Blossom

Not far away, in a small tea room, Cai Shi was incessantly complaining to her mother, Madam Cai: "Mother, I only told you in confidence, but you went and spread it everywhere. If the Dou family finds out, they’ll either divorce me or send me to the family temple. At your age, with all the things you’ve experienced, how could you cause such a mess..."

Just as she spoke, there was movement outside the open tea room. Cai Shi quickly lowered her head, pretending to chat with her mother while brewing tea: "Since we’ve made offerings to the Smallpox Goddess, and now that our nephew has recovered, sister-in-law should go to the temple to fulfill her vow."

Seeing two young maids enter to fetch hot water, she sighed in relief.

The rumors about Dou Ming had grown increasingly exaggerated and baseless, far beyond ordinary household gossip. These days, Dou Qijun was preparing for the imperial examinations, and the entire family was tense. Her mother-in-law had even instructed her and Guo Shi to separately prepare two new sets of auspicious clothing, an examination basket, and other supplies for Dou Qijun. She hadn’t had time to return to her maternal home and discuss the matter with her mother. Today, she finally managed to see her mother, but Madam Cai had been busy mingling with the visiting madams, leaving no opportunity to talk. Only after much effort did she pull her mother into the tea room, but before she could say more than a few words, she began scolding her in a flurry.

Cai Shi gave an awkward smile. After the two maids left, she listened carefully to ensure no one was around before whispering sheepishly, "I only told your aunt. Who knew she would tell her sister-in-law..."

Her aunt’s sister-in-law was married into the Jingguo Duke’s residence and was particularly close with the second madam there, Shi Shi.

Dou Shi glared. "Don’t you know the three daughters-in-law of the Jingguo Duke’s household are locked in a standoff, practically at each other’s throats? And you still dared to tell Aunt about this? How do we fix this now?"

The matter had already escalated to the men’s discussions—what could she do?

Jump out and admit she was the one who started it?

Even if she wanted to confess, once the blame fell on her, their family’s master would likely face reprimands too...

Cornered by her daughter, Madam Cai stiffened her face and retorted, "Fine, do whatever you want! If the Dou family finds out, I’ll just have to swallow my pride."

Indeed. If the Dou family learned of this, not only would her mother lose face, but she, as a daughter-in-law, would also suffer. Besides, the situation was already beyond the Dou family’s control. Rather than drowning in gossip, it was better to stand aside and watch the spectacle.

After all, she hadn’t spread any lies.

Dou Ming was indeed an illegitimate child.

The Wang Family had indeed abused their power and driven Zhao Shi to her death.

With this thought, she felt justified, her tone softening. "I didn’t mean anything else. Just that in the future, you should be more careful with matters involving the Dou family. Don’t let something like this happen again and make the Dou family a laughingstock. Don’t even think about it—you’re the mother-in-law of the Dou family’s Tenth Master. If the Dou family loses face, so do you..."

Seeing her daughter relent, Madam Cai immediately straightened her back."Alright, alright!" She interrupted her daughter impatiently, "Do I need you to teach me these principles? Just focus on serving your mother-in-law well and taking care of my precious grandchildren. Why say so much? If others overhear, it’ll only cause trouble." With that, she stepped out of the tea room. "Madam Yao and Madam Dai, the wives of the Grand Secretaries, have arrived. I need to exchange a few words with them. Once you’ve prepared the tea, come over quickly." She muttered under her breath, "Such a good opportunity—don’t waste it."

Cai Shi rolled her eyes and followed with a large red begonia flower tray in hand.

Meanwhile, Dou Qijun was invited to the study. Dou Shiying asked him about his plans: "...In my opinion, though Fifth Brother’s place is an option, it’s already housing three families. My place is more spacious and closer to Sixth Brother’s, so staying with me would be best. But Yantang also makes a good point. You’ve just arrived in the Capital and will need to socialize and make friends. Living with us uncles might make you feel constrained, and your fellow scholars might hesitate to visit. It’d be better to have your own small residence. Coincidentally, Yantang has a modest house in Yuqiao Hutong, where the Zhao Family held their wedding—you know the place. It’s just a street away from the Imperial Academy. Why not stay there temporarily until you find a better place?"

Dou Qijun was overjoyed.

Having traveled extensively, he had friends from all walks of life—some of whom his elders might not approve of. Living alone would be ideal. However, the saying goes, "While parents are alive, one should not travel far." Most of his elders had residences in the Capital, and if he chose to live outside, neither Fifth Granduncle nor Sixth Granduncle would likely agree. The thought had briefly crossed his mind, but now that Dou Shiying suggested it, he hesitated. "But what about Fifth Granduncle and Sixth Granduncle...?"

Dou Shiying waved it off. "Leave that to me. Just focus on passing the Imperial Academy’s exams."

Dou Qijun had always liked this amiable and easygoing Seventh Granduncle. Smiling gratefully, he asked about Song Mo: "Why isn’t Fourth Uncle-in-law here? Since I’ll be staying at his house, I should at least thank him."

Dou Shiying frowned slightly. "He was pulled away by his friends for a private talk." He added disapprovingly, "I don’t know what’s wrong with these people—showing up uninvited and then urgently dragging him aside. Couldn’t they discuss things at home? They’ve turned this joyous occasion into a mess."

"Perhaps they need Fourth Uncle-in-law’s help," Dou Qijun explained. "It might be something they can’t discuss at the yamen, and the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion is too high a threshold to cross. This might be their only chance."

Since Dou Qijun, the guest of honor, didn’t mind, Dou Shiying let go of his displeasure.

The two chatted cheerfully as they headed to the study, now filled with scholars from the Imperial Academy.

The one who had pulled Song Mo aside was Hao Dayong.

He spoke in hushed tones: "...The Marquis of Jining is good in every way, except he’s too soft-hearted and often ends up doing more harm than good. Just the other day, some fellow named Wang claimed to be related to the Duke of Jingguo’s family and wanted to open a silk shop on East Street. He got into a dispute with a broker over the shop’s commission. What does that have to do with the Five Cities Garrison? Yet somehow, he managed to persuade the Marquis, who then brought the East City Garrison to scare the broker into fleeing.""In my opinion, since they're relatives of the Duke of Jing's household, why isn't the Duke's family stepping forward instead of the Marquis of Jining?

"Even if it's because the Marquis serves in the Five Cities Garrison, after this matter, you'd expect at least a steward from the Duke's household—if not the chief steward—to come and acknowledge it.

"But the Duke's household acted as if nothing had happened.

"Later, I inquired and found out. It turns out this so-called Aunt Wang once nursed the Young Lord of the Duke of Jing's household, but she had long passed away, and the Young Lord didn’t even know she existed. Yet the Marquis of Jining not only acknowledged this man but also accepted twenty percent of his business shares. Now, this Wang fellow uses the Marquis's name to run his business in the eastern part of the city. All the silk shops there have to give him face, and his business is booming." He glanced furtively at Song Mo's expression. "Don’t you think this is outrageous? That Wang is so cunning—I fear the Marquis of Jining might end up losing out!"

What was Hao Dayong trying to do?

Song Mo smiled faintly, making his stance clear: "Though the Marquis of Jining is my brother-in-law, it’s not my place to interfere in his household affairs. Matters like these depend on his own vigilance."

In other words, the Young Lord wouldn’t intervene!

Hao Dayong got the message and immediately perked up.

He grinned and cupped his hands toward Song Mo in salute. "You’re absolutely right—some things can only be handled by oneself. No one else can help."

Song Mo chuckled.

Hao Dayong rose to take his leave. "After the results are announced, some celebrate while others despair. Those Named on the Golden List naturally drink themselves into a stupor, while those who fail drown their sorrows even more recklessly—some even jump into lakes in their drunkenness. I should return to the yamen to keep an eye on things, so I won’t stay for the banquet. Another day, I’ll celebrate Dou the Presented Scholar’s success separately."

A Presented Scholar might be revered elsewhere, a rare and celebrated figure. But in the Capital, with the list released every three years and packed with names, unless it concerns them personally, who remembers which scholars passed?

For someone like Hao Dayong, who believed he’d never have dealings with those pedantic scholars of the Imperial Academy, it was even harder to recall. So he simply followed Dou Shishu’s lead and referred to Dou Qijun as "Dou the Presented Scholar."

Song Mo laughed and personally escorted Hao Dayong out through the side gate.

Hao Dayong was exhilarated.

His personal attendant, puzzled, asked, "I didn’t hear the Young Lord say anything just now. Is it really appropriate to target the Marquis of Jining?"

"You fool! If the Young Lord wanted to protect the Marquis, he would’ve just said, 'The Marquis is new to the Five Cities Garrison and unfamiliar with these matters. Please guide him when you can.' Then not only could I not undermine him, but I’d also have to create opportunities for his promotion." He smirked smugly. "If I handle this well, the Young Lord will have no choice but to thank me!"

For a moment, he couldn’t wait to return to the yamen.

Song Mo returned to his study without a word.

Dou Shiying and Dou Shiheng were chatting merrily with Yu Li and others. When Song Mo entered, the younger men greeted him with smiles, while seasoned figures like Yu Li remained seated with dignified reserve, waiting for Song Mo to acknowledge them first.

After all, they moved in different circles now.

Song Mo, following Dou Shiying’s seniority, exchanged pleasantries with them gracefully. The older scholars, including Yu Li, nodded faintly in approval.

Then someone asked Dou Shiying, "Why haven’t we seen your second son-in-law?"The Dou family had been scholars and farmers for generations. Dou Shiying was the first to marry both his daughters into noble families, making his household affairs quite well-known among the peers.

Hearing this, Dou Shiying's face darkened slightly.

He had already sent word to the Marquis of Jining's Mansion, yet Wei Tingyu still hadn't arrived.

Song Mo came to Dou Shiying's rescue with a smile, "He was just here earlier but was summoned by the Dowager for questioning. I'm afraid he won't be back anytime soon."

The crowd burst into laughter and teased Dou Qijun, "How did you manage to slip away? Give your fifth uncle some tips!"

"What could I do?" Dou Qijun chuckled, casting a thoughtful glance at Song Mo. "I was only able to leave because my seventh granduncle and fourth uncle-in-law helped me out. If I go back in now, even they might not be able to get me out again."

Another round of laughter ensued.

From then on, Dou Qijun felt a growing closeness toward Song Mo. After the celebratory banquet ended, he took the initiative to visit him, obtained the keys, and moved into the residence at Yuqiao Hutong.