Blossom

At this moment, Wei Tingzhen was busily moving large and small packages back to her parental home.

Tian Shi's personal attendant hurried over with several maids in tow: "Oh dear, Eldest Paternal Aunt! If you were coming back, why didn't you send word ahead? We could have arranged some servants to welcome you!" As she spoke, she personally took the paper box from Wei Tingzhen's wet nurse Granny Jin and signaled her trusted maid to assist Wei Tingzhen.

"Since Peijin and her husband aren't home," Wei Tingzhen allowed the maid to support her as she walked toward the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, "I was afraid Mother might feel lonely. I came to visit her and chat for a while."

Tian Shi's attendant froze momentarily at these words.

The sensitive Wei Tingzhen frowned slightly and asked, "What is it?"

Tian Shi's attendant forced a smile: "The Marquis and Madam are both at home! They just went to pay respects to the Dowager."

Now it was Wei Tingzhen's turn to be surprised: "Isn't today when Madam's sister returns home for her month-after-wedding visit? Why didn't they go to Jing'an Temple Alley?" She pressed further, "Did they not go? Or did Jing'an Temple Alley not send an invitation?"

Originally, she hadn't known today was Dou Zhao's month-after-wedding visit to her parents' home. It was only yesterday when she went to greet her mother-in-law that she heard Third Madam Zhang mention it. Remembering she hadn't visited her parents' home in some time due to her dislike for this sister-in-law, she thought to take advantage of her brother and sister-in-law's absence to spend time with her mother. She never expected to encounter such a situation!

If Jing'an Temple Alley hadn't sent an invitation, then they couldn't blame her, as the elder sister, for not keeping the peace! No matter what, she would get to the bottom of this. To think they would disregard her brother just because they had the Young Lord of the Duke of England's Mansion as a son-in-law—how preposterous!

Hearing the implication in Wei Tingzhen's words, Tian Shi's attendant quickly explained: "Jing'an Temple Alley did send an invitation! Not only was a card delivered, but early this morning, the steward Gao from Jing'an Temple Alley came personally to escort the Marquis and Madam."

Wei Tingzhen asked in surprise: "Then why didn't they go?"

Tian Shi's attendant replied: "Madam wasn't feeling well, so the Marquis decided to stay home with her..."

Wei Tingzhen's face darkened: "Madam is unwell. Has a doctor been called?"

"Madam said it was just a minor ailment and didn't require a doctor."

Upon hearing this, Wei Tingzhen immediately changed direction and headed for the main courtyard.

Tian Shi's attendant dared not question further and reluctantly followed.

Dou Ming was lying in bed sulking when she heard Wei Tingzhen had arrived. She sprang up, not bothering to hide her disgust: "What is she doing back here?"

"Probably came to see the Dowager..." Before Zhou Momo could finish, Wei Tingzhen barged in.

"I heard you're ill? And refusing to call a doctor?" Her sharp eyes fixed on Dou Ming's flushed face. "If anything were to happen to you, wouldn't the Dou and Wang families tear my brother apart? I think—" Raising her voice, she called for "Granny Jin": "Take the Young Lord's card to the Imperial Hospital and summon an Imperial Physician to examine Madam thoroughly!"

Wasn't this just mocking her for making a fuss over nothing?Normally, she would have been furious, but today, thinking of Gaosheng’s helpless expression, she felt quite satisfied. So she chose to ignore Wei Tingzhen’s words.

But Wei Tingzhen wasn’t about to let her off. Raising her voice, she demanded, “Where is the Marquis? Why isn’t he here?”

A quick-witted maid promptly answered, “The Marquis is in the study,” and hurried off to fetch Wei Tingyu.

Wei Tingzhen immediately launched into a scolding: “Do you not know that the Emperor has issued an imperial decree? Song Yantang has not only been promoted to Assistant Prefect of the Golden Guard but is also overseeing the Five Cities Garrison! People from Jing'an Temple Alley came to invite you, and yet you still refuse to go! Have you lost all sense of propriety because of someone’s pillow talk? Who doesn’t get the occasional headache or fever? Do you think staying by her side will magically cure her? Instead of calling a physician, you’re just sitting around at home—do you think the illness will heal itself?”

“You—” Dou Ming trembled with rage.

Wei Tingzhen acted as if she didn’t notice and continued berating her brother: “Are you deaf or mute? I’m talking to you, and you’re ignoring me! It seems all you’re good at is throwing your weight around at home. Let me remind you—the Duke of Dongping is only temporarily acting as the Metropolitan Commander of the Five Cities Garrison. Sooner or later, that position will change hands. Song Yantang is now overseeing the Five Cities Garrison and is on good terms with the Duke of Dongping. Instead of seizing this opportunity to build connections and get closer to Song Yantang, you’re holed up at home. Do you really want to remain the Deputy Commander of the Eastern City Military Command for the rest of your life? Let me remind you—the position of Deputy Commander of the Five Cities Garrison was abolished during Emperor Taizong’s reign and only reinstated under Emperor Xiaozong. Who knows how long this post will last? Instead of finding a way to get Song Yantang to transfer you elsewhere, you’re wasting time entertaining some inner-chamber woman. How did you suddenly become like this?”

Her words were laced with accusations that Dou Ming had corrupted Wei Tingyu.

Dou Ming couldn’t take it anymore and retorted sharply, “Elder Sister speaks without reason! The Marquis was merely reading in his study—how is that my fault? Besides, the Marquis was returning to my family home to see my brother-in-law…” Though inwardly, she seethed with hatred.

Song Mo was just a youth not yet twenty—what right did he have to oversee the Five Cities Garrison?

This time, when Dou Zhao returned for her Visiting the bride's parents a month after the wedding, surely all the Dou family’s relatives in the Capital would attend, wouldn’t they?

Dou Zhao’s husband had become her own husband’s superior’s superior’s superior—Dou Zhao must be unbearably smug!

Just thinking about it made her chest tighten, and she was even more unwilling to add to Dou Zhao’s glory. So no matter how much Gaosheng pleaded, she refused to return to Jing'an Temple Alley.

Wei Tingzhen, however, ignored her completely, not even sparing her a glance, and continued lecturing Wei Tingyu: “This is an opportunity—don’t be foolish!”

Wei Tingyu called out loudly, “Sister!” then glanced awkwardly at Dou Ming. “Let’s talk in the study!” He pulled Wei Tingzhen into the side chamber next to the Resting Chamber that served as his study, but after hesitating for a long time, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

“What is it you can’t tell your sister?” Wei Tingzhen’s temper was reserved for Dou Ming alone—with her mother and brother, she was always gentle and patient. “When have I ever not stood by your side?”Wei Tingyu smiled awkwardly, then lowered his voice in embarrassment: "Last time I went to report at the Five Cities Garrison, I ran into Song Yantang... But he was very cold toward me... I feel that even if I begged him, he probably wouldn’t be willing to help..."

"Why wouldn’t he help you?" Wei Tingzhen asked in confusion, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she understood. "Is it because of Dou Shi?" she pressed urgently.

Wang Qinghai thought the same.

Wei Tingyu didn’t know how to respond.

Wei Tingzhen was already furious: "I knew it! Nothing good ever comes from being involved with this Dou Ming!" The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She flung aside the curtain and stormed out of the study, standing in the hall and shouting toward the inner chamber. "Back then, Song Yantang treated you so well—when he had good horses, he gave you one; when there was business, he pulled you in. But look at you! For the sake of some low-class woman, you’ve managed to offend such a good brother! A wife should be chosen for virtue, a concubine for beauty. If the principal wife lacks virtue, the household will never know peace. That’s written in the classics!"

Inside the room, Dou Ming was so furious her sides ached. She jumped off the bed, ready to confront Wei Tingzhen.

Here we go again—another fight!

Wei Tingyu had a splitting headache. He grabbed Wei Tingzhen. "Sister, just say one less word, please!"

Dou Ming paused mid-step.

Wei Tingzhen stamped her foot in frustration. "Even now, you refuse to reflect. Do you plan to muddle through life like this forever? I’ve heard that Song Yantang intervened to help the Empress’s younger brother—Jiading Marquis Wan Pengji—connect with wealthy families in Fujian. Just from tea alone, the Marquis made eight thousand taels of silver in two months! You fool, you could’ve taken a share too!"

Dou Ming was stunned.

Was that true?

If Song Yantang could help someone earn eight thousand taels in two months just by making an introduction, how much must he be making himself?

Her second aunt had gone through so much effort to open a silk shop on East Street, yet it only brought in a little over a thousand taels a year. Meanwhile, these people could make such vast sums with just a few words...

Wei Tingzhen’s words opened a window for Dou Ming, dazzling her with a glimpse of a whole new world.

So this was how some people made money!

But Wei Tingyu remained silent.

Just as his sister had said, Song Yantang had once been exceptionally close to him.

Because of Song Yantang, no matter where he went, people would show him some respect. Especially those like Feng Zhi from the Yong’en Marquis’s household—before, they wouldn’t even spare him a glance. Now, though they weren’t exactly close, if they ran into him, they’d at least greet him with a smile.

But now that they knew he and Song Mo were no longer on good terms...

Wei Tingyu couldn’t help but feel deep regret.

He muttered, "Every action has its consequences. If not for Dou Ming, I wouldn’t have even gotten into the Five Cities Garrison..."

Before he could finish, Wei Tingzhen sneered. "With your past friendship with Song Yantang, given his position as Assistant Prefect of the Golden Guard overseeing the Five Cities Garrison, getting you appointed as some Deputy Commander shouldn’t have been difficult, right? He might’ve even gotten you into the Golden Guard! But no—you had to be tricked into living off a woman and still feel grateful for it..."

Wei Tingyu’s face flushed red and then paled.Behind the inner chamber's curtain, Dou Ming felt a sweet taste in her mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Zhou Momo and the others panicked.

"Madam, Madam!" They all rushed to her side.

Hearing the commotion, Wei Tingyu immediately tried to run toward the inner chamber, but after just two steps, Wei Tingzhen grabbed his arm: "What are you doing?"

"I, I, I just want to check on her!" Wei Tingyu muttered, avoiding his sister's sharp gaze.

"Doesn't she have servants to attend to her? Must you rush in there? If she's unwell, the old women will naturally inform you. What would it look like for you to barge in like this? Her current behavior is entirely because you've spoiled her! If you don't help her correct this flaw now, are you just going to let her turn into a shrew?" After her stern questioning, Wei Tingzhen continued earnestly, "You're just too soft-hearted. If you had rejected Dou Ming back then, would you and Song Yantang be in this situation now? You need to think carefully—what's more important, family legacy or a wife? Without the family legacy, would your wife even respect you?"

Hearing this, Wei Tingyu unconsciously straightened his back.

Wei Tingzhen gave a slight nod and released her brother.

Wei Tingyu said, "Sister, I need to discuss Song Yantang's matter with you properly."

"That's more like it!" Wei Tingzhen smiled with satisfaction. "I'll call your brother-in-law over. More hands make lighter work. We can't let you and Song Yantang drift apart over some inner chamber woman."

The siblings left the main hall.

Zhou Momo, seeing Dou Ming's pallid face, hurriedly lifted the curtain—only to find the hall empty, not a soul in sight. Only the colorful tassels hanging from the beaded curtain swayed gently in the air.