Wang Qinghuai had come to where he was today. Imagine a fellow not yet of age, yet bold and capable enough to accomplish such a feat. What heights would he reach in a few years when his actions became more seasoned and his resolve firmer?
Once Wang Qinghuai grasped the crux of the matter, he decided to leverage his wife’s previous role as Dou Zhao’s bridesmaid at Song Mo’s wedding to attend the Song family’s recognition banquet.
Young Madam Wang was taken aback. “This… this doesn’t seem appropriate, does it?”
His wife was gentle by nature but not particularly decisive or sharp-witted. Fortunately, whether she understood or not, she always deferred to him, sparing Wang Qinghuai the need to explain every little thing.
“What’s inappropriate about it?” he chuckled. “Aren’t weddings and funerals all about the liveliness? The Song family isn’t large—such a grand hall with so few relatives would look rather desolate. With Dou Shi joining the family, we’re just adding to the merriment. Do you think Yantang would find us too noisy? Besides, you know Yantang has pulled me into two major deals these past years—both substantial. We absolutely cannot let this connection fade. Though Dou Shi comes from a prestigious family, she’s still the daughter of an official and grew up in Zhen Ding. She must be unfamiliar with the Capital. If you engage with her now, it’ll give me more opportunities to interact with Yantang. Who knows? I might get a share of future ventures. In short, it’s all gain and no loss.”
Young Madam Wang couldn’t help but laugh behind her sleeve. “Since when has the Young Lord turned into a merchant? Profit over propriety! Just last night, you told me to either keep a low profile with Dou Shi or avoid her altogether. After one night’s sleep, you’ve changed your mind—not only pushing me forward but also joining the Young Lord Song’s festivities yourself…”
Wang Qinghuai shared a good rapport with his wife and didn’t mind her occasional teasing. Yet, hearing her words, he couldn’t help but grumble inwardly: Who’d willingly play second fiddle? But when you can’t afford to offend and dare not avoid, what choice is there?
He personally selected an exquisitely crafted gold-and-ruby jewelry set from the treasury as a gift for Dou Zhao.
Seeing his seriousness, Young Madam Wang dared not slack off. She donned a bright red wide-sleeved jacket, styled her hair into a peony bun, adorned herself with kingfisher-feather hairpins, and wore five or six pairs of gold, silver, and enamel bangles.
Wang Qinghuai frowned. “Are people going to see you or the bride?”
“Oh!” Young Madam Wang hurriedly changed into a light-green brocade back coat with floral patterns and a full set of pearl headpieces. Only after Wang Qinghuai nodded in approval did they board the carriage and head straight for the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion.
At the entrance, they encountered Zhang Xuming and his wife.
Wang Qinghuai was momentarily startled but quickly greeted them with a smile.
Zhang Xuming seemed equally surprised to see Wang Qinghuai and even blurted out, “What are you doing here?”
He was related to the Song family by marriage, whereas Wang Qinghuai had no ties whatsoever.
Wang Qinghuai grinned. “I just wanted to see Yantang’s new bride.”
Zhang Xuming burst into laughter.
Noticing the Third Madam Zhang’s displeased expression, Young Madam Wang inquired cordially, “Were you exhausted yesterday?”Third Madam Zhang shook her head. Thinking that Young Madam Wang was tight-lipped, she couldn't help but complain in a low voice: "You tell me, as someone of the same generation, with my grandmother, parents, and elder brothers and sisters-in-law above me, I could have just casually given Dou Shi a pair of gold hairpins or two emerald flowers. But Jixian insisted that I give her a newly acquired gold buyao hairpin as a greeting gift, even saying angrily, 'Isn't it just a new style from the south that the silversmiths in the Capital can't make yet? However much silver you spent, I'll double it for you.' It made me so angry that my hands are still shaking! Tell me, am I really that stingy? I was just worried about overshadowing my grandmother and parents' gifts!"
Young Madam Wang was startled.
She had heard about that gold buyao hairpin—it was said to be inlaid with various precious stones, not only valuable but also extremely rare, the only one of its kind in the entire Capital. A couple of days ago, when the Xuanning Marquis's family was marrying off their daughter, Madam Dongping had half-jokingly asked Third Madam Zhang for the hairpin to use as a model, but Third Madam Zhang had laughingly brushed it off. Who would have thought Third Master Zhang would force her to give it away as a greeting gift?
She couldn't help but think of her own set of jewelry—compared to this, it didn't seem so precious anymore.
"These things are all about reciprocity. If you give it now, the bride will have to return the favor in kind later," Young Madam Wang, ever the peacemaker, consoled Third Madam Zhang. "Besides, the bride's dowry is substantial, and she probably wouldn't be impressed by ordinary gifts. Isn't Third Master Zhang just trying to save face?"
This speech eased much of Third Madam Zhang's anger.
When they entered the Reception Hall, she found that the Lu family relatives had already arrived. She had no choice but to step forward to pay her respects and introduce Young Madam Wang. Back and forth, time flew by. Just as she was teasing Lu Gui about how many Red Envelopes he had received the day before, Song Mo and his wife, who had gone to the ancestral hall to pay respects to Song Yichun, entered the Reception Hall.
Eldest Madam Lu quickly invited everyone to take their seats.
The gazes of all the Song family's female relatives fell upon Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao was dressed in a bride's bright red ramie silk long-sleeved gown, her jet-black hair styled into a peony bun and adorned with a gold phoenix buyao hairpin. The phoenix's eyes were made of rubies, its beak holding a ruby the size of a bodhi seed, beneath which hung three strands of ruby beads the size of lotus seeds, dazzling like blazing flames, so captivating that one couldn't look away. Yet Dou Zhao's eyes shone even brighter than the gold hairpin, effortlessly overshadowing the rubies' brilliance, drawing immediate attention to her snow-white skin, long eyebrows, high nose, rosy lips, the pearl earrings dangling from her ears, the white jade rings on her fingers, and the emerald pendant at her waist...
Her posture was upright, her bearing exuding a heroic spirit, her steps steady yet light, her figure graceful yet dignified. Standing side by side with the strikingly handsome Song Mo, they shone like the sun and moon, equally radiant.
Madam Lu Fuli couldn't help but silently cheer in her heart, whispering to Ningde Princess beside her, "This Dou Shi reminds me of Madam Jiang."
Ningde Princess smiled faintly and said, "Back then, Madam Jiang didn't have Dou Shi's composure, and the Duke wasn't as handsome as Yantang!"
The women gathered around them couldn't help but laugh, and some even praised, "What a perfect pair! It's been years since we've seen such a well-matched couple!"Eldest Madam Lu and Ningde Princess couldn't help but smile and nod in approval.
Wang Shi, wife of Song Maochun, and Li Shi, wife of Song Fengchun, exchanged glances.
They hadn't expected the newlywed Dou Shi to not only possess a substantial dowry but also be so strikingly beautiful. Now, it remained to be seen whether she was astute and capable!
At this thought, both couldn't help but sigh simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Dou Zhao was taken aback by the crowd filling the Reception Hall.
Wasn't it said that the Song family had few relatives? Why were there so many people here?
Despite her thoughts, she carefully followed Eldest Madam Lu's instructions. With Song Mo, she first knelt and served tea to Song Yichun, then bowed before the empty Grand Preceptor's Chair representing Jiang Shi beside him. Besides presenting them with two Red Envelopes himself, Song Yichun also bestowed upon Dou Zhao, on behalf of Jiang Shi, a set of gold head ornaments and seven or eight jeweled accessories, each gleaming and exquisitely crafted—clearly extraordinary pieces.
Song Mo whispered, "Those are the Song family heirlooms."
Dou Zhao smiled at him and then earnestly greeted the relatives introduced by Song Maochun, matching names to faces without noticing the fleeting cold glint in Song Mo's eyes.
The Song family possessed several other treasures, such as a rainbow gemstone necklace, a diamond ring with stones the size of yellow bean grains, and an emerald pendant as large as a pigeon's egg—these were truly rare and priceless heirlooms the Song family cherished. Yet, Father had not brought them out.
What exactly was he planning?
Song Mo seethed with anger, but when he lifted his gaze, he saw Dou Zhao's smiling face.
Strangely, his heart calmed.
Just a few gemstones—if the ancestors could acquire them, couldn't he do the same?
Gradually, Song Mo's mood settled, and he joined Dou Zhao in paying respects to the elders.
However, Dou Zhao spotted Wang Qinghuai in the crowd.
She blinked, thinking she must have mistaken someone else.
What was he doing here?
In her past life, she had never heard of any familial ties between the Wang and Song families.
Could it be because the Song family had fallen into decline by then?
Dou Zhao mused silently as Song Maochun brought a tall, lanky boy before her.
"Tianen, greet your sister-in-law properly."
Dou Zhao's eyes widened instantly.
Song Han!
The same Song Han who, in her previous life, had been dismembered by Song Mo and left to bleed to death!
His features bore a five or six out of ten resemblance to Song Mo's, especially his facial structure and nose, which were identical to Song Yichun's. However, his shifty eyes and listless demeanor made him appear perpetually drowsy—a stark contrast to Song Mo's radiant vitality. Without close inspection, one would hardly believe they were brothers.
Involuntarily, she glanced back at Song Mo.
Song Mo was staring at Song Han.
His gaze held sorrow, melancholy, resignation, and self-mockery.
Once inseparable brothers, now driven apart by their own father—was there anything more heartbreaking in this world?
Dou Zhao gently squeezed Song Mo's hand.
Song Mo's expression softened considerably.
Song Han bowed his head to greet Dou Zhao, murmuring, "Sister-in-law."
Dou Zhao presented him with the prepared set of scholar's treasures (ink, brush, paper, and inkstone).
Song Han thanked her softly and retreated behind Song Tongchun.
His timid demeanor was far from befitting the second young master of the Duke of England's Mansion.
Dou Zhao shook her head inwardly.A young nobleman, more beautiful than a girl and almost indistinguishable in gender, stepped forward.
"Tianci Ge!" He looked directly at Dou Zhao, somewhat impolitely, "This must be my sister-in-law?" He bowed to Dou Zhao, "I am Gu Yu."
Dou Zhao sighed deeply in her heart.
How could she not recognize Gu Yu, the Marquis of Huichang from her previous life!
Nephew of Empress Dowager Wan, cousin to the Emperor, and always Song Mo's staunch ally and confidant.
Even when Song Mo was despised by all, he remained unwaveringly by his side.
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