Blossom

Dou Zhao was immersed in beautiful visions of the future, while the servants in Jing'an Temple Alley, seeing that she had not only refrained from making a scene upon regaining consciousness but had also soothed her father and comforted her aunt in the absence of Wang Yingxue, who had been confined, quickly took control of the situation. Through her words and actions, she made her stance clear toward Fifth Madam and others, providing the servants with a sense of direction. They collectively sighed in relief and returned to their usual leisurely pace. After Dou Zhao retired, they resumed their duties—brewing fresh tea for the ladies in the hall, leading the old women in cleaning up leftover firecracker debris, arranging night shifts, and taking inventory of dishes and utensils—everything swiftly falling into order.

The old women in the kitchen even sent a young maid to ask Nanny Liu, "It's getting late. What kind of midnight snacks do the madams and ladies prefer?"

Nanny Liu, thinking of Dou Zhao's composed demeanor, knew full well that even if the sky were to fall, taller people would bear the brunt, and it had little to do with her. Yet, inexplicably, her heart tightened. She had no appetite for midnight snacks, only wishing to hurry back and report the matter to Second Madam for guidance. However, with Fifth Madam present, she had no choice but to seek her instructions first.

The situation had unfolded entirely beyond Fifth Madam's expectations.

Logically, after such a major incident, Dou Zhao should have been distraught or at least shed a few tears. Yet, she hadn't shed a single tear, quickly accepting Dou Ming's substitution in the marriage and immediately devising a countermeasure with such confidence that it seemed premeditated.

But Fifth Madam dismissed the thought immediately.

Only she, Madam Cai, and Second Madam knew of this plan—they would never have revealed it to Dou Zhao.

Did that mean Dou Zhao was naturally this calm and collected in the face of crisis?

Then there was Dou Shiying. The substitution of his younger daughter for the elder in marriage was something he would surely struggle to accept. In his anger, he might have acted rashly, yet he had quickly discerned the oddity in the situation and reacted so vehemently that he fainted from rage.

Madam Zhao had also proven far more level-headed than expected.

Upon hearing that Dou Ming had taken Dou Zhao's place in the bridal sedan, she had grabbed Madam Xu Wang by the collar, threatening to take the matter to the authorities, leaving Madam Xu Wang utterly humiliated. Though initially furious, Madam Zhao soon regained her composure, clearly unwilling to escalate the situation before Dou Ming's marriage into the Wei Family was finalized, lest it thrust Dou Zhao into the spotlight.

Fifth Madam faintly sensed that something about this plan felt amiss—it might not proceed as smoothly as she had hoped...

Which meant she couldn't afford to leave Jing'an Temple Alley just yet.

If anything went awry, she needed to be on hand to address it promptly...

Fifth Madam pondered whether to inform Dou Zhao about the Ji Family matter.

For someone as proud and intelligent as Dou Zhao, sincerity would always prove more effective than deception and manipulation.

Adopting a consultative tone, she said to Nanny Liu, "It seems the ladies from the Ji and Wang Families haven't left yet, and with no one in charge here, we can't simply wash our hands of the matter. We should stay. Someone also needs to notify the Ji and Wang Families."

The Ji Family's female guests, who had come to witness the ceremony, had been seated in the side courtyard's rooms. Since Ji Shi was summoned, they had not reappeared.Madam Xu Wang, however, had been frightened by Madam Zhao's commotion. She was taken to a side chamber to rest, and someone was sent to fetch an Imperial Physician. Before the physician arrived, Gao Shi and the others dared not move Madam Xu Wang and stayed behind.

Fifth Madam spoke to her this way only because she served Second Madam. Nanny Liu understood this distinction clearly and wouldn’t dare put on airs. She hurriedly flattered Fifth Madam for her thoughtfulness. Just then, the young maid sent to attend to the Ji family women rushed in, looking panicked.

"Something terrible has happened," she said, hastily curtsying to Fifth Madam before reporting, "I don’t know why, but Sixth Madam suddenly burst into tears while talking with the Ji family."

This maid had been sent by Fifth Madam to eavesdrop in the neighboring side room.

Fifth Madam exchanged a glance with Nanny Liu.

It seemed Sixth Madam had learned that Dou Ming had married into the Wei family in Dou Zhao’s place.

After a moment’s thought, Fifth Madam said, "Should we go and console her?"

Sometimes, though covering one’s ears to steal a bell might seem laughable, one still had to cover their ears.

She took Nanny Liu along the covered corridors to the neighboring side room. On the way, they encountered Ji Shi.

Ji Shi’s eyes were red, her face taut and grim.

Fifth Madam greeted her with a smile, "Sister-in-law," but Ji Shi didn’t even glance at her, brushing past and heading straight for the eastern chamber where Dou Zhao was resting.

"Su Xin, leave us. I have something to say to your mistress," Ji Shi dismissed Su Xin briskly, then tearfully grasped Dou Zhao’s hand as she rose at the commotion. Choking up, she asked, "Shou Gu, tell me the truth—if you were to marry Jianming, would you be willing?"

Dou Zhao froze.

Seeing this, Ji Shi’s tears fell freely. "Shou Gu, this is all Sixth Aunt’s fault. I knew our family’s elder had taken a liking to you and thought I could persuade the Dou family to break off the engagement with the Wei family. Though Jianming isn’t an ideal match, if you were willing, I would speak to my sister-in-law on your behalf. With your intelligence, you could have lived well. But I never imagined they would resort to a substitution... If you’re willing to marry Jianming, we’ll let this pass. If not, Sixth Aunt will go to your Sixth Uncle immediately. Even if Mingjier has entered the Wei household, with the marriage certificate in hand, this marriage won’t stand!"

Dou Zhao’s eyes welled up, and she buried her face in Ji Shi’s shoulder.

Tears quickly dampened Ji Shi’s clothes.

"Sixth Aunt, I don’t want to marry into the Wei family, nor the Ji family," she sobbed. "I just want to stay at home, free and unfettered as a paternal aunt."

Faced with such a situation, what else could Dou Zhao say?

Ji Shi wept quietly.

For a moment, the room was thick with sorrow.

※※※※※

Gu Yu sat in the wedding tent at the Marquis of Jining’s mansion, bored as he watched Dou Wenchang, the eldest son of the Dou family, relentlessly plying Wei Tingyu with drinks—and Wei Tingyu happily downing them all.

He muttered under his breath, "Idiot," then turned to Wang Qinghuai, who was socializing at the next table, and said, "Why are all the Dou family’s brothers-in-law the same? They drown the groom in liquor. Anyone who marries their daughters is cursed for eight lifetimes!"

Wang Qinghuai, already quite drunk, chuckled in response.Gu Yu craned his neck, looking around anxiously. "Where has Tianci gone? The bride has already entered the bridal chamber, and he still hasn’t returned. Could he have gone home?" But knowing Song Mo’s temperament, he doubted it. He called his page over. "Go and find him."

The page hurried off.

Song Mo stared at the dimly lit Huai Tree Alley, his expression darker than the night itself.

"No one is in Huai Tree Alley?" he asked again, confirming.

"Aside from a few servants, everyone from the Dou family has gone to Jing'an Temple Alley," Zhu Chengyi stated firmly. "Today is Fourth Miss Dou’s wedding. Fifth Madam and the other women and children of the Dou family went to Jing'an Temple Alley yesterday and haven’t returned. Only Grand Secretary Dou and a few maids remain at home."

Could Dou Zhao still be at Jing'an Temple Alley?

Song Mo’s heart burned with impatience, his mind racing.

If the Wei family wanted to marry someone else, they could simply break off the engagement with the Dou family. Why resort to such a substitution? Clearly, the Wei family had no idea the bride had been swapped.

The Dou family had been officials for generations. Dou Yuanji, now a Grand Secretary, couldn’t possibly be unaware of the consequences of a fraudulent marriage. Whoever was sent in Dou Zhao’s place must be of comparable status...

He recalled Dou Zhao had a younger sister.

Could it be her sister who was married off?

But why?

Marriage was meant to unite two families. The Dou family was scholarly, while the Wei family was military—they belonged to entirely different circles. Moreover, the Wei family held no power or influence. There was no reason for the Dou family to go to such lengths to maintain this marriage, risking public ridicule.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Song Mo’s eyes turned icy.

The summer palace lacked the grandeur and solemnity of the Forbidden City, and the Emperor, free from the usual courtly restraints, often amused himself with his consorts and young princes. He also frequently summoned the accompanying Golden Guard to demonstrate their horsemanship and archery. Among them, Song Mo and Dong Qi, both from prominent families, were often called for private audiences.

Just three days ago, the Ministry of War had submitted a memorial requesting the Ministry of Personnel to evaluate Wang Xingyi’s merits.

The Emperor had smiled and remarked, "This Wang Yousheng is quite the talent," instructing Wang Yuan to pass the memorial to Chief Grand Secretary Liang Jifang.

Could this entire scheme be Wang Shi’s doing?

Song Mo’s heart felt as if it had been doused in chili powder—burning, searing with pain.

Bastards!

Every last one of them!

Could a bride substitution be pulled off by just one person?

Song Mo thought back to the rumors swirling before Dou Zhao’s wedding. She had told him not to interfere, saying she had her own plans. Had she already sensed something back then?

Dou Zhao was sharp as ice. If she had no interest in Wei Tingyu, she would have broken off the engagement long ago. Why would she repeatedly clash with the Wei family?

She had been determined to marry into the Wei family, yet they had ruthlessly torn her happiness apart.

Was this a joint scheme between the Wang and Dou families? Or was the Wang family the mastermind, with the Dou family turning a blind eye?

Had Wei Tingyu already been involved with Dou Zhao’s sister?

A wedding was a once-in-a-lifetime event. What woman would willingly marry in secret?

Or perhaps it wasn’t secret at all—perhaps it had been done openly, brazenly!

Song Mo’s whip sliced through the air with a sharp crack, striking the wall. A shower of dust fell, leaving behind a deep mark.

They were simply taking advantage of Dou Zhao’s misfortune—having lost her parents young, with no one to stand up for her!"Xia Lian!" Song Mo said in a low voice, "Take a few men to check if Mr. Chen and the others are at the shop under the Drum Tower. If they're there, bring them to Jing'an Temple Alley. If not, go straight to Jing'an Temple Alley immediately. Zhu Chengyi, you and the rest come with me."

Xia Lian and the others silently clasped their fists in acknowledgment, their figures vanishing like ghosts into the vast night.

※※※※※

Dou Zhao had just managed to settle Ji Shi when the sound of the fourth watch drum reached her ears.

She couldn't help but look up.

A crescent moon hung in the sky, with a few stars twinkling brightly.

Tomorrow would likely be fine weather.

Perfect for dealing with Dou Ming's matter.

Dou Zhao was thinking this when she saw Su Xin hurrying toward her.

"Miss," Su Xin said, "Guardian Duan just sent a secret signal saying someone has broken in. He told us to stay inside and not come out."

Dou Zhao was stunned. "My father is only a minor fifth-rank official who doesn't even attend the grand morning court sessions. Why would anyone target the Dou family? If they wanted to rob someone, shouldn't they be going to Locust Tree Lane instead?"