Blossom

Northerners celebrate the Minor New Year on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, while southerners observe it on the 24th.

The day after Su Xin's wedding, the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion held ceremonies to worship the Kitchen God, swept away dust, and pasted up charms, creating a lively atmosphere everywhere.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo, dressed in new clothes, headed to the open hall in the upper courtyard—where the Song family's annual banquet was always held.

The families of Song Maochun and Song Tongchun had already arrived and were chatting and laughing together.

When Song Mo and his wife entered, the cheerful laughter abruptly ceased, resuming only after a few moments. However, instead of continuing their earlier conversations, both families now crowded around Song Mo and Dou Zhao.

Song Maochun smiled and said, "Tianci (Song Mo's courtesy name), you're truly remarkable. In just a year, you've risen to Vice Commander of the Golden Guard and even oversee duties in the Five Cities Garrison. Your second brother is currently idle at home—if any good positions open up, don’t forget about him."

Song Mo replied indifferently, "I’ll keep an eye out."

Song Duo’s face flushed red.

The Eldest Madam, Da Taitai, curtsied to Dou Zhao, repeatedly congratulating her: "Your due date is next summer, right? If you need a wet nurse or midwife, just let me know. I was the one who found the midwife when your mother-in-law gave birth to Tianci."

Dou Zhao thanked her with a smile.

Meanwhile, the Fourth Madam pulled Dou Zhao aside to whisper, "I’ve heard the Dou Family School is quite prestigious, having produced several Presented Scholars and Recommended Men. Our Keyu is about to begin his studies—could you help find him a good private tutor?"

Dou Zhao inwardly scoffed. Back when Song Yichun wanted to expel Song Mo from the ancestral hall, none of them had spoken up for him. Now, they expected her to meddle in such trivial matters?

She smiled gently and replied, "Some people excel at learning but may not be skilled at teaching, while others may not be scholars themselves but are exceptional at imparting knowledge. It’s hard to judge whether a tutor is truly good or not, so I wouldn’t dare recommend one lightly."

The Fourth Madam was taken aback.

Da Taitai had been entrusted by Song Yichun to manage the household affairs in his absence, yet within less than a day, she was forced to surrender the Duke of Ying's Manor Token and slink back home with her daughter-in-law, Tan Shi. Though Da Taitai tried to conceal the incident, the truth had still come to light.

The Fourth Madam had been scheming at home, thinking that the eldest branch had prospered all these years only because they clung to Song Yichun’s coattails, amassing considerable wealth. Now that the Duke of Yingguo and Song Mo were at odds—yet the Duke could do nothing about it—if her own family aligned themselves with Song Mo, their branch would soon enjoy the same prestige.

That was why she had asked Dou Zhao to help find a tutor—though tutors in the Capital were plentiful. Her request was merely flattery, meant to praise Dou Zhao’s scholarly background. Yet she had been deftly deflected, as Dou Zhao skillfully sidestepped the issue.

She bit her lip.

Then she would have to find another way!

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Song Fengchun’s family arrived.

Before Song Fengchun and his wife could greet everyone, Song Jin broke free from her wet nurse’s grasp and dashed over to Song Mo, tugging at his sleeve with exaggerated grievance.

"Third Cousin," she pouted, "you didn’t give me any presents this year!"Since Song Jin was the only girl in the Song family of Song Mo's generation, Song Mo had always treated her with leniency. Although he disliked his fourth uncle's attitude when his father wanted to drive him out of the Song family, he did not take it out on his cousin and continued as usual. Every New Year, he would give Song Jin two pieces of gold and silver jewelry as part of her dowry. However, ever since Song Jin went out of her way to trouble Dou Zhao on their wedding day—even though Song Mo knew she was merely being manipulated—Song Jin never even apologized to Dou Zhao afterward. From then on, Song Mo could no longer bring himself to like her. This New Year, he gave her nothing.

Now, seeing her rush into the hall and immediately demand gifts from him, ignoring all the elders, brothers, and sisters-in-law in the room with an utterly ill-mannered demeanor, his displeasure deepened. He said coldly, "Why don’t you greet the elders first?"

"I forgot!" She stuck out her tongue, feigning innocence.

Song Mo’s expression darkened instantly.

The room seemed to be swept by a cold wind, the air turning frigid.

Third Madam quickly tried to smooth things over. "Jin'er, you mustn’t speak to your third elder brother like that. Hurry and pay your respects to him and your third sister-in-law."

Song Jin pouted and reluctantly bowed to Song Mo and Dou Zhao.

Song Mo gave a slight nod, then supported Dou Zhao, saying, "Father probably won’t arrive for a while. Sit down and rest—don’t keep standing."

Dou Zhao also ignored Song Jin.

Song Jin was already twelve years old, not two or three.

With a gentle smile, Dou Zhao softly agreed and let Song Mo guide her to sit on a nearby Grand Preceptor's Chair.

Seeing this, tears welled up in Song Jin’s eyes.

Third Madam shot a quick glance at Song Mo, but when she saw he didn’t even spare Song Jin a look, she hurriedly embraced her daughter and coaxed her softly, "Don’t cry, don’t cry. Today is Minor New Year. Your third elder brother is busy—it’s not that he’s ignoring you."

Encouraged by her mother’s lack of anger, Song Jin grew bolder and grumbled, "Third Elder Brother only has eyes for Third Sister-in-Law..."

Fourth Madam burst into laughter. "Who else should your third elder brother pay attention to if not your third sister-in-law?"

Song Jin’s face tightened into a scowl, and she glared fiercely at Fourth Madam.

Third Madam’s expression also darkened with anger.

Da Taitai quickly intervened to mediate. "Alright, alright, it’s rare for everyone to gather like this today. Let’s all sit down and chat!"

Third Madam and Fourth Madam snorted at each other before each took their children to find seats.

Tan Shi silently served tea to her mother-in-law, but her gaze couldn’t help drifting toward Dou Zhao.

She had been married into the Song family for over four years without any signs of pregnancy, yet Dou Zhao had conceived in less than two months...

Her luck was so good! It was truly enviable.

I wonder if she has any secret remedies for bearing sons?

As she pondered this, Song Yichun entered with Song Han.

Everyone rose to greet Song Yichun.

Beaming with joy, Song Yichun returned the greetings, warmly chatting with his nephews and nieces like Song Qin, who gathered around him. He affectionately patted Song Jin’s head and even picked up six-year-old Song Yao for a hug. Yet his gaze never lingered for even a moment on Song Mo or Dou Zhao, subtly excluding them from the circle.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but give Song Mo’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

Song Mo smiled at her, his expression calm and indifferent.

Dou Zhao whispered, "Should we leave early later?"

"No need," Song Mo whispered back. "Even if I find his presence uncomfortable, I’m sure he feels the same way about me!"

Dou Zhao couldn’t suppress a quiet laugh.The laughter made Song Han, who was following behind Song Yichun, feel a sharp sting in his eyes.

No matter what Father does, he can never hurt Brother, can he?

He stepped forward with a smile and called out, "Brother!" Then he said, "What are you and sister-in-law talking about? You both seem so happy! Share it with me so I can be happy too!"

His loud voice echoed through the open hall, freezing the smile on Song Yichun's face and instantly draining his interest in teasing his nephews and nieces. Sullenly, he discussed court affairs and Capital gossip with Song Maochun and the others until it was time for the family reunion dinner on Little New Year's Eve. The men and women sat at separate tables, chatting cheerfully as they began their meal.

After dinner, while it was still early, Third Madam suggested playing Mahjong: "Me, Eldest Sister-in-law, Fourth Sister-in-law, and Tianci's wife—just enough for four players."

Since they were about to engage in battle with the Song family, keeping a low profile would only invite their opponents to trample over them.

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "I’ll pass. For one, my current condition makes it hard for me to sit for long, and secondly, the stakes you play for are too small to be interesting. Let Eldest Sister-in-law accompany Aunt and the other sisters-in-law instead."

Third Madam's bright smile stiffened on her face.

Dou Zhao pretended not to notice and directly instructed her personal maid Ruo Tong, "Peel me a pear. This dreadful weather—using a brazier dries out my throat, but not using one makes it too cold. If we have the reunion dinner in the open hall every year, why not install underfloor heating here too?"

Her tone was dripping with disdain.

The atmosphere in the room grew tense.

Song Jin had been nursing resentment over Song Mo not giving her any gifts. She didn’t dare blame Song Mo, so she pinned it on Dou Zhao, believing that since Third Brother married Third Sister-in-law, he had forgotten about her. A virtuous sister-in-law, she thought, should have reminded him. Besides, everyone said Third Sister-in-law had been rejected by another family and only married Third Brother because she couldn’t find anyone else. Given Third Brother’s character, her family must have used some underhanded means. She looked down on this sister-in-law from the bottom of her heart. Now that her mother had been humiliated, she couldn’t hold back any longer and provoked Dou Zhao: "We all know Third Sister-in-law is rolling in money. Why don’t you pay to install underfloor heating in the open hall?"

Dou Zhao scoffed but said nothing.

Song Jin jumped up in anger. "What do you mean by that, Third Sister-in-law?"

Dou Zhao ignored her, leisurely sipping her tea.

But Ruo Tong, standing behind her, spoke up: "How strange, Miss. The elders haven’t said a word, yet you’re ordering your sister-in-law around. Do you think you’re the one running the Duke of England's Mansion?"

"You lowly wench!" Song Jin raised her hand to slap Ruo Tong. "Who gave you the right to speak here?"

Ruo Tong was startled, not expecting Song Jin to resort to violence. She quickly retreated a few steps to avoid the slap but retorted boldly, "I may not have the right to speak in front of my betters, but I can certainly talk to those of my own standing."

Su Lan had already rushed forward in three strides and grabbed Song Jin’s arm.

Seizing the opportunity, Song Jin collapsed to the floor, wailing, "Second Uncle! Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law’s maids are bullying me! Call the slave trader at once and sell them all!"

Third Madam’s heart twisted in fury as she hurried to pull her daughter up. "Don’t cry, my dear. Let Mother deal with these wretched maids for you."Third Madam’s personal maidservant stepped forward to strike Su Lan, but Su Lan kicked her aside, sending her crashing into the standing screen. This drew gasps from Da Taitai and the others, plunging the scene into chaos.

Song Yichun’s temples bulged with veins as he roared, “All of you, stop this at once!” His gaze, sharp as an arrow, shot toward Dou Zhao. “Is this how a daughter-in-law behaves? Disrespecting elders and striking your sister-in-law? Get out of here!”

Song Mo’s expression darkened like still water, and he stepped forward as if to speak, but Dou Zhao shot him a look that said, Stay calm.

Clenching his fists, he remained where he stood.

Dou Zhao exhaled in relief.

Of course, she knew Song Mo would stand up for her when she was in trouble. But matters like these had to be handled by her. If Song Mo intervened, even if she obtained the tallies to manage the household in the Duke of England’s Mansion, others would only see it as her husband securing them for her. She would still have to expend effort to discipline the household.

Better to confront Song Yichun openly today—let them witness her strength firsthand, so they wouldn’t dare slack off in her presence.