Blossom

Those discussions naturally reached Dou Zhao's ears word for word afterward.

She couldn't help feeling somewhat worried and said to Song Mo, "We must find a proper way to handle the aftermath. These are all people serving in the Imperial Guards. If the Emperor finds out, he might become suspicious."

Such open transfer of personnel to the capital—even the Ministry of Personnel wouldn't dare act so boldly without the Emperor's decree.

She had originally thought Song Mo would first select two or three candidates to meet, never expecting him to arrange such a large-scale event. Sitting behind the screen at the time, she had already felt uneasy.

"Don't worry," Song Mo said with a carefree laugh. "As the supervisor of the Five Cities Garrison, selecting a few Imperial Guards to supplement its ranks is perfectly normal. I doubt their elders would have any objections."

Though the Imperial Guards are prestigious, it depends on the position.

The Five Cities Garrison operates within the imperial city, assisting Shuntian Prefecture and the salt tax administration. Even minor clerks there can benefit from some extra income. Moreover, since the Zhao Family practices matrilocal marriage, all selected candidates were either second sons or from collateral branches—for them, this was indeed a great opportunity.

Song Mo's arrangements were truly thorough.

No wonder no matter how recklessly he behaved, he always had justifications before the Emperor. No wonder he had never faced impeachment by imperial censors to this day.

Dou Zhao felt she only needed to trust Song Mo wholeheartedly.

"Let's tentatively finalize these three. What do you think?" Song Mo circled three names on the roster and handed it to Dou Zhao.

From hundreds to twenty-some, then from twenty-some to three—selecting a consort for a princess couldn't be more elaborate than this. This time, Cousin Zhang Ru's marriage issue would surely be resolved!

Never mind who she married in her past life—that man hadn't even appeared in this lifetime, so they'd just have to find someone else.

Dou Zhao nodded repeatedly. That night, she naturally indulged Song Mo again.

Early the next morning, she styled her hair into an elegant falling horse bun and eagerly prepared to visit Jing'an Temple Alley.

Song Mo wanted to accompany her: "If Aunt asks questions, I can help explain. Besides, these three candidates haven't left the capital yet. Why not take this opportunity to have them meet Aunt and Cousin Zhang Ru in person?"

He looked forward to seeing Aunt's pleasantly surprised and grateful expression.

This was the first time since marrying Dou Zhao that he felt such enthusiasm.

Having Song Mo come along might be good.

Without him, this matter wouldn't have succeeded.

Once Aunt learned what Song Mo had done, she would surely like him even more.

Dou Zhao nodded with a radiant smile.

Like children anticipating praise from adults, the two suppressed their excitement and went together to Jing'an Temple Alley.

When Gaosheng saw them, he was startled and hurriedly said, "I'll go fetch the master immediately!"

As they hadn't sent word ahead, Dou Shiying had already left for his office.

"No need, no need," Dou Zhao said cheerfully to Gaosheng. "Today I'm here to discuss something with Aunt. Just accompany the heir in the Reception Hall for a meal!"

Beads of sweat instantly formed on Gaosheng's forehead. Seizing the chance while a maid served tea to Song Mo, he quietly instructed her, "Quickly go invite the two young masters from Cat's Alley to receive our guest."

For the first time, he thought that if the master remained firm about not taking concubines, adopting the twelfth young master might not be a bad idea.

Dou Zhao paid no attention to this, leaving Song Mo behind as she went straight to Aunt's quarters.Aunt saw her and was visibly shocked, immediately grasping her hands to look her up and down: "My child, what's happened to you? Why have you suddenly returned? Has the Song family mistreated you? Don't be afraid, your aunt hasn't left the capital yet—I'll naturally stand up for you!"

"No, no," Dou Zhao laughed even more brightly. Noticing Zhao Zhangru staring at her with wide-eyed curiosity, she pulled Aunt into the inner chamber, shutting the door with a loud clang. She invited Aunt to sit on the heated brick bed by the window and settled beside her, then handed over the paper listing the three men's backgrounds. "I'd like to arrange a match for cousin Zhangru. These three families are all quite good—which do you think is best?"

Aunt was utterly astonished.

Dou Zhao's eyes curved into crescents with her smile.

"You silly girl!" Aunt came to her senses and hugged Dou Zhao tightly. "Now that you're married, you've learned to care for others."

Dou Zhao chuckled and retrieved Aunt's glasses case from under the kang table.

Aunt put on her glasses and carefully examined the three candidates' backgrounds.

They were either from military families or noble houses—no need to ask, her nephew-in-law must have helped with this.

Deeply grateful, Aunt clasped Dou Zhao's hand. "Please thank your husband for me. But the Zhao family are scholars after all—it would be better to find a scholarly family for Zhangru to marry into."

Dou Zhao was dumbstruck.

Aunt felt guilty.

To find three such candidates, Song Yantang and Shou Gu must have gone to great lengths.

Regretfully, she said, "It's my fault for not explaining clearly beforehand, making you go through all this trouble. I'll remember your kindness and your husband's. When the time comes, your cousin Zhangru will repay you both."

Dou Zhao couldn't have been more disheartened, but seeing the apology in Aunt's eyes, she didn't want her to feel uneasy. She quickly pretended to be upset, rolling around against Aunt. "You should have told me earlier!"

Aunt laughed heartily, hugging Dou Zhao affectionately.

Dou Zhao folded the three resumes into small squares and tucked them into her sleeve. When she emerged and saw Zhao Zhangru, she simply said she'd been discussing their planned visit to Kaiyuan Temple on the tenth day of the tenth month with Aunt.

In recent years, whenever people spoke privately with her mother, it was usually about her marriage prospects.

Zhao Zhangru was used to this and didn't press for details, instead chatting idly with Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao thought of Song Mo waiting in the reception hall—who knew how disappointed he'd be when he heard this outcome?

Moreover, she'd promised him many "humiliating concessions" in exchange for his help. She'd probably have to agree to a few more to placate him when they returned home.

With a long sigh, Dou Zhao left the guest room in frustration and headed straight for the reception hall where Song Mo was staying.

Song Mo had been talking with Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang, but one look at Dou Zhao's expression told him the matter had fallen through.

This was the first time Dou Zhao had ever asked him to do something for her maternal family!

Setting aside the Dou brothers, he immediately went to her and asked quietly, "What didn't meet Aunt's expectations?"

There was no hiding this.

"It's all my fault!" Dou Zhao said apologetically. "I didn't clarify properly before asking you to do this... Aunt wants to find a scholarly family for cousin Zhangru."

Having weathered many storms, Song Mo's disappointment was fleeting—just a faint passing thought, nothing like Dou Zhao's visible dejection.He pondered for a moment and said, "If that's the case, it's not impossible—it just requires more effort and time... Let Aunt know. We'll continue searching for a suitable match for Cousin after we return. We'll find someone eventually." Then he added, "Did Aunt mention any other conditions?"

Dou Zhao shook her head and rested her hand on Song Mo's arm. "I think Aunt still hopes the Zhao Family can produce a scholar!"

Song Mo smiled reassuringly. "Don’t worry, leave it to me!"

As they were speaking, a dry cough sounded behind them.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo turned to see Dou Dechang winking at them mischievously. "Fourth Sister, you're still in your maiden home. Save your sweet talk for when you return to your own house."

Dou Zhengchang felt this remark was too forward and warned, "Dechang!"

Dou Zhao, however, glared at Dou Dechang.

This twelfth brother—his own affairs were still a mess, yet he had the nerve to meddle in hers!

The reserved Dou Zhengchang couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

Fourth Sister was usually so dignified—who knew she could be this playful too?

He smoothed things over. "There are no outsiders here. Come in and sit. I heard from Yantang that he keeps over a dozen fine horses at his secluded courtyard in the Western Hills. Why don’t we visit them someday?"

Song Mo didn’t stand on ceremony and entered the Reception Hall with Dou Zhao in a relaxed manner. Smiling, he said, "If Eleventh Brother likes them, I can have a couple of gentle mares sent to you."

"No need, no need!" Dou Zhengchang waved his hands repeatedly. "Horses are meant to roam freely. My home doesn’t have enough space—keeping them there would only make them suffer. It’s better to visit your courtyard whenever I feel like riding." Seeing Song Mo about to insist, he added, "I can’t just take home everything I fancy, can I? Sometimes, appreciation is its own pleasure!"

Song Mo chuckled in agreement, inwardly admiring Dou Zhengchang’s attitude.

As they chatted, Aunt had finished her preparations and summoned Gaosheng’s wife. She handed her a fifty-tael silver note. "Today, I’m hosting. Invite Fourth Son-in-Law and Fourth Paternal Aunt to dine here."

"How could we let you spend money?" Gaosheng’s wife hesitated, but Aunt insisted, so she had no choice but to report to Dou Zhao. "Aunt wishes to invite you and Fourth Son-in-Law to stay for dinner."

Dou Zhao, feeling sorry that Song Mo’s efforts had come to nothing, smiled and said, "Tell Aunt we want Eight Treasures and Eight Delicacies."

Seeing Dou Zhao in such high spirits and even joking with Aunt, Gaosheng’s wife brightened as well. She curtsied cheerfully and headed to the kitchen.

Dou Dechang nudged Song Mo and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, "See that? She’s shrewd—only takes, never gives. You’re in for a treat. Soon, she’ll sweep all of Jing'an Temple Alley into your home."

Song Mo burst into laughter, finding Dou Dechang quite the character.

The atmosphere in the room grew even livelier.

A page entered and announced, "Mr. Song and Young Master Song have arrived. They said they’ll be departing for their hometown tomorrow and came to bid farewell to the master."

Dou Zhengchang quickly said, "Please show them in at once!"

Dou Dechang explained to Song Mo, "Mr. Song was the private tutor Seventh Uncle hired for Fourth Sister. After Fourth Sister married, Mr. Song resigned. He originally planned to return home after the wedding banquet, but he ran into an old classmate in the Capital and stayed to sightsee for a while. Young Master Song is Mr. Song’s clan nephew—orphaned at a young age, he has been taking care of Mr. Song’s daily needs."As they spoke, Song Mo saw Dou Zhengchang accompanying two scholars in blue robes, one old and one young, approaching through the Covered Corridors.

Song Mo couldn't help but ask, "The Song family is a scholarly family, isn't it?"

Dou Dechang gave an affirmative hum and said, "Their ancestors did have officials, though not particularly prominent. Still, in their hometown, they could be considered a family of scholars."

Song Mo's eyes lit up as he turned his gaze toward Dou Zhao.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao had already been startled by Song Mo's question, "The Song family is a scholarly family, isn't it?"

This was truly a classic case of being blind to what's right under one's nose!

How had she never thought of this before?

The couple simultaneously revealed faint smiles.

Dou Dechang, however, felt a strange unease as he watched them.

Why did his fourth brother-in-law and fourth sister's smiles seem somewhat eerie?

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Dou Zhao stood up with a smile and said, "I'll go talk to Aunt." Then she cheerfully left the Reception Hall.