Blossom

With her mind preoccupied, Dou Zhao found herself somewhat distracted in both speech and action.

As the auspicious hour for the birthday celebration approached, Madam Jingguo's grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, accompanied by their maids and old women, appeared in the reception hall. Some kowtowed to their grandmother, others to their aunts. Amidst the lively chatter and laughter, Wei Tingzhen entered the reception hall and invited the ladies to move to the waterside pavilion ahead, saying, "A stage has been set up by the pavilion. The madams can enjoy wine and opera later."

Everyone rose cheerfully and headed to the waterside pavilion.

Madam Changxing, ever quick-witted, supported Ningde Princess and led the way, turning her head to speak to Old Madam Lu: "Your lilac-colored brocade back coat with the gourd pattern is truly exquisite. I’ve never seen it before—must be this year’s new design from the Jiangnan weavers, a tribute to the court?"

Old Madam Lu chuckled. "You sweet-talker! I’m not your mother-in-law, so don’t expect any rewards from me!"

Madam Changxing laughed. "Oh, come now! Seeing you happy is reward enough for me."

Old Madam Lu turned to Ningde Princess with a smile. "See? She’s still flattering me."

Ningde Princess couldn’t help but tease Madam Changxing in return. "Don’t worry—next time I see your mother-in-law, I’ll make sure to sing your praises."

The group burst into laughter.

Dou Zhao, holding Old Madam Lu’s hand like a child, also smiled.

Madam Changxing then addressed Dou Zhao. "As the wife of the Duke of Yingguo’s heir, this is your first social outing. I’m known for my playful nature, so don’t take it to heart. Join us later—you can help attend to the princess and Old Madam Lu, so they won’t think I’m just being polite."

Her tone was warm and welcoming.

The Changxing Marquis household, due to their royal marriage ties, had always considered themselves the foremost among the nobility. In her past life, they wouldn’t have spared her a glance. But now, as the wife of the Duke of Yingguo’s heir and with Ningde Princess’s favor, Madam Changxing regarded her differently—marking her as someone worthy of conversation and shared seating from their very first meeting.

Dou Zhao simply nodded with a modest, reserved smile.

Yet, as the Duke of Yingguo’s heir’s wife, her status alone drew attention despite her low-key demeanor.

"Is the Duke fully recovered?" asked Madam Dongping, stepping forward to speak with her. "Last time we hosted a private performance, you couldn’t attend due to nursing duties. I was so disappointed!"

Dou Zhao glanced at Madam Dongping’s mother-in-law, who followed dutifully behind with her two daughters, and replied, "The Duke has fully recovered. I heard the Capital’s finest opera troupes performed that day—it must have been splendid. I’ll certainly attend next time your household hosts another performance."

Madam Dongping, being a second wife, rarely attended social events, leaving such duties to her daughter-in-law. Dou Zhao surmised this was why she had brought her two daughters to Madam Jingguo’s birthday celebration this time.

With grace and poise, Dou Zhao engaged in conversation with the guests.

Third Madam Zhang, proud of her connection, chimed in with witty remarks, ensuring Dou Zhao’s debut was dazzling and memorable.

Throughout it all, Dou Zhao neither spoke to Wei Tingzhen nor acknowledged Dou Ming.Second Madam Zhang watched with her eyes darting around.

Wei Tingzhen was furious and glared fiercely at Dou Ming.

Dou Ming was still preoccupied with the dowry additions. Head lowered, she silently walked at the back of the group.

Seeing this, Wei Tingzhen grew even angrier. After exchanging a few words with Madam Guo, she approached Dou Ming and hissed through gritted teeth, "Are you mute? With so many people here, you don’t even step forward to greet them! Don’t you always boast at home about being raised by Old Madam Wang? Is this how the Wang Family taught you manners?"

The sarcastic tone made Dou Ming’s face pale. She raised her head, ready to retort with a cold smile, but then noticed the other women gathered around Dou Zhao, making her shine like a precious pearl, radiant and dignified.

A suffocating bitterness clogged her chest.

Dou Zhao had already married into the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion, reputed to be the most prestigious noble household in the Capital. Why did Father still secretly give her dowry additions, as if afraid she wouldn’t live well? She was also a married daughter, yet the Marquis of Jining’s Mansion was far inferior to the Duke of Yingguo’s. Why hadn’t Father ever thought of her?

The fact that she had only learned about Father’s dowry additions for Dou Zhao from others made her chest tighten further, as if stabbed by a blade, the pain unbearable. She only wanted to escape this stifling gathering as quickly as possible and confront Father—why was he treating her this way? She had no patience for Wei Tingzhen’s provocations.

Wei Tingzhen, ignored by her sister-in-law, felt a fire ignite in her chest. She grabbed Dou Ming’s arm and snapped in a low voice, "I’m talking to you! Don’t tell me you lack even this basic upbringing?"

Normally, she wouldn’t be so enraged. But her mother-in-law often made things difficult for her, insinuating that her natal family was inadequate. And now, her own family kept undermining her. At an event like today, the natal families of her two sisters-in-law had arrived early, with even two elders from Third Sister-in-law Madam Feng’s family present. Yet her sister-in-law not only arrived at the last minute but also forced her to owe Madam Feng a favor. Her mood was already foul, making her words and actions harsher than usual.

But Dou Ming was preoccupied and couldn’t be bothered with her.

She shook off Wei Tingzhen’s grip, straightened her back, and quickly caught up with the other women.

Wei Tingzhen’s face darkened like an impending storm.

She hurried after her and seized Dou Ming’s arm again.

Young Madam Wang, who had been chatting with Second Madam Zhang, teased them, "How affectionate you two are! What secrets are you sharing?"

Everyone’s gaze turned toward them.

Second Madam Zhang’s eyes gleamed as she covered her mouth and laughed loudly. "Eldest Sister-in-law, what can’t you say in front of us? Don’t worry—though we’re envious of the dowries of the Dou family’s two daughters, we won’t gossip and invite thieves!"

The crowd laughed, though most were torn between envy and jealousy, their faces all smiles.

Wei Tingzhen didn’t understand why Second Madam Zhang would say such things in this setting and responded vaguely with a forced laugh.

But Second Madam Zhang wasn’t done. "Eldest Sister-in-law, perhaps you haven’t heard? The Dou family added to the dowry of the Duke of Yingguo’s heir’s wife—reportedly over a hundred or two hundred thousand taels of silver! Since age takes precedence, surely the next addition will go to the Marquis of Jining’s wife. When our eldest son marries and our eldest daughter weds, having such wealthy and generous uncles and aunts will surely bring us great face!"Tens or hundreds of thousands of taels of silver?

Wei Tingzhen’s expression changed drastically.

She glanced at Ningde Princess, Old Madam Lu, and Dou Zhao. Although they seemed displeased, none of them reprimanded Second Madam Zhang for speaking nonsense.

Her heart instantly turned cold.

Ningde Princess frowned and shot a glance at Madam Changxing.

Second Madam Zhang was the daughter of the Changxing Marquis Shi’s family.

Madam Changxing gave Ningde Princess an awkward smile and called Second Madam Zhang by her maiden name, saying, “You’re the only one with so much to say. If thieves really come, it’ll be because of your loud mouth.”

Second Madam Zhang dared to oppose Wei Tingzhen in the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion because she relied on her natal family, the Changxing Marquis’s household. Now that Madam Changxing was displeased, she didn’t dare say another word and hurriedly laughed it off. “I’m just envious that my sister-in-law has such a wonderful sister-in-law!” She made a self-deprecating remark until everyone laughed, and the matter was forgotten as they entered the reception hall. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Wei Tingzhen quickly asked Dou Ming, “What exactly is going on?”

Dou Ming only remembered how nitpicky Wei Tingzhen had been with her but failed to consider how much Wei Tingzhen had supported Wei Tingyu and Tian Shi. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but retort coldly, “Elder Sister has always been sharp-eyed and keen-eared. Nothing in our Marquis of Jining’s Mansion escapes your notice, let alone the Jingguo Duke’s Mansion!” With that, she strode off into the reception hall.

After seeing off the guests, as daughters-in-law, Wei Tingzhen and the others had to hurry to pay their respects to Madam Jingguo for her birthday.

Wei Tingzhen didn’t dare delay. She whispered a few instructions to her personal maidservant and then went to the reception hall with Second Madam and Third Madam, smiling.

By the time she finished paying her respects and escorted Madam Jingguo to the waterside pavilion, Dou Zhao was nowhere to be seen.

She was momentarily stunned.

Ningde Princess explained, “It seems something came up on Yantang’s side. He sent someone to fetch her, saying they’d come another day to apologize to you.”

Song Mo had left a good impression on Madam Jingguo. Though he came from a noble family and wasn’t fond of socializing, he was highly capable, courteous, and sensible. If he said something was urgent, it must indeed be important. Recalling the events that had occurred in the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion over the past few years, she didn’t dwell on it and smiled. “I just wanted to use my birthday as an excuse to gather everyone for some fun. If it delayed important matters, that would be my fault. If they have business to attend to, they should go ahead. That would truly make me happy.”

Everyone laughed.

Dou Zhao was already riding in a carriage with Song Mo back to the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion.

“You should’ve called me half an hour later,” she said, leaning against Song Mo’s shoulder with a smile. “Since we were there to celebrate her birthday, I should’ve at least offered her a toast.”

“I called you away before Madam Jingguo went to the waterside pavilion precisely because I was afraid you’d feel unwell after drinking,” Song Mo said unhappily. “Who was it that only knew to torment me when they were uncomfortable?”

Dou Zhao blushed slightly.

She didn’t know why she had become like this—whenever she felt unwell and saw Song Mo sitting there calmly reading or writing, she would pester him. One moment she’d ask him to pour her tea, the next she’d demand something to eat. Watching him fuss over her made all her discomfort vanish.

“Has the banquet in the front courtyard not started yet?” she quickly changed the subject, smiling. “You don’t smell of alcohol at all.”

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t stand the smell of alcohol?” Song Mo retorted. “And now you’re asking why I don’t smell of it!”

Dou Zhao chuckled sheepishly. “When we get back, I’ll make you some Gourd Cake!”Song Mo said irritably, "Can you even smell the cooking fumes?"

Dou Zhao was speechless.

Song Mo snorted and didn't speak to Dou Zhao for the rest of the journey.

As they neared home, Dou Zhao grew anxious and chided, "Then what do you want me to do? Who's ever seen someone so petty!"

Song Mo scowled and stepped down from the carriage.

Dou Zhao had no choice but to follow him into the Hall of Cultivating Will.