Blossom

A cold smile curled at the corners of Song Mo's lips.

He said indifferently, "But from what I saw, Li Liang spoke logically and with solid evidence, hardly appearing deceitful. When I inquired with the old family servants, they all confirmed the matter. So I gave the girl the name Jiang Yan and brought her back. Handing her over to the government office as Father suggested isn’t appropriate. If this escalates, we’d have to revisit past events. It’s said the midwife who delivered my mother was introduced by Eldest Aunt. If this comes to light, Eldest Aunt and others might get implicated, turning the Song family into the laughingstock of the Capital. I think Father should handle this matter with caution."

"Are you trying to taint the Song bloodline?" Song Yichun widened his eyes, glaring at Song Mo as if he wished to devour him.

"Whether the bloodline is tainted or not, you know best. Why question me?" Song Mo remained composed. "Or should we take the Li family to court? With the authorities involved, perhaps some overlooked people or details from back then might suddenly emerge to prove Father’s innocence. Wouldn’t you agree?"

His gaze was icy as it fixed on Song Yichun.

Dou Zhao’s mind buzzed.

Tainting the bloodline!

Commoners wouldn’t fear this—once the clan acknowledged it, the matter would be settled.

But noble families were different. It involved the inheritance of titles.

And the Duke of Yingguo’s household was even more distinct.

Their ancestors had once been the adopted sons of the founding Emperor, always regarded by the imperial family as "kin."

Suddenly, she seemed to understand something and couldn’t help but glance at Song Han.

Song Han’s face was drained of color as he stared at Song Mo, his peripheral vision catching Dou Zhao standing beside him.

He lowered his gaze, avoiding her eyes.

Dou Zhao was lost in thought when Song Yichun’s furious roar interrupted her.

"Are you threatening me?" He pointed at Song Mo, his face livid. "You unfilial wretch!"

Song Mo remained unperturbed, his tone gentle. "A son does not speak of his father’s faults. How could I threaten you, Father? You misunderstand. I merely think that since I’ve brought her back, there’s no reason to send her away—especially when the Li family claims she’s a Song. I only ask for your approval to acknowledge her. There’s no need for such rage, lest it seem like you have something to hide."

Song Yichun’s face flushed crimson. He opened his mouth to retort, but Song Mo continued, "Oh, by the way, a few days ago, an old servant named Song Shize, who once served Grandfather, came from Tianjin. Since you weren’t home, I met him on your behalf. Would you like to see him too? He mentioned that after the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion was robbed, many fled and later tried to return, but the household staff had changed, leaving them no way back. They sought out these old servants. Meeting him might give you a chance to clarify the situation. Though our family fears no trouble, having so many long-time servants disappear would reflect poorly if it reached the Emperor." With that, he lifted his teacup, gently blew on the floating leaves, and took a sip.

Song Yichun stared at Song Mo, a mix of shock and terror in his eyes.

Song Shize!If I hadn't already dealt with so many people at the time and lacked a proper reason—fearing further actions might alarm the other hereditary servants—how could I have let this old wretch off!

And now he's turned to Song Mo.

Doesn't he know that I am the Duke of Yingguo?

What are these old fools trying to do?

Do they want to defy the heavens?

Had I known these old scoundrels had such audacity, I should have ruthlessly eliminated them all.

Song Yichun laughed in extreme anger, saying, "Then go ahead and call in that Song Shize. I’d like to see who gave a servant the gall to accuse his master?"

Song Mo smiled faintly and sent someone to fetch Song Shize.

This unfilial son actually dared to call him!

Song Yichun hurled a teacup at Song Mo.

Song Mo sidestepped, easily avoiding it.

Song Yichun roared, "You unfilial wretch! How dare you defy your father!"

Dou Zhao watched, utterly disgusted.

She muttered under her breath, "Even a cornered rabbit will bite, let alone a person! He merely pitied the poor girl and wanted to let her down. Why is the Duke throwing such a tantrum? Is it a case of 'protesting too much'? The Young Lord kindly helped clean up your mess, and instead of gratitude, you accuse him of meddling. Had we known, we shouldn’t have bothered with this matter and let those desperate hereditary servants seek refuge with the Earl of Guang'en instead..."

Song Yichun’s hair stood on end at her words.

So Song Mo’s boldness stemmed from colluding with the Earl of Guang'en.

Song Mo didn’t scare him.

Would he dare kill his own father?

But the Earl of Guang'en was different.

He had witnessed firsthand how ruthless that man could be.

Panic surged in Song Yichun’s heart, his face alternating between red and white—a truly spectacular sight.

What a fool who refuses good advice only to beg for worse!

Dou Zhao genuinely couldn’t stand her father-in-law.

Song Shize was led in by Wuyi.

He bowed deeply and respectfully to Song Yichun.

Seeing the old man’s worldly-wise face and thinking of the Earl of Guang'en, Song Yichun suddenly felt all enthusiasm drain away.

He barked at the guards, "Get in here and drag this old wretch out! Give him thirty strokes of the paddle!"

Twenty strokes could kill a man, let alone thirty!

At this moment, Song Shize truly gave up hope.

All they sought was a way to survive.

Loyal service to their master, living with dignity, was one path.

Dying for their master, leaving a legacy for their descendants, was another.

But with Song Yichun tearing down his own foundations, even their loyalty or martyrdom would be nothing but a joke.

Their master didn’t even care.

He kowtowed solemnly to Song Yichun.

His expression was oddly serene.

Almost as if bidding Song Yichun farewell.

Blinded by rage, Song Yichun didn’t notice, but sharp-eyed Dou Zhao did.

She couldn’t help but glance at Song Mo with admiration.

Song Mo then slowly addressed his father, saying, "If you leave the roots, the weeds will grow back when the spring breeze blows. Father, if you insist on punishing the hereditary servants, and given the Emperor’s foul mood these days, I won’t stay to irritate you further. Please allow us to take our leave."

Detaching himself from the matter, he stood and nodded at Dou Zhao, signaling her to follow.

Dou Zhao trailed two steps behind Song Mo as they walked out.

Both Song Yichun and Song Han were dumbfounded.

They had expected Song Mo to shield Song Shize.

The guards who had rushed in hastily stepped aside to make way.

But Song Shize understood.

This was the Young Lord’s warning—demanding his pledge of allegiance!To survive, he had to follow the path the Young Lord pointed out.

Moreover, he had to figure out what kind of path it was himself. Without such shrewdness, the Young Lord wouldn’t have bothered with him.

Desperate, he clung to Song Mo’s leg and pleaded, "Young Lord, please save this old servant’s life. I’m willing to say anything."

Song Mo cast a disdainful glance at Song Shize before coolly remarking to Song Yichun, "As you can see, I have no choice but to save him."

Xia Lian and a few others rushed in, standing off against Song Yichun’s guards.

Song Yichun trembled with rage, his lips quivering.

Song Mo glanced at Xia Lian, then quickly led Dou Zhao out of the hall, hurrying into the courtyard.

The sound of crashing and Song Yichun’s furious shouts echoed from the hall, but no one paid it any mind.

The servants of Cassia Fragrance Courtyard had long since vanished. Song Mo’s once radiant face now seemed dull, as if covered in a layer of gray.

Dou Zhao thought he was grieving the loss of his father’s affection and tried to comfort him: "Relationships depend on fate. Look, I can’t stand being around my father, but you and he are like real father and son. If I were jealous of you, I’d drown in vinegar."

Song Mo’s expression didn’t improve. Instead, he murmured, "It wasn’t Father."

Dou Zhao didn’t understand.

Song Mo looked at her, his deep gaze like a starless, moonless midnight sky—unnerving.

"It wasn’t Father who killed Tiao Niang," he said quietly. "If it were him, he wouldn’t have been so shocked..."

Could it have been Song Han?

But he was only fourteen!

Remembering how she had first met Song Mo in this life when he was just thirteen, a year younger than Song Han now, Dou Zhao glanced back at the hall and began to grasp Song Mo’s meaning.

Silence settled between them, the atmosphere growing heavy.

Song Mo sighed and gently patted Dou Zhao’s shoulder in reassurance, his voice soft. "Let’s go back. No need to face Father’s hypocritical questions once we’ve secured our people."

Dou Zhao wasn’t in the mood either.

She pressed her lips together and smiled faintly at Song Mo as they left Cassia Fragrance Courtyard. Quietly, she asked, "What’s your plan?"

"Investigate those around him," Song Mo replied. "He wouldn’t do such a thing himself—he’s not capable of it."

He didn’t say what he’d do once he found out.

Dou Zhao understood his feelings.

A younger brother he had doted on and indulged for over a decade had suddenly become a stranger—even deceiving him. He needed time to process it. Yet, instead of avoiding the issue, he remained calm and analytical, which only deepened her admiration for him.

Wanting to lift his spirits, she said warmly, "You’re so composed, seeing right to the heart of the matter—far more than I could. If it were me, I’d probably be too busy arguing with the Duke. But you? You forced the Duke to let Yanmei into the household, pressured Song Shize and the others to declare their stance, and uncovered whether the Duke had any involvement in Li Tiaoniang’s death. That’s killing three birds with one stone..."

Song Mo’s mood brightened considerably at her words.

He shook his head with a faint smile and reminded her, "When you go back later, don’t let anything slip in front of A-Yan."

Dou Zhao nodded.

At the entrance of the Hall of Cultivating Will, they ran into Jiang Lizhu.Jiang Lizhu let out a sigh of relief and said, "Sister Yan is beside herself with worry, insisting that her matter shouldn't cause a rift between Cousin and Uncle. She begged me to go check on things at Cassia Fragrance Courtyard."

"My estrangement with Father isn't something new—it has nothing to do with her," Song Mo admitted for the first time in front of the Jiang family that there was discord between him and his father. "Tell her not to worry!"

Jiang Lizhu couldn't help but sigh and turned her gaze toward Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao responded with a reassuring smile.

Jiang Lizhu felt somewhat comforted.

Dou Zhao said, "Let's go see Sister Yan together to put her mind at ease."