Blossom

Zeng Wu scrambled out of the small hall and immediately ran into Song Han and Miao Ansu.

Song Han looked rather disheveled, clearly still hungover from drinking too much the night before. Miao Ansu was dressed in a red Gold Brocade jacket, her hair styled in a married woman’s high bun. She followed obediently behind Song Han, but her eyes darted around restlessly.

Zeng Wu nearly threw himself at Song Han. "Second Master, you’ve finally arrived! The Duke, the Young Lord, and the uncles from the Lu Family are all here, waiting for you and Second Madam."

Song Han nodded listlessly and entered the small hall with Miao Ansu.

Miao Ansu’s gaze was instantly drawn to a young woman in the hall, dressed in a striking red embroidered jacket.

The woman appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen, but her eyes were exceptionally bright, sparkling like stars in the sky. With a high nose bridge, long eyebrows that arched into her temples, and a faint smile on her lips, she exuded an air of spirited confidence that marked her as someone from no ordinary family.

Before Miao Ansu could take a second look, she heard Song Yichun’s cold snort beside her.

"Why are you only arriving now? Haven’t I taught you the Family precepts since childhood—‘rise at dawn’? Did you forget them just because you got married?" he said, casting a displeased glance at Miao Ansu.

Miao Ansu’s temper flared instantly.

Last night, Song Han had been drunk, demanding water and vomiting, keeping her up most of the night. By morning, he was impossible to rouse. If not for her wet nurse, Shi Shi, who had the presence of mind to press a cold towel to his face, Song Han would still be lying in bed now.

After much effort, she had managed to dress him, and they had gone to the ancestral hall.

Her father-in-law was already waiting for them there.

After paying respects to the Song ancestors, they had also bowed before her mother-in-law’s memorial tablet.

At the time, her father-in-law had been very amiable, even telling them, "The relatives won’t arrive so early. Go rest for a while before coming to the small hall for the family introductions!"

Foolishly, she had secretly rejoiced at having such a kind father-in-law. Thinking Song Han hadn’t eaten breakfast before leaving, she had made sure to serve him a meal before coming here.

Yet before she could even steady herself, her father-in-law had lashed out with such words.

How could he blame her for Song Han neglecting the Family precepts?

Wasn’t this an attempt to tarnish her reputation?

Miao Ansu looked to Song Han.

But he just stood there dumbly, listening to his father’s scolding without a word of defense.

Her chest tightened as if struck by a fist.

As the new bride, her husband wouldn’t stand up for her. If she argued with her father-in-law, she could be branded "sharp-tongued"—a label that could justify divorcing her. Though her marriage was imperial-sanctioned and couldn’t be dissolved, she could still be sent to the Family temple or left to languish in neglect while Song Han favored concubines.

At that point, what use would her title as the principal wife be if she remained childless?

Miao Ansu pressed her lips tightly together.

Third Madam Song laughed loudly and said, "Young people love to sleep in—it’s normal for them to rise late. Song Han is newlywed; Second Brother shouldn’t be too harsh." She signaled a maid to bring tea and handed a cup to Miao Ansu. "Hurry and offer your father-in-law a cup of tea. Once he drinks the daughter-in-law’s tea, past grievances will be forgotten."

Was this supposed to mediate?

It was more like stirring trouble and dumping blame on her head!Miao Ansu stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

But seeing Song Yichun already seated in the Grand Preceptor's Chair and Song Han kneeling on the round mat after accepting tea from Third Madam Song, she had no choice but to suppress her grievances and kneel down beside Song Han.

Just as it had been during Song Mo's wedding, Song Yichun presented Miao Ansu with two red envelopes as a greeting gift, along with a set of gold head ornaments and several jeweled ornaments on behalf of Jiang Shi—items worth at least one to two thousand taels of silver.

Miao Ansu was overjoyed, barely managing to stifle her laughter as she stepped forward to thank Song Yichun.

Next came Song Maochun and the others.

They followed convention, each giving Miao Ansu a pair of red envelopes.

The envelopes felt light—clearly containing silver notes without even needing to pinch them.

Miao Ansu’s smile deepened.

The smallest denomination for silver notes was ten taels, meaning each person had gifted her at least that much.

She couldn’t help feeling a twinge of regret.

If only the Song family had more relatives!

After paying respects to the elders, it was time for the peers.

By protocol, they should have first toasted Song Qin, but since Song Mo and Song Han were brothers of the same branch, they started with Song Mo.

Song Mo also gave two red envelopes.

For a moment, Miao Ansu was dazed.

Song Han was already the most handsome man she had ever seen, yet Song Mo was even more striking. Moreover, he was the heir to the Duke of England's Mansion and currently served as the Vice Commander of the Golden Guard, overseeing the Five Cities Garrison—a true favored son of heaven!

If only Song Han could secure such a prestigious position someday!

A cold glint flickered in Song Mo’s eyes.

The jewelry Father had given Miao Shi appeared brand new, likely recently commissioned from a silversmith. This meant the family heirlooms were still in Father’s hands. Was he reluctant to give them to Song Han, or did he have other plans?

Song Mo didn’t drink the tea Song Han offered. Instead, he idly toyed with the teacup, lost in thought.

Fortunately, after Song Han presented tea to Song Mo, the focus shifted to Song Qin, and no one noticed.

Moving from the east to the west, Song Han and Miao Ansu first paid respects to First Madam Song.

But Miao Ansu’s gaze kept drifting toward the woman in red.

Then she noticed an infant in swaddling clothes beside her.

Could this be her sister-in-law, Dou Shi?

Distracted, Miao Ansu kowtowed to Fourth Madam Song.

Sure enough, Third Madam Song led her to the woman in red.

"This is your sister-in-law, Dou Shi," Third Madam Song said cheerfully. "Your sister-in-law is virtuous and kind, praised not only by the family’s aunts and elders but also by friends and relatives."

Miao Ansu curtsied to Dou Zhao, though inwardly dismissive.

She, too, had a reputation for "filial piety," but it was all built on family hype.

Softly calling her "sister-in-law," she acted meek and obedient.

Dou Zhao smiled and nodded, presenting her with a pair of hollow gold bracelets as a greeting gift.

Miao Ansu accepted them, surprised.

They were hollow.

Wasn’t Dou Shi rumored to have a dowry of a hundred thousand taels? How could she be so stingy?

She thanked her without showing any reaction.

Third Madam Song then brought her before Dong Shi.

Dong Shi’s gift was a pair of gold earrings inlaid with Yunying Stone.

Third Madam Zhang’s was even simpler—a pair of gold willow-leaf rings.

Yet Miao Ansu felt quite satisfied.

When she married, her own aunt had only gifted her a pair of pearl hairpins for her dowry, worth barely twenty taels—already considered generous among relatives.Third Madam Song introduced Eldest Madam Lu to Miao Ansu.

Although only Eldest Madam Lu had come from the Lu Family, none of the customary gifts for meeting the bride were omitted.

The relative Miao Ansu most wanted to meet was Ningde Princess. Seeing that she hadn't come, she was quite disappointed and said, "I wonder when I can pay my respects to the Princess and the Old Madam. We can't have her not recognizing her own grandnephew's wife, can we?"

Eldest Madam Lu, finding Miao Ansu not only beautiful but also quite decisive in her actions, took a liking to her and said gently, "The two elderly ladies don't receive many guests these days due to their age. Let me consult with the Princess and our Old Madam first, then I'll send word to you, cousin-in-law."

"Of course!" Miao Ansu smiled sweetly.

When it came to Yuan Ge'er's turn, she rewarded him with a scented sachet filled with silver melon seeds.

Dou Zhao was surprised, then felt somewhat embarrassed.

Had she known Miao Ansu would honor Yuan Ge'er like this, she should have prepared a pair of solid gold bracelets for Miao Shi.

However, Gan Lu, who was collecting the sachet for Yuan Ge'er, gestured to Dou Zhao that the gold melon seeds were hollow.

Dou Zhao smiled faintly.

Even so, Miao Ansu had put thought into it, and she ought to return the kindness.

As this thought crossed her mind, a commotion arose from the eastern side of the hall: "Fourth Sister-in-law is so stingy, only giving a two-tael silver Red Envelope! When Third Sister-in-law married into the family, besides the usual gifts, she gave me and Sixth Brother ten-tael silver Red Envelopes each!"

It was Song Jun's voice.

Miao Ansu flushed crimson.

Song Fengchun and his wife were mortified. Song Fengchun immediately slapped his son: "Can't you keep quiet? Is two taels not enough? If you think it's too little, then give yours to Song Yao!"

Song Jun rubbed his head and muttered under his breath, looking aggrieved.

Third Madam Song quickly interjected, "Children say the darndest things, children say the darndest things. Tianen's wife, don't take it to heart."

What else could Miao Ansu do?

She had to say she didn't mind.

But this little episode still affected the atmosphere.

After the family introductions, everyone moved to the Reception Hall beside the small hall for the banquet. Apart from the clinking of bowls and spoons, only the footsteps of maids serving dishes could be heard.

Song Jun and Song Yao were behaving with unusual docility, which made Dou Zhao feel somewhat unaccustomed.

※※※※※

The next day, Song Han and Miao Ansu went for the returning to her maiden home.

Dou Zhao hadn't been home for some time, so she spent the morning in the upper courtyard listening to reports from the steward mammies and giving instructions.

Gu Yu came by.

He asked Dou Zhao, "Have Song Han and his wife gone for the returning to her maiden home?"

Dou Zhao nodded.

Gu Yu cheerfully showed her a Soaring-high mutton fat jade plaque hanging from his waist: "Isn't it beautiful?"

The entire piece of jade was flawless, lustrous, and translucent.

"Beautiful!" Dou Zhao joked with him. "You're not planning to give this to Yuan Ge'er, are you?"

"Anything else, but not this!" Gu Yu couldn't hide his delight as he whispered, "The Empress Dowager gave this to me for telling stories in the palace."

Dou Zhao was astonished.

Gu Yu grinned triumphantly at her.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but laugh.

Gu Yu then asked, "Where's Sister Ayan? I don't see her."

"The Duke doesn't acknowledge her," Dou Zhao sighed. "She doesn't go out much."

Gu Yu made an understanding sound, his face showing sympathy.

When Song Mo learned Gu Yu had come, he sent someone to summon him.

Gu Yu dashed off to Song Mo's study.

Song Mo asked him with a smile, "You come to the residence but don't look for me—what were you doing at your sister-in-law's place instead?"Gu Yu instinctively didn’t want to tell Song Mo about this matter. He chuckled and said, “I’m not going to see sister-in-law, I’m going to see Yuan Ge’er!”

Song Mo smiled and shook his head, not calling him out on it. Instead, he asked with a smile, “How are things at the shipyard in Tianjin?”

“I’ve been keeping an eye on it—who would dare cause trouble?” Gu Yu replied casually, and the two began discussing business matters. By noon, Gu Yu stayed at the Hall of Cultivating Will for lunch.

When Dou Zhao heard that Song Mo wouldn’t be returning for the meal, she invited Jiang Yan to join her for lunch and discussed plans for climbing the mountain during the Double Ninth Festival.