, a soldier.”

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Well then, tomorrow the book goes on sale!

From February 24th until now, I have written 290,000 solid words. Perhaps, apart from "Chinese Taoist," this is the most I have ever updated. No padding with messy materials—just genuine content.

Honestly, it’s not my first time putting a book on sale, but I still feel anxious.

Why, you ask? The collection stats aren’t very good… Once the book is on sale, many non-VIP readers may leave. I sincerely hope you stay; even if you cannot subscribe, please recommend, click, and support. Because I know, even after going on sale, I still need your support. Please!

Still, two chapters released together, and another chapter follows.