Blossom

"Then you keep it!" Dou Zhao said with a smile. "As for what gifts Young Master Gu sent me, we’ll be busy with Su Xin’s wedding these next two days. After that, it’ll be the Minor New Year. We can talk about it after the Minor New Year passes."

Ruo Zhu smiled and acknowledged the order before withdrawing.

Zhao Zhangru remarked, "What’s your brother-in-law up to? If he wants to know what Young Master Gu sent you, why doesn’t he ask you himself?"

"Boys that age are always full of twists and turns in their minds!" Dou Zhao replied indifferently with a laugh. "He’ll grow out of it in a few years."

Aunt, however, admonished Zhao Zhangru, "Observe more, speak less."

Zhao Zhangru muttered discontentedly under her breath.

Dou Zhao found this amusing and served her a piece of steamed pork belly. "It’s delicious—try it."

Zhao Zhangru smiled at Dou Zhao, and the meal continued in silence.

Later, Aunt discussed plans with Dou Zhao: "After the New Year, your uncle will arrive in the Capital. He’s stubborn, not as adaptable as us women. I’ve been thinking of renting a place near the Ministry of Personnel after the New Year. Once your cousin is married, we’ll follow your uncle to his post."

Given the long-standing estrangement between her uncle and Father, it was impossible for him to stay at Jing'an Temple Alley. With elders present, staying at the Duke of England's Mansion was also out of the question. Song Mo had already considered these details.

Dou Zhao smiled. "The heir has a three-courtyard residence in Yuqiao Alley. It was previously rented out, but in anticipation of Uncle’s arrival, the lease wasn’t renewed after the winter solstice. We’re looking forward to celebrating my cousin’s wedding with you there!"

Zhao Zhangru blushed.

Aunt, overjoyed, praised Song Mo repeatedly and earnestly advised Dou Zhao, "The heir is truly thoughtful, and his care for you is rare. You must cherish this blessing."

Having lived two lives before meeting Song Mo, she naturally treasured him.

Dou Zhao nodded with a smile.

Aunt then brought up New Year arrangements: "Now that your pregnancy is stable, it’s not proper for me to stay here indefinitely. After Su Xin’s wedding, I think Zhangru and I should return to Jing'an Temple Alley first and move to Yuqiao Alley after the Spring Festival."

Dou Zhao planned to seize control of the Duke of England's Mansion’s household affairs during the New Year. Aunt and Zhangru spending the holiday at Jing'an Temple Alley suited her—there was no mistress there, and the Dou family’s ancestral rites were held at Huai Tree Alley. With fewer social obligations, they’d be more at ease. Moreover, she didn’t want them entangled in the Duke’s affairs, lest Song Yichun, cornered, turn his resentment toward them.

After a brief consideration, she agreed cheerfully, "It’s good for you to celebrate the New Year at Jing'an Temple Alley. It’s livelier there with more people. You could also help oversee Father’s inner household."

Aunt gave her many instructions on New Year preparations before retiring with Zhao Zhangru.

Dou Zhao then had Gan Lu open the storeroom, selecting several bolts of Jiangnan tribute brocade for Aunt’s new clothes and gold accessories for Zhao Zhangru. She even prepared gifts for the servants before finally retiring.

The next morning, after breakfast, the Zhao family’s bridal urging party arrived.Although the wedding procession was to depart from the Hall of Cultivating Will, each household had its own deities and ancestral tablets. Since Su Xin wasn’t a member of the Song family, the bridal chamber was set up in the western side houses of the Hall of Cultivating Will—where Mr. Chen resided.

After freshening up, Dou Zhao, accompanied by her aunt and Zhao Zhangru, headed to the western side houses.

Duan Gongyi and the others who had come from Zhen Ding treated the occasion as if they were marrying off their own sister. They not only demanded Zhao Liangbi serve tea but also insisted he address them as "eldest brother-in-law."

Zhao Liangbi complied with every request, his attitude impeccable. Though his face was flushed, his eyes shone brightly—whether from excitement or exhilaration, it was hard to tell.

Dou Zhao and Zhao Zhangru couldn’t help but giggle.

Amidst the laughter, Duan Gongyi and the others gathered around, bowing to Dou Zhao before escorting her, her aunt, and Zhao Zhangru to Su Xin’s bridal chamber. They spared Zhao Liangbi further teasing, allowing him to pass the Bridal Urging ritual with ease.

Houses near the alley were scarce and mostly large, multi-courtyard residences. Song Mo had gone to some lengths to find a suitable home in the adjacent Zhengjue Temple Lane in Nanjuxianfang. Since the lane was half an hour’s journey from the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion, the dowry procession from the Hall of Cultivating Will set out after lunch, leaving the western side houses quiet.

By the time Song Mo returned, Dou Zhao was lounging on the heated brick bed by the window, chatting idly.

Still in his official robes and covered in dust, his sudden appearance startled the women present. They exchanged amused glances between Dou Zhao and Song Mo, their smiles warm as they greeted him before discreetly withdrawing.

Su Xin, the bride-to-be, showed little awareness of her role, fetching water with Su Lan to help Song Mo freshen up.

After paying respects to Dou Zhao’s aunt and inquiring after Zhao Zhangru, Song Mo remarked, "The dowry was sent so soon? I thought it would be after dinner."

His tone suggested he had rushed back to honor Su Xin.

Touched, Su Xin and Su Lan knelt in gratitude.

Noticing the room’s tension, Dou Zhao took Song Mo’s hand and led him back to their quarters.

Alone at last, Song Mo gently touched Dou Zhao’s belly. "Was the child well-behaved today? Did they trouble you?"

"It’s still too early," Dou Zhao replied, amused yet touched by his earnestness. "Movement won’t start until five or six months in."

"Oh." Song Mo’s disappointment was evident as he changed into casual attire.

Just then, Wuyi burst in. "Young Lord, Lord Ma and Lord Jiang from the Divine Machine Battalion are here! They say since you’re to be a father, you must treat them at the Drunken Immortal Tower!"

Song Mo chuckled. "That one’s got a nose like a hound! How did he find out so quickly?"

Dou Zhao teased, "Just how many people have you told?"

Scratching his head, Song Mo grinned sheepishly, an uncharacteristically simple expression.

Dou Zhao laughed harder, rising to select an outer robe for him. "Don’t drink too much," she said softly. "Losing control would be undignified."

Song Mo sighed, clasping her hand. "I’d hoped to spend time with you…"

No wonder he’d gone straight to the side houses without even changing.

"I know." Smiling tenderly, Dou Zhao stood on tiptoe to press a slow kiss to his cheek. "Come back early."Song Mo felt as sweet as if he had drunk honey. He held Dou Zhao affectionately for a long time before letting go. That evening, he returned home neither too early nor too late, freshened up properly in the adjacent room, and then came over.

Dou Zhao was still awake and asked him, “I know Lord Ma—he’s the Ma Youming you often mention. But who is Lord Jiang?”

“Also from the Divine Machine Battalion. His name is Jiang Yi, the son of the Commander of Dengzhou Garrison,” he replied, lifting the blanket and lying down. He pressed his face against Dou Zhao’s abdomen as she leaned against the headboard reading and chuckled, “He was just promoted to Company Commander this year but finds the Divine Machine Battalion too far from the Capital and the daily drills too exhausting. He wants me to transfer him to the Five Cities Garrison.”

Dou Zhao laughed. “So he used our child as an excuse to get you out for drinks.”

“Exactly!” Song Mo felt the bed was filled with a delightful floral fragrance. He took a deep breath, rested his hand on Dou Zhao’s belly, and said with a grin, “Son, let’s forgive him this time and help him out. But if he dares to use you as an excuse again, I’ll make sure he regrets it! Still, when you’re a month old, we’ll have to make your Uncle Ma treat us to something lavish—otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair to you!”

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh. Curious, she asked, “The Divine Machine Battalion is the Emperor’s personal guard, while the Five Cities Garrison only deals with petty thieves in the Capital. How can the two even compare? Is Jiang Yi some spoiled noble brat?”

“Not at all,” Song Mo replied with a smile. “Three years ago during the Autumn Hunt, he placed third—hardly the work of a useless glutton. Besides, Ma Youming isn’t the type to vouch for someone like that either. I suspect Jiang Yi might have offended someone in the Divine Machine Battalion and can’t stay there anymore, so he’s using the hardship as an excuse to transfer.”

“If even Ma Youming, the deputy commander of the Divine Machine Battalion, can’t shield him,” Dou Zhao mused, “then who could it be?”

“At the very least, a Commander-in-chief of the Five Armies Commandery with the seal of authority,” Song Mo said lightly. “I’ll spread some rumors tomorrow and find out exactly who Jiang Yi crossed.”

Since Song Mo always had a handle on such matters, Dou Zhao didn’t press further. She chatted with him about household trivialities before blowing out the lamp and settling in for the night.

Meanwhile, Gu Yu, who had just returned from Liaodong, couldn’t sleep at all.

He threw on his robe and sat on the bed in a daze.

His personal pages naturally didn’t dare to sleep either and cautiously asked, “Young Master, what’s troubling you?”

“Nothing!” Gu Yu muttered, feeling even more agitated.

Dou Shi was pregnant… Tianci-ge was going to be a father. His grandmother and stepmother had already sent gifts upon hearing the news, and even the Crown Princess in the palace was said to have presented Dou Shi with several bolts of Hangzhou silk for the unborn child’s clothing.

Logically, since Tianci-ge had always treated him so well, and he would be the child’s honorary uncle, he ought to send something as a gesture. Yet, the mere thought that Dou Shi’s child would always come before him in precedence made him deeply uncomfortable.

During his time in Liaodong, he had collected many fine treasures to gift Tianci-ge and even bought two items for Dou Shi. He had been eager to visit the Duke of England's Mansion, but upon returning home, he discovered his stepmother had neglected his marriage prospects and instead placed two eighteen-year-old second-rank maids in his quarters. Furious, he lodged a stern complaint against her in front of his grandfather. The family matters delayed him for two days, and by then, news of Dou Shi’s pregnancy had reached him, deflating his enthusiasm entirely. In the end, he didn’t even visit the Duke of England's Mansion.At this thought, he felt even more aggrieved.

If he didn’t go to Tianci-ge, why didn’t Tianci-ge come to him?

Tianci-ge should know he was back!

Could it really be that now that he had his own flesh and blood, he no longer cared about him?

The more he thought about it, the more upset he became. Unable to sleep, he simply slipped on his shoes and ran toward the training hall.

It was the twelfth month of the year!

The biting wind cut to the bone!

The pages turned pale with fright, grabbing a fur coat and shouting "Young Master!" as they chased after him.

Gu Yu’s stepmother had long planted spies to keep an eye on him. Seeing him act so recklessly in the middle of the night, how could she let it slide? On one hand, she ordered someone to fetch the physician, while on the other, she commanded her maids to quickly help her dress so she could go check on Gu Yu. The entire household was roused from sleep, and the Yunyang Earl’s residence was thrown into chaos once again. It wasn’t until dawn that the Yunyang Earl, shaking his head helplessly, finally returned to his quarters.