Blossom

Accept with a smile?

Of course, Dou Zhao would accept with a smile.

If she didn’t, and Song Mo misunderstood her as being ungrateful, thus keeping her in mind, she felt she wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully.

"Obedience is better than politeness," she said cheerfully, rising to curtsy towards Song Mo. "Please convey my gratitude to your mother on my behalf!"

"Miss Dou the Fourth, there’s no need for such courtesy," Song Mo replied with a smile, his jade-like face appearing even more radiant in the dimly lit hall.

No wonder so many people enjoyed looking at him!

Dou Zhao mused silently, watching with a smile as Song Mo’s attendants carried gifts in and out.

Just how many "modest gifts" had he brought?

Seeing the mountain of gift boxes piling up, Dou Zhao felt a headache coming on.

But she had resolved not to exchange more than necessary words with Song Mo—fewer words meant fewer mistakes. Who knew which phrase might inadvertently provoke him? She saw no need to rack her brains guessing Song Mo’s reactions. After all, one was in the Capital, the other in Zhen Ding. Once this matter settled, they would have no further connection.

Dou Zhao sat there calmly sipping her tea.

Though Song Mo considered glancing at someone from the corner of his eye cowardly and impolite, he couldn’t help but steal a glance at Dou Zhao.

It was rare to see someone so composed in his presence!

He recalled that rainy day.

Her dazzling eyes, her confident smile brimming with assurance...

How had she managed it?

He had been tutored by renowned masters since childhood, which was why he could remain calmer and more self-possessed than most.

She was only a year or two older than him, raised in the inner chambers, never having left Zhen Ding County... And then there was the matter with his uncle—how had she thought to tarnish her own reputation? Not even his grandmother, mother, or even his father and the family’s advisers could be certain which strategy would work...

Suddenly, Song Mo felt an overwhelming curiosity about the girl before him.

Who had she studied under?

Was Chen Qushui truly just her accountant?

And her father and stepmother were in the Capital, yet her half-sister lived with her in Zhen Ding. Was her stepmother truly unable to manage the household due to poor health, as claimed, hence entrusting her and her sister to the care of Second Madam of Dong Dou?

She seemed shrouded in many mysteries!

He was eager to uncover everything about her.

Unable to resist, Song Mo said, "When I came, my grandmother—Madam Mei—asked me to thank you on her behalf for saving the women of the Jiang Family."

Dou Zhao was taken aback.

She had guessed Song Mo would speak to his mother about this, but she hadn’t expected Jiang Shi to inform Madam Mei.

Watching her reaction, Song Mo inexplicably felt happy, as if he had answered his tutor’s question correctly and earned his mother’s praise.He smiled and said, "Mother was very pleased to see your plan work. She told my grandmother that she had discovered a female Zhuge Liang. It's just a pity the timing wasn't right, otherwise she would have offered you a toast—it would have made for a fine tale." As he spoke, his smile gradually faded. "When I came, my grandmother also asked me to pass on a message to you. She said she ought to thank you properly, but she is an unfortunate woman. Afraid of dragging you down, she didn’t want to trouble you further." His expression turned bitter. "You might not even realize what you’ve done... The moment my grandmother heard about my eldest uncle’s death, she had poison prepared—if the women of the family were exiled, they would either become courtesans or military prostitutes, unable to live or die freely. And those people would shout about whose family these women were to attract customers. The lower their status, the more they reveled in it..." At this point, he couldn’t continue, his voice choking up again.

Had they ever imagined their entire family would be executed?

After Liao Wang ascended the throne, several once-prominent noble families were exterminated.

Such things hadn’t happened since the time of the founding emperor.

Nearly the entire Capital had turned out to watch the spectacle.

She had heard the servants talk about it.

The crowd was so large that the executioners’ blades grew dull from overuse, their arms exhausted. Sometimes it took several strikes to behead someone. The victims were reduced to bloody pulp, and those waiting their turn—watching their young daughters or even pregnant daughters-in-law die so miserably—were driven to madness. Some would kowtow endlessly to the executioners, even offering to expose their own fathers and brothers’ crimes, begging only for a quick death. All the worst of human nature was laid bare—dignity was lost, and even basic morality vanished.

If she were Madam Mei, she too would lead the women of the family to take their own lives.

"Stop talking!" A suffocating weight pressed against Dou Zhao’s chest as she glared at Song Mo. "Why are you telling me this? I don’t want to hear it!"

Indeed.

Why was he telling her this?

She was still an unmarried young lady!

Song Mo was momentarily startled.

Perhaps it was because he, too, had a knot in his heart.

While busy helping his grandmother, aunt, and cousins pack their belongings, he hadn’t felt it. But once idle, the emotions surged uncontrollably.

Seeing Dou Zhao’s disdainful expression, he suddenly found the way she glared at him strikingly beautiful.

Her large eyes were bright and spirited, her slender brows slightly furrowed in unmistakable impatience.

Yes, impatience.

Not fear, not horror, not suspicion—just as she had said, she disliked hearing these things and was impatient with them.

Frank, straightforward, utterly unafraid... That was why, even in such dire circumstances, she could remain calm and rational, devising flawless strategies that left him no choice but to surrender.

Had he, deep down, always known she was someone he couldn’t intimidate?

Song Mo’s gaze toward Dou Zhao grew peculiar.

Dou Zhao’s heart began to pound.

Why was he looking at her like that?

Had he discovered something?

Or had he thought of something related to her?

Whatever it was, she truly wanted no further entanglement with him.

Dou Zhao asked him, "Have you eaten lunch yet?"

Song Mo was taken aback.

The change of subject was abrupt and awkward.He couldn't help but glance up at the sun outside.

It seemed there was still over half a shichen until noon.

Considering it was Dou Zhao speaking to him, he didn't find the question foolish at all, so he replied tactfully, "The meals at the farmstead are all quite delicious!"

Whether they were delicious or not wasn't the point—she simply didn't want to stay and listen to him talk more about the Jiang Family.

The more she knew, the harder it would be to extricate herself.

Dou Zhao stood up with a smile. "Young Master Mei is an honored guest, and it's rare for you to visit. While Zhen Ding can't compare to the Capital in terms of abundant produce, the ingredients at the farmstead are fresh. I'll go tell the kitchen to prepare some seasonal dishes for you to try." This would also be a good opportunity to ask when the hostage exchange would take place. "If only Mr. Chen were here," she sighed. "He could keep you company with conversation or a game of chess, so you wouldn't be bored alone."

Whether Song Mo didn't understand her hint or simply had no intention of releasing Chen Qushui, his eyes flickered slightly as he smiled and said, "No need to worry. The scenery here is beautiful—everywhere you look is like a painting. There's plenty to admire."

Truly worthy of being a powerful minister who would enjoy imperial favor for twenty years.

From the main hall, one could see two tall ginkgo trees planted in the courtyard, one on each side, with nothing else in between.

And this was called "beautiful scenery"?

This was what they called lying through one's teeth!

Dou Zhao silently grumbled but kept her expression neutral, exchanging a few polite words before heading to the kitchen.

She lingered there until it was nearly time for lunch before returning to the hall.

One corner of the hall was piled with Song Mo's "modest gifts," while he stood by the qin table near the window in the study, amusing himself with a tank of goldfish placed there.

"You're back!" He clapped his hands and sat down in the Grand Preceptor's Chair in front of the qin table, looking as relaxed and comfortable as if he were in his own home.

How arrogant!

Dou Zhao muttered inwardly but greeted him with a smile. "Lunch is ready."

Song Mo gave an "Oh."

Gan Lu brought in water for him to wash his hands, while Su Juan set out the chopsticks.

He glanced at Gan Lu and Su Juan and asked Dou Zhao, "What was the name of that maid who took the child from Yu Jian last time?"

"Su Lan," Dou Zhao replied, itching to ask whether all the needles had been removed from that Yu Jian fellow.

Song Mo nodded and sat at the table. Noticing only one set of bowls and chopsticks, he asked curiously, "Aren't you having lunch?"

Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?

Dou Zhao smiled. "I'll eat in the kitchen!" The implication was that it wouldn't be proper for them to dine together.

Song Mo chuckled. "No need for such formalities, is there?"

Dou Zhao insisted.

Song Mo said nothing more. Noticing a soup with a vibrant green color, he scooped a spoonful.

But as soon as the soup touched his lips, a strange taste made him frown. "What is this?"

"It's yellow okra soup," Dou Zhao replied with a smile. "A wild vegetable from the hills near the farmstead. It clears heat and detoxifies, good for treating ulcers and boils. The weather's hot, and you've traveled all the way from the Capital. Eating this will be good for your health."

Song Mo nodded and drank the soup spoon by spoon, obedient as a child.

Dou Zhao was taken aback.

She had originally meant to mess with him...

Dou Zhao fled in embarrassment, having her lunch in the small side room near the kitchen. After drinking tea and calming her nerves, she finally returned to the hall.

Song Mo sat with a cup of tea at hand, staring absentmindedly at the ginkgo trees outside the window.

Hearing her approach, he looked up and smiled. "Why are there two ginkgo trees planted in the courtyard?"Dou Zhao's gaze followed his line of sight.

"I don't know either," she said with a smile. "These two ginkgo trees were already here when I first came to the farmstead. I wonder who planted them?"

"Our family has many such inexplicable things too," Song Mo said lightly, appearing ready for a long chat with Dou Zhao. "There's a small hill in our garden called Emerald Cloud Ridge. Not far from it stands a rockery made of Taihu Rocks, covered with various vines—it's called Green Canopy. Strangely enough, someone built a section of city wall between Emerald Cloud Ridge and Green Canopy, named 'Elm Pass.' It looks quite odd. I have no idea which ancestor of ours got the whim to do that."

"Is that so?" Dou Zhao responded perfunctorily.

Song Mo fixed his gaze on her.

His tranquil eyes were as still as an ancient well that had stood for centuries.

A chill ran through Dou Zhao's heart. Forcing a smile, she asked, "What's wrong?"

After a moment of silence, Song Mo said, "Are you afraid of me?"

Instinctively, Dou Zhao wanted to say "no," but she immediately realized this was a good opportunity to draw a clear line with Song Mo. After a brief pause, she answered frankly, "Yes. I am a little afraid of you."

"Is it because I wanted to kill you?"

No.

It's because you personally killed your father and your younger brother.

But now, none of that had happened yet—she couldn't use it as evidence.

"Yes," she could only reply.

Song Mo lowered his eyelids, his voice sounding somewhat subdued. "I'm sorry," he said with genuine sincerity. "If that's the case, I owe you an apology." He raised his gaze, his expression solemn and earnest. "I sincerely apologize to you."