Blossom

Song Mo exited the Palace of Earthly Tranquility and encountered Ma Youming, the deputy general of the Divine Pivot Camp, along with a group of his subordinates at Xizhi Gate.

Before Song Mo could even greet him, Ma Youming slapped him hard on the shoulder with a loud "smack," causing Song Mo to stagger slightly.

"Young Lord, you're getting married, yet you didn’t even call on us brothers to help out?" Ma Youming grumbled discontentedly. "That’s not very considerate of you!"

His subordinates chimed in noisily.

"Young Lord, the brothers of our Divine Pivot Camp are no less capable than those of the Golden Guard!"

"Young Lord, though we’re military officers, we’ve also studied in private schools for years. We’d never embarrass you during the bridal procession—rest assured!"

"Exactly!" another added. "Young Lord, we’ll pick brothers of the same height, dressed in Divine Pivot Camp uniforms, to escort you. We’ll look even more imposing than the Standard Bearer Guard!"

...

Their clamor grew so loud that the four Standard Bearer Guards on duty at Xizhi Gate couldn’t hold back. One retorted, "What’s wrong with our Standard Bearer Guard? Our Metropolitan Commander served in the former Military Command Office under the Duke’s command. If the Young Lord needs an honor guard, it certainly shouldn’t be your lot from the Divine Pivot Camp!"

"You’re just embroidered pillows—all show and no substance! How can you compare to our Divine Pivot Camp?"

"Enough! When your Divine Pivot Camp marches out, you look like you’re out for blood. Those who know might think you’re escorting the Young Lord, but those who don’t would assume you’re seeking revenge. Don’t ruin the Young Lord’s big day!"

The group completely forgot about Song Mo, the very person they were arguing over, and bickered among themselves.

Song Mo was torn between laughter and exasperation.

He’d long known these troublemakers thrived on chaos!

He wasn’t a prince or a royal kinsman—what right did he have to use imperial pomp? Did they think he wanted to give the censors something to complain about?

Pretending not to hear or see the commotion, Song Mo clasped his hands toward Ma Youming and greeted him warmly. "Brother Ma, when did you arrive at the palace? Why didn’t you stop by my place?"

"The Golden Guard’s threshold is too high—I’d trip over it," Ma Youming grumbled with a chuckle before explaining, "Commander Wang was summoned by Grand Secretary Liang for questioning, so a few of us brothers tagged along." Then he repeatedly congratulated Song Mo: "May the Young Lord and his bride live in perfect harmony and grow old together."

The "Commander Wang" Ma Youming referred to was Wang Xu, the Metropolitan Commander of the Divine Pivot Camp.

Song Mo quickly thanked him.

Ma Youming then brought up Song Mo’s wedding: "...I hadn’t heard a whisper about it before. Yesterday, I suddenly received the invitation and nearly jumped out of my skin—thought someone was playing a joke! It wasn’t until the heir of Huichang County came to see Commander Wang that I confirmed it was real. Given the timing, which dignitaries have you invited for the Bridal Urging ceremony?" His tone betrayed lingering resentment over the abrupt invitation, feeling slighted by the lack of prior notice.

Song Mo smiled wryly.

The Lu Family had sent someone to question Father about the marriage as soon as they heard the news. Father hemmed and hawed for ages before smoothing things over. Perhaps fearing further scrutiny, he’d waited until the last moment to send out the invitations.

Had this marriage been set in stone, Song Mo would never have allowed Father to treat his wedding so carelessly. But his greatest fear was that Dou Zhao might refuse to marry him—the more fanfare he made now, the harder it would be to save face later.Song Mo sighed inwardly and had no choice but to say, "I returned to the palace with His Majesty on the twelfth. Since then, I’ve only managed to sleep for three hours at home. The wedding is just around the corner, and Minister Shao only granted me five days off. As for how the wedding preparations are coming along, I’m completely in the dark!"

Ma Youming didn’t think Song Mo had any reason to lie about this and immediately relaxed. Then, as if remembering something, he slung an arm around Song Mo’s shoulders and pulled him under a large locust tree. Lowering his voice, he asked gravely, "I heard His Majesty is unwell—is it true?"

Considering that Ma Youming, despite his rough exterior, was tight-lipped and sharp-minded—someone worth befriending—Song Mo replied tactfully, "His Majesty had a recurrence of an old ailment, but he’s already much better now. There’s nothing to worry about."

Ma Youming brightened at this and gave Song Mo’s shoulder another hearty slap. "Young Lord, you’re a real friend! I owe you one!"

His own background wasn’t shabby—otherwise, no matter how skilled he was, he wouldn’t have risen to the rank of deputy commander of the Divine Pivot Camp at such a young age. But compared to someone like Song Mo, a top-tier noble favored by generations of imperial grace, the gap was vast. Song Mo’s words were like sunlight breaking through the clouds, illuminating his path forward—no less significant than a helping hand.

This time, Song Mo was prepared and didn’t stagger under the slap, but he couldn’t let Ma Youming make a habit of it. Feigning pain, he rubbed his shoulder and joked, "Losing to me in archery doesn’t mean you have to cripple my shoulder to vent your frustration! Look at that strength—half my body’s gone numb."

Ma Youming burst into laughter.

Seizing the moment, Song Mo said, "Brother Ma, once I get home, I’ll see how the arrangements for the Bridal Urging and wedding procession are coming along. I might need to trouble you to help me hold the fort."

If the marriage with Dou Zhao went through, having Ma Youming, the deputy commander of the Divine Pivot Camp, along with a few of his Golden Guard colleagues assist in the bridal procession would make the occasion far more impressive.

Seeing his sincerity, Ma Youming didn’t stand on ceremony. "I’ve got nothing to do these days anyway. Even if you hadn’t asked, I’d have gone to join the fun."

No sooner had he spoken than a eunuch in fourth-rank attire hurried over, followed by two junior eunuchs carrying items.

The trio froze at the sight before them.

Song Mo, however, recognized the man as Cui Yijun, the Crown Prince’s grand eunuch.

He greeted Cui Yijun with a smile.

Snapping out of his daze, Cui Yijun exclaimed, "Ah, my dear Young Lord! I was just sent by the Crown Prince to find you. Thank goodness you haven’t left the palace—otherwise, I’d have had to chase you all the way to the Duke’s residence!" With a wave at the two junior eunuchs, he added cheerfully, "His Highness knows your wedding is the day after tomorrow and specially ordered me to deliver two congratulatory gifts from him."

Song Mo thanked him profusely, accepted the boxes, and introduced Ma Youming to Cui Yijun before preparing to follow him to express his gratitude to the Crown Prince.

Cui Yijun, aware of Ma Youming’s capabilities—he had placed well in several Autumn Hunts—and considering Song Mo’s introduction, treated him politely with a nod and a greeting.

Ma Youming had always looked down on these castrated servants, but since the other party was courteous, he couldn’t afford to be discourteous himself.After exchanging greetings, Cui Yijun smiled and said, "The Crown Prince has instructed that Young Lord need not go to express gratitude. If he finds leisure that day, His Highness would like to trouble you for a cup of wedding wine. If not, he invites both Young Lord and your lady to the palace for tea when convenient, so Madam may pay respects to the Crown Princess." He then stepped closer and whispered to Song Mo, "His Majesty is currently dining with the Crown Prince this evening."

The Emperor's health remained unstable.

Song Mo gave him a knowing smile and said, "Thank you for your trouble," slipping two red envelopes into his hand.

"Not at all, not at all!" Cui Yijun accepted them without ceremony, pulling out a flat scented sachet in return. "Young Lord, your wedding is in two days, and I must attend my master. I may not have time to offer congratulations, so please accept this humble token."

Ma Youming barely suppressed a disdainful expression.

Song Mo, however, remained composed, accepting the sachet with grace and urging Cui to attend if possible. Just then, Gu Yu came running up, breathlessly calling out, "Brother Tianci!"

Recognizing the troublemaker Gu Yu, Cui Yijun paled. After a hasty bow, he fled with two young eunuchs in tow.

Gu Yu wondered aloud, "Has that Cui Pianyi been up to no good again? Why does he run at the sight of me?"

Cui Junyi was notorious for petty schemes among noble families, earning him the nickname "Cui the Cheap."

Song Mo tactfully tucked the sachet into his sleeve and asked Gu Yu, "Did Her Majesty the Empress permit you to leave the palace?"

Gu Yu nodded. "She said I should return with you."

Song Mo prompted him to greet Ma Youming.

Reluctantly, Gu Yu muttered, "Lord Ma."

Perhaps maintaining decorum in the palace or distracted by Song Mo's earlier words, Ma Youming merely nodded politely without his usual teasing.

Preoccupied, Gu Yu ignored him and hurried Song Mo out of the palace.

The Duke of Yingguo's carriage awaited them outside the gates.

Gu Yu leaped in first, and once seated, eagerly recounted what he'd overheard while eavesdropping.

Dou Zhao—engaged in loan sharking! No wonder Chen Qushui was so well-versed in court affairs, likely mingling closely with low-ranking officials.

Why would Dou Zhao do such a thing? And why withdraw from Risheng Silver House, forfeiting fifty thousand taels of private funds, if not foreseeing its decline?

Suddenly, Song Mo longed to confront Dou Zhao and demand answers, his thoughts drowning out Gu Yu's chatter.

Having unburdened himself, Gu Yu felt lighter, trusting Song Mo to handle the matter. Without another word, he followed Song Mo back to the Duke of Yingguo's mansion.Song Mo's uncles, Song Maochun, Song Fengchun, and Song Tongchun, were chatting and laughing with Song Yichun about the bridal urging ceremony the next day. When they heard Song Mo had returned, Song Maochun said to Song Yichun, "Tianci must have some friends too. Besides Qin'er and Duo'er, why not let Tianci invite a few friends to join the bridal urging? It'll make the occasion livelier."

His tone was exceedingly affectionate, as if the incident of expelling Song Mo from the clan had never happened.

Song Fengchun was displeased upon hearing this. "Our Jun'er is no longer young this year. It would be good for him to gain some experience by going with his elder brothers. Why not let him join the bridal urging too?" he said.

With the Duke of England's Mansion hosting a joyous occasion, all the nobles and high officials of the Capital would come to offer congratulations. This was the perfect opportunity for the younger generation to make an impression and become familiar faces among the dignitaries. Why should his son be left out? The eldest brother had already gained many advantages from the second brother!

Song Maochun had the same idea in mind. He smiled and said, "Jun'er is still too young..."

Song Yichun had no interest in hearing such clichés. He thought Song Maochun's suggestion was excellent—it would be a good chance to show everyone that there was no discord between him and his son.

He instructed Lü Zheng, "Invite the Young Lord here to speak with me."

Lü Zheng acknowledged the order and left, but soon returned to report, "The Young Lord says Young Master Gu is currently a guest at the mansion, so he cannot leave immediately. He will come to see you as soon as Young Master Gu departs."