Blossom

That Gu Yu spent at least 360 out of 365 days a year hanging around the Song household—was there any need to treat him with such courtesy?

What kind of guest was he?

But in front of Song Maochun and the others, he couldn’t lose his temper.

If he really pressed Song Mo and Song Mo stubbornly refused to see him, could he actually have him dragged over?

That would only make him lose even more face!

Song Maochun and the others naturally noticed this too. None of them had expected Song Mo to be so unyielding, and Song Maochun, realizing he had misspoken, quickly said, “Since Tianci has a guest, we’ll discuss this after the guest leaves.” Then he changed the subject, bringing up other matters. “The Duke of England’s Mansion hasn’t held a celebration in years. I think for the ‘Four-to-Completion’ banquet, we should hire the Chunfangzhai caterers. Last time, when the heir of the Marquess of Huichang got married, they hired Chunfangzhai, and everyone praised it…”

The “Four-to-Completion” banquet referred to a custom where, before guests took their seats, four kinds of fresh fruits or delicate pastries were displayed for them to admire. Once the guests were seated, these would be promptly cleared and replaced with four types of dried fruits, four types of pastries, four types of fresh fruits, and four types of cold dishes—a tradition reserved for grand households hosting celebrations. The more prestigious the family, the more elaborate the “Four-to-Completion” banquet, as a display of wealth and status.

Song Tongchun quickly chimed in, “I also think hiring outside caterers is best. Last time, when the Duke of Dongping’s family held a wedding, they also hired outsiders for the ‘Four-to-Completion’ banquet—it’s the current trend in the Capital!”

The conversation shifted to the banquet arrangements for Song Mo’s wedding, finally smoothing over the awkwardness.

But Gu Yu asked Song Mo, “Won’t it be a problem if you don’t go see your uncle?”

“What problem could there be?” Song Mo changed his clothes with the help of his personal page and chuckled. “Aren’t you a guest?”

Gu Yu laughed but soon frowned, hesitating before saying, “Tianci-ge, I… I asked my aunt. About what gifts she’d bestow for your wedding. She said the Emperor hasn’t fully recovered yet, so now isn’t the right time…”

“Her Majesty’s concern is justified.” Recalling the Emperor’s condition during his illness, Song Mo shuddered inwardly and solemnly warned Gu Yu. “You should also rein yourself in these days—be careful not to give the imperial censors grounds to impeach you. You’re fifteen now, old enough to take up official duties. If you’re too unruly, even Her Majesty won’t be able to shield you forcefully. Your brother is only three years younger than you. Every year you delay is another year of opportunity for him. You can’t afford to be as reckless as before.”

These were heartfelt words.

Gu Yu was visibly moved.

Song Mo tossed a calligraphy manual at him. “We don’t need to take the imperial exams—no one will judge us on our scholarship. But whether our handwriting is good or bad is obvious at a glance. Besides, both the Emperor and the Crown Prince appreciate fine calligraphy. If you master this skill, it’ll only benefit you.” He added, “And don’t keep putting it off. Starting today, you’ll write three thousand characters daily.” Without giving Gu Yu a chance to protest, he called Wuyi in to supervise his practice.

Gu Yu obediently complied.

Song Mo watched for a while. Seeing how earnest he was, he nodded approvingly and said, “I’ll step out for a bit. I’ll be back soon. Stay here and practice—you’d better finish today’s three thousand characters by the time I return!”

Gu Yu was stunned. He looked up, about to ask where Song Mo was going, but Song Mo had already left the Resting Chamber.※※※※※

Though dusk had already fallen, the Dou residence in Jing'an Temple Alley was bustling with activity. Servants bustled about with smiles on their faces—some hanging red lanterns adorned with double happiness characters, others steadying ladders, wiping down chairs with cloths, or tying red ribbons around potted orchids on tea tables—creating a jubilant atmosphere.

Wang Yingxue watched the lively scene through the half-open window and let out a cold snort before slamming the window shut. "Nothing special!" she spat bitterly.

Hu Momo kept her head down, silently working on her needlework.

She knew exactly why Wang Yingxue was seething with anger.

When the fifth young miss had married into the Marquis of Jining's Mansion under the fourth young miss's name, Dou Zhao had reclaimed all her dowry. Whether intentionally or not, Gaosheng had included the dowry gifts originally given to the fourth young miss by Second Madam, Fifth Madam, and other female members of the Dou family. When Zhou Momo questioned this, Su Lan had immediately retorted, "Aren't dowry gifts part of the dowry? If they are, then they must be returned."

Left speechless, Zhou Momo could only watch as Su Lan directed maids and old women to carry everything back and lock it away in the fourth young miss's storeroom.

Since the fifth young miss's marriage was already settled, Second Madam and Fifth Madam should have, by propriety, prepared a new set of dowry gifts for her. Yet everyone pretended ignorance, and no one brought it up. With Seventh Master still furious and Seventh Madam under house arrest, how could the fifth young miss, as a new bride, demand such gifts herself? The matter was thus left unresolved.

Who could have imagined that now, as the fourth young miss prepared for her own wedding, Second Madam and Fifth Madam would send another round of dowry gifts—even more lavish than before? How could Seventh Madam not be incensed?

But what could she do?

Seventh Master was determined to keep her confined here, leaving her no choice but to watch helplessly as Su Lan cheerfully stored those items away again.

"When is the fifth young miss arriving?" Wang Yingxue asked Hu Momo.

"They say she'll come first thing tomorrow morning," Hu Momo replied. "Seventh Master specifically sent Gaosheng to the Marquis of Jining's Mansion to arrange it."

Wang Yingxue couldn't help but complain, "Is he so afraid Mingjier won't show up? She's now the Marchioness of Jining, with countless household matters awaiting her decisions. What does it matter if she's a little late? Besides, both sisters will be in the Capital—they'll have plenty of chances to meet. Why the rush?"

Hu Momo wisely refrained from comment.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao had slipped away from the servants to meet Song Mo in the Taihu Rock pavilion in the back garden.

The setting sun cast its glow over Song Mo's tall, straight figure, softening his silhouette and lending him an indescribable elegance.

"What did you want to see me about?" he asked Dou Zhao with a smile.

Dou Zhao studied the boy who had come as promised.

His hair was still damp, and when the evening breeze blew, she could even catch the faint scent of elm fragrance on him. Clearly, he had rushed over immediately after washing up upon hearing she wanted to meet.

It gave her a sense of being respected and cherished.

Wasn't this what women sought their entire lives?

Dou Zhao chuckled to herself.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the sky where the sun had just dipped below the horizon.The orange-red sunset, like burning flames, surged across the sky, as if grasping for one last chance. Even knowing it would ultimately be swallowed by darkness, it burned with all its might, dyeing the earth in its own colors.

Dou Zhao suddenly felt a sense of clarity.

In her past life, she had long grown weary of struggling merely to survive. After being reborn, she had tried her best to avoid repeating the same mistakes, even choosing a completely different way of living. People and events that hadn’t appeared in her previous life now filled her days. It seemed everything was moving in the direction she desired.

But now, when she calmly reflected, she realized her life hadn’t fundamentally changed.

Without the threat of her stepmother, there was Dong Dou watching her like a tiger eyeing its prey. Without Wei Tingyu, there were He Yu, Ji Yong, and even Song Mo. Without the exhausting burdens of the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, she now faced the disputes among the Dou family branches... Whether in her past life or this one, she had only ever thought about how to avoid greater harm, never truly considering what she truly wanted.

She wanted to see Song Mo.

Yet even the moment she stood before him, she still hadn’t figured out what to say.

Or perhaps, deep down, she secretly hoped Song Mo would make the choice for her.

That way, if things didn’t go well in the future, she could console herself—she had tried her best, but fate simply hadn’t been on her side.

In the end, she was still that same timid girl from her past life, forced to straighten her back and smile through hardship just to survive.

She had never truly grown up.

The sky is vast, letting birds soar; the sea is wide, letting fish leap.

But if the heart isn’t free, no place will ever feel different!

Dou Zhao took a step forward, leaving the mountain retreat. Bathed in the sunset, she stood side by side with Song Mo.

"Yantang," she turned her head slightly, smiling at him. The golden evening light made his gaze seem even warmer. "I want to tell you... I might not be a good wife..." She pressed her lips together, her smile brighter than the burning clouds, radiating a boundless openness. "But I’ll try my best to be a good partner to you."

Song Mo didn’t know what had happened.

But he could feel it.

The Dou Zhao of before had been like a gem—brilliant and dazzling, yet always so composed that it seemed to dull her radiance. But now, she was like steel tempered in fire, shining with an overwhelming brilliance, dazzling and breathtakingly beautiful.

Song Mo gazed at her, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. Slowly, it spread to his eyes, filling his gaze and flowing into his heart...

"Alright!" he heard himself reply clearly, his voice brimming with unmistakable joy.

※※※※※

Song Mo left Jing'an Temple Alley in high spirits and returned to the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion.

Gu Yu was just five characters short of completing his three-thousand-character assignment.

He couldn’t help but complain, "Brother Tianci, why are you only coming back now?"

Song Mo smiled and patted his head gently. "Finish those last few characters quickly. I have something to discuss with you." Then, turning to Chen He, he instructed, "Invite Master Yan, Mr. Liao, Xia Lian, and Zhu Yicheng to the study."

Chen He acknowledged the order and left.Song Mo changed his clothes and sat down on the heated brick bed by the window. After taking a sip of hot tea, his expression showed a hint of contentment.

Gu Yu, who had just finished writing, didn't even bother to wipe the ink stains from his hands before plopping down opposite Song Mo. "Brother Tianci, what kind of tea is this? It's so good!"

Song Mo had a cup brewed for Gu Yu.

Gu Yu took a sip and frowned. "Isn't this the Maojian tea I brought you from the palace last month?"

Song Mo playfully tapped him on the head and laughed. "Drinking tea is about the ambiance. The way you gulp it down like an ox chewing peonies, everything would taste the same to you!"

Just as he finished speaking, Yan Chaoqing and the others entered.

Song Mo paused the conversation. After Yan Chaoqing and the others had taken their seats and the pages had served tea, he smiled and said, "Tomorrow is the day for the Bridal Urging. I'd like to discuss with you all about who we should ask to assist with the ceremony."