Blossom

Seeing Wei Tingyu's expression, Dou Zhao could only sigh.

In both past and present lives, he rarely used his brain.

Dou Zhao had no choice but to say, "Everyone is in a bad mood right now. Discussing the wedding date at this time will likely lead to unpleasant words. Fortunately, we've only verbally set a date without sending formal invitations. It might be better to postpone the wedding until both families have calmed down."

Indeed, when his mother had asked his sister to help arrange the bridal chamber, his sister had thrown a tantrum over whether to display a pair of celadon Ru-ware flower vases or a pair of fashionable famille rose plum vases on the antique shelf. She also complained that the wedding date was set too hastily, leaving insufficient time for preparations, and grumbled that he shouldn't have made that appointment with Dou Ming at Great Xiangguo Temple. Otherwise, the Wei and Dou families could have already called off the engagement, and she could have helped him pursue Wang Qingyuan from the Wang family. Now she had to go back on her word and sit down with the Dou family to renegotiate the wedding date, not only making the match with the Wangs impossible but also wasting all her efforts in secretly leaking her whereabouts...

Thinking of this, Wei Tingyu let out a long sigh.

Although he didn't want to break off the engagement, he felt helpless with his sister constantly finding fault.

Postponing the wedding might be for the best—it would spare him from his sister's constant nagging and complaints.

Wei Tingyu smiled and nodded in agreement.

Seeing his carefree demeanor, Dou Zhao couldn't help but shake her head. She wanted to advise him, "Instead of idling all day, why not hire a tutor to teach you horseback riding and archery? The Emperor has always valued the Autumn Hunt. If you perform well, you could join the Golden Guard or the Fengtai Military Camp, and your mother wouldn’t have to worry about you all the time." But then she remembered how, in her past life, when she had encouraged Wei Tingyu to participate in the Autumn Hunt, his sister had mocked the idea, saying, "My brother is a marquis, after all. He can’t possibly compete with those who aren’t even heirs for petty ranks like the Golden Guard or Standard Bearer Guard." Wei Tingyu, swayed by his sister's words, ended up wasting most of his life in leisure.

She swallowed her words and asked Su Lan to see him out.

Su Lan returned and reported, "I escorted the Marquis to the Hanging Flower Gate. While hesitating whether to check on lunch preparations in the kitchen, I saw him follow an old woman back inside. I quickly hid behind a tree and sent a maid to follow them after they passed. The maid said the Marquis entered Fifth Miss’s courtyard with that old woman."

Dou Zhao pressed her lips together but said nothing.

She truly believed Wei Tingyu had no ill intentions toward Dou Ming, but she also knew he wouldn’t be able to resist Dou Ming’s tears.

Some things simply depended on one’s own fate—no amount of urgency from others could change that.

※※※※※

Upon returning to Huai Tree Lane, Fifth Aunt was seeing off guests with her two daughters-in-law.

Dou Zhao took a closer look—it was Madam Cai, Fifth Aunt’s in-law and the mother of Tenth Sister-in-law.

She stepped forward and curtsied in greeting.

Madam Cai immediately took her hand, exclaiming, "Oh, Fourth Miss, you’re too polite!" She studied Dou Zhao with a warm, beaming smile.

Dou Zhao remained composed, exchanged a few pleasantries with Madam Cai, and then joined Fifth Aunt and her sisters-in-law to see her off.

Guo Shi quietly whispered to her, "Mother invited Madam Cai to discuss calling off the engagement with the Wei family."

Dou Zhao was stunned.Does Father know about this?

She recalled how just a few days ago, when she mentioned wanting to ask Wei Tingyu a few questions, Father had advised her, saying things like "if there's something on your mind, it's better to talk it out." How could everything change so drastically in just a few days?

Dou Zhao wanted to ask her father, but he seemed extremely busy, spending several nights in a row on duty at the palace.

Meanwhile, Madam Cai was frequently shuttling between the Dou and Wei families.

Dou Zhao soon uncovered the news.

Initially, the Wei family refused to cancel the engagement. Madam Cai then approached Wei Tingzhen, who launched into a lengthy tirade—essentially questioning why the Dou family hadn’t acted sooner, dragging Wei Tingyu along for years, delaying the marriage, and now suddenly wanting to break it off. Where would that leave the Wei family’s dignity? She, too, refused.

Fifth Madam was stunned, then sneered, saying to Madam Cai, "They just want to extort money from our Dou family, don’t they? We haven’t even settled the matter of the Marquis of Jining with them, and now they’re putting on airs with us! Fine, let’s set this aside for now and revisit it once tempers have cooled."

Madam Cai agreed with a smile.

When Song Mo received the news that the Dou and Wei families had temporarily postponed the wedding, with the date undecided, he felt relieved, thinking the Dou family still valued Dou Zhao. Moreover, having heard her words and knowing she had her own plans, he turned his attention to his own affairs.

Now that his mourning period was over, he needed to secure an official position. That way, even if his father wanted to harm him, it wouldn’t be so easy.

The Emperor had previously mentioned assigning him to either the Standard Bearer Guard or the Fengtai Military Camp—both coveted posts for noble scions in the Capital. But for Song Mo, the Standard Bearer Guard’s duties were too trivial, and the Fengtai Camp required living in the barracks, neither of which suited his current situation. The best option was the Golden Guard: close to the Emperor yet flexible enough for him to leave when needed.

Fearing his father might deduce his true intentions, Song Mo avoided seeking help from Third Princess or Gu Yu. Instead, he approached Wang Yuan, asking him to casually mention to the Emperor during his service that Song Mo had completed his mourning period and submitted a memorial to the throne to express gratitude for the Emperor’s earlier rewards during his mother’s memorial rites.

The Emperor casually asked, "Has the Duke of Yingguo remarried yet?"

"No," Wang Yuan replied with a smile. "The Duke of England's Mansion currently has only three male members—not even a female fly in sight, I’d wager."

The Emperor laughed heartily. After court, he summoned Song Mo for a conversation, not only appointing him as the Right Metropolitan Commander of the Golden Guard’s Vanguard but also bestowing upon him the courtesy name "Yantang," saying, "Your father has only you and your brother, and your mother passed early. Though you’re not yet of age, I grant you this courtesy name. Strive to uphold the honor of the Duke of England's Mansion."

When the news spread, Song Yichun’s face turned livid.

He had guarded against Gu Yu, against Third Princess, even making arrangements regarding Ningde Princess—yet he never expected the usually defiant Song Mo to take the eunuch’s route. Disdainfully, he muttered, "Mark my words, he’ll become a sycophant sooner or later!"

Even if he did, that was a matter for the future.

Tao Qizhong couldn’t help but think to himself.

For now, the Young Lord had caught you off guard, smoothly entering officialdom. Dealing with him from here on out would only grow more difficult.He couldn't help but say, "Duke, don't you think it's time to consider the Young Lord's marriage? I've heard that ever since the Emperor made that remark, families with unmarried daughters have been frequently inviting the Young Lord to their homes... Yesterday, the Young Lord was drinking at Marquis Changxing's residence..."

If not for the matter with Wang Yuan, Song Yichun would have scoffed at such talk. But now, before Tao Qizhong could even finish speaking, he was already furious.

He had considered himself close friends with Shi Chonglan, yet the Shi family had rejected his marriage proposal. Now they were eyeing Song Mo... The Shi family truly had no shame!

Song Yichun couldn't help but ask, "Which other families have invited him for drinks?"

Tao Qizhong listed a long string of names.

Song Yichun gasped, his anger turning to shock: "Quickly go and find out what kind of temperaments these families' young ladies have."

He couldn't let Song Mo marry a concubine-born daughter—that would be unacceptable in terms of face. Nor could he marry the eldest legitimate daughter—that would hand complete control of the inner household to Song Mo. The best option would be someone whose father and brothers were capable but whose temperament was meek and indecisive...

Song Yichun pondered this silently.

Meanwhile, Gu Yu asked Song Mo, "What exactly are your plans?"

For some reason, Song Mo suddenly recalled Dou Zhao's words.

Perhaps Dou Zhao was right.

Since he had no great expectations for a wife, he might as well prioritize family status.

Song Mo said, "Aside from Princess Yijing, which other imperial consorts have daughters of marriageable age?"

Gu Yu stared at Song Mo in astonishment: "You... you're not thinking of marrying a princess, are you?"

Amused, Song Mo teased, "If a princess isn't possible, a commandery princess would do too!"

Gu Yu opened his mouth but couldn't find words for a long moment.

Laughing, Song Mo slung an arm over Gu Yu's shoulder: "Alright, alright, I'm just joking. I've only just joined the Golden Guard, and there are still matters to settle. There's no hurry to discuss this now. Let's see how my father reacts first." Then he asked about the Golden Guard's Metropolitan Commander, Gao Yuanhua: "I heard he's your cousin-in-law. What kind of man is he?"

Gu Yu curled his lip. "Cousin-in-law? That connection is so distant it barely counts. But he's quite the opportunist. Last time at Marquess Huichang's banquet, I heard Shen Qing say he nearly became Wang Yuan's godson..."

※※※※※

The Dou family intended to snub the Wei family, while Wei Tingyu resented Dou Ming for ruining her relationship with Madam Wang and thus ignored the Dou family. Soon, it was late April, time to send Dragon Boat Festival gifts.

Tian Shi was in a dilemma—should they send gifts or not?

"Of course we should," Wei Tingyu began, but before he could finish, Wei Tingzhen glared at him and said, "What's the point when we're about to break off the engagement? Instead, you should visit the Wang family—I heard Madam Wang caught a chill and isn't doing well."

Lately, Wei Tingzhen had been particularly irritable, so he didn't dare argue and obediently went to the Yan'an Marquis's residence to visit the sick. Fortunately, the two families interacted often, and the Yan'an Marquis's household didn't think much of it.

After leaving the Wang residence, Wei Tingyu perfunctorily bought some realgar wine, tea, and zongzi on the street and delivered them to Jing'an Temple Alley.

Dou Zhao had accompanied Second Madam on an outing to the Three Saints Temple, while Dou Shiying had been summoned to the palace for a lecture, so neither was home.

"Where is the Fifth Young Lady?"

Since he had come to deliver gifts, he ought to inform someone from the Dou family.

Gaosheng was surprised but still smiled. "The Fifth Young Lady and Madam have gone to Willow Leaf Alley."Wei Tingyu was momentarily stunned.

He had heard from Dou Ming that because her mother was dissatisfied with Dou Zhao not paying respects to her maternal grandmother after arriving in the capital, she had complained a few words in front of the grandmother. This displeased the grandmother, who then criticized Dou Zhao in front of outsiders, angering her father. As a result, her mother had been sent to the Dou family's farmstead in Wanping.

"Has my mother-in-law returned?" he asked Gaosheng.

After all, Wei Tingyu was the Dou family's son-in-law, so it was possible he knew about these matters.

Gaosheng didn't think much of it and replied, "Lord Wang has achieved another great merit in Yunnan, and the Emperor has rewarded him by granting the Wang family's eldest uncle a hereditary position as a battalion commander. The Wang family is hosting a grand banquet, and the Wang family's Old Madam specifically sent someone to invite Seventh Madam to celebrate. That’s why the master brought Seventh Madam back."

So that was the reason.

Wei Tingyu uttered an "Oh," then handed the gift list to Gaoxing (Happy). On the way back, he repeatedly instructed his attendants not to mention this matter to Wei Tingzhen before finally returning to the Marquis of Jining's Mansion.