Blossom

After seeing off the Imperial Physician, Song Mo went to Cassia Fragrance Courtyard.

Song Han rushed over: "Brother, I'm scared!" His lips quivered as he struggled to hold back tears.

Standing respectfully to the side, Dou Zhao found the scene rather peculiar.

A thirteen-year-old boy, nearly as tall as Song Mo's chin, was acting like a five or six-year-old child throwing a tantrum.

Yet Song Mo didn't seem to notice anything amiss. He gently patted his younger brother's shoulder and comforted him in a low voice: "It's alright. Father has taken his medicine and will recover after some rest." After speaking, his gaze fell upon Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao immediately responded: "Young Lord, rest assured. I'll take Luo Yan from Father's quarters to prepare his medicine."

At such moments, even if it was just for show, it had to be done flawlessly, leaving no room for criticism.

A glimmer of relief flashed in Song Mo's eyes as he entered Song Yichun's inner chamber with Song Han.

Dou Zhao led Luo Yan to the tea room.

There were ready stoves there; all they needed was a medicine pot to brew the herbs.

Luo Yan, about seventeen or eighteen years old with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, was strikingly beautiful.

She was the head maid in Song Yichun's quarters, having entered the household after Jiang Shi's passing. Whether she also served as a bedroom servant was of no concern to Dou Zhao. Attended by Su Xin, Dou Zhao sat sipping tea, watching Luo Yan prepare the medicine without lifting a finger to help.

Luo Yan was taken aback but quickly lowered her head to conceal her surprise, deftly filling the medicine pot and fetching water.

A young maid hurried in quietly: "Madam, the Elder Master and the Young Masters have arrived. They've come to inquire about the Duke's condition."

Luo Yan couldn't help but glance at Dou Zhao from the corner of her eye.

Seeing Dou Zhao nod silently, the maid slipped out of the tea room as quietly as she had entered.

Luo Yan realized this was Dou Zhao's informant delivering news. She averted her gaze as if she'd seen something she shouldn't have.

Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed outside.

Su Xin lifted the curtain slightly to peek outside, then turned to Dou Zhao: "Not only has the Elder Master's family come, but the Second Master's family is here too."

Dou Zhao remarked indifferently, "They arrived quite quickly," then fell silent.

Su Xin also said nothing.

The tea room was filled with oppressive silence.

The inner chamber where Song Yichun lay was equally tense.

The father was ill, yet instead of having his own sons attend to him, he insisted on keeping his eldest nephew by his side...

Upon hearing Song Yichun's decision, the visiting Song Maochun and his family were visibly uncomfortable. Song Maochun forced a smile and suggested: "Perhaps the Young Lord could assist with preparing the medicine?"

Since the fire incident at The Duke of England's Mansion, Song Maochun had come to understand Song Mo's formidable nature.

He hadn't expected Song Yichun to appear so determined to sever ties openly.

Song Maochun secretly regretted his haste.

Had he known this would happen, why had he rushed over so eagerly? Now, instead of currying favor, his son had become a pawn in the power struggle between Song Yichun and his own son.

Yet Song Yichun remained resolute.

"No need!" he declared weakly from his sickbed, his voice hoarse but firm, leaving no room for negotiation. "Let Qin'er stay to care for me. The Young Lord and Tianen may return to their own quarters." Then he instructed Tianen: "You must continue your studies with the tutor. Your education comes first."He couldn't allow Song Mo to attend to his illness by his side.

With Song Mo's cunning nature, he would surely take the opportunity to cause trouble and deal with those loyal to him. By the time he recovered, the Duke of England's Mansion would have changed hands, and he would become nothing more than meat on Song Mo's chopping block!

Song Maochun was momentarily at a loss.

What would visiting guests think if they saw this?

Would they think Song Mo was unfilial and that Song Yichun disliked him? Or that Song Qin, his cousin, had used his silver tongue to drive a wedge between father and son?

He hurriedly said, "This won't do! This simply won't do!"

Song Fengchun, who had come with him, felt deeply uncomfortable.

He had never failed to show respect to his second brother during festivals. Yet, his second brother still favored their eldest brother more.

Both of his second brother's sons were alive and well, yet it was the eldest brother's son who was attending to his illness... This was like walking on the edge of a cliff—pleasing the second brother would offend Yantang, and pleasing Yantang would offend the second brother. Whether this would bring fortune or disaster, no one could say for sure.

He remained silent, watching with schadenfreude from the sidelines.

Song Mo, however, sneered.

Every time he interacted with his father, a part of his heart died.

Of course, he wouldn't let Song Yichun have his way and pin the label of unfiliality on him, but neither would he stay here to be a nuisance.

"In that case, Tianen and I will wait in the outer Resting Chamber," Song Mo said calmly. "If Eldest Brother needs anything, he can just call for us."

This was his tacit agreement to Song Qin attending to the illness.

Song Duo shot his brother a meaningful look.

Song Qin could only force a bitter smile and pretend not to see it.

His second uncle had explicitly asked him to attend to his illness—how could he refuse?

And what excuse could he possibly use?

This was truly a disaster falling from the sky. Even though he knew the situation was absurd, Song Qin had no choice but to steel himself and sit on the embroidered stool by Song Yichun's bedside.

Song Mo then addressed the others, "Father needs rest to recover. Let's go to the Resting Chamber for tea and not disturb him."

Song Maochun and the others naturally agreed, rising one after another to follow Song Mo out.

Song Yichun's eyes widened, feeling a dull ache in his chest again.

Here he was, still very much alive, and already Song Mo was isolating him under the pretext of "rest." If one day he grew old and weak, unable to manage the Duke of England's Mansion, wouldn't Song Mo trample him to death?

He couldn't help but snap, "Yantang, if you want to leave, go ahead. I still have things to discuss with your Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle."

Song Maochun and Song Fengchun exchanged glances and stayed behind.

Unfazed, Song Mo smiled at Song Duo and said, "Since the elders have matters to discuss, let's go to the Resting Chamber first." With that, he led the way out of the inner chamber.

Song Duo nodded repeatedly and followed Song Mo out.

They ran into Song Tongchun and Song Yao on the way.

Song Tongchun quickly asked, "How is Second Brother's condition?"

Song Mo couldn't be bothered to engage with him and replied, "Father is speaking with Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle. You should go in and see for yourself."

Song Tongchun gave an affirmative hum and led his son Song Yao into the inner chamber.

Song Mo then entertained everyone with tea.

Song Han quietly tugged at his elder brother's sleeve. "Brother, why won't Father let us attend to his illness?"

His large, innocent eyes gazed at Song Mo, making his heart ache as if cut by a knife.

"Eldest Brother is older and more steady in his actions," he comforted his younger brother. "When you're older, Father will gradually entrust more important matters to you."

Song Han nodded obediently.

In the tea room, Dou Zhao immediately learned of what had transpired in the inner chamber.She sat there lost in thought.

It was expected that Song Yichun would fear Song Mo harming him and be wary of him, but why did he distrust even Song Han?

※※※※※

In just two days, everyone knew Song Yichun had fallen ill, and relatives and friends naturally came to visit.

Song Mo remained in the Resting Chamber the entire time. Several times, Song Yichun, in front of guests, ordered him to leave for the Hall of Cultivating Will and had Tao Qizhong take over hosting duties. Each time, Song Mo would meekly agree in front of the guests, but once they left, he would continue doing as he pleased. This infuriated Song Yichun so much that he once hurled a teacup at Song Mo’s head. Song Mo dodged it effortlessly and, when the next guests arrived, calmly resumed his hosting duties as if nothing had happened.

And when faced with Song Mo and Tao Qizhong, which guest would be foolish enough to mistake Tao Qizhong for the master of the house?

Yet guests arrived in waves. No matter how displeased Song Yichun was with Song Mo, he couldn’t outright tell visitors to ignore him the moment they stepped through the door. So Song Yichun continued venting his temper, Song Mo continued receiving guests who came to visit the sick, and Tao Qizhong continued trailing behind Song Mo like a servant—nothing improved.

On the contrary, some guests who considered themselves close to Song Yichun tactfully advised him, "Yantang is, after all, a high-ranking official of the third rank. Even if he has momentarily displeased you, you shouldn’t disregard his dignity like this." Others even shook their heads and admonished Song Qin, "As the elder brother, you should be advising your uncle at a time like this. Why are you getting tangled up in this mess instead? You’ve always seemed so mature in your actions—how could you be so foolish at a critical moment?"

Song Qin was frustrated but dared not say a word.

Those less familiar with Song Yichun, meanwhile, endlessly praised Song Mo’s filial piety: "He always seems so aloof, yet no matter how harshly the Duke scolds him, he remains gentle and respectful. The hardest part of filial piety isn’t obedience—it’s maintaining a pleasant demeanor. Rare, truly rare!"

When these words reached Song Yichun’s ears, his condition, which had just begun to improve, took a turn for the worse—he coughed up blood in anger.

Dou Zhao stifled laughter in the tea room and, when no guests were around, had the old women gossip loudly outside Song Yichun’s window: "…Have you heard? The Dou family added over a hundred thousand taels to Madam’s dowry, and she handed it all over to the Young Lord to manage. That’s why the chief accountant from the Thirteen Hongs came to settle the books with the Dou family."

Upon hearing this, Song Yichun cursed Song Mo as an unfilial son.

Only then did Dou Zhao send word to the Dou family that Song Yichun had fallen ill.

Some in the Dou family had already heard rumors of Song Yichun’s illness, but since Dou Zhao hadn’t sent any official notice, they weren’t sure if it was true and had refrained from acting. Now that they knew, out of respect for Dou Zhao, not only did Dou Shiying and Dou Shiheng come to visit, but even Dou Shishu joined them.

Song Yichun, however, was furious.

He had been ill for so long—was the Dou family only coming now out of mere obligation? Or were they making it clear that their relationship was nothing more than superficial?

Yet he couldn’t openly show his displeasure to the Dou family.

After all, they had observed proper etiquette and spoken courteously. He couldn’t accuse them of slighting him just because their visit came later than others’.

Song Yichun’s face darkened with rage.Dou Shiying thought Song Yichun was still ill and advised him, "Yantang is so capable, just entrust him with whatever needs to be done. I know my daughter—she’s obedient and sensible. These days, she’s been staying in the tea room, personally brewing medicine for you, Father-in-law... Rest well, and you should recover soon!"

Upon hearing this, Song Yichun felt his hair stand on end.

As soon as the Dou family left, he pounded the bed and called for Tao Qizhong: "Has Madam been the one brewing my medicine all this time?"

"Yes!" Tao Qizhong couldn’t very well say it was Luo Yan doing the brewing while Madam merely sat by watching.

Overcome with dizziness, Song Yichun leaped up: "How could you let her brew my medicine? Do you want me dead faster? Quick, get her out of here! You personally brew my medicine from now on! No—throw out all the herbs and buy new ones!"

Even the wise are not always free from error.

He had been so focused on guarding against Song Mo that he had forgotten about this daughter-in-law, who always remained silent and almost invisible in his presence.