Blossom

In wealthy households, the most challenging aspect of handling weddings and funerals is managing the delicate balance of relationships. If sons-in-law and brothers-in-law are seated at the head table, where then should superiors and colleagues be placed? Therefore, besides setting up an accounting team with a few trusted individuals, it’s also essential to establish a protocol team composed of those skilled in social interactions and well-versed in the etiquette of such events. This team would oversee, arrange, and manage all ceremonial matters during the occasion. Otherwise, one might unknowingly offend someone, or worse, have sons-in-law or brothers-in-law, feeling slighted, storm off just as seating begins—turning a joyous celebration into a farce!

This is especially true for a household like the Duke of Yingguo’s, where guests are either nobility or high-ranking relatives. Without prior coordination on how to proceed, offending any guest would be far more troublesome than a son-in-law or brother-in-law walking out in anger.

Take Ma Youming, for instance. He felt slighted and became displeased simply because he received the wedding invitation at short notice.

Upon hearing Song Mo’s words, Yan Chaoqing felt a surge of energy.

Since the alliance between the Song and Dou families was formed, this was the first time Song Mo had taken an active interest in his own wedding arrangements.

Logically, since this marriage was something Song Mo had meticulously schemed for, and given that he was not one to be manipulated, he should have been deeply involved in the wedding preparations. Yet, he had appeared somewhat indifferent—not in the way of feigning nonchalance to lull Duke Yingguo into a false sense of control, but genuinely leaving all arrangements to the Duke’s discretion, allowing him to take full charge.

Yan Chaoqing sensed that something unpleasant must have occurred between Dou Zhao and Song Mo.

Previously, he had thought that Song Mo’s frequent interactions with Dou Zhao were unwise, firstly because Dou Zhao was then betrothed to Wei Tingyu, and secondly because Song Mo’s concern for her had surpassed ordinary bounds. He feared Song Mo might act impulsively and commit some moral indiscretion. Now that Dou Zhao and Wei Tingyu had dissolved their engagement, and Song Mo was of marriageable age, with Dou Zhao’s capabilities making her perfectly suited to manage household affairs, Yan Chaoqing believed there was no better match for Song Mo than Dou Zhao.

Yan Chaoqing was torn between worrying that Song Yichun might realize he had been deceived and cause disruptions midway, and fearing that misunderstandings might drive Song Mo and Dou Zhao apart. He wanted to find time to speak with Song Mo but had yet to find the right opportunity. Tormented by these anxieties, he hadn’t slept well in days.

Now, seeing Song Mo cast aside his previous indifference and regain his usual composed and strategic demeanor, how could Yan Chaoqing not be delighted?

It seemed the clouds had parted, and the path ahead was clear for the two of them!

Yan Chaoqing breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Young Lord, do you have any ideas?"

Song Mo asked, "Who should be invited to assist with the wedding?"

Yan Chaoqing then explained in detail the roles of a woman of complete blessings, the groom’s representative, and the bridesmaids.

Song Mo listened attentively. After Yan Chaoqing finished, he recounted his encounter with Ma Youming and asked, "Who has Father invited as the woman of complete blessings?"

Yan Chaoqing had delegated all matters regarding Song Mo’s wedding to Liao Bifeng.

Hearing this, Liao Bifeng promptly replied, "Madam Changxing has been invited."

Song Mo frowned slightly.

Though Madam Changxing held a noble status, she lacked a living father-in-law, thus not fully qualifying as a woman of complete blessings.After some thought, he said, "As for the woman of complete blessings, we needn't worry about the ceremonial department. Father won't disrupt his own plans. For the wedding procession officials, let's invite Ma Youming, Dong Qi, Shen Qing, Wang Qinghuai, Zhang Xuming, Lu Zhan, and Gu Yu." He paused slightly before adding, "Let's include Tianen as well. For the gold and silver water pitcher bearers, invite Lu Zhan's eldest son Lu Gui. As bridesmaids, let's have Wang Qinghuai's wife and Zhang Xuming's wife."

In just a few words, he settled the ceremonial arrangements.

Liao Bifeng drew a sharp breath.

Lu Zhan was Lu Fuli's eldest son. Inviting Lu Zhan's wife as the woman of complete blessings and his son to carry the water pitchers was understandable—after all, the Lu family was the Duke's maternal relatives, and they had multiple generations living together. The First Madam, in particular, had both sons and daughters and was renowned for her virtue. But the wedding procession officials—every one of them was from illustrious families! Among them were three heirs of noble houses. Wang Qinghuai's wife, one of the bridesmaids, held the highest rank among titled women outside the imperial court, and Zhang Xuming's wife was none other than Ningde Princess's granddaughter... This lineup rivaled that of an imperial prince's wedding! No, even a prince's wedding wouldn't be this extravagant.

He couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his brow.

It seemed the Young Lord placed extraordinary importance on his future wife!

Yan Chaoqing, however, gave Song Mo a complicated glance.

The Young Lord had grown up!

He now understood that husband and wife were one—that Dou Zhao's honor was his dignity, and his dignity would elevate Dou Zhao's glory.

If Madam's spirit in heaven could see this, she would surely rest in peace.

At this thought, Yan Chaoqing felt a pang in his heart, and his eyes grew moist.

Gu Yu, on the other hand, wore a grim expression.

Hadn't he made it clear that Fourth Miss Dou was not a suitable match? Why wouldn't Tian'en-ge listen to him? To bolster her reputation, he had even temporarily set aside his feud with Dong Qi. Tian'en-ge was far too... far too indulgent toward this Fourth Miss Dou!

Did that Fourth Miss Dou even realize what Tian'en-ge was doing for her?

The thought made him resentful on Song Mo's behalf, and he couldn't help but say, "Tian'en-ge, let's not invite Dong Qi. That man is cunning and spiteful—he's incompetent yet always finds fault with you..."

Song Mo smiled and cut him off. "Doesn't Dong Qi often boast about how much he admires me? Let's have him run some errands for us this time. With so many people watching, he won't dare go back on his word. As for the procession itself, Wang Dahai will be there—nothing will go wrong."

As for what Dong Qi truly thought... what did it matter?

With Song Mo's explanation, Gu Yu grasped the underlying reasoning.

The chance to humiliate Dong Qi and make him contribute to Song Mo's grand occasion immediately lifted Gu Yu's spirits. With a mischievous grin, he said, "I'll deliver Dong Qi's invitation myself," looking every bit the troublemaker.

Seeing that he had diverted Gu Yu's attention, Song Mo smiled faintly and asked Yan Chaoqing to prepare invitations for Ma Youming and the others.

Liao Bifeng went to the ceremonial department to inform them of Song Mo's chosen participants.

Yan Chaoqing chuckled and first wrote Dong Qi's invitation, handing it to Gu Yu.

Gu Yu eagerly left the Duke of England's Mansion.

Facing the dark alley outside, he suddenly felt a twinge of regret.

He should have talked to Tian'en-ge a bit more.

Then again, he thought, if Tian'en-ge weren't marrying Fourth Miss Dou, such a grand and lively wedding would have been so much more enjoyable!

Gu Yu sighed, his excitement at teasing Dong Qi dampened somewhat.

※※※※※Tomorrow was the day of the Bridal Urging, and the ceremonial department had long prepared all the wedding arrangements. Suddenly, they received word from Liao Bifeng that Song Mo had invited several close friends to assist in the bridal procession, completely overturning the previous plans. The ceremonial department was thrown into chaos, with everyone scrambling about.

A quick-witted person took the list written by Liao Bifeng to see the Duke of Yingguo.

Song Yichun and the others had not yet dispersed and were enjoying a late-night snack served by maids and old women.

Song Maochun, Song Fengchun, and Song Tongchun all smiled obsequiously as they flattered Song Yichun—after some bargaining, the wives of Song Maochun and Song Tongchun secured roles as bridesmaids, while Song Fengchun’s son was assigned the task of carrying the gold and silver water jugs. With everyone benefiting, they were all quite satisfied.

Upon hearing the steward’s report, Song Maochun and the others let out a chorus of jeers.

Among the Song family, apart from Song Han, Song Mo had not used a single one of them!

This was clearly a slap in the face to Song Yichun!

A dumpling got stuck in Song Yichun’s throat, his face turning crimson. If Tao Qizhong, seated beside him, hadn’t noticed in time and slapped him on the back, he might have choked on the spot.

"That unfilial wretch!" he cursed Song Mo between coughs.

Tao Qizhong quickly signaled the steward with a glance and handed Song Yichun a cup of tea to soothe his breath. It took Song Yichun a while to calm down. Only then did Tao Qizhong gently advise, "Apart from Uncle Lu, the people the Young Lord invited all hold official positions—three of them are even heirs to noble titles. It wouldn’t be wise for you, my lord, to oppose the Young Lord openly, as it would offend all those he has invited. Moreover, the Young Lord could claim it was your intention. Think about it—how many noble families in the Capital still hold such prestige? I urge you to reconsider!"

Song Yichun’s face darkened with frustration, and he said resentfully, "So we just let that wretch run wild? How am I supposed to explain this to the Changxing Marquis’s household?" Yet his tone had softened somewhat.

Song Maochun and Song Tongchun exchanged a glance.

Tao Qizhong replied, "Fortunately, among the relatives, only the Changxing Marquis is involved. We can easily come up with an excuse to brush it off later. What worries me is that the Young Lord has invited so many illustrious figures, including Dong Qi, who has never been particularly deferential to him..."

This was no mere bridal procession—it was a blatant show of defiance!

Song Yichun flew into a rage.

But aside from his fury, there was little else he could do.

As Tao Qizhong had pointed out, if he rejected Song Mo’s request, he would offend everyone on that list, making himself universally despised!

The steward was a shrewd man and immediately understood how to handle the situation. Without a word, he returned to the ceremonial department and instructed them to proceed according to the new list.

Tao Qizhong rushed to the Changxing Marquis’s residence overnight to apologize to Madam Changxing.

Meanwhile, Song Yichun felt as though a boulder weighed on his heart. He tossed and turned in bed, alternating between cursing the maids and kicking the pages, keeping everyone up until dawn. Only when all the people he had arranged for the Bridal Urging arrived did Tao Qizhong, who hadn’t slept all night, personally apologize to each one. He explained that Dong Qi and the others had insisted on joining the festivities, and Song Yichun had no choice but to relent. After much effort and offering gifts of gratitude, he finally placated them and invited them to the Reception Hall for a banquet. Only then did Song Yichun rise to wash up and appear in the hall, looking utterly drained.Wang Qinghuai and the others had already arrived and were being entertained by Song Mo and Yan Chaoqing over tea.

The golden five-ridged and six-ridged crowns, the crimson official robes, and the brilliantly colored rank badges turned the Reception Hall into a dazzling spectacle. As Song Yichun stepped through the door, his eyes twitched involuntarily, and his expression darkened.

"Father!" Song Mo rose gracefully to greet Song Yichun with a bow, his demeanor poised and elegant, his bearing peerless.

No matter the occasion, he always carried himself like a refined gentleman—yet beneath that façade lay a scheming mind that had kept Song Yichun suppressed and humiliated!

Burning with resentment, Song Yichun watched as Wang Qinghuai and the others stepped forward to greet him one by one. Forced to maintain a genial and amiable front, he exchanged pleasantries with them.

Then Song Yichun noticed—among the group, Dong Qi was conspicuously absent.

He barely managed to suppress a laugh.

Song Mo, ah, Song Mo, you're still too green!

Who was Dong Qi?

The heir carefully groomed by the Earl of Guang'en.

Would someone like him casually lend his face to another's cause?

Good things come in pairs!

With seven people, you either add one or remove one.

If you add one—well, the auspicious hour is nearly upon us. Weren’t you so high-handed yesterday, refusing every one of my men? Today, I have none to spare for you either.

If you remove one—after rushing to invite all these people overnight, who will you dare to dismiss?

For a moment, Song Yichun’s face bloomed with a warm, spring-like smile.