Blossom

Liao Wang.

Empress.

Wang Yuan.

Wang Ge.

Emperor.

Crown Prince.

Cui Junyi.

Kuang Zhuoran.

Jiang Jie.

Dai Jian.

Dou Zhao wrote these names on a sheet of rice paper and fell into deep thought.

Days passed, yet she still couldn’t discern the connections between these individuals. Meanwhile, news arrived from Song Mo’s side.

Wang Ge and Cui Junyi had entered the palace at the same time. Both were eloquent and adept at pleasing their supervising eunuch, but Wang Ge was more resourceful, often using silver to curry favor. When it came time to select attendants for the Crown Prince, their supervisor recommended Wang Ge. However, since Wang Ge could only recognize simple characters at the time, the Crown Prince was dissatisfied and sent him back. Cui Junyi, who had learned that Wang Ge had bribed his way into the opportunity, was furious with regret. Upon hearing of Wang Ge’s rejection, he borrowed some silver and visited their supervisor. Not long after, Cui Junyi was recommended to the Eastern Palace. Soon, his ability to read and write earned him the Crown Prince’s favor, and he quickly became a scribe in the Crown Prince’s study. Gradually, Cui Junyi rose to become the Crown Prince’s trusted confidant, holding a fourth-rank position as an inner court attendant. Meanwhile, Wang Ge was still struggling at the seventh rank. Had he not seized the chance to become Wang Yuan’s adopted son, he might still be scrubbing chamber pots in some forgotten corner.

Thus, their feud was born.

Su Xin found it unbelievable. "Just for this? They’ve been scheming against each other for nearly twenty years?"

"Isn’t that serious enough?" Dou Zhao chuckled. "A single rank higher can crush a man to death! The hierarchy among eunuchs is even stricter—one misstep could cost a life. Just consider this: Cui Junyi can now speak directly to Wang Yuan, while Wang Ge must kneel and call him 'Father.' That alone must keep Wang Ge awake at night!"

"But what does this have to do with the Kuang Family?" Su Xin asked, puzzled.

Dou Zhao murmured, "If I knew, why would I be agonizing over it?"

Su Xin hesitated. "Perhaps... you could discuss it with Mr. Chen?"

Dou Zhao’s spirits lifted momentarily, but then dimmed again.

The matter was too grave. Chen Qushui was nearing fifty, and if the situation remained unclear before the palace upheaval, she planned to entrust him and Duan Gongyi to Dou Qijun’s care. She didn’t want to drag Chen Qushui into this perilous affair.

"Let me think it over first," Dou Zhao said, brushing off Su Xin’s suggestion.

Gan Lu entered and announced, "Madam, that Commander Chen from the Embroidered Uniform Guard Garrison Command is here again. He insists on seeing you!"

The maids were resentful.

Chen Jia had visited once, spoken a few words, and walked away with a mansion gifted by the Young Lord. Who knew what he’d swindle this time?

Dou Zhao, however, suspected he wouldn’t come without a purpose—likely concerning the two maids he had mentioned earlier.

If he could truly resolve the matter, it would be a godsend.

She found herself admiring Chen Jia’s resourcefulness.

Instructing Gan Lu to escort him to the Small Flower Hall for tea, Dou Zhao changed her clothes and went there with Su Xin.

Chen Jia stood respectfully in the center of the hall, listening for movement. He stole a quick glance when he heard footsteps, then lowered his gaze and bowed to Dou Zhao.

She gently invited him to sit.

Without ceremony, Chen Jia took a seat on the Grand Preceptor’s Chair near the door, keeping a considerable distance from her.After the maids had served tea and stood aside, he said, "Regarding the pair of sisters I mentioned to Madam last time, they've now arrived in the capital. If Madam wishes to see them, I can summon them at once."

They were probably already waiting outside the door!

Since Su Xin happened to be present, it would be good to have her help assess them.

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Chen. Please take them to Su Xin for inspection."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jia stood up.

Su Xin followed him to the outer courtyard.

Half an incense stick's time later, she returned to report to Dou Zhao: "The two girls are surnamed Li, from Wuyi. The elder sister is called Jin Gui, who has just reached the age of fifteen, and the younger sister is Yin Gui, thirteen this year. Their looks are merely decent, but their martial skills are excellent—far superior to us sisters. They seem honest too. With careful training, they could be suitable for serving tea by Madam's side..." At this point, her expression showed hesitation as she continued, "The Imperial Bodyguards specialize in spying on officials, and those who fall into their hands are never involved in minor matters. I fear Chen Jia might have implicated their parents in his search for suitable maids for you, or perhaps used the Young Lord's name to acquire them. So I questioned the girls separately about their background.

"According to them, their ancestors were lay disciples of the Southern Shaolin Temple, making a living by farming. Their family owned over three hundred mu of fertile land. However, all family members practiced martial arts, and uncles and brothers would go out to gain experience upon reaching adulthood, though they never displayed their skills in front of villagers. Their grandfather had once served as the chief bodyguard in Fuzhou's largest escort agency, earning some renown in the south and taking on several disciples.

"One of these disciples became an outlaw.

"Last summer, this disciple secretly sought out their father, saying the bandit stronghold had been raided by the authorities and he had barely escaped with his life. Now a wanted man, he begged their father for a few taels of silver to flee. Their father, fearing trouble for the family, gave him ten taels. But before the man could leave Fujian, he was captured by the government office. Their entire family was implicated as accomplices, thrown into prison, and their lands confiscated.

"It was Lord Chen who rescued the two sisters from prison.

"He also told them that if they could win Madam's favor, their whole family would be spared; if they failed to please Madam, they would be sent back to prison, and their family members would face whatever fate awaited them.

"After I questioned them, the sisters mistook me for Madam, clung to my legs, and begged for mercy, saying they would do anything if only their grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and siblings could be saved."

At this point, Su Xin couldn't help feeling irritated and frowned. "What kind of situation is this? This isn't finding maids for Madam—it's practically inviting trouble! If what those girls said is true and we don't take them in, wouldn't we be condemning their entire family?"Dou Zhao hadn't thought that deeply about it and smiled, saying, "If that's really the case, we should definitely keep them. Even if the two girls aren't suitable to serve in my room, we can surely find a place for them elsewhere in the estate. But this matter needs to be discussed with the Young Lord. Are the two girls telling the truth? If we really rescue their family, would it be proper? I'm afraid of causing trouble for the Young Lord." At this point, she couldn't help but smile wryly.

This Chen Jia certainly had a way with words—just a few simple sentences had frightened the two girls into never daring to have second thoughts again, all for the sake of their parents and siblings' lives.

Su Xin said, "Then I'll have Chen Jia take them back for now? I'll say that since they would be serving closely, this matter still needs the Young Lord's approval."

Dou Zhao nodded. She would wait for Song Mo to return and discuss it with him.

Song Mo was quite surprised and pondered for a moment before saying, "I was worried that those martial arts world people might have too many entanglements, which could cause trouble for you, so I planned to find two trustworthy people from the escort agency for you... But if those two girls are truly as described, they might be useful. At the very least, they wouldn't harbor ulterior motives."

Dou Zhao asked, "Should we investigate further?"

"I'll mention this to Du Wei. Don't worry about it," Song Mo replied, looking somewhat listless.

Dou Zhao thought he was tired and agreed with a smile, "Alright." She fetched him some casual clothes to change into and called a maid to help him freshen up before going to bed herself.

When Song Mo came out of the side room, he picked up a book from the small table by the kang and got into bed, leaning against the headboard to read.

Dou Zhao didn't disturb him and sat nearby doing her needlework.

The room was quiet and peaceful.

Dou Zhao found it a bit strange.

Usually at this time, Song Mo would chat with her for a while, but today he remained silent.

She looked up and noticed that Song Mo's eyes were fixed on the book, not turning a page for a long time—clearly, his mind was elsewhere.

Everyone needs time alone sometimes.

Dou Zhao continued with her needlework, occasionally glancing at Song Mo.

The sound of the night watchman's clapper came from outside the window.

Song Mo seemed to snap out of his thoughts.

He put down the book and only then noticed Dou Zhao doing needlework. Frowning slightly, he said, "Why are you doing needlework at night? It's bad for your eyes. If you need anything, just give it to the sewing room. I keep them around to serve, not to catch mosquitoes. If any of them aren't up to the task, just replace them."

Dou Zhao sensed a hint of restlessness in Song Mo's mood.

She took his hand and looked into his eyes, asking sincerely, "Do you want to talk to me?"

Her gaze was earnest, her expression serious, and Song Mo could feel her genuine concern and care.

After a moment's thought, he said quietly, "Today, I sent someone to investigate Wang Ge's properties and found that apart from a small two-courtyard house in the Suoyisi Alley, he owns nothing else. Yet the money he's extorted over the past few years would be more than enough to buy a grand five-courtyard mansion in Yumingfang. Where do you think all his money went?"

Dou Zhao sat up straight immediately.

Liao Wang!

His money must have gone to Liao Wang.

It was precisely because he was amassing wealth for Liao Wang that he dared to defy Song Mo so boldly.

Song Mo's fifth uncle, Jiang Bosun, was still exiled under Liao Wang's jurisdiction in Liaodong.

That's why he was confident Song Mo wouldn't dare to offend Liao Wang.Moreover, if he helped Liao Wang amass wealth, the Empress would naturally support him.

Was it because he was someone who did the dirty work that, after Liao Wang ascended the throne, he not only wasn’t used but was also conveniently disposed of?

But how had he become Liao Wang’s lackey in the first place?

What role had he played in Liao Wang’s rebellion?

Something flashed through Dou Zhao’s mind—she tried to grasp it, but it slipped away.

She brought up Song Mo instead: “Yantang, do you think Wang Ge might just be a puppet?”

Song Mo’s expression shifted slightly. After a long silence, he said quietly, “I’ve thought the same. But whose puppet is he? And who is so desperate for silver that they’d resort to exploiting the people?”

How many people could make Wang Ge refuse Song Mo?

Or perhaps he also had his suspicions but didn’t dare dwell on them.

Dou Zhao studied Song Mo’s slightly pale face, speculating.

“Then let’s investigate slowly,” she said softly, gently stroking his hand. “Since it’s been done, there will be clues—it’s just a matter of time before they’re found. But you must be careful not to get yourself entangled.”

Song Mo remained silent, his gaze distant.

Dou Zhao said, “Let’s sleep. Tomorrow morning, we might have new leads.”

Song Mo kissed Dou Zhao’s cheek and blew out the lamp.

In the darkness, he tossed and turned faintly.

Dou Zhao pulled him into her arms, soothingly stroking his back.

Song Mo murmured, “Shou Gu.”

Dou Zhao’s touch grew even gentler.

Before long, Song Mo’s breathing steadied into a slow, deep rhythm.