Blossom

Chen Qushui asked Dou Zhao gently, "So, what are your plans?"

Dou Zhao replied firmly, "I want to protect our family!"

Anyone would think the same.

But under the weight of circumstances, how many can achieve their wishes?

He thought of the men groaning in pain throughout the courtyard and Pang Kunbai, who still couldn’t stand or walk. He recalled the confrontation between Dou Zhao and Song Mo in the pouring rain, and the rare warmth in Song Mo’s expression as he supported Dou Zhao. His heart suddenly raced with an eager excitement.

Chen Qushui recognized it—the desire to seize the chance to alter the course of history, much like his own yearning to fulfill his ambitions years ago when he realized his official career was hopeless.

He smiled softly and said gently, "I’ve traveled many places and seen many sights. Life is just like that. Madam, you needn’t worry about me. Whatever you need, just give the order. Though I may lack talent, I will dedicate myself fully, even unto death."

The last line was from Zhuge Liang’s Memorial on the Expedition .

Dou Zhao inexplicably understood Chen Qushui’s meaning.

Indeed, what did she have to fear?

The victors are kings, the losers bandits!

If she failed, the fate of Duke of Dingguo's Mansion would be her warning.

So, she could only charge forward.

What did it matter if it was Liao Wang or the Crown Prince?

What did they have to do with her?

When she was trapped in despair, it was Su Lan and Su Xin who protected her, Duan Gongyi and others who pleaded for her. When she agonized over her past and present lives, it was Song Mo’s persistence and passion that made her heart beat steadily again.

These were the people she should cherish, the ones she should protect with all her might!

She would move forward.

Throughout history, countless heroes had fallen to indecision.

She would move forward.

Just as she had done since her rebirth.

Resolutely, unyieldingly forward!

Alongside those who loved, respected, and cared for her.

Dou Zhao rested a hand on her slightly protruding belly and smiled faintly at Chen Qushui. Yet her eyes sparkled like morning stars—bright, dazzling, radiant.

The Dou Zhao of Zhen Ding had returned.

Chen Qushui stood, took two steps back, and bowed slowly to her. "Madam, I await your command."

Dou Zhao laughed.

In this lonely world, one more companion meant one more ounce of courage.

She gestured for Chen Qushui to sit and said, "Since taking over the household affairs of the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion, I’ve noticed something strange. Logically, as a century-old noble family, such a lineage should pass down not just titles and wealth, but also deep connections and loyal servants who sustain the family’s prosperity.

"I’ve witnessed the depth of those connections during the New Year.

"Not only did aristocratic families in the Capital send gifts, but even court officials and military garrisons across the regions paid their respects. Some gifts from imperial relatives were quite substantial.

"But as for loyal servants—to be honest, I haven’t seen any.

"The Young Lord is mostly surrounded by people from Duke of Dingguo's Mansion.

"And around the Duke of Yingguo, most were promoted after Madam Jiang’s death.""I also know that after Madam Jiang's death, the servants of the Duke of England's Mansion were purged, and the split between the Hall of Cultivating Will and the Duke's mansion implicated many more. But a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. There's no way the Duke's mansion could be as freshly painted and pristine as it is now, without a single seasoned manager to keep things in order!"

"Take Zeng Wu, for example, who recently started serving the Duke. It was just a stroke of luck. A mere stable boy who followed his father to the Duke's mansion because his father knew how to raise horses, yet he managed to get close to the Duke through connections with the front courtyard's chief steward, Huang Qing, and became the Duke's personal page. Such a thing would be unthinkable in our Dou family. We'd have to trace his background for three generations or observe him for two to three years before daring to assign him to a third-tier position near us."

This was also why, in her past life, Wang Yingxue had been so domineering. In this life, even though she controlled half of Western Dou's assets, Gaosheng remained loyal to Father.

Chen Qushui, after all, was just a humble scholar and hadn't pondered these matters deeply. Hearing Dou Zhao's words now, he felt a pang of realization.

"I remember the first time I came to the Duke's mansion. With over two hundred people, it was eerily silent," Chen Qushui recalled. "The servants stood tall, their faces wearing expressions of both arrogance and humility, most looking at me with a hint of disdain."

"Yan Chaoqing was the one who brought me in."

"We ran into a gray-haired steward named Li."

"Not only did Yan Chaoqing bow respectfully to him, but when Manager Li asked about me, Yan even patiently fabricated an explanation."

"Later, Yan explained that this Manager Li had once served the old Duke and was now in charge of teaching etiquette to new pages. He held considerable influence in the mansion. Yan even joked that there were many such old servants in the Duke's mansion and advised me to keep my eyes open and not provoke these old-timers."

"At the time, I wondered if the Duke found these old servants who had served his father obstructive."

"Now look at the Duke's mansion today. Both the heir and the Duke himself act recklessly, doing whatever they please... Even going so far as to place a maid who once served the Duke personally into his son's chambers. Even if the maid was innocent, how could such a thing be explained? What kind of place would the Duke's mansion become if word got out?"

As Chen Qushui spoke, a thought struck him, and he looked at Dou Zhao.

He saw her eyes gleaming back at him.

Both of their expressions shifted slightly.

Chen Qushui hesitated, then said, "You suspect the Duke took the opportunity to remove those who were in his way.""This isn't suspicion—it's certainty," said Dou Zhao. "But I once heard the heir mention that when Madam Jiang was alive, she managed all household affairs and miscellaneous matters in the mansion. Since her passing was sudden, she surely left many things unspoken to the Duke of Yingguo. It's unlikely he knows everything about the mansion's affairs, so there must be some loose ends. I think we should tackle this from both sides—you investigate the backgrounds of the outer courtyard stewards, while I look into the maids and servants in the inner quarters. With the addition of those maids transferred from the farmsteads, we can peel back the layers and find a few useful leads. As for Liao Wang, the heir is already wary and investigating him. We'll make further plans once we have more information. Right now, our priority is to secure control of the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion, fortifying it like an iron barrel so no one can breach it. Only then can we calmly handle court affairs when Liao Wang makes his move."

Chen Qushui replied solemnly, "Madam, you needn't worry. Leave this matter to me."

Dou Zhao personally escorted Chen Qushui out of the study.

She then summoned Ruo Zhu.

Among the four maids whose names included the character "Ruo," she was the most astute.

Dou Zhao beckoned her closer and whispered, "You're acquainted with Qi Xia, the head maid in the second master's quarters, aren't you? The Duke intends to transfer Chuan'er from Cassia Fragrance Courtyard to serve there. Drop a hint to Qi Xia and observe her reaction. Also, find a way to strike up conversations with the maids in Cassia Fragrance Courtyard."

Ruo Zhu's grandmother, surnamed Cui, was a distant cousin of Dou Zhao's grandmother.

Her ability to accompany Dou Zhao to Zhen Ding was due to this connection.

Ruo Zhu smiled brightly, curtsied, and withdrew.

Meanwhile, Song Mo made little progress.

According to his intelligence, although every member of the Divine Machine Battalion came from distinguished backgrounds and formed various factions, under the command of Metropolitan Commander Wang Xu, they all cowered like mice—resentful but silent. Wang Xu's word was law in the battalion. Moreover, Wang Maming, Jiang Yi, and Wang Xu were on excellent terms, especially Jiang Yi, who was literate and had once served as Wang Xu's clerk. Wang Xu had promoted him to the rank of minor officer.

So where exactly was the problem?

When Song Mo returned to his chambers, he found Dou Zhao sitting by the lamplight, flipping through a thick ledger.

He never brought outside troubles home.

After washing up and changing, his mood had already lightened.

He asked Dou Zhao, "What are you reading?"

"Checking which maids have come and gone in the household," she replied with a smile, pouring him a cup of tea. "Do you know which servants once attended your grandfather?"

Song Mo paused, thinking. "I honestly can't recall."

Dou Zhao chided, "How can you not know your own household affairs?"

Apologetically, he said, "At fifteen, when I came of age, my mother felt it improper for me to continue accompanying my uncle so frequently. She wanted me to familiarize myself with the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion before fifteen and then focus on our own household affairs afterward. That way, I could maintain connections in both mansions." His voice lowered, his expression turning bitter. "But plans never keep up with changes..."

Thus, Song Mo knew even less about the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion than she did.

Dou Zhao nearly fainted from exasperation.This also showed Madam Jiang's expectations for her eldest son.

Dou Zhao said, "After all, the people from the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion belong there. If those cousins from the Jiang Family are pardoned and can return to Haozhou, what will happen to these people? How many will stay, and how many will go back?"

Song Mo had also considered this issue.

Xu Qing was a prime example.

Despite the Jiang Family's downfall, Xu Qing chose to stay with the widows and orphans of the Jiang Family rather than follow Song Mo to the Capital for better prospects.

However, since Song Mo was locked in a standoff with Song Yichun and was severely short-handed, he had no choice but to make do.

Now that Dou Zhao brought it up, and with Song Yichun effectively suppressed, Song Mo felt it was time to recruit more people.

He smiled and said, "How about lending me Mr. Chen for a while? I’m short on manpower, after all."

Dou Zhao chuckled, "Aren’t my people also yours? There’s no need to talk about 'lending'—just give your orders. I’m sure they’d be happy to serve you."

Song Mo grinned, "I was also thinking of borrowing Duan Gongyi to help me recruit some people."

Duan Gongyi had connections with Tan Family Village, so recruiting through him meant sourcing from the martial world.

Dou Zhao said, "Guards and the like are easy enough. Even if the Jiang cousins return, they could be borrowed for such roles. But loyal servants you can trust with your life are hard to find. I think you should also draw some hands from the farmsteads to bolster the Hall of Cultivating Will."