Blossom

Before heading to Qianfo Temple Lane, he had already sent someone to investigate Ji Yong's background.

Fearing that Wei Tingyu might stir up some irreparable trouble, he rushed to Qianfo Temple Lane before Du Wei, who was responsible for gathering intelligence, could report back.

Upon returning to the Hall of Cultivating Will, he received the message Du Wei had sent.

Since Ji Yong began traveling three years ago and visited his aunt, Sixth Madam Ji of the Dou family, he had frequently stayed with the Dou family for extended periods. Before taking the Metropolitan Examination, he even borrowed the Crane Longevity Hall—where Dou Zhao's grandfather had spent his later years in quiet retreat—to study, and had grown increasingly close to Dou Zhao.

His heart churned violently, and he nearly lost control of his emotions.

Ji Yong had no grudge against Wei Tingyu—why would he frame him?

Was Dou Zhao involved in this matter?

If she didn’t know, what was Ji Yong’s motive?

If she did know… or worse, was she trying to break off the engagement with the Wei family?

Song Mo felt as though a stone were lodged in his chest—heavy and suffocating.

There were countless ways to dissolve an engagement—why resort to such a method, one that harmed another?

The thought of Dou Zhao’s bright laughter, her dignified yet subtly charming face, her star-like sparkling eyes, and her long, sweeping brows tormented him like oil sizzling in a pan.

Did Dou Zhao know about this?

That woman, as cool and clear as a breeze yet faintly warm, the one who struck him as resilient and beautiful as a plum blossom blooming in the bitter cold—could she truly do such a thing?

The mere thought made his heart ache as if sliced by a knife. A mix of hope, doubt, disappointment, and guilt surged within him, leaving him utterly unsettled and unsure of what to do.

He rode around the farmstead in Daxing for another half an hour before his heart gradually calmed. Then he ordered Chen He, "We’re going to Zhen Ding!"

Since childhood, his uncle had taught him: If you doubt something, don’t waste time endlessly speculating and deliberating. Instead, verify or dismiss it as quickly as possible.

Chen He glanced at Xia Lian and loudly replied, "Yes!" But inwardly, he grumbled—this guy had guessed right. The Young Lord had come to Daxing just as an excuse to go to Zhen Ding.

Xia Lian, however, showed no trace of smugness. He gave Chen He a faint smile, his mood heavy as he pondered whether he should advise Song Mo not to interfere in this matter.

Unfortunately, by the time they reached Zhen Ding, he still hadn’t found the right moment to broach the subject with the stern-faced Song Mo, who was already standing by the small river behind the Dou family’s farmstead.

In summer, the back hill was lush with greenery, the river murmured softly, and the breeze carried a refreshing coolness.

This place was truly beautiful.

Song Mo gazed at the three wild peach trees on the opposite bank, their branches thick with leaves, and his restless heart slowly settled.

He recalled Dou Zhao’s words—from atop these peach trees, one could see the wife of the Manor Head of Lang Family Village drunkenly beating her husband, the father at the village entrance who worked as a peddler during the farming off-season and always brought back flatbreads for his daughters as treats, and the daughter-in-law next door who was constantly scolded by her mother-in-law, yet in life-or-death moments, the old woman would rush around seeking treatment for her… But that time, apart from the curling smoke from chimneys, he had seen nothing.

Tucking the hem of his robe into his belt, Song Mo climbed the peach tree.

Both Lang Family Village and Dou Family Village unfolded before him like tiny potted landscapes.Dou Zhao climbed up the back hill and saw Song Mo standing on a tree branch just like last time, leaning against the trunk as he gazed at the scenery below.

What could have happened around him this time?

Yesterday, she had received a letter from Chen Qushui detailing everything that had occurred recently.

She couldn’t fathom why two people who had despised each other in their past lives could now tolerate one another—unless they shared a common goal.

Dou Zhao was certain that Wang Yingxue and Wei Tingzhen had already colluded. She was also sure that with Wang Yingxue’s involvement, her plan to dissolve the engagement would proceed even more smoothly.

Thus, she was in high spirits.

So when Song Mo suddenly requested to meet her, she didn’t mind at all.

Holding up her skirt, she stepped across the river on the flat stones, shielding her face from the sunlight as she looked up at Song Mo and asked, “What does the Young Lord see?”

She had once called him Young Master Mei, then Young Lord, and now simply Lord.

Had she ever truly feared him in her heart?

Just as the people in the Capital trembled in his presence after he had killed his own guards and displayed their bodies in the courtyard’s center, Dou Zhao had never once questioned him about it.

Song Mo couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and smile. “Climb up here and you’ll find out!”

Who had the energy to play along in this sweltering heat?

Dou Zhao grumbled inwardly but laughed aloud. “I’m wearing a white embroidered skirt today and don’t want to dirty it.”

Song Mo was dumbfounded.

Could that really be a valid excuse to refuse?

He burst into laughter.

The sound startled his guards, who all glanced briefly at Song Mo and Dou Zhao.

Chen He couldn’t help but marvel.

The Young Lord was always so happy when he met Miss Dou the Fourth.

Xia Lian, however, sighed quietly to himself.

Song Mo jumped down from the tree.

Dou Zhao asked him, “How’s your injury?”

“Nothing serious,” he replied with a smile, his gaze lingering on her brow as if studying her features. His expression gradually turned solemn. “I came because there’s something I need to tell you.” He paused, noticing the fine beads of sweat on her forehead. Remembering that the woods were cooler, he began walking toward them while succinctly recounting how Ji Yong had taken Wei Tingyu to stay overnight in Qianfo Temple Alley. He omitted the part about persuading Wei Tingyu to go into business together, saying only that he had heard about it from Gu Yu and, realizing it involved Dou Zhao’s betrothed, had rushed over because something seemed amiss.

Dou Zhao was stunned.

How could this happen?

She had spent months laying the groundwork, with only the final step left… Why did he have to interfere now?

Was it like last time, where he had pieced together the whole picture from just a few clues?

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Though she wanted to dissolve the engagement, she had never intended to harm Wei Tingyu.

Happiness gained at the expense of others would only bring eternal unease.

Dou Zhao suppressed the urge to furrow her brows deeply, but her expression grew increasingly grave. “Is this true?”

Song Mo nodded earnestly. “It happened three days ago. Ji Jianming didn’t deny it.”

No wonder she hadn’t known.

By then, Chen Qushui had already set off back to Zhen Ding.

This was just like Ji Yong’s usual behavior!

Dou Zhao smiled bitterly and said sincerely to Song Mo, “Thank you for telling me.”Song Mo arrived in Zhen Ding in just three days, and he came personally to inform her. It was clear he also recognized the severity of the situation.

This was just perfect.

With his involvement, even if Wei Tingzhen couldn’t immediately discern his intentions, the wise and seemingly simple Zhang Yuanming would likely guess a thing or two.

There was a world of difference between her breaking off the engagement and the Wei Family doing so—the former would mean she was dissatisfied with Wei Tingyu, while the latter would imply Wei Tingyu was dissatisfied with her.

Once Wei Tingzhen found out, she would undoubtedly feel deeply humiliated. There would be no way for Dou Zhao to withdraw from the engagement discreetly.

This Ji Yong… truly, more of a hindrance than a help! His capacity for destruction was anything but ordinary… This matter would likely require careful long-term planning.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh softly.

Meanwhile, Song Mo, who had watched her shift from initial surprise to bitterness, helplessness, and worry, finally exhaled in relief.

Dou Zhao truly didn’t know.

She remained as open, sincere, and noble as he remembered.

Unable to restrain himself, Song Mo uttered a quiet “Thank you,” followed by an “I’m sorry.”

He wanted to thank her for not disappointing him after all the darkness he had endured, and he wanted to apologize for his earlier suspicions and doubts about her.

Dou Zhao was taken aback.

Song Mo didn’t elaborate, instead asking with a smile, “Do you know why Ji Yong is treating the Marquis of Jining this way?”

“Cousin Ji has an unpredictable temperament,” Dou Zhao replied vaguely. “Perhaps he simply took a dislike to the Marquis?”

Song Mo’s interest was piqued.

To him, Ji Yong’s personality was less “unpredictable” and more outright arrogant.

Moreover, given Ji Yong’s close relationship with Dou Zhao, it was unlikely he would scheme to break off her engagement with Wei Tingyu just because he disliked him.

Unless there was something else at play.

With Dou Zhao’s intelligence, her words were clearly an attempt to conceal something.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Do you want to break off the engagement with the Marquis of Jining?”

Dou Zhao was startled.

Was she really that obvious?

First Ji Yong had figured it out, and now Song Mo too.

She couldn’t help but glance at him.

Beneath the lush camphor tree, Song Mo stood in his moon-white linen Taoist robe, his eyelids lowered, exuding an indescribable air of restraint.

Dou Zhao felt a headache coming on.

Ji Yong alone had nearly ruined Wei Tingyu’s reputation—if Song Mo got involved too, Wei Tingyu wouldn’t even have bones left to pick clean!

She shook her head repeatedly. “No need, no need,” she said, anxious to keep Song Mo from getting entangled.

Song Mo gave a faint “Oh” and raised his gaze, reverting to the aloof and indifferent heir of the Duke of Yingguo.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile slightly. “You must be exhausted from rushing here,” she said gently. “It’s getting late—let Chen He prepare some food for you. Wash up and rest well. The weather has been quite cool these past few days.”

Song Mo suddenly didn’t want to leave.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “I’ll be out of mourning at the start of next year. Master Yan suggested I either marry the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yan’an or seek the hand of Princess Yijing, Empress Wan’s daughter…”

Dou Zhao’s heart ached.

If Jiang Shi were still alive, or if Madam Mei were here, he wouldn’t have had to discuss such matters with her.She carefully considered Song Mo's marriage prospects, but was quite surprised to find Wang Qingyuan among the potential candidates for his wife: "Miss Wang from the Yan'an Marquis family is exceptionally beautiful, virtuous, and has an elder brother like Wang Qinghuai. If Madam were still alive, it would naturally be an excellent match. However, she is gentle and compliant in temperament. If your father were to remarry someone from a prominent family who is shrewd and capable, you would lack a strong ally in household affairs, making things quite inconvenient for you." Dou Zhao said earnestly, "A princess would be ideal. No matter who your father marries in the future, they would never be able to overshadow a princess, and it would further secure your position as heir, ensuring a smooth succession. However, Princess Jingyi is not the best choice—she is too close to the Emperor, and since the Crown Prince has no heir, it could easily entangle you in royal affairs. It would be best to choose a princess whose birth mother holds a high rank and is adept at social maneuvering. If I recall correctly, Princess Fuyuan, born to Consort Chen, and Princess Jingtai, born to Consort Shu, are both around your age, gentle and kind-hearted. You might discuss this with Master Yan and consider choosing between these two princesses."

Since in this lifetime Song Mo had retained his position as heir and had not been expelled from the family, she also didn’t want him to get involved in the conflict between the Crown Prince and Liao Wang.

After all, no matter who ascended the throne, they would treat the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion with courtesy. While the Merit for Supporting the Ascension was valuable, the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion might not necessarily need it.