Blossom

Chang Guard couldn't help but glance at Tao Qizhong, only to see him pursing his lips, eyes lowered, wearing an expression of detached indifference as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

A cold sneer echoed in Chang Guard's heart.

He despised Tao Qizhong's pretentious mannerisms—clearly having already made up his mind, yet forcing the Duke to repeatedly plead before deigning to speak a few words as if revealing divine secrets. And the Duke, unfortunately, ate it up, treating his words like sacred scripture.

After some thought, Chang Guard stepped forward and said in a low voice, "My Lord, this subordinate has something to say, though I'm unsure if I should speak..."

Song Yichun, currently at a loss, felt irritated upon hearing this. Thinking, What nonsense are you stirring up at a time like this? He shot him a cold glare and frowned. "Speak plainly if you have something to say."

Chang Guard inwardly rejoiced and lowered his voice further. "My Lord, I'm a simple man and don't know much. But I was thinking—since the Young Lord was rescued by that Mr. Chen, and Mr. Chen was Madam's accountant back in her maiden home, the Young Lord and Madam must have known each other before marriage. Didn't the Dou family once have that incident where sisters switched places in marriage? Perhaps it's related to the Young Lord. If this were to spread... wouldn't the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, the Wang Family, and even the Dou family come demanding answers from the Young Lord? With this matter hanging over him, the Young Lord might have to tread carefully among the nobility..." As he spoke, he observed Song Yichun's expression from the corner of his eye.

Song Yichun's face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

Recalling everything that had happened since Song Mo and Dou Zhao's marriage, he felt a chill run down his spine.

What kind of person my own son is—how could I not know?

Could it be that the unfilial wretch truly knew Dou Shi before marriage, just as Chang Guard suggested? Otherwise, why would he have accepted her so readily? And why would he defend her so fiercely, even going so far as to sabotage his own marriage prospects just to let her manage the household...? If so, then hadn't he, Song Yichun, been thoroughly deceived by that rebellious son?

The thought struck him like a blow, leaving him breathless and chest tight.

He had wanted to suppress Song Mo through his marriage, only for this Dou Shi—someone he'd never even heard of—to suddenly appear. He had pushed for a swift, simple wedding, and the Dou family, a lineage of officials for generations, had raised no objections... It had all gone so smoothly, just as he wished, like a dream.

Had the Dou family known all along about Song Mo's misdeeds?

Otherwise, why would they have been so submissive in the marriage negotiations between the Song and Dou families, even going so far as to include a chest of silver notes in Dou Shi's dowry?

And then there was Tao Qizhong.

He had been the one to propose this marriage. He had personally investigated Dou Shi...

"That little beast!" Song Yichun couldn't help but roar, his gaze turning venomous as it landed on Tao Qizhong. "To dare engage in 'improper relations' with Dou Shi before marriage, and then trick me into letting him marry her—utterly shaming the Song family's reputation! I'll summon the Lu Family. We'll open the ancestral hall and thoroughly interrogate that wanton woman!"

Instinctively, he knew Song Mo would never admit to it. And even if he did, a man's indiscretions could be overlooked—but Dou Shi was different. Brand her with the stain of impropriety, and let's see how Song Mo handles that! And since Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess had praised Dou Shi's virtue, he would invite them both to witness what kind of woman she truly was. Hence, he declared the Song family would open their ancestral hall—yet called upon the Lu Family to arbitrate.

A glint of triumph flashed in Chang Guard's eyes.Tao Qizhong sighed heavily in his heart.

Even if he was unwilling to admit it, even Chang Guard had realized there was an issue with the Young Lord and Madam's marriage. There was no way to deceive himself any longer!

He had truly fallen for the Young Lord's scheme!

Having served as a guest advisor for over a decade, he knew the Duke's temperament all too well. At this point, the Duke would undoubtedly blame him for this matter.

If it were any other issue, the Duke might have tolerated it. But this? The Duke would never let it slide. The so-called opening of the ancestral hall to summon the Lu Family's matriarch and others to reprimand Dou Shi sounded simple in theory, but in practice, it would be difficult. In the end, the Duke would most likely pin the blame on him.

Tao Qizhong couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

Who could have anticipated this?

On his way to Cassia Fragrance Courtyard, he had already sensed something amiss. From that dumpling restaurant onward, he had unwittingly walked into someone else's trap!

But the consequences of this matter were beyond his ability to bear.

At the very least, he couldn't shoulder the brunt when the Duke of England's Mansion was in a towering rage!

Otherwise, what awaited him would be utter ruin—leaving the Capital in disgrace, carrying a stain he could never wash away, possibly even tarnishing his descendants' reputations...

"Duke!" Tao Qizhong cast a sidelong glance at Chang Guard and said softly, "This marriage was conducted with all three letters and six rites properly observed. If rumors spread that the Young Lord and Madam engaged in 'secret exchanges' before the wedding, it would damage the reputations of both the Dou and Song families! Chang Guard's words do hold merit, but Duke, consider this: before this incident, the Young Lord was in Zhen Ding while Madam was in the Capital. How could they have known each other? How could Madam, a woman of the inner quarters, have commanded her guards to seek out the Young Lord? Even I was unaware of this matter." Here, he paused meaningfully and glanced at Chang Guard again. "How did Madam know? How did Mr. Chen know? And how did Mr. Chen manage to rescue the Young Lord from the heavily guarded Duke of England's Mansion?" After speaking, he bowed deeply to Song Yichun. "Duke, you must think carefully! The Young Lord has just been promoted to Vice Commander of the Golden Guard. If you confirm the rumors of 'secret exchanges' between him and Madam before the marriage, what will the Emperor think? What will the Dou family think? What will the world think? The Young Lord could simply dismiss it as 'slander,' leaving you in an untenable position!"

Song Yichun shuddered.

He recalled the Emperor summoning him to the palace to personally inform him of Song Mo's promotion!

That little beast was always full of tricks. Given how he had deceived him, it wouldn't be surprising if he had fooled the Emperor as well!

As Tao Qizhong had said, if this matter were made public, he would be the one to suffer.

What if that little beast was waiting for him to fall into this trap? Otherwise, why would Chang Guard have discovered that Mr. Chen? Given Song Mo's ruthlessness, why would he have left Mr. Chen alive... No, he couldn't afford to be fooled by that little beast again... He needed to discuss this matter at length with Tao Qizhong... But was Tao Qizhong secretly colluding with that little beast?

His expression darkened with uncertainty.

Tao Qizhong, however, could guess what Song Yichun was thinking.

He wanted to consult him about this matter, yet he suspected him of conspiring with Song Mo...He bowed sincerely and said, "I am nearly at the age of knowing my destiny and have long abandoned ambitions for an official career. Over the past decade, I have been deeply grateful for the Duke's kindness, serving with utmost caution and never daring to be careless. Although the future of the Duke's estate belongs to the Young Lord, by then I will already be old and retired from the Capital—what concern is it of mine? In ancient times, there were Fang and Du. Today, there is Sun Huai! Though I lack talent and dare not compare myself to these sages, I would never tarnish the reputation of scholars!"

Fang and Du referred to the famous Tang Dynasty ministers Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. Sun Huai was the Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet during Emperor Xianzong's reign—out of gratitude for the Emperor's recognition, he resigned and returned home after the Emperor's passing, despite the new ruler's pleas. He spent ten years as the head of an academy. Emperor Xianzong was also renowned as a benevolent ruler.

Flattered by Tao Qizhong's comparison to these virtuous rulers, Song Yichun's expression softened, and his tone became gentler. "You exaggerate, Mr. Tao. I am merely desperate, driven to my wits' end by that wretched boy! You have no idea how the Emperor favors him. Once, he even told the Duke of Dongping in person that if the boy acted frivolously, the Duke should report it directly to the Emperor. Hah! That wasn’t a reprimand—it was a warning to suppress the Duke of Dongping, all to smooth the boy’s path to controlling the Five Cities Garrison! What I’ve raised isn’t a son—it’s an ancestor! Tell me, what father in this world suffers as I do…"

Tao Qizhong exhaled deeply but couldn’t suppress his silent criticism.

No father in this world behaves as you do—tormenting a perfectly capable heir who could uphold the family honor… But why exactly can the Duke not tolerate the Young Lord?

For the first time, Tao Qizhong seriously pondered this question.

Song Yichun was already dismissing Chang Guard. "Keep this matter quiet for now. Wait until Mr. Tao and I devise a code of conduct. You may leave. I’ll summon you when needed."

Helpless, Chang Guard shot a resentful glance at Tao Qizhong, who ignored him, then murmured an acknowledgment and withdrew.

Song Yichun turned to Tao Qizhong earnestly. "What do you suggest we do? Must I simply endure this with my eyes wide open?"

His teeth clenched, his fury evident.

"The immediate priority is to determine whether the Dou family knows of this matter," Tao Qizhong replied, aware that Song Mo had become a thorn in Song Yichun’s side—one that provoked irrational rage at the slightest touch. He needed to steer the conversation away from Song Mo. "Whether the Young Lord and Madam knew each other before marriage is trivial. If the Dou family knows, what is their purpose? How did they find out? You must decide how to proceed. If they are unaware, is someone backing Madam? Or was Chen Bo acting on someone’s behalf… From what I know, Chen Bo is close friends with Yan Yun, who serves the Young Lord. Until we uncover the truth, we are exposed while the enemy lurks in shadows. Even the best strategies would leave us at a disadvantage."

The implication was clear: since you’ve never revealed why you framed Song Mo in the first place, how can I know where to begin investigating now that trouble has arisen?

You figure it out yourself.

Song Yichun hesitated, words caught in his throat.Seeing this, Tao Qizhong pretended not to notice and went straight to the point: "Perhaps we should start with the maids and old women around Madam? Especially those highly favored by her? If the Young Lord and Madam have been secretly exchanging favors, they wouldn’t be able to hide it from these people."

"Your suggestion is most insightful," Song Yichun perked up, pondering where to begin and whom to assign for this task.

Meanwhile, Tao Qizhong was reflecting on his experience in Zhen Ding.

To beat the legitimate grandson of Wang Yousheng, the Governor of Yunnan's in-law, so severely that he couldn’t leave his bed, and then settle the matter by bankrupting the family—while Dou Shi remained completely unharmed... This was no ordinary woman’s doing.

The one who had saved the Young Lord must have been Dou Shi!

This would explain the Young Lord’s respect for her.

After serving by the Duke’s side for over a decade, even he couldn’t fathom why the Duke treated the Young Lord this way. Even the Young Lord himself hadn’t anticipated such treatment from his father. How did Dou Shi know about it?

Could it be that she possessed the ability to foresee the future?

If she knew, then the Young Lord must be aware as well.

This was truly a case of gods fighting while mortals suffered!

Tao Qizhong felt an overwhelming headache.

Without uncovering the root of why the Duke couldn’t tolerate the Young Lord, this matter would remain inexplicable. Forget about trying to suppress the Young Lord—there was no way forward!