Blossom

Since he had decided to pursue an official career, all his previous weariness naturally had to be set aside. After registering at the Ministry of Personnel, he immediately went to pay respects to his examiner—Yang Sen, the Chief Examiner of this year's Metropolitan Examination and Vice Minister of Rites.

Yang Sen was from Songjiang and a close friend of Ji Yong's uncle, Ji Song. Long before Ji Yong had been holed up at home agonizing over whether to enter officialdom, Ji Song had personally visited Yang Sen to explain that Ji Yong had caught a chill and was bedridden, but would come to pay his respects to his mentor as soon as he recovered. Although Yang Sen had left for the Capital early in his career, Ji Yong was one of Jiangnan's most renowned prodigies, and Yang Sen had heard bits and pieces about him, including his frequent bouts of "illness." Thus, he didn't take it to heart and even sent some medicinal herbs as a courtesy, given the ties between the Ji and Yang families. So, his first words upon meeting Ji Yong were to ask if he had fully recovered.

Once Ji Yong resolved to do something, he would strive for perfection.

With tearful gratitude, he thanked Yang Sen and engaged him in discussions about agriculture, a topic Yang Sen was deeply interested in. Yang Sen suddenly felt that this student was not only erudite but also sincere in his words. Though there was still some youthful naivety, it was tempered with the vigor of youth, which endeared him greatly. When Ji Yong took his leave, Yang Sen, breaking his usual habit, escorted him outside the study and even urged him, "Come visit me whenever you have time."

Ji Yong bowed repeatedly in thanks before boarding his carriage.

Afterward, he hosted banquets for each of his fellow candidates.

Within a few days, he had become familiar with all the newly minted Presented Scholars of the year. By the time he took up his post at the Imperial Academy, he was practically greeted with shoulder pats and cries of "worthy nephew" all the way to the Dean of the Academy, much to the visible displeasure of Cai Guyuan, the top-ranked scholar who had also just taken office.

Ji Yong pretended not to notice, maintaining a humble and deferential demeanor in front of the Old Academicians, quickly earning a reputation for "modesty and prudence." This left Ji Song and Ji Qi utterly dumbfounded. Ji Qi even wiped sweat from his brow and asked, "What's happened to Jianming? It's like he's a completely different person!"

Ji Song, however, thought of Dou Zhao.

He summoned Zi Xi and asked, "Did Jianming reply to Fourth Miss Dou afterward?"

"He did," Zi Xi whispered. "The young master said Fourth Miss Dou's words made a lot of sense. He said that whether the Emperor chose him as the Tanhua because of his youth or his excellent essays, it was still due to his own talent and capability. There was no need to obsess over which 'flower' he was!"

Ji Song nodded inwardly in agreement and instructed, "From now on, pay close attention to Jianming's interactions with Fourth Miss Dou."

In other words, he was to be a spy!

Zi Xi grumbled inwardly but didn't dare show the slightest displeasure, quickly agreeing.

Just then, a letter from Old Master Ji arrived.

Ji Song handed the letter to Ji Qi and said with a wry smile, "He tells us not to make a fuss. Although Jianming enjoys novelty, once he commits to something, he never abandons it halfway. Now that he's entered officialdom, he won't just drop everything and wander off. He and Fourth Miss Dou are in the Capital and Zhen Ding respectively. Over time, their connection will fade, so we just need to keep a quiet eye on things. As for Jianming's marriage, the old master has his own plans."

Ji Qi had already skimmed the letter and sighed, "I suppose that's all we can do!" His tone was noticeably dejected.Ji Song thought about how Ji Yong had seemed like a different person these days. Feeling uneasy, he discussed it with Ji Qi and wrote a letter to Old Master Ji. He also had someone keep an eye on Ji Yong’s whereabouts. When he learned that Dou Qijun had come to bid farewell to Ji Yong, but Ji Yong couldn’t fulfill his earlier promise to return to Zhen Ding with him due to his new position at the Imperial Academy, Ji Song finally let out a long sigh of relief. He remarked to Ji Qi, “The older ginger is indeed spicier. No wonder only Grandfather can keep Jianming in check.”

Ji Qi nodded repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Ji Yong wrote a letter to Dou Zhao to complain: “…I originally planned to visit you for fun, but now I can’t go. Who knows when this will end?”

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh and replied, “I’ve heard the higher the official rank, the harder it is to retire. You’d better find something fun to do, or you’ll really die of boredom.”

Ji Yong quickly wrote back: “While the Imperial Academy has many who just occupy positions idly, there are also those with genuine talent. Recently, I’ve been learning to craft ancient zithers under Du Jianian. I’ll send you one someday.”

Du Jianian, also known as Du Lun, was a master zither-maker of the court, renowned for his craftsmanship. As a former member of the Imperial Academy, his zithers were priceless.

Dou Zhao replied, “Why not just get me one made by Du Jianian himself?”

Ji Yong flew into a rage: “You’ll regret your arrogance today!”

Yet, within days, Ji Yong sent her an ancient zither crafted by Du Jianian from the Capital, inscribed with the mark “Sanglin” at the tail.

Dou Zhao adored it and invited a renowned musician from Jiangnan to teach her how to play.

Ji Yong also sent her several ancient zither scores.

Their correspondence continued, and soon autumn arrived.

Xu Qing, who had been recuperating at the farmstead, requested an audience: “Young Lord is staying at the Gaosheng Inn by the east city gate and wishes to visit you, Miss. May I ask when it would be convenient?”

Dou Zhao was startled and exclaimed, “What happened?”

The incident involving the false accusations against Song Mo had passed over half a year ago. Logically, Song Mo should still be locked in a fierce struggle with Song Yichun—why would he come to see her?

Xu Qing was taken aback by the alarm in Dou Zhao’s expression.

He hurriedly explained, “Nothing’s wrong! Young Lord has now firmly taken control of the situation. He came specifically to thank you. The reason he didn’t come earlier was to avoid implicating you if Duke Yingguo discovered your involvement…”

Dou Zhao sighed in relief. “As long as your Young Lord is safe and sound, that’s all that matters. Please tell him thanks are unnecessary—we merely happened to be involved at the right time. As an inner court lady, it’s truly inconvenient for me to receive guests. I appreciate his kindness.” She added, “But since he’s come as a guest, I’ll inform Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng to host him on my behalf.”

Xu Qing’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Dou Zhao.

Young Lord had come to express his gratitude—only to be turned away at the door!He couldn't help but say, "Fourth Miss, you might not know this, but the Young Lord previously insisted on attending Madam's funeral procession despite his injuries. His wounds kept reopening, and the Imperial Physician said if he continued like this, not even the greatest immortal could heal him. Now that the situation has finally stabilized, everyone thought the Young Lord would rest properly at home. Instead, he made an excuse about needing rainwater to brew medicine and made a grand show of moving to the farmstead in Daxing. Whether he recuperates at the Hall of Cultivating Will or the farmstead, we only wish for his injuries to heal quickly... Who would have guessed his real intention was to personally visit and thank you... Yet you refuse to see him. How heartbroken the Young Lord must feel..." His eyes reddened as he suddenly knelt before Dou Zhao with a thud. "Fourth Miss, I beg you. Please go see the Young Lord!" Then he began kowtowing to her with loud thumps.

"Get up quickly!" Dou Zhao was flustered.

Su Xin hurried forward to help Xu Qing up.

But she was no match for him.

Xu Qing continued kowtowing to Dou Zhao with resounding thuds, clearly determined not to rise unless she agreed.

Dou Zhao found the situation both exasperating and amusing.

Yet she truly had no intention of receiving Song Mo's gratitude.

Everything she'd done was simply to settle accounts between them.

Instead, matters had developed in the opposite direction...

Respecting Xu Qing's loyalty, Dou Zhao gave Su Xin a meaningful glance and retreated to her inner chambers.

From the hall came the sounds of Su Xin's attempts to persuade Xu Qing and the dull thumps of his continued kowtowing.

As the hourglass marked the passage of a full hour, the rhythmic pounding of Xu Qing's forehead against the floor continued to strike Dou Zhao's conscience like drumbeats.

She couldn't bear it any longer.

Su Xin entered to report, "Fourth Miss, this won't do—Xu Qing's forehead is covered in blood..." Her face had gone pale.

With a bitter smile, Dou Zhao returned to the hall and asked sternly, "Are you forcing me like this on your Young Lord's orders?"

Perhaps fearing his bloody forehead would frighten her, Xu Qing kept his head lowered as he mumbled, "This servant wouldn't dare. I only thought of the Young Lord's sincere intentions and couldn't bear to see them wasted." He began kowtowing again. "Please grant this request, Miss!"

Su Xin turned away, unable to watch Xu Qing's condition.

Dou Zhao sighed.

Xu Qing was only following orders—why make things difficult for him?

"Tell your Young Lord we'll meet tomorrow at the farmstead," she said coolly. "But this is the only time. Don't let it happen again."

"Fourth Miss!" Xu Qing exclaimed in shocked delight. "This servant would never dare..." Before he could finish, he swayed and collapsed to the floor.

"Honestly!" Dou Zhao stamped her foot and went to see Consort Cui, leaving Xu Qing in Su Xin's care.

When her grandmother learned Dou Zhao planned to visit the farmstead to see Mr. Chen, she asked with a smile, "How's your stationery shop doing?"

"It covers expenses," Dou Zhao replied. "This trip is to discuss with Mr. Chen whether we might find ways to make the shop profitable."

Her grandmother nodded, then inquired about Tian Fugui, who had gifted Dou Zhao the golden pheasant at her coming-of-age ceremony: "Cui Shisan took him on—has he caused you any trouble?"

The old lady believed that since Cui Shisan had recruited him, any problems would be entirely Cui Shisan's responsibility.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but smile.This Tian Fugui really has a knack for business. He got the hang of it within just a few days in the Capital, even outperforming Cui Shisan.

"Don’t worry. Cui Shisan’s recommendation couldn’t be wrong."

"That’s good to hear!" Grandmother was very pleased and personally saw Dou Zhao off the next day.

On a clear autumn day, the sky was cloudless, serene and crisp.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

The carriage was stopped at the bend leading into the village.

"Fourth Miss," Chen He, whom she had met before, clasped his hands in greeting. "The Young Lord is waiting for you by the river behind the back mountain."

That was the place where she and her father used to fish.

There was a small path leading to the back mountain, but it wasn’t suitable for carriages.

The path was short—just around the hill—so Dou Zhao, supported by Su Xin, stepped down from the carriage. A sedan chair stood nearby.

Chen Tao stepped forward and lifted the curtain.

Dou Zhao boarded the sedan.

The chair swayed gently as it made its way up the narrow path.

The usually deserted woods now seemed to bristle with an almost imperceptible tension every few steps, faintly blocking the way to the back mountain.

Walking along the familiar path, Dou Zhao felt as though she were treading the edge of a cliff.