A father unable to control his son. Marquis Changxing had once half-jokingly, half-probing said such words when proposing the marriage alliance. He hadn’t wanted to form ties with a mere military officer, but refusing again would make it seem as if he feared his own son.
Song Yichun’s face turned pale with a tinge of green as he gritted his teeth and said, “You should prepare a generous gift to thank Marquis Changxing.”
The implication was clear—Marquis Changxing, notorious for his audacity, was no Anlu Marquis. If Song Mo wanted to make things difficult, he’d better weigh his own capabilities first.
Song Mo sneered, casually cupping his hands toward Song Yichun in a perfunctory salute. “If Father summoned me only to say this, then Madam and I shall take our leave. You’ve rushed back in anger—it would be best to rest well!” With that, he cast a glance at Tao Qizhong. “Coincidentally, Mr. Tao can keep Father company and report what has transpired in the household these past few days, allowing Father to make decisions.” Then he signaled Dou Zhao to hand over the household tallies to Song Yichun.
He wanted to see who would dare take over the Household Affairs of the Duke of England’s Mansion without his approval.
This had been their plan all along.
Understanding his intent, Dou Zhao placed the sandalwood box containing the Duke of England’s tallies on the side table of the Grand Preceptor’s Chair.
Without waiting for Song Yichun’s consent, Song Mo took Dou Zhao’s hand and strode out of the main chamber.
“You unfilial wretch!” Song Yichun flew into a rage, shouting for Song Mo to be dragged back.
Everyone in the household knew Song Mo had trained with the Jiang Family since childhood. Though his true skill was unknown, he had never suffered losses, whether at home or outside.
If they provoked Song Mo and ended up killed by him, would Song Yichun really demand his son pay with his life?
The dead house guards were a stark warning!
Yet none dared disobey outright. Exchanging hesitant glances, they shuffled out slowly, their reluctance plain to see.
This only infuriated Song Yichun further. Just as he was about to berate the servants, Tao Qizhong—who had been sighing inwardly—steeled himself and stepped forward. “Your Grace, weighty matters await! In your absence, much has happened in the Capital…”
Seizing the opportunity to save face, Song Yichun followed Tao Qizhong to the study.
But before he could steady himself, his expression darkened. “This cannot continue! We must find a way to rein in Song Mo!”
Tao Qizhong was startled and cautiously reminded him, “The Young Lord is now a close confidant of the Emperor. It might be unwise…”
“The more unwise, the more necessary,” Song Yichun muttered, his eyes glinting with malice. “But where to strike first? We must make him lose the Emperor’s favor… Without the Emperor’s protection, what arrogance can he rely on?”
Song Yichun proposed several ideas: “A promotion in name but demotion in reality—ask the Emperor to grant him a prestigious post far from the Capital… Or have him commit a breach of decorum in court to incur the Emperor’s displeasure…”
These were merely stopgap measures. Even if Song Mo were temporarily restrained, he might retaliate even more viciously once he recovered.
Tao Qizhong couldn’t help but smile bitterly, lowering his voice to warn, “If rumors spread of a father persecuting his son, it wouldn’t reflect well either.”
Song Yichun’s brow furrowed deeply.
※※※※※Song Mo exited the upper courtyard with tightly pressed lips, his brow exuding a chilling intensity. The servants along the path flustered and hastily stepped aside. It wasn’t until he entered the Hall of Cultivating Will that he finally spoke in a gloomy tone, “I truly don’t understand how he managed to become the Commander-in-chief of the Front Army!”
His words reminded Dou Zhao.
In her previous life, after Jiang Shi’s death, the Duke of England's Mansion had steadily declined. By the time Liao Wang ascended the throne, the family had already been sidelined, which might explain why Liao Wang could strip the Duke of England's title without hesitation, using the mansion as a warning to other noble families.
Clearly, Song Yichun’s capabilities were limited.
She asked Song Mo, “What do you plan to do about Marquis Changxing?”
Song Mo scoffed, “He must have heard about our family affairs and is once again acting as a matchmaker for Father. On one hand, he wants to salvage some face, and on the other, he’s testing how much influence I truly wield. No matter what, I can’t let him succeed—he deserves a lesson!”
Dou Zhao felt a twinge of worry.
Song Mo reassured her, “This is just mutual probing. Neither side will risk serious consequences over such trivial matters.”
Dou Zhao could only urge him to be careful.
But the earlier intimate atmosphere had vanished.
Song Mo summoned Yan Chaoqing to discuss matters.
Dou Zhao secretly sighed in relief.
Song Mo was still too young—indulgence wasn’t suitable for him now.
By evening, her monthly cycle arrived.
Song Mo concealed his disappointment.
Dou Zhao’s emotions were complicated.
She had long resolved that in this life, she would personally raise her own children.
But there were too many things they needed to accomplish first. A delayed pregnancy would allow them more time to prepare, so she had taken some measures. Yet seeing Song Mo like this filled her with unease.
Perhaps she should just let nature take its course?
Song Mo quickly composed himself and repeatedly comforted her, “Maybe next time will be the one!”
Dou Zhao’s smile couldn’t hide its forced quality.
Song Mo silently blamed himself.
What was more important—heirs or Dou Zhao?
Wasn’t it precisely because the child would be Dou Zhao’s that he eagerly anticipated it?
If this made Dou Zhao unhappy, what was the point?
He sought out an elderly woman for advice, personally prepared brown sugar water for Dou Zhao, and insisted she rest at home. He mentioned he had matters to attend to over the next few days and suggested she invite Young Madam Wang and others over for casual conversation if she felt bored.
Dou Zhao held back her tears with great effort. It took her several days of self-reproach to recover, only to be summoned by Song Yichun for a scolding.
She then learned that Song Yichun’s proposed marriage with the Wang Family had fallen through again. Not only that, Shi Youlan, Marquis Changxing’s younger brother who managed the marquisate’s affairs, had personally visited Song Mo, exchanging pleasantries and gifting him two ancient paintings from the previous dynasty, a pair of chicken-wing wood screens inlaid with jade, a pair of Ru kiln plum vases, and over twenty bolts of newly tribute brocade from this year’s Jiangnan weaving.
Considering the gifts from the Marquis Changxing’s household, Dou Zhao decided to forgive Song Yichun’s outburst.
She stood quietly, listening to Song Yichun’s tirade, while her mind wandered to the upcoming visit to her parents’ home for the post-wedding tradition. She pondered what gifts to bring for her aunt, cousin Zhang Ru, and Sixth Aunt, who were still staying there.
Halfway through his lecture, Song Yichun noticed his daughter-in-law standing like a statue, showing no reaction—uncertain if she had even listened.
His fury erupted.
If he couldn’t control his son, couldn’t he at least manage a daughter-in-law?"Someone!" he bellowed. "Bring me the family discipline rod! I refuse to believe the Dou family would dare storm my gates just because I discipline my own daughter-in-law. Do they not fear their married daughter earning the reputation of 'defying her elders'?"
Dou Zhao wasn't afraid.
Ever since the Pang Kunbai incident, she never moved about the inner quarters without either Su Xin or Su Lan by her side, and outside, she always had guards accompanying her.
She took a few steps back and smiled. "It's only right for a father-in-law to discipline his daughter-in-law! Our Dou family would never intervene on behalf of a married daughter for such matters. However, since I have no mother-in-law, I perform my morning and evening respects by merely offering greetings through the door curtain. May I ask what offense I've committed to anger you, Father-in-law? At least give me an explanation so I may answer when relatives inquire."
"You dare talk back!" Song Yichun slammed his palm on the table.
Suddenly, several sturdy old women rushed in from outside.
Dou Zhao was taken aback.
Looking at Song Yichun, she saw equal astonishment on his face.
The women quickly surrounded Dou Zhao. One of them smiled and said, "Please calm your anger, Lord Duke! As the saying goes, teach your children before the hall, and your wife beside the pillow. Even if Madam has erred, you can discipline the Young Lord when he returns. Why dirty your own hands and tarnish your reputation?"
Another old woman pulled Dou Zhao toward the exit, whispering in her ear, "A wise man doesn't fight when the odds are against him. Madam, hurry back to the Hall of Cultivating Will!"
They had come to help Dou Zhao escape.
Though bewildered by the scene, Dou Zhao heeded the woman's advice. Not wanting to suffer needlessly, she followed the old woman out of the main chamber with Su Xin and Sujuan in tow.
"Rebellion! This is rebellion!" Song Yichun's furious roars echoed from the main chamber. "You worthless maids—do you have a death wish?"
Hearing this, Dou Zhao hesitated in her steps.
The old woman pulling her along had tears welling in her eyes as she hastily explained, "Madam, we're following the Young Lord's orders to protect you. Rest assured, the Young Lord has promised us that if this day ever came, he wouldn't let us suffer for it."
Only then did Dou Zhao relax, quickening her pace as she left the upper courtyard.
After seeing off the old woman, Su Xin couldn't help remarking, "Madam, the Young Lord treats you so well!"
Indeed!
Song Mo treated her exceedingly well.
He anticipated everything, ensuring she never had to step forward herself.
She shouldn't compare him to Wei Tingyu anymore—she needed to break free from the so-called "lessons" of her past life.
Dou Zhao instructed Su Xin, "I recall the Young Lord mentioning a few days ago that a certain Imperial Physician Zhu from the Imperial Hospital specializes in gynecology. Inform the outer courtyard to summon him. I'd like him to examine me and prescribe some health tonics. I need to properly regulate my body."
She wanted to give Song Mo a healthy child.
Su Xin immediately brightened and cheerfully headed to the outer courtyard.
Watching Su Xin's skipping figure, Dou Zhao couldn't help but smile as well.
With great enthusiasm, she listed the gifts for her visit home and handed the list to Gan Lu.
Song Mo rushed back in a hurry.
"Did you suffer any harm?" He scrutinized Dou Zhao from head to toe, as if fearing she'd lost even a single strand of hair.
"With you around, how could I suffer?" Dou Zhao wrapped her arms around Song Mo's waist and nestled into his embrace.
Song Mo exhaled deeply in relief.
Dou Zhao then said, "Yantang, once we have a child, I won't concern myself with anything else. I'll devote myself entirely to caring for our baby.""Of course!" Seeing Dou Zhao in such high spirits, Song Mo felt as sweet as if he had eaten honey. He gently kissed Dou Zhao and said, "When the time comes, I'll hire... someone to help you manage the household!"
Dou Zhao giggled, "And who exactly would you hire to help me?"
Song Mo tilted his head, genuinely at a loss for candidates at the moment.
Dou Zhao then whispered a few words in his ear.
Song Mo looked surprised, "Really?"
"Mhm!" Dou Zhao smiled, pressing her lips together. "They'll come with Mr. Chen in October. You can help vet them then."
Song Mo laughed, "You're more experienced in this than I am! Why not just marry Su Lan to Chen He? With Su Xin handling the inner courtyard and Su Lan the outer, you’d have less to worry about."
"We'll see when the time comes!" Dou Zhao replied with a smile. "Let’s settle Su Xin’s marriage first."
No sooner had she spoken than Su Xin walked in.
She hadn’t expected to find Dou Zhao and Song Mo embracing in the Resting Chamber in broad daylight.
Unable to suppress an "Oh my!", she blushed and quickly retreated.
Dou Zhao and Song Mo couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
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