Blossom

Dou Zhao wished she could kick Song Mo right off the bed.

"How could you casually discuss such matters with others?" She abruptly sat up, only to realize she was completely unclothed. Her almond-shaped eyes glared at Song Mo as she said, "Now everyone must know about our private marital affairs!" Tears of indignation immediately welled up in her eyes.

"No, no!" Song Mo clumsily tried to wipe her tears with her undergarment, though his gaze kept drifting downward. The sight before him made him feel as if no beautiful scenery could compare, and his mind began to wander. "Only the Empress knows. She isn't one to gossip—she practically raised me like a maternal aunt. She summoned me to inquire because she was concerned that as young newlyweds, we might act recklessly and harm our future children. It's not what you're imagining."

Dou Zhao's face flushed red as she grabbed an inner robe to cover herself.

That made it even worse!

She was Liao Wang's birth mother!

After her stepson was shot dead and her husband passed away, she still carried on with such vigor—what kind of iron-hearted woman was she?

Suddenly, Dou Zhao burst into tears.

All the buried memories of her past life and the pent-up negative emotions she had nowhere to release came flooding out like a dam breaking, pouring forth with her tears.

In Song Mo's eyes, Dou Zhao was always intelligent, sharp-witted, and resilient. So when she cried, he was not only shocked but also felt a piercing heartache.

Panicked, he wrapped his arms around her, apologizing repeatedly, "It's my fault, all my fault! From now on, no matter who asks, I won't speak a word about you! Please don't cry—this time, it's entirely my mistake, and I'll be more careful in the future!" His hands, however, couldn't help but linger on her soft, smooth skin, lightly caressing it before he realized her skin felt slightly cool to the touch. Snapping back to his senses, he hastily bundled her in the quilt and continued coaxing her, "Don't cry, don't cry! I'm the one to blame! I'll make it up to you!"

Perhaps because she knew Song Mo loved her and that he would ache at her sorrow, Dou Zhao only cried harder.

Song Mo had no choice but to keep comforting her until he finally managed to make her laugh with a little trick.

Heaving a sigh of relief, he pinched her tear-reddened nose and pretended to scold her gruffly, "No more of this in the future! If you have something to say, just say it properly!"

Dou Zhao nodded sheepishly, her usual boldness replaced by an almost girlish shyness.

Suddenly, Song Mo understood.

Dou Zhao was acting spoiled with him!

He couldn't help but smile, finding it not the least bit annoying. Instead, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment and joy at being needed.

Song Mo got up to call for hot water to help Dou Zhao freshen up.

Dou Zhao clutched the quilt tightly, refusing to let go. "I can do it myself."

"Let me." Song Mo's gaze softened as he gently pressed her back into the bedding. "You're not feeling well, and you must be exhausted from earlier. Just lie down."

Dou Zhao still held onto the quilt tightly and whispered, "Has... has my body changed?"

"Not at all!" Song Mo hadn't noticed anything. "Didn't the midwife say the belly only starts showing at five months?"

Other women, when pregnant, would sleep separately from their husbands until the child was two months old and it was safe to share a bed again. But she and Song Mo had been inseparable day and night, making it impossible to hide the changes of pregnancy from him. Still, she didn’t want to just sprawl out carelessly in front of him.“Is it true or not?” Lately, Dou Zhao had been feeling her body grow heavier. “I’d rather do it myself.”

Song Mo thought of how she had just been drenched in sweat and had sat up to argue with him for quite a while. If she caught a chill, it would be troublesome. Not daring to argue further, he handed her a warm towel instead.

Dou Zhao wiped herself clean under the covers, and Song Mo wrapped her in his cloak while Gan Lu and the other maids came in to change the bedding.

Her fair, slender calves peeked out from beneath the sapphire-blue cloak, appearing even more delicate and smooth.

Song Mo’s heart stirred at the sight.

Once Gan Lu and the others had retreated with flushed cheeks, he tucked Dou Zhao into the warmed bedding, heated earlier with a hot water bottle, and took the opportunity to slip in beside her.

“Let’s do it again,” he murmured against her cheek, his hand already cupping the fullness of her breasts, which had grown noticeably larger during her pregnancy, kneading them as he pleased.

Half of Dou Zhao’s body melted at his touch.

She was both exasperated and annoyed—exasperated at herself for being so weak-willed, her heart entirely swayed by Song Mo, knowing only how to dote on him, let alone how easily his touch stirred her; annoyed at Song Mo for his lack of restraint, always teasing her without considering she was now carrying a child.

Song Mo, confident in the guidance he had received from the palace’s pleasure maids, was certain nothing would go wrong. On such a cold night, simply snuggling together and talking would make them feel warm, without a hint of chill.

“I’ll be gentler this time,” he pressed against her like a flame, making it hard for Dou Zhao to breathe.

“Don’t—” she gasped, trying to push him away, but Song Mo had already trailed kisses down to her belly.

Dou Zhao was surprised, yet somehow understanding.

Was Song Mo greeting their child in his own way?

In this life and the last, all she had ever yearned for was a warm and loving home.

Just like what Song Mo was doing now—cherishing her, loving the child she carried.

Her heart softened instantly.

But Song Mo straightened up and slowly, firmly, entered her.

Though they had just been intimate, his mark still lingering inside her, the fullness of him stretching her made her whimper softly, her fingers clutching the sheets… Her body felt as if set aflame, burning up…

In her dazed state, she couldn’t help but think that she’d need to find an excuse to stay home during the Lantern Festival.

The way he was now, even if she tried to hide their intimacy, the telltale flush of pleasure in her eyes and expression would give them away. With the Empress’s sharpness, she’d surely see through them at a glance.

Instinctively, she didn’t want the Empress to know.

But Song Mo turned her face toward him and said firmly, “No distractions!” as if it were an insult to them.

Dou Zhao’s expression softened immediately.

Normally, he would thrust into her relentlessly until she begged for mercy. But now, mindful of the child, he didn’t dare be reckless.

Her earlier worries dissipated like mist.

With Song Mo here, what did she have to fear?

He would always protect her.

With that thought, Dou Zhao relaxed completely.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, closed her eyes, and surrendered to the tender passion.

They had been rather unrestrained, and the next morning, Dou Zhao felt exhausted, barely able to lift her arms, wanting only to sleep.

Song Mo kissed her cheek affectionately and called for Gan Lu, who was in charge of the tallies, to ask if there was anything else needing attention in the inner courtyard.

Gan Lu was taken aback.Song Mo had already said, "Madam is with child and needs more rest. If there are any trivial matters today, you may report them to me instead!"

Gan Lu silently lowered her head and murmured an affirmative response.

Song Mo, in high spirits, went to the outer courtyard.

Today, the Duke of England's Mansion was hosting a banquet for Song Yichun's old friend, Third Princess's consort Shi Chonglan, and his family, along with several friends of similar status to Shi Chonglan.

Third Princess decided at the last minute to stay home: "The Duke of England's Mansion is managed by Dou Shi, who is currently pregnant. If I go, she would have to serve me in formal attire. Although I don’t care for Jiang Shi, I have no reason to make things difficult for Dou Shi."

She had no intention of getting involved in the conflict between Song Yichun and his son.

Song Yichun always invited Shi Chonglan over for the spring banquet on the sixth day of the new year. He didn’t think much of it and, finding it troublesome to bring the children, went alone to the Duke of England's Mansion.

Song Yichun was surprised not to see Third Princess.

Shi Chonglan had to excuse her absence by saying they had guests at home and she couldn’t leave.

Song Yichun couldn’t very well insist that Third Princess attend, could he?

Suppressing his disappointment, he accompanied Shi Chonglan to the study.

Soon, the guests arrived one after another.

None had brought their wives.

The excuses were almost all the same—they had guests at home.

Song Yichun was exasperated.

Song Mo personally invited everyone to the Reception Hall for tea and wine.

The guests exchanged pleasantries with Song Mo and proceeded to the Reception Hall together.

The early spring weather was still cold, the wind biting. The Reception Hall’s lattice doors were tightly shut, and the underfloor heating made it as warm as spring. After a few drinks, the conversation naturally grew livelier.

One asked Song Mo what he had been up to lately.

Another inquired about his relationship with the Duke of Dongping, mentioning that his cousin’s third son was serving in the Five Cities Garrison and asking if Song Mo could put in a good word for him.

Someone else asked, "The Duke of Dongping is only temporarily serving as the Metropolitan Commander of the Five Cities Garrison while also holding the seal of the Commander-in-chief of the Five Armies Commandery. After the new year, he should return to the Five Armies Commandery, shouldn’t he? Is there a chance you might advance and take over the Five Cities Garrison?"

Song Mo replied with humble deference: "I’m still young and need to learn much from you all. It’s too early to talk about positions like Metropolitan Commander of the Five Cities Garrison."

His answer was impeccable—neither overly modest to deny his ambitions nor failing to acknowledge his shortcomings. Several older guests stroked their beards and nodded approvingly, praising his honesty and steadiness, congratulating Song Yichun on having such a worthy successor.

Song Yichun’s smile was strained. Fortunately, the opera was about to begin, and everyone moved to the veranda, hung with warm curtains, to listen.

Shi Chonglan lingered a few steps behind and walked alongside Song Yichun, whispering, "What exactly is going on between you and your eldest son? All men make mistakes. Even if he stole someone from your household, it’s been years. Don’t keep holding it against him. Women are never as important as family legacy."

Song Yichun could only smile bitterly.

Shi Chonglan, sensing something more, lowered his voice further: "What? Is there more to it?"

Song Yichun hesitated.

Shi Chonglan waited patiently.

In the end, Song Yichun sighed and led Shi Chonglan to the veranda.

In the inner courtyard, Dou Zhao was surprised to hear that none of the guests had brought their wives. When Song Mo returned that evening, she asked him what had happened. Song Mo laughed and said, "You’re in no condition to entertain guests now. Did you expect them to sit and chat with the steward mammies?"Dou Zhao giggled and couldn't help but stroke her belly. "This child certainly has quite the attitude!"

Song Mo kissed Dou Zhao's cheek and gently touched her stomach before heading to the washroom to freshen up.

The following days passed pleasantly for Dou Zhao. She only made an appearance to entertain the elders of the Dou family during a banquet on the tenth day. By the Lantern Festival, Song Mo had requested special permission from the Emperor for Dou Zhao to stay home, citing the noise and bustle of the festival.

Initially, Dou Zhao worried the Emperor might be displeased, but unexpectedly, the Crown Prince also made a similar request on behalf of the Crown Princess. The Emperor, suddenly feeling that the imperial family's prosperity was a good omen, not only granted Song Mo and the Crown Prince's requests but also bestowed gifts of yuanxiao (sweet dumplings) and festive lanterns for Dou Zhao and the Crown Princess to celebrate.

The news reached the Dou family through Duan Gongyi, Chen Xiaofeng, and others who escorted Aunt (Mother's Brother's Wife), Zhao Zhangru, and the Dou family womenfolk to view the lanterns. Everyone couldn't help but feel happy for Dou Zhao. Especially Aunt, who sighed to Ji Shi, "For Shou Gu to marry such a wonderful husband—it's truly a case of suffering giving way to sweetness."