Blossom

Young Madam Wang and the others hadn't expected Dou Zhao to be so straightforward, leaving them momentarily stunned. It was Cai Shi who reacted quickly, brushing it off with a smile, "Between sisters, who hasn't had their share of bumps and bruises? Over time..." She covered her mouth with a chuckle, then continued, "Actually, I came here today to ask a favor of our fourth paternal aunt. Last time I saw her wearing a stunning crystal flower hairpin—not only was the design novel, but the combination of grape purple and peach red was exceptionally striking. My eldest niece from my maiden family is coming of age next month, and I was thinking of gifting her a set of jewelry to keep for her wedding. I wonder who crafted that hairpin for our fourth paternal aunt? I'd like to commission the same artisan for my niece's set."

Whether this was true or not, it at least served to move past the awkward moment.

Young Madam Wang and Third Madam Zhang both sighed in relief, looking at Cai Shi with newfound admiration.

That large flower hairpin had been a gift from Song Mo.

Dou Zhao genuinely didn't know where it had been purchased from.

She sent someone to ask Song Mo.

Cai Shi immediately expressed envy, "Fourth paternal aunt is truly blessed!" Then she feigned annoyance, "Unlike me—married to your tenth brother for four or five years now, and he hasn't even bought me a handkerchief! Such different fates. Not only is Fourth Brother-in-law handsome, but he treats you so well. No wonder you've become even more radiant after marriage than you were at home!" She covered her mouth with her handkerchief, giggling.

Her words carried the uninhibited tone of gossip among married women.

Given their shallow acquaintance, Young Madam Wang and Third Madam Zhang laughed awkwardly.

Dou Zhao pretended not to hear and invited them to enjoy the tea.

Unfazed, Cai Shi continued chatting animatedly, filling the room with lively and harmonious conversation.

The messenger returned quickly with the name of a silver shop.

Cai Shi then invited Dou Zhao to go together, "Let me borrow some of your influence, Fourth Aunt."

Dou Zhao understood that Cai Shi was trying to forge a closer bond. However, she found Cai Shi too noisy and had many tasks at hand, unwilling to associate with someone who thrived on idle gossip. She politely declined, "It depends on when you plan to visit the silver shop. By my calculations, my father-in-law will be returning soon. With such major events at home, I'm unsure of his plans. I likely won't have time to accompany you on outings recently."

Hearing this, Cai Shi's eyes lit up.

Rumors were swirling in the Capital that the heir of the Duke of Yingguo's mansion had the Duke himself under his thumb—even the Duke's remarriage depended on his eldest son's approval. Even her father-in-law had privately questioned her mother-in-law about this. But with the fourth aunt being newlywed, her mother-in-law couldn't summon her for questioning. If she could glean some information, Guo Shi would have no standing left in the family!

Having made up her mind, she smiled, "Then we'll go whenever you're free, Fourth Aunt."

Dou Zhao replied lightly, "I wonder if your niece can wait that long?"

Cai Shi flushed slightly but quickly recovered, "What does it matter? The silversmith's craftsmanship is excellent—I could commission a few pieces for myself too! Married to your tenth brother who cares for nothing, I must look out for myself, mustn't I?"

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.After some casual conversation, Young Madam Wang was the first to rise and take her leave: "...Today marks the ninth day since our paternal aunt's wedding. Since you're free, I’ll go visit her now."

Dou Zhao personally escorted Young Madam Wang to the Hanging Flower Gate.

Third Madam Zhang and Cai Shi remained behind, continuing their idle chatter with Dou Zhao.

One of Song Mo’s pages came to report: "The Young Lord has business outside and won’t be home for lunch. He sent me to inform you."

Dou Zhao knew Song Mo was going to meet Wang Yuan and acknowledged with a "Noted." This drew another wave of envy from Cai Shi, while Third Madam Zhang’s gaze toward Dou Zhao grew noticeably more respectful.

The two women lingered at The Duke of England's Mansion, staying for lunch and only departing in the afternoon.

Su Lan clicked her tongue in amazement. "How do they have so much to talk about? They didn’t stop all afternoon."

Dou Zhao chuckled.

Truth be told, she admired Third Madam Zhang and Cai Shi. Not every woman could talk nonstop for hours without repeating herself.

Meanwhile, in Wang Yuan’s private residence on Qudeng Alley, not far from The Duke of England's Mansion, Song Mo sat in the modest parlor with Wang Yuan, who was dressed in a slightly worn Taoist robe.

"I never expected Eunuch Wang’s home to be so elegantly arranged!" Song Mo held a teacup, admiring the various chrysanthemums arranged on the table. He sighed, "They say handwriting reflects character. I see you’re as refined as these flowers!"

First came lavish gifts, then effusive praise—any fool could tell this was a request in disguise.

Had it been anyone else, Wang Yuan might have brushed it off with a faint smile. But facing Song Mo, he straightened his posture and steeled himself.

If someone as formidable as Song Mo was seeking his help, it couldn’t be trivial.

A flicker of wariness flashed in Wang Yuan’s eyes.

"Young Lord, you flatter this old servant too much!" he replied smoothly. "These flowers are just casually placed for the season—hardly as remarkable as you say." He deftly changed the subject. "How goes the investigation into the fire at The Duke of England's Mansion? The Emperor asked about it this morning. The Duke of Dongping and Huang Qi are dragging their feet—forcing your household to offer a reward! Though perhaps it’s for the best. With the rampant pirate raids in Fujian, the Emperor intends to restore order there. Funds will be needed to suppress them, so every tael the court saves now counts."

Since the death of Song Mo’s uncle, those who had served under him had either been purged or demoted. Those remaining in Fujian were no longer influential. Two decades of military achievements had vanished within a few years.

A shadow crossed Song Mo’s eyes. After a moment of silence, he stood and bowed deeply to Wang Yuan.

Wang Yuan was stunned.

Song Mo spoke solemnly: "This bow is on behalf of my uncle—to thank you, Eunuch Wang. I only recently learned that those involved in escorting my uncle were all punished for offending you..."

Wang Yuan was taken aback.

But he quickly composed himself.

If Song Mo lacked such capabilities, he wouldn’t be the Young Lord of Yingguo who once threw the capital into chaos!

Ever since Song Mo regained the Emperor’s favor, Wang Yuan had known this day would come.

He just hadn’t expected it so soon.

Never underestimate the young!Gazing at the composed, calm, and astute Song Mo before him, Wang Yuan weighed his words and smiled, "Young Lord, you misunderstand! This old servant is merely someone who serves others. Naturally, I follow my master's orders—how dare I accept such a grand gesture from the Young Lord!" With that, he clasped his hands in a slight bow, returning the courtesy.

Song Mo was shaken to the core, staring at Wang Yuan in astonishment.

Not only did he understand the subtle implications, but he also knew exactly what to say and what to leave unsaid.

If in the past, Wang Yuan had been merely polite to Song Mo out of deference to the Emperor's favor, now he had no choice but to regard Song Mo with genuine respect.

"Young Lord, please try this Biluochun tea," he said, personally refilling Song Mo's cup. "The Emperor remarked that the Big Red Robe tea has grown increasingly unpalatable lately, so this old servant has also taken to drinking Biluochun."

"Thank you, Eunuch," Song Mo replied, lifting the teacup and taking a sip, only to find the taste overwhelmingly bitter.

After bidding farewell to Wang Yuan, Song Mo returned to the Hall of Cultivating Will in a daze.

The moment he entered, he made straight for Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao was busy with Su Xin and others, taking stock of the damasks and brocades from her dowry.

This being her first year married into the Duke of England's Mansion, she intended to generously reward her dowry servants with fine fabrics for their New Year garments.

Noticing Song Mo's distracted entrance, she immediately signaled Su Xin with a glance and personally guided him to sit on the heated brick bed by the window in the inner chamber.

Song Mo embraced Dou Zhao tightly, burying his face in her chest.

Pressed against her soft warmth, his emotions gradually settled.

"Shou Gu," he murmured gloomily, "Wang Yuan was acting on the Emperor's orders... but why?" He lifted his head, his dark eyes glistening as if dampened by rain, bright and clear. "Uncle guarded Fujian for twenty years—if not for merit, then at least for his toil... Yet he was executed at will, his family confiscated and exiled... Why? Why?" His quiet questioning grew louder and more insistent.

Dou Zhao paled in alarm and quickly covered his mouth, casting a wary glance around the room. Only when she confirmed they were alone did her pounding heart ease slightly.

"Both thunder and rain are the grace of the sovereign," she said, startled by the revelation about Wang Yuan's orders. But compared to Song Mo's distress, she had no time to dwell on it, focusing instead on soothing him. "We had many theories about Uncle's death before. Without Chen Jia's emergence, we'd never have traced it back to Ding Wei. And if not for the fire at the Duke of England's Mansion and your decisive actions, Chen Jia wouldn't have sought you out... It seems Heaven has eyes and believes Uncle was wronged, giving us this chance to clear his name. Now more than ever, you mustn't act on emotion—you must stay composed! Wang Yuan's words are just one side of the story. We still need to verify the details." She added, "Master Yan and the others don't know about this yet, do they? Should we invite Master Yan to discuss it? Weren't you having him investigate Chen Jia? Any news?"

But Song Mo clung to Dou Zhao, unwilling to let go.

"My head hurts," he murmured against her chest.

Anyone faced with such a bolt from the blue would falter momentarily."Then let me massage you." Dou Zhao's heart ached faintly. She wanted to fetch a pillow to help Song Mo lie down, but he tightened his grip around her waist, preventing her from moving. She had no choice but to grab the nearest large bolster to support him, then sat beside him to massage his temples.

He groaned, "I want water!"

Dou Zhao poured him a cup of warm water.

Instead of taking the cup, he simply stared at her with wide eyes.

Helpless, she fed him the water.

He then wrapped his arms around her waist again. "Lie with me for a while."

Dou Zhao quickly agreed, leaning against the kang's headboard as she gently stroked his forehead.

Song Mo closed his eyes, his expression gradually relaxing.

An endless tenderness welled up in Dou Zhao's heart, and her caresses grew even softer.

In a dreamlike murmur, Song Mo said, "I've thought it over carefully—the Emperor isn't someone who can't tolerate others. What exactly did Uncle do to provoke His Majesty's displeasure? If it's about overshadowing the sovereign with his achievements... the Emperor should have dealt with Uncle ten years ago. Why wait until now? If it's because Uncle cut off certain people's sources of wealth... Uncle isn't so rigid that he doesn't know flexibility. He once told me, 'Water too clear has no fish.' As long as it didn't affect military affairs, he usually turned a blind eye..."