Blossom

Miao Ansu was secretly astonished upon hearing this.

Madam?

Which Madam?

From the tone, it seemed she was accompanying guests.

Then it must be someone from the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion.

How hateful Third Madam Song was!

Which family didn’t haggle over dowries and betrothal gifts when arranging marriages? Yet she took it to heart as if the Miao family owed her something, treating Miao Ansu with nothing but disdain. She had been sitting here for so long, and not even a word of introduction had been offered.

Miao Ansu sneered.

The eldest, third, and fourth branches of the Song family were merely collateral relatives of the Duke of Yingguo's household. For now, she would let it slide. Once she had firmly established herself, she would deal with her in due time.

At this thought, she finally felt somewhat better.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao was seeing off Eldest Madam Lu and Third Madam of the Jingguo Duke's Mansion.

A mother’s brother is her closest kin. Others might leave, but as Song Yichun’s maternal relative, Eldest Madam Lu couldn’t very well depart first. Thus, when the bride entered, she sat coldly in the hall sipping tea.

Naturally, Dou Zhao had to keep her company.

Third Madam Zhang had only stayed out of respect for Dou Zhao. While Dou Zhao chatted with Eldest Madam Lu in the hall, she chimed in as well.

Jiang Yan, meanwhile, stuck close to Dou Zhao’s side.

Once Eldest Madam Lu felt she had fulfilled her social obligations, she rose to take her leave.

Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan escorted the two to the Hanging Flower Gate.

Seeing guests depart, those in the bridal chamber also began to disperse.

Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan remained at the gate to bid farewell.

The bridal chamber quieted down.

Miao Ansu immediately lashed out.

"Ji Hong, I told you to distribute rewards to the maids. Why haven’t you done it?" Her frosty expression clashed sharply with the festive atmosphere in the room. "Have you forgotten all sense of propriety?"

Ji Hong’s eyes reddened as she whispered, "The master only gave me a dozen or so red envelopes. I was afraid that if the young masters and misses of the Song family, or the children of their in-laws, came to serve you tea..."

Not rewarding the maids was one thing, but if even Song Han’s siblings and relatives came to congratulate her without receiving red envelopes, it would be utterly humiliating.

Yet, the two brothers from the Song family’s eldest branch, being uncles, were occupied with receiving guests at the front and couldn’t come to tease the bride. Song Jun and Song Yao from the third and fourth branches, though uncles, were kept away—Third Madam Song, disliking the Miao family, restrained Song Jun from visiting the inner courtyard, while Fourth Madam, unwilling to stand out, followed the lead of Da Taitai and Third Madam, keeping a firm grip on Song Yao’s hand. As for Song Jin, spoiled at home and traumatized by her last visit to the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion, she had thrown a tantrum, refusing to attend Song Han’s wedding. Third Madam Song had no choice but to claim she was ill. The in-laws, sharp-eyed as ever, wanted no part in the Song family’s internal strife—only adults attended the banquet, not a single child in sight. The result? Not a single relative came to tease the bride.

Miao Ansu gritted her teeth until they creaked. "He embezzled sixteen thousand taels of silver from the Song family’s betrothal gifts, yet couldn’t spare even a few taels to save my face. Does he mean to drive me to my death?"

Her wet nurse, Shi Shi, was horrified. "My dear young lady, today is your joyous occasion! You mustn’t speak such ill omens!" She hastily clasped her hands toward the west and muttered a few prayers.

Miao Ansu clenched her jaw, barely holding back harsher words.

She asked Ji Hong, "That woman in the silver-red sleeveless jacket who was in my room earlier—was she the heir’s wife, Dou Shi?"Upon first arrival, anyone would naturally take a moment to survey their surroundings.

Though Miao Ansu couldn't move around, Ji Hong cheerfully greeted the maids and old women arranged by the Song Family in the bridal chamber with a flurry of "sisters" and "aunties," curiously inquiring about who was who, and managed to recognize a few faces.

"That one is the First Madam of the Song Family, Tan Shi," Ji Hong said, shaking her head. "Madam Dou has been accompanying the First Madam of the Lu Family and the Third Madam of the Jingguo Duke's residence in the main hall for tea."

Before marrying into the Song Family, the Miao Family had already gathered information about the Song relatives. Though Miao Ansu hadn't met them in person, she had memorized the relationships and immediately recognized who was being referred to.

She couldn't help but pause and ask, "Madam Dou didn’t come into the bridal chamber?"

Ji Hong knew her young mistress was extremely proud—how could she bluntly say Dou Zhao hadn’t entered the chamber?

She tactfully replied, "The bridal chamber was too crowded. Madam Dou stood at the doorway for a while but eventually had to withdraw with the First Madam of the Lu Family and the Third Madam of Jingguo Duke's residence."

Exhausted from the day, Miao Ansu wasn’t in the mood to dwell on Ji Hong’s words. Instead, she asked, "What does Madam Dou look like? Does she seem easy to get along with?"

Ji Hong recalled her own awe upon seeing Dou Zhao and whispered, "Madam Dou is quite beautiful, with a dignified and graceful demeanor. She speaks unhurriedly—her temperament seems pleasant." Then she added with a smile, "At any rate, you’ll see for yourself tomorrow morning during the family introductions. Then you’ll know whether she’s easy to get along with."

Miao Ansu nodded.

Song Han didn’t return to the chamber until the third watch.

He was dead drunk, carried into the bridal chamber by his personal page, Zeng Quan.

Miao Ansu hurriedly ordered someone to bring sobering-up soup for Song Han.

But he collapsed onto the wedding bed and immediately began snoring.

Song Mo returned to his quarters around the same time as Song Han.

When he arrived, Dou Zhao was still reclining against a large bolster, reading a book while waiting for him.

Seeing him return, she immediately set the book aside and asked, "How was the wedding banquet in the outer courtyard?"

"Fine," Song Mo replied dismissively. "At least we’ve gotten through this ordeal."

A young maid brought in water to help Song Mo freshen up, while Dou Zhao personally fetched his change of clothes. She then said, "I’ve prepared Miao Shi’s greeting gifts based on what Mother gave the First Madam when she first entered the household. Do you have anything to add or remove?"

Given all the things Song Han had done, Dou Zhao couldn’t bear to even glance at him. But Miao Shi was innocent, and she was doing this entirely out of consideration for her.

Song Mo thought the arrangement was fine. "Once they’ve completed their month-long visit to the bride’s family, I’ll ask the Lu Family’s elder uncle to oversee dividing the household and have Song Han and his wife live separately." His tone made it clear he wished Song Han would disappear immediately.

Dou Zhao understood his feelings and gently patted his hand. She then told him about Madam Hu’s marriage proposal for Jiang Yan, adding, "See? Just by accompanying me and making a brief appearance, someone has already come to propose to Yan-mei. Once I’ve recovered a bit more and can take her out more often, a good match will come soon enough."

Song Mo nodded. "Choose a good family for A-Yan. It doesn’t need to be extravagantly wealthy—just someone who will wholeheartedly cherish her."

"Mm!" Dou Zhao smiled. "That’s why I plan to spread the word about Madam Hu’s proposal. After Yan-mei and I climb Xiangshan Mountain on the Double Ninth Festival, even more suitors will come forward."

Song Mo chuckled. "Then I’ll accompany you both to climb Xiangshan.""You definitely have to go!" Dou Zhao chided. "If you don't, who will help carry Yuan Ge'er?"

"So it turns out I'm only worth five taels of silver," Song Mo teased.

Yuan Ge'er's wet nurse received a monthly allowance of five taels.

Dou Zhao giggled.

Song Mo pulled Dou Zhao into his embrace.

His warm breath brushed against her neck, sending tingles down her spine...

※※※※※

Early the next morning, Song Mo and Dou Zhao were already prepared, carrying Yuan Ge'er to the small hall in the upper courtyard.

Song Yichun had not yet arrived.

Song Mo and Dou Zhao amused themselves with the child.

The Song Maochun family arrived.

Song Mo and Dou Zhao stood up with smiles to greet their guests.

The couple's formidable presence had long made Song Maochun and his wife regret their past actions, leaving them uneasy whenever they met Song Mo and Dou Zhao. Seeing the pair smiling now, they felt unexpectedly flattered and hurried forward, their obsequiousness barely concealed as they greeted, "Young Lord, you're here so early! I thought I was the first! No wonder people outside praise the Young Lord for his diligence. You put us all to shame!"

Yuan Ge'er's laughter lifted Song Mo's spirits. Rarely in the mood for banter, he joked with Song Maochun, "Diligent? Uncle, you flatter me too much!"

Song Maochun laughed awkwardly.

First Madam Song smoothed things over, holding Yuan Ge'er's tiny hand as she smiled at Dou Zhao. "It's only been half a month, but look how much Yuan Ge'er's features have filled out—he's grown even more handsome."

Dou Zhao smiled gracefully.

Song Fengchun and Song Tongchun's families entered, surrounding Song Yichun.

Song Yichun's face was dark. When he saw Yuan Ge'er, his expression grew complicated.

Song Fengchun and Song Tongchun exchanged glances. Song Jun and Song Yao, oblivious to the tension among the adults, rushed forward to hold Yuan Ge'er's hands. One declared, "I'm your Fifth Uncle!" while the other exclaimed, "His hands are so small—even smaller than my cousin's!"

Dou Zhao smiled, allowing the children to examine Yuan Ge'er curiously.

Third Madam Song quickly pulled Song Jun aside, her face flushed with embarrassment as she explained, "Children don't know any better—please don't take it to heart."

Young children were fragile, and the slightest mishap could lead to serious consequences. She feared that if Song Jun got too close to Yuan Ge'er, any accident might be blamed on him.

Dou Zhao didn't insist on Song Jun and Song Yao bonding with Yuan Ge'er and simply smiled without comment.

Fourth Madam Song hesitated briefly but chose not to intervene.

The scene grated on Song Yichun.

Irritated, he said, "Alright, alright, let's all sit down and talk."

The group arranged themselves accordingly, men to the east and women to the west.

The three Lu brothers had brought their wives, while the Jingguo Duke's household was represented by Zhang Xuming and his wife, along with Feng Shao.

Eldest Madam Lu said with a smile, "The Grand Princess and our family's elders are too advanced in years to join the festivities. They entrusted us to bring gifts for the occasion."

Third Madam Zhang added cheerfully, "My father and mother went to visit the Grand Princess, so they sent us siblings to congratulate Tianen."

Song Yichun knew his eldest and second sons were incomparable, but these people were being excessively harsh, showing no consideration at all. Did they truly believe Song Han was utterly incapable?

Resentment burned in his heart, but there was nothing he could do—people's feet were their own, and if they refused to show him respect, he couldn't force them.

Frowning, Song Yichun nodded stiffly and invited them to sit, then drank his tea in silence. The atmosphere in the small hall grew stifling.Eldest Madam Lu chatted with Dou Zhao while playing with Dong Ge'er: "How many times a day does he nurse? Does he cry much at night? It's just a month until his hundredth day—have you set a date for the celebration feast?"

Behind Eldest Madam Lu, Third Madam Zhang clapped her hands to catch Yuan Ge'er's attention.

Song Jun and Song Yao found this amusing and began running circles around Yuan Ge'er.

The small hall instantly became lively.

Song Yichun's face darkened as he called out sharply to Zeng Wu, "It's already mid-morning—why haven't Tianen and Miao Shi arrived yet?"