Blossom

Dou Zhao sat smiling on the Grand Preceptor's Chair, appearing utterly unruffled as if Song Yichun's words had nothing to do with her. She calmly replied, "Father-in-law, your words make no sense! You witnessed the situation just now. If Sister Jin hadn't spoken disrespectfully first, how could she have provoked the servants' mockery? I haven't been married into the Song family for long and don't know your customs, but in our Dou family, when a junior speaks out of turn before elders, the governesses would immediately slap them. Afterward, the mother would even thank the governess, saying 'well done.' How is the Song family so different? Does the Song family not even distinguish between seniority and hierarchy?

"This is something I must discuss properly with Father-in-law.

"If this matter spreads, the Duke of England's Mansion being ridiculed would be a minor issue. Sister Jin is already at the age for marriage discussions—what if she gains a reputation for being 'temperamental and violent'? That would be disastrous. Anyway, my child hasn't been born yet, and as the main lineage, who knows what the third branch will be like in ten or twenty years when it's time for my child to marry? Who would even remember this incident? It's just a pity for Second Master, who might struggle to find a wife because of this!"

Her words stabbed at Song Yichun's heart while also threatening Song Fengchun.

Song Yichun was so furious he couldn't speak for a long time.

Song Fengchun, however, glared fiercely at Third Madam.

The Song Maochun family had already experienced Dou Zhao's sharp tongue. Song Maochun remained silent, while Song Qin and Song Duo dared not speak up. Da Taitai and Tan Shi stood far away, as if afraid of being implicated.

Fourth Madam frowned and was about to step forward to say something when Song Tongchun grabbed her and whispered, "Think of Yao'er!"

Song Yao was only six years old. If Song Mo was already suppressing Song Yichun now, in ten years, Song Yichun would likely be a mere figurehead.

Fourth Madam fell silent and stood with Da Taitai, holding her son's hand.

Song Fengchun grew increasingly anxious, frantically signaling Third Madam. But Third Madam, blinded by her love for her daughter, was entirely focused on Song Jin.

Unable to swallow her anger, Third Madam's eyes reddened as she protested indignantly, "Second Uncle, if you don't stand up for us, our Jin'er will have been slapped by these two maids for nothing! Though we're a collateral branch, we're still part of the Song family. This is too much of a humiliation! How are we supposed to maintain face in front of the servants from now on?"

Song Yichun's face darkened like storm clouds as he barked at those around him, "Drag these two maids out at once!"

"Stop!" Dou Zhao shouted. She stood up with Ruo Tong's support and declared, "I'd like to see who dares lay a hand on my dowry maids without my permission!"

The pages hesitated, glancing between the livid Song Yichun and the icy-faced Song Mo, before shuffling toward Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao continued, "When did my maids ever hit Sister Jin? It was clearly Third Aunt's personal governess who tried to strike my maid! If we're discussing right and wrong, the proper course would be to beat Third Aunt's governess to death first, then address Sister Jin's offense against me!"

In short, her maids had done nothing wrong.

Song Jin burst into tears, wailing, "Third Sister-in-law is bullying me! Third Sister-in-law is letting her maids hit me!"Dou Zhao sneered and said to Third Madam, "To raise a daughter without teaching her is the mother's fault. Then I shall discipline her on your behalf." She then instructed Su Lan, "Take the young lady and lock her in the woodshed. She can come out once she’s learned her lesson."

Third Madam glared furiously, clutching the increasingly wailing Song Jin, and shouted at Dou Zhao, "How dare you!"

Dou Zhao remained silent.

Su Lan stepped forward to grab Song Jin.

Third Madam’s maids hurried to block Su Lan.

With a few swift punches and kicks, Su Lan knocked the maids to the ground, where they lay groaning, clutching their waists and stomachs.

Only then did the people in the room realize something was amiss—a young girl with such strength was clearly trained in martial arts.

Third Madam grew frightened and began screaming loudly, still holding Song Jin.

Song Jin, meanwhile, was utterly terrified, tears streaming down her face as she stared blankly at Su Lan.

Song Yichun could no longer stand by. He slammed the table with a loud crash and roared, "This is rebellion! Do you still regard me as the Duke in your eyes?"

The room fell deathly silent.

If they truly regarded you as the Duke, would they dare argue with their elders during the New Year’s Eve family dinner?

Dou Zhao thought to herself, then gave Su Lan a meaningful glance.

Su Lan quietly retreated behind Dou Zhao.

Song Yichun pointed at Dou Zhao and bellowed, "If you dare stir up trouble again, I’ll have Song Mo divorce you!"

Dou Zhao smiled sweetly and said, "Father-in-law, don’t try to intimidate me. I’m not from some poor, powerless family. If you want to divorce me, you’ll need a valid reason—like complaining that the hall lacks underfloor heating. If this case were brought before the Emperor, I doubt you’d have the upper hand." She then called out loudly to Ruo Zhu, "Go to Jing'an Temple Alley right now and deliver this message: just because I said ‘the hall is too cold,’ the Young Lord’s cousin tried to teach me a lesson. After I disciplined her, the Duke is now forcing the Young Lord to divorce me under the pretext of ‘stirring trouble.’ I’m not shameless enough to stay in the Duke of England's Mansion after being told to ‘get out.’ Have them come and inventory my dowry to take me home."

Ruo Tong wiped her tears and replied, "Yes," lifting her skirts as she ran out.

Song Yichun was so furious he nearly fainted.

Whether Dou Zhao’s words were true or not, if the Dou family were actually summoned, the Duke of England's Mansion would become the laughingstock of the Capital during the New Year.

He kicked Zeng Wu and snapped, "Hurry up and bring her back!"

Zeng Wu muttered, "Oh," then snapped out of it and chased after Ruo Tong, thinking to himself: The Young Lord’s wife is too formidable! She fights, scolds, and wields words like swords, completely overpowering the Duke. From now on, it’s best to stay quiet around her.

Due to the difference in gender, he quickly caught up with Ruo Tong and intercepted her in the covered corridors. He persuaded her, "Miss Ruo Tong, why go this far? When the Young Lord’s wife and the Duke quarrel, we servants should mediate, not add fuel to the fire. Go back inside! If this reaches Jing'an Temple Alley, no one will save face." He then called to the pages who had followed him, "Quick, escort Sister Ruo Tong back to the hall."

Ruo Tong had no choice but to "reluctantly" return to the hall.

Song Yichun had been utterly defeated.

He was seething with rage!

But Dou Zhao had no intention of letting the matter rest.She insisted that Song Jin apologize to her and that Third Madam’s personal maids and attendants apologize to Su Lan and Ruo Tong.

Third Madam refused, and Song Jin was even more unwilling.

Dou Zhao wasn’t angered. Instead, she looked at Song Yichun and leisurely instructed Ruo Tong, “You should still send a message to Jing'an Temple Alley.”

If she didn’t have Fifth Madam speak up for her now, when else would she?

Song Yichun was furious.

He thought Dou Zhao dared to act this way only because she had Song Mo’s backing. To catch bandits, first catch their leader; to kill a snake, strike its vital spot. Why should he be angry with her? If he wanted to confront anyone, it should be Song Mo!

His gaze shot toward Song Mo like a knife. “Your wife—should I discipline her for you?”

Song Mo bowed slightly, speaking with utmost respect. “Father, my wife is the Duchess of Yingguo’s heir’s wife, representing the Duke of England's Mansion. Jin’er’s behavior was indeed inappropriate and a mistake. Our family has few descendants, so we place great importance on them and are relatively lenient in discipline. The Dou family is a scholarly lineage, a renowned noble family in Beizhili, having produced seven or eight Presented Scholars over the past century. Their methods of raising children must have their merits. Considering this is Jin’er’s first offense, I think an apology is unnecessary. Instead, let Jin’er learn etiquette from Madam. When she marries in the future, she’ll know how to respect elders, honor her in-laws, and care for younger siblings, avoiding ignorance and earning her in-laws’ disdain.”

Everyone in the room widened their eyes.

Song Jin, who had just stopped crying, burst into tears again. “I don’t want to learn etiquette from Third Sister-in-law! She’ll definitely make things hard for me!”

Truly, a shiny exterior hides a rotten core. A pretty face with no brains.

Even if she thought so, there was no need to shout it out loud!

Dou Zhao inwardly shook her head.

Third Master scratched his head, no longer caring about appearances, and pushed Song Jin forward. “Hurry and apologize to your Third Sister-in-law!”

Third Madam also came to her senses and urged Song Jin alongside her husband. “Quickly apologize to your Third Sister-in-law.”

Tears in her eyes, Song Jin whispered an apology to Dou Zhao, humiliated and resentful.

Dou Zhao remained silent, her gaze falling on the maids still lying on the ground.

Third Madam had no choice but to order her own attendants to apologize to Su Xin and Ruo Tong.

What a mess this was!

Song Yichun grew so agitated that he fainted.

Song Jin no longer had to learn etiquette from Dou Zhao, and the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner was ruined. Everyone sat in the hall of Cassia Fragrance Courtyard, waiting for Song Yichun to wake up.

Dou Zhao, wearing a pearl-fur-lined jacket, found the room too warm and sat on the leaning rail of the veranda, lost in thought.

Today’s advantage had relied entirely on Su Lan’s martial prowess. But once Su Xin and Su Lan married, she would no longer have such capable aides by her side. If similar situations arose in the future, she would have to resort to persuasion, compromise, and calculation as she had in her past life. Though she could still achieve her goals, it wouldn’t be as satisfying as today.

It seemed she still needed to find a couple of maids skilled in martial arts.

But women who trained in martial arts were rare, and finding those who would also be utterly loyal to her would be even harder.

At this thought, Dou Zhao couldn’t help but sigh.After seeing the doctor off, Song Mo noticed Dou Zhao sitting alone on the veranda. He walked over, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and kissed her forehead with a smile. "Don't worry," he said. "Father is in good health. The doctor said he just fainted momentarily and will wake up soon."

Dou Zhao wasn't the least bit concerned about whether Song Yichun would regain consciousness.

"I was thinking," she said, "if we could find two maids like Su Xin and Su Lan?"

After a brief moment of contemplation, Song Mo understood her meaning and chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it!"

Knowing he always kept his word, Dou Zhao promptly set the matter aside and instead sent a message summoning Dou Dechang.

Upon receiving the message, Dou Dechang rushed over immediately. "What's happened?" he asked.

Dou Zhao recounted the events that had occurred during the Minor New Year celebration.

Dou Dechang burst into laughter. "You're not asking me to put on a show with you to scare your father-in-law, are you?"

Dou Zhao gave him a thumbs-up. "I knew I'd come to the right person!"

Dou Dechang said, "How could we do something like this without Boyan?"

"Ah!" Dou Zhao exclaimed happily. "Has Boyan come to the Capital too?"

Last time when Third Uncle and Third Cousin came to the Capital, Dou Qijun hadn't accompanied them, saying he'd gone to visit a friend in Lingnan and hadn't returned yet. For this, Second Madam had severely scolded Third Uncle and Third Cousin. Who would have thought Dou Qijun would come to the Capital during the New Year festivities?