Blossom

Dou Zhao found herself both amused and exasperated.

Song Mo was making a mountain out of a molehill!

She couldn’t help but feel dismissive.

Yet inexplicably, a faint sense of joy bubbled up in her heart.

She froze for a moment.

Why was it that when Wei Tingyu did the same things, she found them irritating, but when Song Mo did them, she felt happy?

Dou Zhao thought back to her past life. The day after her miscarriage, she had sat on the bed managing the household affairs of the Marquis of Jining's Mansion. Wei Tingyu had advised her, "You’re not well yet. Set these matters aside for now." Then he shooed away all the stewards who had come to report.

At the time, she had also felt somewhat pleased and obediently lay down to rest as he suggested.

But the moment she settled in, an old woman came seeking her instructions—the Dowager Duchess of Dongping had passed away, and they needed to decide what funeral offerings to send.

Having only recently taken charge of the household, she wasn’t familiar with the Marquis of Jining's Mansion’s past protocols. She had no choice but to get up and check the old account books. Wei Tingyu, seeing this, snatched the books from her hands and insisted she rest.

She complied and lay back down, but no one attended to the Dowager Duchess’s funeral offerings. If not for the fact that the Duke of Dongping had consulted a feng shui master, who decreed that the Dowager’s coffin must remain in the house for six days, the Marquis of Jining's Mansion would have missed the window to send their offerings entirely.

The Duke of Dongping’s household had formally announced the death. If the Marquis of Jining's Mansion failed to pay respects, the Duke’s family might assume they were severing ties!

Several similar incidents followed.

Dou Zhao eventually realized that Wei Tingyu’s concern was like willow catkins in spring—fleeting and insubstantial. He wouldn’t lift a finger to help her; the tasks would simply pile up, waiting for her to handle them. Worse, she began to suspect that if she truly followed his advice, things might spiral into chaos.

Over time, she grew indifferent to his concern. Seeing her unresponsive, Wei Tingyu likewise stopped bothering.

She learned to shoulder everything alone—to solve every problem herself.

Song Mo was different.

Last night, utterly exhausted, she had curled up naked on the bed, eyes closed, still sticky and breathless, murmuring, "Wait a moment. I’ll fetch water to clean up."

Su Xin and the others were all unmarried, and she had no intention of making them bedroom servants. Naturally, she couldn’t call them in to assist.

Perhaps sensing her exhaustion, Song Mo bent down, gently stroked her forehead, and softly urged her to rest: "...Leave everything to me."

She remembered smiling faintly at the time.

But to her surprise, Song Mo not only brought water to clean her but also changed the bedding. Through the partition, he instructed Sujuan, who was on night duty: "Don’t take these to the laundry room. Wash them yourselves."

Later, though he had ventured into unfamiliar territory, exploring her body with curiosity, she had fallen into a peaceful slumber. Even when his movements briefly roused her as he left the bed, she merely turned over and sank back into sleep.

Was this why his care felt so sweet?

Lost in thought, Dou Zhao finished her breakfast. With Master Yan handling external affairs at the Hall of Cultivating Will and Chen He managing internal matters, along with Su Xin overseeing the maids and old women, she had little to do. She considered visiting Song Han, but her waist ached too much, and she dozed off again.

When she awoke, it was already time to light the lamps.

Dou Zhao was startled—she hadn’t realized she’d slept so deeply.Su Xin brought in the evening meal with a smile. "You were sleeping so soundly, Madam, I didn’t dare disturb you," she said, then helped her rise. "We have pigeon soup today. Let me fetch you a bowl."

It was all nourishing fare.

Dou Zhao nodded with a smile and settled onto the kang.

Wuyi entered and announced, "Madam, the Young Lord has sent you a letter."

Dou Zhao was surprised.

Opening the letter, she found a packet of medicinal powder inside, along with a note explaining its use.

Her face burned with embarrassment.

The powder was what palace matrons gave to women injured during marital relations.

Damn that Song Mo! Had he really let the palace staff know about this?

Though inwardly vexed, she remained certain Song Mo wouldn’t spread such things carelessly.

This conflicting emotion made her wish she could see him immediately.

What was Song Mo doing at this moment?

As she thought of him, he too was thinking of her.

The hard plank bed in the duty room—where he had slept for seven or eight years—had never felt so uncomfortable until tonight.

He recalled Dou Zhao’s body—so soft and warm.

Her flushed cheeks… her damp, glistening eyes… her disheveled black hair clinging to her forehead with sweat…

His blood surged downward again, leaving him painfully stiff.

He shouldn’t have treated her so roughly last night.

But he had wanted her so badly—wanted her to be his.

Had she been angry with him?

He would have to stay in the palace again tomorrow night and wouldn’t leave until the hour of you the day after. Should he bring her something as an apology when he returned?

Song Mo hesitated.

A guard entered and reported, "My lord, Third Master Zhang from the Duke of Jing’s residence requests an audience."

Most guards came from respectable families and were well-connected.

Song Mo went to the Xizhi Gate.

Zhang Xuming approached him and whispered, "The Ministry of Personnel’s documents arrived early this morning." He gave Song Mo a meaningful look. "It’s done."

How efficient.

Song Mo smirked, exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhang Xuming, and they parted ways.

As he walked slowly toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity, he pondered whom to incite into urging the family of the former Qiu Ling Guard commander to file a complaint at the Court of Judicial Review.

Failure was merely disappointing.

But losing what one had gained—that was far more painful.

Especially if it led to legal trouble, costing not just the position but possibly one’s life. That would leave a lasting impression.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao was summoned by Song Yichun to Xixiang Garden.

"I have been ordered by the Emperor to inspect Xuantong and will be away for half a month," he said, eyeing his composed and dignified daughter-in-law with irritation. "You are young and inexperienced, so I’ve asked your Eldest Aunt to assist with the household affairs of the Duke of Ying’s Manor. You must treat her as you would a mother-in-law, deferring to her in all matters and making no decisions on your own."

Dou Zhao bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Early the next morning, First Madam Song arrived at the Duke of Ying’s Manor with Dong Shi, a matron, and two maids, exuding the haughtiness of an elder. She received the Duke of Ying’s Manor Token from the Duke himself and seated herself in the Reception Hall of the main chamber—where Jiang Shi had once presided—then summoned Dou Zhao for a talk.

Dou Zhao acknowledged the summons but instead went to the Flower Shed in the small garden to check on the water radishes and yellow flowers she had planted.The radishes had sprouted lush green seedlings, and the cucumber vines had already climbed up their trellises, both growing vigorously and delightfully.

Dou Zhao rewarded the two women in charge of the flower shed with two premium red envelopes each.

The two women thanked her profusely.

First Madam Song sent someone to urge Dou Zhao: "...The Eldest Madam and the stewardesses are waiting for Madam to discuss managing the household affairs these days."

Without even looking up, Dou Zhao brushed off her dustless hem and said indifferently, "Go tell the Eldest Madam that household matters follow established routines. As long as we adhere to them, there won't be any mistakes—no need for discussion. Since my mother-in-law passed away, there hasn't been anyone managing the household, yet no chaos has ensued." Worried the messenger might fear the Eldest Madam's authority from Song Yichun and not dare to speak up, she called Su Xin to accompany her and added, "Make sure to convey my words clearly to the Eldest Madam, lest she oversteps her bounds here." The last remark was meant for the messenger, ensuring it would spread and make the household aware of her stance.

Su Xin smiled and carried out the order.

Dou Zhao returned to her room, changed clothes, and lay down to read.

Another woman arrived: "Madam, the Duke requests your presence." Her eyes brimmed with curiosity.

Dou Zhao acknowledged with a hum and told the woman to wait outside: "I'll change clothes and come."

This was basic courtesy, so the woman respectfully complied and waited outside.

Dou Zhao continued reading until Su Xin returned.

"The Eldest Madam was so angry her mouth twisted," Su Xin reported with a quiet laugh. "She immediately sent someone to inform the Duke."

Dou Zhao smiled. "Hence the summons for a lecture."

She set the book aside and went to Cassia Fragrance Courtyard with Su Xin and Su Lan.

However, the delay meant Song Yichun was about to depart. He had just scolded the meek Dou Zhao when Lü Zheng entered: "Your Grace, the auspicious hour has arrived."

Song Yichun had to cut short his reprimand. Escorted by Song Han, Dou Zhao, and others, he boarded his carriage and left.

Dou Zhao then asked Song Han, "I had walnut pastries made. Would you like to try some?"

"Of course!" Song Han eagerly prepared to follow her to the Hall of Cultivating Will.

But Lü Zheng hastily interjected, "Madam!" He said, "The Second Young Master has lessons—the Duke instructed us before leaving that if he skips class, we will be held accountable. Please grant us this favor." With that, he knelt.

Studying was a serious matter, and Lü Zheng's deferential attitude made it hard for Dou Zhao to object. She softly told Song Han, "Then come for pastries after your lesson, alright?"

Song Han agreed repeatedly and, surrounded by maids and old women, headed to the outer study.

First Madam Song smirked and said, "Yantang's wife, shall we proceed to the reception hall for discussions?"

Without a word, Dou Zhao strode away.

First Madam Song stood dumbfounded before finally snapping out of it.

"I'll tell the Duke! I'll tell the Duke!" She stomped her feet in fury.

Su Xin worriedly asked, "What will happen when the Duke returns?"

"Isn't he returning in half a month?" Dou Zhao replied matter-of-factly. "The Young Lord arrives tomorrow! Besides, even without him, half a month is more than enough to mold this First Madam Song into submission."Su Lan couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "Miss, it's been so long since I last heard you say that."

Su Xin immediately put on a stern face and scolded, "Address her as Madam!"

Su Lan made a playful face at Dou Zhao, then straightened up and curtsied respectfully, addressing her as "Madam."

Dou Zhao laughed heartily.

※※※※※

Chen Qushui was also leaving the Capital today.

He was bidding farewell to Yan Chaoqing: "I won't go to bid Madam farewell, lest she asks questions I'd find difficult to answer. I'll hurry back to Zhen Ding now. We'll meet again in October."

Yan Chaoqing couldn't conceal the joy in his eyes either and replied humbly, "It's all my fault for being too impatient, summoning you from so far away and making you travel back and forth. When you return to the Capital, I'll treat you to tea—please don't refuse."

As Song Mo's top adviser and with Dou Zhao now married to Song Mo, Chen Qushui naturally hoped to maintain good relations with Yan Chaoqing, which would also benefit Dou Zhao.

Chen Qushui repeatedly declined politely with "I dare not," then boarded his carriage and left the Capital directly.

Yan Chaoqing returned to the Hall of Cultivating Will in high spirits.