Blossom

Could it be that Gu Yu, in this life as in the previous one, would marry the Eleventh Miss of the Yongen Earl's Family as his first wife?

Dou Zhao fell silent for a moment.

Gu Yu wasn’t just dissatisfied with Madam Feng—he outright despised her.

Madam Feng was the granddaughter of Yongen Earl’s younger brother. Dou Zhao had never met her in her past life but had only heard that Madam Feng was plain-looking, timid, and dull in personality.

In the second year after Liao Wang ascended the throne, Gu Yu divorced Madam Feng on the grounds of her failure to bear children.

Madam Feng later committed suicide by hanging in the Feng family temple.

It was only when the Feng family prepared her body for burial that they discovered she had remained a virgin.

The Feng family took the matter to court against the Gu family.

Naturally, Liao Wang sided with Gu Yu, dismissing Madam Feng as mediocre and unfit to be the Countess of Yunyang. Not only did the Feng family fail to gain any advantage, but Yongen Earl was also stripped of two years’ salary. A few days later, the old Yongen Earl passed away from illness, and the Feng family lost imperial favor, quickly declining from first-rank nobility to third-rank.

Meanwhile, Gu Yu was granted a marriage by Empress Wan and soon wed the eldest daughter of Marquis Anlu, Zhou Chao.

Dou Zhao had met this Lady Zhou—not only was she beautiful, but she was also skilled in calligraphy and painting. After the Count of Yunyang passed away, Gu Yu’s father was exposed for indulging in debauchery during the mourning period. Gu Yu bypassed his father and directly inherited the title of Count of Yunyang, throwing the Gu family into chaos for a time. Yet Lady Zhou managed the household affairs with remarkable order, earning praise in the Capital’s noble circles for being a virtuous and capable wife.

Strangely, however, Gu Yu’s relationship with Lady Zhou was also extremely cold.

He moved out of the Yunyang Estate and settled next to Song Mo. While Song Mo’s inner courtyard was filled with beauties, Gu Yu’s was crowded with concubines. Song Mo had no heirs, but Gu Yu frequently fathered illegitimate sons and daughters, sending them back to the Yunyang Estate for Lady Zhou to raise. It was said that there were so many children that when Gu Yu returned to the estate for ancestral rites during the New Year, he even failed to recognize his own eldest illegitimate son.

For a time, both he and Song Mo became the talk of the Capital.

In this life, would he tread the same path as before?

Dou Zhao pondered for a moment and said, “Since Gu Yu is so dissatisfied, why don’t you help him? Don’t let him suffer too much.”

Song Mo let out a surprised “Oh?” and laughed. “Didn’t you say you’d never play matchmaker again? Why are you meddling in Gu Yu’s affairs now?”

Dou Zhao flushed and defended herself, “He’s unloved by his uncles and neglected by his family—I just pity him for having no one to care for him. Marriage is a lifelong matter. Forcing two people together is never good…”

But Song Mo perked up, leaning closer to her and asking, “You think marriage is a lifelong matter?” As he spoke, he couldn’t resist lightly caressing her cheek, the scene so intimate that Gan Lu, who was attending to them in the room, blushed and retreated.

Dou Zhao pushed his hand away and chided, “What nonsense are you up to? After spending a night in the palace, aren’t your back and shoulders sore? Go wash up, and I’ll give you a massage!”

Song Mo beamed and cheerfully agreed before heading to the washroom.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile.

Sometimes Song Mo was more composed than her, a person who had lived two lives. Other times, he was as childish as a little boy.

Ever since she once complained to him after returning from a night shift at the palace about how the duty room’s bed was too hard and left her uncomfortable, he had taken to claiming his back and shoulders ached after every night shift—even though she knew he was just being spoiled, she still couldn’t help but pamper him with a massage.Song Mo soon entered wearing only an inner garment and lay face down on the kang, letting Dou Zhao massage his back.

As with previous times, after just a few presses, Song Mo stopped her: "This requires strength. Wait until after you've given birth, then you can properly massage me. We haven't seen each other for two days. Let's talk instead?"

Dou Zhao, recalling his poor mood when he returned, smiled and said, "I know my limits. If I get tired, I'll stop." She continued massaging his back.

But Song Mo restlessly turned over and pulled Dou Zhao to lie down with him.

Seeing he was truly in no mood, Dou Zhao complied and nestled into his embrace.

Yet Song Mo remained silent, idly playing with her hair, thoroughly messing up her neatly coiled bun.

He must have encountered something serious!

Dou Zhao became even more gentle and attentive, subtly probing about what had happened during his two days at the palace.

Not wanting to worry her, Song Mo thought for a moment and told her about Dou Ming's situation.

"An illegitimate child?" Dou Zhao was surprised. "After they went to the Wei Family, Sixth Sister-in-law brought Jing Jie'er to visit and told me everything that happened. But she didn't mention this. Probably to spare me embarrassment. Though this damages Dou Ming's reputation, Father can't escape blame either." She worriedly added, "I wonder how Father is doing now? You should go see him tomorrow. You two get along. If I went, it might just end in another argument."

Song Mo laughed. "Don't worry. In this matter, both you and your father are victims. It's your Fifth Uncle who's bearing the brunt—the scholars at the Imperial Academy are attacking him, saying he's blinded by greed, even scheming against his own clansman. Some say it was your Second Grandaunt's decision, that Fifth Uncle was in the Capital and knew nothing about it. Others criticize your Second Grandaunt for being foolish enough to legitimize such a woman. The Wang Family is the most humiliated now. Some have even dug up old stories about Wang Yousheng getting drunk at brothels in his youth and needing friends to bail him out, calling him a hypocritical lecher with poor character, saying that's why his daughter would rather be a concubine. The fire has reached Wang Yousheng himself."

Hearing this, Dou Zhao couldn't help but feel pleased.

The corners of her mouth lifted.

Song Mo noticed with amusement, "Oh? So you dislike Wang Yousheng!"

"Isn't that obvious?" Dou Zhao chided. "Mother's suicide was partly due to her temperament, but if Wang Yingxun hadn't been Wang Yousheng's daughter, would Mother have gone that far? Naturally, I'm happy to see their family suffer."

Song Mo immediately had an idea. "What if we make things harder for Wang Yousheng?"

Dou Zhao was startled and quickly said, "He's now one of the most prominent high-ranking regional officials. You have more important matters to attend to. Don't let Wang Yousheng drag you down."

"Don't worry," Song Mo said, even happier than Dou Zhao. "I still want to grow old with you. I wouldn't waste my time on him."

Remembering his domineering ways in his past life, Dou Zhao felt uneasy and insisted on a promise.

Song Mo hooked his finger with hers, smiling. "Let's pinky swear, okay?"

And so they did.Song Mo couldn't stop laughing, holding her tightly in his arms: "How did I end up marrying such an amusing wife!"

Dou Zhao quickly reminded him: "The baby, be careful with the baby!" Then she teased him, "Only now do you realize what a good wife you have?"

Song Mo suddenly grew quiet, loosening his embrace to carefully cradle her face. His smile faded as he gazed at her with solemn eyes, speaking earnestly: "I've known all along that I married well..."

That's why he went to such lengths to make her his.

He silently confessed this to himself.

Resolving never to tell Dou Zhao about what he had done.

But Dou Zhao was startled by Song Mo's serious expression and asked anxiously, "Has something happened?"

"Nothing at all," Song Mo chuckled, rolling onto his back beside her. Half-jokingly, half-reflectively, he mused, "I just find it wondrous how fate works. You from Zhen Ding and me from the Capital—two people from opposite ends—could become husband and wife..."

And be so perfectly matched.

Could this be heaven's compensation for his past sufferings?

He pondered silently.

Dou Zhao also found it miraculous.

In her previous life, she had been an obscure woman confined to the inner quarters, while he was a figure who struck fear throughout the imperial court. Yet by some twist of fate, they became husband and wife in this life. And he treated her so well—it truly felt like a dream.

As this thought crossed her mind, she froze momentarily.

Could she actually be dreaming?

She pinched Song Mo's arm.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed, but his eyes remained full of concern as they rested on her. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Dou Zhao laughed.

Even if this were a dream, so what?

She'd gladly stay drunk in this dream forever.

Dou Zhao buried herself in Song Mo's embrace, holding him without speaking.

His warm arms, his crisp scent.

This was Song Mo.

How could it be a dream?

She gently kissed his chin.

Song Mo pretended to gasp in mock surprise, growling playfully, "Daring to tease me? You'll have to face the consequences."

Dou Zhao chuckled indulgently.

※※※※※

The next day, Song Mo had a day off and visited the Duke of Dongping's residence.

Dressed in a Bamboo Leaf Green silk robe, his jade-like features appeared serene and composed in the spring breeze, as intoxicating as the warm spring sun.

The Duke couldn't help remarking, "The Young Lord truly lives up to his reputation as the Capital's most handsome man!"

Song Mo frowned slightly.

Realizing his gaffe, the Duke quickly ushered Song Mo into his study.

Song Mo brought up Jiang Yi's matter: "He shares some connection with me, was recommended by Lord Ma, and is quite sharp. He deserves an opportunity. There happens to be an Assistant Prefect position available in the Five Armies Battalion. I was thinking of recommending the South City Commander for that post and having Jiang Yi take over as South City Commander. What do you think?"

Personnel in the Five Armies Battalion could rarely leave camp. Even with a promotion, it wouldn't offer the same freedom and lucrative opportunities as the Five Cities Garrison.

This was essentially forcing the South City Commander to vacate his position for Jiang Yi.

The Duke naturally wouldn't oppose such a trivial matter that pleased Song Mo. He readily agreed—after all, he was only acting commander of the Five Cities Garrison, and this was an easy favor to grant.

But he couldn't resist asking about Wei Tingyu: "...He's been Deputy Commander for two years now. Should we consider adjusting his position?"Song Mo sneered inwardly but maintained a warm expression as he said, "Although Marquis Wei is my brother-in-law, he is older than me, and with the Wang Family taking care of matters, there are some things I shouldn’t interfere with!"

The Duke of Dongping, recalling that Wei Tingyu had secured his position in the Five Cities Garrison through Wang Yousheng’s connections, and considering the recent rumors swirling around Wang Yousheng in the Capital, believed he had found the reason. He nodded in sudden understanding and said repeatedly, "So that’s how it is! The Young Lord’s concerns are quite reasonable." With a smile, he invited Song Mo to enjoy the tea, smoothly moving past the topic.

However, whispers that Jiang Yi had curried favor with Song Mo, the Young Lord of the Duke of Yingguo, to secure the position of South City Commander spread like wildfire through the Five Cities Garrison.