Blossom

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "Mother-in-law comes from a military family, so she should have been in good health. How did she become so weak after giving birth to the second young master?"

Song Mo's expression darkened. He replied softly, "My mother was closest to her second brother. Cousin Hanzhu was her second uncle's posthumous daughter. When my mother was pregnant with Tianen, Cousin Hanzhu suddenly contracted smallpox and ran a high fever that wouldn't subside. My mother was extremely worried and even went to the palace to seek medicine from the Empress Dowager. She and my second aunt stayed by Hanzhu's side day and night without rest, which eventually caused complications in her pregnancy. She had to stay in bed for over half a month to recover."

"Later, when my grandfather passed away, although the palace sent eunuchs and court ladies to assist with the funeral arrangements, my mother couldn't completely step back from the responsibilities. This caused another complication in her pregnancy."

"By the time Tianen was born, she suffered severe hemorrhaging and nearly lost her life. Tianen was also born extremely weak—for three days after birth, he couldn't even suckle. At that time, my grandmother was entirely focused on my mother and couldn't attend to Tianen, so she handed him over to my father. But my father knew nothing about raising children and had to ask Eldest Aunt to care for Tianen for two or three months."

"Feeling deeply guilty towards Tianen, my mother became especially indulgent with him, only wishing for him to grow up healthy and safe, without any other expectations." He gave a bitter smile. "But this overcompensation ended up making Tianen the way he is now!"

After over a century since the founding of the dynasty, most scions of meritorious families had turned out like Song Han of the Imperial Academy.

If not for her past life's experiences, Dou Zhao might have thought having a brother-in-law like Song Han wasn't so bad. But she firmly believed Song Mo wouldn't kill his father and brother without reason—meaning Song Yichun and Song Han must have their own issues.

Yet she had no evidence at the moment.

So she offered hollow comfort: "Even ten fingers vary in length—how can you expect the second young master to be just like you? His foundation was never as strong as yours. That he's grown up safely to this point is already heaven's blessing. You can't be too greedy and invite divine displeasure."

Song Mo pulled her close, smiling, and kissed her cheek.

Dou Zhao changed the subject. "What do you think about entrusting the Imperial Academy matter to Boyan?"

"Boyan?" Song Mo was surprised and hesitated. "Is that appropriate?"

"I think he's the right person," Dou Zhao said. "First, he's traveled extensively over the years—he's steady, principled yet adaptable, and quick-witted. As a newly minted Presented Scholar, he can engage with Zhao Jiepei and Chen Songming without drawing too much attention, keeping them less guarded." She adjusted Song Mo's collar and added with a smile, "Second, I have a selfish motive—if things turn out as we suspect, his status, influence, and eloquence would make it easier to persuade Fifth Uncle to make the right choice and prevent the Dou family from being dragged down."

After all, Dou Qijun was one of their own.

Naturally, Song Mo preferred to rely on his own people.

After some thought, he said, "Then I'll find a chance to sound him out first."

With only three years left until Liao Wang's palace coup, time was growing increasingly urgent.

Dou Zhao urged him, "Then talk to him soon."

Song Mo sighed. "Who knows what Liao Wang is really planning? This endless waiting is truly agonizing."Dou Zhao reminded him, "He wants to succeed, but he needs an opportunity, doesn't he? As long as the Emperor remains in good health, he won't have any excuse to enter the capital."

Song Mo's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

The next day, he invited Dou Qijun to dinner at the Drunken Immortal Tower. Afterward, Song Mo went to the palace for his duty shift, while Dou Qijun, pale-faced, rushed to see Dou Zhao. He sat in her Reception Hall, hesitant and visibly uneasy.

Dou Zhao sighed and decided to be direct. "This is just our speculation, but if it turns out to be true, both families have many people to consider. It's better to be prepared."

Dou Qijun nodded, still looking somewhat dazed.

Dou Zhao had Chen Qushui escort Dou Qijun home.

Halfway through the carriage ride, Dou Qijun finally snapped out of his trance. Lifting his head, he saw Chen Qushui's calm expression under the flickering lantern light. Startled, he lifted the carriage curtain and noticed Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng's robust figures outside.

Suddenly, he realized how extraordinary his paternal aunt was—it seemed she had long prepared for everything happening today.

The thought made him chuckle. Back then, his aunt had been so young, and Liao Wang hadn't even established his own household. Things couldn't possibly have been as he imagined.

He must have been too frightened today, letting his thoughts run wild.

With a smile, he thanked Chen Qushui, jumped out of the carriage, waved cheerfully, and strode into his home.

Chen Qushui watched his retreating figure with a faint smile before instructing the coachman to return.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao grew increasingly interested in Madam Jiang and Song Yichun's past affairs.

After the Buddha's Birthday, Dou Qijun passed the imperial examinations and was appointed Bachelor of the Imperial Academy. The palace also bestowed Five-Poison Scent Satchels and medicinal pills. Taking advantage of Dou Shiying's day off, Dou Zhao returned to Jing'an Temple Alley. Besides delivering Dragon Boat Festival gifts to her father, she also brought him two bottles of the palace-bestowed pills.

Naturally, Dou Shiying was overjoyed to see his daughter. He kept her for lunch and later examined her calligraphy in his study, rewarding her with two fine pieces of Shoushan stone for seals.

Dou Zhao laughed. "Father remembers so well—you always give me the same thing."

Dou Shiying replied proudly, "You've loved this since childhood. How could I forget?"

Noticing the silver strands at her father's temples, Dou Zhao hesitated before asking, "Father, do you and Seventh Madam intend to keep dragging things on like this? Haven't you considered finding someone to take care of your daily needs?"

Caught off guard by his daughter's probing into his personal affairs, Dou Shiying grew flustered.

He coughed awkwardly and changed the subject. "Where is Yantang? Why hasn't he come to fetch you?"

Dou Zhao didn't press further and smiled. "Ma Youming dragged him to the Divine Machine Battalion. He won't be back until nightfall. I told him I'd return early and not to bother picking me up."

Dou Shiying was reminded of Dou Ming and sighed inwardly, his enthusiasm for conversation waning.

Thinking her father was tired, Dou Zhao chatted briefly before taking her leave.

Dou Shiying didn't insist on her staying. "Since Yantang isn't coming, it's best you return early," he said, escorting her sedan chair to the gate.As the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching, Jing'an Temple was bustling with pilgrims. The bearers from the Duke of England's Mansion, fearing they might jostle Dou Zhao, took a detour through the Stone Tablet Alley behind the temple. Unexpectedly, a wedding was taking place in the alley, with firecrackers incessantly popping. The bearers had no choice but to bypass it and proceed via Fucheng Street, passing through Xuanwu Street and Yuqiao Street.

The sedan chair swayed along as it moved forward with its occupant hidden inside.

Bored, Dou Zhao lifted the curtain to glance outside and caught sight of the towering spire of WanMing Temple.

A thought struck her. She turned to Duan Gongyi beside the sedan and said, "I’d like to go to WanMing Temple to offer incense."

"That won’t do!" Duan Gongyi replied cheerfully. "The temple is packed with worshippers today, and you shouldn’t be caught in the crowd. If you really wish to visit, let me discuss it with Master Yan tonight. Once we’ve arranged it with the abbot, I’ll accompany you to offer incense." He added, "It’s not that I’ve become particular since arriving in the Capital and entering the Duke of England's Mansion, but your circumstances are different now—you shouldn’t overexert yourself."

Dou Zhao smiled faintly. "Then let’s find a quiet spot near WanMing Temple to rest. There’s something I’d like you to look into."

Duan Gongyi instructed the bearers to stop by the roadside and sent someone ahead to scout. They found a small teahouse two streets away from the temple and settled Dou Zhao in a private room upstairs.

Dou Zhao said, "There’s a family named Li—a widowed mother with a son and daughter—who used to live in Er Tiao Hutong nearby but moved away seventeen years ago. Help me find out if any old neighbors know where they went. If anyone asks, just say distant relatives are looking for them. Be discreet."

The Li family had lived here since the previous dynasty. Even if they had moved, their old neighbors wouldn’t have lost all contact. Back then, the situation might have been tense, making it hard for them to stay in touch, but now that over a decade had passed, some neighbors might know their whereabouts.

Though puzzled, Duan Gongyi asked no questions and left to carry out the task.

Dou Zhao sat behind the bamboo blinds on the teahouse’s second floor, observing the crowd below.

No wonder Song Yichun had chosen to set up his secret hideout near WanMing Temple. There was a side street here specializing in cosmetics, bustling with people—mostly women. With female worshippers frequently visiting the temple and the proximity to the Li family, neither Song Yichun nor Li Tiaoniang would attract much attention coming and going here.

After drinking two cups of tea, Duan Gongyi returned.

He looked somewhat embarrassed. "The neighbors said the Li family sold their ancestral home and left after their daughter died suddenly of illness. No one knows where they went. The current occupants of the Li house, however, seemed to know a lot about them and asked me many questions. I nearly gave myself away and had to retreat in a hurry." He flushed. "Madam, I apologize for failing your task."

Dou Zhao was surprised. "Did you find out who lives in the Li family’s old house now?"

"Yes," Duan Gongyi replied. "They claimed to be long-time neighbors who bought the house because it was cheap. They also mentioned that someone else came asking about the Li family a couple of years ago. They were surprised to see another inquiry after so many years."

Dou Zhao paused. "Did you ask who that person was?""I asked," Duan Gongyi said sheepishly, "but the family grew suspicious of me. They said the mother was from the capital—how could she have relatives all the way in Hebei... I didn't dare press further."

It seemed this sort of thing required a professional's touch!

Dou Zhao smiled and comforted him with a few words before returning home, somewhat disappointed.

No sooner had she stepped through the gate than a page came to report: "Imperial Bodyguard Chen Jia has sent a matron to deliver Dragon Boat Festival gifts. She's waiting outside, hoping to come in and pay her respects. Should we receive her?"

After all, the man had found her two exceptionally skilled maids—she owed him at least this much courtesy.

Dou Zhao smiled. "Let her in, then."

The page acknowledged with a smile and went to fetch her.

The matron simply kowtowed twice on Chen Jia's behalf and offered some festive greetings.

Dou Zhao observed that the woman had a dignified appearance, proper manners, and spoke with grace and decorum—clearly a very reliable person. Feeling rather favorably inclined, she had the matron rewarded with two premium Red Envelopes.