Blossom

Dou Zhao stepped into her grandmother's Resting Chamber just as Ji Yong's clear, impassioned voice rang through the air: "...You see, this is what the Buddhist scriptures say, but how many people in those incense-laden monasteries actually practice it? Their minds are wholly occupied with how to amass wealth—how is that any different from worldly merchants? There's no need for you to donate so much incense money every year, only for them to pocket it with no conscience!"

Her grandmother seated in the Grand Preceptor's Chair and Hong Gu standing behind her stared at Ji Yong in stunned silence, their expressions somewhat dazed.

"Cousin Ji!" Dou Zhao quickly interrupted him. "When did you return? How is Sixth Aunt? And how are Eleventh Brother and Twelfth Brother? Have the two families settled on a wedding date yet?"

Ji Yong glanced at the sun outside and asked in surprise, "What were you doing in the prefecture? Why are you back so early?"

His non-answer seemed to relieve her grandmother and Hong Gu, with the former practically shouting as if rescued, "Shou Gu, you're finally back! Young Master Ji has been lecturing us on Buddhist teachings all day—he must be parched. Have some tea, then go see Second Madam together? Nanny Liu has come looking for you several times today—she must be growing impatient." Her tone was unmistakably eager to see him off.

What on earth was going on?

Dou Zhao turned to Hong Gu for explanation.

Hong Gu discreetly pointed at Ji Yong and whispered, "Young Master Ji wants to sit for next year's Spring Examination. He finds the Capital too noisy and Yixing too far, and having heard that Crane Longevity Hall has an exceptionally rich collection of books—among the finest in the entire Northern Zhili region—he asked Fifth Master if he could stay there temporarily. Seventh Master said the matter should be discussed with you. Second Madam sent Nanny Liu to summon you, but after several failed attempts to find you, Young Master Ji grew impatient and came himself. He's been waiting for you until now..."

Such favor toward Ji Yong?

Had Fifth Uncle decided to ally with the Ji family after joining the Grand Secretariat?

Ji Yong was cunning. If he set his mind on moving in, the more you resisted, the more determined he'd become—finding it all the more amusing to scheme his way in. She had neither the time nor energy to deal with him. Besides, if the elders had already agreed, her refusal would only offend everyone. Better to just let him move in.

"A fine sword suits a hero; rouge befits a beauty," Dou Zhao said with a smile. "Crane Longevity Hall has stood empty since Grandfather passed. It's rare that Cousin Ji has use for it. Father can decide—no need to consult me. I'll go inform Second Madam now, so she needn't worry about it further."

Ji Yong blinked but said nothing. After finishing his tea and thanking her grandmother, he walked side by side with Dou Zhao—who had changed clothes—out through the Hanging Flower Gate.

"I heard Mr. Chen went to the Capital to visit friends?" he suddenly remarked before she boarded her carriage. "Why didn't you write to Seventh Uncle? The Capital is densely populated, and he hasn't been there in years—having someone look after him would be wise."

"Mr. Chen said it was a private matter," Dou Zhao replied, smiling. "He didn't want to trouble Father or my uncles. I couldn't very well act on my own, could I?" With that, she stepped into the carriage.

Ji Yong raised an eyebrow.Second Madam was less consulting Dou Zhao and more informing her: "You grew up with your Sixth Aunt, as close as mother and daughter. Young Master Ji is your Sixth Aunt's nephew from her maiden family, making him your cousin. He is about to embark on his scholarly pursuits, and with such convenience at home, it makes no sense not to accommodate our own relatives. If you and your sisters feel it’s inconvenient, you could always move to Consort Cui’s side."

Since you elders have already decided, I certainly can’t raise any objections.

Dou Zhao muttered inwardly but smiled outwardly. "Crane Longevity Hall already has a side gate leading directly outside, so it’s not inconvenient at all. When would Cousin Ji like to move in? I’ll have the hall cleaned and prepared."

Second Madam was pleased with Dou Zhao’s attitude and glanced at Ji Yong, silently asking when he intended to move.

Ji Yong, ever the picture of propriety and humility in front of Second Madam, pondered before replying, "Perhaps I could move in today? That would spare the trouble of preparing a guest room here. Fortunately, I’ve brought a few servants with me, so Cousin needn’t worry about the cleaning—I’ll handle it."

Second Madam nodded with a smile. "Then it’s settled." She took Ji Yong’s hand and added, "If you lack anything, don’t hesitate to tell me."

Ji Yong kept his gaze respectfully forward. "You honor me too much, Madam. My aunt mentioned that Cousin manages the western household with impeccable order, so I doubt I’ll need to trouble you." His tone carried a hint of amusement by the end.

Second Madam blinked in surprise before chuckling. "Well, that’s thanks to your aunt’s excellent teaching."

Ji Yong smiled without further comment, and the attendants in the room followed suit with sycophantic laughter.

Dou Zhao also smiled faintly.

This Ji Yong—though he often caused minor uproars and seemed unreliable at times—never faltered when it truly mattered.

A sense of gratitude toward him welled up in her heart.

After leaving Second Madam’s quarters, she couldn’t help but ask, "Do you have a courtesy name yet?"

"Not for now," Ji Yong replied casually. "When I decide on one, you’ll be the first to know."

Is this man really Master Yuantong?

Dou Zhao was troubled, but there was no use rushing such matters, so she pushed the thought aside and made small talk. "Why the sudden decision to take next year’s Spring Examination? I thought the old master wanted you to gain more experience first."

He shrugged. "I realized becoming a Presented Scholar would be more convenient."

Dou Zhao burst into laughter. "What mischief are you planning now?"

Ji Yong’s eyes gleamed.

He had expected her to ask this—though he’d imagined her expression would be cold, her gaze mocking and disdainful. Yet, recalling the rustle of skirts and muffled giggles behind the beaded curtain when he accompanied Dou Zhengchang to his uncle’s house, seeing Dou Zhao’s bright, unguarded smile now inexplicably lifted his spirits like drifting clouds. "Tell me—do you think the He Shi Bi jade might have been buried with the First Emperor?"

Surely he doesn’t intend to dig up the First Emperor’s tomb?!

Dou Zhao was furious. "How could you even consider such a thing? Desecrating ancestral rites is a grave offense—"

"Why are you so angry?" Ji Yong looked even more taken aback. "I merely want to study the Qin calendar properly. How is that desecration or an offense?"Dou Zhao was speechless.

Ji Yong strode past her, yet the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl higher.

Dou Zhao sighed helplessly as Su Xin came to report, "Young Master Mei has quietly left the farmstead."

But that Lu Ming was still staying with the Dou family!

Dou Zhao remained silent. She instructed Su Xin to manage the trivial matters of Crane Longevity Hall and repeatedly warned her, "Make sure he doesn't tear down Crane Longevity Hall. We'd even end up helping him carry bricks and stones."

Su Xin looked skeptical, clearly doubting her words.

Dou Zhao sighed deeply.

Why was it that everyone she encountered turned out to be two-faced?

She ignored him, yet he came knocking.

"Hey, where exactly has that accountant of yours gone?" Ji Yong barged into the greenhouse, where Dou Zhao was watering the flowers, and demanded, "What did he tell you? Do you know the name of his friend?"

Dou Zhao lifted her eyelids to glance at him and coldly replied, "I don't know," before lowering her head again to continue watering.

Ji Yong frowned and snatched the watering can from her hands. "I actually can't find this person!"

Dou Zhao was inwardly startled.

Had Ji Yong discovered something?

Otherwise, why would he suddenly take such an interest in Mr. Chen?

Thinking of Ji Yong's uncanny intelligence, she grew flustered. To mask her unease, she pretended to be angry and snatched the watering can back, retorting dismissively, "Do you think the Capital is your home? That you can find anyone you want?" Her heart, however, was pounding.

Ji Yong took the can from her again, thought for a moment, and placed it out of her reach before looking at her seriously. "Do you know who that Chen Bo really is? Last time, I noticed how experienced he was in handling matters, so I had someone investigate him thoroughly. He used to be an adviser to Zhang Kai, the Fujian Provincial Governor. When the pirates besieged Fuzhou, Zhang Kai abandoned the city and fled. You can't trust someone who associates with such a treacherous man..."

Dou Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.

"I know he was once Zhang Kai's adviser," she said earnestly. "Back then, Zhang Kai held immense power. How could a mere adviser like Mr. Chen influence such life-and-death decisions? Mr. Chen has been deeply ashamed of this and chose to settle in the chaotic, mixed streets of Dongxiang. Should we condemn him forever for a single mistake?"

"If he truly repented, I wouldn't expose his past," Ji Yong said, his frown deepening. "The problem is, he told you he was visiting a friend in the Capital, but he's completely vanished..."

His words lifted a weight off Dou Zhao's heart.

Thankfully, Song Mo was meticulous. Otherwise, with Ji Yong's nature, if he had noticed anything unusual about Mr. Chen, he would have dug deeper out of curiosity... and that would have been disastrous!

She suddenly realized having someone like him around was a burden.

Su Lan rushed in with a letter and, upon seeing Ji Yong, immediately tensed, clearly wary of him.

What had he done this time?

Dou Zhao beckoned to Su Lan. "Whose letter is it?"

Su Lan hurriedly replied, "A letter from Mr. Chen. It's from the Capital."

Ji Yong was stunned and reached for the letter, but Dou Zhao snatched it first.

"This is addressed to me!" she warned him silently.

Ji Yong, however, remained unfazed and said nonchalantly, "I’m just trying to keep you from being deceived."Dou Zhao ignored him and returned to her room, instructing Su Lan to guard the door before unfolding the letter to read.

Song Mo had lifted the ban on Chen Qushui and had grown less wary of him. Whenever Chen Qushui asked the pages around him questions, they answered without hesitation, unlike before when they had remained tight-lipped. Through this, Chen Qushui discovered that the Jiang Family’s intelligence network in the Capital was actually controlled by Song Mo. He decided to use the excuse of visiting Dou Shiying and Dou Shiheng to extend his stay in the Capital, hoping to leverage Song Mo’s connections to gather some court intelligence before returning.

Wasn’t this like seeking a tiger’s hide?

Dou Zhao burned Mr. Chen’s letter and personally watched as Su Lan buried the ashes in the flowerbed before returning to her room to write a reply to Chen Qushui, urging him to return soon and not recklessly court danger.

She had never dared to underestimate Song Mo.