Blossom

Song Mo sensed that Dou Zhao's words carried hidden meanings and involved Huai Tree Alley. After Gaosheng disappeared from sight, he couldn't help but ask with concern, "What happened? Do you need my help?"

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.

If Song Mo knew what it was about, he probably wouldn't be so relaxed, would he?

She urged Song Mo to have lunch, "...so we can set off earlier." She added, "It's so cold—why don't we go straight to the farmstead in Daxing? As for Fengtai, since we've already entrusted someone to keep an eye out for flowers and plants, they'll naturally report any good news. There's no need to rush. If certain people notice, something worth ten taels might suddenly cost twenty, and we'd be seen as easy targets."

Visiting the flower market had originally been just to amuse Dou Zhao. Since she wasn't interested, Song Mo readily agreed.

After lunch, their carriage headed straight for Daxing without stopping.

Stewards, maids, and old women were already waiting at the entrance, crowding around Song Mo and Dou Zhao as they entered the farmstead.

After a brief rest, Song Mo went to inspect the fields accompanied by the stewards, while Dou Zhao, attended by the same women as last time, chatted in the Resting Chamber.

※※※※※

The Reception Hall of the Marquis of Jining's Mansion was packed with people. Not only were the Wei family's various relatives present, but most of the Dou family's kin in the Capital had also arrived—except for the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from Cat Alley. Even Gao Shi, Madam Pang, and Wei Tingzhen's two sisters-in-law were dressed in their finest, chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

However, Wang Qinghuai's wife, seated among the crowd, felt uneasy.

Before the banquet began, they had been inexplicably made to wait for quite some time. Once it started, she noticed the absence of the Duke of Yingguo's daughter-in-law.

Had Dou Zhao been seated elsewhere?

Wang Qinghuai's wife craned her neck to look around but accidentally locked eyes with Third Madam of the Duke of Jingguo's household.

Third Madam smiled and nodded at her.

Wang Qinghuai's wife hurriedly returned a polite smile.

Third Madam turned away, her gaze sweeping from east to west and back again, as if searching for someone.

A thought struck Wang Qinghuai's wife. She whispered to her sister-in-law Zhou Shi beside her, "I need to freshen up," then rose and slowly made her way through the banquet tables where the Dou family women were seated, heading toward the exit of the Reception Hall.

She caught snippets of conversation:

"...Fourth Paternal Aunt didn't come... I heard Seventh Uncle personally sent someone to invite her... She said she'd treat others the way they treated her... Didn’t you see how stiff Fifth Granddaughter’s expression was..."

Wang Qinghuai's wife couldn't help but glance at Dou Ming, who was smiling brightly as she toasted Gao Shi.

Her smile did seem forced.

Wang Qinghuai's wife quickly excused herself to the restroom.

On her way back, she noticed Third Madam of the Duke of Jingguo's household whispering with her personal maidservant.

As she passed by the Duke of Jingguo's family's table, she faintly overheard one phrase: "The Duke of Yingguo's daughter-in-law didn't come."

Wang Qinghuai's wife calmly retook her seat but no longer felt like staying.

After the banquet, maidservants brought out tea and refreshments.Young Madam Wang was about to take her leave when Third Madam of Jingguo Duke's Mansion suddenly stood up and said with a smile, "I must bid farewell first—those two little monkeys at home must be causing chaos by now. My heart has been restless like a rabbit's since I arrived." As she spoke, she took Dou Ming's hand. "Madam Marquis of Jining, today won't do. We'll have to arrange another day to gather."

Wei Tingzhen was displeased.

Third Madam's children were surrounded by maids, servants, and old women. She could play mahjong all day without a thought for them, yet now she put on the act of a doting mother—who was this performance for?

Dou Ming, however, was meeting Third Madam for the first time and assumed she genuinely couldn't bear to be apart from her children. Eagerly, she tried to persuade her to stay.

But Third Madam insisted on leaving. "Next time, next time I'll bring the children along," she joked. "Though I fear they might disturb you so much that you'd regret inviting them."

"Such esteemed guests are hard to come by. How could you say that, Third Madam?" Dou Ming exchanged pleasantries but ultimately couldn't sway her and escorted her out of the reception hall.

Seeing this, Young Madam Wang also rose to her feet.

"Tomorrow is my sister-in-law's 'ninth day' ceremony. I must return to prepare properly," she said to Wei Tingzhen. "My sister-in-law can stay here in my stead." With that, she smiled at Zhou Shi.

This was indeed true.

Wei Tingzhen couldn't very well stop her and simply invited her to visit again when she had time.

Zhou Shi couldn't sit still any longer!

Here she was, a sister-in-law too, yet while the elder sister-in-law rushed back to uphold the family's dignity, she was enjoying herself at the Wei family's home—especially as a newlywed of less than two years, still under her mother-in-law's scrutiny...

"I'll go back with my sister-in-law!" She tugged at Young Madam Wang's sleeve. "It wouldn't be right for me to stay and play while she bears the burden."

The other women present, all seasoned wives themselves, naturally didn't press her to stay.

After a few polite words, they saw the Wang sisters-in-law out of the Marquis of Jining's Mansion.

With these three gone, Second Madam of Jingguo Duke's Mansion also caught on. Despite Dou Ming's attempts to keep her, she found an excuse and left early as well.

Wei Tingzhen's expression darkened, but Dou Ming remained oblivious, continuing to chat with the remaining ladies.

Fifth Madam sighed and said to Cai Shi, "You stay here. I'm feeling unwell and will head back first."

Cai Shi had no intention of staying.

If Dou Zhao took notice of her, it would be more trouble than it was worth!

She clung to Fifth Madam. "Mother, where do you feel unwell? Let me escort you back! Isn't Sixth Sister-in-law still here?" She insisted on leaving with her.

Fifth Madam was displeased but couldn't make a scene in front of everyone. She had no choice but to leave the dull Guo Shi behind and take Cai Shi back to Huai Shu Alley.

Seeing this, Dou family's eldest daughter-in-law and the others also began to take their leave one after another.

Before long, the once-packed reception hall had only two tables left, all filled with the Wei family's relatives.

Dou Ming's face fell.

Meanwhile, far away at the Daxing farmstead, Dou Zhao was speaking with the steward's wife.

"Several of my senior maids are reaching the age to be released. I'd like to bring in some younger ones—cleverness and quick wit are secondary; loyalty and endurance matter most." She smiled. "Please keep an eye out among the Song family's farmsteads for suitable candidates. It would save me the trouble of bringing them from Zhen Ding and having them learn the Capital's dialect anew."

The steward's wife was taken aback.Usually, such good opportunities were monopolized by the influential stewards in the mansion. Even ordinary stewards and stewardesses couldn't get involved, let alone them!

She assumed Dou Zhao was unaware of the rules and readily agreed, smiling, "I wonder who the sisters serving Madam are betrothed to? When they marry, don’t forget to invite us—we’ll definitely come to celebrate and toast!"

"They haven’t been betrothed yet," Dou Zhao replied with a smile. "This is just preparing in advance."

The steward’s wife flattered, "These sisters are not only beautiful but also clever and capable. I wonder which family will be fortunate enough to marry them..."

Su Lan blushed crimson and protested, "I won’t marry anyone! I want to stay by Madam’s side and serve her all my life."

Everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Su Lan playfully bickered with them.

Dou Zhao watched with an amused smile.

Encouraged, the laughter grew louder, echoing outside the room.

When it was finally time for dinner, Su Xin helped Dou Zhao wash her hands and whispered, "If Madam wants to add more servants, why not use a matchmaker? Most of the Duke of England's Mansion’s servants are generational retainers, with intricate relationships. Even the smallest matter can become widely known. Besides, girls from the farmsteads lack refinement—sometimes, no matter how much effort is put in, it’s hard to rid them of their provincial ways..."

"I’m not just looking to add a few maids," Dou Zhao confided quietly. "After Madam Jiang passed away, more than half of the Duke of England's Mansion’s servants were replaced, making it impossible to find anyone to ask about past events. They couldn’t have dismissed everyone—some must have been sold or sent to the farmsteads. By spreading the word that I need more maids, those with ulterior motives will surely take notice. Given the rift between the Young Lord and the Duke, we might find descendants of those who once served Madam Jiang."

Su Xin suddenly understood.

Dou Zhao smiled. "But you all are indeed at the age to be married. If you have any plans, just tell me—I’ll arrange it for you!"

Su Xin respectfully replied, "Yes," though she couldn’t hide the shyness in her expression, making Dou Zhao laugh heartily.

When Song Mo learned of this, he discussed with Dou Zhao, "How about matching Su Xin from your household with Lu Ming? In a few years, I’ll assign Lu Ming as a Captain or something similar—I promise she won’t be mistreated."

Dou Zhao thought of Zhao Liangbi.

From her perspective, Zhao Liangbi’s feelings for Su Xin were obvious to everyone.

Hesitating, she said, "I need to think this over carefully."

Song Mo pondered briefly and asked, "Do you want to keep Su Xin by your side?"

Dou Zhao gave a vague response.

Song Mo smiled. "Then let’s match her with Chen He—I plan to have Chen He stay as a steward in the household."

"Su Xin is several years older than Chen He!" Dou Zhao shook her head without hesitation.

Determined to integrate Dou Zhao’s people into the Hall of Cultivating Will quickly, Song Mo thought for a moment and said, "Then let’s marry Su Lan to Chen He. They’re close in age and should get along well."

Dou Zhao hesitated. "Let me discuss it with Su Xin first. After all, they aren’t bound by lifelong contracts."

Song Mo nodded with a smile.

Chen He entered and softly announced, "Chen Jia is here."

Song Mo signaled for Dou Zhao to step behind the screen and had Chen He bring Chen Jia in.Chen Jia wore a lilac-colored coarse short coat and a felt hat that obscured his eyes, with straw sandals on his feet. Hunched over, he resembled a farmer weighed down by the burdens of life, bearing no trace of his usual sharpness and competence.

Dou Zhao grew wary.

A man who could bend and stretch like this—his ambitions must be anything but small.

In her past life, he had been Song Mo’s trusted aide. In this life, she wondered if Song Mo could win him over.

Peering through a gap in the screen, Dou Zhao saw Chen Jia remove his hat. His posture straightened instantly, supple as bamboo, and his plain features sharpened, like a sword unsheathed—its edge gleaming unmistakably.

"Young Lord!" He greeted Song Mo with neither arrogance nor deference.

Song Mo regarded him with an indifferent expression, saying nothing.

Chen Jia stood respectfully in silence, waiting for Song Mo to speak.

Song Mo gave a cold smile and picked up his teacup.

Chen He froze, taking a moment to react before hurriedly calling out, "Escort the guest out!"