Blossom

After seeing Wei Tingzhen off, Wei Tingyu followed Dou Ming back to the main courtyard of the Marquis of Jining's Mansion in low spirits.

Dou Ming went straight to the inner chamber.

Wei Tingyu, however, stood in the hall for a long time before turning and heading to the study.

When Dou Ming came out after changing her clothes and didn’t see Wei Tingyu, she asked in surprise, “Where is the Marquis?”

The servants in the room trembled with fear, not daring to speak. Zhu'er had no choice but to step forward and report Wei Tingyu’s whereabouts to Dou Ming.

Dou Ming’s face turned livid, and with a loud “smack,” she threw the teacup beside her onto the floor.

For a moment, the inner chamber was deathly silent.

Dou Ming’s fingers trembled as she ordered Zhu'er, “Have the old women serve the meal!”

Zhu'er didn’t dare to delay and hurriedly complied, setting the evening meal with the old women on the heated brick bed by the window in the inner chamber.

Dou Ming ate slowly, not finishing until the beginning of the Xu hour (7-9 PM).

But Wei Tingyu still hadn’t appeared.

Zhu'er said tactfully, “The Marquis had his meal in the study.”

Dou Ming raised her head and glanced at her.

Her gaze was as sharp as a blade: “Do you have nothing better to do? The laundry room of the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion is short on hands!”

Zhu'er’s face turned pale, and she stammered, not daring to speak again.

Dou Ming only felt even more stifled. After a hasty wash, she went to bed.

A young maid went to close the door.

Dou Ming flew into another rage: “Locking the doors and closing the windows—what do I need you night watchers for?”

The young maid was baffled by the scolding, unsure what she had done wrong.

Zhu'er finally understood.

Madam was waiting for the Marquis to return but was too proud to admit it.

She quickly instructed the young maid to reopen the door and brought bedding to keep watch in the inner chamber. Only then did Dou Ming’s expression soften slightly.

Zhu'er didn’t dare to sleep, keeping her eyes open and waiting for Wei Tingyu to return.

But Wei Tingyu never came back.

Dou Ming tossed and turned in bed like a pancake on a griddle, unable to sleep.

Zhu'er, however, didn’t dare to let Dou Ming know she was still awake, lying stiffly without moving, not even daring to breathe loudly.

The two of them watched as the sky gradually lightened.

The bed curtains finally fell still.

Zhu'er sighed in relief.

But then, faint sobbing came from behind the curtains, interspersed with Dou Ming’s curses: “If you have the guts, don’t come to me for the appointment letter for the Eastern District Vice Commander of the Five Cities Garrison…”

Half a city away from the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion, in the Hall of Cultivating Will at the Duke of Yingguo’s residence, Dou Zhao also woke up.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Song Mo’s peaceful sleeping face.

His skin glowed like fine jade, his jet-black hair spread softly over the bright red silk pillow embroidered with twin lotus flowers, exuding an indescribable gentleness and elegance.

This ethereal, dewy youth had a roughness and passion in bed that starkly contrasted with his delicate appearance.

At this thought, Dou Zhao’s face burned. The intense sensations from last night seemed to ripple through her limbs again, leaving her body weak. Only then did she realize Song Mo had her wrapped in his arms, their limbs entwined, leaving half her body numb.

She couldn’t help but let out a soft moan.

Song Mo’s clear voice sounded in her ear: “Awake?”

“Mm,” Dou Zhao replied, rubbing her numb right shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” Song Mo turned to her, concerned.

“My body’s numb.”

“Where?” Song Mo said. “Let me massage it for you.”

Too uncomfortable to refuse, Dou Zhao rolled over, turning her back to him and exposing her left shoulder.

The silk quilt slipped, revealing her flawless snow-white skin and the graceful curve of her spine.A rush of cold air suddenly swept in.

Dou Zhao shivered involuntarily and quickly pulled the quilt up to her chin. Only then did she belatedly realize that she was still naked beneath the covers… The memories of the previous night grew clearer in her mind.

The fullness when Song Mo had entered her… the tingling when he had sucked on her earlobe… the tenderness in his whispered words… all of it seemed to turn into warmth that flushed her cheeks, making her face burn even hotter. Naturally, she didn’t notice Song Mo’s momentary pause when her snow-white skin was exposed, nor did she notice the deepening darkness in his eyes. All she felt was the gentleness of his hands—dexterous, strong, and skilled as they kneaded her shoulders with just the right pressure, making her nearly moan in pleasure. The comfort lulled Dou Zhao, who had barely slept all night, into drowsiness.

Just as she was about to drift off, Song Mo’s hands slid down from her shoulders to her soft, peach-like breasts…

Dou Zhao jolted awake.

“Don’t—” She struggled weakly to push his hand away. “I’m tired…” But he took the opportunity to pull her back into his embrace from behind.

Her heart fluttered uneasily.

Last night, the relentless intensity had left her body parched. Yet Song Mo, still unsatisfied, had played her like a master musician, coaxing her body back to warmth and wetness… The way he controlled her sensations, manipulated her emotions—that overwhelming pleasure, teetering between life and death—was something she had never experienced before. And yet, from the occasional roughness in his movements, she could tell he was still inexperienced. She couldn’t even blame him for his recklessness. Besides, this was only their second night together since their marriage… Just thinking about it now made her shudder.

Song Mo, however, clearly didn’t share her reservations.

He loved the dazed look in Dou Zhao’s eyes when she was lost in pleasure, loved how tightly she clung to him in passion, loved the sweet, muffled sounds she made…

Unable to resist, he nipped at her plump earlobe. “Shou Gu, did you miss me?” His hand trailed down the graceful curves of her body, like rolling hills. “I missed you… The bed in the duty room was narrow and hard, the blankets always reeked of mildew no matter how much they were aired… I love the scent on you—light, like jasmine, or maybe Yu Zan… And also…” His voice dropped lower as his fingers deftly found the hidden bud nestled in her petals, teasing it with alternating pressure. “Like layers of emerald mountains… I can’t help but wonder what lies at the end of the path…”

Dou Zhao felt as if her entire body had burst into flames.

No wonder he never stopped his conquests.

“Song Yantang, stop talking!” She was sure she must look like a shrimp tossed into boiling oil—completely red all over.

Watching her flustered embarrassment, Song Mo felt nothing but delight. He chuckled softly against her ear. “Shou Gu, you don’t realize it, but every time I touch you there, your whole body trembles… Even that place is no exception…”

Was this the composed and dignified Song Mo?

Was this the aloof and proud Song Mo?

Who would say such things out loud?

“You—you—” Dou Zhao was at a loss for words.

Song Mo kissed her lips.

Light as a feather.

Yet his body thrust into her from behind without warning.

Dou Zhao’s eyes flew open, her gasp swallowed by the sudden deepening of his kiss.

Song Mo panted softly, murmuring against her ear, “See? You missed me too…”Dou Zhao's face turned as red as a chili pepper, and she closed her eyes like the proverbial ostrich burying its head in the sand.

The sound of Song Mo's cheerful laughter rang in her ears.

The commotion in the inner chamber made Su Xin and the others blush, and they quickly retreated to the veranda.

It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that the inner chamber finally quieted down.

Dou Zhao was so exhausted she couldn't even muster the strength to speak.

Song Mo, however, was as energetic as a well-fed lion.

"Shou Gu," he murmured, stroking the sweat-dampened hair at her temples. "I'm going to the farmstead in Daxing later. Come with me!" His words were filled with reluctance, and without caring that she was covered in sweat, he leaned down to kiss her cheek.

The farmstead in Daxing referred to the one bestowed upon him by the Emperor. Originally a royal estate, ordinary people dared not approach it, so Song Mo had stationed some of his martial retainers there.

"I'm not going," Dou Zhao said, wanting only to sleep. "I need water."

Song Mo hurriedly poured her a cup and helped her drink. Then he tempted her: "There's a noodle shop called 'Halfway' in Daxing that makes amazing mixed noodles. People come from far and wide just to try them. If you come with me, we can stop by on our way back... Or, we could go to the Drunken Immortal Tower for mountain delicacies or sea delicacies. Or maybe we could visit Cuizhen Pavilion for vegetarian dishes... You don't have anything to do at home anyway, so why not come out with me... I'll be on duty at the palace again in a couple of days..."

A warm feeling trickled through Dou Zhao's heart.

No one had ever been so attached to her before.

Hesitation flickered in her eyes.

Song Mo, ever perceptive, kissed her brows and eyelids tenderly. "Shou Gu, I just want to be with you. With no elders at home, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself..." As he spoke, he took her hand and guided it downward.

Dou Zhao was startled, her face flushing crimson as she clenched her fist.

Fortunately, Song Mo didn't force her. Seeing her reluctance, he released her hand. "Let's go out instead. The weather's getting colder, and soon it'll be too chilly to go anywhere without catching a chill. Might as well stay home then..."

Dou Zhao wasn't afraid of the cold—she was afraid Song Mo wouldn't control himself. Though she suspected this was just an excuse, recalling the morning's escapades, she had to take him at his word.

"I'll get up and change," Dou Zhao relented, forcing herself to rise.

"Let me help." Song Mo, in high spirits, opened the purple calamander wood wardrobe. "Which outfit would you like to wear?"

Was he really this eager to have her by his side?

Dou Zhao felt a pang of confusion.

In her past life, Wei Tingyu hadn't liked being followed around, calling it too fussy...

After freshening up, Dou Zhao, supported by Song Mo, boarded the carriage.

Their maids and the old women were relegated to another carriage.

Throughout the journey, Song Mo chatted with her: "...The Five Cities Garrison and Shuntian Prefecture will surely pin the blame on some random scapegoat when the time comes. That's just how officialdom works. But privately, most know the Duke of England's Mansion has suffered a hidden loss. If we let this slide without a word, those martial world people who only prey on the weak will think our household is easy to bully and come knocking whenever they please. Since Xu Qing is a captain at the Cangzhou Garrison, I plan to send Lu Ming with a group to settle the score. That way, they won't think the Duke of England's Mansion is a soft target they can push around.""So you're going there to select Martial Retainers this time?" Dou Zhao's body still felt weak. Leaning against the carriage's large cushion, she glanced sideways at Song Mo while speaking, her almond-shaped eyes slightly lifted with an indescribable charm.

Song Mo held Dou Zhao's hand, idly kneading it as he spoke: "While those bandits haven't gone too far yet, we should try to capture a few..." They continued chatting until they arrived at the farmstead in Daxing.