Blossom

Dou Dechang hurriedly recounted the events, leaving Dou Shiying utterly stunned.

"Could Yantang have seen it somewhere?" he muttered with a frown. "But that doesn’t make sense! Even if he had seen it, why would he compose an Eight-legged Essay about it? And why test Song Qianli?"

Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang were equally puzzled.

Dou Shiying said, "I’ll summon Yantang tomorrow and ask him!"

There was no other choice.

Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang exchanged helpless glances.

Dou Shiying sent Gaosheng’s wife to inquire with Aunt: "Why has Shou Gu returned?"

Since nothing was settled yet, Aunt naturally couldn’t reveal much and used the excuse she had discussed with Dou Zhao: "We were discussing the visit to Kaiyuan Temple on the tenth of October."

Dou Shiying nodded, pondering how to broach the subject with his son-in-law when they met the next day.

Song Mo escorted Dou Zhao back to the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion before heading to Song Yumin’s temporary residence.

Song Yumin had just arrived home and hadn’t even changed out of the clothes he wore for his earlier social call when he hurried out to greet his guest.

Noticing Song Mo was still in the same attire he had worn at Jing'an Temple Alley, Song Yumin grew suspicious and uneasy.

Song Yumin’s friend was only modestly well-off, employing just two or three maidservants to tend to the entire household. Song Yumin’s daily needs were mostly attended to by Song Yan.

After they took their seats as host and guest, Song Yan brought in tea.

Song Mo glanced at Song Yan and said to Song Yumin, "Mr. Song, I’d like to speak with you privately..."

Song Yan, understanding the hint, withdrew. But before he could leave the room, he heard Song Mo say, "Actually, this matter concerns your nephew..."

Under normal circumstances, Song Yan would have adhered to propriety and avoided eavesdropping. But today’s events were too peculiar—first Song Mo’s inexplicable examination, now these cryptic words. After hesitating, he lingered by the door curtain.

Song Mo’s voice reached him clearly: "I’d like to propose a toast for your nephew’s wedding!"

Both Song Yumin and Song Yan were startled, finally understanding Song Mo’s earlier actions.

Given Song Mo’s status, Song Yumin replied cautiously, "May I ask for whom the Young Lord is acting as matchmaker? Though our Song family in Quzhou has a reputation for integrity, we are but a modest scholarly household. A mismatch in status would be unwise—we dare not presume to climb so high."

As both teacher and father figure, Song Yumin believed Song Yan should marry a girl from a scholarly family and live frugally. The Duke of Yingguo’s heir was far beyond their reach—unimaginable, in fact. The idea of such a match seemed impossible, leaving no room for consideration.

Pretending not to hear, Song Mo smiled and said, "The bride’s family is one you know—my wife’s cousin, the third daughter of the Zhao family in Anxiang Village."

Having served as a private tutor in the Dou family for five years, how could Song Yumin not know the Zhao family of Anxiang Village?

He felt insulted.

The Zhao family was known for taking in sons-in-law.

Did they think just because the Song family was humble and Song Yan was orphaned, he should become a live-in son-in-law?

Before he could speak, Song Mo continued, "You must have heard of Magistrate Zhao’s character. Back then, he abandoned the Imperial Academy exams to attend his sister’s funeral. When the Wang family offered him wealth and rank to legitimize their daughter, he refused. If your nephew joins the Zhao family as a son-in-law, how could they possibly mistreat him?"The character of Lord Zhao is indeed beyond reproach.

On this point, Song Yumin couldn't deny it.

"As for the Third Miss Zhao, you're well aware of her appearance and character. Would she be any less than your nephew?"

Though men and women were kept separate, he had seen Third Miss Zhao from afar twice—she was truly an outstanding young lady in both character and appearance!

Yet Song Yumin couldn't help but say, "But that doesn't mean Qianli should have to marry into their family, does it?"

Song Mo sipped his tea, his peripheral glance catching sight of a pair of plain blue cloth shoes beneath the bamboo curtain.

He smiled faintly and said, "Your nephew is an orphan who grew up on the kindness of others, and you yourself make a living as a private tutor. Though the Dou family pays generously, it's likely no more than two or three hundred taels of silver. With your nephew under your care, even if the Dou family covers his daily expenses, study materials, and such, the seasonal clothing alone must have cost you quite a bit, no?

"Today, I assessed your nephew's eight-legged essays—they were well-structured, smooth, and natural. With proper guidance, who knows if he might become a Presented Scholar within ten years.

"From Quzhou to the Capital, a round trip is said to cost a hundred taels of silver. Once you leave your tutoring position and return home, how many years could your savings sustain you?

"Moreover, our dynasty divides examination quotas between the north and south, and the Jiangnan region has always been known for its scholarly culture. Out of ten Successful Candidates, barely two become Recommended Men, and out of ten Recommended Men, barely two become Presented Scholars.

"But marrying into the Zhao family is different.

"Given the Zhao family's circumstances and Lord Zhao's character, though your nephew might struggle to become a Presented Scholar due to being a son-in-law, with diligence, he could still become a Recommended Man.

"The Zhao family is also a scholarly household. Even if your nephew never enters officialdom, his descendants would still have opportunities.

"And there's the custom of 'three generations returning to the ancestral line.' What more could you ask for?"

The so-called "three generations returning to the ancestral line" meant that the sons born to the son-in-law would, by the third generation—either by designation or convention—revert to their original grandfather's surname and rejoin the ancestral lineage, regardless of gender.

Yet Song Yumin still tactfully declined: "Qianli has studied under me for so long—he should at least try before giving up. Let's not discuss marriage for now."

Song Mo glanced again at the shoes beneath the curtain and said leisurely, "Forced matches are never sweet. Please consider it carefully. If you change your mind, just send word to the Duke of England's Mansion." Then he stood to leave, shaking his head and sighing, "You treat your nephew better than your own son! Even spending your retirement savings on his education..." He seemed deeply moved.

Song Yumin pretended not to notice and saw Song Mo out.

Behind the large locust tree at the gate, Song Yan stood pale-faced.

He watched Song Mo's carriage disappear into the distance, standing there for a long time.

Another figure, after the carriage vanished, turned and headed to an inconspicuous alley in the southern part of the city.

"Brother Chen!" the figure called, knocking on the door. "It's me, Huzi!"

The door creaked open, revealing Chen Jia's ordinary yet sharp-eyed face.

"Come in quickly!" He ushered the visitor into the courtyard calmly, though his words were tense. "Did anyone notice you?"

"No!" Huzi whispered. "I followed from a distance—they wouldn't spot me."

Chen Jia gave a quiet "Mm" and led Huzi inside.After gulping down two large bowls of water, Huzi reported Song Mo's recent whereabouts to Chen Jia.

Chen Jia looked puzzled: "So it really was Madam who accompanied the Young Lord to the farmstead that day?"

Huzi nodded repeatedly: "Moreover, these past few days the Young Lord seems to have been busy with Madam's affairs. He summoned over twenty Imperial Guards, suddenly left them all in the courtyard, then accompanied Madam back to her maternal home. All his contacts have been with Madam's relatives."

This made things difficult!

Chen Jia paced around the room.

He prided himself on being able to bend his principles enough to befriend anyone, whether monk or Taoist priest, but women and children...

Huzi suggested: "Sir, why don't you remarry? If you take a new wife, you could at least form some nominal kinship with the respectable married women around Madam, wouldn't that create connections?"

This was actually a good idea.

Chen Jia's eyes lit up as he formed a plan and instructed Huzi: "I've only heard that Madam is the fourth young lady of the Dou Family of the Northern Mansion. The daughter of Yunnan Governor Wang Yousheng is Madam's stepmother. Wang Shi is in the Capital with Dou Family's Seventh Master. The fourth young lady remained in Zhen Ding until her wedding, when she was suddenly replaced by her half-sister in a marriage swap. Go to Zhen Ding and thoroughly investigate Madam's background—who has influence with her? What foods and clothing does she prefer? What are her hobbies... find out as much as you can."

Huzi cheerfully acknowledged the order, had dinner with Chen Jia, and left the Capital that very night.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao was waiting for Song Mo at home. He didn't return until lantern-lighting time.

She went out to meet him and asked eagerly: "What did the Song family say?"

"They're definitely still struggling to accept it," Song Mo smiled. "By tomorrow, someone will probably come around." He added, "If they don't, I think we should find another solution for cousin."

Dou Zhao didn't understand.

Song Mo played coy: "You'll know tomorrow!" Then he told Dou Zhao: "Have the kitchen prepare me something to eat. I've only had a light lunch at Jing'an Temple Alley to tide me over."

Dou Zhao was shocked: "You haven't had dinner yet?"

Song Mo smiled: "After leaving Mr. Song, I went to the palace. With so many people mobilized, even though we used the Five Cities Garrison as an excuse, the excuse needs to be convincing—I went to see the Emperor and showed him the roster of those men, to prevent anyone from poisoning His Majesty's mind against me later."

Showing it to the Emperor...

Dou Zhao widened her eyes: "What did the Emperor say?"

Song Mo grinned at her: "Interestingly, the Emperor and I thought alike—we both selected the same three men."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but laugh.

Song Mo sighed: "If only Aunt didn't have those prejudices about social status! For scholarly families, taking a husband who changes his surname risks forgetting one's ancestors. Even if such a man could take the Spring Examination, no examiner would want him as a student. But for noble families who rely on imperial favor, it doesn't matter—they can even continue the female line's hereditary positions..."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been looking for a husband for Zhao Zhangru among the Imperial Guards.

Dou Zhao took his arm and teased: "The Young Lord has worked hard!"

"You'd better appreciate it!" Song Mo said frankly, "I'm exhausted today!"

Su Xin and the other maids who had followed Dou Zhao out to greet him all lowered their heads to hide their smiles.

After dinner, they washed up and changed clothes, then lay in bed whispering to each other."How did you come up with the idea to test Song Qianli's Eight-legged Essay?"

"Since I messed up the first time, I couldn't afford to fail again, could I?" Song Mo smiled. "Aunt was looking for a scholar's son, wasn't she? What if she decided to test his knowledge the moment they met?"

Dou Zhao pursed her lips in amusement. "The imperial exams also test poetry. Why didn't you casually test him on that as well?"

Seeing her playful smile, Song Mo couldn't resist pinching her nose affectionately. "I would have loved to, but looking at that dull-witted expression of his, how could he possibly compare to composing a poem for my Madam with such charm and allure?"

Dou Zhao teased him back.

"Charm and allure?" She nibbled his ear and challenged, "Recite one for me then!"

Song Mo adored this side of her.

He turned and pinned her beneath him, whispering suggestively in her ear, "You really want me to?"

"I really do!" Dou Zhao shot him a sidelong glance.

With a soft chuckle, Song Mo began reciting, "The lush branches scatter petals with ease..." Her robes slipped away... His fingers wandered through hidden valleys... "While tender buds conspire to bloom in tease..."

Dou Zhao's face flushed like dawn-kissed clouds...