Blossom

Tomorrow was the official wedding day for Jiang Lizhu. Today, the Wu family had come to escort the bride, and Fourth Madam Jiang had been busy all day. Instead of resting at home or sharing some personal words with Jiang Lizhu, why had she suddenly come to see me?

Suppressing her surprise, Dou Zhao received Fourth Madam Jiang in the resting chamber of the main house.

Fourth Madam Jiang wore an awkward expression, holding a cup of tea for a long while before abruptly saying, "Madam has never met the Mei family, has you?" Without waiting for Dou Zhao's reply, she continued, "My mother-in-law's grandfather once served as the provincial military commander of Yunnan. After a defeat in battle, the family was confiscated and exiled. At that time, my mother-in-law had already married into the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion, which spared her from being enslaved. But she witnessed the misery of the women in her natal family."

"So when my uncle was convicted of a crime, my mother-in-law immediately prepared arsenic and told us, 'Better to die with purity than live in disgrace—at least we can leave a good name behind.'"

"Now that my mother-in-law has passed, we daughters-in-law admire her even more."

"If not for the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion's reputation for loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country, if not for its steadfast and unyielding family principles, how could the Jiang family, fallen to such a state, still receive others' protection and retain this last refuge?" As she spoke, she took out a small sandalwood box from her sleeve and handed it to Dou Zhao. "Please return this item to Second Master and convey my words: No matter how unaccomplished the Jiang family's daughters may be, they will never become concubines!" With that, she stood, gave Dou Zhao a slight bow, and walked out.

Her back was ramrod straight.

Dou Zhao was dumbfounded, taking a long moment to process what Fourth Madam Jiang had said.

"Fourth Aunt, please wait!" Clutching the sandalwood box, she hurried after her. "I don’t know what to say, but you’ve watched the heir grow up. You know his character and how he has treated the Jiang family. Neither he nor I would ever dream of dishonoring your two nieces. Please calm your anger, Fourth Aunt. Allow us to investigate and then formally apologize."

"I don’t blame you," Fourth Madam Jiang sighed, her expression somber. "If I resented you, I wouldn’t have come today. Perhaps Second Master meant well, but the Jiang family has its dignity and its way of life. Some things we do, others we never will. Please convey my words to Second Master and ask him not to visit again. In any case, we’ll be returning to Haozhou in a few days. No need to disrupt his studies or displease the Duke."

What else could Dou Zhao say?

She could only murmur assent and respectfully escort Fourth Madam Jiang out.

But the moment Fourth Madam Jiang left, Dou Zhao’s eyebrows shot up. She asked the old woman guarding the second gate, "Has Second Master returned?"

The old woman stepped forward with a smile, bowing respectfully. "Second Master returned half an hour ago."

Dou Zhao smirked coldly and headed straight for Song Mo’s study.

Since tomorrow was Jiang Lizhu’s wedding, he had taken the day off and returned home early, discussing matters with Chen Qushui and Song Shize in his study.

Seeing Dou Zhao storm in with a frosty expression, Chen Qushui and Song Shize tactfully withdrew.

Dou Zhao then told Song Mo about Fourth Madam Jiang’s visit.

Upon hearing this, Song Mo was so furious that veins bulged at his temples.He opened the sandalwood box, inside of which lay a pair of southern pearl earrings the size of lotus seeds.

Song Mo's expression darkened further. Clutching the sandalwood box, he headed straight to Song Han's quarters.

Dou Zhao pondered for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Ruo Zhu before returning to her room.

Song Han was lying on his bed, being fed by his personal maid Caiyun.

His face was flushed with health, eyes crinkled in a smile. He appeared to be in excellent spirits.

When Song Mo entered, he cheerfully called out "Brother!" and said, "I've already prepared my outfit for tomorrow's wedding banquet. Come see if it looks good!"

He loudly instructed Qi Xia to bring the clothes over.

Song Mo was momentarily stunned before replying, "No need. I have something to discuss with you. Dismiss all the attendants."

Song Han happily complied, sending the maids away before asking with a grin, "What important matter brings you here, brother?"

Song Mo tossed the sandalwood box onto Song Han's pillow.

Gradually, the smile faded from Song Han's face as his eyes grew moist.

"Did Xiexiu ask you to return these?" he said plaintively. "Brother, you know I've liked Xiexiu since we were children. When you were still unmarried, I didn't dare speak of it. But now that you have a wife, why does Xiexiu still come to you with her problems?" He raised his head, glaring at Song Mo with reddened eyes. "I want to keep Xiexiu by my side! No one can stop me!"

"How dare you spout such nonsense!" Song Mo roared. "Which of our cousins haven't I gotten along with? To harbor such filthy thoughts! Your studies have clearly regressed—you can't even distinguish right from wrong anymore! Who taught you to speak like this?" He shouted for Qi Xia, "Summon all the maids, old women, and pages from the upper courtyard! I'll get to the bottom of who's been poisoning your mind!"

Song Han burst into tears.

Wiping his eyes, he sobbed, "Don't think I don't know! When Mother was alive, she intended to betroth Xiexiu to you. But after Uncle's incident, it was changed to Hanzhu instead. Then Hanzhu committed suicide over Brother Yin... Xiexiu is so pitiful. If not for you, she would have been married long ago instead of being left unwanted. My feelings for Xiexiu are genuine—what right do you have to interfere? If it bothers you so much, we can move out of the Duke of England's Mansion after we marry. I have Mother's dowry, and Xiexiu is good at managing households. With careful budgeting, we'll live just fine!"

Song Mo raised his hand to strike Song Han in fury.

Song Han stubbornly closed his eyes, tilting his face upward in defiance.

Seeing that still-youthful face, remembering how dearly their mother had cherished him, Song Mo found himself unable to deliver the blow.

Seizing the opportunity, Song Han wailed, "I want to marry Xiexiu! Why won't you agree?"

His tears fell like rain.

Song Mo said coldly, "Because Father would never allow it!"

"Then speak to Father for me," Song Han grasped Song Mo's hand. "He'll surely listen to you."

Song Mo barely restrained himself from immediately shaking off his brother's grip.“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” His voice was as stifling as the air before a storm. “Father has high expectations for you—how could he ever allow you to marry a daughter of the Jiang Family? Your reckless shouting will only lead to misunderstandings about Cousin Xiexiu and Fourth Aunt Jiang. This isn’t love—you’re harming them. Do you understand?”

Perhaps it was the gloom in Song Mo’s tone, but Song Han’s cries froze in his throat.

He stared blankly at Song Mo, as if unable to comprehend why his brother would say such things.

Song Mo suddenly felt utterly exhausted.

What was he to do with this younger brother of his?

He thought of Dou Zhao.

Did she feel this same helplessness when facing Dou Ming?

Dou Zhao could ignore Dou Ming, but how could he possibly ignore Song Han?

Meanwhile, in the Hall of Cultivating Will, Dou Zhao listened to Ruo Zhu’s whispered report and couldn’t hide her surprise.

So, Madam Jiang had once considered betrothing Jiang Xiexiu to Song Mo. That explained the complicated expression on Jiang Xiexiu’s face whenever she saw him.

But Dou Zhao didn’t dwell on it.

She trusted Song Mo implicitly, and she also trusted the upbringing of the Jiang Family.

In her past life, the gentle Jiang Lizhu, the proud Jiang Xiexiu, and the considerate Jiang Xieying had all taken their own lives by hanging.

How much pain must Song Mo have carried in his heart?

After a moment’s thought, Dou Zhao headed to the main courtyard.

If Ruo Zhu had overheard Song Han’s words, others must have as well.

Whether they had heard or not, when she entered, the maids, old women, and pages in the courtyard stood silently with their hands at their sides. The silence was so profound that Song Han’s muffled sobs could faintly be heard.

Qi Xia lifted the curtain for Dou Zhao before quickly retreating into the crowd.

Seeing Dou Zhao, Song Mo visibly relaxed.

Perhaps due to memories of her past life, Dou Zhao had never been able to bring herself to like Song Han.

Gazing at his red, tear-swollen eyes, she said softly, “This isn’t about your brother or me failing to advocate for you. That sandalwood gift was sent by Fourth Aunt Jiang. Matters like these require mutual willingness—you can’t force Fourth Aunt Jiang to comply just because you desire it. Don’t you agree?”

Song Han, unconvinced, retorted, “If Fourth Aunt knew I wanted to marry Cousin Xiexiu, how could she refuse? When Mother was alive, Fourth Aunt adored me the most…”

Recalling Fourth Madam Jiang’s words, Dou Zhao deliberately misunderstood him. “So, you’re saying Fourth Aunt thought you intended to take Cousin Xiexiu as a concubine? Though the Jiang Family’s influence has waned, their integrity remains. What exactly did you do to give Fourth Aunt such an impression?”

Song Mo’s gaze toward Song Han turned icy.

Song Han shivered involuntarily and cried out, “I did nothing wrong! I only asked Cousin Xiexiu if she enjoyed staying in the Capital. She replied that though the Capital was pleasant, it was no longer her home. That’s when I realized my own feelings. Sister-in-law,” he pleaded earnestly, “I truly wish to marry Cousin Xiexiu. Please speak to Fourth Aunt on my behalf!”

“I won’t make that request to Fourth Aunt,” Dou Zhao refused bluntly. “Your marriage will be decided by the Duke. You should stop entertaining these unrealistic thoughts.”

At this, Song Han sprang to his feet.

He challenged Song Mo, “Do you agree with Sister-in-law?”

After a brief hesitation, Song Mo nodded. “Without Father’s approval, even if Xiexiu were to marry into our family, she would face hardship. You should abandon this hope.”Song Han's eyes reddened as he limped toward the door, dragging one leg behind him. "If you won't take care of me, I'll go tell Father. At worst, he'll beat me to death—it's not like I want to live anyway. One of you ignores me, the other controls everything I do. I'm just the punching bag caught between you. I'll go find Mother—she was the only one who cared for me. If she were still alive, she wouldn’t stop me like this!"

Dou Zhao raised her voice and called, "Ruo Zhu!" She then ordered, "Stop the Second Master! He's feverish and delirious. Hurry and fetch a physician to examine him!"

Without hesitation, Ruo Zhu directed Jin Gui and Yin Gui to pin Song Han to the ground while she stuffed a handkerchief into his mouth.

Jin Gui and Yin Gui were so frightened their faces turned pale. They couldn’t help but glance furtively at Song Mo, only to find him grim-faced but silent. Reassured, the two sisters then carried Song Han to the bed.