Blossom

Song Mo's words left Kuang Zhuoran and the others dumbfounded.

"Young Lord," Kuang Zhuoran stammered, "are you saying my father was deceived?"

Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun shared the same thought. They fixed their intense gazes on Song Mo, eager to hear his explanation.

Their attentive expressions made Song Mo chuckle.

"Not exactly," he replied. "I just think their goal was clearly to take over the Kuang family's business. From what I know of those eunuchs, they usually lack the patience to manage such enterprises. You should investigate who this newly appointed magistrate Jiang Jie studied under or which faction he belongs to. Only such connections could link him to the eunuchs. Rather than pleading with Fan Shichou, it would be more effective to uncover Jiang Jie's background. With the Dou family's scholarly connections, you'd have a better chance of turning the situation around."

Kuang Zhuoran and the others brightened at this suggestion. Kuang Zhuoran bowed to Dou Dechang. "Uncle Twelve, since Boyan is about to take the Spring Examination, I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you to help inquire about this matter."

Though this was his first meeting with Song Mo, Kuang Zhuoran deeply admired the young lord's sharp insight. However, the vast gap in their status and acquaintance made it impossible for him to make such a request directly.

When they couldn't find anyone else to turn to, Dou Qijun had immediately thought of Dou Dechang. Though knowing nothing about the matter, Dou Dechang had begun helping without hesitation at Dou Qijun's request. This showed not only their close friendship but also that Dou Dechang was trustworthy. Thus, Kuang Zhuoran had no choice but to seek Dou Dechang's assistance.

Seeing that Kuang Zhuoran still thought of Dou Qijun despite his own family's predicament, both Song Mo and Dou Zhao viewed him more favorably. Song Mo then said to Dou Dechang and Dou Qijun, "I think neither of you should get involved in this matter. Leave it to me." He added to Kuang Zhuoran, "If you need anything, come directly to me."

Kuang Zhuoran was overjoyed and thanked Song Mo, Dou Dechang, and Dou Qijun profusely.

With Song Mo's involvement, the situation would surely be handled much better than their previous haphazard attempts.

Dou Qijun was delighted to have Song Mo take charge and thanked him cheerfully before taking his leave. Kuang Zhuoran accompanied him back to the inn, while Dou Dechang stayed behind.

Though the Kuang family's troubles had implicated a powerful eunuch like Wang Yuan, Dou Dechang's curiosity burned fiercely.

He whispered to Song Mo, "I heard the Golden Guard hasn't gone on leave yet. You can't possibly handle everything yourself, can you? How about I run some errands for you?"

Song Mo knew his father-in-law had once considered adopting Dou Dechang into the Western Dou lineage. Though nothing came of it, his father-in-law still refused to take concubines and was determined to divorce Wang Shi. While the Wang family had taken Wang Shi back, they avoided the topic whenever his father-in-law seriously brought up the matter. This dispute would likely drag on for years. His father-in-law was already in his forties—in a few more years, even if he wanted another child, it would be difficult. Adoption might become the only option.

In terms of proximity and relation, Dou Dechang was the perfect candidate, especially since Dou Zhao had grown up under Ji Shi's care. Song Mo was happy to grow closer to him. "If it won't interfere with your studies, then by all means, help me out."Now Song Mo had all sorts of people under his command—there was no need for Dou Dechang to lift a finger. But since Dou Dechang was curious, Song Mo decided to assign him a few minor tasks, treating it as a way to let him tag along.

Upon hearing this, Dou Dechang was overjoyed and quickly said, "Classes have already been dismissed for the holidays and won’t resume until after the Lantern Festival. It won’t interfere with my studies at all!"

"Good then!" Song Mo smiled and arranged to meet him at the palace gate at seven in the morning the next day.

Dou Dechang left in high spirits.

Dou Zhao asked Song Mo, "Do you really think someone is using Fan Shichou’s name to stir up trouble?"

"It’s hard to say for now," Song Mo replied calmly and rationally. "We’ll have to investigate first to be sure."

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but purse her lips.

Song Mo chuckled and pinched her cheek before heading to the washroom.

Dou Zhao’s thoughts then turned from Wang Ge to Wang Yuan.

If someone told her that Wang Yuan hadn’t been involved in the palace coup in her past life, she would never believe it.

But what made Wang Yuan so confident that Liao Wang would succeed?

And when had he pledged allegiance to Liao Wang?

What terms had Liao Wang used to win him over?

Dou Zhao thought of the items Gu Yu had taken from Liao Wang’s treasury and of Zhang Zhiqi from Risheng Silver House...

Rebellion required money—vast sums of it.

Before success was achieved, it was like a bottomless pit, impossible to fill no matter how much silver was poured in.

The Kuang Family’s annual income of thirty thousand taels, a steady and risk-free business, was exactly what Liao Wang needed.

Dou Zhao had long wanted to warn Song Mo about Liao Wang’s ambitions but had never found the right opportunity.

She had a vague feeling that if this matter truly involved Wang Yuan, it might present an opportunity for both her and Song Mo.

While keeping a close eye on the Kuang Family’s movements, Dou Zhao began preparing for the New Year celebrations at the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion.

From the ancestral sacrifices on New Year’s Eve to the imperial palace’s New Year’s banquet, the grand court ceremony on the first day of the year, visiting relatives on the second and third days, family feasts on the fourth and fifth, and the Spring Banquets from the sixth day until the Lantern Festival—every detail, from the guest list to the tea sets, had to be adjusted according to the occasion. For noble families like the Duke of Yingguo’s household, who had to participate in royal celebrations while entertaining colleagues, the New Year was an exceptionally busy time, no less hectic than the affairs of an entire prefecture and far beyond the scale of ordinary official households.

Fortunately, Dou Zhao was well-versed in these matters, and nothing could stump her.

The steward mammies, having witnessed both her methods and her managerial skills, were all awed and dared not underestimate her. Dou Zhao also spread the word that she had no intention of making sweeping changes—those who performed well could stay, but those who failed, regardless of their connections, would be dismissed. None of the steward mammies wanted to be the example made to scare the others, so they put their utmost effort into keeping their positions. In no time, Dou Zhao’s words carried more weight than an imperial decree, and within just two days, she had everything in order.

Dou Zhao even dipped into her own funds to reward the steward mammies—ten taels each for those who performed exceptionally well and two taels for those who made no mistakes.

Soon, the entire Duke of Yingguo’s household praised Dou Zhao as if she were a bodhisattva.

Song Yichun, on the other hand, felt as if he had been slapped in the face.The reason he so easily handed over the authority to manage the household affairs of the Duke of England's Mansion to Dou Zhao, aside from being forced by circumstances, was mainly to see her struggle and flounder—after all, she had no experience managing a ducal household. He expected her to find it exhausting and thankless.

But to his surprise, he ended up benefiting Dou Zhao instead.

Song Yichun was both furious and resentful. On the way to the Baohe Palace for the New Year's Eve banquet, he kept a stern face and didn’t even glance at Dou Zhao or her husband.

Song Mo pretended not to notice, and Dou Zhao paid even less attention.

It was like dealing with a defeated opponent who had no strength left to fight—who cared whether they were happy or angry?

The main hall of Baohe Palace was filled with the Emperor’s trusted civil and military officials, as well as imperial relatives. The rear hall, presided over by the Empress Dowager, seated the Empress and various noblewomen, both from inside and outside the palace.

Dou Zhao had no intention of getting involved with the Empress Dowager, the Empress, or the Crown Princess. Dressed formally according to her rank, she sat quietly, occasionally exchanging a few low words with the wife of the heir to Marquis Changxing or Madam Xingguo, behaving in an entirely proper manner without any standout moments.

But some things couldn’t be avoided just by trying to stay out of the way.

A palace maid serving the Crown Princess approached Dou Zhao with a large bolster, whispering, "The Crown Princess instructed me to bring this for you to cushion your back and prevent discomfort."

Dou Zhao quietly expressed her thanks, only to look up and realize she had become the center of attention in the hall.

She quickly lowered her head.

But the Empress Dowager still pointed her out and asked, "Is this Tianci’s wife?"

The Empress smiled and replied, "Your eyes are as sharp as ever—she is indeed Madam Dou, the wife of the heir to the Duke of England's Mansion."

The Empress Dowager grew more interested. "Then who is Little Dou Shi?"

"She is the wife of the Marquis of Jining," the Empress explained. "She and Madam Dou are half-sisters. Madam Dou is the eldest daughter of Dou Wanyuan of the Imperial Academy, while the Marquis of Jining’s wife is the second daughter."

The Wei Family wasn’t prestigious enough to attend such a banquet, so Dou Ming wasn’t present in the hall.

"There’s such a story?" The Empress Dowager became even more intrigued. "Who arranged the match for Madam Dou? And who arranged Little Dou Shi’s marriage?"

"Little Dou Shi was betrothed from childhood, while Madam Dou was personally chosen by the Duke of England," the Empress replied, glancing at Dou Zhao with a smile.

The Empress Dowager studied Dou Zhao carefully and remarked, "This child is quite lovely. Next time there’s a grand court assembly, arrange for Little Dou Shi to come so I can see her too."

The Empress agreed with a smile. "There’s another thing you might not know, Old Ancestor—Madam Dou is with child, and her due date is just a few days apart from the Crown Princess’s."

"How wonderful!" At her age, the Empress Dowager delighted in news of new additions to families. She bestowed upon Dou Zhao a string of sandalwood prayer beads, a pair of peace knots, several bolts of plain silk for making children’s clothes, and a large piece of embroidered red silk depicting a hundred children at play, meant for a baby’s swaddling cloth.

Dou Zhao stepped forward to express her gratitude.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand with a smile, signaling her to withdraw, then turned to discuss with the Empress which opera to enjoy next. Meanwhile, Madam Changxing, who had previously been engrossed in conversation with the Empress Dowager and the Empress while ignoring others, now showed obvious warmth toward Dou Zhao. Even the usually reserved Madam Xingguo gave her a few extra glances.

Dou Zhao responded with a polite nod toward Madam Xingguo.In her previous life, even though the Marquis of Jining's Mansion had been revitalized under her management, there was still a noticeable gap compared to prestigious noble families like the Duke of Xingguo's household. She had no prior acquaintance with the Madam of Duke Xingguo, yet she knew that after the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion was stripped of its title, the Duke of Xingguo, with his low-key and patient demeanor, waited for the decline of the Marquis Changxing's family and eventually became the foremost noble in the Capital.

Having received rewards from the Empress Dowager, Dou Zhao first expressed her gratitude to the Empress after the New Year's grand court assembly, then went to the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility to thank for the imperial favor. By the time she left the inner palace, it was already mid-afternoon.

Du Ming was anxiously waiting for Song Mo in the small study.

Seeing Dou Zhao and Song Mo arrive together, he respectfully bowed and said, "Young Lord, Madam, I've discovered that Jiang Jie is actually the nephew of Grand Secretary Dai Jian's wife's cousin and a disciple of Grand Secretary Mu Chuan, the Vice Minister of Works and Grand Academician of Zhongji Hall."