Dou Zhao's heart skipped a beat.
Li Liang's cousin was at least twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old now. Ten years ago, she would have been just over ten, unlikely to have any connection to the Song family's affairs. But Li Liang's cousin's daughter was the same age as Song Han...
She recalled the sister Song Mo had mentioned in their previous life.
Where had this sister come from?
To warrant him going to such lengths to secretly pay respects!
Her heart suddenly felt as if she had swallowed a salted apricot, sour and astringent.
Dou Zhao entrusted Chen Jia with the task: "Since you're already involved, I might as well trouble you further, Master Chen. Please help me investigate Li Liang's cousin."
Chen Jia smiled and agreed.
Dou Zhao politely said a few words like "You've worked hard" and then served tea.
When Chen Jia stepped out of the Duke of England's Mansion, he let out a long sigh of relief.
After learning about the past connection between the Li and Song families, he had deliberated for a long time before deciding to personally report back to Dou Zhao.
The moment he entered the Duke of England's Mansion, he had feared he might not leave alive.
It seemed Madam Dou was indeed a woman of remarkable courage. Working for her was quite comfortable.
Chen Jia didn’t return home but went straight to the Embroidered Uniform Guard Garrison Command.
Meanwhile, Dou Zhao pondered over the Jiang family's young ladies.
The Duke of Ding might not excel at interpreting the emperor's intentions, but he was sharp at judging people. After the Jiang family's downfall, none of the engaged Jiang daughters had their betrothals broken. Those still unmarried, apart from the thirteenth and fourteenth young ladies who had come for the wedding, included the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth young ladies.
The twelfth young lady, named Lizhu, was seventeen this year, a few months younger than Song Mo. The thirteenth, Xiexiu, was sixteen, and the fourteenth, Xieying, was fifteen. The other young ladies were all over ten years younger than Song Mo. When the Jiang family met their misfortune, they were still toddlers babbling their first words, so Dou Zhao didn’t inquire further. Thus, when she met Fourth Madam Jiang, Dou Zhao couldn’t help but glance at the three cousins.
All three Jiang sisters had fair complexions and were of average height. Jiang Lizhu was gentle and refined, Jiang Xiexiu had a heroic air, and Jiang Xieying was mild-mannered. Yet, all three bore a faint trace of sorrow in their brows, lacking the vivacity and vigor typical of girls from ordinary families.
After experiencing the confiscation of their family and the loss of their mother, no one could remain as innocent as before.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for them.
Fourth Madam Jiang, however, was very warm toward her. Seeing that Dou Zhao was pregnant, she stepped forward to take her hand before Dou Zhao could bow: "Your health comes first. Let’s dispense with formalities." She also praised the courtyard Song Mo had found: "Outside the city walls, near the Sunset Temple—so peaceful."
Song Mo had taken a day off to welcome the Jiang women outside Chaoyang Gate, while Dou Zhao waited in the temporarily rented house.
Hearing Fourth Madam Jiang’s words, Song Mo looked somewhat guilty. He said to Jiang Lizhu, "I’ve wronged you, twelfth cousin. Now that you’re married in the Capital, come visit often and keep your cousin-in-law company. If you ever face difficulties, your husband can always seek me out."
Jiang Lizhu replied with a simple "Alright," but Dou Zhao sensed she was merely brushing him off to avoid further conversation. She would never actually seek his help.
Dou Zhao then glanced at Jiang Xiexiu.From the moment they entered, Jiang Xiexiu's gaze frequently lingered on Song Mo. Occasionally, when their eyes met, Song Mo would smile at her warmly. Meanwhile, Jiang Xieying remained by Fourth Madam Jiang's side, silently and attentively adjusting the cushions on her chair and quietly instructing the accompanying maids and old women to tend to everyone in the main hall.
No one stood on ceremony, and they all shared lunch together.
After the meal, Song Mo and Dou Zhao prepared to take their leave.
However, Wu Zijie arrived with his mother to visit Fourth Madam Jiang, forcing Song Mo and Dou Zhao to turn back at the door.
The three young ladies of the Jiang family discreetly withdrew.
Song Mo stayed in the main hall to share tea with Wu Zijie, while Dou Zhao accompanied Fourth Madam Jiang in entertaining Madam Wu.
Madam Wu was slightly plump, with a genial demeanor and straightforward speech, clearly a very amiable person.
Dou Zhao inwardly nodded in approval.
When she looked up, she noticed Fourth Madam Jiang gazing at her with a gratified smile.
Dou Zhao was taken aback.
After seeing off Madam Wu and her son, Fourth Madam Jiang finally spoke: "Your late paternal aunt often said you had a chivalrous heart. Now that I’ve met you, I see it’s true. Song Mo is truly fortunate to have you by his side."
Dou Zhao was stunned.
Fourth Madam Jiang smiled. "The warning you gave our Jiang family—our aunt told us all about it. We’ve long wanted to thank you, but back then, we left in such haste that we never had the chance. Now that we’re family, saying thanks might seem overly formal... Every one of us in the Jiang family, dozens in all, is grateful for your righteousness back then." As she spoke, she gave a slight curtsy, startling Dou Zhao, who hurried forward to support her. Fourth Madam Jiang didn’t resist, straightening up with a smile. "Just this once—I won’t trouble you like this again."
Tears streamed down her smiling face.
Dou Zhao thought of the deceased Jiang brothers and the chaotic state of the coastal regions, her emotions surging until her own eyes brimmed with tears.
Song Mo quickly produced a handkerchief to wipe her face, murmuring, "Don’t cry—be careful with your eyes." To Fourth Madam Jiang, he added, "Really, Aunt, why bring up old sorrows? It only stirs up painful memories."
Being in front of Song Mo’s elder, Dou Zhao felt a little embarrassed and took the handkerchief to dry her own tears.
"My mistake!" Fourth Madam Jiang wiped her eyes, smiling at them both. "Tianci has grown up and learned to care for others. Your uncle and grandmother would be overjoyed to see this!"
Song Mo flushed.
After bidding farewell to the Jiang ladies, he helped Dou Zhao into the carriage, and they returned to the Duke of England's Mansion.
The next day, after handling minor household affairs in the morning, Dou Zhao visited Fourth Madam Jiang in the afternoon to present Jiang Lizhu with a dowry gift.
Fourth Madam Jiang seemed surprised by the lavishness of the gift but said nothing, simply having it delivered to Jiang Lizhu’s room.
When Jiang Lizhu came out to express her thanks, she seemed hesitant.
Fourth Madam Jiang smiled. "Since our family’s misfortune, we’ve received countless kindnesses—far too many for words to convey. The best gratitude is to remember them in our hearts and repay them when we can."
Jiang Lizhu and the others bowed respectfully to Fourth Madam Jiang, solemnly replying, "Aunt, I will remember."
Fourth Madam Jiang nodded.
When Jiang Lizhu sat down to chat with Dou Zhao again, her earlier restraint had vanished, replaced by gentle grace and a touch of warmth.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but silently admire the excellent upbringing of the Jiang family.Afterwards, there were intermittent dowry gifts sent to Jiang Lizhu, all from the families of mid-to-low-ranking military officers.
Fourth Madam Jiang instructed Jiang Xiexiu and Jiang Xieying to accompany Dou Zhao to the western wing where they resided.
The spirited Jiang Xiexiu spoke little, while the gentle Jiang Xieying asked Dou Zhao about her expected due date and daily activities, engaging her in a very proper manner.
Dou Zhao was happy to have someone to chat with.
The two of them found themselves getting along better and better. Remembering that Song Mo was on night duty at the palace and wouldn’t return, she stayed for dinner at Fourth Madam Jiang’s before heading back to the residence.
Ruo Tong, who had stayed behind, along with the maidservants, helped her change clothes and informed her, “Shortly after you left, Lord Chen arrived and has been waiting for you in the Small Flower Hall until now.”
Dou Zhao’s hand, which had been smoothing her hair before the mirror, paused. She immediately stood up and said, “Let’s go to the Small Flower Hall.”
Ruo Tong quickly ordered the maidservants to light the lanterns and escorted Dou Zhao to the Small Flower Hall.
Chen Jia was pacing anxiously in the Reception Hall. Hearing the commotion, he hurried forward and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, “Madam, you’ve returned!”
Dou Zhao’s heart began to pound uncontrollably.
She instructed Ruo Tong, “All of you, withdraw to the courtyard of the Small Flower Hall. I have matters to discuss with Lord Chen.”
Ruo Tong acknowledged the order, directed the old women to hang lanterns around the Small Flower Hall, and led the attendants to the center of the courtyard.
Only then did Dou Zhao ask, “What have you uncovered?”
Under the glow of the red lanterns, Chen Jia’s face appeared somewhat somber.
He lowered his voice and said, “Li Liang’s cousin is thirty-six years old this year!”
Dou Zhao’s expression tightened.
That meant seventeen years ago, she was nineteen.
She looked at Chen Jia.
Chen Jia nodded silently and whispered, “We couldn’t find any household registration for Li Liang’s cousin. Her daughter is registered under Li Liang’s name, with the given name Yi Gui. Our surveillance team reported that Li Liang has referred to his cousin as ‘Tiao Niang’ on several occasions.”
Damn it!
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but rub her forehead.
What kind of judgment did the old duke have? What was Song Yichun playing at?
She summoned Song Shize.
“Who exactly were the people who accompanied the old duke to handle the Li family affair back then?”
Song Shize glanced at Chen Jia.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but raise her voice, “Don’t look at him. Since I’m asking you in his presence, he’s trustworthy. Just answer my question.”
Chen Jia bowed deeply toward Dou Zhao.
But Dou Zhao had no patience for Song Shize’s evasiveness. She said, “We’ve just discovered that Li Tiaoniang is still alive and has a daughter, yet you told me she died long ago!”
“That’s impossible!” Song Shize’s eyes widened like copper bells. “I checked Li Tiaoniang’s pulse…” At this point, his body stiffened, and his eyes grew even wider. “At the time, the duke was very agitated and pushed me aside. I feared that continuing to investigate would provoke his displeasure…”
Dou Zhao sneered.
Song Shize lowered his head and muttered in defense, “No matter what, the duke is our master. Even if that woman came back to life, the duke couldn’t possibly have any further connection with her. He would have to consider the Jiang family’s reputation…”
So all of you became careless, assumed she was dead when things seemed settled, and left it at that?
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.
And who was Yi Gui’s father?
The thought flashed through her mind, and Dou Zhao’s expression changed dramatically.
Yi Gui?How could Li Liang give Li Tiaoniang's daughter such a name?
No wonder Yi Gui is Song Yichun's daughter?
She looked at Chen Jia.
Chen Jia was also looking at her, his face unable to conceal his shock.
He urgently said, "Madam, according to my informant in the Li family, Li Liang beat Li Tiaoniang—it seems something happened to Yi Gui..."
So in the past life, Song Mo used the word "pay respects."
Dou Zhao abruptly stood up. "Go to Baoding immediately!" Feeling this still wasn't secure enough, she emphasized, "Go to Baoding Prefecture yourself and find Yi Gui."
Chen Jia hastily bowed to Dou Zhao and turned to leave. "I'll set off right away."
Dou Zhao felt a momentary relief, but then a strange sensation rose within her.
Even if Yi Gui was Song Yichun's daughter, Song Mo's feelings toward her should have been very indifferent—why would he mention her with such sorrow?
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