Blossom

The winter sun was gentle, but the wind still carried a biting chill.

As Dou Zhao entered the Small Flower Hall, she saw Chen Jia sitting upright in a Grand Preceptor's Chair, dressed in a striking blue brocade robe embroidered with the "Five Bats Holding the Longevity" motif. Perhaps due to his smooth career advancement, he appeared more composed and restrained compared to their last meeting.

He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Dou Zhao.

For some reason, Dou Zhao suddenly recalled their first encounter in her past life, when he had worn a third-rank crimson python robe to pay respects to Song Mo. The way he carried himself now bore some resemblance to that memory.

"There's no need for such formality, Lord Chen," she greeted him with a smile.

Yet Chen Jia replied deferentially, "Madam's great kindness is something this humble official will never forget. One might even say you are my second parent. Only by dedicating my life can I express my gratitude."

Still calling himself "this humble official" when she wasn't even his superior—such flattery rolled off his tongue with surprising ease.

Dou Zhao smiled faintly, afraid that further pleasantries would invite even more sycophantic words.

After they took their seats as host and guest, and maids served tea, she came straight to the point and asked about his visit.

Chen Jia smiled. "A few days ago, I came for Miss Bie's wedding banquet and heard that several of your senior maids are reaching the age to leave service. I thought to find you another capable attendant like Miss Bie. As an Imperial Bodyguard, I recently learned that some colleagues on official business in the south encountered a pair of sisters—only thirteen or fourteen years old, yet skilled enough to fend off three or five grown men. I immediately thought of you, Madam. If you'd like to see them, I can bring them in to pay their respects. If they don't suit your needs, I'll keep searching. Nothing is impossible—we'll surely find someone to your liking."

Dou Zhao was taken aback.

But more than surprise, she felt a pang of nostalgia.

In her past life, hadn't she also exhausted every means to secure a business venture that could sustain the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, just to strike up a conversation with Madam Guo?

A wave of sympathy washed over her, and she replied gently, "Thank you, Lord Chen. However, since this concerns a personal attendant, I must discuss it with the Young Lord before making any decisions."

"Of course," Chen Jia said eagerly, thrilled that Dou Zhao had entertained his suggestion. "This humble official was inconsiderate. Please forgive me."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Dou Zhao signaled the end of the audience by lifting her teacup.

That evening, Song Mo returned later than usual.

Dou Zhao stepped forward to help him change.

He refused, chuckling. "Just focus on taking care of yourself."

Dou Zhao smiled. "Aunt reminded me before she left not to overindulge just because my appetite has returned. She said I should move around more. Helping with your clothes is hardly strenuous."

Song Mo laughed, realizing he was being overly cautious.

He allowed Dou Zhao and a young maid to assist him, then guided her to sit by the window on the heated brick bed. He asked about her day—what she had done, whether she had eaten well, how her afternoon nap had been.

Dou Zhao told him about Chen Jia's visit and asked, "Do you think we should involve him in this matter?"Song Mo pondered for a moment and said, "The elders of those two young girls were likely arrested by the Imperial Bodyguards. We need to find out what crimes their family members committed—whether the women were confiscated as government property, exiled, or sold into servitude... Since you're pregnant now, let's consider it as accumulating blessings for our child. If it's not a serious crime, I'll lend a hand. Even if they aren't suitable to serve you, sending them back to their elders would still save two lives."

Dou Zhao nodded and instructed a maid to bring in dinner.

Noticing it was much more lavish than usual, Song Mo smiled and teased, "Madam, are we celebrating that from now on, all our daily necessities will depend on your favor?"

Dou Zhao laughed, "You'd better remember that! If you dare make me angry, I'll immediately cut back on the dishes."

Song Mo burst into laughter.

After exchanging a few more jokes, they settled down to eat.

After dinner, they moved to the heated brick bed by the window in the inner chamber to drink tea.

Dou Zhao then asked about yesterday's matter: "Have you remembered what you promised Boyan? Should I ask Twelfth Brother about it?"

"No need," Song Mo replied with a smile. "Fortunately, Chen He was on duty yesterday, or I really would have had to trouble you to ask your cousin." Then, frowning slightly, he added, "Do you know what relationship Kuang Zhuoran has with Boyan?"

Hearing the unease in his tone, Dou Zhao quickly asked, "Did something happen?"

"Nothing major," Song Mo said casually, though she detected a hint of gravity in his voice. "From what Boyan said, the Fan Shichou Kuang Zhuoran is looking for is the owner of a tea shop. But the Fan Shichou I found is actually a eunuch in charge of the vinegar and wine bureau. What's more, he's the adopted son of Wang Ge and the adopted grandson of Wang Yuan."

Any matter involving palace eunuchs was bound to be complicated, especially when it concerned Wang Yuan, who had served as a grand eunuch for over a decade in the previous life and still managed to become the chief steward of the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility after the Emperor's passing. This made Dou Zhao extremely cautious.

"I'll summon Boyan first thing tomorrow to ask," she said.

Song Mo replied, "I've already sent someone to invite him. He should be arriving soon."

Dou Zhao instructed the maids to prepare Boyan's favorite Big Red Robe tea, but when he arrived, he came with Dou Dechang.

The three of them entered the small study. Worried, Dou Zhao hesitated for a moment before following them in.

Song Mo didn't exclude her. As he helped her sit in the Grand Preceptor's Chair beside him, he continued speaking to Dou Qijun: "...So, from what you're saying, experienced sailors are hard to come by, and those people are actually targeting the Kuang Family's fleet. Although eunuchs love money, they can't leave the palace freely. They'd rather extort a large sum than seize someone's business—what use would it be to them if they can't operate it? There must be something fishy going on here. The worst-case scenario is that it involves palace intrigues. Currently, the favored Consort Jing in the palace is from Guangdong. Who outside of Guangdong locals would know about that remote place? If you trust me, let Kuang Zhuoran come to me instead. Stay out of this and focus on preparing for next February's Spring Examination."

Now aware of Fan Shichou's identity, Dou Qijun also sensed the complexity of the situation. After a moment's thought, he said, "Perhaps we should consult Fifth Uncle about this? I wouldn't want you to get dragged into it..."Song Mo said unhappily, "We're family, so there's no need for such formalities. When it comes to dealing with people in the palace, Fifth Uncle truly isn't as adept as I am."

Dou Qijun thought of Song Mo's expression when he had supported Dou Zhao earlier and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Despite considering himself a sharp person, there were still moments when he couldn't see things clearly.

Song Yantang was clearly going all out to intervene in this matter out of consideration for Fourth Aunt's sake, yet he had mistakenly thought the man was simply warm-hearted and enthusiastic...

"In that case, many thanks, Fourth Uncle!" Once he understood, Dou Qijun was more straightforward than anyone. He cupped his hands toward Song Mo and said without hesitation, "There's no time to lose. Why not summon Kuang Zhuoran now? I'd also like to know what other details are involved in this matter."

Song Mo nodded.

Dou Qijun and Dou Dechang went to the inn at Yuan'en Temple Lane.

Song Mo ordered a standing screen to be placed in the small study and said to Dou Zhao with a smile, "You can listen behind the screen while we talk later." Then he sighed, "I should be taking you out and about, but with my current duties, I really can't get away. You must be quite bored at home—consider this as entertainment."

Dou Zhao felt a complex mix of emotions.

When she married Song Mo, she had never imagined that one day she would receive far more than she had given!

She wrapped her arms around Song Mo's waist and rested her head on his shoulder.

Song Mo was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but smile.

He embraced Dou Zhao in return, savoring his wife's tenderness. It was as intoxicating as drinking Pear Blossom White, making him reluctant to sober up.

Unfortunately, such wordless intimacy always felt fleeting. By the time Dou Qijun and Dou Dechang returned with a pale-faced Kuang Zhuoran, Dou Zhao was already seated behind the screen.

After offering a somewhat dazed salute to Song Mo, Kuang Zhuoran grew even paler.

He murmured to Dou Qijun, "So the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion is your family's in-laws! I never imagined your family had such illustrious connections!" Then he added, "How could this happen? Our family is only one of the more notable households in Panyu—how would the nobility in the Capital even know of us?" He seemed still shaken, as if he hadn't fully recovered from the shock.

This was also what everyone wanted to know.

Dou Qijun began questioning Kuang Zhuoran gently about the whole story.

Kuang Zhuoran naturally understood the gravity of the situation. After taking a sip of tea to steady himself, he carefully answered each of Dou Qijun's questions.

The matter turned out to be quite simple. The Kuang Family was one of the largest landowners in Panyu. The newly appointed magistrate of Panyu had reassessed the tax registers, and the Kuang Family became a major taxpayer. Unwilling to accept this, they sought help from the prefect, who had close ties to their family. The prefect intervened, downgrading their tax assessment from first to second class. Not long after, their business began attracting unwanted attention.

Hearing this, Song Mo and Dou Qijun exchanged glances.

This time, it was Song Mo who spoke.

"Did your family not pay a visit to the new magistrate when he took office?"

"We did," Kuang Zhuoran replied somewhat awkwardly but honestly. "But our attitude was somewhat arrogant."

"After the tax registers were revised, did you take the opportunity to mend relations with the magistrate?"

Kuang Zhuoran's face flushed red as he said quietly, "My grandfather is rather stubborn, and my sister is betrothed to the prefect's second son, so..."

So they were determined to make life difficult for you.

Song Mo and Dou Qijun lowered their heads and took a sip of tea.Dou Dechang couldn't help but interject: "Our Dou family has produced countless Recommended Men and Presented Scholars over the generations. Now we even hold a position in the Grand Secretariat. Yet when local officials take office, they never dare slight us. For any matter in the county, we're always the first to donate money and supplies. That county magistrate who was executed with his entire family—don't your family understand this principle? How did your family even become the wealthiest in Panyu? I truly can't comprehend it!"

Kuang Zhuoran, however, was shocked by the words "Our Dou family has produced countless Recommended Men and Presented Scholars over the generations. Now we even hold a position in the Grand Secretariat." He stared at Dou Qijun in astonishment and exclaimed, "Could it be that Brother Boyan is a descendant of the Dou Family of the Northern Mansion?"

Dou Qijun looked at Dou Dechang and could only sigh inwardly before replying, "Indeed, I am a member of the Dou family."

With a thud, Kuang Zhuoran knelt before Dou Qijun. "Brother Dou," he pleaded, "please save our Kuang Family!"

Dou Qijun hurriedly tried to pull Kuang Zhuoran up. "We're brothers—there's no need for this."

Kuang Zhuoran rose to his feet, his face a mixture of shame and remorse.

Meanwhile, Song Mo stroked his chin and remarked, "I think you've got the wrong person!"