Blossom

A few days later, the first snow of winter arrived in the Capital.

Four hundred li away in Zhen Ding, fierce winds howled and heavy snow swirled.

Several days prior, the steward from the farmstead had delivered New Year goods, presenting two pieces of sable fur as tribute. There wasn’t quite enough to make a sleeveless jacket, and it would be a shame to use it merely for trimming a skirt. After much deliberation, Dou Zhao decided to fashion a wind collar for her grandmother and a cloud-patterned autumn fragrance Zhaojun set, perfect for the New Year celebrations.

The weather was bitterly cold, and with little else to do, Gan Lu and the others accompanied Dou Zhao as she sat by the window on the heated kang in the inner chamber, working on her needlework.

Su Xin entered quietly on tiptoe.

“Miss,” she said, blinking playfully at Dou Zhao with a smile, “the accounts from the farmstead delivered the other day seem a bit off.”

Hearing this, Gan Lu and the others immediately withdrew.

Only then did Su Xin pull a letter from her sleeve. “Miss, it’s from Mr. Chen. He sent someone to deliver it.”

Dou Zhao accepted the letter with visible tension.

Nearly ten days had passed since the incident, yet there had been no news from the Capital. Though she appeared outwardly composed, her mind had been preoccupied, often tossing and turning sleeplessly at night.

After swiftly scanning the letter, Dou Zhao exhaled a long sigh of relief.

Su Xin, who had been anxiously watching her, relaxed as well and broke into a delighted smile. “Miss, does this mean Guardian Duan and the others are all safe?”

Dou Zhao nodded and motioned for Su Xin to light the ram horn palace lantern nearby. As she burned the letter, she whispered, “Young Master Mei’s position is now secure. He presided over Madam Jiang’s memorial rites on the twenty-first day after her passing. Mr. Chen and Guardian Duan will return in a few days!”

Even someone as composed as Su Xin couldn’t contain her joy upon hearing that Chen Qushui and the others would soon be back. “That’s wonderful, truly wonderful!”

Seeing her excitement, Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh. “Go inform Lu Ming so they won’t worry.”

Su Xin hurried off, overjoyed.

Dou Zhao, however, stared blankly at the ashes of the burned letter.

Song Mo was indeed not one to submit meekly to adversity.

Even when his own father sought to frame him, he would rise in resistance.

Her decision to send Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng to rescue Song Mo under cover of night had been a risky one.

Yet, the thought of Song Mo’s tragic fate in her past life made it impossible for her to stand by and let history repeat itself.

Still, why the Duke of Yingguo would conspire against his own eldest son remained a mystery to Dou Zhao, both in her past life and now.

In her past life, the Jiang Family had been exterminated, and Jiang Shi, bedridden with illness, soon passed away. Having just lost his maternal uncle and then his mother, Song Mo must have been emotionally and physically exhausted, likely harboring deep resentment. In such a state, he would have had neither the capacity nor the will to pay attention to his surroundings, allowing the Duke of Yingguo to methodically set his trap—beginning with the censors’ impeachment.

This time, however, though Jiang Meisun and others had perished, Madam Mei and the women and children survived. To protect the remaining Jiang clan, Song Mo did not succumb to despair over their deaths. Instead, he immersed himself more actively in the Capital’s aristocratic circles. He even deliberately lost the riding and archery competition during the Autumn Hunt to test the Emperor’s intentions, reaffirming his standing in the Emperor’s eyes.Song Mo, with his notorious reputation, was like a hot potato for the Duke of Yingguo, who ultimately chose to strike suddenly the moment Song Mo returned from mourning... The warning given and the Duke's helplessness had provided Song Mo with a slim chance of survival.

Sometimes, status could also be a shackle.

After this narrow escape, she hoped that he, having retained his position as the Young Lord, would not descend into the same madness as in his previous life.

Dou Zhao sighed deeply.

At dusk, Lu Ming came to bid her farewell.

Without a word, he first knelt and kowtowed three times to Dou Zhao. "Fourth Miss, your great kindness and virtue will not be forgotten, not just by the Young Lord, but by all of us!" Then he continued, "The Young Lord is injured and needs care and support, but we are short-handed. Master Yan and I have discussed it and decided to rush back to the Capital tonight. Xu Qing's injuries are too severe, so I must trouble you to let him recuperate at the farmstead for a few more days."

Lu Ming had been at the Dou family for nearly half a year and had always treated Dou Zhao with respect, but never like this—respect tinged with deference, showing genuine sincerity.

Perhaps it was because she had saved Song Mo.

"Please rise and speak," Dou Zhao mused. "There are no outsiders at the farmstead, so you can rest assured about Xu Qing's recovery there." She then instructed Su Xin to give him fifty taels of silver as Travel Expenses. "Be careful on your journey. My people haven't returned yet, so I can't escort you back to the Capital."

Lu Ming didn't decline and tucked the silver note into his robe. "It's only a five or six-day journey from here to the Capital. Since the situation has stabilized, the Duke likely has no time to bother with us now. We should be able to reach safely."

Dou Zhao thought the same and, after a few more words of caution, saw him off with a cup of tea.

Gan Lu came in to report, "Miss, Gaoxing (Happy) is back!"

A month ago, Gaosheng had been sent by Dou Shiying to bring Dou Ming back to the Capital.

Dou Zhao had dispatched Gaoxing to accompany them.

She met Gaoxing in the hall.

"Miss, the journey went smoothly," Gaoxing said, his clothes still damp from melted snowflakes, clearly having come straight to see Dou Zhao without stopping at home. "Seventh Master even called me in to ask many questions about you." He grinned broadly, clearly pleased that Dou Shiying cared so much for his eldest daughter. "He sent back many Capital specialties, saying they were for you to celebrate the New Year."

Dou Zhao thanked him for his efforts and had Su Xin inventory the items. She then inquired about her father's health.

"Seventh Master is doing well," Gaoxing replied cheerfully. "On his days off, he often visits temples to discuss Buddhist teachings with the monks. Everyone praises his profound understanding of Buddhism, and we even benefit from it." As he spoke, he pulled a Peace Talisman from the scented sachet at his waist. "When I visited the Great Xiangguo Temple, the monk Fude, knowing I was from the Dou family's North House under Seventh Master, specially gave me this talisman blessed by the abbot!"

Dou Zhao was taken aback, then burst into laughter.Back in the day, Abbot Fude of the Great Xiangguo Temple and Master Yuantong of the Great Longshan National Protection Temple were the two most renowned Zen masters in the Capital. One could talk the dead back to life, while the other could talk the living to death; one was dignified in appearance, the other outstanding in demeanor. Every year during the Ghost Festival ceremonies, the fronts of both temples would be packed with women coming to listen to Buddhist teachings. It was said that when the monks collecting incense money and oil donations carried out the merit boxes, copper coins would rain down like falling leaves.

Now, the future abbot of Great Xiangguo Temple was still serving as a guest-prefect but had already learned to curry favor with the servants of Grand Secretary Dou's relatives. If Ji Yong was that future Master Yuantong of Great Longshan National Protection Temple... He was currently staying at the Dou family's Crane Longevity Hall, preparing for next year's Spring Examination...

Were those destined to meet often already crossing paths unknowingly?

The more Dou Zhao thought about it, the more convinced she became that Ji Yong was most likely that Master Yuantong.

But what exactly had Ji Yong been doing these days?

Since that day when he stormed off in anger, she had ignored him, and he hadn't appeared before her again.

Dou Zhao was hesitating whether to go see Ji Yong when Gan Lu's voice suddenly came from outside: "Young Master Ji..." Before she could finish, it turned into alarm, "What are you trying to do—"

The warm curtain swayed as Ji Yong barged in unceremoniously.

He wore only a dark blue brocade robe, with snowflakes still clinging to his hair and shoulders. Had his expression not been unusually solemn, she might have frowned and scolded him loudly.

"Young Mistress!" Gan Lu, who had followed closely behind Ji Yong, looked at Dou Zhao with grievance.

Dou Zhao gestured for her to go prepare tea, then calmly pointed to the Grand Preceptor's Chair beside her and said, "Cousin Ji, please have a seat!"

Ji Yong seemed completely unaware of any impropriety. He nodded but didn't sit down, standing straight with an indifferent air as he declared, "I've decided. I'll depart for the Capital tomorrow. I'll rent a residence near Shuntian Prefecture School to study in seclusion and take next year's Spring Examination."

His aggressive entrance had caught Dou Zhao off guard—she hadn't expected him to come announce his acceptance of her advice. It took her a moment to recover.

"That's wonderful!" she said with normal composure. "I'll take this opportunity to wish Cousin Ji success in achieving your aspirations and being proclaimed at the Golden Palace!" Though inwardly, she wanted to laugh.

This Ji Yong—even when admitting a mistake, he had to do it with an air of condescension.

Seeing her response, Ji Yong nodded with great satisfaction.

Dou Zhao turned her face away and gave a light cough, suppressing the laughter that threatened to escape.

Gan Lu came running in.

"Young Mistress, Young Mistress, Mr. Chen has returned!"

"Ah!" Joy lit up Dou Zhao's face. She hastily said to Ji Yong, "Please wait here a moment," before going out to greet them.

Passing through the snow-covered Covered Corridors, she saw Chen Qushui and others in dark robes approaching gradually.

Tears glistened in the corners of Dou Zhao's eyes.

"Young Mistress!" The group stopped under the Veranda. Chen Qushui gazed at Dou Zhao with emotion, bowing deeply in salute.

"Mr. Chen," Dou Zhao said with a smile, "You've finally returned!" She then carefully examined Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng standing behind Chen Qushui as they paid their respects. Seeing both men glowing with health, she nodded with a beaming face. "Safe and sound is what matters!" Then she invited them, "Come inside to talk!"The joy of reunion brought smiles to everyone's faces.

As the group was about to escort Dou Zhao into the house, the warm curtain was lifted, and Ji Yong stepped out.

Mr. Chen and the others were somewhat surprised.

Ji Yong, however, narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze landing on Chen Qushui like a blade.

"Mr. Chen?" He raised an eyebrow. "I heard you went to the Capital to visit a friend. I wonder where your esteemed friend resides? How could you go to the Capital without paying a visit to Seventh Master Dou? Truly, the dragon is seen but never its tail!" His tone carried a hint of mockery.

Chen Qushui was unaware that Ji Yong had been investigating him.

In the past, he would have been displeased. But after experiencing the events at the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion, he suddenly felt these were trivial matters compared to what Song Mo had endured.

"My friend lives in Daxing," he replied calmly with a smile. "I habitually refer to it as the Capital. It seems I’ve caused Young Master Ji some misunderstanding. As for Seventh Master, I did visit, but I simply didn’t encounter you there." His words were concise, not a syllable more than necessary.

Ji Yong found Chen Qushui even more suspicious, but seeing Dou Zhao’s excited expression, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

"In that case, I shall take my leave!"

Flicking his sleeves, he strode out of the main chamber of Western Dou.

From outside came Zi Shang’s panting voice: "Young Master, Young Master, won’t you at least put on a cloak?"

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile as she entered the house with Mr. Chen and the others.

After Gan Lu and the others served tea, they quietly withdrew.

Mr. Chen began recounting his experiences during his time in the Capital.