Blossom

In stark contrast to the joyous and celebratory atmosphere of the Hall of Cultivating Will,

Song Yichun paced violently around the room like a caged beast: "...That little bastard must have sold some nonsense to the Emperor, bewitching him into taking his side. If I had known this would happen, I should have ruthlessly dealt with him long ago instead of opening the ancestral hall..."

Tao Qizhong, standing respectfully to the side, had other concerns.

He called out "Duke," interrupting Song Yichun's endless stream of curses, and glanced around the servantless room before whispering a reminder: "How could the Emperor have learned about the rift between you and the Young Lord? Ordinary people wouldn’t meddle in such matters!"

Song Yichun froze.

Tao Qizhong continued, "Duke, I believe you mustn’t take this lightly. You need to find a way to speak before the Emperor. Even if we can’t clarify today’s events, we must prevent others from poisoning the Emperor’s mind against you in the future. One can guard against thieves for a thousand days, but not forever. If this continues, we’ll be too passive."

Song Yichun fell into deep thought.

For a moment, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Then, a small figure darted past the adjacent window, slipped behind a flower-covered wall, and vanished without a trace.

※※※※※

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao had finished rewarding the servants, and news had gradually reached the Dou family as well as friends close to Song Mo. Notably, Lord Huang Qi, the Shuntian Prefecture Prefect who would frequently interact with the Five Cities Garrison, and the Duke of Dongping, currently serving as the acting Metropolitan Commander of the Five Cities Garrison, both sent trusted stewards with generous gifts. Thus, by the time Dou Zhao returned to her parents' home for the post-wedding visit, Jing'an Temple Alley was bustling with activity. Not only had the entire family from Huai Tree Alley arrived, but even Ji Shi from Cat Alley and Han Shi, who was nearing her due date, came as well.

Dou Shiying felt immensely proud and didn’t press about Dou Zhao’s absence at Dou Ming’s previous banquet. Instead, he asked directly, "How many days do you plan to stay? I’ll have the household prepare accordingly."

The post-wedding visit didn’t require a full month’s stay but was traditionally observed within the first month after marriage, with the bride choosing to stay for a few days.

"I can only stay for two or three days," Dou Zhao replied apologetically. "The Young Lord is assuming his new post soon and must oversee the investigation into the fire at our residence. I’ll stay longer next time."

Married daughters typically cherished the chance to spend time with their parents, staying at least four or five days—sometimes even a full month. A stay as brief as Dou Zhao’s was rare. Fortunately, Dou Shiying believed a married woman’s priority should be her husband’s family and took no offense. He smiled and said, "Two or three days it is, then. Yantang can come fetch you when it’s time."

Song Mo promptly stood and responded with a respectful "Yes," his eyes and brows alight with happiness.

Dou Shiying chuckled knowingly.

No doubt the son-in-law wanted his daughter back sooner!His gaze toward Song Mo grew even more affectionate as he spoke to him about his duties: "You're still young, so it's inevitable that some may not take you seriously. But you must never act arrogantly. You should know that those seasoned old clerks are the hardest to deal with. Most of them have ample experience and are well-versed in financial matters. Some even have personal connections with the clerks in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. While they may not always be able to accomplish much, if they decide to trip you up, they’ll do it with precision. You have a long road ahead—don’t stoop to their level. Be humble, cautious, generous, and learn to overcome hardness with softness..."

Dou Zhao barely managed to suppress her laughter.

Song Mo was the kind of person who would be the one causing trouble for others, not the other way around. If anyone tried to mess with him, they’d be like grasshoppers in late autumn—none would last long. And all this advice from Father was about humility and forbearance. If Song Mo actually followed it, he’d probably be devoured down to the last bone. Still, Song Mo usually kept his emotions completely hidden in social interactions—was it really necessary for him to put on such an overjoyed act in front of Father?

This guy was just too good at pretending!

Yet Song Mo played the role of an obedient student perfectly, listening attentively and nodding repeatedly with respectful "Yes, sir"s, as if Dou Shiying’s words were absolute truth. This only encouraged Dou Shiying to speak more enthusiastically in front of his son-in-law, who held a third-rank position.

Gaosheng peeked in through the doorway.

Dou Zhao quickly asked, "Is there something you need, Steward Gao?" cutting off Dou Shiying’s lecture.

Gaosheng looked flustered and hastily replied, "No, nothing at all."

Dou Shiying’s expression darkened.

Dou Zhao had hosted a banquet, but Dou Ming hadn’t attended, claiming she was returning to her parents' home for the customary month-long visit after marriage—yet she never offered any explanation afterward. Later, when Dou Ming hosted a banquet, Dou Zhao had sent gifts but didn’t attend, which wasn’t proper, but her reasoning had been sound.

Both sisters were equally at fault.

So this time, Dou Shiying had specifically sent Gaosheng to personally invite Dou Ming, insisting she must attend. He even had Gaosheng relay a message: "Let’s not bring up past grievances. From today onward, the two sisters should be affectionate and act like family."

Now, seeing Gaosheng’s reaction, Dou Shiying understood immediately.

Dou Ming had completely disregarded his words, paying them no heed.

But if he pressed for details in front of Dou Zhao, wouldn’t that only worsen the sisters’ relationship? Besides, his son-in-law was present—if he made a scene now, how would his daughter save face in front of her husband?

Suppressing his displeasure, he asked, "Is the banquet outside all arranged?"

"All arranged, all arranged!" Gaosheng, unsure how to respond earlier, sighed in relief.

Just then, a page came to report: "The Fifth Master has arrived and is having tea with the Sixth Master in the hall!"

Everyone was taken aback.

A married daughter returning to her parents' home for the month-long visit was a matter for the womenfolk. What was an uncle doing here?

Dou Shiying muttered under his breath before turning to Song Mo. "Come, let’s go greet your Fifth Uncle. He’s well-acquainted with the people in the Ministry of Revenue. Since you’re overseeing the Golden Guard’s military provisions, this is a good chance to get familiar with those clerks. If the funds and supplies are disbursed faster in the future, both your superiors and subordinates will hold you in higher regard."Song Mo responded respectfully with a "Yes," following Dou Shiying out with neither humility nor arrogance, yet his words were unabashedly flattering: "I’ve long wished to ask my father-in-law to introduce me, but feared you might find me too immature to bring it up..."

If he wasn’t familiar with the Ministry of Revenue, how could he have delayed the military pay for Marquis Changxing?

If he wasn’t familiar with the Ministry of Revenue, how could he have settled the riverworks accounts flawlessly and on time?

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but lower her head and silently laugh before heading to the reception hall where the female guests were gathered.

Aunt was chatting with Sixth Aunt and Fifth Aunt when she spotted Dou Zhao entering and beckoned her over.

Dou Zhao walked over cheerfully, greeting each elder in turn.

Fifth Aunt looked her up and down and smiled. "This rose-red kesi jacket suits the Fourth Young Madam perfectly—it’s so vibrant."

"Absolutely!" Cai Shi immediately chimed in. "And the kingfisher-feather hairpin the Fourth Young Madam is wearing today is exquisite. Look at the phoenix head—so lifelike, with sparkling eyes as if it were alive."

Dou Zhao merely smiled faintly.

The conversation flowed warmly among them, filling the air with lively chatter.

After lunch, several tables were set up in the reception hall for mahjong.

Dou Zhao managed to excuse herself, and Zhao Zhangru pulled her aside to talk in a smaller room behind the hall.

Due to Dou Zhao’s wedding, Aunt had already delayed her plans and was set to depart on the first day of the tenth month. If the journey went smoothly, she would return just in time for the New Year. This left Zhao Zhangru feeling somewhat downcast. "Who knows when we sisters will meet again?"

Dou Zhao thought of her elder cousin Zhao Biru, who would move to the capital with her husband in a few years. "Who can predict such things? Look at me—three months ago, I never dreamed I’d marry Song Yantang. There’s no need for you to be so disheartened."

Zhao Zhangru’s eyes widened. "You call your husband by his courtesy name, Song Yantang!"

Dou Zhao coughed lightly and whispered, "A slip of the tongue!" Then she playfully winked at Zhao Zhangru. "Don’t tell anyone!"

Zhao Zhangru giggled, her spirits lifting. She then asked about the fire at the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion. "Have the thieves been caught? Did you really reward someone with a thousand taels of silver?"

"Of course it’s true!" As Dou Zhao chatted with her, she noticed Sixth Aunt stepping out of the reception hall. The older woman smiled at them and said, "Age has stiffened my back—I can’t sit for too long. I thought I’d take a stroll."

Zhao Zhangru quickly stood and fetched a thick cushion. "Please, have a seat!"

Sixth Aunt sat down with a smile and asked, "What were you two discussing so happily?"

"About the Duke of Yingguo’s bounty," Zhao Zhangru replied cheerfully, while Sixth Aunt listened with interest.

Dou Zhao, however, felt a sudden thought and signaled to Su Xin.

Su Xin entered the reception hall and soon returned to say to Zhao Zhangru, "Cousin, Aunt requests your presence to check her tiles."

"Ah!" Zhao Zhangru was surprised but still rose to bid Sixth Aunt farewell before following Su Xin back to the reception hall.

Dou Zhao then linked arms with Ji Shi. "Sixth Aunt, let me accompany you for a walk along the covered corridors."

Ji Shi gazed at her with deep affection.

The two strolled leisurely along the corridors outside the reception hall, while maids and old women stood under the veranda, ready to attend to those inside or keep an eye on the pair walking outside.Ji Shi finally spoke in a low voice: "Shou Gu, what should I do? Your twelfth brother has done something outrageous. I dare not tell anyone and am as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. I can only confide in you..." Before she could finish, tears began to stream down her face.

Dou Zhao's heart skipped a beat, faintly guessing that Dou Dechang and Ji Lingze's affair had been exposed.

She quickly comforted Ji Shi: "Sixth Aunt, there's always a solution to everything. Don't worry yet. If I can't handle it, there's still the heir. Now isn't the time or place to talk. I'll be staying at home for a few days. With no one managing the household, I'll ask Father to have you stay and help. We can talk more tonight."

Dou Zhao's calm composure reassured Ji Shi.

She nodded, hastily wiping her tears with a handkerchief. Accompanied by Dou Zhao, she walked a few more rounds along the Covered Corridors until her emotions settled. Then she gently patted Dou Zhao's hand and whispered, "Good child, I'm fine now. Let's go inside."

Dou Zhao gave an affirmative hum and entered the Reception Hall with Sixth Aunt, smiling.