Blossom

While Song Mo and Wang Ge were talking in the small study, Ningde Princess, Old Madam Lu, and Dou Zhao were conversing in the heated room behind the Reception Hall.

"Back then, the old Duke intended for you, Princess, to take charge, with your mother-in-law assisting. But after the incident with the Earl of Guang'en, your mother-in-law pleaded for your father-in-law before the old Duke. Your father-in-law, however, believed your mother-in-law and Duke Ding were putting on an act—one playing the good cop, the other the bad—making a fool of him. No matter how others tried to persuade him, your father-in-law couldn’t get past it. That’s when the old Duke completely gave up and handed the family estate to your mother-in-law," Old Madam Lu sighed. "So, your father-in-law’s foolishness isn’t a recent thing—everyone in the family knows. Now that you have a son, you must plan everything for his sake. As for the elders’ affairs, it’s best to turn a blind eye and not take them to heart."

The pitiable often have their own faults.

Since meeting Old Madam Lu, Dou Zhao had seen that everything she did was for the good of Song Mo and herself. Though she had no intention of letting Song Yichun off, she didn’t want to worry Old Madam Lu either, so she replied vaguely, "Don’t worry. As juniors, even if our elders are at fault, we’ll endure and yield, never stooping to their level."

Old Madam Lu nodded with a smile and sighed, "That’s the principle, but you shouldn’t blindly obey either." Then she exchanged a glance with Ningde Princess. "There’s something I’d like to discuss with you!"

This was likely no small matter—and it probably involved Song Yichun.

Dou Zhao tensed inwardly but kept her expression neutral, smiling as she said, "Please go ahead, Old Madam."

Old Madam Lu then said, "I think Song Han is old enough to be married. The Princess and I thought that since there are many imperial concubines in the palace, each with unmarried nieces or granddaughters, we could ask the Empress Dowager to arrange a match for Song Han—a capable wife. After he marries, he can set up his own household, with someone to manage his affairs. What do you think?"

Dou Zhao was surprised, feeling Old Madam Lu was overstepping this time.

Song Yichun might not agree to let Song Han live separately after marriage.

After a moment’s thought, she replied carefully, "As his elder brother and sister-in-law, we only wish him well—if he thrives, he can support his nephews in the future. But first, an imperial marriage isn’t something we can decide. Second, the idea of him living separately after marriage—'the youngest son, the eldest grandson, the apple of the old couple’s eye'—might make the Duke think the Young Lord can’t tolerate Song Han and is using his uncles to push for this."

Ningde Princess laughed. "Don’t worry about that. If you agree, I’ll ask the Empress Dowager to arrange the marriage. Once he marries a noble lady from the palace, it wouldn’t be fitting for him to live under his brother’s shadow. The palace will naturally take charge and speak to the Duke about it."

If that were possible, it would be ideal.

The past was the past; this life was different.

Song Mo now loathed Song Han to the core. Dou Zhao knew he wouldn’t let him go, but if, as in their past life, he insisted on killing him out of vengeance, it would ruin Song Mo’s reputation. If they lived apart, Song Han wouldn’t be a constant reminder of his mother’s death, and Song Mo’s mood might improve.As for Song Han having the support of a powerful maternal family, Dou Zhao wasn't overly concerned, believing her own family background was equally strong.

She rose and respectfully curtsied to Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess, saying, "Without the intervention of you two madams, we would have had to swallow our grievances in silence."

Both Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess smiled with satisfaction.

Ningde Princess then spoke candidly with Dou Zhao: "Your younger cousins have been strictly disciplined since childhood—they are steady in their ways but lack the drive to revive the family fortunes. In the future, we'll have to rely on Yantang to look after them. We can't let the Duke recklessly squander the family estate! But as children, there's only so much you can do to stop him. We'll take on the role of the 'villains' in this matter."

Despite this, Dou Zhao expressed her gratitude: "Your kindness and generosity will surely be remembered by our Young Lord."

Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess nodded approvingly before heading to the Reception Hall for the banquet.

Though Dou Zhao was content with this arrangement, she worried that Song Mo might have other plans. She decided to discuss it with him after the banquet. Just then, a page hurried in, bowing to her and saying urgently, "His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Crown Princess have sent eunuchs to present gifts for the young master's full-month celebration. The Young Lord requests your presence at the front courtyard to express gratitude."

While Song Mo would receive the eunuchs sent by the Crown Prince, Dou Zhao needed to greet those sent by the Crown Princess.

Dou Zhao quickly changed into a bright red jacket.

The eunuch from the Crown Princess's entourage had already entered the inner courtyard, accompanied by Gu Yu.

Madam Changxing and others tactfully withdrew, remaining in the Reception Hall.

Dou Zhao curtsied toward the direction of the imperial palace to express her thanks. The eunuch presented the gifts from the Crown Princess—a gold and silver lock, an eight-treasure necklace, clothing, shoes, and socks—all arranged on trays, which Dou Zhao passed to the maids behind her.

For a moment, all the young maids in the main courtyard of the Hall of Cultivating Will rushed about in excitement.

The guests attending Yuan Ge'er's full-month celebration watched in astonishment.

Madam Changxing remarked, "Yuan Ge'er has truly won the favor of the Crown Prince. He will surely grow up blessed with good fortune."

Dou Zhao thanked Madam Changxing with a smile and handed a generous Red Envelope to the eunuch, instructing servants to prepare a fine feast for him.

However, the eunuch waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "This servant came with Eunuch Cui on official business. I should stay with him."

Cui Yijun was the Crown Prince's most favored eunuch. With the mention of his name, Dou Zhao didn't press further but instead gave the eunuch two more premium Red Envelopes.

The eunuch beamed, his eyes narrowing into slits as he repeatedly thanked Dou Zhao.

Cui Yijun didn't stay long. After handing over the Crown Prince's gifts to Song Mo and exchanging a few pleasantries, he took his leave.

Song Mo personally escorted Cui Yijun to the screen wall, while Dou Zhao, following protocol, displayed the gifts from the Crown Prince and Crown Princess in the main hall, to be stored in the treasury after the celebration.

The golden qilin, the eight-treasure necklace, and the crimson embroidered cloak shimmered dazzlingly under the bright summer sun.

Every guest present came from illustrious families—none were strangers to luxury. But these were gifts from the Crown Princess, making them extraordinary.

The guests praised Song Mo and Dou Zhao effusively before returning to their seats in the Small Flower Hall.

Amidst the music, the banquet commenced.Song Yichun noticed Wang Ge sitting in a corner, chatting animatedly with Gu Yu, and couldn't help but frown. He whispered to Shi Chonglan, "What did they say over there?"

Shi Chonglan smiled. "Don't worry. Since he dared to take our silver, he won’t dare to go back on his word."

Song Yichun felt slightly reassured and began to relax.

Meanwhile, Old Madam Lu was whispering to Ningde Princess, "What if Her Majesty the Empress Dowager can’t be bothered with this trivial matter?"

Ningde Princess chuckled. "The late Emperor doted on Consort Miao. If the prince she bore hadn’t died young, the palace would have been thrown into turmoil. During the third imperial grandson’s full-moon celebration, I quietly mentioned the Song family’s affairs to Shi Taifei. Given her temperament, she’ll surely inform the Empress Dowager. Once Song Mo agrees to this matter, I’ll enter the palace to propose a marriage for Song Han. The Empress Dowager will certainly arrange a marriage for Consort Miao’s family’s daughter. Just wait and see."

Old Madam Lu had always admired Ningde Princess’s methods, and upon hearing this, a smile crept into the corners of her eyes.

※※※※※

That evening, Dou Zhao relayed Old Madam Lu and Ningde Princess’s intentions to Song Mo.

Song Mo sighed. "I may lack kinship ties, but I’ve been fortunate to encounter Father-in-law, Old Madam Lu, and Ningde Princess."

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but chide him, "Keep Father’s matters to yourself. Don’t praise him too much, or he’ll only grow more extravagant."

For Yuan Ge’er’s full-moon celebration, Dou Shiying had gifted not only stationery, gold rings, and silver locks but also a 600-mu tea plantation and an oil press. These two properties alone yielded three to four thousand taels of silver annually.

Song Mo laughed heartily. "I’m just teasing Father-in-law to make him happy. We’ve already agreed that these properties will continue to be managed by the Dou family’s stewards. When Yuan Ge’er is ready to marry, Father-in-law can present them to him. This way, Father-in-law maintains his dignity, and Yuan Ge’er will know how well his grandfather treats him."

"Don’t forget the fire at the Duke of England’s Mansion," Dou Zhao said, exasperated by her father’s lavish gifting. "Let’s not court such attention again."

"You underestimate Father-in-law," Song Mo replied. "This time, he only informed the Dou family about Yuan Ge’er’s gifts and didn’t publicize it. He told the Dou family to avoid misunderstandings later—otherwise, he wouldn’t have even mentioned it to them."

Dou Zhao pondered. "Does Dou Ming know?"

"The Wei family sent gifts but didn’t attend," Song Mo said, suppressing his satisfaction over the Wei family’s estrangement. "Father-in-law said he’d send someone to inform Dou Ming."

Clarifying things now would prevent Dou Ming from causing trouble later.

Dou Zhao’s expression softened.

But Song Mo had no interest in discussing the Wei family further. He told Dou Zhao about Song Yichun’s request for Shi Chonglan to sound out the Emperor regarding Song Han’s potential marriage to a princess, adding, "The sooner the imperial marriage is settled, the better. You’ve just finished your confinement, and traveling might strain your health. Tomorrow, I’ll personally visit the Lu residence to thank the two elderly ladies."

Dou Zhao, fully occupied with caring for the child, naturally didn’t object. She prepared gifts for Song Mo overnight and saw him off after breakfast the next day.

After lunch, Ningde Princess requested an audience at the palace.

The following day, the Empress Dowager summoned Ningde Princess and even hosted her for lunch.The Empress heard that Princess Ningde had entered the palace and was about to visit the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility when she was summoned by the Emperor to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

"Have Jingyi and Jingfu's marriages still not been settled?" the Emperor asked the Empress, setting down the memorial he had been reading. "Yantang has already become a father now. Their marriages should be arranged soon."

If not for Song Yichun, Song Yantang would have long been his son-in-law.

Still, he was quite obedient this time, taking the initiative to propose his second son as a match for the princess. Whether it succeeded or not, it at least showed he was yielding. The Emperor felt rather happy about this.