Chapter Thirty-One: Dou Wenwei (Third Update—Votes Requested)

A man over fifty, slender and lean in stature, stepped onto the central hall amid the crowd of several dozen. He wore only a plain, wide-collared azure robe, his hair coiled into a topknot and bound with a black headscarf that contrasted with the grayish strands of his hair. His feet were shod in black leather boots; his attire was far from extravagant. Yet, as he stood there, he exuded a noble and refined aura, his eyes sharp and penetrating, making it difficult for others to meet his gaze.

When Zheng Renji saw him, the words he was about to utter were swallowed back down. He quickly rose and strode forward, hands clasped in greeting. "Master Wenwei, what brings you here at such a late hour?"

Not only Zheng Renji, but Yan Shigu also stepped forward to pay his respects. Madam Cui did not recognize the visitor, but seeing the demeanor of Zheng Renji and Yan Shigu, she surmised that this man must be of considerable significance.

The newcomer returned their courtesy with a slight bow. His gaze swept across the hall, pausing on Zheng Shian, who knelt on the ground, and Zheng Yanqing, whose face was bloodied; his brows furrowed. He coughed softly, glanced at Zheng Yanqing, then at Zheng Renji and Yan Shigu.

"Young sir, I came in haste and even barged through the gate of the Zheng residence—there was no choice, so I beg your pardon." He lowered his voice, "To be frank, I am here at someone’s behest, to clarify a certain matter to you."

"Oh? What matter does Master wish to explain?"

"Well…" The man walked to Zheng Yanqing, motioned Zheng Weishan to release him, then crouched down, rubbing Zheng Yanqing’s head with a benevolent smile. "Child, fear not. I am here at your teacher’s request, to clear your name."

He stood up. "Young sir, may I ask, why are you detaining this child?"

Zheng Renji, seeing the visitor’s friendliness toward Zheng Yanqing, felt a jolt of unease and glanced at Yan Shigu, as if to say: How could this servant know him?

Yan Shigu shook his head: If you don’t know, how could I?

Zheng Renji hurriedly replied, "Master, this little thief is the grandson of one of my household servants. He stole my ancestral Tang Lion Jade Belt, thus…"

He did not finish, but his meaning was clear: the boy is a lowly servant, my family affair, and irrelevant to you.

The visitor only smiled softly. "It would indeed be irrelevant, save that this child is a student of one of my kinsmen. I was asked to inquire. Lord Zheng, you claim the child stole your Tang Lion Jade Belt—may I ask, has the belt been found?"

"Yes, it’s right there on the desk. My servant found it in his room." Zheng Renji was growing nervous.

The visitor had no official post, merely a private citizen. In truth, Zheng Renji should not be afraid—yet behind this man stood a force so vast that even the entire Zheng clan would not dare provoke it: the mighty Guanlong faction.

The elder before Zheng Renji was Dou Wei, courtesy name Wenwei.

Dou Wei had served as an official, though not of high rank, and now lived in retirement. He was modestly known in literary circles, but not renowned—never authored books nor left famous works, his reputation far less than that of Yan Shigu.

Yet he was of the Dou family, of the Hetouling Dou clan.

Dou Wei’s father was Dou Chi, one of the three patriarchs of the Dou family, uncle to Dou Fengjie.

The Hetouling clan was a venerable aristocracy of Guanzhong, deeply entwined with the Guanlong military nobility. The Dou Kang branch was imperial kin; Dou Yi’s daughter married one of the Eight Pillars of Northern Zhou, Li Hu—she is now the wife of Li Yuan, Duke of Tang. Li Yuan’s brother-in-law, Dou Xian, married the granddaughter of another Pillar, Yu Jin—daughter of Yu Zhongwen, the Crown Prince’s Guard Commander.

Yu Zhongwen is now greatly favored by Crown Prince Yang Guang, even more than Yang Su, Minister of State.

As for other branches, Dou Wei’s clan nephew, Dou Fengjie’s uncle Dou Cong’s wife, hailed from the Xue clan of Hedong, niece of Xue Shixiong, Marquis of Wuyang and General of the Right Guard Cavalry. Such tangled relations gave Dou family the backing of Guanzhong aristocrats and Hedong gentry alike.

Such a colossal clan was far beyond the declining Zheng family.

Dou Wei, moreover, was the senior-most of his generation, the last remaining pillar of his line.

Thus, though Zheng Renji harbored resentment within, he dared not show the slightest displeasure outwardly.

Dou Wei’s kinsman? Could it be someone from that illustrious lineage? How did he connect with Zheng Yanqing, a mere servant?

While Zheng Renji was puzzled, Dou Wei said, "May I see the jade belt?"

"Of course!" Zheng Renji immediately had Cui Daolin hand the belt from the desk to Dou Wei.

Dou Wei examined it closely, gently stroking it, sighing at length. "Indeed, a fine treasure… Lord Zheng, have you checked if this belt is truly yours?"

"Master, what do you mean?"

"Back when Emperor Wu of Wei had the Tang Lion Jade Belts made, there were twelve in total. Though few remain today, I know the whereabouts of three. One was passed down in your family, two others exist elsewhere."

He handed the belt back to Zheng Renji. "Why not examine it closely?"

When Cui Daolin presented the belt earlier, Zheng Renji had only glanced at it, not inspected it carefully. Now, with furrowed brow, he took the belt from Dou Wei and looked closely—his expression changed dramatically.

"This is not mine!"

Madam Cui was startled. "Husband, are you certain?"

"Of course… My ancestral belt has a goat motif on the buckle’s underside; this one bears a black tiger’s head."

"Ah, my kinsman’s clan used the tiger as their emblem."

Zheng Renji’s heart skipped a beat. "Could it be…"

"It is indeed," Dou Wei smiled. "In fact, his family and yours are to be joined by marriage. Though my kinsman is not of the main line, this Tang Lion Jade Belt was a treasured heirloom from his father. Recently, this child became his pupil, and on a whim, he gifted the belt to him—never expecting it would bring trouble. Upon hearing of this, he asked me to explain.

Lord Zheng, I believe the child’s innocence is now clear?"

Zheng Renji’s face alternated between pale and flushed, and after a long pause, he said, "Even so, this servant spoke insolently just now—how can I tolerate it?"

"In that case, Lord Zheng may send him back to Xingyang for General Zheng to handle.

I have heard that the child’s grandfather once saved General Zheng. If you punish them, I fear General Zheng will be displeased. Better to return them, explain the situation, and let the General decide."

"Well…" Zheng Renji hesitated.

Dou Wei’s words were not without merit; to punish Zheng Shian and his grandson might indeed offend the great scholar.

Originally, the great scholar sent Zheng Shian and his grandson to assist him; yet he refused their help and sent Zheng Shian to the manor. Now, without informing the scholar, he sought to punish them—how could the scholar accept this?

"Since the elder has spoken, I will spare them this time."

Cui Daolin could not help but interject, "Master, this thief also stole your Xuanzhou purple brushes."

He motioned the servants to bring the brushes over.

Unexpectedly, Dou Wei laughed upon seeing them.

"Lord Zheng, your steward found seven Xuanzhou purple brushes. As for their origin, I know it well—they were my gift to my grandnephew for his birthday. Recently, my grandnephew told me he gave them to his classmate.

Child, so you are the one Fengjie mentioned?"

Zheng Yanqing now realized the elderly man was Dou Fengjie’s great-uncle.

He hurriedly nodded, "So it is you, elder!"

"Very well, the matter is now clear. I suggest, Lord Zheng, you search more thoroughly for your own jade belt."

Having spoken, Dou Wei ruffled Zheng Yanqing’s hair once more and departed with his entourage.

Zheng Renji and Yan Shigu escorted Dou Wei to the gate of the Zheng residence.

As Dou Wei left, Yan Shigu spoke quietly, "Brother, I think you should investigate the household; perhaps you’ll find some clues."

"You mean…?"

Yan Shigu smiled but did not elaborate.

Some matters were best left unsaid, though inwardly he agreed with Zheng Yanqing: Brother Zheng needs to put his household in order.

"What’s this?"

Yan Shigu, not wishing to become further involved, prepared to return to his own chambers.

Two servants carried a small basket containing many papers, each inscribed with writing.

"Master Yan, these were brought from the manor study—they’re the writings of the little thief… ah, Zheng Yanqing."

For reasons unknown, Yan Shigu’s interest in Zheng Yanqing had only deepened.

The child was bold and daring, even willing to wager with him. And with Dou Wei’s appearance, Yan Shigu found the matter even more intriguing.

"Bring these to my room."

Yan Shigu smiled to himself: I am curious to see what this child has scribbled.

As for the safety of Zheng Yanqing and his grandfather, he was unconcerned. With Dou Wei’s intervention, Zheng Renji would be more cautious now.