Blossom

Wuyi told him, "Madam Mei has passed away!"

Gu Yu was shocked and dismayed. "How could Madam Mei have passed away? There wasn't even a whisper of it before." In his memory, Madam Mei had always been hale and hearty—how could she have left just like that? He recalled when he had followed Song Mo to the Jiang Family, and Madam Mei had made mung bean cakes to treat them. He and Xiexiu had roughhoused while Madam Mei simply sat on the veranda, watching them with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with kindness. It was as if he had returned to the days when his own mother was still alive, carefree as a child... That warmth and comfort were something he could never forget in his lifetime.

Tears sprang to his eyes without warning.

"How could this happen? How?" Gu Yu choked out, his vision blurred by tears. "Why didn’t Tianen tell me? Otherwise, I would have rushed back no matter what..." His heart was full of regret as he asked Wuyi, "When did Madam Mei pass? How many days has Tianen been gone?"

His emotions affected Wuyi as well.

Tears instantly welled up in Wuyi’s eyes as he sobbed, "After Third Master Jiang left, Madam Mei hadn’t been feeling well. But she hid it to avoid worrying our Young Lord and Second Master. Shi An was in the outer courtyard and knew nothing. If not for our Young Lord growing concerned and sending Master Yan with some medicinal herbs and tonics to check on her, we might not have even known she had been bedridden for days... Madam Mei only had time to tell Master Yan to take good care of the Young Lord before she passed..."

Gu Yu could hardly bear the grief.

Hurried footsteps sounded from outside.

"Has my elder brother not returned from Haozhou yet?"

The childish voice was thick with deep worry.

It was Song Han.

Gu Yu was taken aback and couldn’t help but ask, "Why didn’t Tianen go to Haozhou?"

Wuyi lowered his head and muttered, "The Duke said the journey was too long, and Second Master still had much studying to do. The Young Lord representing the Duke of England's Mansion was enough."

Gu Yu flew into a rage. "Madam Mei was Tianen and Tianen’s maternal grandmother! How could the Duke be so heartless? Just because their mother is gone, does that mean the blood ties are severed too?"

The Duke of England’s actions were too callous.

No sooner had he spoken than Song Han shuffled in, sniffling.

"Brother Gu," he said, noticing Gu Yu’s reddened eyes, "are you here to see my elder brother too?"

His ink-dark eyes were wide with fear, like a startled fawn’s.

Gu Yu’s heart softened, and he couldn’t bring himself to blame Song Han. He nodded and said, "I just returned from the south... I didn’t expect Madam Mei to have passed."

Tears fell from Song Han’s eyes like rain. "I don’t know when elder brother will return... I couldn’t even see Grandmother one last time... I miss Mother..."

Gu Yu’s own eyes grew moist as he clumsily comforted Song Han. "It’s alright, it’s alright. Tianen will be back soon. Madam Mei knew you had a lot of studying to do—she wouldn’t blame you..."

Song Han began to sob loudly.

A guard entered with a respectful demeanor, half-pleading and half-resigned as he whispered to Song Han, "Second Master, the Duke is looking everywhere for you. You should hurry back to the upper courtyard with me! Otherwise, if the Duke scolds you, this humble servant will have a hard time explaining..."

Song Han wiped his eyes.

But Gu Yu leaped up and slapped the guard across the face, cursing, "Who the hell gave you the right to speak here?"The guard was named Li Dasheng. The reason Song Yichun had assigned him to Song Han was not only because of his unwavering loyalty but also due to his exceptional martial skills and resourcefulness. Although he hadn’t anticipated Gu Yu’s sudden attack, Gu Yu had merely practiced boxing for a few years under a master—his movements were just slightly more agile than an average person’s. Compared to Li Dasheng, who had trained in martial arts since childhood, Gu Yu was far inferior. With Li Dasheng’s skills, dodging Gu Yu should have been effortless. However, Gu Yu’s strike was a meticulously trained technique—his fan never missed its mark. To Li Dasheng’s shock, the blow landed squarely on him.

He stared at Gu Yu in disbelief.

Gu Yu had already retreated several steps, waving his hand. Two attendants accompanying him lunged at Li Dasheng like lightning, their fists striking with a sound akin to tearing fabric.

Li Dasheng’s expression darkened as he recalled the rumors that Gu Yu was always guarded by two peerless experts bestowed by the Empress herself…

While hastily retreating, he called out to Song Han for help, addressing him as “Second Master,” but dared not retaliate with full force—the Duke of Yingguo had previously warned against provoking those from the Hall of Cultivating Will.

Gu Yu, however, didn’t even glance at Song Han, his cold gaze fixed on his two attendants.

Understanding his intent, the attendants mercilessly rained blows upon Li Dasheng…

Song Han’s eyes darkened, his lips parting as if to speak, yet no words came.

Li Dasheng was already outmatched by Gu Yu’s guards, and his hesitation cost him the initiative. Within a few exchanges, he was beaten to the ground by Gu Yu’s men.

Still unsatisfied, Gu Yu shouted arrogantly, “Who do you think you are? How dare you point at my face and speak to me like that? Beat him harder! If he dies, I’ll take responsibility.”

The two attendants continued striking the already bruised and battered Li Dasheng, though their blows noticeably lacked their earlier ferocity.

Amidst the clamor of hurried footsteps, a voice rang out before its owner appeared: “Young Master Gu, show mercy, show mercy! Li Dasheng was ignorant and offended you. Please, for the sake of our Young Lord, do not hold it against him…”

As the voice spoke, Tao Qizhong, Song Yichun’s adviser, hurried in.

“Young Master Gu!” He greeted Gu Yu with a respectful bow.

Gu Yu adopted an expression of reluctant magnanimity and gave a slight nod to his attendants, who promptly withdrew to stand behind him.

“Take him back,” Gu Yu said condescendingly. “If he dares to be so ill-mannered again, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“Many thanks, many thanks!” Tao Qizhong hastily bowed again, signaling his men to help Li Dasheng up while taking Song Han’s hand. He exchanged pleasantries with Gu Yu.

Song Han tried to pull free, but Tao Qizhong tightened his grip.

He obediently ceased struggling.

Tao Qizhong led Song Han and Li Dasheng out of the Hall of Cultivating Will.

Gu Yu’s eyes lingered on the clasped hands of Song Han and Tao Qizhong, his expression darkening.

※※※※※

Song Mo soon learned of the incident in the Hall of Cultivating Will.

He lifted the carriage curtain, gazing silently at the scenery outside for a long while.

Yan Chaoqing’s eyes flickered with thought.

They were passing through Zhen Ding County.

Would the Young Lord go to meet Fourth Miss Dou?

Song Mo quietly watched the distant city walls until they faded from sight. Only then did he lower the curtain and settle back into his seat. Calmly, he said to Yan Chaoqing, “This matter may require your continued attention in the future, Master Yan.”Madam Mei's sudden passing left them without any leads on the old affairs between Song Mo's parents.

The current Jiang Family consisted of the elderly and the young, with no one capable of making decisions. Fortunately, Shi An had ample experience in the martial world, at least ensuring the safety of the women and children in the Jiang Family.

Yan Chaoqing respectfully acknowledged and comforted Song Mo: "Young Lord, there’s no need to rush. There are no impenetrable walls in this world—as long as we remain vigilant, sooner or later, we’ll uncover some information."

"I hope so." Song Mo sighed faintly.

His thoughts turned to Dou Zhao.

What was she doing now?

Under the warm winter sun, was she tending to her flowers and plants in the greenhouse? Or was she sitting upright on the heated brick bed by the window, going over accounts with the stewards?

At the thought, he couldn’t help but smile and asked Yan Chaoqing, "How are things going with Gu Yu?"

Yan Chaoqing grinned broadly. "Who would’ve thought that Gu Yu, who’s usually more arrogant than anyone, could also be more diligent than anyone when he puts his mind to it... The Ministry of Works’ several Langzhong officials were so flattered by him that they lost their bearings. They mentioned that Luo Wei, the Ministry of Works’ Director, petitioned the Emperor to dredge the old waterway east of Kaifeng, and the Emperor has already approved it. They suggested Gu Yu seek the help of Mu Chuan, the Minister of Works and Grand Academician of Zhongji Hall, so that in the future, if the Ministry of Works has any matters, they could turn to Young Master Gu."

"That’s the Wang Family’s business." Song Mo also laughed. "He’s snatching food from the tiger’s mouth—he’d better be careful."

"Which is why I say, when Young Master Gu gets serious, he’s quite capable," Yan Chaoqing chuckled. "Lately, he’s been getting close to Wang Qinghuai, the heir of the Marquis of Yan’an. For the dredging project in the Kaifeng section, he plans to collaborate with Wang Qinghuai."

Song Mo raised an eyebrow and sighed with emotion. "Gu Yu... he’s really grown up." His tone carried both pride and nostalgia, like a parent watching their babbling child take their first steps unaided.

Yan Chaoqing burst into laughter.

Song Mo joined in for a while before his expression gradually turned serious. He pondered and said, "The Yellow River has breached its banks in Kaifeng for five consecutive years. The Ministry of Works has repeatedly proposed rebuilding the old city of Kaifeng, but the Emperor has left the memorials unanswered. The national treasury hasn’t been abundant these past few years—why would the Emperor approve dredging the Kaifeng section of the Yellow River on top of the canal? This matter is most likely tied to the disputes among the Grand Secretaries... Liang Jifang’s capabilities are limited, insufficient to suppress the other Grand Academicians. It’s still unclear who will ultimately sway the Grand Secretariat’s stance. We must keep a close eye on this."

Yan Chaoqing nodded solemnly. "Young Lord, I’d like to recommend someone to you."

In the past, Song Mo had only been the heir of the Duke of Yingguo’s household, with the Duke making major decisions while Yan Chaoqing merely assisted him. But now that Song Mo and the Duke had openly fallen out, matters had suddenly become far more complicated, and Yan Chaoqing felt somewhat overwhelmed on his own.

Song Mo, too, was eager to cultivate his own team of advisers but lacked suitable candidates. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Please go ahead, Master Yan."

"This man’s surname is Liao, given name Qing, courtesy name Bifeng. He’s a Recommended Man from the Guimao year and a fellow townsman of mine..."

As Yan Chaoqing spoke, Song Mo’s mind briefly wandered.

Chen Qushui was indeed a talented man—unfortunately, Dou Zhao couldn’t do without him either.

The thought passed, and he quickly refocused, listening attentively as Yan Chaoqing elaborated on Liao Bifeng’s background.

Meanwhile, at that very moment, Chen Qushui was discussing the Song Family with Dou Zhao: "...Most of those who recognized me have already been purged by Song Yichun. If I disguise myself, I doubt anyone will recognize me.""No!" Dou Zhao rejected Chen Qushui's suggestion without hesitation. "You must not show your face in the Capital until Song Mo has gained absolute advantage. I'll have Cui Shisan handle this matter. He has Tian Fugui assisting him now and has plenty of free time."

"Miss," Chen Qushui straightened his expression and said solemnly, "The key to breaking off the engagement with the Wei Family lies with the Madam of the Jingguo Duke's heir. Do you really think someone of Cui Shisan's age can discern the Madam's thoughts?"