Blossom

Gu Yu couldn't help but mutter when he heard the news: "Why is everyone getting married one after another?"

Wang Qinghuai chuckled teasingly, "You're not getting any younger either. Do you want me to play matchmaker for you?"

"No, no need!" Gu Yu blushed and fled in embarrassment.

Once outside the Fugui Quarter, gazing at the bustling street, he suddenly felt a wave of loneliness wash over him.

Others had elders caring about their marriages, but what about him? Despite bearing the title of the Empress's nephew, he was neither loved by his mother nor cherished by his father.

Thinking of the messy affairs at home, and with Song Mo having entered the palace, Gu Yu stood in the crowded street, unsure where to go.

His two personal guards exchanged glances, and one of them stepped forward with a flattering smile, whispering, "Young Master, where shall we go?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, Gu Yu regained his usual slightly arrogant demeanor but hesitated before saying, "Let's... go to the palace?" As the words left his mouth, he seemed to have made up his mind and declared firmly, "We're going to the palace. I want to see Her Majesty the Empress."

Every time the Emperor fell ill, it was always his aunt who cared for him alone. The concubines had initially tried to curry favor in front of the Emperor, but after realizing he remembered nothing upon waking and that a single misstep could provoke his wrath—even risking their lives—they began pretending ignorance. His aunt, fearing a repeat of the Dragon Boat Festival incident years ago when the princes and princesses had been terrified witnessing the Emperor's episode, had no choice but to endure it alone.

At a time like this, his aunt must need someone by her side to comfort her, right?

Unfortunately, Liao Wang was in Liaodong, and Princess Jingyi was tactless—neither of her own children could be relied upon.

Given the circumstances, his aunt summoning Tianci into the palace showed her high regard for him. Though it was a difficult task for Tianci, it was also an opportunity. With Tianci's intelligence, he would surely seize this chance.

But I wonder if the Crown Prince has noticed the Emperor's illness.

Gu Yu's mind conjured up the image of the frail Crown Prince, leaving him feeling lost.

The Crown Prince was like a passerby—always lacking presence. Unlike Liao Wang, who was handsome, upright, forthright, decisive, and instantly likable. Skilled in falconry, horsemanship, archery, and marksmanship, he was on par with Tianci. It was a pity he had requested to leave for his fiefdom so early; otherwise, the Capital wouldn't feel so dreary.

Sighing, he staggered through the Dongzhimen Gate.

※※※※※

When Dou Zhao heard that her family had invited the woman of complete blessings and the hairdresser for a feast, she was shocked and asked, "What's the date today?"

Su Lan replied bluntly, "What do you mean what date? It's already the 18th."

Dou Zhao was startled. "How did time pass so quickly?"

Gan Lu, who was carrying a pair of rainbow-glazed vases, chimed in with a laugh, "Indeed. I haven't even finished packing my things, and the day of the young lady's wedding is almost here." She added, "We shouldn't have taken those dowry items out of the trunks in the first place. They were just stored away, and now we have to repack them."

Just then, Aunt and Sixth Aunt arrived together, followed by the little tagalong Zhao Zhangru.

Hearing this, Aunt asked, "How much is left to pack? I'll have Peng Momo lend you a hand!"Gan Lu dared not trouble the maidservants who served her aunt closely. She hurriedly said, "We'll be done packing soon." Afraid her aunt wouldn't believe her, she added with a smile, "I just wanted to show off my achievements in front of the young miss."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Dou Zhao stepped forward to greet her aunt, Sixth Aunt, and Zhao Zhangru. They all sat down in the Resting Chamber for tea. Dou Zhao asked, "Sixth Aunt, what brings you here?"

Han Shi had been married for nearly three years and had recently been diagnosed with a pregnancy pulse. Ji Shi had been quite anxious and had been staying home to take care of Han Shi these past few days.

"Today is the day to invite the woman of complete blessings and the hairdresser, isn't it?" Ji Shi smiled. "Your father sent word asking me to accompany Madam Zhao."

Perhaps the sister-swapping incident had crossed Dou Shiying's bottom line. From the matchmaker to the woman of complete blessings, he had only invited his close friends and their wives, not allowing anyone from Huai Shu Alley to interfere. It seemed as if he was guarding against them, choosing only those unfamiliar with the people from Huai Shu Alley.

Dou Zhao had been restless these past few days and hadn't paid much attention to the wedding arrangements. Hearing that the woman of complete blessings was Madam Zhao, whom she didn't know, she smiled and asked, "Which Madam Zhao is this?"

Her aunt replied with a smile, "Madam Zhao, the wife of Zhao Peijie, the Junior Supervisor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices." As if worried Dou Zhao might feel uneasy, she quickly added, "I've met her—she's very kind, straightforward, and efficient."

Dou Zhao frowned slightly.

What a coincidence?

She wanted to ask more, but a maidservant came in to announce, "Sixth Madam, Aunt, Madam Zhao has arrived."

They dropped the topic. Sixth Aunt and Aunt went to the Reception Hall, while Zhao Zhangru stayed behind to have lunch with Dou Zhao.

Taking advantage of the maidservants setting the table, Zhao Zhangru whispered to Dou Zhao, "Do you want to see what Madam Zhao looks like?"

Though already in her twenties, she still acted like a child.

Dou Zhao didn't know whether to envy her cousin's innocence or worry about it.

She teased Zhao Zhangru, "Be careful Aunt catches you red-handed."

Zhao Zhangru immediately deflated and asked, "Does this mean we can't go to Xiangshan to see the autumn leaves?"

Seeing her cousin's disappointment, Dou Zhao couldn't bear it and said, "Of course we can go. Let's ask Aunt later, and we'll go to Xiangshan tomorrow to see the leaves."

Zhao Zhangru's eyes lit up.

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.

A trip to Xiangshan to see the autumn leaves would be good—it would help her set aside these troubles and stop her from brooding at home all day.

After walking around Xiangshan with Zhao Zhangru, her mood indeed lifted considerably. That night, she fell asleep as soon as she lay down and didn't wake until the sun was high in the sky.

Su Xin came in to help her wash up and reported, "Chief Steward Gao has already sent someone to ask twice if you're awake."

Dou Zhao quickly said, "Please invite him in at once."

Su Xin complied and left.

Dou Zhao hastily drank a cup of hot tea and went to the hall.

Gaosheng smiled wryly. "Shopkeeper Zhang came to see me in person yesterday and even invited me to Drunken Immortal Tower for a drink. He admitted that if the matter succeeds, he'd give me three thousand taels of silver—he thought I was deliberately making things difficult for him!"

Dou Zhao couldn't help but laugh. "What did you say?"

"Naturally, I stuck to your instructions," Gaosheng said. Though he prided himself on his loyalty, he still felt uneasy about giving Zhang Zhiqi a hard time. "Shopkeeper Zhang then asked if we could spare ten thousand taels before the New Year, or even eight thousand taels would do. I had to insist that we wouldn't know until the year-end accounts were settled. He left very disappointed."Dou Zhao nodded.

Now it was time to see what moves Zhang Zhiqi would make next.

Gaosheng hesitated for a moment, his face reddening as he said, "The master said... he wants you to stop loan sharking. If you're short on silver, you can just go through my accounts."

He must have felt embarrassed about privately relaying Dou Zhao's instructions to Dou Shiying after she had entrusted him with them.

Dou Zhao smiled. "How much private savings does Father have? If he gives them to me, what will he use for himself?"

Gaosheng thought of how Dou Zhao had casually mentioned thirty thousand taels of silver without batting an eye—no less extravagant than Dou Shiying himself—and didn’t dare respond.

Dou Zhao respected Gaosheng’s loyalty to her father. Smiling, she stood up to see him out.

Later, Zhang Zhiqi visited Gaosheng twice more. Seeing Gaosheng’s sincere words and inquiring about his character, Zhang Zhiqi realized he wasn’t being deliberately difficult and calmed down. He arranged to meet Gaosheng again after the Spring Festival, to which Gaosheng readily agreed, relieved.

Dou Zhao then instructed Chen Qushui to investigate Zhang Zhiqi’s movements.

As she had expected, Zhang Zhiqi began extensively networking with officials who, though not of high rank, were close confidants of either the Emperor or the Crown Prince.

Dou Zhao’s mood grew heavy.

She had a long talk with her father, hoping he would withdraw his shares from Risheng Silver House.

Her father refused. "A man must keep his word. Since I’ve agreed, I can’t go back on my promise." But seeing the unprecedented gravity and seriousness on Dou Zhao’s face, he grew uneasy and added somewhat guiltily, "How about this—after you’re married, I’ll send Happy to dissolve the shares?"

Wouldn’t that mean openly breaking ties with Zhang Zhiqi?

Dou Zhao frowned. "What if Zhang Zhiqi says he has no silver to return?"

Dou Shiying dismissed the concern. "If it’s a loss, then it’s a loss. No business venture is without risks."

Dou Zhao was exasperated.

This wasn’t about profit or loss—it was about whether they would be seen as part of Liao Wang’s faction.

In her past life, it was only because Song Mo had unhesitatingly shot the Crown Prince that Liao Wang had been able to force the Emperor to abdicate smoothly.

In this life, she had worked hard to set Song Mo on the right path. When Liao Wang made his move, who would be willing to bear the infamy of killing the Crown Prince, as Song Mo had done?

If the Crown Prince didn’t die, how could the Emperor be forced to comply?

Yet in her past life, Liao Wang had indeed ascended the throne.

Wouldn’t it be better to stay far away from Liao Wang and live a peaceful, uneventful life? Why wade into these troubled waters?

After Liao Wang became emperor, hadn’t he still appointed ministers who hadn’t participated in the rebellion—as long as they didn’t resist like Liang Jifang, who had dashed his head against a pillar?

"If Father never intended to reclaim those fifty thousand taels of silver, why bother giving me the deed?" Dou Zhao pressed him to take a stand. "Do you mean for me to bear this empty title? I won’t have it. You promised me the shares in Risheng Silver House, so they’re mine now. I want to withdraw! That silver house won’t take a single tael from me!"

Dou Zhao had lost her mother young and grown up in the countryside of Zhen Ding. She was sensible and considerate, and Dou Shiying had always felt he owed her much, making him somewhat guilty in her presence. Now, with her almond eyes wide and her face cold as frost, Dou Shiying broke into a sweat. "How about... I give you another fifty thousand taels?""Do I lack those fifty thousand taels of silver?" Dou Zhao stared at her father. "I just don’t like how you’re indifferent to everything, letting anyone take advantage of you. That Guo Yan is a major landowner in Shanxi with thousands of acres of fertile land. Why should you alone contribute fifty thousand taels while he pools funds with Lord Zhao and Lord Chen..."

"No, no!" Dou Shiying was deeply moved by his daughter’s unwavering support and quickly explained, "It was my idea to give you more silver. I volunteered to put in fifty thousand taels..."

Dou Zhao’s heart stirred, but she retorted, "Is fifty thousand taels a trivial sum? Even if you offered it willingly, if Guo Yan truly respected you, he shouldn’t have let you shoulder the entire burden. Who can guarantee that Risheng Silver House will definitely turn a profit? No matter what you say this time, I’m determined to withdraw my shares. If you won’t speak to Manager Zhang, I’ll send Gaosheng to do it!"

Dou Shiying was at his wits' end.