Blossom

When the news reached Song Yichun’s ears, his mouth twisted in fury. He kicked Zeng Wu in the stomach and snarled, “Go! Round up all those wagging tongues, give them fifty paddle beatings each, then sell them off to a slave trader!”

Zeng Wu clutched his stomach in pain, hesitating to speak.

The matter had already spread throughout the estate. Did he really intend to sell off every servant and maid?

As the thought crossed his mind, a bold idea surfaced.

The Duke merely wanted to make an example of a few to intimidate the rest. Why not seize this chance to hand over those who had always looked down on him?

Let’s see who would dare despise him then!

Having made up his mind, Zeng Wu quickly stood up, bowed respectfully, and was about to leave when Tao Qizhong, standing nearby, stopped him.

“Wait!” Tao saluted the Duke. “I believe this matter requires careful consideration. We should first clarify the source of these rumors before taking action.”

Zeng Wu sighed inwardly upon hearing this.

The Duke always heeded Mr. Tao’s advice. With this intervention, his plan to settle personal scores under official pretext was ruined.

The thought vanished as quickly as it came when Zeng Wu watched in astonishment as Song Yichun, his face livid, sprang to his feet. “Careful consideration? Consider what? Didn’t you hear? The Hall of Cultivating Will has bought large quantities of incense and white paper! What are they planning? To curse me to death? Such unfilial, treasonous acts—why should I spare any courtesy? If I don’t beat those daring to spread slander in the Duke’s residence to death this year, who knows what worse rumors will emerge! I’ve tolerated him long enough—this time, I refuse to endure it any longer!”

Tao Qizhong shook his head helplessly at the enraged Song Yichun but still called out loudly, “Duke! This is not the time for anger or punishment—it’s the time to think about how to clear your name!”

“Clear my name?” Song Yichun froze.

“Exactly!” Tao Qizhong said solemnly. “Think about it—if these rumors reach the Emperor’s ears, what would His Majesty think?”

Song Yichun’s mind struggled to keep up. Blankly, he asked, “What does this have to do with the Emperor?”

Tao Qizhong lowered his voice. “You’ve been ill for so long now. Yet the duties at the Five Armies Commandery cannot remain unattended indefinitely. If this talk reaches the Emperor, and if certain individuals fan the flames… the position of Commander-in-chief…”

Wouldn’t it be handed to someone else?

Without the title of Commander-in-chief of the Five Armies Commandery, how could he suppress Song Mo?

A chill ran down Song Yichun’s spine, and he gradually calmed down. But once calm, fury surged again, leaving him spitting blood. He growled, “So we just let this go?”

Tao Qizhong had no choice but to console him. “Duke, you must prioritize the greater picture. There will always be chances to deal with a few gossiping servants—why do it now, when others might assume we’re acting out of spite to conceal your illness? If this provokes the Emperor to send palace eunuchs to inquire or even demand the Imperial Physician submit your prescriptions for review, we’ll be in real trouble!”

Song Yichun’s hands clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms."No. I can't just let that little bastard off," he muttered with bloodshot eyes, pacing the room like a caged beast consumed by violent frustration. "All those damned servants in the mansion have eyes that only see power and advantage. If I let that little bastard go unpunished, how will I ever keep those dogs in line again..."

He was laying all the blame squarely on Song Mo's shoulders.

Tao Qizhong gave a bitter smile and said, "Duke, I don't think this was necessarily the Young Lord's doing. If it were him, he would have long bribed those palace eunuchs to whisper poison about you in the Emperor's ear. Why would he resort to such childish methods?"

His words gave Song Yichun pause, forcing him to acknowledge the logic in Tao Qizhong's reasoning. Yet admitting and believing that Song Mo wasn't behind this was something he couldn't bring himself to do. His expression flickered between dark and uncertain, unreadable.

Seeing this clearly, Tao Qizhong quickly adopted a conciliatory tone. "How about you end your sick leave and return to the Five Armies Commandery in the next couple of days? I'll investigate where these rumors are coming from."

Song Yichun remained silent, continuing to pace in circles, but he no longer mentioned having Zeng Wu arrest anyone.

Tao Qizhong breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Song Mo found the situation strange and asked Yan Chaoqing, "Who started these rumors? They've forced Father to 'recover' from his illness—he must be furious!"

Yan Chaoqing smiled. "I found it odd too, but my investigations haven't turned up anything. If the Young Lord wishes to know, I can have Du Wei look into it further. Perhaps he'll uncover something?"

"Forget it," Song Mo said. "Once Father recovers, the matter will resolve itself. Right now, he sees me as a thorn in his side. Anything that displeases him, he'll assume is my doing. I don't want to invite that suspicion. Let it be."

Yan Chaoqing chuckled and shifted to a related topic. "Regarding the incident where the Duke was 'abducted' and Su Xin and the others were involved, don't you think we should inform Madam? It would help her stay vigilant in the future. Her Mr. Chen and Guardian Duan are no ordinary people—once they know the truth, they'll find ways to ensure her safety. That's better than us struggling blindly."

Song Mo smiled. "Of course we should tell Madam." Then it occurred to him that he hadn't seen Dou Zhao all day and wondered what she had been up to. Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming urge to return to her.

He stood up. "I have to go to the palace tomorrow. You should rest early, sir."

Yan Chaoqing escorted Song Mo out of the study.

Song Mo's figure soon vanished beyond the Hanging Flower Gate.

Wuyi, who had been serving tea in the study earlier, appeared beside Yan Chaoqing and hesitated. "This was Madam's doing. Is it appropriate not to tell the Young Lord?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Yan Chaoqing replied with a smile. "Madam didn't harm a single hair on the Duke's head—she just vented a few complaints in private, and those thoughtless maids and old women spread them. There's no need to make a fuss or trouble the Young Lord with it. The Duke and the Young Lord are father and son, but Madam and the Young Lord are husband and wife. Madam is wholeheartedly on the Young Lord's side. As servants, we should be happy about that."

Wuyi nodded, grinning. "I also think Madam's actions were quite satisfying. Now the Duke won't dare to feign illness so casually, will he?"

Yan Chaoqing laughed.Upon hearing that Song Yichun had recovered and resumed his duties at the Five Armies Commandery, Dou Zhao couldn't help but smile.

Su Xin sighed with emotion, "Who would believe it if word got out? The dignified Duke of Yingguo actually fell ill from anger over his daughter-in-law's overly generous dowry. And not only that—unable to uncover the details of her dowry through covert means, he resorted to sending guards to kidnap her personal maid, hoping to extract information about the origins of her assets..."

Dou Zhao also felt somewhat helpless and teased Su Xin, "This just proves how well you manage things. Even the Duke of Yingguo couldn't get any information from the people in my household and had to resort to such a desperate, foolish move."

Su Xin shook her head, laughing.

Dou Zhao added, "To think we've driven a duke to such extremes—it's truly one of a kind!" Then, clasping her hands together, she devoutly chanted "Amitabha" toward the west before saying seriously, "Now that this is settled, our Su Xin can finally set a wedding date!"

Su Xin blushed deeply and shyly exclaimed, "Madam!"

Dou Zhao stifled a laugh and said, "Later, go ask Chen He where Chen Jia's previously mortgaged house is located and whether it can be repurchased. I'd like to gift it to Chen Jia."

Su Xin was taken aback.

Dou Zhao explained, "He's helped me so much—I can't let his efforts go unrewarded. Buying back the house he once mortgaged and returning it to him would be a way to repay his kindness."

Su Xin nodded and instructed Chen He to handle the matter.

Chen He naturally didn't dare hide this from Song Mo and reported it to him. Song Mo smiled and said, "Since it's Madam's reward to him, just carry it out diligently."

Within a few days, Chen Jia received this gift.

Gazing at the small courtyard with its gray tiles and white walls, Chen Jia was deeply moved.

The house was near Yuqiao Alley—a rare find on the market. He had originally sold it to the adopted son of Grand Eunuch Cui Yijun, a close aide to the Crown Prince, for only half its market value, never expecting to reclaim it from Cui Yijun's adopted son. Yet Madam Dou not only tracked down his former residence but also repurchased it so swiftly...

With a determined expression, Chen Jia called out to Huzi, who was joyfully darting around the house, "Come, let's go to the antique shops on West Street and see if we can find something to gift Madam Dou!"

Huzi eagerly responded and locked the gate.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao was bustling about with her aunt and others, consulting the almanac to select an auspicious wedding date for Su Xin.

Song Mo, however, teased, "When do you plan to arrange Su Lan's wedding? Whether rich or poor, marrying a wife is best done before the New Year."

Dou Zhao blinked and said, "No one has come to propose—how would I know what to do?"

"You little minx!" Song Mo leaned down and playfully nipped her shoulder.

Dou Zhao flushed and exclaimed, "Ouch! Stop fooling around—Aunt is here!"

Only then did Song Mo reluctantly pull away.

Winter clothing was thick, so it didn't hurt at all.

Dou Zhao giggled.

Song Mo asked, "Have you spoken to Su Xin about Su Lan's marriage?"

"Yes!" Dou Zhao replied cheerfully. "Not only does Su Xin think it's a good match, but Mr. Chen also approves. The only concern is whether their temperaments might clash.""Granny Chen thinks it's a good match," Song Mo sat down beside Dou Zhao. "She said Chen He has a quiet temperament and hardly speaks whether at home or outside, while Su Lan is lively and energetic—just the right person to bring him out of his shell. When I asked Chen He, he blushed and said he'd leave everything to Granny Chen's discretion. I think this marriage proposal is quite suitable. Since Su Xin is already married, let's arrange Su Lan's wedding next!"

Dou Zhao nodded.

The Chen family sent an official matchmaker to propose the next day.

The Hall of Cultivating Will was doubly blessed with joy, and everyone wore smiles as if celebrating the New Year.

Song Mo said, "Let's visit the Eastern Palace these couple of days. Before our wedding, the Crown Prince instructed me to bring you to pay respects to the Crown Princess. By custom, after your Visiting the bride's parents a month after the wedding, we're considered fully wed and free to move about. Who would have thought Father would fall ill then, requiring us to avoid festivities, which delayed our Eastern Palace visit. Now that Father has recovered, we ought to pay our respects to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess."