Blossom

When the words reached Dou Zhao's ears, she didn't know what to feel for a moment.

In her past life, Song Mo had killed Song Yichun!

In this life, no matter what, she had to ensure Song Mo's safety.

Dou Dechang couldn't possibly guess Dou Zhao's thoughts, assuming she was just unused to having just gained the authority to manage the household. So he teased her, "After all the effort Bo Yan and I put in, you should at least thank us. Sitting there holding your teacup in a daze—are you unhappy with our meddling?"

Only then did Dou Zhao collect her thoughts and smile faintly.

Dou Qijun, however, asked seriously, "Fourth Aunt, tell me honestly—is the Song family very complicated?"

The Dou and Song families had only recently grown closer. Given Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun's sharpness, she couldn't hide the truth from them for long.

She nodded slightly and said vaguely, "Which family isn't complicated?"

Dou Qijun didn't press further and smiled. "Old Master Lu truly is an upright and principled man. Otherwise, today's matter wouldn't have been resolved so smoothly."

After all, Dou Zhao was a daughter-in-law. Even if Song Yichun treated her harshly, she had to endure it. Complaining in front of outsiders would only earn her a reputation for being unfilial. Originally, she had only intended to invite the Lu family as witnesses, letting them see that it wasn't her being unfilial toward Song Yichun, but rather Song Yichun acting unreasonably—forcing his son to divorce his wife just because her words displeased him. If conflicts between her and Song Yichun arose in the future, people would naturally blame Song Yichun, paving the way for her to take over the household affairs of the Duke of England's Mansion. But she never expected the two elderly madams to be far more perceptive than she imagined—not only reprimanding Song Yichun but also making him hand over the household authority to her immediately.

She ran her fingers over the bamboo tallies, polished smooth as jade by generations of hands, and couldn't help but let her thoughts wander.

Dou Dechang, however, voiced his concern. "We used Second Madam and Fifth Uncle as excuses—what if the truth comes out?"

The claims about Second Madam losing her temper and Dou Shishu still kneeling were just fabrications to intimidate Song Yichun.

Dou Qijun laughed. "Don't worry. Right now, Song Yichun would probably avoid the Dou family at all costs. Why would he confront Fifth Uncle? Even if he did, would Fifth Uncle side with the Duke of England's Mansion?"

Only then did Dou Dechang relax.

Dou Qijun stood to take his leave. "I've been out all day—I should head back. I'll visit Fourth Aunt again after the New Year."

Dou Zhao urged them to stay for dinner. "The wind outside is howling. It'll be miserable without something warm in your stomachs. I've already asked the kitchen to prepare hot pot—have supper before you leave."

Dou Dechang was eager to stay. "I told Mother I was going to Yuqiao Alley. If I go back now, how could I eat again? With all the restaurants closed for the New Year, where else would I find food?"

Dou Qijun hesitated, but then a page entered and announced, "The Young Lord has returned!"

Seizing the opportunity, Dou Zhao said, "You haven't met your fourth uncle yet, have you? Since you're here—"

Dou Zhao had married directly from Jing'an Temple Alley, so the Dou family in Zhen Ding, including her grandmother, had never met Song Mo.

In the time it took to say this, Song Mo lifted the curtain and stepped inside.On the way, Wuyi had already told him about the day's events. Dou Dechang was familiar to him. The other unfamiliar young man must be Dou Qijun.

He smiled and exchanged greetings with Dou Dechang, then turned to Dou Qijun: "Your fourth aunt often praises you as the finest among the Qijun generation. You also took good care of me when we were young. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation—dignified and handsome." His tone was exceedingly polite.

Dou Qijun was a scholar, steeped in the Wei-Jin style. Having traveled extensively in recent years, he had broadened his horizons considerably. Even ten years ago, Dou Qijun wouldn’t have been intimidated by Song Mo. Now, seeing Song Mo treat him with courtesy, he naturally responded in kind, engaging in pleasant conversation.

Before long, Ruo Zhu came to ask where the hot pot should be set up.

"How about the Small Flower Hall?" Dou Zhao sought Song Mo’s opinion. "The underfloor heating is on there, and the wintersweet blossoms are in full bloom."

The three of them headed to the Small Flower Hall.

After several rounds of drinks, Song Mo, Dou Dechang, and Dou Qijun relaxed, their conversation growing more casual and congenial.

Dou Qijun pointed at Dou Dechang, who was enthusiastically pouring him more wine, and said to Song Mo, "Look at this foolish uncle of mine—he should be toasting you, yet here he is targeting me instead."

Song Mo chuckled, secretly pleased that Dou Dechang treated him without reserve, and drank even more freely.

Dou Qijun held up well, but Dou Dechang’s tongue began to loosen, and he started rambling about Kuang Xiu: "How reliable is this so-called family connection of his? I searched high and low for the person you mentioned but couldn’t find him. Could he have been deceived?"

Song Mo, disregarding any notions of propriety, asked Dou Qijun, "Who are you looking for? Do you need my help?"

Dou Qijun was troubled by the matter.

He had enlisted Dou Dechang’s help but come up empty-handed. Yet, he couldn’t trouble his Fifth Great-Uncle over such a trivial issue.

Remembering that Song Mo was the Vice Commander of the Golden Guard and also oversaw the Five Cities Garrison, he exclaimed, "Ah!" and felt a glimmer of hope.

He explained the situation to Song Mo: "...The one who gave orders to the magistrate of Panyu is a man named Fan Shichou. They said he runs a tea shop on Qianmen Street, but I went several times and couldn’t find anyone by that name."

"Leave this matter to me," Song Mo refilled Dou Qijun’s cup. "I’ll have news for you in a couple of days."

"That would be wonderful!" Dou Qijun didn’t stand on ceremony. They clinked cups, and the atmosphere grew even livelier. The drinking continued until the first watch drum sounded. If not for Dou Zhao’s concern that Sixth Aunt might worry at home, they might have lingered even longer.

Song Mo arranged for someone to escort Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun home, while he himself, slightly drunk, clung to Dou Zhao and began rambling.

"Shou Gu, you’re truly remarkable! If you were a man, you’d surely be a great general—winning battles without shedding blood, effortlessly securing the tallies to manage the household.

"Let’s find time to visit the Lu Family and pay respects to the two elderly ladies. If not for them, this matter might still be dragging on.

"During the Spring Festival, let’s host spring guests at home. We’ll invite all your brothers and nephews for a lively celebration.

"I grew up in my uncle’s household. When our children are born, let’s take them often to Jing'an Temple Alley and have your father teach them their first lessons."

He prattled on for most of the night, every word brimming with anticipation for the future.Dou Zhao sat by the bedside, watching Song Mo who had drunk the sobering-up soup and was now sound asleep. A smile unconsciously touched her lips as she gently kissed his cheek before blowing out the lamp and retiring for the night.

The next morning, Song Mo had completely forgotten what he had said the previous evening, only vaguely recalling that he seemed to have promised Dou Qijun something.

Slapping his forehead in dismay, he exclaimed "Oh no!" and rushed out the door without even having breakfast.

Dou Zhao chuckled to herself.

This version of Song Mo seemed more like a spirited youth not yet twenty, full of vitality. Just seeing him lifted one's spirits.

She sat at the dressing table while Ruo Tong arranged her hair.

Gan Lu came to report: "The steward mammies from the mansion are waiting outside the Hall of Cultivating Will, shivering in the cold wind."

These steward mammies must have already received the news.

Dou Zhao instructed Gan Lu: "Tell them that the rules under Madam Jiang remain unchanged under me. They should continue with their usual duties."

When this message was relayed, the steward mammies exchanged puzzled glances.

Some who had served under Jiang Shi had a sudden thought and headed toward the upper courtyard.

A kind-hearted one informed the others: "During Madam Jiang's time, she would give daily instructions at the pavilion in the East Wing Courtyard of the upper residence at precisely 7 a.m."

Suddenly understanding, they all hurried to the upper courtyard, though in their hearts they couldn't help but reflect: Just as a new reign brings new ministers, so too does a new mistress bring changes to the household staff. Who among them would keep their positions? Who would be dismissed? Or even worse, find themselves persecuted under some pretext?

Anxiety filled their hearts for the moment.

Dou Zhao continued her morning routine unhurriedly - dressing, eating breakfast, drinking tea.

Gan Lu grew anxious: "So many steward mammies are waiting in the pavilion. Shouldn't you hurry over?"

"Madam Jiang didn't begin household matters until precisely 7 a.m. If they've come early, should I adjust my schedule to accommodate them?"

Gan Lu smiled sheepishly at this.

Only after finishing her tea did Dou Zhao proceed to the pavilion in the upper courtyard.

Merely repeating the old routines, she could have done it with her eyes closed. Within an hour, the pavilion had emptied.

Returning to her rooms, Dou Zhao settled on the heated brick bed by the window with Su Juan to make small clothes for their unborn child, while her mind turned to matters concerning Song Han's quarters.

After the New Year, one second-rank maid and two third-rank maids in Song Han's service would reach marriageable age, requiring two reliable replacements. Then there were the young maids selected from the farmsteads - she had asked Du Wei to investigate their family backgrounds, expecting reports after the New Year. Information about Madam Jiang would likely come from these young maids.

She planned to arrange marriages for Gan Lu and Su Juan with the mansion's stewards - it would be better if they knew less about certain matters.

Among the newly arrived maids, Ruo Zhu and Ruo Tong showed particular promise and could be entrusted with important tasks.

Then there were the account books of The Duke of England's Mansion to carefully review - wedding and funeral gifts could reveal the closeness of relationships between various households.

...

As Dou Zhao pondered these matters, she noticed an unfamiliar young maid peeking in through the doorway.

Smiling, she asked the girl: "Which room do you serve in? Did you need something from me?"The little maid was quite bold, stepping forward with a cheerful smile and speaking clearly and logically: "My name is Fuliu, and I came from the farmstead in Tianjin. Guardian Duan sent me to see if Madam is busy."

All the little maids who came from the farmstead had the prefix "Fu" added to their names after entering the residence.

"Go tell Guardian Duan that I'm free right now and have him come in."

Fuliu turned and ran off with a smile.

Before long, Duan Gongyi arrived and said with a grin, "Madam, that Lord Chen Jia wishes to see you."

Dou Zhao was somewhat surprised and replied with a smile, "How did you end up associating with Chen Jia?"

Duan Gongyi explained, "When Su Xin got married, he also sent a gift. We couldn’t just let him leave like that, so we invited him to stay for the wedding banquet. After some back and forth, we became familiar."

Dou Zhao naturally had to give Duan Gongyi face.

"Have him come in," she instructed the little maid with a smile. "Take Lord Chen to the Small Flower Hall in the outer courtyard and serve him tea."