Blossom

Both Song Yan and Zhao Zhangru were no longer young. Since both families were in agreement, they naturally hoped to finalize the marriage arrangements as soon as possible.

Song Yumin wrote back to his wife, saying that they could only discuss the wedding date after exchanging betrothal cards with the Zhao family. However, this might be the last Spring Festival Song Yan would spend with the Song family, so they would definitely return to Quzhou before Minor New Year. He asked his wife to prepare well for a proper New Year celebration.

As he wrote, a faint melancholy welled up in his heart.

In stark contrast to Song Yumin's mood was Zhao Zhangru.

Although the elders hadn't said anything, Zhao Zhangru had learned about her marriage arrangement from her personal maid. Since the groom was the nephew of Dou Zhao's private tutor and had lived with the Dou family for several years, Zhao Zhangru had no concerns about Song Yan's character or appearance. She only felt relief and joy at the thought that "I'm finally getting married."

Meanwhile, her aunt thought that since goods in the Capital were both better and cheaper with more variety, it would be ideal to take advantage of their presence there to purchase some decent dowry items for Zhao Zhangru before her marriage. She asked Dou Zhao to accompany them on shopping trips.

Dou Zhao made full use of her past life's knowledge, knowing exactly which shops had the best combs or the widest selection of bolts of cloth. Whatever her aunt could think of, she could find.

Her aunt couldn't help but laugh, "You've only been in the Capital for a few days, yet you already know every place so well!"

Dou Zhao giggled, thoroughly enjoying her days running around shopping with her aunt.

Her uncle had replied, expressing satisfaction with the marriage arrangement and entrusting the betrothal matters to Dou Shiheng and Ji Shi.

Everyone was surprised by this, while Dou Shiying felt rather awkward.

Song Mo, however, was perceptive and comforted Dou Shiying: "Betrothal negotiations involve discussing both bride price and wedding dates, inevitably requiring mediation. It wouldn't make sense for a son-in-law to represent his niece—people might think we're in a hurry to marry off our daughter! This arrangement is perfectly appropriate."

Hearing this, Dou Shiying perked up and nodded repeatedly, not even noticing that Song Mo had referred to "marrying off a daughter" rather than "taking in a son-in-law." He simply thought how wonderful it was to have such a son-in-law and happily stepped aside to watch the proceedings.

Just as the Zhao and Song families exchanged betrothal cards, Dou Zhengchang's eldest son Qi Jin celebrated his full-month ceremony.

Dou Zhao invited her aunt, and arm in arm with Zhao Zhangru, they entered through the Hanging Flower Gate.

Everyone who saw Zhao Zhangru smiled knowingly.

The usually lively and cheerful Zhao Zhangru blushed like the morning clouds, afraid of being teased. She no longer behaved as freely as before, choosing instead to stay indoors helping Han Shi hold Qi Jin, which only made everyone laugh again.

Zhao Zhangru found a chance to whisper to Dou Zhao: "I want to get married quickly! Once I'm married, let's see who dares laugh at me then!"

Dou Zhao burst into laughter.

Zhao Zhangru pinched Dou Zhao hard a couple of times before letting go.

The two cousins then walked hand in hand to the Reception Hall where the banquet was being held.

Dou Ming arrived.

Dressed in a bright red wide-sleeved jacket, despite careful grooming, she couldn't conceal her haggard appearance.

Her sixth cousin's wife, Guo Shi, couldn't help but ask with concern, "What's wrong? You look so pale!"After spitting up blood in anger that day, she had been listless and without energy. Several physicians were consulted, but they only prescribed some tonics and advised her to rest quietly. She hadn’t planned on coming today, but Wei Tingzhen had stormed into the Marquis of Jining's Mansion early in the morning, insisting they both attend. Even when she claimed to be unwell and suggested Wei Tingyu come alone, Wei Tingzhen refused, demanding they both appear. Over this, she had another argument with Wei Tingzhen. If not for Wei Tingyu’s soothing words, she wouldn’t have bothered coming at all!

By now, Wei Tingyu must have already struck up a conversation with Song Mo, right?

The mere thought made her feel as if a fire were burning in her chest, and her reply to Guo Shi came out stiff: "I’m fine! Just caught a chill a few days ago."

Guo Shi had always found Dou Ming to be temperamental. Though she didn’t take it to heart, she had no desire to endure Dou Ming’s sour expression either. After exchanging a few perfunctory words, she moved on to Dou Zhao’s side.

Ji Yong’s Eldest Aunt held a favorable impression of Dou Zhao and couldn’t help but lament that Dou Zhao hadn’t married into the Ji family. Thus, she engaged Dou Zhao warmly in conversation.

The Ji family was Sixth Madam’s maternal relatives, and Ji Yong held a high-ranking official position of the third grade. On such occasions, Fifth Madam naturally had to play host, while Cai Shi, ever eloquent and eager to curry favor with Dou Zhao, joined in the lively chatter. At a glance, it seemed as though everyone was gathered around Dou Zhao.

Dou Ming felt she couldn’t stay a moment longer and glared resentfully at Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao remained oblivious, but Zhao Zhangru, who had been idly glancing around, noticed. She whispered to Dou Zhao, "Dou Ming is glaring at you. Did you two argue? She looks full of resentment!"

"When have you ever seen me argue with her?" Dou Zhao maintained a humble smile, not even glancing at Dou Ming, and continued listening attentively to Ji Yong’s Eldest Aunt while whispering back, "Every time she sees me, she puffs up like a fighting cock. How should I know what’s set her off this time?" Her laughter grew even brighter.

Dou Ming grew angrier, her gaze sharp as a knife.

Before long, everyone noticed Dou Ming’s odd behavior.

Those familiar with the relationship between the Dou sisters exchanged knowing smiles and pretended not to see.

Han Shi was displeased.

After the incident of the sisters switching marriages, it felt as though she had been betrayed by someone she trusted. She had grown wary of Dou Ming, and actions that once might have seemed pitiable now struck her as spoiled and willful.

Frowning, she blocked Dou Ming’s line of sight and said, "Fifth Granddaughter is here! Why not come over and join the conversation?" She introduced Dou Ming to Ji Yong’s aunt.

Ji Yong’s aunt rarely socialized and was unaware of the underlying tensions. She chatted amiably with Dou Ming, who finally began to feel somewhat better.

During the third-day bathing ceremony, the items given away were rewards for the midwife and those who assisted in the delivery—mostly silver ingots. In contrast, the gifts for the full-month and hundred-day celebrations were for the newborn and thus more valuable.

At the banquet, Han Shi brought the child out for the ladies to see.

Dou Ming presented the baby with a pair of solid gold ruyi bracelets.

Dou Zhao, in addition to a nineteen-tael solid gold longevity lock, gifted two pieces of jade specially blessed by the abbot of the Great Xiangguo Temple, two sets of clothing she had sewn herself, and a crimson engraved silk cloak.

Han Shi and Ji Shi were taken aback by Dou Zhao’s generosity and repeatedly exclaimed, "This is too extravagant!"Dou Zhao kissed Qi Jin on the cheek and said, "Who told me to be Qi Jin's aunt!"

Everyone laughed heartily.

Dou Ming's fingers gripping the chopsticks turned white with anger, feeling that Dou Zhao was deliberately humiliating her. She failed to realize that Dou Zhao had been raised by Ji Shi, and Qi Jin was Ji Shi's eldest grandson. Naturally, there was a difference in closeness, so Dou Zhao's congratulatory gift would naturally be more valuable than others'.

Zhao Zhangru tugged at Dou Zhao's sleeve and whispered, "Look at Dou Ming!"

Dou Zhao couldn't be bothered to look at her and didn't want to say much about it, simply sticking close to Zhao Zhangru.

Song Mo noticed and asked Dou Zhao with a smile, "Do you like Third Cousin so much?"

"I've always gotten along well with her since childhood," Dou Zhao replied, straightening his collar gently. "Why did you come to the Reception Hall?"

Song Mo had been so annoyed by Wei Tingyu that he excused himself, claiming he had drunk a bit too much. Dou Shiying promptly had his personal page attend to Song Mo and let him rest in Dou Shiheng's small study next to the Reception Hall.

He would rather Dou Zhao forget Wei Tingyu existed altogether, so why would he mention him in front of her?

He simply said he was feeling a bit dizzy from drinking.

Dou Zhao quickly urged, "Then go rest!"

Song Mo nodded with a smile and followed Dou Shiying's page to the small study.

Dou Zhao took the opportunity to visit the kitchen and instructed the old women at the stove to prepare a bowl of sobering-up soup to be sent to the small study.

The old women didn't dare delay and immediately set aside their tasks to prepare the soup and deliver it.

After drinking the soup, Song Mo leaned against the moon-shaped window of the small study, gazing at the indistinct figures in the Reception Hall.

When the banquet in the Reception Hall finally ended, he sought out Madam Zhao.

"Aunt, has it been decided where Cousin's wedding will be held?" he asked with concern. "If it's in Qingyang, it would take at least two months to travel there. And I've calculated that Uncle will be coming to the Capital for his official review early next spring. The back-and-forth would waste a lot of time. Why not hold Cousin's wedding in the Capital when Uncle arrives? We can join in the festivities and even help out." He added, "I heard that for Shou Gu's sake, you sold the ancestral property in Xingxiang County? Apart from Jiangnan, land and shops in the Capital yield higher returns than elsewhere. Why haven't you and Uncle considered acquiring some assets here? If you don't mind, I could keep an eye out for you. It would be a good opportunity for Third Cousin's husband to practice managing household affairs."

Officials from prefectures and counties over two thousand li from the Capital were required to report to the capital every three years.

Qingyang fell under this category.

Song Mo's words were gentle and considerate, earning a silent nod of approval from his aunt. However, having spent a considerable sum on Dou Zhao's wedding preparations and now preparing for her daughter's marriage, she had no spare funds to invest in Capital properties.

Faced with Song Mo's kindness, she could only demur, "This matter needs to be discussed with her uncle."

"You can look around first and discuss it with Uncle when he arrives," Song Mo said with a smile. "Actually, a colleague of mine is in urgent need of selling part of his ancestral property. I think the farmstead has fertile land, and the shop is in a prime location. I wanted to offer you a good deal!"

"How could I take advantage of you?" Madam Zhao could only lament inwardly, replying with a smile, "I'll come to you when I'm ready to invest in the Capital."

Song Mo agreed cheerfully.In the evening, upon returning, he told Dou Zhao about the matter: "...I originally thought I could cover half the cost, and Aunt could provide the other half, so we could buy out both the farmstead and the shops. It would be a way to repay Uncle and Aunt for their help back then. But it seems Aunt doesn’t have much spare money. Uncle served as a county magistrate for several years and then as a prefect—could he really have no savings?"

"Not everyone is like you," Dou Zhao said, immediately intrigued. "You see everything in terms of money!" She discussed it with Song Mo, "What if we front the money first and figure out how to handle it later?"

"Fine by me!" Song Mo considered that if the Zhao Family had property in the Capital, Zhao Zhangru and her husband could settle there long-term, giving Dou Zhao a companion. "But you’ll have to figure out how to get Aunt to accept it. If I step in, it might backfire."

Dou Zhao agreed first, and Song Mo sent someone to purchase the farmstead and shops.

But how to explain this to Aunt?

Chen Qushui arrived in the Capital with Duan Gongyi and the others.