Blossom

Early in the morning, Dou Zhao and Chen Qushui sat at the square black-lacquered table in the hall having breakfast.

A spread of dishes covered the table: vibrant green bok choy, golden scrambled eggs, a plate of ten-spice pickled cucumbers, another of steamed dried fish, stir-fried winter bamboo shoots and mushrooms, assorted preserved vegetables, two bowls of rice porridge, along with steamed buns, fresh meat buns, and scallion pancakes neatly arranged in small bamboo baskets.

Yet despite the feast before them, neither had much appetite, sitting in silence.

Duan Gongyi strode in.

"Fourth Miss," he said gravely, "I've noticed that all the entry and exit points around the estate seem to be under surveillance..." He wasn't sure what was happening, but something felt off. "Could it be that the guest staying here has gotten into some trouble? Should we speak to them? If a fight breaks out, shouldn’t we at least know why? Otherwise, we’d just be innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire."

Chen Qushui looked at Dou Zhao.

This trouble had stemmed from him, and he had intended to resign before things escalated further.

But Dou Zhao said, "I’m afraid it’s already too late—even if they didn’t recognize you before, your repeated inquiries through the pages about my whereabouts must have drawn their attention and revealed your identity. Rather than hastily distancing yourself, it’s safer for you to stay on the farmstead. Their goal is to quietly escort that child to safety. If we can tell they have skilled guards, they must also see that our own guards are no pushovers. If conflict arises, they may be skilled, but we have numbers, and this is our land—they might not escape unscathed. Staying here is safer for you. Resigning over this is unnecessary. Who doesn’t face obstacles in life? We’ll get through this together."

There was another thought she kept to herself, not wanting to deepen Chen Qushui’s guilt.

At this point, even if he left, given Song Mo’s temperament—better to kill the innocent than let the guilty escape—it might not clear them of suspicion anyway.

Chen Qushui was momentarily speechless at Dou Zhao’s words. Or perhaps "grateful" was more accurate.

Few could match him in debate, yet faced with her kindness, any response felt inadequate.

He bowed deeply to her in silent acknowledgment, choosing to wait and see how events unfolded.

At Duan Gongyi’s words, Dou Zhao’s heart skipped a beat.

Had pursuers really arrived?

The situation was growing more complicated.

Logically, if even they had noticed the surveillance, how could Song Mo be unaware?

She asked Duan Gongyi, "Has there been any movement from Young Master Mei’s side?"

When Song Mo had sought lodging, he had given his surname as Mei—his maternal grandmother’s name.

Duan Gongyi hesitated. "That’s the strange part. Young Master Mei arrived with an accountant, a steward, two coachmen, four guards, a wet nurse, and the child. The accountant, steward, coachmen, and the rest are all accounted for—but the four guards are missing. Do you think… Young Master Mei might have noticed something and sent them out?"

Dou Zhao and Chen Qushui exchanged a look of alarm.If Song Mo had truly discovered formidable enemies, he should have tried to divert the trouble elsewhere. He could have let them hold off the attackers while he escaped with the child and his guards. Why would he actively confront them? Two fists are no match for four hands. No matter how skilled his guards were, their numbers were limited—he couldn’t possibly overpower those assailants… Unless the ones watching them were Song Mo’s own four guards?

But why would he do that?

Dou Zhao’s heart pounded wildly as the phrase "silence witnesses" flashed through her mind.

Chen Qushui gasped aloud, "We just happened to be involved. Surely they wouldn’t be so ruthless?"

But he is exactly that ruthless!

Dou Zhao silently cursed in her heart.

He could even kill his own father and younger brother—what are you and I in his eyes?

Though Duan Gongyi was utterly confused, he could sense the tension in Dou Zhao and Chen Qushui.

Hesitantly, he asked a question he shouldn’t have: "Has something happened?"

If the people surveilling this residence were truly Song Mo’s men, their situation was extremely dangerous.

A confrontation was inevitable.

Rather than leaving Duan Gongyi and the others clueless about the situation, it was better to reveal the truth. Three cobblers with their wits combined could rival Zhuge Liang—perhaps together, they could devise a way to escape this peril!

With this in mind, Dou Zhao explained Song Mo’s background and the grudge between him and Chen Qushui to Duan Gongyi.

Duan Gongyi stood dumbfounded, unable to recover for a long while.

"Fourth Miss, could you be mistaken?" he muttered. "Duke Ding—he’s a great hero who fought against the Japanese pirates. Who in the martial world hasn’t heard of him? If not for him guarding Fujian, those pirates would have long since invaded. The people there have Longevity tablets for him in every household, burning incense morning and night, praying for his safety and long life! How could the court possibly arrest him? This is nothing but slandering a virtuous man! What will happen to the coastal regions of Fujian now?" As he spoke, he paced around the hall, repeatedly muttering "No way," before turning to Dou Zhao with utmost seriousness. "Fourth Miss, if that child truly is Duke Ding’s descendant, we can’t oppose Young Master Mei. We’d be scorned by the martial world! How about we escort the child away from Zhen Ding? That way, Young Master Mei won’t suspect us. What do you think?"

Dou Zhao gaped at him, never expecting such a reaction from Duan Gongyi.

If all her house guards thought like this, how could she possibly stand against Song Mo?

At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel relieved that she had told him in advance. Otherwise, if he switched sides mid-confrontation, the consequences would be disastrous.

Suppressing the dull throbbing in her temples, she reminded him, "If Young Master Mei were truly so reasonable, he would’ve quietly sought out Mr. Chen. Why would he surveil the entire residence?"

Duan Gongyi turned to Chen Qushui.

Even the usually decisive Chen Qushui hesitated. "Fourth Miss, perhaps I should speak with Young Master Mei? Though Duke Ding killed my master, when it comes to the greater good of the nation, he is blameless. Though I may be mediocre, I still know right from wrong…"

This idea was far too naive.

It might work on others, but it would never work on Song Mo.Dou Zhao couldn't help but interrupt him, saying, "What can we use to gain Young Master Mei's trust?"

Chen Qushui fell silent.

Young Master Mei was the esteemed Young Lord of the Duke of England's Mansion, while he was merely a down-and-out scholar wandering the streets. Why would someone like that believe his words?

What weight would his assurances carry for the Young Lord of the Duke of England's household?

Seeing this, Dou Zhao pressed further, "What if Young Master Mei only believes that dead men tell no tales?"

Both Duan Gongyi and Chen Qushui lowered their heads.

A deathly silence filled the room.

"I think this is the best approach," Dou Zhao's tone softened slightly. After a long pause, she continued, "We'll try diplomacy first, then prepare for war! Mr. Chen will go and speak with Young Master Mei. If the discussion goes well, then everyone benefits. Guardian Duan, please keep Young Master Mei's identity confidential for now. You are loyal and righteous, but others may not be. If word gets out because of this, wouldn't it harm Duke Ding? If Mr. Chen's negotiations fail, we can't just wait to be slaughtered or at anyone's mercy, right? Warn everyone to stay alert and be prepared in case Young Master Mei strikes first."

If it were anyone else, she had plenty of ways to escape this predicament.

But this was Song Mo.

Just thinking about his ruthlessness in their past life sent a chill through her heart, making her too afraid to openly oppose him. What worried her most was that even if she temporarily outmaneuvered him, if she interfered with his important business, he would surely settle accounts with her later—she didn't believe her neck was as tough as the Duke of England's.

Dou Zhao let out a long sigh.

They couldn't reveal his identity or the purpose of his mission, yet they had to protect themselves. The only way was to take things slowly with Song Mo and find a way to earn his trust.

Duan Gongyi nodded repeatedly, feeling this approach would satisfy their moral obligations to Duke Ding. "Don't worry, miss. I'll make the arrangements immediately."

"Absolutely do not reveal their identities," Dou Zhao emphasized once more.

"I'll take this secret to my grave," Duan Gongyi assured her repeatedly before withdrawing.

Chen Qushui remained where he was.

Dou Zhao's words had doused him like a bucket of cold water, calming him down as he carefully reconsidered the situation. He found her reasoning sound. After Duan Gongyi left, he said solemnly, "Miss, I fear Young Master Mei won't trust us..."

Of course he wouldn't trust them.

But this was still a gesture of goodwill.

Dou Zhao replied, "We'll do what we ought to do. Whether Young Master Mei appreciates it or not is his business."

Understanding dawned on Chen Qushui, and his mood lightened. "I'll go see Young Master Mei now."

Dou Zhao nodded and saw Chen Qushui out but didn't return inside immediately. Instead, she stood under the veranda, taking a deep breath.

The damp air filled her lungs, bringing a slight chill that sharpened her thoughts.

If he planned to strike, it would likely be before the rain stopped, right? Otherwise, once the rain ceased and the villagers emerged, his whereabouts would be exposed...

Surely he wouldn't slaughter the entire village...

※※※※※

Song Mo watched with interest as the wet nurse gave the child water.

After the child finished drinking, he reached out: "Here, let me hold him."

The wet nurse carefully placed the child in Song Mo's arms, showing him how to support the baby's head.

Yan Chaoqing entered: "Young Lord, Chen Qushui requests an audience with you.""Then go and talk to him," Song Mo said without looking up, holding the child in the position his wet nurse had shown him. He gently nuzzled the baby's cheek and patted its back with a smile.

Yan Chaoqing understood immediately.

The young master had made his decision and would not change it.

There was no need to discuss anything further.

He bowed respectfully and replied, "Yes," before withdrawing.

Song Mo's dark eyes gazed tenderly at the child as he murmured softly, "Don’t worry. You will grow up safe and sound, marry, have children, and live a peaceful, prosperous life..."

His voice was as gentle as a spring breeze. The baby seemed to sense something, hiccuped, and drifted into a deep sleep.