Blossom

At this moment, Dou Ming, unaccustomed to such tasks, was applying too much pressure with her hands. Wei Tingyu had initially endured it silently, but eventually couldn't help turning his face away with a pained hiss.

Dou Ming froze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Wei Tingyu quickly said, "You should rest. Let me do it myself!" With that, he took the cloth from her hand and wiped his face haphazardly.

Wang Qinghai, who had accompanied Wei Tingyu back, gazed at his friend's bruised and swollen cheek with a dark expression. "Think again—are you sure there's no clue at all?"

Since Wang Qinghai's marriage to the youngest daughter of the Duke of Dongping, Zhou Shaochuan, his elder brother Wang Qinghuai had begun delegating some minor responsibilities to him. Wang Qinghai had been staying in Kaifeng overseeing the supply of stone materials for the repair works along the old course of the Yellow River. He had returned specifically for Wei Tingyu's wedding, only to encounter the shocking matter of the switched brides.

As this was Wei Tingyu's family affair, Wang Qinghai naturally refrained from commenting. Estimating that Wei Tingyu would have some free time these days, he had invited him for a gathering at Cuihua Tower.

Wei Tingyu, burdened with worries, drank several cups of wine. Before Wang Qinghai could broach the subject, he began pouring out his troubles.

"...The Dou family is one of the most prominent in Beizhili. I never dreamed something like this would happen... In my panic, I lifted the veil but didn't dare look, rushing out to toast the guests... By the time I returned, I was too drunk to remember anything... Later, Mingjier was crying, making scenes, even threatening to hang herself—everything was in chaos. I didn't have time to think clearly, my mind went blank, and I agreed to this marriage." He drained the cup before him, then poured himself another. "During the three-day returning to her maiden home, I was so ashamed. The moment I opened my eyes, I kept thinking about what I should say if I met the Fourth Miss... Who knew she would avoid us..."

"What's done is done. Why dwell on it?" Wang Qinghai advised. "Since you've accepted this marriage, you should focus on building a good life with Dou Shi! Your wavering only harms yourself, Dou Shi, and leaves the Fourth Miss with lingering resentment."

"I know," Wei Tingyu said gloomily. "I just keep thinking about what the Fourth Miss said."

Wang Qinghai couldn't help but exclaim, "What did the Fourth Miss say to you?"

Wei Tingyu replied, "Back when Mingjier had arranged to meet me at the Great Xiangguo Temple and was discovered by the Dou family, they wanted to break off the engagement. At that time, the Fourth Miss arranged to meet me at Jing'an Temple Alley. She said she believed there was nothing between Mingjier and me. She also suggested delaying the wedding, saying everyone's emotions were running high." His expression grew puzzled. "But Mingjier claimed the Fourth Miss was jealous because I had agreed to meet her at the temple and refused to marry me out of spite..."

Wang Qinghai inwardly shook his head.

From his first meeting with Dou Ming, he had noticed her overly shrewd eyes—such people usually had many schemes.

Now it seemed Dou Ming was not as innocent in this sister-switching incident as she had claimed.

But what could he say?

Better to demolish ten temples than ruin a single marriage.He could only try to console Wei Tingyu with kind words: "I once heard my mother mention in passing that there might be some things we don’t know about in this matter. But no matter what, it’s all in the past now. If you keep digging, it’ll only make things awkward for everyone. Why not just consider yourself the one who played the heartbreaker this time..." Seeing the heavy atmosphere, he joked, "What man hasn’t played the heartbreaker a few times in his life?"

Instead of lightening the mood, Wei Tingyu grew even more restless.

Excusing himself to use the restroom, he left the private room.

When he didn’t return after a long wait and a page was sent to look for him, they found Wei Tingyu beaten black and blue, slumped on the ground near the restroom...

When Wang Qinghai asked about the incident, Wei Tingyu shook his head in shame and anger, saying, "Those people didn’t say a word. They just put a sack over my head and started beating me wildly..." He paused briefly before exclaiming, "I remember now—the sack was made of silk, very smooth..."

"A silk sack?" Wang Qinghai mused. "The attacker must be someone wealthy or noble... Who would want to harm you?" He pressed Wei Tingyu, "Think carefully—have you offended anyone?"

Wei Tingyu thought hard but shook his head again.

Dou Ming, who had been listening nearby, suddenly turned pale.

She thought of Ji Yong.

Only Ji Yong would do something like this!

Only Ji Yong would target Wei Tingyu!

She shuddered and tightly clutched Wei Tingyu’s sleeve. "My lord, perhaps... perhaps you should go out less from now on? And if you must, bring more house guards—those people ambushed you when you were unprepared. You were at a disadvantage!"

Wei Tingyu nodded and smiled reassuringly. "It’s fine. I’ll be more careful in the future."

Just then, the Imperial Physician they had summoned arrived.

Dou Ming retreated to a side room while Wang Qinghai assisted Wei Tingyu during the examination. The physician diagnosed only superficial injuries and prescribed some medicine to promote blood circulation and reduce swelling, assuring them he would recover soon. Wang Qinghai then instructed Wei Tingyu’s personal page to fetch the medicine and urged Wei Tingyu to rest well, adding, "I’ll go ask around at Cuihua Tower to see if I can find out anything."

Being ambushed was no trivial matter, and since the attackers had planned it, neither Wang Qinghai nor Wei Tingyu reported it to the authorities. Instead, they sent trusted guards to question the manager and waiters at Cuihua Tower.

Wei Tingyu thanked Wang Qinghai apologetically.

Wang Qinghai laughed and playfully punched his shoulder. "We’re brothers—no need for such formalities!" Then he took his leave.

Wei Tingyu saw him off at the gate.

Upon returning to the Ting’an Marquis’s residence, Wang Qinghai went straight to Wang Qinghuai’s study.

Wang Qinghuai was in the middle of a conversation with Gu Yu.

Last time, Gu Yu had borrowed money from him, but after Wang Qinghuai gathered the funds, Gu Yu mentioned that Song Mo’s shops in Guangdong had a substantial income and he no longer needed the loan.

Though the money wasn’t lent, Wang Qinghuai’s chivalrous, decisive, and bold nature left a deep impression on Gu Yu. Gradually, Gu Yu became less perfunctory and more genuinely friendly toward him.

This time, Gu Yu sought Wang Qinghuai because he had learned that Wang Yuan had made a fortune trading silk in Jiangnan and wanted to partner with Wang Qinghuai in the silk business.

Everyone knew of Gu Yu’s reputation as the Little Tyrant of the Capital.Although he hadn't been bullying others much these past two years, who in the Capital's underworld would dare refuse this young master face?

Wang Qinghai didn't hide anything and directly told Wang Qinghuai about Wei Tingyu being ambushed in front of Gu Yu, asking his brother for help: "...Could you send two men to help me investigate what happened?"

Wang Qinghuai frowned deeply.

Anyone daring to ambush the Marquis of Jining was most likely no pushover either!

But Gu Yu became interested and said, "What's the use asking your brother? You should ask me!"

Wang Qinghai hadn't expected Gu Yu to be so accommodating and was overjoyed, repeatedly bowing in thanks.

Gu Yu immediately pulled Wang Qinghai away.

Wang Qinghuai felt his head swelling.

This young lord could stir up trouble out of nothing, let alone now when he had legitimate reason to stand up for Wei Tingyu.

He hurriedly called to Wang Qinghai: "Don't force things! Some matters are better clarified first." Hinting that his brother shouldn't let things spiral out of control.

Wang Qinghai nodded but was dragged away by Gu Yu before he could speak.

Ji Yong, who had done the beating, returned to his room happily. After washing up, he habitually read a few pages of books. Following his usual routine, he should have gone to sleep, as he had official duties early the next morning. But for some reason, his joy slowly drained away like sand through an hourglass, leaving his heart feeling hollow and empty. Without any pressing matters, sleep was impossible.

"Ji Jianming, I will never in this life marry someone who steals another's wife."

"From today onward, don't interfere in my affairs! You go your way, I'll go mine—we'll have nothing to do with each other until death!"

Dou Zhao's icy expression surfaced in his mind again.

Had he truly been wrong?

The noble man excels in strategy, the petty man in schemes.

Natural selection, survival of the fittest.

What was wrong with that?

Or... was Dou Zhao still hung up on Wei Tingyu and thus taking his side?

Ji Yong tossed and turned, sleepless as in previous nights.

Everything that had happened since meeting Dou Zhao played through his mind like a revolving lantern.

※※※※※

The dim lamplight cast a golden sheen over Song Mo.

He set down his brush and asked Chen He: "Fourth Miss Dou wants to see me?"

The Young Lord was engaged to Fourth Miss Dou of the Dou family!

From now on, Fourth Miss Dou would be his mistress!

Chen He still felt like he was in a dream since hearing the news, with no sense of reality.

He lowered his head and softly replied, "Yes."

The Young Lord could accomplish anything he set his mind to.

On the surface, Fourth Miss Dou and the Young Lord seemed completely unrelated—how could the Duke suddenly betroth her to the Young Lord? If the Young Lord hadn't pulled strings behind the scenes, Chen He wouldn't believe it even if beaten!

But what exactly had the Young Lord done?

He remained utterly confused without any clues!

Song Mo said, "Tell Fourth Miss that I'm returning to the palace tomorrow and probably won't be able to see her until evening or the day after. If she has urgent matters, she can send me a message or consult Master Yan. I've already informed Master Yan."

His expression remained somewhat stern, but the extraordinary patience in his tone made Chen He's heart tremble slightly.

In the past, the Young Lord only spoke this way to Madam Jiang, the Second Young Master, and the Duke.But ever since the Young Lord had a falling out with the Duke, he had never spoken to anyone in such a tone again.

Chen He straightened up, bowed respectfully, and withdrew.

Song Mo lowered his head and continued practicing his calligraphy.

Yet the corners of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly.

※※※※※

Upon receiving the reply, Dou Zhao was somewhat distracted.

Would she have to wait until tonight or tomorrow morning to see Song Mo?

The longer things dragged on, the harder they would be to resolve.

Her father had already eagerly announced her happy news, as if doing so could wash away the humiliation she had previously suffered.

At this thought, she couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Song Mo had been right after all.

Standing on his shoulders, she had indeed become honored.