Dou Shiying paced back and forth in his study all morning.
"Aside from the murder you mentioned regarding the Duke of England's heir, were there any other falsehoods in what Tao Qizhong said?" he asked Gaosheng seriously.
"None!" Gaosheng shook his head. "Everyone says the Duke of England's heir has the beauty of Song Yu and Pan An, excelling in both literary and martial arts."
"Oh!" This made Dou Shiying even more reluctant to give up so easily. After some thought, he decided to personally visit the summer palace: "Seeing is believing. To truly know a person, one must see for oneself!"
Gaosheng strongly agreed, feeling this approach would truly benefit Dou Zhao. Eagerly, he said, "I'll go to Huai Tree Alley right away."
Without an imperial summons, entering the summer palace would be impossible for someone of Dou Shiying's rank. He could only seek help from Dou Shishu.
"No need!" Dou Shiying's expression suddenly turned cold. In the eyes of those at Huai Tree Alley, Dou Zhao was merely an object—if not the He family, then the Wei family; if not the Wei family, then the Ji family. They were always scheming to fetch the best price, never considering Dou Zhao's feelings. Even raising a cat or dog would foster affection over time, let alone Dou Zhao, who had been betrothed to Wei Tingyu since childhood. Yet they allowed Dou Ming to marry into the Marquis of Jining's Mansion in Dou Zhao's stead...
Compared to the Duke of England's Mansion, the Ji family could undoubtedly offer the Dou family more tangible benefits. If Huai Tree Alley learned about the Song family matter, who knew what schemes they might hatch!
This time, no one would interfere with Dou Zhao's marriage. He would make the decision himself!
Dou Shiying lowered his voice and instructed Gaosheng, "You must not speak of Fourth Miss's matter to anyone at Huai Tree Alley." After a pause, he added, "Not a word to anyone!"
Gaosheng nodded repeatedly.
With nothing yet settled, he naturally wouldn't go around spreading rumors. Besides, Fourth Miss had just had her betrothed taken by Fifth Miss. No matter how nicely it was phrased, anyone with eyes could see the truth. If the marriage with the Song family fell through and word got out, how would Fourth Miss face society? It would be best, as Seventh Master said, to wait until both families formally exchanged betrothal gifts before telling those who wished to mock Fourth Miss, thereby clearing her name. That would be the proper way.
He assured Dou Shiying, "Not even my wife will hear a word of it."
Dou Shiying gave a satisfied hum.
Gaosheng quickly hitched the carriage and personally drove Dou Shiying to the summer palace by the Taiye Pond in the West Garden.
Dou Shiying had a former classmate serving as the Director of the Court of State Ceremonial, who happened to be accompanying the Emperor at the summer palace. He decided to use this connection to arrange a meeting with Song Mo, allowing him to observe the man discreetly.
Gaosheng parked the carriage near a small grove opposite the side gate of the summer palace. He took Dou Shiying's name card to request an audience with the former classmate, while Dou Shiying waited in the carriage.
The afternoon autumn sun was warm, half shining on the treetops and half on the carriage.
Dou Shiying, who had barely slept since discovering the sister-switch in marriages, drowsily closed his eyes.
Perhaps half an hour passed, or maybe just a moment.
Being near the summer palace, any noise would put one on alert.
Dou Shiying lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. He saw several men in Five Armies Battalion attire escorting someone dressed in Golden Guard uniform riding toward them.
He let out a surprised "Oh!" and leaned out further.The Five Armies Battalion was stationed outside the city, responsible for the defense of the Capital, while the Golden Guard served as the Emperor's personal escort. Though both were elite guards, there was a world of difference between them. Yet the men of the Five Armies Battalion had their own pride and were not easily commanded by the Golden Guard, let alone escorting them in such a manner. Clearly, the Golden Guard must have been acting on imperial orders to warrant such protection from the Five Armies Battalion.
A lone carriage stood conspicuously by the side gate of the summer retreat, impossible to miss.
Song Mo and the others on horseback couldn't help but glance at it.
Song Mo nearly fell off his horse.
It was actually the Dou family's Seventh Master!
What was he doing here?
The Dou family's Fifth Master had remained in the imperial palace with Liang Jifen.
Should he go over and greet him? If nothing else, if Seventh Master was looking for someone, Song Mo could certainly help more easily than he could!
The thought flashed through his mind, but he suddenly grew wary.
Could he be... here to observe him?
As the idea struck, realizing his horse was about to pass Dou Shiying's carriage, Song Mo decisively pulled the jade pendant from his waist, crushed it into pieces with hidden force, and flicked them at the horse pulling the Dou family's carriage.
The startled horse whinnied and bolted.
Dou Shiying was thrown against the carriage wall by the sudden jolt, momentarily dazed but fully aware of the situation.
This was trouble!
The Emperor's personal guards were notoriously arrogant, not even sparing a glance for ministers of the Six Boards, let alone a minor fourth-rank Hanlin academic like him!
Moreover, he was on the road leading to the summer retreat. If questioned, he wouldn't escape the charge of "spying on the imperial palace"!
In his bewildered state, he heard a clear, urgent voice shouting, "Quick! Stop that carriage! There's someone inside!"
Amidst the clattering noise, the carriage halted with a loud "Whoa!" from a man.
Dou Shiying, still groggy, tried to sit up.
The carriage curtain lifted as someone peered in. "Sir, are you alright?" A hand reached out to assist him.
The voice was as soothing and pleasant as a mountain spring.
Dou Shiying looked up.
He saw a face as radiant as the moon, with eyes that seemed to hold the essence of the stars, their brilliance rivaling the moonlight itself.
Upon closer inspection, he realized the person before him was a youth of about sixteen or seventeen, with a warm smile, composed demeanor, and graceful bearing. He carried the poise of a noble scion and the dignity of a distinguished family, leaving a lasting impression.
This must be what the ancients meant by "as handsome as Pan An, as beautiful as Song Yu," he thought.
With the youth's help, Dou Shiying alighted from the carriage.
He saw that the carriage had only run a short distance and was largely unharmed.
Relieved, Dou Shiying then worried about how to explain his presence to the Emperor's guards when he noticed the Five Armies Battalion men gathering around, addressing the youth as "Lord Song" and praising, "We've long heard of the Young Lord's exceptional horsemanship. Today, we witnessed it firsthand. That skill in reining in a horse alone is something we could spend a lifetime mastering."
So it was this youth who had saved him!
Dou Shiying smiled at him, his heart stirring.
The surname Song... Young Lord... sixteen or seventeen years old... as handsome as Pan An, as beautiful as Song Yu... serving in the Golden Guard... Could this be the Duke of Yingguo's heir, Song Yantang, also known as Song Mo?His gaze toward the young man suddenly burned with intensity.
Song Mo inwardly sighed with relief at his good fortune.
The Emperor hadn't ridden or practiced archery for years. Upon seeing the Imperial Guards' equestrian prowess, he was inspired to join them for morning rides at the training grounds.
Who would dare let the Emperor ride?
Yet who could stop him?
Wang Yuan devised a solution: assigning a page to hold the reins for each Imperial Guard who escorted the Emperor closely, while an exceptionally skilled horseman would lead the Emperor's horse, thus maintaining control over the imperial steed.
Seeing this was standard practice, the Emperor didn't object. Each morning, he would ride with his entourage while someone led his horse.
Song Mo had discreetly marked the Emperor's favorite riding crop. Just as the Emperor raised it to urge his horse forward as usual, the crop snapped in two.
Everyone was stunned.
The Emperor's wrath was thunderous.
Seizing the opportunity, Song Mo retrieved the broken crop.
Meanwhile, Wang Yuan knelt before the Emperor with a beaming smile: "This shows even old objects remain loyal, knowing to serve with utter devotion until death. This old servant congratulates Your Majesty—with capable generals abroad and loyal ministers at home, the realm enjoys peace and prosperity..."
The guards quickly caught on, praising the crop's "faithful service."
The Emperor burst into laughter, his anger dissipating like mist.
Song Mo seized the moment: "May Your Majesty permit this humble official to have it repaired at the Imperial Workshops? It could later hang in Your Majesty's study as an inspiration."
The Emperor nodded, casually assigning some Five Armies Battalion soldiers to escort him to the workshops.
Thus he obtained this assignment.
With limited time outside the palace and Dou Shiying absent from his duties due to illness—remaining secluded at home—Song Mo had worried whether Master Yan could arrange a chance encounter. Yet no sooner had he left the imperial retreat than he met Dou Shiying.
Was this divine providence?
His heart stirred with inexplicable excitement.
His words grew even more modest: "You flatter me, brothers. I'm unworthy of such praise." Then with genuine concern he asked Dou Shiying: "Are you alright, sir? Were you injured? Shall I summon a physician?" He added, "Though this road to the imperial summer retreat normally permits brief stops, with His Majesty currently residing here, it's best avoided unless necessary."
Could this amiable, humble youth truly be the notorious Young Lord of Duke of Yingguo rumored to have slaughtered countless?
Dou Shiying's eyes widened in disbelief.
A bystander snapped impatiently: "You pedantic scholar! This is the Young Lord of Duke of Yingguo—Commander Song Mo of the Golden Guard's Forward Right Division, who just saved your life! Instead of proper thanks, you stand there dithering? For an educated man, your manners are sorely lacking..."
Cold sweat broke out on Song Mo's brow.
Seventh Master Dou thanking him?
He sharply rebuked the man: "A trivial matter not worth mentioning!" Then gently told Dou Shiying: "We're on imperial business. Since you're unharmed, we must take our leave."
Some matters required knowing when to stop.
With that, he vaulted onto his horse.
But enlightenment struck Dou Shiying, who hastily called: "Commander Song, wait! I came seeking someone. As His Majesty's close attendant, might you convey a message?"Song Mo smiled and said, "Now is not the most convenient time. Let me arrange for someone to help you pass the message." He then called over the soldier he had scolded earlier. "Would you kindly escort this gentleman to my attendant and have him relay the message?" He added in a low voice to the soldier, "The person he seeks serves in the Court of State Ceremonial. Consider this a chance to redeem yourself—no more reckless shouting!"
Once again, Song Mo felt grateful for his good relations with the Five Armies Battalion and for bringing along this somewhat impulsive fellow.
If Dou Shiying wanted to inquire about him, there was no better candidate.
Especially after he had hinted at the soldier's chance to "redeem himself."
With a faint smile on his lips, Song Mo spurred his horse and rode off.
The woods were left with the crisp sound of hoofbeats and Dou Shiying’s cautious probing: "It seems the captain is quite familiar with Young Master Song..."
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