Blossom

Ji Yong stood on the steps, thinking there probably wasn't anyone in the world more foolish than this Wei Tingyu!

After the wedding ceremony, when they entered the bridal chamber and lifted the veil, Dou Ming sat with her head bowed by the bed curtains where the light from the large red dragon and phoenix candles couldn't reach. Outside, Ma Jun's wife urgently called, "Marquis, hurry to the wedding tent to toast the guests—they're waiting!" Yet he didn't even take a careful look at his bride before hastily drinking the ceremonial wine and rushing out again.

Man proposes, but Heaven disposes.

Let's see what face he'll have to make a fuss when he discovers the bride has been switched!

A maidservant from the Wei family approached with a smile, respectfully curtsying to Ji Yong. "Cousin, we've prepared sobering-up soup in the Reception Hall. Would you like me to bring you a bowl?"

Once the newlyweds entered the bridal chamber, the bride's family members were supposed to return home and come back the next day for the kinship recognition banquet.

The Wei family servant was subtly reminding Ji Yong it was time to leave.

Ji Yong ignored her.

The woman couldn't help feeling uneasy.

Why was everyone from the Dou family so peculiar? The bride had entered the chamber, yet it was the woman of complete blessings from her natal family who handled everything. The personal maids and attendants who came with the dowry were all resting in the east wing, and the Wei family's assigned woman of complete blessings had been sent away to enjoy the wedding feast... Now that the newlyweds were inside, the bride's cousin just stood here unmoving—did he intend to eavesdrop on the wedding night?

The servant mused silently.

At least the bride was gracious. When the Wei family's relatives and friends came to see the new daughter-in-law, she simply lowered her head with a demure smile. She was beautiful and proper, with no pockmarks on her face or physical flaws—otherwise, the servant might have suspected something was wrong with the bride!

Just as she was thinking this, a burst of laughter came from the bridal chamber. Several distant relatives who had been teasing the bride all emerged at once. Among them was an elderly lady whom even the Marquis had to address as "Great-aunt," supported by her daughter-in-law. As she walked out, she joked, "No wonder the Marquis was in such a hurry to see his bride! With such an adorable young wife, if I were him, I'd chase everyone out too!"

Another round of laughter followed, startling the golden pheasants kept in the courtyard for auspiciousness into fluttering about.

Madam Cai curtsied repeatedly to the female guests of the Wei family. "Tomorrow, the Marquis will properly kowtow to all his elders." She escorted the group of women, who looked pleased by the flattery, out of the courtyard.

Ji Yong then saw Ma Jun's wife peeking out from the bridal chamber. Once the female guests had gone far enough, she slammed the door shut with a loud "bang!"

Smiling faintly, Ji Yong followed the servant away from the main chamber.

On the way, he ran into Dou Wenchang, who was drenched in sweat.

"Lord Ji, I've been looking everywhere for you," he said, wiping his forehead. "It's getting late—we should return. Tomorrow, we still need to arrange for people to attend the kinship recognition banquet..."

For Dou Zhao's wedding, he had been assigned to carry the bride.The fifth aunt had instructed him to make sure the groom got drunk, without specifying why or to what extent. Since coming of age, he had been assisting his fifth uncle, handling many tasks without knowing their purpose, which conditioned him to follow orders without question. Seeing Wei Tingyu already slurring his words, he didn’t push further. Unexpectedly, Ji Yong, who had tagged along for the fun, suddenly intervened and insisted on pouring more drinks until Wei Tingyu nearly collapsed under the table. If not for Wang Qinghai stepping in to block a few cups and reminding them sharply that it was Wei Tingyu’s wedding day, the groom might have been too drunk to even return to the bridal chamber.

Now that they were about to leave, Ji Yong had disappeared again.

As the Third Scholar, Ji Yong held a prestigious title, and Dou Wenchang, also a scholar, dared not pressure him. Hearing from the pages that Ji Yong had gone toward the bridal chamber, Dou Wenchang had no choice but to personally fetch him.

To his surprise, Ji Yong was unusually amiable, chatting and laughing as they left the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion, leaving Dou Wenchang puzzled—since when had this cousin from the Ji family become so agreeable?

※※※※※

The sky was faintly brightening. Jing'an Temple Alley, where the Seventh Master of the Dou family resided, was not a secluded lane. Both groups of masked men in black coarse short coats were cautious, their blades clashing silently to avoid drawing the attention of patrolling guards.

Duan Gongyi couldn’t help grumbling inwardly.

The Capital was truly a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers! Whoever sent these men had formidable skills. As the saying goes, one can’t stay vigilant forever. If they didn’t crush these attackers decisively now, they’d surely return for revenge later.

Zhu Yicheng was also muttering to himself.

What kind of family was this Dou household, to afford such skilled guards? What grudge did they hold against the Young Lord? This ambush had already alerted them, making future attempts even harder. Better to settle the score now than to hesitate in fear later.

Both men resolved to force the other into submission, intensifying their attacks.

Meanwhile, Song Mo seized the opportunity to slip unnoticed into the inner courtyard.

Dou Zhao usually lived in Locust Tree Alley but had returned to Jing'an Temple Alley for her wedding, naturally staying in the main chamber.

He headed toward the main residence.

Though eerily quiet, the grounds were impeccably clean, and most side rooms were unlit, indicating the household remained orderly.

If Dou Ming had taken Dou Zhao’s place in the marriage, why was the Dou family so calm? Even if the Seventh Master had tacitly approved, what about Dou Zhao’s aunt? Why hadn’t she protested?

Song Mo’s anxiety grew.

The main courtyard was silent. The red lanterns hanging along the covered corridors cast a crimson glow over the chambers, with only the eastern inner room of the main residence and the northern room of the east wing still lit.

After a brief hesitation, Song Mo tapped lightly on the window of the northern east-wing room.

No response.

He pressed his ear to the eastern inner room, listening intently.Faint voices of men could be heard from inside:

"...Shou Gu has always been sensible... I can only wrong her now... It's all my fault for misjudging people back then... Given how she repeatedly commits such hurtful acts, even if I took a concubine and had a son, she would likely drive the mother and child to the brink. Why should I bring harm to another person? Should I really entrust the child to Shou Gu? It's better to let Shou Gu stay at home! If Mingjier marries into the family under such unclear circumstances, her future will surely be difficult. No matter how forgiving Shou Gu is, she won’t be without resentment. The two sisters... may never speak cordially again in this lifetime... If Shou Gu remains at home, things might be manageable while I’m still here. But once I’m gone, Mingjier can forget about getting even a single tael of silver from the family... aside from the 20,000 taels in her dowry. Prepare another 50,000 taels for Mingjier—either buy her some land, shops, or help her invest in business with wealthy merchants from Jiangnan. That’s the last I can do for her... From then on, the family’s wealth will have nothing to do with her..."

Song Mo immediately recognized the speaker as Dou Shiying.

His chest burned with fury.

So you know everything! Instead of comforting Dou Zhao, who lost her marriage, you’re here pitying the daughter who took her place... Who will pity Dou Zhao for her suffering? It sounds noble to keep her at home and find her a husband willing to marry into the family. But what self-respecting man would agree to that?

He’d likely be worse than Wei Tingyu!

Moreover, from Seventh Master Dou’s tone, he didn’t seem the least bit worried that the Wei Family would renege. The Dou family remained calm, as if nothing had happened—proof that the arranged substitution was known to both families, with only Dou Zhao kept in the dark... or perhaps she knew as well!

Song Mo recalled Wei Tingyu’s elated face during the wedding ceremony.

He couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, "That worthless scoundrel!"

No matter how capable Dou Zhao was, if the entire family agreed, how could she defy them? Even if she forced her way, could she stop Wei Tingyu and Mingjier from being willing? And even if she did, what would be the point of such a forced arrangement? Would Dou Zhao even want it?

Clenching his fists, his blood boiled like scalding water, surging violently through his limbs. Overwhelmed by fury, he strode out.

The very air around him seemed to recoil from his rage, emitting an almost imperceptible hiss.

Dou Zhao walked in, chatting with Su Xin.

Song Mo froze.

Su Xin immediately sensed someone in the courtyard. She pulled Dou Zhao behind her and was about to shout, "Who’s there?" when she looked up and saw Song Mo, his eyes glinting with menace under the pale dawn sky.

Her heart tightened, and her voice instinctively softened as she hesitantly called out, "Young Lord."

Dou Zhao also spotted Song Mo.

Exhausted from the night’s events and confident in her past favor of saving his life, she didn’t scrutinize him as carefully as before and stepped out from behind Su Xin.

"Why are you here?" she asked quietly. "Did something happen on your end?"

Song Mo stared straight at Dou Zhao.Her hair was slightly disheveled, her eyes faintly bloodshot, her expression weary—like a flower left overnight, drained of moisture and luster.

He took several steps forward and tightly grasped Dou Zhao's arm, declaring indignantly, "Dou Zhao, I'll marry you!"

Dou Zhao couldn't believe what she had just heard.

She blinked, looking somewhat dazed.

※※※※※

Xia Lian, who had rushed over from Drum Tower Street, stared at Duan Gongyi with equal bewilderment. It took him a moment to regain his composure before he growled in a low voice, "Stand down!"

The two fighting parties leaped apart, standing in opposition before turning their gazes toward him.

"Misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!" Xia Lian hurried over. "This is all a misunderstanding!" He quickly introduced the parties to each other. "This is Guardian Duan from the Dou family, and this is Guardian Zhu from the Hall of Cultivating Will."

Duan Gongyi promptly responded courteously, "No wonder the skills were so impressive—you're under the Young Lord of the Duke of Yingguo! My apologies, my apologies!"

Zhu Yicheng hastily returned the courtesy, saying humbly, "I wouldn't dare. Guardian Duan's boxing skills are extraordinary—this is the first time I've witnessed such mastery. I've learned much!"

Yet inwardly, he found it strange. If they knew the Dou family, why had the Young Lord insisted on sneaking into the Dou residence at night?

Meanwhile, Duan Gongyi had already struck up a conversation with Xia Lian. "What brings you here? What exactly is going on?"

Xia Lian quickly replied, "Our Young Lord suspected something might have happened to the Fourth Miss, so he sent us to check..."

"Something happened to our Fourth Miss?" Duan Gongyi was puzzled. "What could possibly happen to our Fourth Miss?!"

Today was the Fourth Miss's wedding day. Could it be that the Young Lord, heartbroken, had made up an excuse to visit her chambers and wallow in sorrow?

Xia Lian mused, feeling as though he had asked a rather foolish question, and couldn't help but feel awkward.

Duan Gongyi knew there were secrets between Song Mo and Dou Zhao—nothing romantic, but still private. Naturally, he wouldn't press further and tactfully changed the subject. "Since we've met by chance, why not take advantage? Dawn is approaching, and the soybean milk vendor at the alley entrance should be setting up. Brother Xia, my treat—how about we go for a bowl?"

Xia Lian also felt this matter no longer concerned him and was somewhat tempted.

Zhu Yicheng disagreed, saying gravely, "But if the Young Lord comes out..."

"Just leave two men here to keep watch!" Duan Gongyi, ever forthright, said a word to Chen Xiaofeng before pulling Xia Lian and Zhu Yicheng toward Jing'an Temple.

Zhu Yicheng naturally refused, repeatedly declining.

But Xia Lian whispered to him, "It's fine—the Dou family's guards are here! Our families share a life-and-death bond. The Young Lord won't be out anytime soon. Guardian Duan has extended such a warm invitation—we really ought to accept. Otherwise, it would be too rude."

The two groups, who had just been at each other's throats, now chatted and laughed as they headed toward the alley entrance.

Chen He and Chen Xiaofeng each led two men, exchanging pleasantries in the alley.