Blossom

Ji Yong was able to leave the study because he had participated in the compilation of the Grand Training of Culture —after all, he couldn’t very well skip his official duties, could he?

Yet his heart felt hollow, as though nothing could lift his spirits.

How had he and Dou Zhao ended up like this?

Where had things gone wrong?

Was it his stubbornness? Or Dou Zhao’s obstinacy?

Sitting in the spacious, well-lit beamless hall of the Imperial Archives, Ji Yong absentmindedly flipped through the daily records of Emperor Taizong’s reign. Memories of his time with Dou Zhao flashed through his mind like a series of paintings.

There was her teasing him, saying, “Careful, or you’ll end up as just a Presented Scholar.” There was her disappointed sigh when she told him, “I don’t want you to end up like Dou Ming.” And there was her furious rebuke when she snapped, “Let’s never see each other again!” Yet whenever he recalled these moments, they felt warm, pleasant, brimming with life and boundless joy—unlike his time in his great-grandfather’s study, where every emotion was calculated, every scheme had a predictable outcome, and life felt rigid, repeating the same routines day after day.

At this moment, Ji Yong wanted to see Dou Zhao more than ever.

He wanted to know whether she would explode in rage or simply fix him with those cold, star-like eyes as she coolly assessed Dou Shiying…

Closing the records, Ji Yong smiled at the eunuch standing nearby. “I suddenly feel quite dizzy. Could you find me a place to rest and bring me a cup of malt sugar water?”

A mere seventh-rank compiler had no right to order around a palace eunuch!

The eunuch rolled his eyes and replied with a mocking tone, “If the compiler is unwell, perhaps you should return another day to borrow these records of Emperor Taizong?”

Ji Yong signed the borrowing register, left the Imperial Archives, and headed straight for Jing’an Temple Alley.

※※※※※

Dou Zhao sat by the window on the heated brick bed, holding an embroidered forehead band she was making for her grandmother, not moving the needle for a long while.

When Su Xin entered with autumn pears and sweet melons, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

She had been standing by the veranda’s pillar when Dou Zhao spoke with Song Mo.

The young miss doesn’t want to marry. But the Young Lord is sincere in his feelings, and she surely knows it in her heart. She must be afraid that after marriage, he’ll change his mind like Master Dou did with the late Madam Zhao—that’s why she’s so hesitant and uncertain.

Though the Young Lord is younger than the young miss, he’s always been steady in his actions. Every time he visited her in Zhen Ding, he did so discreetly, without anyone noticing. If she marries him, at the very least, with the backing of the Duke of Yingguo’s household, she’ll surely reclaim her dowry. Even if things don’t work out between them later, she could settle in a quiet farmstead—still better than her current life, where she has to deal with one problem after another. By then, the Young Lord would be her husband, and she’d only have to manage him.

With another silent sigh, she gently took the needlework from Dou Zhao and said with a smile, “You’ve been sewing for days. Rest your eyes a little. Have some fruit—there’s still plenty of time before the New Year.”

Dou Zhao gave a soft “Oh,” snapping out of her thoughts, and flushed slightly in embarrassment.She had claimed to be making a forehead band for her grandmother for the New Year, but over the past few days, she had only managed a few stitches—most of the time was spent lost in thought.

Now, staring at the fruit before her, her mind began to wander again.

That night, Song Mo's words—"At the very least, Chen Qushui and Duan Gongyi can openly stay by your side"—had struck a chord with her.

In her past life, even the women who had been gifted to him could follow him if they wished or remarry if they chose. Given her relationship with him, why should she worry about not being able to live as she pleased?

Marrying Song Mo would at least spare her the need to lower her head and submit to a husband, as would be expected with anyone else.

Just the thought of it made her heart race!

But if she truly married Song Mo, the inexplicable attempts on his life by Song Yichun, the secrets of the Duke of England's Mansion, and the palace coup four years later would all loom before her like insurmountable chasms.

Could she cross them?

Did she even have the ability to help Song Mo overcome them?

And even if she ultimately weathered the storm, what price would she have to pay?

If she didn’t marry Song Mo and the engagement with the Ji family fell through, the Dou family would have to compensate the Ji family heavily for breaking their promise. The Dong Dou faction would never let it go—they would surely suppress, restrain, and even scheme against her.

Though she wasn’t afraid, the thought of enduring such a life for a long time to come was exhausting.

Now, Song Mo had given her a chance to escape all this. Should she take that step?

Dou Zhao was torn.

In her past life, she had been caught between a rock and a hard place and had blindly married Wei Tingyu without so much hesitation.

This time, with choices before her, she found herself unable to decide.

Was it true that the more options one had, the more lost they became?

Or was it simply that she lacked the ability to assess the situation and make a decisive, strategic choice?

Dou Zhao asked Su Xin, "Has Mr. Chen not come to see me?"

"No," Su Xin replied, handing her a cup of fragrant Yunwu tea.

She wished Dou Zhao would consult with Uncle Chen, so the young lady wouldn’t have to agonize alone over these thoughts.

But for some reason, Mr. Chen still hadn’t come to see her.

Dou Zhao said, "Go and invite Mr. Chen to the mansion."

Su Xin nodded eagerly.

Just then, a young maid entered and announced, "Fourth Miss, a Master Ji requests an audience!"

Dou Zhao was surprised. "Which Master Ji?"

Ever since her engagement had been settled, her father’s health had quickly recovered. He went to the yamen every day in high spirits and, after his duties, personally delivered invitations to his close friends and superiors, returning home very late.

The maid smiled. "Naturally, it’s the young master from the Ji family!" She added knowingly, "The Yuqiao Lane household must have received the master’s invitation. The young master must have come to congratulate you on your upcoming marriage."

Dou Zhao nodded inwardly.

Ji Yong knew she was getting married, yet instead of scheming to humiliate Song Mo to avenge his past grievances, he had come to see her. Whatever his reason, it showed far more restraint than before.

She instructed the maid, "Invite Cousin Ji to the Reception Hall for tea."

The maid hurried off.

Su Xin asked worriedly, "Miss, should we inform Sixth Madam?"She was afraid Ji Yong might stir up trouble by revealing that the Ji family had once sought to marry Dou Zhao. If anyone discovered that Dou Zhao hadn’t yet broken off her engagement at that time, and connected it to the Dou sisters switching marriages, they might assume the young lady was the instigator—that would be troublesome!

“No need.” Sixth Aunt already felt miserable enough about marrying worse each time, and Dou Zhao didn’t want to bother her with such matters. She said calmly, “This is Jing'an Temple Alley. If they think the food at Huai Tree Alley tastes better, then they can go serve there instead.”

Su Xin knew Dou Zhao was truly angry.

She couldn’t help but tense up and respectfully replied, “Yes.” After helping Dou Zhao change into fresh clothes, she accompanied her to the Reception Hall.

Ji Yong complained as soon as he saw her, “Why are you so slow? I have things to do!”

All the quarrels and hurtful words seemed never to have happened.

Dou Zhao suddenly felt as if she had returned to Zhen Ding.

Back then, Ji Yong had studied at Western Dou, teasing the monks; she had been confident about breaking off the engagement with the Wei Family, and in her free time, she would banter and laugh with Ji Yong. Both of them had thought life was wonderful, full of dreams for the future…

Wasn’t this the true innocence of childhood?

Dou Zhao’s eyes unexpectedly grew moist.

She asked Ji Yong, “What did you want to see me about?”

Ji Yong said, “Are you planning to marry Song Mo?”

Dou Zhao thought for a moment and replied, “If I tell you the truth, can you promise not to act solely based on your own preferences?”

Ji Yong retorted, “So even if I see you making a mistake, I should just let you go ahead with it?”

“You are not the fish; how do you know the fish’s joy?” Dou Zhao countered. “I didn’t ask for your help. You shouldn’t interfere arbitrarily.”

Ji Yong lowered his head and pondered for a long time before looking up, staring intently into Dou Zhao’s eyes. “Is this why you were angry?”

“Yes!” Dou Zhao didn’t evade his gaze and met it frankly. “I may not be as capable as you, but you should still respect my choices. Not just mine—but also those of your friends, classmates, colleagues, even your family. Everyone has their own preferences, shaped by their experiences. You can ignore those who differ from you, but you shouldn’t mock them.”

“We’re talking about you—why drag in all these irrelevant people?” Ji Yong had no patience for Dou Zhao’s lecturing and said, “Fine, I won’t interfere in your affairs.” But he couldn’t resist adding sarcastically, “I’ll wait to see you fall into a pit you can’t climb out of—then we’ll see if you come begging for my help!”

His childishness made Dou Zhao laugh despite herself.

Ji Yong scowled.

Dou Zhao quickly composed herself and said seriously, “I haven’t decided yet whether to marry Song Mo. But I am somewhat tempted.”

Ji Yong was exasperated. “That guy has nothing going for him except his family background. You don’t know—” He told Dou Zhao about Song Mo’s indiscriminate killings. “—And not only does he associate with eunuchs, but he also colludes with Gu Yu from the Huichang Earl’s family, engaging in profiteering and dealing with petty officials from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Personnel—utterly without principle. Think carefully about whether you really want to marry such a man!” Finally, he couldn’t help adding, “If you don’t want to marry him, I have a way to make the Song family withdraw the engagement without damaging your reputation!”"Thank you!" Dou Zhao sincerely expressed her gratitude, saying, "If I decide to break off the engagement with the Song family, I'll definitely consult you first."

Her words might as well have been nothing.

Ji Yong turned and left in a huff.

Only after leaving the Dou family estate did he realize he hadn't asked what he meant to ask or said what he intended to say, instead rambling on about trivial matters.

Yet strangely, his mood had lifted.

Could it be because Dou Zhao approved of his approach?

Standing before the gates of Jing'an Temple, Ji Yong gazed at the two stone lions standing over ten feet tall and murmured to himself.

Since when did he need others' approval to feel his actions were justified?

This matter required careful consideration.

Dou Zhao's words weren't necessarily all correct.

Ji Yong fell deep into thought.