Blossom

Song Mo nodded in satisfaction and said, "Wait for me in the study."

Yan Chaoqing chuckled, watching as Song Mo lifted the curtain and entered the hall before turning to head to the study himself.

After a night of commotion, everyone finally rested as dawn approached, utterly exhausted. With guards stationed outside, they slept soundly and securely. It wasn’t until Song Mo entered the Resting Chamber that Su Xin abruptly sat up, startled.

"Who’s there?" she demanded in a low, wary voice, rousing Su Lan as well.

Recognizing Song Mo, Su Xin exhaled deeply in relief, her entire body relaxing. "It’s the Young Lord!"

Thankfully, fearing intruders, both she and her sister had slept fully clothed.

Secretly relieved, Su Xin rose with Su Lan to greet Song Mo with a bow.

Song Mo barely glanced their way, giving a slight nod before proceeding straight to the inner chamber.

Su Lan gaped, whispering, "Sister, ever since our lady married him, how has he become like this? Will he treat our lady with the same cold indifference?"

"Quiet!" Su Xin was at a loss on how to discipline her sister. "‘Him, him, him’—is that how you address him? How many times must I remind you to call him ‘Young Lord’? Why do you never take it seriously? You’re eighteen now—no longer a child! If you keep this up, I’ll have Madam send you back to Zhen Ding. At least there, your thoughtlessness won’t bring trouble upon her!"

Su Lan pouted.

Su Xin sighed deeply.

Her sister was already eighteen, yet her marriage prospects remained unsettled… It was time to arrange a match for her… Once Madam had a moment free, she would discuss this with her…

She instructed Su Lan, "Since the Young Lord has returned, Madam will soon rise to wash up. Have hot water prepared." Meanwhile, she rolled up the bedding and carried it back to her room.

Dou Zhao lacked Su Xin’s sharp alertness and was still fast asleep.

Song Mo stood by the bed, studying her intently.

She lay on her side, her delicate skin like the first snow of winter, her rosy cheeks like early spring plum blossoms. The air around her seemed to carry a crisp yet serene fragrance.

Song Mo crouched down gently.

Dou Zhao’s eyebrows were thick and dark, her eyes slightly upturned at the corners, lending her an air of pride—yet they were strikingly beautiful.

He had never realized how captivating her eyes were.

They reminded him of their intimate moments, when she gazed at him, her eyes shimmering like the radiant spring light of March…

Song Mo felt his body stir with desire once more.

At this moment, instead of thinking of how to comfort Dou Zhao, his mind was filled with fantasies of her.

Cursing himself inwardly, he suppressed those inappropriate thoughts but couldn’t resist lightly tracing her eyebrows with his fingertips.

Dou Zhao startled awake.

Blinking, she looked dazed and disoriented, like an unguarded child.

Song Mo’s heart ached sharply.

Who was born decisive and ruthless?

It was merely circumstance that forced it upon them.

Life had already been difficult for Dou Zhao in her maiden home. After marrying him, far from finding peace and happiness, she had only faced greater anxiety and fear—her situation worse than before!

If she had hesitated even slightly then… If Yan Chaoqing and the others had arrived a moment later… If those bandits had seized her… What then?

The mere thought chilled him to his core."You're awake!" Song Mo's voice was slightly hoarse as he spoke, his hand reaching under the blanket to grasp Dou Zhao's.

Dou Zhao took a clear look at the person before her, her expression relaxing further. "You're back!" Too exhausted to get up immediately, she lay there chatting with Song Mo.

Despite the turmoil at home, Song Mo appeared unfazed. Yet she knew he must be suffering inside.

She responded by squeezing his hand in return.

Song Mo buried his face in the bedding.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault... I didn't handle things properly... This kind of thing won't happen again... I promise..."

The bedding carried an indescribable fragrance, so refreshing it seemed to seep into one's very soul, making Song Mo's eyes sting and grow moist.

Dou Zhao sighed inwardly, unsure whether to praise Madam Jiang for raising Song Mo so impeccably or to blame her for instilling such rigid principles in him—whenever something went wrong, Song Mo was always the first to blame himself.

But at this moment, gazing at his jet-black hair and his somewhat dejected appearance, she genuinely wished he wouldn't always be so strong.

If only he could occasionally act like a spoiled second-generation heir, throwing his weight around—perhaps then she'd feel slightly better seeing it.

"What does this have to do with you?" Dou Zhao laughed, her tone light and casual. "Master Yan told me it was a group of desperate outlaws from Cangzhou who heard about my generous dowry and took the risk..."

Song Mo lifted his head, the corners of his eyes slightly reddened. "If I had enough prestige, how could I fail to deter such petty criminals? In the end, it's my own lack of capability, failing to protect my wife and family..."

Continuing this self-blame would only deepen his despondency.

"Alright, alright," Dou Zhao chided. "This was a disaster caused by my dowry—to be more precise, it was that extra chest of silver notes Father added at the last minute. You wouldn't believe the rumors outside—they say that chest alone held two hundred thousand taels, which is what tempted them. Master Yan has already sent word to my father. Given his temperament, he'll surely rush over. If you say this in front of him, he'll blame himself even more than you... What's the use of regret now? You'd better think about how to make up for it! Just the thought of nineteen bandits still out there sends chills down my spine—I can't sit still." She redirected his attention. "Yantang, you must personally oversee this matter. I don't trust anyone else to handle it properly. And," she added with excitement, "I've obtained the Duke of Ying's Manor Token."

Compared to her previous life of careful scheming, Dou Zhao much preferred the current brazen audacity.

She sat up decisively. "Later, I'll summon the household servants for a talk. If you can confirm the house is secure afterward, we can quickly establish our authority. Even if Father-in-law rushes back upon hearing the news, it'll be too late by then. What do you think?"Seeing Dou Zhao dressed only in an undergarment, Song Mo first draped a padded jacket over her before speaking. "Don't worry," he said. "The Emperor was furious when he learned of this matter and gave me a sword once used by Emperor Taizu, ordering me to investigate thoroughly. I can't stay in the mansion every day, nor can I just leave you here at the Duke of England's Mansion." His expression darkened, a hint of menace flashing in his eyes. "Those thieves must all be found, and last night's incident must be accounted for."

In his previous life, Song Mo had been steeped in bloodshed. Dou Zhao feared most that he would repeat that path.

She advised him, "Don't involve unrelated people, lest it tarnish your reputation."

"I understand!" Song Mo smiled faintly, radiant in the morning light.

Dou Zhao was momentarily dazzled. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly—thankfully, having lived two lives, she had grown indifferent to many things. If she had met Song Mo in her previous life, being constantly exposed to such brilliance, even the most steadfast heart might have gradually withered in self-doubt...

She shook her head, dispelling these thoughts.

Su Xin entered and reported, "Young Lord, the Commander of the Eastern City Military Command requests an audience. He says the Metropolitan Commander of the Five Cities Garrison has been summoned to the palace. With no leader now, they seek your guidance."

Song Mo sneered.

Word of the Emperor's decree must have spread. Those people, afraid of being implicated, were rushing to curry favor with him.

Just as well—he had tasks for them too.

When he turned to Dou Zhao, however, his expression softened. "Shou Gu, I'll go see to this. At most, it will take an hour to conduct a thorough search of the Duke of England's Mansion. Rest a while longer. There's no rush for you to take over the household affairs just yet."

Dou Zhao nodded. "Go attend to your matters. If anything comes up, I'll have the pages inform you."

Song Mo left the inner chamber.

Dou Zhao sighed. "The Metropolitan Commander of the Five Cities Garrison and the Shuntian Prefecture Prefect are in for trouble this time."

"Serves them right!" Su Xin, still shaken by the events, couldn't help but complain. "What are they even doing? Aren't they supposed to deal with thieves daily? How could they be oblivious to so many unfamiliar faces appearing in the Capital? Losing their posts is the least they deserve."

It was rare for Su Xin to lose her temper.

Dou Zhao smiled faintly, freshened up, and headed to the study.

To do good work, one must first sharpen one's tools.

Since she intended to manage the inner household of the Duke of England's Mansion, she needed to prepare in advance.

From a hidden compartment in the study, Dou Zhao retrieved two lists she had previously compiled: one of the current steward mammies overseeing various quarters in the mansion, and another from when Madam Jiang had been in charge. She compared them carefully before returning them to their place.

She had breakfast in the study.

Afterward, Da Taitai and her daughter-in-law arrived.

Perhaps due to their helplessness—like fish on a chopping block—or a sleepless night, both women looked haggard.

Dou Zhao greeted them warmly, asking if they had eaten, exchanged a few pleasantries, then made her way to the upper courtyard.

Jiang Shi usually handled household affairs in the Reception Hall of the upper courtyard. The hall, not far from the Hall of Cultivating Will, was accessible via the western Covered Corridors after passing through a moon gate from the side lane. Surrounded by bamboo, interspersed with oleanders and roses, the scenic spot bore the elegant name "Pavilion of Plucked Jade."The steward mammies from the inner courtyard of the Duke of England's Mansion had all arrived, standing in small clusters in the yard, whispering among themselves. When they saw Da Taitai, Dong Shi, and a group of maids and women attendants escorting Dou Zhao in, they immediately fell silent.

Dou Zhao strolled leisurely into the Reception Hall and took her seat beside Da Taitai in order of precedence. A young maid served tea, and Su Xin emerged from the four-paneled partition of the Reception Hall, standing on the steps to invite the steward mammies to discuss matters.

The Reception Hall had five bays without pillars, and a row of Grand Preceptor's Chairs lined the walls, but these steward mammies were not entitled to sit.

They stood in the center of the hall as Da Taitai announced that due to urgent family matters, she could no longer oversee the household affairs of the Duke of England's Mansion. By the Duke of Yingguo's order, the tallies were to be handed over to Dou Zhao, and from then on, all matters would require her instructions. With that, she publicly presented the Purple Calamander Wood box containing the tallies to Dou Zhao in front of everyone.

Having overseen the household affairs for just a day, the tallies in her hands had barely warmed before being relinquished. Considering the events of the previous night, who could believe Da Taitai had urgent family matters? And who could believe that handing the tallies to Dou Zhao was truly the Duke of Yingguo's will?

Yet who would dare step forward to question Dou Zhao or Da Taitai?