Blossom

Ruo Zhu responded and left.

Song Mo smiled and pinched Dou Zhao's nose, pretending not to have noticed the glance Ruo Zhu had cast her earlier—some matters fell within Dou Zhao's authority, and he had learned to turn a blind eye.

Soon, Huang Qing arrived with a grim expression.

"Madam, this is an internal household matter. As an outer courtyard steward, how can I intervene?" He knelt before Dou Zhao the moment he entered. "I beg Madam to step in and help resolve the situation."

Dou Zhao was busy cleaning the leaves of a large money tree with a damp cloth—a gift she had prepared for Ningde Princess's upcoming birthday.

Seeing Huang Qing kneel before her, she didn’t even glance his way, her attention entirely fixed on the tree. As she continued wiping the leaves, she replied absentmindedly, "Steward Huang, your words are rather hasty. As a daughter-in-law, how can I interfere in the affairs of my widowed father-in-law’s quarters? Moreover, the Duke has never meddled in the affairs of the Hall of Cultivating Will, and the Hall of Cultivating Will has never interfered in the matters of the Duke of England's Mansion." At this point, she turned to gaze at Huang Qing. "Steward Huang, have you truly thought this through? Are you certain you want me to step in and resolve this?"

How could he have forgotten this detail!

Cold sweat broke out on Huang Qing’s back.

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "I think it would be wiser for the chief steward to hurry and fetch the Duke back." She then handed the damp cloth to Ruo Tong, who was waiting nearby, and allowed the maidservant to assist her in washing her hands.

Huang Qing assented and scrambled out of the heated room in haste.

Ruo Tong curled her lip in dissatisfaction. "Only when trouble arises do they think to seek Madam’s help? Where were they earlier? Madam, you mustn’t involve yourself in the affairs of Cassia Fragrance Courtyard."

Dou Zhao chuckled and returned to the inner chambers.

Song Mo had yet to return from his study.

Dou Zhao asked Ruo Dan, "What is the Young Lord doing?"

Ruo Dan placed a freshly brewed cup of tea before her and replied with a smile, "The Young Lord is speaking with Master Yan."

Dou Zhao then busied herself in the inner chambers, cutting out patterns for small garments.

At the first watch drum, Song Mo returned.

Dou Zhao handed him fresh clothes and casually asked, "What were you discussing? You only just returned after speaking with Master Yan for so long."

Song Mo didn’t hide it from her. After the maidservants had withdrawn, he told her about Ma Youming’s drunken episode and added, "I feel there’s something odd about it. I had someone keep an eye on Ma Youming, and today it was discovered that he secretly sent his wife and children back to their hometown. He left behind many valuable items, as if fleeing from disaster. Yet, I haven’t noticed anything unusual. I was thinking of inviting Ma Youming for a drink tomorrow after duty to talk with him."

Dou Zhao’s heart stirred at this, and she sat there dazed for a long moment, lost in thought.

Song Mo chuckled and called out to her twice, waving his fingers in front of her eyes.

Amused, Dou Zhao swatted his hand away.

Song Mo said, "Don’t worry. I’ll help you obtain the roster of past female servants from the outer courtyard."

Dou Zhao laughed but then paused, thinking. "I wasn’t thinking about that."

Song Mo looked surprised.

Dou Zhao gazed at him silently.

After hesitating for a while, Song Mo finally lowered his voice and asked, "What have you discovered?"

Instead of answering, Dou Zhao countered, "Yantang, if you were Liao Wang and wanted to become Emperor, what would you do?"

Song Mo’s brows furrowed slightly, then his expression changed dramatically.

Dou Zhao quickly asked, "What came to mind?"

Song Mo’s expression turned peculiar.Dou Zhao couldn't help but say, "Whatever you've thought of, you should at least tell me about it."

Song Mo sighed. He cupped Dou Zhao's face and kissed her, saying, "I don't know whether to call you clever or bold—or perhaps neither, just exceptionally lucky!"

This was the first time Dou Zhao had openly hinted in front of Song Mo that Liao Wang might be plotting a rebellion...

She grew somewhat anxious and urged, "Stop beating around the bush and tell me quickly."

Song Mo lowered his voice. "If the realm is at peace and Liao Wang truly harbors such ambitions, his only path would be a palace coup. For a coup to succeed, it must be executed with lightning speed, ensuring control is seized before anyone realizes what's happening."

"To gain control, the first requirement is having trusted allies within the Imperial Guards and the palace eunuchs."

"The former can wield weapons to render the Emperor powerless to resist, while the latter can relay intelligence, allowing Liao Wang to monitor the inner palace's movements. At critical moments, they can also temporarily withhold information from the Emperor to lull him into complacency."

"Empress Wan currently oversees the inner palace. With her managing the eunuchs, that aspect is foolproof. As for the Imperial Guards—setting aside the Imperial Bodyguard for now—the Golden Guard secures the palace gates, the Five Cities Garrison defends the inner city, the Divine Machine Battalion is stationed outside the outer city, and the Five Armies Battalion stands ready in coordination. If any of these units stirs unrest, the plan would fail."

As he spoke, his expression turned grave.

"Among them, the Golden Guard is the most crucial. If they can silently block intelligence from the inner palace, the plan is already half-successful."

"Next is the Divine Machine Battalion. Once turmoil erupts in the palace, their firearms and rapid mobility make them the most formidable military garrison in the realm. They are also the closest to the capital. With a handwritten order from the Emperor or the Crown Prince, they would march without hesitation. The Golden Guard would be no match for them, potentially reversing the situation and trapping Liao Wang like a turtle in a jar, leaving him powerless."

"Then there are the Five Cities Garrison and the Five Armies Battalion."

"If the Divine Machine Battalion attacks the city and the Five Cities Garrison supports Liao Wang, the combined forces of the Golden Guard and the Five Cities Garrison, though risky, could tip the scales. If the Five Armies Battalion, stationed in Wanping, also backs Liao Wang and joins forces with the Five Cities Garrison and the Golden Guard, the outcome would be decided."

"Conversely, if the Divine Machine Battalion allies with the Golden Guard, even if the Five Cities Garrison and the Five Armies Battalion receive the Emperor's or Crown Prince's edict to rally to the defense, the Five Armies Battalion's slower mobility and half-day march to the capital would likely mean the situation is settled before their arrival."

The Emperor's Imperial Guards are not so easily turned.

A single misstep could lead to the extermination of one's entire clan.

Just listening to this made Dou Zhao's scalp tingle.

This Liao Wang is truly a talent!

To have succeeded in a palace coup.

In her past life, Liao Wang had been tight-lipped about the coup, and the Marquis of Jining's Mansion had been as fragile as a flickering candle, unable to withstand any upheaval. She hadn't dared to inquire about the details then. Had she known Liao Wang's arrangements, she might have avoided some detours.

But the most impressive was Song Mo.

He had quickly devised countermeasures, displaying both strategic vision and clarity of thought. No wonder Liao Wang had brought him into the palace in her past life.

She said, "If the palace coup succeeds, the next step would fall to the civil officials, wouldn't it?"Song Mo nodded and said, "Have the duty officer from the Court of State Ceremonial or the Imperial Academy draft the imperial decree. Then have the duty minister from the Grand Secretariat verify its authenticity, and find a high-ranking regional official to present the congratulatory memorial. That should settle the matter. As for what people truly think, or whether the new emperor can secure the throne after ascending—that's another story altogether."

Dou Zhao's thoughts gradually became clearer.

In her previous life, the duty minister from the Grand Secretariat must have been Dai Jian. As for the high-ranking regional official, it was most likely Guo Yan.

As she pondered this, Song Mo ruffled her hair and sighed, "How does that brain of yours work? How did you even think of this?"

Dou Zhao tilted her head away to avoid his hand, smoothing her hair as she replied, "I just spend my idle time wondering, 'What would I do if I were Liao Wang?'" She then grabbed Song Mo's hand and joked, "Isn't it strange? First, there was the incident at Risheng Silver House, and then Kuang Zhuoran's affair. It's such a coincidence that we encountered both, making it impossible not to think deeply. Do you think the heavens are watching over us, ensuring we stumble upon everything?"

Song Mo considered her words and found some truth in them.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "There's something you might not know yet." He then told Dou Zhao about the odd behavior of Jiang Yi and Ma Youming. "If Liao Wang plans to act as we suspect, he must also be focusing on the Divine Machines Battalion now."

Dou Zhao was stunned, taking a long pause before asking, "What do you plan to do?"

Song Mo gave a bitter smile. "What can I do? We'll have to wait and see. The merit for supporting the ascension isn't easily earned. For now, let's just get Ma Youming out first."

"Even if you rescue Ma Youming, where will you place him?" Dou Zhao pressed. "He's a lieutenant in the Divine Machines Battalion! What if we alert the enemy?"

Noticing the implication in her words, Song Mo chuckled. "Do you have an idea?"

Dou Zhao said, "A hero needs allies. Since you're all facing the same predicament, why not discuss how to advance or retreat together? That way, you can support each other."

Song Mo had never considered seeking help before. He hesitated.

Dou Zhao, worried her suggestion might lead him astray, quickly added, "This is your decision to make. I'm not directly involved—I can only offer advice."

Song Mo nodded, smiling as he ruffled her hair again. "Having you as my 'dog-headed strategist' is enough. The others aren't worth worrying about."

"How arrogant!" Dou Zhao smoothed her hair and glared at him.

Song Mo laughed heartily, his expression relaxed.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but admire him. Though a year younger than her, he was far calmer and more rational than someone who had lived two lifetimes. No wonder, in her past life, his favor with the emperor only grew despite widespread criticism.

As the two prepared to retire for the night, Ruo Tong rushed in.

"Young Lord, Madam," she said, a light sweat on her brow. "There's crying and shouting in Cassia Fragrance Courtyard—it's even disturbed the front courtyard. Everyone's whispering about what might have happened..."

Dou Zhao was surprised. "Has the Duke returned?"

"Yes!" Ruo Tong replied. "He just came back not long ago."

Dou Zhao looked at Song Mo.

His expression remained indifferent. "Since it's Father's household matter, let him handle it. It's not appropriate for us to interfere."Dou Zhao instructed Ruo Tong, "It's getting late. Everyone should rest early, as we have to attend to the Young Lord for his palace visit tomorrow."

Ruo Tong withdrew.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo retired for the night.

She had thought Song Mo would struggle to sleep, but to her surprise, he soon began breathing deeply and evenly.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but smile.

It was for the best that Song Mo could remain indifferent to Song Yichun's affairs.

She kissed Song Mo's cheek and blew out the lamp.

In the darkness, a pair of eyes shone like morning stars.

He gazed at the woman beside him for a long time, then gently pulled her into his embrace. Pressing his cheek against hers, he murmured, "Do you know, you're all I have left?" Adjusting to a comfortable position, he slowly drifted into a sweet slumber.