Blossom

Dou Shiying turned to flee. "The Emperor has returned to the palace. I fear His Majesty might suddenly remember something and summon me for an audience. I must return to my study to review my books, lest I commit any improprieties before the throne."

Dou Zhao followed her father to the study and instructed the pages, "Summon Chief Steward Gao at once!"

Dou Shiying hid in the inner chamber with his books, pretending not to hear.

Dou Zhao ordered Gaosheng, "Go immediately to see Manager Zhang. Tell him that after writing to Zhen Ding for funds, my Third Uncle who manages family affairs learned of Father's intention to invest in Risheng Silver House. Concerned it might affect the Dou family's relationship with Tongde Bank, he wrote to dissuade Father. After careful consideration, Father has decided against the investment. However, since he previously promised Manager Zhang fifty thousand taels of silver, if Manager Zhang faces insufficient funds to establish the silver house, we can lend him the amount with Guo Yan's guarantee—interest-free, repayable at his convenience."

What an excellent excuse.

It offends neither party.

The Fourth Miss is truly a born merchant.

If only she were a son—then the Western Dou would have nothing to worry about!

Gaosheng dared not comment, glancing instead toward Dou Shiying.

Dou Shiying buried his head deeper in his book.

Recognizing this as silent consent, Gaosheng hurriedly responded with a smile, "As you wish."

This way, if Liao Wang succeeded, it would count as a goodwill gesture. If Liao Wang failed, it could be framed as a loan to Guo Yan—given the Dou family's ties with Grand Secretary Zeng, even if the Emperor sought retribution, the punishment wouldn't be fatal. It would preserve Father's reputation among scholars and leave room for future opportunities.

Dou Zhao cast a glance at her silent father and deliberately raised her voice to instruct Gaosheng, "When you visit Manager Zhang this time, take Cui Shisan and Zhang Fugui with you. Retrieve every document bearing Father's seal—not a single one must be missed. Be wary in case Manager Zhang reneges on his word."

Gaosheng was more honest than shrewd.

How could one treat others as potential thieves?

Especially when breaking the promise first!

Dou Shiying lifted his head, about to speak, but met Dou Zhao's icy glare. He mumbled something incoherent under his breath and lowered his head again.

Gaosheng knew his limitations. Hearing that Dou Zhao was sending others with him, he looked again at Dou Shiying, who remained deaf and mute. With a long sigh of relief, he bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Dou Zhao smiled and instructed the pages to attend to her father's studies diligently, then had a maid bring in a plate of fruit, which she placed personally on her father's desk before returning to her quarters.

Dou Shiying immediately slumped into the Grand Preceptor's Chair, deflated.

Back in her own chamber, Su Juan greeted her cheerfully. "Miss, word has come from the outer courtyard—Chief Steward Gao has arrived in Wanping and will reach the Capital by tomorrow morning."

Yet Dou Zhao felt as if she were frying in hot oil.

Would Father's contracts be retrievable? In three days, it would be her wedding day with Song Mo, and she still hadn't decided what to do.

To refuse—such a rare opportunity!

To accept—but what then?

She tossed and turned all night, rising the next morning with dark circles under her eyes.

A young maid entered to announce, "Chief Steward Gao from Zhen Ding has arrived!"

Accompanying Gaoxing (Happy) were Song Weimin and his nephew Song Yan."Now that Fourth Miss is getting married, it's time for me to resign from my teaching post," Mr. Song said with a smile as he bid farewell to Dou Shiying. "Over these years, I've been deeply grateful for your care and support, Lord Dou. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. Perhaps fate will bring us together again someday."

Dou Shiying repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay, but seeing Mr. Song's determination, he instead invited him to stay for Dou Zhao's wedding celebration before leaving.

Mr. Song happily agreed and settled into the guest quarters with Song Yan.

Gaoxing (Happy) had only two sons—the elder, Gao Jia, was fourteen, and the younger, Gao Zan, was ten. Upon hearing that Dou Shiying had assigned their family to serve Dou Zhao, Gaoxing was so overjoyed at the prospect of working alongside Duan Gongyi and the others again that he barely slept for several nights, spending the time instead dreaming with his wife and sons about the wealth and prosperity they would enjoy following Dou Zhao to the Duke's residence.

He led his wife and sons first to kowtow to Dou Shiying, then went to see Dou Zhao.

After Dou Zhao gave them a few words of advice about serving diligently in the future, Cui Shisan and Zhang Fugui arrived.

Su Xin discreetly signaled to Gaoxing, who promptly excused himself.

Dou Zhao received the two men in her study.

Cui Shisan reported, "...Shopkeeper Zhang didn't insist when he heard that the master couldn't invest. He said he'd find another way to fund the silver shop and wouldn't borrow money from the master. He explained that his main reason for wanting to go into business with the master and the other officials was admiration for their erudition—he wanted to befriend them, with business being secondary. He asked if the master might reconsider, perhaps investing a small share like Lord Guo, just to lend his name to the silver shop as a gesture of goodwill."

No sooner had he finished than Zhang Fugui, who had been eager to prove himself to Dou Zhao but lacked the opportunity, chimed in, "Fourth Miss, that Shopkeeper Zhang is truly despicable—his words are sweet as honey, but when Thirteenth Brother asked for the master's investment documents, he dodged and delayed. It seems he's fine with the master holding a smaller share, but if the master wants to withdraw entirely, that's absolutely out of the question."

Just as she had suspected.

Dou Zhao frowned slightly.

Her father was merely an ordinary scholar at the Imperial Academy, mild-mannered and without any particularly notable career prospects. The other party's persistence suggested ulterior motives—most likely targeting Fifth Uncle Dou Shishu.

This matter would have to be approached through Fifth Uncle.

She instructed Cui Shisan, "Go quietly to the chief steward of Huai Shu Alley. Tell him the master assigned you this task, but you couldn't handle it, and ask him to help retrieve Father's investment documents. As for how to proceed—you've been dealing with officials these past two years, so you should know the ropes."

Cui Shisan's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly.

Zhang Fugui's gaze at Dou Zhao instantly filled with admiration.

No wonder people say wisdom comes from books. Though Fourth Miss never leaves the house, she understands these intricacies perfectly—if you fail a task assigned by your employer, you can forget about keeping your position. By approaching the chief steward of Huai Shu Alley, explaining their purpose, and offering silver, the steward—seeing it as an opportunity to clean up Seventh Master's mess and perhaps earn his favor—would gladly use Fifth Master's influence to intimidate and pressure that Zhang fellow, especially since they knew the rules and were willing to pay.

Dou Zhao, however, was thinking that since Zhang Zhiqi had connections with Yu Shu Alley, he would naturally be happy to sever ties with her father.As for whether he could persuade Fifth Uncle to invest, based on her understanding of him, Fifth Uncle hadn’t yet secured his position as Chief Grand Secretary. He definitely wouldn’t risk complicating matters or leaving himself open to criticism at this time.

“Hurry and get this settled,” she instructed Cui Shisan and Zhang Fugui. “Don’t let delays cause trouble. Once you have the deed, bring it to me immediately. To prevent them from forging Father’s handwriting and seal, I’ll also need to persuade him to stop using the seal meant for deeds.”

The two men bowed in acknowledgment. Just then, her cousin Zhang Ru rushed in.

“Shou Gu! Shou Gu!” she exclaimed excitedly, completely oblivious to Cui Shisan and Zhang Fugui in the study. The two men barely had time to step aside, quickly lowering their heads and retreating to the side. “The Song family has sent someone with the code of conduct for your wedding! I sneaked a peek—they’ll come tomorrow at mao hour to escort the bride. They’re bringing thirty-six ceremonial gift boxes! My mother and Sixth Madam are discussing who to send for the dowry procession!” Her eyes sparkled as she plopped down beside Dou Zhao and whispered, “Who are you sending to arrange the bridal chamber? Have them sneak me in so I can see the excitement!”

According to custom, the bride’s family would send someone to hand over the dowry and prepare the bridal chamber.

The dowry handover was usually handled by an elder from the bride’s side, while the bridal chamber was arranged by someone familiar with the bride’s habits—perhaps a sister-in-law, a wet nurse, or even a personal maid.

When Dou Ming had married, it was Su Xin who had prepared the bridal chamber.

Who knew if Dou Ming had even gotten used to it?

Dou Zhao thought mockingly before motioning for Cui Shisan and Zhang Fugui to leave. She chuckled, “Aren’t you planning to attend the kinship ceremony?”

During the Double Morning Celebration Red, the bride’s brothers, sisters-in-law, and unmarried sisters would go to the groom’s house for the kinship banquet.

“Oh, right!” Zhao Zhangru stroked her chin. “If I go for the kinship wine during the Double Morning Celebration Red and the Song family recognizes me, that would be disastrous. Instead of sneaking into the Duke of England's Mansion disguised as a maid, I might as well wait for you to take me on a proper tour during the celebration.” Her excitement reignited. “Shou Gu, I’ve heard the Duke of England's Mansion takes up an entire alley! It takes two ke just to walk from the main gate to the main hall, and you need an oil cart to reach the Hanging Flower Gate. But there are only three people living there—won’t you be scared after you marry in?”

Dou Zhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. After finally coaxing Zhao Zhangru to leave, she hesitated for a long moment before instructing Su Xin, “I’d like to see the heir. Have Mr. Chen arrange it.”

Su Xin pressed her lips together and left Jing'an Temple Alley to carry out the order.

※※※※※

Song Mo was just taking his leave from Empress Wan. “...I’ve requested four days off. After that, I’ll return to duty with the Golden Guard. If Your Majesty has any orders, I’ll come to the palace at once.”

Despite her meticulous care, the Empress looked exhausted and older than her years after days of anxiety.

“You’re about to get married, yet I’ve kept you in the palace...” A trace of guilt flickered in her expression. “The Emperor’s condition has stabilized, and nothing should happen in the next few days. Go home now! Be a proper groom!” By the end, she smiled, her dignified face brightening with renewed energy.

Song Mo bowed respectfully and withdrew.Gu Yu was idly teasing the palace maids when he saw Song Mo emerge. He immediately abandoned the maids and hurried over. "How did it go? What did my aunt say? Did she mention any rewards for you?"

Song Mo gently patted his head. "All you ever think about is rewards! Can't you focus on comforting the Empress properly?"

Gu Yu pouted. "With the Crown Prince keeping her company, there's no need for me to hover around." These past few days, Song Mo had been very busy, and Gu Yu himself was often tasked with various errands by the Empress, leaving them no chance for private conversation. The matter of Dou Zhao had almost become an obsession for him. Seeing that Song Mo was free to leave the palace, he quickly said, "Wait for me a moment. I'll go tell my aunt and leave the palace with you—how can I miss your wedding banquet?" As he spoke, he dashed toward the rear hall, repeatedly calling back to Song Mo, "You must wait for me! I have something important to tell you!"

Song Mo smiled faintly.

To Gu Yu, even an apple not being crisp or a plum being too sour could be considered "important matters."

But this was the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, after all!

And Song Mo shared no blood relation with the Empress!

With a chuckle, Song Mo slipped a piece of silver to a nearby palace maid and politely said, "Sister, could you kindly inform Young Master Gu later that I'll be waiting for him at the Xizhi Gate?"

The maid's face immediately flushed crimson, and she stammered, "Young Lord, you needn’t be so courteous. This humble servant will certainly relay your message."