Blossom

When the Song father and son returned from the palace, the lanterns had already been lit, and the guests who had come to attend Song He's third-day bathing ceremony had all dispersed.

Song Mo nodded at Song Yichun and returned to the Hall of Cultivating Will.

Song Yichun, however, stood silently on the bluestone-paved main path of the Duke of England's Mansion for a long time.

In the past, although the Emperor had not been particularly close to him, he had never treated him as an outsider. But this time in the palace, he distinctly felt the Emperor's coldness and distance, even hearing words like "failing to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children is the root of family chaos."

Could the Emperor have heard something?

Or had Song Mo complained to the Emperor about something?

When Song Yichun turned his gaze toward the Hall of Cultivating Will, his eyes were like poisoned daggers.

This was exactly the kind of thing Song Mo would do!

No wonder all the military officers in the Capital had to be on their guard when dealing with Song Mo.

The thought made Song Yichun's chest tighten with frustration.

He flicked his sleeves and returned to the Cassia Fragrance Courtyard.

Song Han's injuries had improved significantly. He greeted Song Yichun at the door, leaning on a cane.

Seeing his pale face, Song Yichun softened and asked, "Why aren't you resting properly? Are your wounds better?"

Song Han smiled. "The Imperial Physician you hired for me is highly skilled. After just three doses of medicine, I already feel much better." He gently supported Song Yichun toward the main room. "I heard the Emperor bestowed a name on Dongge today? The Emperor still holds you in high regard, Father. Such an honor is unique to our family in the entire Capital."

He credited all the merit to Song Yichun.

Song Yichun found this extremely pleasing, and his voice grew even gentler. "This is also because the Emperor recognizes our family's generations of loyalty. So, as long as we act according to the Emperor's will, nothing else matters. Only this way can we maintain this favor for generations."

He must be referring to the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion, right?

It seemed his father had taken his intention to marry a girl from the Jiang Family to heart.

Song Han sneered inwardly but said aloud, "Your guidance is wise, Father. Now that I'm older, I've seen many things and understand priorities. I won't be as reckless as before."

Song Yichun gave a satisfied "Hmm" and paused. "In a few days, I'll go to the palace to seek a marriage arrangement for you. In the meantime, focus on your studies at home and avoid trouble, lest the nobles in the palace hear of it and disapprove. Understand?"

Song Han was stunned.

Song Yichun thought to himself, having such a foolish son wasn't so bad—at least he obeyed everything and wouldn't act on his own, making things difficult for him.

"Silly boy!" He chuckled as he entered the hall, already considering assigning a couple of maids to teach his son about worldly matters.

Once Song Yichun went inside, Song Han slowly returned to the small eastern courtyard where he lived.

Qi Xia and Cai Yun hurried to greet him.

He waved his hand, dismissing all the attendants, and entered the inner chamber. Quietly, he moved aside the Guanyin statue enshrined on the east side, revealing a small portrait.

The person in the portrait wore an embroidered shawl, elegant and dignified, with a faint yet unmistakable air of strength and pride in her brow."Mother!" he murmured, tears instantly streaming down his face. "I didn't mean to... I truly didn't know the medicine was poisoned... I didn't dare tell you... You had already begun to suspect by then... I knew you never doubted Father, even though you didn't like him... I feared if I told you, Father would find out... The maid Xingfang by your side had already been bribed by him. If Father denied it and she tampered with evidence, I'd be left without a place to be buried... Whenever they weren't looking, I would secretly pour out half the medicine and dilute it with water... I thought this way, you could hold on until Brother returned... But I never expected Father would reveal my true origins to you. It shocked you to death..." His face was drenched, "Mother, you loved me most. No matter what mistakes I made, you never blamed me. This time, you'll surely forgive me too, won't you?" As he spoke, caressing the portrait, his expression gradually twisted with malice, "Rest assured, your son will avenge you..."

※※※※※

Meanwhile, Song Mo returned to the Hall of Cultivating Will, bathed, changed clothes, and went to the inner chamber.

Dou Zhao was being served carp soup by Gan Lu. Seeing him return, she immediately instructed the maids to serve dinner: "You haven't eaten yet, have you? I had the kitchen keep your meal warm!"

Song Mo nodded and leaned over the bed to observe his sleeping son.

While Dou Zhao was focused on her soup, he stealthily poked the baby's cheek a few times with his finger.

Yuan Ge'er, full and content, merely pursed his little lips and ignored him.

Song Mo poked him again.

The baby frowned, turned his face away, and continued sleeping.

Just as Song Mo raised his finger for another poke, Dou Zhao caught him in the act after finishing her soup.

Both exasperated and amused, she asked, "What are you doing?"

Caught red-handed, Song Mo awkwardly laughed, "I noticed he's been sleeping constantly without opening his eyes to play..."

He probably wanted the child to play with him, didn't he?

Dou Zhao smiled, "Newborns are like this—they sleep eleven out of twelve hours a day, with the remaining hour spent eating, drinking, and relieving themselves. They only open their eyes occasionally."

"Really?" Song Mo sounded disappointed.

Ruo Tong entered to announce dinner was ready.

Song Mo ate in the outer chamber while Dou Zhao prepared for bed.

Mothers typically slept on the outer side of the bed to prevent their sleeping children from rolling off. Though Yuan Ge'er was just born and swaddled, out of habit, Dou Zhao still slept on the outside, leaving Song Mo to sleep on the heated brick bed by the window these past few days.

Seeing Dou Zhao lie down, he squeezed onto the bed, saying, "Let me take care of the child. You move to the inner side?"

Remembering his earlier antics, Dou Zhao wasn't reassured. "I'm still feeling somewhat unwell and don't want to move. You can help with the child when he's older."

So Song Mo settled on the inner side, saying, "Call me if you need anything."

Amused by his enthusiasm, Dou Zhao agreed and had the maids extinguish the lights.

Having tended to the child herself and endured a day of social engagements, she closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, she was startled awake by the baby's cries.

She sat up abruptly—only to find both Song Mo and the child missing.

Breaking into a cold sweat, Dou Zhao cried out loudly, "Yantang!"Song Mo awkwardly walked in holding the child: "I... I saw you were sleeping soundly, so I took the baby to the wet nurse to feed, but who knew he wouldn't eat..."

Now this is truly my son!

A warm feeling spread through Dou Zhao's heart as she said softly, "I'll feed him then."

Blushing, Song Mo handed the child to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao turned sideways to nurse the baby.

Song Mo sat by the bed watching.

After being fed and changed, the baby became energetic, opening his eyes to play.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but yawn.

Song Mo quickly said, "I'll take care of the child, you should rest."

How could Dou Zhao sleep now?

But Song Mo insisted firmly: "If not, there's still the wet nurse. If you keep this up, you'll ruin your health."

In her previous life, she had indeed ruined her health this way.

Dou Zhao's eyes grew slightly moist.

She obediently lay down. Watching Song Mo clumsily carry the child around the room, talking nonsense to the baby, she unexpectedly fell asleep.

When she opened her eyes again, Yuan Ge'er was sleeping peacefully beside her pillow, while Song Mo slept soundly with his face pressed against their son's.

Looking at these two faces—one big, one small—Dou Zhao felt as if a feather had tickled her heart. That itchy, indescribable emotion filled her chest until it felt swollen.

She couldn't help but gently caress Song Mo's face...

※※※※※

Meanwhile at the Jingguo Duke's mansion, the three madams sat in the hall waiting for their mother-in-law, Madam Jingguo, to finish her morning ablutions so they could pay their respects.

Second Madam Zhang quietly asked Third Madam Zhang (née Feng): "Why did you return so late yesterday? Was the Duke of Yingguo's third-day bathing ceremony very lively?"

She had deliberately returned late yesterday, wanting to miss the evening greetings so she could save the news for this morning when everyone came to pay respects.

Her sister-in-law's question was like handing her a ladder. Perking up, she glanced at Wei Tingzhen before answering: "Not just lively—it was absolutely magnificent! The Emperor even bestowed a name upon my newborn nephew!"

Second Madam Zhang was stunned and about to speak when Madam Jingguo emerged, supported by her personal maid, just in time to catch the last part. "The Emperor bestowed a name upon whom?"

"The Duke of Yingguo's legitimate eldest grandson!" Third Madam Zhang proceeded to exaggerate details—what name the Emperor gave the third imperial grandson, what name he gave Yuan Ge'er, what gifts the Crown Princess bestowed upon the Duke of Yingguo's household, how many guests attended, how lavish the Dou family's gifts were for the bathing ceremony, etc.

Madam Jingguo listened with some surprise, sighing: "After all, the Duke of Yingguo's household has such prestige!" Then she instructed her maid: "When Yuan Ge'er has his full-month celebration, I'll go join the festivities."

Third Madam Zhang was delighted, linking arms with Madam Jingguo as she said: "Mother, that kingfisher-feather phoenix hairpin you're wearing today is truly beautiful—are those southern pearls?"

"You've got sharp eyes," Madam Jingguo smiled as they moved to the adjacent Resting Chamber.

Wei Tingzhen followed woodenly behind her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, thinking bitterly: Just some distant relatives by marriage, yet they're so puffed up they've lost all sense of direction. If they're so capable, why not have the Emperor bestow a name upon their own sons... Though she understood this was Third Madam's way of mocking her after hearing about the sister-switch marriage.

Thinking of the maidservant Dou Ming had sent back, she twisted her handkerchief until it resembled pickled mustard greens.Two days later, Wei Tingzhen couldn't resist paying a visit to her maiden home.

※※※※※

On the day of the child's full moon celebration, not only did Madam Jingguo personally attend, but even Madam Changxing (the wife of the Marquis Changxing's heir) and Madam, Marquis of Yan'an—who usually avoided social gatherings—also came. The wife of Marquis Changxing's heir immediately explained to Dou Zhao upon arrival: "My mother-in-law very much wanted to see the young master but feared disturbing the child, so she had to refrain."

As the widowed Madam Changxing, it was inappropriate for her to attend such a festive occasion.

Dou Zhao smiled and exchanged pleasantries with her: "Please convey my gratitude to the Dowager. When the child is a little older, I'll bring him to pay his respects." Since Madam, Marquis of Yan'an was Wang Qinghuai's mother and her daughter-in-law An Shi was on good terms with Dou Zhao, she warmly greeted Madam, Marquis of Yan'an and personally escorted the ladies to the Small Flower Hall, where they joined the women of the Dou family. Meanwhile, Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess, who had arrived early, were seated in the heated room adjacent to the Small Flower Hall, engaged in conversation. Everyone exchanged greetings amid cheerful laughter, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.