Blossom

Dou Zhao was naturally unaware of the events unfolding at the Marquis of Jining's Mansion. The Dou family was well aware of the discord between the two sisters, so Dou Ming's absence was conveniently overlooked. Everyone was engrossed in playing cards and chatting idly. As dusk fell, they stayed for dinner at Jing'an Temple Alley.

Song Mo, noticing the late hour, came in to bid farewell to Dou Zhao, leaving behind a few guards before taking his leave.

Dou Shiying and the others personally escorted Song Mo to the main gate. Sixth Aunt stayed behind to keep Dou Zhao company while the rest dispersed.

Han Shi's wet nurse couldn't help but complain, "You're due to give birth any day now, yet the mistress insists on accompanying Fourth Paternal Aunt. Even if Fourth Aunt's husband is the heir of a duke, there's no need for such extravagance!"

"Enough of your nonsense!" Han Shi scolded her wet nurse in a low voice. "Fourth Paternal Aunt was raised by Mother-in-law as if she were her own child. Because of this, Seventh Uncle once considered adopting Twelfth Uncle into the Western Dou branch. If I hear such talk again, you'll be sent back to Huzhou immediately."

The wet nurse meekly agreed.

Yet Han Shi was secretly puzzled.

Her mother-in-law was not one to act without reason. No matter how much she doted on Dou Zhao, she wouldn't abandon her at such a time to accompany her.

What unknown event had transpired?

Meanwhile, Ji Shi was anxiously venting to Dou Zhao about Dou Dechang's situation: "...His maternal grandmother suddenly fell ill, and his aunt had to rush back to their hometown to tend to her. I couldn't leave because I needed to care for Han Shi, so I sent him to escort his aunt back to Yixing, also to inquire about his grandmother's condition on my behalf. But ever since his return, he's been distracted. Fearing he might have suffered some shock in Yixing, I questioned the pages and maids who accompanied him. Though they claimed ignorance, their reports were suspiciously identical—some reversing their words, others omitting or adding details. Growing more suspicious, I discreetly monitored your twelfth brother's movements. That's when I discovered he was secretly sending a letter to Yixing every two days. Not daring to intercept the letters, I sent a trusted servant ahead to Yixing's docks to intercept his courier..." At this point, her face paled, and after a long silence, she gritted her teeth and whispered, "Those letters were addressed to Lingze—to Ji Lingze."

Had she not lived two lives, Dou Zhao would have undoubtedly sided with Sixth Aunt, seeking to prevent any mishap.

But knowing how deeply in love the two had been in her past life, she couldn't bring herself to play the villain separating them.

"Sixth Aunt, please calm down," she soothed. "Perhaps this isn't as you imagine! Remember how Cousin Ji Yong used to write me letters every now and then?" The moment the words left her mouth, she realized her blunder. Sure enough, Ji Shi looked embarrassed. But the words were already spoken, and any further explanation would only make things worse. Pretending she had never known of Ji Yong's feelings, Dou Zhao continued, "Lingze is an exceptionally intelligent cousin, accomplished in poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting. Twelfth Brother is lively and studious—when two kindred spirits meet, they naturally have endless things to discuss..."Ji Shi poked Dou Zhao on the forehead: "You blockhead! If the two of them were completely innocent, why wouldn't Lingze accept your twelfth brother's letters? Why wouldn't she meet with him? Why would your twelfth brother need to secretly find another place to stay outside instead of openly going to the academy?" She fired off several "whys" in one breath. "Did your twelfth brother say something to you? Are you covering for him? Among all the siblings, you and your twelfth brother are the closest..." Her expression then turned serious as she said solemnly, "Shou Gu, you've always been sensible. Lingze is a paternal aunt from the Han family who has returned to her parents' home after being widowed—she's not just any ordinary cousin. If this gets out, Lingze might lose all standing in society, and your twelfth brother's reputation and future would be ruined!"

Dou Zhao inwardly groaned.

She had been so focused on persuading Sixth Aunt earlier that she forgot to feign surprise.

"Nothing like that happened," she hurriedly defended. "Though I lack experience, I know what's important. Twelfth Brother didn't tell me anything—I just guessed it myself." Then, diverting Ji Shi's attention, she asked, "Didn’t you try to see what Twelfth Brother wrote to Cousin Lingze?"

As the saying goes, "One's own child can do no wrong." Despite Ji Shi's shrewdness, she didn’t question Dou Zhao’s flimsy explanation, frowning instead. "Of course I opened his letters after discovering this. But they were all about academic matters..."

Dou Zhao quickly added, "Then what are you worried about? From the looks of it, even if Twelfth Brother has feelings, Cousin Lingze understands the situation. In my opinion, you should just keep an eye on them. With them separated by such a distance, time might naturally fade any attachment. Besides, Cousin Lingze isn’t someone without principles."

Ji Shi thought this made sense and let out a long sigh, her tense nerves finally easing a little.

"You have no idea how I’ve been these past days. I wanted to discuss this with your sixth uncle, but it was me who sent your twelfth brother to Yixing, and Lingze is my own daughter. But if I didn’t talk to someone, my heart was in such turmoil that I couldn’t find peace... I should arrange a marriage for your twelfth brother soon."

Dou Zhao didn’t dare say more and instead asked about Dou Dechang’s maternal grandmother’s health, steering the conversation elsewhere.

Fortunately, Ji Shi’s worries had lessened, and her spirits lifted. Aside from her son, she was also concerned about Dou Zhao, fearing she might suffer after marrying into the Duke of England's Mansion. She set aside Dou Dechang’s matter and began asking about Dou Zhao’s married life.

Naturally, Dou Zhao spoke only of the good—and Song Mo did treat her well. Compared to her previous life, this marriage held much more promise.

Ji Shi listened with a relieved smile and invited her to visit Kaiyuan Temple on the tenth day of the tenth month: "It’s the ritual site of Guanyin Bodhisattva. You can hold a ceremony there and pray for a child soon."

Dou Zhao’s cheeks flushed slightly as she whispered, "Let’s not hold a ceremony yet. If I still haven’t conceived by year-end, then we can consider it."

"Very well!" Ji Shi thought for a moment. "You’re still a newlywed—doing a ceremony at Kaiyuan Temple might draw too much attention and raise suspicions. Leave this matter to me."

Dou Zhao’s eyes grew moist.

Only a mother would consider every little thing for her child like this.She nodded emphatically, not wanting to disappoint Sixth Aunt's kindness, and said with a playful laugh, "Then go help me ask for a good fortune stick from Guanyin Bodhisattva!"

"You silly child!" Ji Shi chuckled, shaking her head.

The two of them went together to where Aunt was staying and chatted idly late into the night.

The next day, Dou Zhao urged Sixth Aunt to return to Cat's Alley early: "Eleventh Sister-in-law is due to give birth any day now. With you there, she'll feel braver."

"Our homes are close by," Sixth Aunt said with a smile. "If she goes into labor, the family will naturally send word."

No sooner had she spoken than a messenger arrived from Cat's Alley.

It turned out Han Shi had gone into labor as soon as she returned home. Not wanting to disturb her mother-in-law and Dou Zhao's conversation, she hadn’t sent word. Fortunately, the family had been well-prepared, with the midwife and experienced maids already waiting. Even so, as it was Han Shi's first childbirth, she labored all night without delivering. While the midwife and maids remained calm, Dou Zhengchang was terrified and immediately sent someone to Jing'an Temple Alley to fetch his mother.

At this, the people in Jing'an Temple Alley could no longer stay put.

Aunt accompanied Sixth Aunt to Cat's Alley, leaving Zhao Zhangru in Dou Zhao's care.

The two cousins fidgeted restlessly at home.

"I really shouldn’t have kept Sixth Aunt here," Dou Zhao muttered guiltily, knowing childbirth was a perilous ordeal. "We could’ve talked anytime."

Zhao Zhangru clasped her hands together in prayer toward the west: "Please let it be a smooth delivery. Please let it be a smooth delivery."

By noon, news arrived from Cat's Alley: Han Shi had safely delivered a seven-pound baby boy.

Cheers erupted in Jing'an Temple Alley.

Dou Zhao and Zhao Zhangru hurried over to visit Han Shi.

The plump baby resembled the Dou family. Dou Zhao couldn’t put him down, while Zhao Zhangru circled impatiently: "Let me hold him! Let me hold him!"

Everyone laughed.

Han Shi, pale-faced and leaning against the large bolster, couldn’t help but smile joyfully.

Aunt Ji sent someone to report the news to Locust Tree Alley. Before Fifth Aunt and the others arrived, Song Mo accompanied Dou Shiying instead.

Dou Zhao was stunned.

Song Mo explained with a smile, "I came with Father-in-law."

Of course I know you came with Father. The question is, how did you end up together with him?

Dou Zhao grumbled inwardly.

Dou Shiying, beaming, teased his daughter: "Yantang came to have tea with me."

This guy, can’t he tone it down a little?

Dou Zhao glared at Song Mo.

Song Mo pretended not to notice and congratulated Dou Zhengchang.

Dou Zhengchang was so overjoyed he barely knew which way was up, returning the courtesies with a flustered "Same to you! Same to you!"—prompting another round of laughter.

Zhao Zhangru seized the chance to tease Dou Zhao: "I came with Father-in-law too."

"Can’t even sweet egg soup shut you up?" Dou Zhao reached to pinch Zhao Zhangru’s cheek.

Zhao Zhangru darted behind Sixth Aunt: "Look, look! Shou Gu is bullying me!"

Sixth Aunt’s eyes crinkled into crescents as she indulged their antics. "With me here, she won’t dare do anything to you."

Zhao Zhangru stuck her tongue out at Dou Zhao from behind Sixth Aunt.

Aunt shook her head helplessly: "Such a grown girl—perfect when quiet, but the moment she opens her mouth, it’s like she’s missing a screw. What’s to become of her?"

Zhao Zhangru’s expression dimmed briefly before she quickly brightened again, chattering away with Sixth Aunt and Han Shi.Dou Zhao watched, nearly moved to tears.

When Song Mo came to discuss what gift to give for the newborn's third-day bathing ceremony, she couldn't help but share this with him: "...I fear all her previous playfulness was just to set Aunt's mind at ease!"

Song Mo gently squeezed her hand and comforted her, "My late grandmother used to say, every blade of grass has its drop of dew. She just hasn't met her opportunity yet."

"Let's hope so!" Dou Zhao sighed wistfully.

The sixth uncle had given the child the nickname "Seven Pounds."

Dou Zhao decided to stay a couple more days in Jing'an Temple Alley, planning to attend Seven Pounds' third-day bathing ceremony before returning to The Duke of England's Mansion.