Blossom

Dou Ming didn't notice Han Shi's unusual demeanor. Beyond the screen, Dou Shishu and others were questioning Song Mo.

"...At the time, Father wanted to invite Minister Yu to tutor me," Song Mo said with a smile. "But Minister Yu repeatedly declined, refusing no matter what. Coincidentally, that day at the Imperial Academy, we encountered the Emperor. Seeing Father's furious state, the Emperor asked what had happened. Still seething, Father complained about Minister Yu at length. The Emperor laughed heartily and called Minister Yu a 'stubborn mule,' saying it would be better to find another tutor rather than risk me turning into a little mule under him. Just then, Lord Zhongyi happened to be accompanying the Emperor, who then appointed him as my tutor. From then on, I entered the palace at dawn and left at dusk, studying alongside the Crown Prince and several imperial princes. It wasn't until I turned ten and Lord Zhongyi retired due to illness that I could finally sleep through the night."

His tone was light, carrying no trace of resentment—only nostalgia and regret. Dou Shishu and the others nodded approvingly, feeling this was the proper attitude toward learning.

"So that's how you became Lord Zhongyi's disciple," Dou Shiheng remarked with a laugh. "What a fortunate turn of events!" He then inquired about the Crown Prince and the princes. "...How is their scholarship?"

Song Mo tactfully avoided direct evaluation. "They are better than I am," he replied with a smile.

Dou Shiheng pressed further, but Dou Shishu, deeming the topic inappropriate, smoothly redirected the conversation to Yu Li, now the Imperial Academy's Chief Academician.

"...Your father had keen judgment. Minister Yu's scholarship is first-rate, but his temperament is equally stubborn. The Emperor assigned him to oversee the compilation of the Grand Training of Culture —truly putting talent to its best use."

The discussion then veered toward the Emperor's discernment in appointing officials. Dou Shiheng even speculated, "Minister Yu is advanced in years and lacks energy. Rumor has it the Emperor intends to replace him as the compiler of the Grand Training of Culture . Given Minister Yu's temperament, though he may be displeased, he would surely comply if the Emperor commanded. I wonder who will succeed him as Chief Academician?"

Dou Shiying, clearly familiar with the rumors, chuckled. "Well, given our seniority, neither of us stands a chance at the Chief Academician position!"

Dou Shishu, hearing this for the first time, frowned slightly. "Where did you hear this?"

Dou Shiheng shrugged. "The source is unclear, but it's all over the Imperial Academy."

Faced with his two carefree younger brothers, Dou Shishu rubbed his temples in exasperation.

If the Chief Academician position were awarded purely by seniority, what about those old academicians with even longer tenure?

But glancing at Dou Wenchang and others at the neighboring table, listening intently with bright eyes, Dou Shishu held his tongue.

Noticing this, Song Mo smiled faintly and said, "Most likely, it stems from the Emperor summoning Minister Yu recently. Upon learning that Minister Yu suffers from worsening rheumatism—his left pinky can no longer straighten—the Emperor, out of consideration for his age, exempted him from grand court assemblies. Hence the rumors." He then teased lightly, "Writing a scholarly work is a lifelong honor for scholars, let alone one with an imperial preface! No matter how upright and indifferent to power Minister Yu is, he wouldn't retire at such a time. Father-in-law and Sixth Uncle needn't rush to prepare travel expenses just yet!"Dou Shiying laughed heartily and said, "That makes perfect sense!"

Dou Shishu's eyes lit up as he stroked his beard with a smile.

Wei Tingyu sat to the side, unable to get a word in edgewise.

Also paying attention to the happenings beyond the screen were Dou Zhao, Aunt, and Zhao Zhangru.

Aunt let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Zhao Zhangru blinked at Dou Zhao and whispered, "The little son-in-law your uncle found for you isn't bad at all!"

Even with two lifetimes of experience, Dou Zhao couldn't help but blush. She picked up a spring roll and placed it in Zhao Zhangru's bowl, chiding, "Even all your favorite foods can't keep your mouth shut!"

Zhao Zhangru giggled softly.

Dou Ming, however, turned pale with anger.

After lunch, Dou Zhao and Song Mo were to go to Locust Tree Alley to pay respects to Second Madam, who couldn't attend the occasion due to her widowhood.

Fifth Madam naturally had to accompany them. Dou Shiying thought of how Second Madam had strongly advocated for Dou Zhao to marry into the Ji family. The elderly could be like children—if Second Madam gave Song Mo a hard time, he could step in to mediate. Dou Shiheng considered that since they had all taken leave for Dou Zhao's returning to her maiden home, they might as well take this opportunity to visit their mother. But this meant Ji Shi would have to come along to fulfill her filial duties... Dou Shishu simply suggested everyone go to Locust Tree Alley for dinner: "It's rare for us all to be together. Let's make Mother happy!"

The group set off in the rain, a grand procession heading to Locust Tree Alley.

The firm stance Dou Shiying had shown regarding Dou Zhao's marriage had left Second Madam uneasy, unsure whether Dou Zhao would bring her husband to pay respects. She waited anxiously at home, and when she suddenly saw the large group arrive, she was overjoyed. Especially when she caught sight of Song Mo, who stood out like a jewel among stones. She couldn't hide her surprise, glancing between Dou Zhao and Song Mo, her expression dimming slightly as she sighed deeply in her heart.

If she were Dou Shiying, she too would cling tightly to Song Mo, wouldn't she?

Fifth Madam, worried that Second Madam might say something to spoil the mood, quickly helped her onto the heated brick bed by the window and instructed Nanny Liu to bring the kneeling cushions: "The fourth son-in-law and fourth granddaughter are going to kowtow to the Madam!"

Nanny Liu had already prepared them. Before Fifth Madam finished speaking, she had placed the cushions before Second Madam with a smile.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo kowtowed to Second Madam.

Second Madam gifted them a pair of crystal cups as a meeting present.

To outsiders, such cups might seem rare, but to the Dou family, who were related by marriage to the Ji family, they were merely valuable. Yet the servants, adept at reading their masters' intentions, exchanged knowing smiles.

When Fifth Granddaughter and her husband had come to kowtow to Second Madam recently, she had rewarded them with a silver note worth one hundred forty taels. How could that compare to the elegance of these crystal cups?

The tea and pastries served to Dou Zhao and Song Mo were the same as before, but the smiles were more eager, the voices softer, the attitudes more cautious.

Dou Shishu invited Dou Shiheng, Dou Shiying, Song Mo, and Wei Tingyu to the study for a talk, excluding everyone else. Wei Tingyu was the last to be invited, and there was a noticeable hesitation when his name was called.

Wei Tingyu didn't notice anything amiss, but Dou Ming, who had grown up under the scrutiny of others, saw it all too clearly.Her face turned pale as she watched Second Madam holding Dou Zhao's hand, with everyone gathered around them like stars around the moon, chatting and laughing. She quietly slipped away to the veranda outside the study.

Dou Shishu was engaged in casual conversation with Song Mo, discussing anecdotes about several Grand Academicians in the Grand Secretariat.

Song Mo occasionally added a few remarks, clearly familiar with these officials. Moreover, his additions were all about the Emperor, the Crown Prince, or other high-ranking nobles affirming the merits of these Grand Academicians, which further piqued Dou Shishu's interest. Even Dou Shiheng and Dou Shiying joined the discussion.

Yet, she never heard Wei Tingyu's voice.

After leaving Huai Tree Alley, Dou Ming discussed with Wei Tingyu, "Why don’t you try to secure a position in the Golden Guard or somewhere similar?"

Wei Tingyu looked at her as if she were a child asking for candy, his gaze indulgent. "It’s not that easy. The Golden Guard is an imperial guard unit with fixed personnel. If there are no vacancies, even money won’t help."

Dou Ming bit her lip. "Then how did Song Yantang manage to join the Golden Guard?"

"He’s different," Wei Tingyu replied, his tone unconsciously tinged with envy. "He was born with a hereditary rank of fourth-grade. His entry into the Golden Guard was personally appointed by the Emperor, and he started as a third-grade Commander—the original Commander of the Vanguard of the Golden Guard was transferred to the Henan Regional Military Commission as a deputy commander. And that man was the legitimate second son of the Marquis of Jingjiang! Yet he still had to make way for Song Yantang. Who else but the Emperor could wield such influence?"

Dou Ming’s face flushed red with frustration. "Isn’t there any other way?"

"There is," Wei Tingyu said, though he found the prospect highly unlikely and beyond his own capabilities, so he spoke lightly. "If you can pull strings with the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Five Armies Commandery, you might secure a position when the Golden Guard undergoes adjustments."

Dou Ming fell silent but began calculating in her mind. The Ministry of Personnel had connections through her fifth uncle—she could ask her father to put in a word. The Ministry of War had ties through her maternal grandfather—she could ask her eldest uncle to help. The only issue was the Five Armies Commandery, where she had no contacts... but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Her grandfather had fought in battles for years and must have some connections with generals and governors. Through layers of networking, she could surely find a few acquaintances...

With this thought, she felt reassured and ordered the coachman, "Head to Willow Leaf Alley!"

Wei Tingyu was startled. "What are we going to Willow Leaf Alley for?"

This matter was still up in the air. If it fell through, wouldn’t it only lead to greater disappointment?

Dou Ming decided not to share her plans with Wei Tingyu for now. "Father said that once my sister returns after her third-day visit, he’ll send Mother back to Willow Leaf Alley. I want to ask Grandmother for advice."

Wei Tingyu had learned about this from Wei Tingzhen. Both he and his sister had assumed that since Wang Yingxue had been part of the Dou family for over a decade, even if Dou Shiying was dissatisfied, he would vent his frustrations and let it pass. They hadn’t expected things to escalate this far.

Horrified, he asked, "Is Father-in-law really sending Mother-in-law back to her family?"

Dou Ming nodded, unperturbed by the situation.

As long as her grandfather was around, her fifth uncle would never allow her father to divorce her mother. At most, her mother would be sent back to the Wang family for a while."Don't worry, Marquis," she comforted Wei Tingyu. "Father only said he wanted Mother to stay at her family home for a while."

In a flash of realization, Wei Tingyu suddenly understood that Dou Shiying's insistence on sending Wang Yingxue back to her family was likely related to Dou Ming marrying him in Dou Zhao's place!

He fell silent.

Yet his thoughts lingered on Dou Zhao.

If only he could speak with her alone for a few words...

He recalled how he had accepted Dou Ming's invitation to visit the Great Xiangguo Temple back then. Dou Zhao had been heartbroken yet still claimed to believe there was nothing between him and Dou Ming. Yet he had rashly acknowledged Dou Ming without even offering an explanation...

At this thought, he couldn't help but turn to gaze out the window.

The rain had stopped unnoticed. The bare branches by the roadside looked desolate, evoking a sense of bleakness.

Winter was coming!