Blossom

When the child's nickname was reported to Song Yichun, he snorted coldly at Liao Bifeng and said, "Only girls are named 'Yuan Jie.' There's no such thing as naming a boy 'Yuan Ge.' Go tell him that the child should be named 'Dong Ge' instead."

Liao Bifeng responded with a smile and relayed the message to Song Mo, who simply ignored it and continued to call the child "Yuan Ge." Naturally, the people of the Hall of Cultivating Will followed Song Mo's lead and called the child "Yuan Ge," while those in The Duke of England's Mansion called him "Dong Ge" in front of Song Yichun and "Yuan Ge" in front of Song Mo.

Chen Qushui teased, "Children are young, and the more they're called by their names, the more it wards off evil and misfortune. But with 'Yuan Ge' and 'Dong Ge,' a slip of the tongue could cause trouble. I think we should just call him 'Eldest Young Master.' Yuan Ge'er is the eldest grandson of the Duke of England's Mansion, and his great-grandfather is no longer around, so this title is fitting."

Liao Bifeng seized the opportunity to chime in, "Then let's call him Eldest Young Master to avoid any complications."

Someone flattered Song Mo by reporting this to him. Though his expression remained impassive, he rewarded the old woman with two taels of silver.

This made the household servants understand the prevailing sentiment, and they began calling Yuan Ge'er "Eldest Young Master."

People outside the mansion found it strange and asked, "Then what do you call your family's Second Young Master now?"

The household servants replied with a smile, "Still Second Young Master."

Those outside couldn't help but laugh, "So the nephew has climbed over his uncle's head."

"Second Young Master isn't married yet. Once he marries, his title can be elevated then."

Usually, the last to know about gossip is the one being talked about.

By the time Song Han found out, the matter had already spread throughout the Capital and had been a topic of ridicule for quite some time.

Despite this, the formal name "Ming Yi" that Song Mo had chosen for the child was only used for one night—during the third-day bathing ceremony the next day, Wang Ge, who had been promoted to Deputy Director of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, personally came to The Duke of England's Mansion to deliver an imperial decree. The Emperor bestowed upon Yuan Ge'er the name "He."

Both Song Mo and Song Yichun were astonished.

Only the imperial family would use such an obscure character for naming to avoid taboos.

The Emperor was essentially following imperial naming conventions for Yuan Ge. Yet the Emperor was not one to fuss over trivial matters. He couldn't even recognize all his own grandsons, so why would he think to bestow a name upon Yuan Ge? Moreover, naming was traditionally the duty of the family elders. Song Yichun hadn't even spoken up, yet the Emperor had overstepped his bounds. Though this was an unparalleled honor, the favor came so inexplicably that it left them uneasy.

Song Mo received the imperial decree and, together with Song Yichun, invited Wang Ge to the Small Flower Hall for tea.

Song Yichun then asked Wang Ge, "How did His Majesty come to think of bestowing a name upon our child?"Wang Ge had frequent dealings with Song Mo. Although Song Yichun had fallen out of the Emperor's favor these past two years, he was still one of the five seal-holding Commanders-in-chief of the Five Armies Commandery. Considering his good relations with both father and son, Wang Ge didn’t stand on ceremony and spoke frankly: "His Majesty is waiting for this servant to return and attend to him, so I won’t beat around the bush with the Duke and the Young Lord. Your eldest son has benefited from the good fortune of the Eastern Palace’s Third Imperial Grandson. Yesterday, during the third-day bathing ceremony for the Third Imperial Grandson, His Majesty visited the Eastern Palace. Seeing the child plump, fair, and thriving, he was delighted and bestowed a name upon the grandchild. This morning, His Majesty suddenly remembered that your eldest son was born just a day before the Third Imperial Grandson and that today is his bathing ceremony. He then ordered the Court of State Ceremonial to draft an imperial decree and sent this servant as an envoy to proclaim it in your esteemed residence."

Was it truly so?

Song Yichun strongly suspected Song Mo had orchestrated this.

But this was not the occasion to probe.

He hastily expressed his gratitude with phrases like "Thanking His Majesty for his boundless grace" and discreetly handed Wang Ge two large red envelopes.

Meanwhile, Song Mo quietly asked Wang Ge, "What name did His Majesty bestow upon the Third Imperial Grandson?Wang Ge dipped his finger in tea and wrote the character "Chong" on the table.

"Chong" — like a swan soaring thousands of miles, ascending into the vast heavens.

"Feather shaft" — the shaft of a feather. Taking the strongest quills as wings, beating them to soar high.

Song Yichun drew a sharp breath.

What did the Emperor mean by this?

Was he implying that Yuan Ge’er should assist the Imperial Grandson in the future?

Song Mo, however, was deeply moved.

Whether the Emperor had acted on a whim, as Wang Ge claimed, or had known of his father’s lack of kindness and deliberately elevated the child, this bestowed name was like a protective talisman. Anyone who wished to harm the child would now have to think twice.

He rewarded Wang Ge with two more large red envelopes before seeing him off. After enshrining the imperial decree in the ancestral hall, he and Song Yichun went to the palace to express their gratitude.

The inner courtyard was abuzz with excitement.

Guests attending Yuan Ge’er’s bathing ceremony congratulated Dou Zhao one after another.

Dou Zhao smiled and thanked each in turn.

The midwife, basking in the reflected glory, couldn’t stop grinning at the silver and gold ingots filling the basin. "Ah, this old woman has also been blessed! I’ll have quite the tale to tell the neighbors when I return home."

Su Xin and the other attendants covering their mouths to stifle laughter.

Fifth Madam couldn’t help but marvel, "The Fourth Son-in-law truly has the Emperor’s favor. The child hasn’t even been three days in this world, and he’s already been granted a name."

Sixth Madam nodded but added, "What’s even rarer is the Fourth Son-in-law’s unwavering devotion to Shou Gu." She felt a pang of regret—had she stubbornly opposed this marriage back then, she would have harmed Shou Gu.

It seemed she must be more cautious in her words and actions from now on.

Cai Shi couldn’t conceal her envy. "The Fourth Granddaughter’s luck has always been better than the Fifth Granddaughter’s. In their youth, it went without saying. Even after the Fifth Granddaughter stole her betrothal, she still managed to marry into nobility—and to a better match than before. One can’t help but admire it!"

Guo Shi didn’t know how to respond and remained silent. Han Shi, who had always looked down on Cai Shi’s vulgarity, merely smiled without comment. Dou Wenchang’s wife, First Madam Wen, wanted to ask about Dou Ming’s situation, but seeing that no one mentioned her, she swallowed her words and sighed inwardly for Dou Ming.

First Madam Song, however, felt a bitter taste in her heart.

With Dou Zhao bearing a son, her position in the household was now unshakable.That day, her remarks about the midwife were merely a feeler—she was probably still planning to question me further.

But I truly know nothing—how should I respond to her?

Thinking about how she had first offended Dou Zhao by taking over the Household Affairs of the Duke of England's Mansion, and now Dou Zhao suspected her of being involved in the matters concerning Song Han and Jiang Yan, she felt utterly desperate.

If Dou Zhao refused to believe in her innocence and this affected her child's future, would her husband and son still respect her?

First Madam Song sat on pins and needles, glancing at Third Madam Song and Fourth Madam Song.

Third Madam Song was greatly displeased that the Song family's womenfolk had been seated near the door and was whispering to Fourth Madam Song, trying to persuade her to voice a complaint.

Fourth Madam Song listened with a smile on her face, but inwardly, she scoffed at the idea.

The third-day bathing ceremony was traditionally the affair of the maternal family, and the Dou family was both prestigious and generous—who else deserved the seats of honor if not them?

She recalled the few words Dou Zhao had spoken when they visited on the day Yuan Ge'er was born.

Could the rumors circulating in the mansion actually be true?

With these thoughts, she couldn't help but glance toward the Resting Chamber in the west.

Ningde Princess and Old Madam Lu were resting there, with Jiang Yan serving them tea.

The two elders watched Jiang Yan, but their conversation was about something else entirely.

"With the name bestowed by the Emperor, Yuan Ge'er's position as the legitimate eldest grandson is secure. The title of Duke of Yingguo will never fall to that person," Ningde Princess said, taking a delicate sip of tea.

"Our family has shown such favor to the Duke of England's Mansion, not to pave the way for some illegitimate bastard," Old Madam Lu raised her eyebrows, her usual kindness replaced by a stern and imposing demeanor befitting a matriarch. "It's just a pity for Yan'er—such a lovely girl, ruined by that vile woman! No matter how well-behaved and sensible that bastard appears, the mere thought of him carrying that woman's blood makes me sick!"

Her sister-in-law had always been fiercely principled, unable to tolerate the slightest wrongdoing, though age had mellowed her somewhat.

But Jiang Yan's situation had reignited her temper.

Ningde Princess could only say, "If this escalates, it will become a scandal, which won't benefit Yantang either. We must proceed slowly."

Old Madam Lu nodded. "At the very least, we must reclaim Huisun's dowry. Then, arrange a marriage for Song Han and have him establish his own household, separate from the main family. I can't bear the sight of him—it ruins my appetite."

"I fear the Duke may have other ideas," Ningde Princess mused. "Perhaps we could ask Her Majesty the Empress Dowager to arrange a marriage for Song Han. Every year, palace maids are released, and some relatives of the imperial consorts visit Her Majesty. Any match would be no disgrace to him."

Most imperial consorts came from humble backgrounds, and their sisters, suddenly elevated to wealth, were rarely presentable. Without the guidance of elder women, avoiding mistakes would be an achievement in itself—expecting them to stand against Dou Zhao in a Standoff was wishful thinking.

Old Madam Lu was quite pleased with Ningde Princess's suggestion and whispered, "Then we must act swiftly. Take advantage of the Third Imperial Grandson's full-month celebration to visit the palace and sound out Her Majesty's thoughts."Ningde Princess smiled and responded with a "good." Just then, a page came running in: "A eunuch from the Eastern Palace has arrived on the orders of the Crown Princess, bringing gifts to celebrate the elder young master's third-day bath."

Both Song Mo and Song Yichun had gone to the palace to express their gratitude, and Dou Zhao was still in confinement, so First Madam Song stepped forward to thank the messenger and brought the gifts back.

It was merely a gold ingot symbolizing continuous promotion, but since it was bestowed by the Crown Princess, its significance was different. The midwife held it in her hands, feeling almost lightheaded with joy.

The guests couldn’t help but offer another round of congratulations.

Jiang Lizhu came to celebrate Yuan Ge’er’s third-day bath.

She had once helped Jiang Yan cover for her, so Jiang Yan felt a natural warmth toward her and led her to kowtow to Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess.

Jiang Lizhu charmed everyone with her witty remarks, often making the two elderly ladies burst into laughter.

Jiang Yan, gentle and obedient, quietly served tea and water to the guests.

On the way back from the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion, Old Madam Lu sighed to Ningde Princess, "Unmoved by honor or disgrace—this is the poise of a noblewoman. How could it be achieved just because one’s father or brother holds an official post or the family has some wealth?"

Jiang Lizhu’s father-in-law was merely a low-ranking commander, and her husband had no official status at all. Yet among the gathered ladies, she remained neither haughty nor humble, composed and dignified.

Ningde Princess patted Old Madam Lu’s hand and said, "Yantang’s wife is a sensible one. With A-Yan by her side, she will guide her well."

"I hope so," Old Madam Lu replied with a bitter smile.