Blossom

A heavy rain had caused varying degrees of damage throughout Zhen Ding Prefecture, with Zhen Ding County and Lingbi County suffering the most severe losses—almost a complete crop failure. Lord Lu, the prefect, paid a special visit to Dou Shiheng to discuss disaster relief efforts for the prefecture. Naturally, the Dou family felt duty-bound to assist. Originally, Dou Qiguang, Dou Qijun, and others had planned to travel to the Capital for Dou Zhengchang’s betrothal ceremony, but they stayed behind instead, awaiting Lord Lu’s instructions to help manage post-disaster affairs.

Without her relatives accompanying her, Shu Jie’er naturally couldn’t go to the Capital either.

Muttering about her “terrible luck,” she went to see Dou Zhao.

The weather was gradually warming up, and Dou Zhao had changed into a white gauze front-opening blouse and a brown sleeveless jacket, with small silver bauhinia earrings—simple yet elegant.

She had Gan Lu brew a pot of Meiwu Longjing tea for Shu Jie’er.

Shu Jie’er closed her eyes, savoring the tea’s fragrance lingering on her lips and tongue, and sighed contentedly, “Pre-Qingming Longjing! Fourth Aunt always has the finest things!”

Dou Zhao laughed and asked her, “Would you like to come with me to the farmstead? They’re planting corn these days, and I want to check on the progress.”

“I’ve got nothing better to do,” Shu Jie’er, ever cheerful, was immediately distracted. She stood up eagerly, “Let’s go to the farmstead!”

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but chuckle, though she quite liked her spirited nature. The two of them boarded the carriage one after the other.

At the farmstead, everyone was busy sowing seeds. Oxen lowed in the fields, children chased each other noisily along the ridges, and the air was thick with the earthy scent of soil.

Shu Jie’er widened her eyes, taking in the sights.

Dou Zhao, recalling that the Wu family—into which Shu Jie’er was soon to marry—were major landowners in Pingshan, smiled and asked, “Shall I find a few women familiar with farming to show you around?”

Shu Jie’er understood her meaning and blushed slightly. However, she had always been open with Dou Zhao. After a moment’s thought, she not only agreed gracefully but also asked Dou Zhao to recommend some people:

“...He’s the fourth son in his family. Though I won’t be managing the household after marriage, I shouldn’t be completely clueless either—lest my in-laws and sisters-in-law laugh at me. Mother wants me to bring two dowry servants: one skilled in managing shops and the other in managing farmsteads. For the shopkeeper, Father has someone trustworthy in mind, but we’re still undecided about the farmstead manager. Their family is known for both farming and scholarship, so Fourth Aunt, please help me find someone reliable.”

Dou Zhao appreciated this straightforward approach—speaking openly about matters, helping where possible, and clarifying when unable. It saved everyone trouble.

“I’ll ask Hong Gu when I return,” she said with a smile. “She knows the farmstead workers best.”

She couldn’t very well claim to be an expert herself, could she?

Shu Jie’er thanked her, her cheeks still flushed.

In the afternoon, just as they were about to tour the village with two of the women, the elderly men Dou Zhao had summoned for consultation during the last rain came to see her.

“Go ahead and explore first,” Dou Zhao said, dismissing Shu Jie’er before inviting the elders into the main hall for tea.

“We’re all grateful for Consort Cui’s kindness,” the elders said respectfully, bowing to Dou Zhao and speaking in unison. “Though she reduced our rents, we can’t just take advantage. Everyone’s working hard to plant this season’s corn well, so we can at least compensate the landowners with some extra grain.”

Dou Zhao smiled and inquired about the fields. Seeing everything was well-organized, she nodded inwardly in approval. Then she rejoined Shu Jie’er, and the two strolled around the village before returning to Zhen Ding County while it was still early.She kept Shu Jie'er for dinner.

Shu Jie'er didn’t stand on ceremony. After the meal, she went to pay her respects to Consort Cui and listened to her talk about farm work for a long while before taking her leave.

Su Xin came in to report, “We received a letter from Mr. Chen this afternoon.”

By mid-May, news of Duke Ding’s death had spread, shocking both the court and the public. Immediately afterward, memorials accusing him of crimes like “oppressing men and women” and “embezzling military funds” came flying in like snowflakes. Jiang Lansun and Jiang Songsun were escorted to the Capital at the fastest possible speed.

In her previous life, Jiang Lansun had died in Fujian alongside his elder brother Jiang Meisun. But in this life, though his legs and arms had been broken and he was barely clinging to life, he ultimately managed to return to the Capital. Meanwhile, Jiang Songsun, who had made it back to the Capital in her past life, died in Baoding Prefecture due to severe injuries.

It was said the Emperor was furious.

Yet Jiang Lansun and Jiang Bosun were still imprisoned in the Imperial prison.

Soon after, a letter arrived from Father. He scolded Dou Ming, warning that if she didn’t listen to her elder sister, she would be sent to learn discipline from Second Madam.

Dou Ming secretly cried for days before quietly writing to her maternal grandmother, Xu Shi, begging her to intercede with Father and allow her to return to the Capital.

By the end of May, Xu Shi replied, saying the family was busy preparing for Wang Xingyi’s departure and that Dou Ming should stay quietly in Zhen Ding for now. Once the family matters were settled, she would plead her case before Father.

Dou Ming wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

At the beginning of June, Wang Xingyi, the newly appointed governor of Yunnan, quelled two minor Miao rebellions and received praise from the Emperor.

Dou Ming perked up again, her steps noticeably lighter.

What a chaotic early summer it had been!

Dou Zhao sighed as she sat on the heated brick bed by the window in the inner chamber and opened Chen Qushui’s letter.

The Jiang Family had been stripped of their noble title. Males over five years old were exiled to Tieling Guard, while the women and boys under five were reduced to commoners. Apart from retaining their ancestral sacrificial land and ancestral home in their native place, all other properties were confiscated.

The letter ended with a small piece of news: Wei Tingyu had smoothly inherited the title and was now the newly appointed Marquis of Jining.

Dou Zhao paid little attention to this.

Her thoughts were on the Jiang Family.

Exiled to Tieling Guard!

That was Liao Wang’s fiefdom.

From everything that had happened in this life, the Jiang men had either been imprisoned or followed Jiang Meisun to Fujian. Left with no other options, the family’s advisers sought help from the highest-ranking figure they could—Madam Jiang, the Duchess of Yingguo—who indeed did everything in her power to assist the Jiang Family.

In her past life, the Jiang Family had been executed to the last man, Madam Jiang had soon fallen ill and died, and Song Mo had been driven from his home…

But in this life, the Jiang boys under five and the women had survived and could return to their hometown to recover. Madam Jiang likely wouldn’t fall ill and die so early, and Song Mo wouldn’t be cast out.

Yet now, without Song Mo, a Jiang Family had been sent in his place!

Was this fate?

Dou Zhao’s head throbbed with pain.

How many Jiang men had survived this calamity?

She tucked Chen Qushui’s letter into a black lacquered box in the bedside panel.

At least now, the child in Tan Family Village wasn’t the Jiang Family’s sole surviving heir.

Perhaps Song Mo’s wariness toward her would ease as well?

When would that Lu Ming leave? And when would Mr. Chen return?

By mid-June, the crops had been planted, and the fields were lush with thriving young corn.Lord Lu was greatly comforted and said he would petition the court to commend the Dou family for their merits.

Second Madam promptly instructed Dou Shiheng to make arrangements at the prefectural office.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao received Wei Tingyu’s wet nurse, Tian Shi, at home.

"...Regarding the previous incident, the Marquis feels deeply apologetic toward Miss Dou the Fourth," she said with a face full of remorse and an exceedingly respectful demeanor. "Our paternal aunt originally meant well but ended up making a mistake. The Marquis specifically asked me to convey his apologies on his behalf. Our Madam has also reprimanded our paternal aunt, and such a thing will never happen again. We sincerely hope Miss Dou the Fourth will not take it to heart and forgive our paternal aunt’s unintentional actions."

Dou Zhao was utterly astonished.

She had never expected Wei Tingyu to apologize on behalf of his sister!

What had happened in this lifetime to make Wei Tingyu so different from the person she knew in her previous life?

Baffled, Dou Zhao politely saw Tian Shi off, her mind swirling with unanswered questions.

Lu Ming came to request an audience.

Dou Zhao hoped he was there to bid farewell, but instead, he said, "Miss Dou the Fourth. Our young master is lodging at the farmstead and wishes to see you!"

Dou Zhao’s eyelid twitched.

What did he want to see her for?

Hadn’t she already pledged her loyalty?

Now that the Jiang Family had a chance to rise again, what did she have to do with it?

Dou Zhao smiled. "It’s inconvenient for me to go out to meet guests, but since your young master has come from afar, I shouldn’t slight him either. Here’s what we’ll do—I’ll have Su Xin meet your young master. If there’s anything, he can relay it to me through her."

Lu Ming stood there unmoving. "Please, Miss Dou the Fourth, go and see our young master! He originally intended to visit you in person but feared it might put you in an awkward position, which is why he quietly took lodging at the farmstead."

How could she have forgotten this?

Now that the Jiang Family’s affairs had been settled, the Song family remained entirely unaffected. If Song Mo were to visit openly, she truly wouldn’t know how to explain his origins to Second Madam. And given Song Mo’s temperament, he was entirely capable of doing just that...

"In that case, I’ll find an opportunity to meet your young master," Dou Zhao agreed with a smile.

But she made Song Mo wait for two days.

"My apologies for the long wait," she said as soon as she entered, offering an apology without a trace of guilt in her expression. "Family matters kept me occupied, and I couldn’t get away sooner."

"It’s no trouble!" Song Mo, dressed in a moon-white linen Taoist robe, stood with his hands behind his back on the veranda of the east wing. He gazed at her with a faint smile, his exhaustion barely concealed, yet it lent him an air of warmth absent during their first meeting, making him appear even more striking. "The farmstead is peaceful and quiet—it’s been a good place for me to rest these past few days." With that, he led Dou Zhao into the main hall.

A neat-looking page directed several burly men to carry in a large assortment of items from the east wing.

This time, he had brought a different group of people—none of whom Dou Zhao recognized.

"What is this?" she asked, puzzled, looking at Song Mo.

"My mother specifically instructed me to come and thank Miss Dou the Fourth," Song Mo replied with a serene smile, as gentle as moonlight. "If not for your invaluable assistance, the Jiang Family might not have even retained this much of their foundation!" He sighed, his expression tinged with sorrow.

Dou Zhao hadn’t expected Jiang Shi to send Song Mo to thank her.

But how could she dare claim such credit?"You flatter me, Young Master Mei," Dou Zhao quickly replied. "I merely followed the book and engaged in armchair strategizing. Without your mother's decisive actions, without the planning of your family's advisers," she impulsively decided to include the intimidating figure before her and added, "and without your assistance, how could the Jiang Family have escaped danger? Your mother is too kind, making me feel utterly ashamed."

Song Mo listened with a faint smile, his expression seeming to say, "Go ahead with your modesty—I won't believe a word of it."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but feel somewhat deflated.

Only then did Song Mo speak: "I should have come earlier. Mr. Chen must have already informed Miss Dou the Fourth about my maternal family's affairs—these past days I've been busy helping my grandmother and aunts pack their belongings. My uncles and cousins have been exiled to Tieling Guard, which falls under Liao Wang's domain. I once had some acquaintance with him, but as he left the capital long ago, reestablishing connections requires intermediaries. With all this chaotic busyness, I was delayed until now. These humble gifts are a token of my mother's gratitude—please accept them, Miss Dou the Fourth!"