Blossom

Isn't Song Yichun going to Xuantong for half a month?

There's still plenty of time!

She greeted Song Han with a warm smile as he returned from school.

"These are autumn white pears from Shandong, these are pine nut candies from Suzhou, these are peach gate dates from Nanjing, and these are honey tangerines from Tangqi..." She pointed to the assortment of fruits and snacks covering the kang table. "I wasn't sure what Second Young Master likes, so I prepared a little of everything."

Song Han's mouth watered at the sight.

"Sister-in-law, you're so kind," he mumbled through a mouthful of pine nut candy. "You even know that the best pears are the autumn white ones from Shandong and the sweetest tangerines are from Tangqi... I was worried you might not know much, coming from the countryside, and we wouldn't have much to talk about." He flashed Dou Zhao a radiant smile, one that faintly resembled Song Mo's brilliance.

Song Han was quite handsome in his own right, but compared to Song Mo, he was like a dim star next to the bright moon—simply not on the same level.

Of course, Dou Zhao had lived two lifetimes and had yet to meet anyone who could truly compare to Song Mo, so she couldn't blame Song Han.

At this thought, a flicker of sympathy for Song Han crossed her mind.

She personally brewed him a pot of freshly harvested Tieguanyin tea.

The tea was slightly bitter, while the pine nut candy was sweet. The contrast made the tea taste richer and the candy even sweeter, leaving Song Han utterly content.

Dou Zhao then inquired about his daily life: "Who usually takes care of you, Second Young Master? Are the maids and pages obedient? Is your schoolwork demanding? Is your monthly allowance enough?" She played the role of a doting sister-in-law perfectly.

Song Han didn't seem to mind and shared details about his household. Eventually, the conversation shifted to hunting, and Song Han grew animated: "...When I was nine, I shot two golden pheasants and a hare!"

This was one of his proudest achievements, a story he often told—so much so that everyone in the Duke of England's Mansion knew about it, including Dou Zhao.

She feigned amazement, playing along.

Encouraged, Song Han grew even more enthusiastic: "I originally planned to follow in my brother's footsteps and join the Autumn Hunt at ten, but then Mother passed away, and I had to observe mourning..." His expression clouded momentarily, as if he had lost his purpose and didn't know what to do next.

Perhaps Song Han's constant rivalry with Song Mo was an attempt to prove himself to Madam Jiang?

Dou Zhao wondered. She sighed along with him and comforted him, "With skills like yours, Second Young Master, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Song Han nodded, but his earlier excitement had faded.

Seeing that it was getting late, Dou Zhao invited him to stay for dinner, adding, "Second Young Master can tell me more about the Autumn Hunt. I only knew that to become an official, one must take the imperial exams—civil officials through the civil exams and military officers through the martial exams. This is the first time I've heard that one can also become an official through archery and horsemanship."

Song Han happily obliged, launching into an explanation of the Autumn Hunt.

Meanwhile, Su Xin and a few maids set the table in the hall.

Lü Zheng arrived, intending to escort Song Han back to the main chamber for dinner.

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "Everything is already prepared here. Let Second Young Master dine with me."

Lü Zheng glanced at Song Han for confirmation.

Engrossed in his story, Song Han waved Lü Zheng away dismissively.

Lü Zheng bowed respectfully to Dou Zhao and Song Han before withdrawing.

Dou Zhao fell into thought.

It seemed Song Han hadn't lost his freedom after all.According to Song Mo, Song Han had been very close to him since childhood. It was only because Song Yichun disapproved of Song Han associating too much with him, and he didn’t want to put Song Han in a difficult position, that the brothers no longer interacted as frequently as before. Yet every time Song Han saw him, he still acted affectionately.

If that were the case, why didn’t Song Han visit Song Mo more often?

She thought of her past life. Despite her strict vigilance and undisguised disdain for Lady Zhu, Wei Ge'er and Rui Ge'er still found ways to see her... If someone truly cared for another, shouldn’t they long to see them constantly? Especially in moments of pain and sorrow, wouldn’t they seek comfort and solace from that person?

Yet Song Han only focused on being a filial son.

Or perhaps, in Song Han’s heart, Father was more important than his elder brother?

Dou Zhao tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Recalling events from her past life, she felt even more strongly that Song Han had betrayed the brotherly affection Song Mo had shown him.

Song Mo would return tomorrow—should she tell him about this?

The thought of Song Mo being kept in the dark made her feel indignant on his behalf, and she grew even more restless.

She simply threw on her robe and sat up.

Su Xin, who was on night watch and always attentive, heard the movement and also sat up.

"Madam, shall I bring a lamp over?"

Inside the bed curtains, only a small Octagonal palace lantern was lit on the stool.

"No need," Dou Zhao replied listlessly. "I just can’t sleep and wanted to sit for a while."

Su Xin hummed in acknowledgment and poured Dou Zhao a cup of tea.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.

Both women froze, and Dou Zhao instructed Su Xin, "Go see what’s happening."

Su Xin hurried off.

The noise grew louder, now mixed with the cries of women.

Dou Zhao frowned.

Su Xin returned. "Madam, the stables at the front have caught fire."

How could they be so careless?!

Since she couldn’t sleep anyway, Dou Zhao slipped on her shoes and said, "Let’s go take a look!"

Su Xin complied, accompanying Dou Zhao out of the main chamber.

The fire raged fiercely, lighting up half the sky. The shouts of men and the sobs of women surged toward them in chaotic waves. Even standing on the veranda of the main chamber, they could sense the panic and disorder in the front courtyard.

The entire Hall of Cultivating Will had been roused. Maids and old women emerged in their robes, gathering in small groups to whisper and speculate.

When they saw Dou Zhao, they all curtsied, their faces filled with unease.Dou Zhao looked up at the sky, gauged the wind direction, and said to everyone, "We're in the northern part, and today's wind is blowing from the north. The fire won't reach us. Even if the wind changes direction unexpectedly, the Hall of Cultivating Will isn't connected to the front courtyard, so we'll have enough time to fight the fire." She instructed Su Xin, "Go ask Master Yan what exactly happened. Are there any injuries or missing people? A fire at the Duke's residence is a serious matter—has Shuntian Prefecture been notified? When will they arrive?" Then she told Su Lan, "Inform Wuyi to gather all the pages from the main courtyard and have them guard the main gate. If the wind changes and the fire spreads, report to me immediately." She also pointed out a few sturdy old women and assigned a sharp-eyed matron to lead them: "Check if the water storage vats by the walls are full. If they are, stay put and await further orders to assist Wuyi and the others with fetching water. If not, start filling them now."

The main courtyard of the Hall of Cultivating Will had a small kitchen.

Though called a small kitchen, it was fully equipped with a seven-star stove, a woodshed, and a well.

"As for the rest," Dou Zhao called Gan Lu and Su Juan. "Each of you take half the people back to your rooms to rest. Be ready to come out and help extinguish the fire if needed."

Seeing her calm and composed demeanor, her thorough considerations, and the orderly arrangements, everyone felt reassured and began carrying out her instructions.

Dou Zhao stood under the veranda, observing the fire.

The sharp-eyed matron brought over a Grand Preceptor's Chair and said eagerly, "Madam, please take a seat. With Sisters Su Xin and Su Lan leading us, nothing will go wrong!"

Dou Zhao, noticing her quick wit, asked, "What's your name?"

The woman hurriedly replied, "This humble servant's husband is Lu Yi. His father once served as Manor Head at the Anliang farmstead. After my husband entered the household, he once drove the carriage for the Young Lord and now works at a sundry goods shop in the Capital."

The Anliang farmstead was part of Madam Jiang's dowry.

No wonder this woman had been assigned to serve in the main chamber.

Dou Zhao nodded slightly.

The fire grew fiercer, spreading to the eastern side houses where the servants lived near the stables.

Fortunately, the wind direction remained unchanged.

Su Xin hurried back and reported, "Madam, Master Yan says the cause of the fire in the stables is still unclear. The flames are still intense, and it's unknown if anyone was injured. But Shuntian Prefecture has been notified. However, there was an incident at the prefecture's prison tonight—apparently, someone attempted a jailbreak—so they might not be able to spare manpower to help with the fire immediately. Mr. Tao has taken the Duke's visiting card to the Five Cities Garrison, and they should send help soon." She added, "Master Yan is now leading Guard Xia and others to assist with firefighting—Mr. Tao suggested opening the Hanging Flower Gate to allow guards to fetch water from the lake in the rear garden, but Master Yan opposed it, proposing instead to dismantle two rooms in the eastern side houses. As a result, Chang Guard is leading the Duke's guards to fetch water, while Master Yan is leading our people to tear down the side rooms."

Neither Master Yan nor Mr. Tao had thought to involve Song Han.

Dou Zhao found this somewhat strange.The fire was still raging fiercely, filling the air with the scent of smoke and flames. Occasional cries for help and shouts could be heard, and everyone wore solemn expressions. Amidst such a grave situation, Dou Zhao suddenly thought of the stark contrast between the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion and the Hall of Cultivating Will and couldn't help but chuckle.

I wonder what Song Yichun would think if he saw this mess in the courtyard?

Su Xin and Mrs. Luyi exchanged puzzled glances.

Dou Zhao quickly explained, "It's nothing. I was just thinking of Master Yan and Mr. Tao... I lean more toward Master Yan's idea. Mrs. Luyi, you may go about your duties. I’ll retire to my room for now. With both Master Yan and Mr. Tao here, I doubt anything will go wrong."

Mrs. Luyi respectfully acknowledged with a "Yes" and went to inspect the water vats.

Dou Zhao and Su Xin returned to their room, but Dou Zhao was too restless to sleep. The two sat on the kang and chatted. "From what Second Master said, all those who previously served him were chosen by Madam Jiang. After Madam Jiang passed away, the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion freed all those who had served her, and the people around him now have all been replaced in the last two years. Later, tell Master Yan to investigate for me—where are those who were freed now, and what are they doing?"

Su Xin nodded thoughtfully. "Do you suspect someone knows about Madam Jiang's affairs?"

"It's just a lead," Dou Zhao mused. "There are still some things I haven’t figured out yet. I want to find someone to verify them."

Dou Zhao didn’t elaborate, and Su Xin, as always, didn’t press further.

Suddenly, thunderous knocking erupted at the door.

A page loudly called out, "Who is it?" and moved to answer, but Wuyi stopped him abruptly.

"Who is it?" Wuyi demanded gruffly, his tone domineering.