Blossom

What on earth was he trying to do?

Logically speaking, having encountered someone like Song Mo who was a worthy opponent, he should have focused on dealing with Song Mo first. Yet, he couldn't stop thinking about how to humiliate the utterly defenseless Wei Tingyu. As for his grudge with Song Mo, it had somehow become secondary—he felt that if they crossed paths again, they could just have another showdown. If not, he could always settle things with Song Mo after he had dealt with Wei Tingyu.

When had he started picking on the weak while avoiding the strong?

Ji Yong lay sprawled on a bamboo couch under the large locust tree in his family's rear garden, staring blankly at the lush canopy above.

Zi Shang approached quietly and whispered, "Young Master, Imperial Academy Official Yang requests an audience."

"Official Yang" referred to Yang Yunxiao.

A few days earlier, when Ji Yong had been planning to spread rumors about Wei Tingyu, he had often gone out drinking with Yang Yunxiao, Chen Zhiji, and others, keeping close company with them.

But now, hearing Yang Yunxiao's name, he waved his hand impatiently and instructed Zi Shang, "Tell him I've been placed under house arrest by my great-grandfather. I'll visit him in a few days."

Zi Shang went off to relay the message with a troubled expression.

Zi Xi then approached.

Ji Yong frowned, visibly irritated. "What now?"

Zi Xi hurriedly replied, "Fourth Miss Dou has arrived in the Capital with Madam Dou (the elder)..."

"What did you say?" Ji Yong was stunned, then leaped up in delight. "Really? Fourth Sister is in the Capital?"

Zi Xi couldn't help but smile. "It's true. A message has already been sent from the aunt's side."

The two families were related by marriage. When Second Madam came to the Capital, it was customary for Ji Yong's mother and aunt to pay their respects. Similarly, when Old Master Ji had visited the Capital, Dou Shishu, Dou Shishu, and Dou Shiying had all come to greet him.

Ji Yong jumped off the couch. "Let's go see Fourth Sister!" Without waiting for Zi Xi's response, he dashed out of the garden like the wind.

Han Shi received the news and was beside herself with worry. After some thought, she went to Old Master Ji's courtyard.

Old Master Ji was painting in his study.

The eagle in his painting had somewhat tattered feathers, but its gaze remained sharp, its talons gripping the rocky cliff beneath it. Its demeanor was still majestic, embodying the spirit of "an old steed in the stable still yearns to gallop a thousand miles."

Listening to his daughter-in-law's tearful complaints, Old Master Ji set down his brush. He examined his painting carefully before responding unhurriedly, "You're saying Jianming went to see Fourth Miss Dou?"

"Yes!" Han Shi wiped her tears, choking up. "The moment he heard Fourth Miss Dou had come to the Capital, he ran off—no one could stop him. The aunt also mentioned that with Fourth Miss Dou's arrival, if Jianming behaves so recklessly without any restraint, the Wei Family might misunderstand! At worst, Jianming might face imperial censor impeachment, but given time, people will forget. But what about Fourth Miss Dou? Father, this time you must intervene. Otherwise, something terrible will happen." She continued, "Last time, you mentioned you had plans for Jianming's marriage. May I ask which family's daughter you have in mind? Is she good-tempered? What is her character like? Jianming is already of marriageable age. If the match is suitable, why not hold the wedding by the end of this year?"“There’s no rush for marriage. As long as Jianming is capable, he can marry any kind of wife he wants.” Old Master Ji chuckled, still speaking in a dismissive tone. “Jianming has me, his uncle, and his father watching over him. What could possibly go wrong? His cousin has come, and he once studied at their house. It’s only natural for him to visit. Even the censors couldn’t impeach him for that, could they? Don’t interfere in this matter. Even if you don’t trust Jianming, surely you trust his aunt? If there were anything unusual between Jianming and Fourth Miss, before you even noticed, his aunt would have come knocking on your door. Don’t jump to conclusions and ruin your own son’s reputation.”

Han Shi’s face flushed red.

Old Master Ji then said, “Alright, go about your own business calmly. Leave this matter to me!”

Han Shi had no choice but to retreat helplessly.

Old Master Ji acted as if nothing had happened and continued painting, adding a few blades of grass to the rock beneath the eagle’s claws.

Ji Yong hurriedly made his way to Huai Shu Alley.

Dou Zhao was speaking with Dou Dechang: “Is Lingze staying with the Han family or the Ji family now?”

Dou Dechang replied in surprise, “How would I know?”

Dou Zhao was shocked.

Compared to her previous life, Ji Lingze had merely postponed her wedding. How could Dou Dechang know nothing about her now?

Had she inadvertently altered Ji Lingze’s fate, and for the worse?

Cold sweat broke out on her back, and her face turned pale.

Dou Dechang was baffled.

Just then, a young maid came to report that Ji Yong had come to visit Ji Shi.

Dou Dechang was overjoyed and eagerly pulled Ji Yong aside to ask, “Where is Cousin Lingze now?”

Ji Yong was puzzled. “Naturally, she’s with the Han family. Why do you ask?”

Dou Dechang quickly pointed at Dou Zhao. “Fourth Sister wanted to know.”

By then, Dou Zhao had regained her composure. Hearing that Ji Yong had arrived, she thought to herself, “I was just worrying about finding an excuse to see Ji Yong, and here he comes on his own.” Ji Yong said indignantly, “The Han family is utterly shameless. Knowing full well that Han Liu is on the verge of death, they still sent someone to hasten the wedding. And Grandfather—one moment he says he’ll delay it, the next he agrees to the Han family’s demands…”

As he spoke, a cough sounded at the door.

Dou Zhao and the others turned to see Dou Zhengchang and his wife standing there awkwardly.

Ji Yong sneered, his gaze fixed directly on Han Shi, Dou Zhengchang’s wife.

Han Shi, her face red, curtsied and greeted him, “Cousin,” then said, “Our family’s old madam pities Sixth Brother…”

“Stop right there!” Ji Yong mocked. “Your family’s current old madam is the Dou family’s Second Madam. When did she ever have the time to pity Han Liu?”

Han Shi’s face turned so red it seemed blood might drip from it.

Dou Zhengchang glared at Ji Yong. “Jianming, don’t nitpick.” He defended Han Shi.

Han Shi gave him a grateful look.

Dou Dechang hurriedly tried to smooth things over. “Cousin Ji, what brings you here to visit Mother today? She just went to Fifth Aunt’s place to discuss accompanying the old madam to Baiyun Temple tomorrow. She should be back soon. Please, have a seat!”

Because of Second Madam’s arrival, the sixth branch of the family had been staying at Huai Shu Alley.

Ji Yong snorted and sat down unceremoniously.

Dou Zhao felt as if she were dreaming—everything was completely different from what she knew.The attendant Su Xin, noticing Dou Zhao's pale complexion, quickly brewed a fresh cup of hot tea for her.

After drinking a few sips, Dou Zhao's color gradually improved. She stood up and addressed Ji Yong, who had just sat down: "Cousin Ji, I have something to ask you. Could we speak privately in the courtyard?"

Given previous events, although Dou Zhengchang and his wife found this somewhat strange, Dou Zhengchang assumed Dou Zhao wanted to inquire about Ji Lingze. As Dou Zhao and Ji Yong stepped outside, he quietly explained this to his wife.

Even so, Han Shi couldn't help feeling astonished as she watched the usually domineering Ji Jianming obediently following behind Dou Zhao without a word.

When had the notoriously arrogant Ji Jianming become so compliant?

Unaware of Han Shi's thoughts, Dou Zhao stopped beneath a pomegranate tree in the courtyard and asked Ji Yong: "What exactly happened at Thousand Buddha Temple Lane?"

"Eh?" Ji Yong's eyes widened. "How did you know about that?" Then a possibility occurred to him, making him feel as if he'd eaten something spoiled—a sour taste rising in his throat. He couldn't help retorting, "I didn't realize you cared so much about Wei Tingyu that you'd have people monitoring his movements. If that's the case, why ask me? Go question Wei Tingyu directly! Hear his version before coming to accuse me! Don't you know what kind of person he is? Or are you actually planning to marry him?"

Dou Zhao, angered by Ji Yong's harsh words, remembered how during the incident with Dou Ming, he had accused her of siding with her sister just because they were related. She took several deep breaths to calm herself before responding, "So you're saying there was justification for you ruining the Marquis of Jining's reputation?"

"Me? Ruin his reputation?" Ji Yong lifted his chin disdainfully. "In the Capital, did he even have a reputation to begin with? If not for clinging to Song Mo, the Duke of Yingguo's heir, do you think any of the Capital's nobility would even know who he was?"

Why was Song Mo being dragged into this? Dou Zhao felt a headache coming on.

Ji Yong grew even more displeased.

He had come excited to see Dou Zhao, yet before they could exchange a proper word, they were already arguing—and over that cockroach-like Wei Tingyu, no less.

Both fell into an involuntary silence.

Dou Zhao tried to reason with Ji Yong: "Don't do things like this in the future. Good deeds bring good rewards, and bad deeds bring bad consequences. Would you rather have people like you or hate you? Personally, I think if everyone hated me, I wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully..."

"Well, he'd need the capability to keep me awake first," Ji Yong muttered, but at least he didn't storm off in anger.

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.

Ji Yong's mood lightened as well. He called out to her, "Hey," and asked, "Tell me honestly—why did you come to the Capital?"

Dou Zhao genuinely didn't want Ji Yong interfering further. If it drew Song Mo's attention again and he noticed something amiss, that would be disastrous.

She could only say, "I've thought it over carefully. Sooner or later, I'll have to marry someone. I might as well marry Wei Tingyu—at least he's honest and reliable...""Do you think finding a husband is just about him being honest and reliable?" Ji Yong exploded in anger. "Men like that are a dime a dozen—what's so special about them? Besides, is Wei Tingyu truly honest and reliable, or is he just weak and incompetent? Open your eyes and take a good look! Even if you want to get married, you don’t have to settle for someone like Wei Tingyu, do you? You didn’t even see how he ogled Zhao Zishu—his eyes nearly popped out of his head! He couldn’t even control his own emotions..."

How many people in this world are as strong-willed as you, Ji Yong?

Most are just ordinary people.

Dou Zhao smiled bitterly.

But Ji Yong took it as a sign of surrender.

He stormed off in a huff.

On his way out, he ran into Ji Shi, who had hurried back upon hearing of his arrival.

"Jianming..." she called out cheerfully to her nephew.

But Ji Yong brushed past her without a word, his face expressionless.

Baffled, Ji Shi turned to Dou Zhao, who stood helplessly in the courtyard. "What’s wrong with him this time? Who upset him?"