Blossom

She certainly couldn't say it was because he had distanced himself further from Liao Wang that she was happy, could she?

Dou Zhao muttered to herself, feeling both amused and exasperated. She simply gave Song Mo a sidelong glance with a half-smile and coquettishly replied, "You only just realized?"

Song Mo was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.

Being with Dou Zhao always brought him joy.

With a sweep of his long arm, he scooped her up horizontally, nibbling at her ear as he whispered, "Let's go have dinner."

Caught off guard, Dou Zhao let out a startled cry and hastily wrapped her arms around Song Mo's neck, only then realizing she was being carried in his embrace.

"Put me down right now!" she protested, her face flushed crimson. "The lamps aren't even lit yet—how can you start fooling around like this?!"

Her feigned composure, unable to mask her bashfulness, only made Song Mo laugh harder. He blew warm breath against her neck, his tone teasing, "If the lamps were lit, would that mean we could fool around then?"

This guy—there was nothing he wouldn't say!

The more embarrassed she acted, the more he seemed to enjoy it.

How could outsiders possibly think of him as calculating and ruthless?

Dou Zhao silently grumbled to herself as Song Mo effortlessly carried her to the Resting Chamber.

Gan Lu and the others were busy setting the table, pretending not to see anything.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but sigh deeply.

The two sat facing each other for dinner.

Song Mo kept glancing up at Dou Zhao, moving any dish she took a second helping of closer to her.

An inexplicable sweetness welled up in Dou Zhao's heart.

After dinner, they sat on the heated brick bed by the window, sipping tea and chatting.

"After you left, I met with Chen Jia," Dou Zhao recounted the situation to Song Mo.

Song Mo chuckled upon hearing it. "He's quite sharp, knowing to go through you!"

Detecting something in his tone, Dou Zhao asked, "So, was Chen Jia's encounter with those robbers truly coincidental?"

Song Mo nodded, a glint of icy sharpness flashing through his eyes.

He glanced toward Cassia Fragrance Courtyard, his voice low. "It was his doing."

Dou Zhao was shocked. "How could it be—" She cut herself off, realizing how pointless the question was.

Who in the world hated Song Mo as much as Song Yichun did?

Even if the attack was aimed at her, it was merely a feint—the real target was Song Mo.

But under the principles of the Three Bonds and Five Constants, even if father and son were at odds, Song Yichun couldn't act so blatantly. The consequences of killing his own son without justification were something he couldn't bear. Otherwise, he might as well have chased Song Mo down with a knife himself—why go through all this trouble?

But why would Song Yichun strike now, in this manner?

Dou Zhao pondered aloud, "What happened? This behavior is too irrational!"

Song Mo's expression was stern as he replied, "We're still investigating why he acted this way. We should have answers in the next couple of days."

Gazing at Song Mo's calm, ice-cold face, Dou Zhao felt nothing but heartache.

She would much rather he tease and joke with her, as he had earlier.

That was how normal people lived!

Dou Zhao fell silent, wrapping her arms around Song Mo's waist and resting her head against his shoulder.

As if this small gesture could offer him some warmth, making him feel a little less alone and cold.Song Mo chuckled and lightly tapped Dou Zhao's nose, whispering, "What's wrong? Did you miss me? I'll make sure to serve you wholeheartedly later, even if it kills me..."

This scoundrel!

Ever since they got married, he hadn't been serious for a single moment.

Dou Zhao punched him hard.

Song Mo blinked at her, looking as if to say, "I didn't say anything wrong—why hit me?"

Dou Zhao couldn't help but burst into laughter.

All the bitterness and sorrow from earlier vanished like smoke, disappearing without a trace.

Dou Zhao paused.

Perhaps this was Song Mo's intention all along?

To keep her from grieving...

She looked at him solemnly.

Song Mo gazed back earnestly, his eyes brimming with undisguised mirth.

Dou Zhao leaned in and kissed his lips tenderly, lingering and sweet.

Song Mo was surprised but responded passionately.

Yet Dou Zhao didn’t let him have his way in the end: "I'm not feeling well today. You’ll have to bear with it..."

Song Mo pressed further, guiding her hand to the heat below: "Then help me with this."

Even across two lifetimes, Dou Zhao had never done such a thing.

She found it far too brazen.

Song Mo held her close, murmuring "Shou Gu," his body burning like boiling water.

Dou Zhao buried her face in his chest, cheeks flushed and eyes shut, feigning ignorance as she let him do as he pleased.

Early the next morning, Song Mo rose refreshed and went to practice martial arts, while Dou Zhao stayed curled under the blankets, unwilling to move.

Gan Lu, her face pink, reminded her: "It’s already mao hour."

Normally by this time, she’d already be sitting in the Cassia Fragrance Courtyard’s tea room doing needlework.

But today, she didn’t even have the energy to deal with Song Yichun.

"Find a clever page to keep watch at the main gate," Dou Zhao lazily instructed Gan Lu. "If anyone comes to visit the Duke, have him report to me immediately. We can go sit in the tea room later—no rush."

Gan Lu gaped before finally stammering, "But the stewardesses in the mansion might gossip."

If word got out, Dou Zhao would be branded unfilial.

Dou Zhao smiled languidly. "Then spread my words yourself. It’ll be a good way to see who loves stirring up trouble."

Gan Lu felt uneasy but didn’t dare disobey. Soon, the words spread.

The Duke of England's Mansion was abuzz, but given the undercurrents between Dou Zhao and First Madam Song, the influential stewardesses and sharp-witted senior maids maintained an eerie silence.

Dou Zhao sighed. "The servants here have better manners. Back in Zhen Ding, gossip would’ve flown like spit."

Gan Lu, serving her tea, pouted. "We’re all terrified, and you’re still joking."

Su Xin was about to marry. Having devoted herself entirely to Dou Zhao these years, she hadn’t prepared anything. Dou Zhao had Liao Bifeng assign a capable steward to accompany the Bie sisters in shopping for dowry items, while Gan Lu and Su Juan took over Su Xin and Su Lan’s duties, attending to Dou Zhao closely.

But these two would soon marry too!

Dou Zhao mused inwardly before instructing Gan Lu to fetch two sets of bedding from her dowry.

Gan Lu assumed they were for Su Xin and brought out a bright red "Phoenix Facing the Sun" set and an emerald "Hundred Birds Adoring the Phoenix" set.

But Dou Zhao said, "These are for the Young Lord."

Gan Lu’s jaw dropped.That evening when Song Mo returned and saw the bedding on the kang, he was even more surprised than Gan Lu. With a cheeky grin, he teased, "You're not angry about this, are you?" Then he whispered in her ear, "Who was it last night who clung to me without letting go for even a moment?"

Dou Zhao thought of the intimate moments from the previous night, her cheeks gradually flushing pink, but her resolve remained firm. "Either you sleep on the kang or in the study," she declared.

Only then did Song Mo’s smile fade. He grew serious. "Shou Gu, tell me honestly, what’s really going on with you?"

Dou Zhao wasn’t sure whether she was more annoyed at Song Mo for his unrestrained behavior or at herself for being unable to resist his allure. Glaring at him, she retorted, "You’re asking me? Who behaves with such lack of restraint like you?"

Song Mo rubbed his nose sheepishly.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t control himself—he simply loved seeing Dou Zhao lose control beneath him.

But recalling her swollen petals, he felt a twinge of guilt and didn’t dare say more, obediently retiring to the kang.

Dou Zhao’s heart softened at the sight. She personally prepared tea for him, moved a lamp closer, and sat by his kang, murmuring, "I just need a couple of days to rest."

Song Mo took her hand. "Then stay here with me on the kang. I promise I won’t lay a finger on you."

What difference would that make from the bed?

Dou Zhao was exasperated. "So you admit you’ve been handsy!"

Ignoring him, she turned and went straight to bed.

In the middle of the night, she woke up thirsty only to find Song Mo had somehow slipped into bed and was curled up beside her, sound asleep.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh softly and gently tucked the blankets around him.

The next day, she instructed Gan Lu to put the extra bedding back in the chest.

Song Mo pretended not to notice and slept in bed as usual, though he behaved much more properly this time.

Dou Zhao turned her attention to Su Xin’s wedding preparations.

Dowry properties, farmsteads, shops, jewelry, household items—nothing could be overlooked. She personally oversaw every detail.

When the second and third young Madams of the Lu Family came to visit, they laughed until they could barely stand, teasing her, "Are you marrying off a maid or your own daughter?"

Dou Zhao truly felt like she was marrying off a daughter.

But there was no point explaining this to these young Madams who had lived smooth, untroubled lives.

She deftly changed the subject. "What brings you two here today?" Then she instructed Gan Lu, "Tell the old women in the kitchen that our guests will be staying for dinner."

Gan Lu hurried off to relay the message.

The second young Madam was the wife of Lu Han, the eldest grandson of Ningde Princess, while the third young Madam was married to Lu Qin, the second grandson. Neither stood on ceremony and thanked her warmly, saying, "We’d love to sample the culinary skills of your kitchen staff today."

Dou Zhao found it odd.

Both young Madams came from illustrious backgrounds. She had only recently married into the Duke of Yingguo's household and had no prior connection with them. Why were they being so affectionate, as if deliberately trying to befriend her?

She maintained her composure and entertained them gracefully.

The third young Madam Lu brought up the upcoming birthday celebration for the Madam of the Duke of Jingguo’s household on the sixth of next month. "Shall we go together?"

In her past life, Dou Zhao had frequented the Duke of Jingguo’s mansion, but none of those visits had left pleasant memories. In this life, she had no interest in going back.

"We’ll see when the time comes," Dou Zhao replied with a smile. "The Duke is still unwell, after all."The second and third young madams were both taken aback: "Has the Duke's illness not yet improved?"

Song Yichun couldn't very well tell outsiders that he'd fallen ill from anger over the Dou family's excessive dowry gifts for their daughter-in-law, could he? Thus, the Duke of Yingguo's mansion had publicly claimed that Song Yichun had caught a chill.

Dou Zhao responded vaguely and steered the conversation toward capital gossip with the two young madams of the Lu family.

Both young madams were sharp-witted; since Dou Zhao was reluctant to elaborate, they didn't press further. The group chatted amiably about domestic affairs, filling the room with laughter and a harmonious atmosphere.

However, in the afternoon, a maid came in to report: "Madam, a Vice Commissioner Chen from the Embroidered Uniform Guard Garrison Command has sent an old woman from his household to see you. He says that while on official business in Tianjin recently, he acquired several baskets of pomegranates and has specially sent some for you to enjoy."