Blossom

After their passionate lovemaking, Dou Zhao fell into a deep sleep nestled in Song Mo's embrace.

But Song Mo, wide awake, absentmindedly traced the delicate curves of Dou Zhao's figure with his fingers.

What exactly was Liao Wang up to?

Liaodong was rich in resources, with its vast mountains and rivers, far from the capital, boasting a strong military force and operating independently. When the Emperor had decided to enfeoff him there, it had been after much deliberation.

If he merely lacked funds, he could simply seize the coal mines beyond the pass for himself. If he feared political strife would strain his relationship with the Emperor, he could show filial piety through the Empress...

Could it really be as Dou Zhao had guessed—that the Emperor was gravely ill, and Liao Wang was taking precautions against the Crown Prince's potential hostility after ascending the throne?

Or did he have other plans?

The thought of "other plans" sent a chill down Song Mo's spine, and he abruptly sat up.

The blanket slipped, letting in a draft that caused the sleeping Dou Zhao to murmur in discomfort.

Hastily, Song Mo covered her again and gently patted her back. Watching her turn over and settle back into sleep, he exhaled slowly.

How nice it would be if Dou Zhao were awake—they could talk.

He bent down to kiss her temple, only to be met with a disgruntled mumble from her.

Amused, Song Mo felt his mood lighten. He draped a robe over his shoulders and leaned against the headboard, lost in thought.

Gradually, the dim light of dawn crept into the chamber.

Outside, the maids began stirring, preparing for the day.

Dou Zhao, accustomed to waking at the break of dawn, opened her eyes to find Song Mo sitting quietly beside her.

His expression was solemn, but his bright eyes sparkled like stars in the dimly lit bedchamber, lending his entire face a serene yet vivid beauty.

Dou Zhao silently admired him for a while before shifting slightly.

Hearing the rustle, Song Mo looked down and met her radiant gaze.

He smiled. "You're awake? Would you like some warm water?"

"Yes!" Dou Zhao relished being pampered.

Still naked, Song Mo chuckled and got up to pour her a cup of tea.

Dou Zhao's gaze flickered over his waist and lower body before she stifled a giggle.

"What's so funny?" Song Mo handed her the water and sat by the bed, watching her drink before taking the cup back.

"Nothing." Dou Zhao lay back down, smiling at him. "How did it go yesterday... with the Duke of Dongping?"

"Quite well," Song Mo replied with a grin. "He took me for a naive nobleman and advised me not to act impulsively. He said he'd discuss with Lord Huang before deciding whether the Duke of England's Mansion should offer a hefty reward. But to prevent them from shirking responsibility, I’ve decided to visit the palace today and request the Emperor’s favor to assign a few military garrisons."

Before meeting the Duke of Dongping, he had mentioned the reward plan to Dou Zhao.

"His concerns aren’t unfounded," she said. "Some might kill just for a meal, let alone for a reward and the chance to join the garrisons for a steady income. You must be cautious."

Song Mo nodded. "Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

Dou Zhao trusted his judgment implicitly and didn’t press further. Instead, she urged him, "Hurry and put some clothes on before you catch a cold. I’m going to call the maids in to help me freshen up."Song Mo chuckled, stroking her head. "Rest a while longer. There are no elders at home anyway. I'll have breakfast and then head to the palace. If anyone asks about my whereabouts, just tell them the truth."

"I understand," Dou Zhao replied, truly reluctant to get up. "It's just about spreading the word, right?"

"So clever!" Song Mo engaged in meaningless yet amusing small talk with her. "Seems like I should discuss everything with you from now on. As the saying goes, 'Three cobblers with their wits combined equal Zhuge Liang.' With the two of us brainstorming, we might just match him too..."

After rambling for a while, he finally dressed and went for breakfast.

Dou Zhao lay under the covers, smiling, and drifted back into a sweet slumber.

As expected, the Duke of Dongping and Huang Qi sent people to inquire about Song Mo's whereabouts. Upon learning he had gone to the palace, both waited at their respective offices.

By afternoon, news spread from the palace: the Emperor had granted Song Mo three officer positions in the Five Guards Battalion.

The two men gasped, their faces paling. One, grim-faced, ordered his page to send an invitation to the Duke of Dongping for a meal at Donglai Shun Restaurant. The other urgently instructed his page to invite Huang Qi for drinks at the Drunken Immortal Tower.

Meanwhile, Ji Yong was seated in a private room at Donglai Shun Restaurant, dining with a burly man.

The man, named Xun Zhong, was the owner of Capital's largest escort agency, "Peace Escort," and one of the underworld figures the Ji family had cultivated in the Capital to gather intelligence.

Only after becoming a Presented Scholar could Ji Yong legitimately mobilize these connections.

Upon hearing Ji Yong wanted him to investigate the bandits who had robbed the Duke of England's Mansion, Xun Zhong sighed. "Sir, if anyone had information on those bandits, they'd have already claimed the reward from the Duke's mansion. There'd be nothing left for us to pick up."

Ji Yong was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"It's all over the Capital. The Young Lord of the Duke of England's Mansion has offered a hefty reward for information on the fugitive bandits—starting at a thousand taels of silver, plus a chance to enlist in the military. Martial artists and mercenaries, whether from the underworld or legitimate circles, are either fleeing the Capital to avoid being scapegoated or heading to Cangzhou to hunt for clues, hoping for wealth and promotion. Some even spread word of paying three thousand taels for a bandit's corpse, just for a chance to speak with the Young Lord... The Capital is in chaos, old rules shattered, and few care about chivalry anymore!" Xun Zhong advised earnestly. "Sir, getting involved now would be courting disaster. Though the Dou family is related to ours by marriage, priorities matter. The Dous have operated here for years—they must have their own channels. Please reconsider."

He assumed Ji Yong was acting on behalf of the Dou family.

Ji Yong fell silent, surprised by how effectively Song Mo had stirred up the Capital with money and power.

Just then, a young man dressed as an escort agency apprentice rushed in, hastily bowing to Ji Yong before whispering urgently to Xun Zhong.

Xun Zhong's expression darkened instantly."Sir!" He solemnly looked at Ji Yong. "We've just received word from Cangzhou that countless martial arts masters have flooded into the area over the past two days. Several murders have occurred, and both local authorities and underworld figures are now aware of the bounty offered by the Duke of Yingguo's mansion. While the officials haven't responded yet, three revered martial arts elders in Cangzhou have jointly issued a hero's summons, inviting experts from sects like Shaolin and Wudang to assist. They're calling on all martial artists to refrain from armed conflicts in Cangzhou to prevent bloodshed, but have promised to identify the thieves themselves. The names will be posted on the gate of Guanyin Temple, ten li from the city. Whoever captures the culprits will claim the reward, with no participation allowed from Cangzhou's martial arts community."

Ji Yong was taken aback. "Would Cangzhou's martial artists agree to this? This would disqualify all Cangzhou practitioners from claiming the Duke's bounty!"

Xun Zhong looked at the shop assistant.

The assistant quickly explained, "They had no choice—Cangzhou's factions already fought internally, and the three elders emerged victorious to gain authority. Now many are gathered at Guanyin Temple, questioning the authenticity of the elders' information about the thieves... Cangzhou may see more bloodshed ahead." As he spoke, he shrank his neck slightly as if recalling violent scenes.

Ji Yong didn't notice this. His gaze grew distant as he murmured, "What a brilliant 'deflecting trouble onto others' move! No wonder he's so favored despite his youth..." His eyes suddenly shone with intense light, "No wonder Zhou Gongjin lamented 'Since Heaven created Zhou Yu, why create Zhuge Liang?'"

A fighting spirit gradually gathered between his brows, sharpening his presence like a blade's edge.

Xun Zhong was inwardly shaken.

Another assistant rushed in: "Boss, news from Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Cities Garrison—the Emperor has granted the Duke of Yingguo's heir three Imperial Guards banners as reward."

"What?" Xun Zhong exclaimed involuntarily, "Is this true?"

"Truer than true," the assistant said miserably. "The Six Doors officers are in an uproar, all demanding answers from the Assistant Prefect about whether they can claim the Duke's bounty if they find the culprits. The Assistant Prefect is sweating bullets, especially since Lord Huang's whereabouts are unknown. Shuntian Prefecture is in complete chaos!"

"It's over, it's over!" Xun Zhong said despairingly. "The newly appointed Duke of Dongping can't possibly restrain the Five Cities Garrison..." Suddenly collecting himself, he clasped his hands toward Ji Yong. "Sir, our escort agency operates between both lawful and unlawful circles. We'll inevitably be pressured by officials and underworld figures for information—we must lay low... This can't wait. I must return to make arrangements. Please forgive me. If you need anything further, just send word through an assistant named Xiao Liuzi at the Yujiao Lane teahouse. I must hurry back before things escalate."

Having learned what he needed,

Ji Yong waved his hand.

Xun Zhong bowed respectfully to Ji Yong before hastily departing with his two assistants back to the escort agency.

Ji Yong remained deep in thought, spending the afternoon alone at a teahouse.

Upon hearing the news, Gu Yu was exhilarated.

He immediately headed for the Hall of Cultivating Will.

Song Mo was currently speaking with Yan Chaoqing and others.He strode into the study, waving the contract stamped with Dou Shiying’s seal.

Yan Chaoqing and the others were taken aback.

Gu Yu, already looking like someone eager to stir up trouble, exclaimed, "Tianci-ge, how come you didn’t tell me you were planning to deal with those bastards in the Capital?" He handed the contract to Song Mo. "Well? Did I do a good job?" His childish eagerness for praise made it impossible for Yan Chaoqing and the others to stay angry.

Song Mo didn’t disappoint him, praising him a few times before motioning for him to sit down. He then resumed the earlier discussion with Yan Chaoqing and the others: "...Since things are already this chaotic, I suppose a little more won’t hurt—let’s set a deadline." He pondered for a moment. "I recall the Emperor gave Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Cities Garrison a two-month deadline... Let’s make it two months. If all the thieves are caught within two months, the reward stands. If any remain at large after two months, the reward is halved. What do you think?"