Blossom

In the study, Su Xin recounted the incident in meticulous detail to Song Mo once more, then stood quietly to the side, ready to answer any questions he might have.

Song Mo, however, remained silent. He picked up his teacup and took a calm sip, his composed expression revealing a hint of sternness.

Dou Zhao also stayed silent, pondering whether this incident was aimed at Song Mo or herself. If it was directed at Song Mo, what was the reason? If it was meant for her, who had she offended?

For a moment, the room was utterly silent, the atmosphere stifling.

Su Xin hesitated as if wanting to speak but holding back.

Noting that she was Dou Zhao’s right-hand woman, Song Mo softened slightly and said, “There are no outsiders here. Speak your mind freely.”

Su Xin responded softly with a “Yes,” then said, “I find it rather coincidental that Imperial Bodyguard Chen arrived at just that moment.”

Song Mo replied, “You suspect he’s the thief crying ‘stop thief’?”

Having been named the Young Lord of the Duke of Yingguo’s household at the age of five, Song Mo had encountered countless people trying to curry favor with him through every imaginable—and unimaginable—method. He was long accustomed to such tactics.

Dou Zhao listened intently, sitting up straighter.

Su Xin hesitated before saying, “I just find it odd, though I don’t necessarily think Chen Jia orchestrated this. The cost would have been too high for him. Not only did he injure the intruders, but he also captured two…”

Song Mo smirked coldly. “Has Chen Jia left yet?”

Su Xin hesitated for a long moment before murmuring, “No.”

A truly upright man would have left after delivering the captives to the Hall of Cultivating Will’s guards. Yet Chen Jia was still sitting in the gatehouse of the Hall of Cultivating Will.

Xia Lian requested an audience.

Song Mo received him in the study.

Upon seeing Dou Zhao and Su Xin, Xia Lian showed no surprise. After respectfully greeting Dou Zhao, he addressed Song Mo bluntly: “Young Lord, the situation seems suspicious. I questioned Chen Jia thoroughly. He insists it was a chance encounter, and I found no flaws in his account. However, the two intruders had poison hidden in their teeth. The moment Chen Jia handed them over to us, they bit down and died—as if they knew they couldn’t escape once inside the Hall of Cultivating Will.”

This was the unmistakable method of Martial Retainers.

And in the entire Capital, only a handful of families could afford to raise Martial Retainers.

Dou Zhao frowned.

Song Mo curled his lips slightly, a trace of mockery flashing across his brow. “Give Chen Jia fifty taels of silver as thanks for saving Madam’s maidservant. As for the intruders, handle the matter yourself.”

Xia Lian acknowledged the order and left.

Song Mo took Dou Zhao’s hand and said gently, “I’ll get to the bottom of this. Don’t worry. If you need to go out in the next few days, take more guards with you.”

Only four guards had accompanied Su Xin and the others to the farmstead in Daxing.

Dou Zhao nodded and straightened Song Mo’s collar. “You still have to go to the palace later. Hurry and have lunch.”

Song Mo gave a quiet “Mm” and accompanied Dou Zhao to the inner chambers.

Chen Jia, who had received fifty taels of silver, was both shocked and delighted.

Shocked because, despite his careful scheming, he had been dismissed so casually. Delighted because Song Mo had actually allowed Dou Shi’s personal maidservant to use his carriage—proof that his gamble had paid off.

He stood at the entrance of the Duke of England’s Mansion’s alleyway for a long while before turning back to the Hall of Cultivating Will to request an audience with the injured guard Zhou.After lunch, Dou Zhao personally saw Song Mo off to his carriage, then checked on Ruo Dan and Ruo Zhu's injuries before returning to her room for a short rest.

When she opened her eyes again, the sky had already darkened.

"Why didn't anyone wake me?" Dou Zhao asked Su Juan, who was attending to her, her voice hoarse.

Su Juan smiled as she poured Dou Zhao a cup of warm water. "You were sleeping so soundly, we couldn’t bear to disturb you."

Dou Zhao drank the water, feeling much refreshed.

At the doorway, the young maid Ruo Tong peeked in hesitantly.

Su Juan chuckled. "What is it?"

Ruo Tong gave an awkward smile. "Sister Su Xin sent me to see if Madam had woken yet."

"Tell her I'm awake," Dou Zhao said cheerfully, her mood lifted after the good rest. She leaned back against the large bolster, letting Su Juan help her freshen up, and asked whether Song Mo had returned yet and if the Zhao Family’s matchmaker had arrived.

Su Juan giggled. "Madam is even more eager than the Zhao Family! Even if they sent for someone today, the earliest they could come to propose would be tomorrow morning!"

Dou Zhao laughed at herself.

As Su Juan combed her hair, she added, "The Young Lord hasn’t returned yet. I’ve already instructed the gatekeepers to inform us the moment he arrives."

Seeing Madam and the Young Lord growing closer brought joy to all of them, especially those who had come with her as part of the dowry.

Still, Dou Zhao felt a twinge of worry for Song Mo.

Soon, Su Xin arrived with news.

"Madam," she said, looking troubled, "that Lord Chen has been talking with the guards in the west side houses and even invited Master Duan and Master Chen to dine. Master Duan asked for your instructions on how to handle this."

Dou Zhao was surprised, further confirming that Chen Jia’s rescue of Su Xin hadn’t been a simple coincidence—at the very least, he had his own motives.

After a long moment of thought, she said, "Bring Chen Jia to the Small Flower Hall. I want to speak with him."

Su Xin hesitated briefly but obeyed, going to summon Chen Jia.

Meanwhile, Xia Lian, upon hearing that Dou Zhao intended to meet Chen Jia, didn’t hesitate—he quietly stationed two highly skilled guards behind the screen in the Small Flower Hall.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh.

When would this constant vigilance ever end?

The thought flashed through her mind, and her hand unconsciously rested on her abdomen. Her expression turned serious as she motioned for Su Xin to bring Chen Jia in.

Chen Jia didn’t dare raise his head, kneeling respectfully and kowtowing to Dou Zhao.

She accepted his gesture without hesitation and cut straight to the point. "Why did you save my maid?"

Unsure of the temperament of the inner household’s women, he answered cautiously, "This humble official merely happened to pass by and acted out of duty—"

Dou Zhao interrupted with a smile. "I gave you a chance. Since you failed to grasp it, I have nothing more to say." She then lifted her teacup, and Su Xin called out, "Escort the guest out."

Beads of sweat dripped from Chen Jia’s forehead.

Dou Shi was indeed no ordinary woman!

He could no longer hold back. With a loud thud, he knelt in the center of the Small Flower Hall and cried out, "Madam, please save my life!"

Dou Zhao ignored him, rising to leave through the screen behind her.

This was his only chance—if he lost it now, it might never come again."Madam. Madam!" Chen Jia called out urgently, "I have a matter to beg of you and have been seeking an opportunity to speak with you. When I saw the Young Lord's carriage escorted by your guards, I thought you were inside and followed it. I never expected to encounter bandits along the way..."

Dou Zhao was inwardly surprised and halted her steps. "You wanted to see me?"

Chen Jia felt a wave of relief, but it was quickly replaced by a pressing sense that this might be his only chance. Facing the astute and perceptive Dou Zhao, his best option was to speak the truth—perhaps then there might still be hope.

"Thanks to the Young Lord's great kindness, Lord Wang no longer holds any grudges against me, and Commander Shi of the Imperial Bodyguard also regards me highly." He anxiously explained his predicament to Dou Zhao in a roundabout manner, all the while saying, "This humble officer begs Madam to put in a good word for me before the Young Lord," and began kowtowing to her with loud thuds. "This humble officer will never forget Madam's immense kindness. Should Madam ever have need, this officer would gladly lay down his life without hesitation."

Dou Zhao's gaze upon Chen Jia was icy.

First, we must determine whether you have any connection to this incident.

If this is a case of the thief crying "stop thief," then even if you lay down your life, it would be of no use!

"I understand," Dou Zhao said coldly before leaving the Reception Hall.

Only then did Chen Jia dare to raise his head.

He stared blankly at the screen in the hall depicting butterflies frolicking in spring, his heart filled with unease.

Dou Shi was even more formidable than he had imagined—would she help him?

And if he accepted her favor, could he ever repay it?

Was taking this shortcut through Dou Shi the right or wrong choice?

Fortunately, he was a man of strong resolve and quickly composed himself. With firm steps, he followed the pages out of the Reception Hall.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao paused by the Lake Tai Rockery near the Small Flower Hall and asked Xia Lian, "Have the identities of those men been uncovered?"

"Not yet," Xia Lian admitted sheepishly.

Dou Zhao said, "Report to me as soon as you find out."

Xia Lian bowed respectfully in acknowledgment.

Dou Zhao found it strange.

She had dealt with Xia Lian before, but he had never been this deferential. Had Song Mo instructed them to behave this way?

Shaking her head, she returned to her inner chamber and sat on the kang, her thoughts turning back to Chen Jia. So absorbed was she that she didn’t notice Song Mo’s return and was startled when he appeared. She scolded Su Juan, who was on duty, "The Young Lord has returned—why didn’t you announce him?"

Su Juan flushed and lowered her head.

"I told them not to," Song Mo said with a laugh as he emerged, freshly washed and changed. "I wanted to see what you were up to alone at home." He then sat by the bed. "Who knew you’d just be sitting here lost in thought? Are you bored? When I have my next day off, I’ll take you to the Western Hills to see the chrysanthemums."

Dou Zhao, however, had no desire to ride in a carriage. Smiling faintly, she said, "What’s so special about chrysanthemums? Let’s wait until it snows and go admire the plum blossoms instead."

By then, whether she was pregnant or not would be clear.

After all, her father-in-law Song Yichun had no authority over her as a daughter-in-law.

"Very well!" Song Mo, pleased by her interest, grew enthusiastic. "But it’ll be quite cold in Shanxi then, so you should prepare some fur coats in advance." He then called for Chen He. "Open the storeroom and let Madam select some pelts."

Dou Zhao tugged at Song Mo’s sleeve. "It’s too late tonight—we’ll do it tomorrow." Her expression turned serious as she asked about his visit to the palace."You actually guessed it right." Song Mo lightly tapped Dou Zhao's nose. "The Empress wants me to go to Liaodong. But I used the excuse that the matter of the fire at the Duke of Yingguo's mansion hasn't been settled yet and recommended Gu Yu instead. Isn't he under house arrest at home? With the Empress speaking up for him, the Emperor will surely turn a blind eye. This way, he can also go to Liaodong for a change of scenery. Staying too long in the luxurious and bustling circles of the Capital can make even the finest man narrow-minded."

Dou Zhao couldn't help but widen her eyes.

Song Mo's mind worked so quickly!

For a trip to Liaodong, there was no better candidate than Gu Yu.

So this matter was considered settled now?

A heavy weight lifted from Dou Zhao's heart, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

Song Mo, moved by her expression, leaned in and whispered with a low chuckle in her ear: "Are you this happy just because I'm staying home?"