Blossom

Da Taitai sniffled and stopped crying, dabbing her tears with a handkerchief while stealing glances at Dou Zhao’s expression.

Only then did Dou Zhao set down her teacup, her previously gentle demeanor turning stern as she said, “It seems Eldest Aunt is already aware that thieves coveted my dowry and took advantage of the fire at the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion to slip through the chaos, entering the second gate and attacking the Hall of Cultivating Will in an attempt to harm me?”

The incident had already caused an uproar.

The Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion—a noble household of the highest rank, descendants of founding heroes who had followed the Emperor in his southern and northern campaigns, enjoying imperial favor for over a century and hailed as the most illustrious of the Capital’s families of high officials—had actually been breached by thieves. Worse still, a large number of the intruders remained unaccounted for, whether they had slipped away unnoticed or were still hiding in some forgotten corner of the mansion. Tao Qizhong had even enlisted the help of the household’s maidservants to search for them, making it impossible to keep the matter under wraps.

Panic spread like wildfire through the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion. Da Taitai and Dong Shi were warned not to leave their quarters, and the few sturdy old women attending to them were called away to assist the Five Cities Garrison in hunting down the thieves. Left with only a handful of young, inexperienced maids, the rooms felt desolate, and the frightened girls huddled together, weeping incessantly. The two women, staying overnight at the mansion, were both terrified and regretful, fearing that the thieves might break in at any moment... When they heard Dou Zhao had summoned them, Da Taitai set aside their previous discord, hoping only that Dou Zhao would allow them to stay in the heavily guarded Hall of Cultivating Will until dawn rather than return to their defenseless guest quarters.

Hearing Dou Zhao’s words, Da Taitai nodded repeatedly, even offering comfort in agreement: “You needn’t worry! Dawn is near, and once Yantang receives word, he’ll hurry back to take charge…”

“Naturally!” Dou Zhao coldly interrupted, her clear eyes sharp as blades, glinting with a chilling light. “Since you were overseeing the household affairs of the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion, I assume you approved when Mr. Tao ordered the second gate opened to fetch water for extinguishing the fire?”

Da Taitai shuddered at her words.

This Dou Shi had summoned her with no good intentions!

The Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion had strict rules—how could the inner courtyard be left open for anyone to enter and exit at will? During the day, the second gate was guarded by old women, and once locked at night, no one was permitted passage without the Duke of Ying's Manor Token, let alone leaving the gate wide open. It was akin to stripping a noble lady of her outer garments, leaving her exposed to scrutiny and gossip.

When Mr. Tao had the night watchwomen relay his request to her, she had hesitated. But considering he was the Duke’s adviser and she was merely temporarily entrusted with the mansion’s tallies, she couldn’t afford the blame if the outer courtyard burned down.

After much deliberation, she had allowed the second gate to be opened…

Yet, as feared, disaster struck.

With the gate left unsecured, thieves had slipped in, nearly harming Dou Shi. While Tao Qizhong bore undeniable responsibility, she, as the keeper of the tallies, was equally implicated.

Recalling how Dou Shi had previously rudely demanded she hand over the tallies, Da Taitai understood Dou Zhao’s intentions all too well.

Times had changed.

At this moment, did she dare refuse?Amid such chaos, instead of cowering fearfully indoors like her, Dou Shi immediately seized the opportunity to pressure her into admitting fault. Setting aside everything else, her ability to assess the situation was unmatched throughout the entire Capital. As for someone with Dou Shi’s decisiveness, she couldn’t think of a second person.

If she didn’t admit fault, would Dou Shi let her off?

She might be tied up as an accomplice of the thieves the moment she stepped out, accused of colluding with bandits.

After all, Second Uncle and Yantang weren’t home, and Mr. Tao and the others were too preoccupied with their own troubles. Who would care about the grievances between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?

At this thought, Da Taitai wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

With a bitter smile, she nodded and excused herself, “It was a momentary lapse in judgment. I thought since Mr. Tao was Father’s adviser, his suggestions couldn’t possibly be wrong. Who would’ve imagined this would happen…”

As she spoke, several sturdy maidservants quietly entered, holding sticks and standing like a screen behind Dou Zhao, staring intently at her as if she were an outsider. One wrong word, and they seemed ready to strike…

Had she truly fallen into a trap this time?

If she didn’t hand over the tallies, judging by Dou Shi’s stance, she might resort to outright seizure. But if she did, how would Second Uncle spare her upon his return?

Yet, under the circumstances, she had no choice but to yield.

Since Dou Shi was determined to have her way, why provoke her further?

Having made up her mind, Da Taitai abruptly changed her tone. “After all, I come from a humble background and didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.” She instructed Dong Shi, “Go back and fetch the Duke of Ying’s Manor Token.” Then, with a face full of remorse, she said to Dou Zhao, “I lack both virtue and ability. Please, Madam, take charge of the Duke of England’s Mansion.”

※※※※※

Meanwhile, standing under the veranda of the duty room, Song Mo gazed in the direction of the Duke of England’s Mansion, his expression grave.

“Are you certain?” he asked coldly, his voice icy as he addressed the guard who had come to report the unusual incident. “The fire was at the Duke of England’s Mansion?”

“This subordinate is certain,” the guard replied respectfully. “To avoid any mistake, I even sent the guards on duty to investigate on horseback. Not only was there a fire at the Duke of England’s Mansion, but intruders had also broken in.” Here, he showed a relieved expression. “Fortunately, the house guards captured the intruders, and the Five Cities Garrison arrived in time. The fire has been extinguished, and the mansion suffered no major damage. Only four guards sustained minor injuries.”

Intruders?

In the very heart of the imperial capital, there were still bandits?

And they dared to rob the Duke of England’s Mansion—who would believe such a tale?

Song Mo’s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched tightly into fists before slowly moving behind his back, as though this could conceal his current fury.

How was Dou Zhao now?

Had she been harmed? Was she frightened?

She had only just married into the Duke of England’s Mansion—this was likely the first time she’d encountered such a situation. Would she regret marrying him?

At this thought, his heart ached as if pricked by needles, a faint but persistent pain… forgetting his own shock when Dou Zhao had once held him at sword point.

Did this incident have anything to do with Father?

Song Mo’s face gradually darkened.

One’s body and hair are gifts from one’s parents.

Father could hurt him, but he must not harm Dou Zhao.

His eyes seemed to flicker with flames before he finally spoke after a long pause. “Was my wife injured?”Dou Zhao was in the inner courtyard. Even if she were injured, it would be difficult for the guards to reach her in such a short time. Yet he still wanted to ask, as if only then would his heart feel slightly better.

The guard couldn’t help but glance up at Song Mo, a trace of confusion flickering between his brows.

He had already made it clear—only four guards from the Duke of England's Mansion had been injured. Why was the Commander still asking whether his Madam had been hurt?

But Song Mo was his superior. Since Song Mo had asked, he naturally had to answer.

“There’s been no word of Madam being injured.”

Though he had already known the guard would answer this way, hearing it still sent waves crashing through his heart. A flash of ferocity passed unnoticed across his eyes, and regret gnawed at him.

If he had known this would happen, he should have gone to the Fengtai Military Camp instead.

Though farther from home, it would have been freer than the palace.

Not like now—where he and Dou Zhao were so close yet worlds apart, separated by closed palace gates, unable to comfort her or even utter a single word of concern.

“Damn it!” Song Mo muttered darkly under his breath.

The others assumed his anger was over the fire at the Duke’s mansion and moved to console him, but just then, a guard hurried in.

“Commander!” He bowed respectfully to Song Mo. “A page from your household has sent word—Madam is unharmed, and the household is in perfect order. Everyone is to rest assured!”

Song Mo’s eyes brightened, and the very air around him seemed to lighten.

The others rushed forward to congratulate him.

But after a moment of contemplation, Song Mo headed to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

The Emperor had not yet risen. Song Mo waited in the palace for nearly an hour before the hall’s lanterns were lit. Another half-hour passed before Wang Ge emerged with a smile to summon him inside.

The Emperor was holding a bowl of porridge.

Song Mo knelt before him, his eyes bloodshot. “Your Majesty, this humble servant requests leave to depart the palace early!”

The Emperor was stunned.

Song Mo had always been a sensible young man, never one to act so distressed or aggrieved.

The Emperor glanced at Wang Ge, but seeing that even he was clueless, his voice deepened. “What has happened?”

Song Mo recounted the fire and the intruders at his home: “...At first, we didn’t know whose residence it was, but because it was so close to the palace, we sent men to investigate...”

Before he could finish, there was a sharp crack—the exquisite sacrificial red porcelain bowl shattered against the golden floor tiles.

“Outrageous! Outrageous!” The Emperor was livid. “In times of peace and prosperity, thieves dare to break into the Duke of England's Mansion? What is Shuntian Prefecture doing? What are the Five Cities Garrison doing?” He barked at Wang Ge, “Go! Summon the Shuntian Prefecture Prefect and the Commander of the Five Cities Garrison at once! If they dare to rob the Duke’s mansion today, would they have robbed Us yesterday?”

The hall fell deathly silent. Maids and eunuchs trembled in fear.

Song Mo said solemnly, “Your Majesty, I beg your permission to apprehend the thieves!”

The Emperor took down the Longquan sword enshrined on the curio shelf and flung it with a clang before Song Mo. “Investigate this thoroughly! Find out who dares to rob our noble houses and act with such impunity under Our very nose!”

“As you command!” Song Mo kowtowed, took the sword, and left the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

※※※※※

Dou Zhao, Su Xin, and Su Lan sat around the kang table, examining the pearwood tallies inside the sandalwood box.

“These seem rather ordinary!” Su Lan muttered, running her fingers over the tallies. “If someone counterfeited them, how would we tell?”"It's not like silver notes from the gold shops that recognize only the note, not the person," Dou Zhao smoothly obtained the tallies, and Su Xin was also quite happy, speaking more cheerfully than usual. "The tallies issued are all accounted for."

Su Lan laughed, "So Madam had Da Taitai pass down the message to summon all the household servants to the upper courtyard tomorrow morning for a talk?"

Su Xin nodded with a smile, "This way, Madam's actions will be fully justified!"

Su Lan also joined in the joy.

Dou Zhao smiled and handed the rosewood box to Su Xin, saying, "Shall we all take a short nap? There's still much to do tomorrow!"