Blossom

After seeing off the people from the Tan Family Manor, Dou Zhao let out a sigh of relief.

Song Mo didn’t return until late afternoon.

She told him about the Tan Family’s intentions and jokingly asked, “What did you do this time? The Tan Family actually came all the way from Zhen Ding to the Capital just to declare their stance to you.”

Song Mo sighed helplessly. “The Tan Family is overthinking it. Even without mentioning how they once helped us in our time of need, given their transcendent status in the martial world, I wouldn’t provoke them without reason.”

Dou Zhao glanced around and, seeing that the maids and servants had all withdrawn, whispered, “What are Fifth Uncle’s plans for the child?”

That was his only son—could he really leave him to be raised in the Tan Family Manor indefinitely?

A trace of sorrow flickered in Song Mo’s eyes as he replied softly, “It’s Fifth Uncle’s decision. He said that even if the Jiang Family enjoys a temporary calm, turbulent times will inevitably come again. No one knows what the future holds. Since the child managed to escape danger, it’s his fate. He shouldn’t be dragged into this—it’s better to preserve a bloodline for the Jiang Family.”

Dou Zhao fell silent.

From Jiang Bosun’s words, it seemed he had plans for the Jiang Family’s future. She could only hope he wasn’t just an armchair strategist and could truly lead the family out of its low point.

Women with children were especially prone to sympathy for other children. Thinking Dou Zhao was worried about the child’s hardships, Song Mo gently reassured her, “Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise. The Jiang Family’s situation is still precarious—it’s safer for the child to stay there.” He added, “Didn’t you say you shouldn’t experience extreme emotions right now? Let’s not dwell on this. After dinner, I’ll play chess with you.”

Hearing this, Dou Zhao’s mood lifted, and she smiled. “Has Gu Yu left?”

“Yes,” Song Mo replied, guiding her into the inner chamber with an arm around her shoulders. “I saw him off at Anding Gate. He’ll return before Minor New Year.” He then shared some details of the farewell to distract her.

Du Wei sent a page to report to Song Mo: “...Those five pomegranate ornaments originally belonged to Chen Jia’s late adoptive father, Chen Zuxun, as family heirlooms. After Chen Zuxun’s death, the Chen Family lost their hereditary post, and his son died of illness from shock. Only Chen Zuxun’s elderly wife remained, living with her daughter-in-law and a young grandson. Former Imperial Bodyguards also came to extort them, and their circumstances grew increasingly dire. After Chen Jia was promoted to Vice Commissioner of the Pacification Office, he began supporting the Chen Family. Later, when he needed gifts but lacked funds, Chen Zuxun’s widow gave him the pomegranate ornaments.”

Any Imperial Bodyguard with authority was wealthy.

Chen Jia had fallen out of favor in recent years and nearly lost his position. After spending heavily to maintain his standing, he had exhausted the fortune he’d accumulated under Chen Zuxun. Though Song Mo later put in a good word for him with Wang Yuan, building connections with colleagues still required his own funds. It was no surprise he was now penniless.

Dou Zhao mused, “I wonder if the Chen Family gave those ornaments willingly or under pressure.”

“It was likely voluntary,” the page said with a smile. “The Chen Family now treats Chen Jia as a son, relying on him to support their household and future.”

Yet Song Mo remained silent for a moment before asking, “How much debt does Chen Jia have?”

The page gasped in surprise. “Young Lord, how did you know Chen Jia owes a great deal of money?”Since learning that Dou Zhao might be pregnant, Song Mo had been in exceptionally high spirits. Unfazed by the remark, he said, "It's hard to say—though the Chen family has declined, Chen Zuxun is still a thousand-household officer in the Pacification Office. Even if former colleagues take advantage of his misfortune, given that this is the imperial capital in peaceful times, they wouldn't dare go too far. The Chens must still have some resources left. Since they're pinning their hopes on Chen Jia to uphold the family's reputation—prosperity and decline being intertwined—if Chen Jia rises to prominence, the Chen family will preserve their estate. If Chen Jia falls into ruin, the Chens will inevitably decline with him. Naturally, they'll support Chen Jia wholeheartedly, though now they can only assist him financially. These past years, Chen Jia has been living off his dwindling resources, even renting his residence. His financial state is obvious at a glance. How could the Chen family not support him with money? Yet he can't even afford gifts, which shows the deficit is too large for the Chens to fill." At this, the corners of his lips curled slightly as he smiled faintly. "In that case, I'll repay his debts for him! Consider it payment for these five pomegranate ornaments."

The page's mouth fell open.

Dou Zhao couldn't help chiding, "Do you really like these pomegranate ornaments that much?"

Song Mo gazed at her with a soft smile. "They arrived at just the right time—how could I not like them?"

Dou Zhao's face flushed crimson.

Song Mo called for Chen He. "Go to the accountant and withdraw funds to settle all of Chen Jia's debts."

Chen He acknowledged the order.

The page couldn't resist muttering under his breath, "Chen Jia owes over twenty thousand taels..."

Dou Zhao was startled. "How could he owe so much?"

Song Mo didn't even bat an eye, calmly instructing Chen He, "Withdraw the silver notes from the accountant."

The page shivered and hastily bowed to Song Mo before retreating with Chen He.

Only then did Song Mo step forward, pulling Dou Zhao down onto the large bolster with him. In a low voice, he said, "This Chen Jia is quite the schemer. A debt of twenty or thirty thousand taels was to be expected." Then, teasing her playfully, he added, "I estimated he'd owe fifty or sixty thousand. Who knew it was only twenty? It seems his foundation is too weak—even loan sharks wouldn't lend him more. I wonder if his credit will improve after I repay his debts, making it easier for him to borrow in the future?"

Dou Zhao couldn't hold back her laughter. "Is this helping him or ruining him?"

"Who cares?" Song Mo said indifferently. "Even parents can't guide their children hand and foot forever. If he faces trouble later and doesn't figure out how to handle it himself, what's that to me?"

That was true enough.

Dou Zhao smiled, pressing her lips together.

Song Mo continued, "Early tomorrow, I'll visit Great Xiangguo Temple and ask the abbot to consecrate these pomegranate ornaments. Then we'll place them by our bed—they say it brings many children and blessings." As he spoke, his hand slipped into her robe, resting cautiously on her abdomen. "When will we know for sure? I'd like to invite Aunt over to care for you." His eagerness made Dou Zhao laugh again.

※※※※※

Chen Jia stared at the twenty thousand taels in silver notes delivered by Chen He, his expression dark as an impending storm.Huzi, unaware of anything amiss, hugged a chest full of silver notes and counted them once more.

"Brother Chen, it's twenty thousand taels in silver notes, not a single tael short," he said, unable to contain his excitement, beaming at Chen Jia. "We can pay off all our debts now, buy back the house we used to live in, and never have to fear those loan sharks again..." His voice trailed off as he noticed Chen Jia's dark expression. Bewildered, he asked, "What's wrong, Brother Chen? Is there something wrong with the silver notes? They were delivered by Elder Chen from the Young Lord of the Duke of England's side. I checked carefully—none of them are counterfeit. And Elder Chen said that if we ever need anything, Brother Chen can just go to him directly. After struggling for so long, we're finally seeing better days. Why aren't you happy?"

Chen Jia was already agitated. Hearing Huzi's naive and simple-minded words, he immediately lost his temper. "Are you an idiot? Someone sends us twenty thousand taels in silver notes—that means they're treating this as a transaction, payment upon delivery. Telling me to go to Chen He if I need anything? That’s just a polite way of saying we should stay away from the Duke of England's Mansion in the future... What 'better days'? What’s a mere Vice Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Garrison Command worth? It’s nothing more than a word from someone else! Who knows when someone might decide to take my spot?"

Huzi was dumbfounded. "Then... what should we do? Return the twenty thousand taels?"

Twenty thousand taels—not two thousand! Even if they skimmed and squeezed, it would take them three to five years to earn that much!

He couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, "Assuming we even can return it..."

Chen Jia paced around the room in frustration before suddenly shouting, "Enough!" His face was twisted with anger.

Huzi instinctively hunched his shoulders.

Chen Jia felt suffocated and pushed open the window.

Cold air rushed in.

He shivered, but his mind cleared a little.

Ever since he met the Madam of the Duke of England's heir, he had been promoted to Vice Commissioner of the Pacification Office. Not only his colleagues but even his superiors' superiors—Shi Chuan—had summoned him and teased him with insinuations: "You rascal, keeping such good relations with the Young Lord of the Duke of England's Mansion a secret from me. If not for the Young Lord personally speaking up for you, I wouldn’t have known!"

At the time, he realized just how influential the Madam's words were.

After leaving the Imperial Bodyguard office, it occurred to him that the most important thing for the Madam, now married into the Duke of England's household, would be bearing children to continue the family line. He scoured every street and alley until he found those five decorative pieces symbolizing fertility at the Chen household... And in no time, he received a reward of twenty thousand taels, wiping out all his debts!

When it came down to it, his ability to turn his life around was all because he had chosen the right path and clung to the right patron.

If he could win the Madam's favor—no, winning her favor would require frequent visits, but men and women had to maintain propriety. The Duke might not approve, and the Madam might not even receive him... He needed to find a way to serve her... and do it so well that she felt no one else could handle it as smoothly or as quickly as he could...

He started pacing again.

What did the Madam of the Duke of England's heir lack the most?

This connection—he absolutely could not let it break!

※※※※※

What did Dou Zhao lack the most?She felt that what she lacked most now was a maid who could satisfy her.

Su Xin blushed and said, "Perhaps we can delay my matter for a couple of years. After all, Steward Zhao will be busy accompanying Manager Zhong to inspect the properties under your name, so he won't have time for now..."

"Him inspecting my properties—how does that conflict with your marriage? Do you think merchants never get married?" Dou Zhao laughed. "Don't overthink it. With Mr. Chen and Master Duan helping with the arrangements, all you two need to do is relax—one as the groom and the other as the bride."

Su Xin flushed even deeper, murmuring something under her breath that Dou Zhao couldn't quite catch. Yet seeing Su Xin display such maidenly shyness filled her with warmth—Su Xin must truly be looking forward to marrying Zhao Liangbi!