Blossom

Since Uncle had arrived in the Capital, both Jing'an Temple Alley and Huai Tree Alley naturally had to host welcoming banquets for him.

However, Uncle declined both invitations on the grounds that he hadn't yet reported to the Ministry of Personnel.

Fifth Madam then paid Dou Zhao a visit, saying: "It's better to resolve enmity than to create it. That Wang Shi didn't come to a good end either, but our two families shouldn't sever generations of friendship over this. Could you persuade your uncle? After all, your Fifth Uncle is now in the Grand Secretariat. Wouldn't it be more convenient to inform him if anything comes up? Why bother watching Mu Chuan's face?"

Only then did Dou Zhao realize her uncle had connections with Mu Chuan.

No wonder her cousin's husband had been able to observe government affairs at the Ministry of Works in her previous life.

She couldn't help but sigh.

For her uncle to establish ties with Capital's powerful figures from such a remote place was truly remarkable.

If not for her mother's death, had her uncle entered the Imperial Academy, his official career would likely have been even smoother.

And the reason he chose this roundabout path was probably because of her and her mother, wasn't it?

Dou Zhao disagreed and smiled: "Sometimes circumstances force one's hand. You can't expect Uncle to offend Mu Chuan, can you?"

Fifth Madam thought her immature and said: "Your uncle is after all related to our family by marriage. Even if he gets close to Mu Chuan, Mu Chuan won't treat him as a confidant but will instead be wary of him in everything. Don't think it's that simple."

This showed how difficult things had been for Uncle in her previous life!

Dou Zhao nearly shed tears and immediately felt disgust toward Fifth Madam. To annoy her, she deliberately said nonchalantly: "What's the big deal! At worst, we can take Wang Yuan's route. Didn't Dai Jian take Wang Yuan's route and become an assistant minister? If my uncle takes Wang Yuan's route, it wouldn't be shameful either! Besides, the heir and Wang Yuan are on good terms. I think Wang Yuan would still give the heir this face."

Fifth Madam was so angry her temples bulged, but she couldn't lose her temper and left swallowing her anger.

Dou Zhao immediately jumped up and went to Yuqiao Alley.

Uncle had gone to the Ministry of Personnel. With Uncle's arrival, preparations for Zhao Zhangru's wedding were in full swing. As the bride-to-be, she couldn't move about as freely as before.

When Dou Zhao arrived, Aunt and Guo Shi, who had come to help, were hesitating between two bolts of fabric.

Seeing her, they immediately waved her over: "Come quickly and help us decide which fabric would be better for the Double Morning Celebration Red dress."

Guo Shi also smiled: "Aunt and I have been hesitating for a long time. Good thing you're here."

Seeing both fabrics were of the same quality—one with peony patterns in treasure vases, the other with four-season ruyi patterns—Dou Zhao laughed: "Then make one of each. Cousin can wear whichever she prefers. After all, she'll have to meet her mother-in-law on the third day."

Song Yan, accompanied by Song Weimin's wife and eldest son, had moved into the Step-by-Step Inn near Yuqiao Alley yesterday, and Song Mo had found time to visit the Song family.

Aunt spat at Dou Zhao's words and said to Guo Shi: "Don't listen to her. She's nouveau riche now, making clothes in pairs. We can't compare with her."

Guo Shi covered her mouth and laughed.

Dou Zhao then asked her: "Why haven't I seen Pinjie? You should bring her out more often. Children need to meet more people and experience more things. Only then will they not be shy and behave with neither arrogance nor humility, but with natural grace."Guo Shi replied meekly, "I'll remember that. I'll bring Pinjie over to play tomorrow."

As they spoke, Sixth Aunt Ji Shi arrived with her daughter-in-law Han Shi and Qijin.

Recalling Dou Zhao's earlier words, Guo Shi cast a grateful glance at her before following her to the Hanging Flower Gate.

Qijin, lively and energetic, couldn't take her eyes off the filigree lantern-shaped gold earrings Dou Zhao was wearing.

Dou Zhao teased Han Shi, "Qijin will surely grow up to be a little miser—she already knows gold is pretty!"

Han Shi chuckled.

Dou Zhao then linked arms with Sixth Aunt and asked, "What brings you here today?"

Ji Shi smiled. "Your eleventh and twelfth cousins are idle at home. I thought Aunt might need some errands run, so I came to let her know. They can come tomorrow—even if there are no errands, helping Uncle entertain guests would be good experience for them. It's their good fortune!"

Aunt repeatedly expressed her thanks.

Dou Zhao sighed inwardly.

Having many family members certainly made things easier.

The Song family had few descendants, leaving Song Mo struggling to find capable helpers even among the mediocre.

Whether boys or girls, it's better to have more children!

With a smile, Dou Zhao joined Ji Shi and the others on the heated brick bed in the Resting Chamber.

The women chattered away, and before they knew it, noon arrived.

Zhao Si returned home.

Learning that several ladies from the Dou family were visiting, he sent someone to pay respects and had lunch served outside.

However, Dou Zhao quietly slipped over and asked her uncle bluntly, "Did you go through Mu Chuan's connections?"

Her uncle was startled, then assumed the Dou family had sent her to persuade him. Suppressing his anger, he said sternly, "Stay out of court affairs. I know what I'm doing. Even without relying on the Dou family, our Zhao family fears no one. Just focus on bearing and raising children."

Knowing he misunderstood, Dou Zhao smiled. "Fifth Aunt did visit me, but that's not why I'm here. The Crown Prince isn't Empress Wan's biological son, while Liao Wang dominates Liaodong with absolute authority. Mu Chuan was promoted entirely by the Empress's favor. Since His Majesty occasionally falls ill, the Empress has even taken to directing the imperial guards. Ambition knows no bounds—even the heir apparent keeps his distance from these matters. Uncle should be cautious too!"

Zhao Si was shocked. "Who told you this? The heir? Why would he share such things with you?"

Dou Zhao invoked Song Mo's authority recklessly: "The heir said the inner court mirrors the imperial court and encouraged me to interact more with noble ladies there."

Zhao Si's expression changed dramatically.

Seizing the moment, Dou Zhao took her leave.

Zhao Si remained secluded in his study all afternoon.

Hearing this, Dou Zhao nodded quietly to herself.

Soon, her uncle's new appointment was announced.

As rumored, he was assigned to Huguang as prefect of Wuchang.

Though both were prefect positions, Wuchang's strategic importance far surpassed Qingyang's—a significant promotion.

Everyone was delighted, especially Aunt. Though promises had been made before, only now could she truly prepare for their move to Huguang.Dou Zhao, having a farmstead in Huguang, had some understanding of the region. She advised her aunt, "Huguang has now replaced Zhejiang as the imperial granary. Unlike Zhejiang, where land is scarce and people are many, you might consider acquiring more land if you go there."

Her aunt nodded repeatedly and asked, "Would you like to invest in some property as well?"

After a moment's thought, Dou Zhao smiled and said, "Sure! Then I’ll leave this matter in your hands."

While she and her aunt were sharing personal talk in Yuqiao Alley, she was unaware that her uncle had quietly gone to the Hall of Cultivating Will to visit Song Mo.

The two of them remained secluded in the study for a long conversation before Song Mo, looking grave, saw her equally solemn uncle off.

That evening, when Dou Zhao returned home, Song Mo told her about her uncle’s visit and asked her in confusion, "Do you really think there’s something wrong with Liao Wang?"

Dou Zhao replied, "If you trust Liao Wang, then why did you have people investigate how many gifts he’s sent to officials of all ranks in the Capital over the years?"

Song Mo grew restless and began pacing the room.

Dou Zhao wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and murmured, "Let’s not meddle in these matters. As long as we don’t covet the credit for supporting the new ruler, no Emperor would dare to shortchange you. Why bother with such schemes?"

Song Mo sighed deeply as he stroked the delicate, slender hands at his waist and agreed, "We’ll stay out of it and remain uninvolved."

Yet in his heart, he knew all too well.

Sometimes, the tree may crave calm, but the wind refuses to cease.

His current position was far too sensitive.

Perhaps relocating would be better!

The thought flashed through his mind, and he suddenly recalled Jiang Yi.

Though he had only met Jiang Yi a few times, the young man had struck him as insightful and ambitious. Joining the Divine Machine Battalion had always been Jiang Yi’s dream—even a point of pride. He had never hidden his elation at being admitted. So why did he suddenly seem like a changed man, complaining about the hardships of the battalion?

Song Mo decided to find an opportunity to speak with Jiang Yi. However, with Zhao Zhangru’s wedding imminent, as Dou Zhao’s husband, he wanted to leave a good impression on Zhao Si. He spent his off-duty hours helping at the Zhao Family, making it difficult to find a natural moment to discuss the matter with Jiang Yi.

Thanks to the assistance of Sixth Madam, Guo Shi, Dou Zhao, and others, Zhao Zhangru’s wedding preparations proceeded smoothly.

Nonetheless, a minor incident occurred during the ceremony.

Ma Youming, on business at the Five Armies Commandery, passed by Yuqiao Alley. Learning that Song Mo’s cousin was holding a wedding, he arrived uninvited, bringing twenty taels of silver as a gift and joining the celebration.

Such a gesture of goodwill naturally warranted warm hospitality from the aunt.

She arranged a separate table in the Reception Hall for Ma Youming, inviting Song Mo, Dou Zhengchang, and Dou Dechang to accompany him.

Midway through the banquet, Ji Yong arrived.

Still dressed in his court robes, he shouted at Dou Dechang, "How could you not invite me to such a grand occasion? If I hadn’t come home early today, I wouldn’t even have known about Shou Gu’s cousin’s wedding!"

Dou Dechang wished he could cover Ji Yong’s mouth.

Dou Zhengchang glanced uneasily at Song Mo and tried to pull Ji Yong away.

Frowning, Ji Yong cast a disdainful look at Song Mo, who sat calmly drinking, and said, "Can you really pretend nothing happened? Trying to emulate the Daoist sages—I suppose you’re only fit to be Confucian scholars who muddle through the classics."

Ma Youming stood by, utterly bewildered.Shou Gu was clearly a woman's personal name, but what did that have to do with Song Mo and this Lord Ji?

Song Mo sneered inwardly.

Dou Zhao was now his wife—what did he have to fear?

If someone wanted to ruin his relationship with Dou Zhao, they wouldn't even get past the door.

When a family has a desirable daughter, a hundred suitors will come knocking. This man was simply like himself—able to recognize Dou Zhao's virtues. He wasn’t the petty, insecure type who would resent his wife for outshining him.

"Eleventh Brother-in-law," he said with a smile, inviting Ji Yong to join them. "A guest is a guest. Since Lord Ji has brought a gift, we can't slight him, can we? Why not have him sit at our table? Lord Ma and I were just about to play a drinking game—the more, the merrier."

A trace of mockery flickered across Ji Yong's lips.

Did they think just because he was a scholar, he couldn’t hold his liquor?

A drinking game?

Just wait—he’d drink them under the table!

Shaking off Dou Zhengchang, he took a seat opposite Song Mo and smiled faintly. "I know how to play too!"