Blossom

Song Mo slowly walked out of the hall.

A night breeze swept through, causing the lanterns adorned with large red wedding characters to sway under the eaves. The hazy light cast upon the scattered remnants of red firecracker paper on the ground, evoking a desolate sense of the festivities having ended and the crowd dispersed.

He instructed Chen He, "Go find out where the attendants who accompanied Fourth Miss have been settled. Bring me her personal maids."

Chen He acknowledged and left.

Beside the Taihu Rock at the corner of the wall grew several clusters of Yu Zan flowers, their pristine blossoms appearing especially translucent under the moonlight.

Yet Song Mo found them irritating to look at and couldn't help pacing restlessly under the eaves.

Chen He returned with a slender maid in tow.

Song Mo didn’t recognize her.

Chen He, well-trained, reported in a voice audible to Song Mo but indistinct to others, "Young Lord, the attendants who accompanied Fourth Miss are resting in the side rooms behind the main quarters. Her chief maids, Su Xin and Su Juan, were left behind at Jing'an Temple Alley to assist with wrapping up matters. They’ll return with her when she visits her maiden home in three days. Gan Lu was summoned for questioning by Madam, Marquis of Yan'an—the woman of complete blessings invited by the Marquis of Jining's Mansion. Su Lan ran off to see the festivities. After waiting for a long time without Gan Lu or Su Lan appearing, I brought over a dowry maid named Wen Xiang who serves by Fourth Miss’s side..."

Song Mo was familiar with the Su Xin and Su Lan sisters.

Back at the farmstead, he had suffered a major setback precisely because he hadn’t anticipated that both sisters were skilled in martial arts—and quite proficient at that. In the few subsequent encounters with Dou Zhao, she had always been accompanied by either Su Xin or Su Lan.

Hearing that Su Lan had gone off to watch the festivities, his expression darkened.

Did Su Lan not know the bride had been switched? Or had she been detained under some pretext?

The maid Chen He had brought over trembled in fear, not daring to lift her head.

She had just stepped out to request tea from the Marquis of Jining's household when this page-like figure forcibly dragged her away. Her wrist still ached faintly.

With the wind howling and the moon high in this secluded, deserted place, all sorts of dreadful thoughts flooded her mind.

Before Song Mo could speak, she dropped to her knees with a thud, kowtowing and sobbing, "Spare me, young master! Spare me! I know nothing! I’m just a second-tier maid from the Dou family, assigned to serve Fourth Miss by Fifth Madam only after she came to the capital. My duties are just to attend to her tea... I know nothing at all..."

Song Mo shot Chen He a glance.

Chen He flushed crimson with embarrassment. "I’ll fetch the head attendant..."

He truly hadn’t known what Song Mo intended to ask, assuming any dowry maid would suffice—and had deliberately picked one who seemed sharp. Yet he had still misunderstood.

"No need," Song Mo said indifferently, ignoring the pleading maid as he strode toward the ceremonial gate. "Since this matter involves Huai Shu Alley, there’s no point questioning further. Relay my orders—have Xia Lian take Zhu Yicheng and a few others to Huai Shu Alley immediately and await my command."

Chen He acknowledged, though inwardly, his heart clenched.Zhu Yicheng and the others were top-tier experts from Fujian. They had previously served under Duke Ding, and that Zhu Yicheng had even been tasked by Duke Ding to accompany the young master onto the battlefield. He was half a mentor to the young master and one of the most loyal to him. Hearing the young master's tone, it seemed he intended to personally go to Huai Tree Alley.

Had something happened to Fourth Miss Dou?

Suppressing the urge to glance back at the wedding hall, he looked at Song Mo’s face, which was chillingly stern with a faint hint of ruthlessness, then hurried out of the Marquis of Jining's Mansion.

Song Mo exhaled deeply and boarded the carriage. He instructed the coachman, "To Huai Tree Alley."

※※※※※

In the main chamber of Jing'an Temple Alley, Dou Shiying slowly opened his eyes.

"Shou Gu!" he called out to his daughter with difficulty. "I... I’ve wronged you!" Tears immediately welled up in the corners of his eyes.

"Don’t say that," Dou Zhao said with a smile. "I never wanted to marry into the Wei Family—it was you who insisted. Now both Dou Ming and I have gotten our wishes. What have you wronged me for? Don’t overthink it. Rest well. Fifth Uncle is handling Dou Ming’s side, and the Marquis of Jining is a gentle-natured man. Since Dou Ming has already bowed in the wedding ceremony with him, he would never mistreat her. You needn’t worry."

Dou Shiying didn’t believe it at all.

In his impression, Dou Zhao had always been generous and magnanimous toward others. He thought she was just trying to comfort him.

This only made him even more heartbroken.

But what could he do?

Both were his flesh and blood.

Could he demand Dou Ming back and then marry Dou Zhao off in her place?

Would Dou Ming even survive that?

But if he simply accepted things as they were, what about the injustice Dou Zhao had suffered?

Unable to bear looking at Dou Zhao any longer, Dou Shiying turned his head away, tears falling uncontrollably.

Dou Zhao sighed inwardly.

Her father disliked conflict, always believing that yielding a little could prevent disputes. Yet he didn’t realize that the more he did so, the more tangled things became. Everyone felt wronged, resentment grew heavier, and tensions between them only escalated. Over time, it would inevitably erupt.

She adjusted the lamp wick, brightening the room further.

Dou Zhao called in Gaosheng, who had been waiting outside. "Keep Father company for a while."

Her father and Wang Yingxue were icy toward each other, and neither of his daughters was particularly close to him. Gaosheng was likely the one who could best console him.

Gaosheng respectfully acknowledged the request.

Dou Zhao left the inner chamber.

"Shou Gu!" Fifth Madam greeted her with an awkward expression.

Dou Zhao cast her a light glance and said, "Rather than waiting here for Father to wake up, Fifth Aunt, wouldn’t it be better to find a way to make the Wei Family acknowledge this marriage? Of the two sisters from our Western Dou, one had her marriage ruined by you, and the other was mistakenly wed into the Wei Family. Both are now suffering as if frying in a pan. Shouldn’t you at least save one?"

Fifth Madam’s face flushed crimson. "This was originally your stepmother’s idea—"

"To dare such a thing, you must have some courage," Dou Zhao interrupted with a cold laugh. "I respect you as a heroine who rivals men. Don’t make me think less of you."

Her words left Fifth Madam speechless, causing Nanny Liu to retreat several steps in shock.

Without even glancing at the women in the hall, Dou Zhao composed herself and strode out of the main chamber.

The maids waiting outside all lowered their heads, making way for her.It wasn't until they returned to the eastern wing where they lived and heard Su Xin slam the door shut that Dou Zhao's expression finally came alive.

She asked Su Xin, "What about Seventh Madam?" Her demeanor was relaxed.

Su Xin replied with a low laugh, "Seventh Master has locked her in the back room."

Dou Zhao nodded with a smile.

She had long decided not to interfere in her father's household affairs. Whatever Wang Yingxue's fate might be, it had nothing to do with her. Now she felt as if a weight had been lifted, and even the air seemed fresher.

Dou Zhao went to her aunt's room.

Her aunt was still awake, quietly grieving, while Zhao Zhangru clumsily tried to comfort her mother.

Seeing Dou Zhao, she heaved a long sigh of relief and quickly made room at the bedside for her.

"What will become of you now?" Her aunt took Dou Zhao's hand and began to weep softly.

Dou Zhao's eyes stung, and tears fell as well.

She felt guilty for keeping the truth from her aunt.

After some thought, Dou Zhao decided to tell her aunt the whole story.

Her aunt was stunned speechless. Zhao Zhangru, however, as if relishing the chaos, gave Dou Zhao a thumbs-up. Unable to bring herself to scold Dou Zhao, her aunt instead chided her daughter, "If you keep fooling around like this, I'll tell your father to punish you by kneeling in the ancestral hall!" Then she couldn't help but ask Dou Zhao, "Is what you're saying true? Did you let them arrange for Mingjier to take your place in the marriage because you didn't want to marry into the Wei Family? You're not just saying this to comfort me, are you?" Her eyes were full of doubt.

The incident had happened so suddenly that her aunt hadn't had time to think it through. But now, back in her room and reflecting carefully, she could see some clues.

Only, she couldn't figure out why Fifth Madam would do such a thing.

Dou Zhao simply told her aunt about the Ji Family's involvement.

Her aunt was dumbfounded for a long while.

Zhao Zhangru muttered beside them, "Why don't I ever get such good fortune?"

Her aunt gave her daughter a light smack on the head and said sternly, "You did the right thing! The Ji Family knew you were betrothed but still came to propose. Their intentions were impure. No matter how good Ji Jianming might be, we couldn't possibly form a marriage alliance with them." At this point, she thought of Ji Shi and wanted to ask Dou Zhao if she knew about it, but then realized that even if she asked, what could be done?—caught between her natal family and her husband's family, Ji Shi was in a difficult position. Thinking of how young Dou Zhao was, yet she had to navigate dangers from all sides, avoiding one trap only to face another, her aunt blamed herself and her husband for failing to protect their unfortunate niece. Her heart ached suddenly, and with reddened eyes, she asked, "What will you do now?"

"What's so great about marriage?" Dou Zhao hoped to ease her aunt's sorrow. "Look at my mother..." she said with a smile. "Didn't you secure half of the Western Dou's assets for me? Are you worried I won't have enough to eat? As for marriage, I'll take my time and choose someone I'm satisfied with."

Her aunt thought about it and found it reasonable.

After all, Dou Zhao wouldn't have to worry about food or clothing. She didn't necessarily have to marry into a noble family—as long as the man was of good character and compatible with Dou Zhao, it would be a fine match.

※※※※※

Leaving her aunt's room, Dou Zhao felt her steps lighten considerably.

She laughed and said, "I'm going to get a good night's sleep. Fifth Aunt must have arranged for someone to get the Marquis of Jining thoroughly drunk. Tomorrow morning will be the real challenge, and I need to be well-rested to deal with them."

Su Xin smiled and helped Dou Zhao settle in for the night.

But Dou Zhao was too excited and tossed and turned, unable to sleep.One moment she thought about which of her nephews or grandnephews was the most honest and kind-hearted, so she could raise him in her own quarters. She would surely learn from the lessons with Wei Ge'er and Rui Ge'er, spending her free time accompanying him, taking care of his daily needs, and guiding him in reading and writing—nurturing him into a filial and virtuous child.

The next moment, she wondered why the Dou family had so many sons. How wonderful it would be to raise a few girls in her household! In spring, she could take them out to enjoy the greenery; in summer, they could go boating on the lake; in autumn, they could hike the mountains; and in winter, they could snuggle under the quilts telling old tales. When they married, she could give them generous dowries, and when they had children of their own, they would return with a lively crowd of little girls and boys to visit her.

Then again, she worried that such favoritism might stir up trouble. Perhaps it would be better to set aside funds to reward the Dou Family School’s outstanding students or establish a farmstead to support widows, orphans, and the elderly. She wasn’t sure if the court had any restrictions on such matters—once back in Zhen Ding, she would have to discuss it with Mr. Chen.

Though she couldn’t access half of Western Dou’s silver, if she spent it on the Dou family’s descendants, no one would dare stand in her way.

With careful planning, she could live quite freely within the Dou family!