Blossom

Ji Yong didn't want to continue working.

But if he quit, despite his great-grandfather's constant protection, he would likely be the first to turn against him.

The monthly allowance from the family funds and the resources of the Ji family would no longer favor him.

With only his title as the third-ranked Presented Scholar and his experience compiling the Grand Training of Culture , what else could he do?

He pondered for a long time in the Imperial Academy.

First, he couldn’t skimp on food, clothing, and daily necessities—what kind of life would that be?

Then there were the pages and servants to maintain—was he supposed to serve tea and water himself?

And of course, he needed ample funds for traveling—he refused to live off meager writing fees, dependent on others' whims.

In the end, it all came down to money.

How could he get his hands on some?

Distracted, Ji Yong returned to Yuqiao Alley.

On the way, he saw a household celebrating a wedding.

He took a detour.

But he overheard bystanders murmuring things like, "It's some local official from the northwest, borrowing the Duke of England's Mansion to marry off his daughter." He recalled his mother's vague words from a few days ago: "What a coincidence—let’s hope we don’t run into them."

He stopped in thought.

It must be Dou Zhao’s uncle, Zhao Si, marrying off his daughter.

Given Dou Zhao’s closeness to her uncle, she would surely be there to help.

Should he mention this to Dou Zhao?

The thought barely crossed his mind when his feet had already carried him through the festively decorated Ruyi Gate.

To his dismay, he didn’t find Dou Zhao—instead, he ran into Song Mo.

What rotten luck!

Rubbing his still-heavy head, Ji Yong asked the usher, "Where is Magistrate Zhao? I have something to discuss with him."

The usher knew Ji Yong was the young third-ranked Presented Scholar from the prestigious Ji family of Yixing, a rising star in the Imperial Academy, and dared not neglect him. He promptly escorted Ji Yong to Zhao Si.

Zhao Si was chatting with a few fellow graduates when Ji Yong entered, looking somewhat surprised.

Fortunately, Zhao Si’s companions either served in the Imperial Academy or held positions as secretaries in the Six Ministries. As fellow scholars, they all recognized Ji Yong, the celebrated young Presented Scholar. Some introduced him to Zhao Si, while others greeted him warmly.

Ji Yong responded with gentle smiles and modest courtesy, exuding the refined demeanor of a well-bred noble scion.

Zhao Si took an immediate liking to him.

Ji Yong then openly requested to see Dou Zhao: "We are cousins, but as we’ve grown older and she is now married, propriety demands discretion. Would Uncle kindly arrange for me to speak with her briefly?"

A gentleman does not act improperly in private.

His forthright request earned silent nods of approval from those present.

Zhao Si also showed appreciation but replied, "If you have a message, I can relay it for you."

Ji Yong said, "His Majesty has assigned me to assist Minister Yu in revising the Combined Training of Zhou Rituals . When I was young, I once saw a book titled Annotations and Abridgments of Rituals on my cousin’s desk. I tried borrowing it from Seventh Uncle, but he said he didn’t own such a book. I wanted to ask my cousin whether I misremembered or if it was her personal copy. If it was hers, might I borrow it? In ancient times, the capping ceremony was held in the ancestral temple—emperors underwent four cappings, yet the ritual was performed only once. I haven’t found the source for this and wondered if she might recall anything about it."

The room erupted in astonishment. Zhao Si, especially shocked, exclaimed, "Shou Gu understands the Zhou Rituals ?"“Indeed!” Ji Yong replied without batting an eye. “Not only do I understand it, but I’m quite proficient. These past few days, I’ve been so buried in books that I’ve lost all sense of direction. To make matters worse, Minister Yu has been pressing me urgently. Left with no choice, I decided to take a shortcut.” He then bowed to the assembled officials and continued, “I beg your indulgence, gentlemen—please keep this matter confidential.”

No one wished to admit seeking scholarly advice from a woman.

The officials all wore expressions of understanding, nodding in agreement and assuring him, “Of course, we won’t breathe a word.” Their gazes toward Ji Yong grew warmer, and some even advised Zhao Si, “This is a serious matter. Just send a reliable elder to accompany Lord Ji to meet your niece.”

Zhao Si also felt the matter shouldn’t be publicized and saw no reason to refuse. He summoned a trusted servant in his sixties to escort Ji Yong to the eastern wing, then sent someone to fetch Dou Zhao for a discussion.

Dou Zhao was utterly bewildered, and her surprise only deepened upon seeing Ji Yong.

The elderly servant quickly explained the situation.

Fuming but mindful of the servant standing between them, Dou Zhao could only glare fiercely at the unruffled Ji Yong and whisper accusingly, “Are you trying to make me out as some kind of female prodigy?” She couldn’t even deny her supposed expertise in the Rites of Zhou without causing a scene.

Ji Yong remained unfazed, frowning as he said, “I rarely get to see you. I have something important to discuss—don’t act like those petty women who only know how to scold without grasping priorities…”

Dou Zhao’s eyebrows shot up.

Ji Yong had already launched into complaints: “You’ve no idea what I’ve become!” He dramatically exaggerated his plight at the Imperial Academy before getting to the point. “I know you oversee numerous ventures with many seasoned managers. I’ve saved about five thousand taels of private silver—could you find someone to manage this for me? Just enough to ensure my future livelihood.”

Dou Zhao immediately understood his intent.

After careful consideration, she said, “Compiling texts isn’t like other tasks. Those at the Imperial Academy may be Named on the Golden List, but unless one is truly erudite, the work is impossible. My fear is that with your reputation, the Emperor might think of you whenever a new compilation is needed. You could be trapped there indefinitely, with no hope of leaving. That would indeed waste your life…”

Ji Yong brightened at her words, exclaiming, “I knew Fourth Sister was different! So, which manager do you think could handle my funds?”

Dou Zhao’s expression turned icy. “None are suitable.”

Ji Yong was stunned.

Dou Zhao continued, “Do you think business is easy? It demands total dedication, just like your studies—thinking of selling umbrellas in rain and repairing them in sun, losing sleep over shipments moving north and south…”

Ji Yong grew impatient. “Enough! You’re just dangling false hope!”

“You want independence but can’t tolerate dissenting views. What am I to say?” Dou Zhao retorted coolly. “You shouldn’t measure others by your own strengths. Since you excel in scholarship, you should focus on your official career. Old Master Ji is right—this is your opportunity. If you can assist the Emperor in compiling texts, why not use it to gain his favor? The question is whether you’ll remain a mere scribe or become an official versed in governance, capable of solving the Emperor’s problems!”

Ji Yong fell silent, his protest unspoken.The loyal servant of the Zhao family stood dumbfounded, utterly bewildered.

Dou Zhao felt she had said all she needed to say. As for what to do next, it was up to Ji Yong to decide.

"If you insist on using your private savings for business, you can always send me word later," Dou Zhao said before turning to leave the side chamber.

Ji Yong sat in the Grand Preceptor's Chair, lost in thought.

A page peeked through the curtain outside, signaling to the loyal servant with his eyes. It took the servant a moment to react before he tiptoed over and whispered, "What is it?"

The page lowered his voice further. "The master asks how the conversation between Lord Ji and the Cousin went. Why hasn’t Lord Ji returned to the study?"

The loyal servant hurriedly replied, "Go tell the master that the Cousin has already returned to the inner quarters. Lord Ji is sitting in a daze, and I’m staying here in case he doesn’t know the way back to the study!"

In truth, he was keeping an eye on Ji Yong to prevent him from wandering off.

The page understood the implication and went to report to Zhao Si with a smile.

Zhao Si then heard from the maidservant he had sent to the inner quarters to check on Dou Zhao that she had indeed returned and was chatting with the Dou family’s Sixth Madam and Fifth Madam. Relieved, he instructed the page, "Go tell Old Luo to serve Lord Ji properly!"

The page cheerfully headed back to the side chamber.

Zhao Si’s classmates began praising him for having such an outstanding niece, asking which family she had married into and who her husband was.

Zhao Si answered each question in turn.

Their expressions soon turned regretful.

One even remarked, "Why didn’t you, Lord Zhao, arrange for your niece to marry a scholar?"

The mention of Dou Shiying stirred irritation in Zhao Si, and his tone turned stiff. "I was serving in the northwest at the time. Her marriage was arranged by her father, Dou Wanyuan."

These men naturally knew Dou Shiying.

Someone exclaimed in surprise, "Wait, Dou Wanyuan is your son-in-law? I thought he was Wang Yousheng’s son-in-law?"

Zhao Si replied testily, "My sister was his first wife. After she passed away, he elevated Wang Yousheng’s daughter to be his second wife."

The room fell into an awkward silence.

Fortunately, a page entered to announce that the groom’s sedan chair had arrived.

Everyone quickly brightened, urging Zhao Si to welcome the new son-in-law. Laughing and chatting, they made their way to the main hall for the wedding ceremony.

After the rites, the newlyweds retired to the bridal chamber to share the ceremonial wine. The groom then returned to toast the guests.

The hall soon filled with laughter and lively celebration, brimming with joy.

Song Mo found Dou Zhao watching the festivities from the veranda and gently adjusted her wind cap. "Why not go inside? Shall I help you squeeze through the crowd?"

Dou Zhao rested a hand on her abdomen and smiled. "I’m afraid of jostling the baby."

Song Mo hesitated, not wanting to press her. Noticing the draft on the veranda, he guided her toward a nearby tea room. "Let’s sit there instead. I’ll pour you some hot tea. Once the excitement dies down, we’ll head home and return early tomorrow."

Dou Zhao nodded and followed him to the tea room. Seated on an embroidered stool, she sipped the tea Song Mo had prepared and brought up Ji Yong’s situation, sighing. "When someone is naturally brilliant, everything comes easily to them, and they seldom learn to value it. With his extraordinary talent, the Ji family must be losing hair over him."

Song Mo, however, felt a chill run down his spine.But his expression remained calm and composed. "You shouldn't always treat him like a child who hasn't grown up. He's already come of age—you can't spend your whole life cleaning up his messes behind his back, can you? You should try letting go and allow him to mature."

Dou Zhao chuckled. "You make a fair point. If he really wants to start a business, I can introduce him to a good chief steward. As for the rest, it's not our concern."

Song Mo couldn't help muttering to himself.

What "our" concern? It's "your" concern, isn't it?

I never had any intention of helping him!

If he resigns from his post and returns to Jiangnan, that would be even better.