Blossom

No matter how composed Jiang Yan was, she was still just a young girl at heart. The moment she heard about going out for fun, her spirits lifted immediately.

Dou Zhao asked her, "Where would you like to go for the outing? The leaves at Fragrant Hills have turned red these days, making it the perfect time to enjoy the scenery, though it’s a bit far. Mian'er Mountain and Xuanmo Mountain are nice too, but there’s a chance the Emperor might visit, which would mean heightened security."

Jiang Yan had never been to any of these places, so she couldn’t say which she preferred or not.

She clung to Dou Zhao’s arm and said with a laugh, "I’ll follow Sister-in-law!"

The tone of complete trust melted Dou Zhao’s heart.

She instructed Ruo Tong to check with the needlework room whether the new clothes for her and Jiang Yan were ready, then told Ruo Dan to have the kitchen start preparing chestnut cakes and chrysanthemum wine. She discussed with Jiang Yan the idea of bringing along some maids and old women for the trip.

The Hall of Cultivating Will instantly buzzed with excitement.

Then, Madam An, the wife of the Young Lord of Yan'an Marquisate, came to visit.

Dou Zhao was somewhat surprised.

During Song Han’s family introduction ceremony the day before, no one from Yan'an Marquisate had attended. Logically, they should have kept their distance for a few days—why would they rush to visit her now?

She invited Madam An to sit in the Resting Chamber.

Without beating around the bush, after some tea and snacks and inquiries about Yuan Ge'er, Madam An got straight to the point: "I heard that the wife of Record Keeper Hu from the Five Armies Commandery proposed a match for your Cousin, and you agreed. Has this engagement been finalized?"

Dou Zhao’s heart skipped a beat, but she smiled and replied, "It was just a mention. The Young Lord hasn’t even had the chance to discuss it yet—how could it be settled?"

Madam An let out a long sigh of relief and smiled. "Given our close relationship, I’ll speak frankly. The first time I met your Cousin, I wanted to propose a match for her, but I wasn’t sure what kind of family you were looking for, so I hesitated until now. When I heard someone had come to propose, I panicked, afraid you’d already promised her to someone else." She pursed her lips in a smile. "The man in question is a cousin from my maternal family, twenty-eight years old. Though the age gap isn’t ideal, there are advantages to an older man—at least he knows how to cherish someone.

"His first wife died in childbirth, leaving behind a daughter who’s now nine. In a few years, she’ll be of marriageable age. The family owns two farmsteads, an herbal medicine shop, a pawnshop, and a grain and oil business. They’re not fabulously wealthy, but they live comfortably. He’s an honest and kind man, but he delayed remarrying for fear his daughter would suffer under a stepmother.

"Please discuss this with the Young Lord and see if my cousin meets his expectations."

The man was not only considerably older but also lacked any scholarly achievements—hardly an ideal match.

Madam An must have thought the same, which was why she had hesitated to propose earlier. Now that she saw the Hu family’s proposal had been considered, she felt emboldened to make her own offer.

This was like casting a brick to attract jade. The earlier acceptance of Madam Hu’s proposal had borne fruit.

As for whether Song Mo would agree—it was like a blind man eating dumplings. Everyone knew the truth: it was just an excuse. If Dou Zhao agreed, would Song Mo really stand in the way?

Dou Zhao nodded with a bright smile.

Madam An felt reassured and chatted idly with Dou Zhao for a while before taking her leave.

Jiang Yan, who had overheard everything from the inner chamber, showed no trace of shyness. Instead, her face turned pale, and she remained silent.Dou Zhao sensed something was amiss and quietly sent a maid to ask, "Are you dissatisfied with this family's conditions?"

Jiang Yan shook her head, hesitating to speak further.

Dou Zhao sighed.

Li Tiaoniang had truly done great harm!

Such a fine young girl, yet molded into such a timid and meek temperament.

Gently, Dou Zhao advised her, "We are among the few relatives you have left in this world. Is there anything you can't share with us? If you keep everything bottled up out of fear of trouble or blame, you'll suffer, and seeing you like this pains us too. Speak your mind now—even if it doesn't align with your brother's or my wishes, as long as you're at ease, we’ll be comforted."

Jiang Yan's eyes darted nervously as she tightly grasped Dou Zhao's hand and whispered, "I... I don’t want to marry."

Was the trauma of the past still haunting her?

Dou Zhao said, "What happened before wasn’t your fault—you were the victim. We won’t force you to marry, but try to let go of the past and start anew. Alright?"

Jiang Yan nodded gratefully.

When Song Mo returned that evening, Dou Zhao couldn’t help but share her thoughts with him.

Song Mo remained silent, but when he went to the study to practice calligraphy, he summoned Lu Ming. "See to it that those men surnamed Wei and He are well taken care of. Ensure nothing unfortunate befalls them."

Lu Ming shuddered, bowed in assent, and withdrew.

Only after silently filling three sheets of paper did Song Mo return to the inner chambers.

It was as if a window had been opened, revealing the scene within. Over the next few days, matchmakers flocked to propose suitors for Jiang Yan.

Dou Zhao found herself in a dilemma. When Jiang Lizhu came to visit, she confided, "If I reject every offer outright, it’ll seem as though I’m being overly picky—finding fault with every candidate. But if I agree to consider them, Yanmei isn’t in the right frame of mind for it. Had I known, I wouldn’t have been so quick to accept Madam Hu’s proposal."

Jiang Lizhu chuckled. "You didn’t expect so many opportunists, did you?"

Opportunists?

Upon reflection, it was indeed the case!

Dou Zhao laughed wryly. "You’ve always been perceptive—your words have enlightened me."

Jiang Lizhu smiled and asked, "Where’s Cousin? Has he been busy lately?"

Surprised, Dou Zhao replied, "Do you need him for something? He’s on night duty at the palace this year and won’t be back until tomorrow evening at the Hour of the Rooster. Why not come by after that?"

After a long hesitation, Jiang Lizhu said, "I do have something to discuss with Cousin... I shouldn’t keep it from you, Sister-in-law, but I’m not sure how to explain it yet..."

Dou Zhao wasn’t the petty type, and though she had only known Jiang Lizhu for a few months, she trusted her forthright nature. Since Jiang Lizhu seemed uncertain, Dou Zhao didn’t press further.

"I’m not as narrow-minded as you think," she teased lightly. "Why not come early tomorrow? Spend the day here, talk to your cousin, and stay for dinner before heading back."

After some thought, Jiang Lizhu agreed with a smile.

The next day, Dou Zhao prepared a feast in her honor.

Jiang Yan enthusiastically accompanied her around the gardens to admire the scenery.

In the pavilion of the rear garden, they encountered Miao Ansu.Following Jiang Yan and Jiang Lizhu, the attendant Ruo Tong quickly said, "This is our mansion's Second Madam." Then she introduced the two to Miao Ansu: "This is Cousin Jiang Shi, and this is the Jiang Family's Thirteenth Paternal Aunt, Madam Wu."

Both parties curtsied in greeting.

Only then did Miao Ansu realize who Jiang Yan was.

She couldn't help but take a few more glances at Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, instinctively moved closer to Jiang Lizhu.

Noticing this, Miao Ansu's eyes flickered slightly. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Jiang Yan and Jiang Lizhu, she returned to her bridal chamber.

Jiang Yan let out a long sigh of relief.

Jiang Lizhu shook her head and said, "You're the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Yingguo's mansion. What do you have to fear from a concubine-born daughter-in-law?"

Jiang Yan murmured, "I... I'm just not used to it." Then she pleaded, "Dear sister, please don't tell my sister-in-law. If she and my brother find out, they'll worry about me again."

Jiang Lizhu patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'm not one to stir up trouble."

Jiang Yan smiled, her delicate face resembling a blooming pear flower—gentle yet fragile.

Jiang Lizhu sighed.

When the two returned to the Hall of Cultivating Will, the stewardess was presenting newly brewed chrysanthemum wine for Dou Zhao to sample.

Dou Zhao merely smelled it but had small cups served to the two young women instead. "You should try some too!" she said with a smile.

The wine, made from premium glutinous rice liquor, was smooth and sweet on the palate.

Jiang Lizhu praised it highly.

Dou Zhao then offered her two jars to take back. "Share them with your parents-in-law as a token of our regard."

Understanding that Dou Zhao was enhancing her standing, Jiang Lizhu accepted with a bright smile. Though she said nothing aloud, she committed this kindness to memory, resolving to repay Dou Zhao's support when the opportunity arose.

The three women chatted and snacked in the inner chamber, amusing themselves with the newly awakened Yuan Ge'er when Song Mo returned.

Jiang Lizhu and Song Mo went to the study to talk.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan tried on clothes and accessories for the Double Ninth Festival mountain-climbing outing in the inner chamber.

When Song Mo returned to the room later, the kang and chairs were strewn with items, and Yuan Ge'er stubbornly clutched a large red handkerchief, crying piteously whenever anyone tried to take it.

Everyone burst into laughter at the scene.

Song Mo teased, "This little fellow won't grow up to be a wastrel, will he?"

Dou Zhao laughed. "When Boyan grabbed at his one-year celebration, he seized a box of rouge! Yet he still grew up to be named on the Golden List and entered the Imperial Academy!"

"Oh? There's such a story?" Song Mo became very interested. "Why was there a box of rouge at the grabbing ceremony?"

Most families hoping for their descendants' great achievements wouldn't include such items.

Dou Zhao explained with a smile, "It was my father who put it there. When my eleventh cousin's child Qi Jin had his grabbing ceremony, Father even placed a beaded flower among the items. By the time my Sixth Uncle noticed, the Han family guests had already arrived. Sixth Aunt said Sixth Uncle could only silently pray that Qi Jin wouldn't grab that beaded flower."

Jiang Yan and the others doubled over with laughter at this.

Thinking of the quiet Jing'an Temple Alley, Song Mo suggested, "For the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth month, why don't we invite your father to join our mountain outing?"

Dou Zhao had never considered inviting her father on such an excursion before.

After a thoughtful pause, she smiled and said, "That's a wonderful idea! I'll send someone to ask Father immediately to see if he's already made other plans for that day."

Song Mo nodded in agreement and went to his study.Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan accompanied Jiang Lizhu for dinner, then escorted her to the Hanging Flower Gate. They only returned to rest after her sedan had departed.

In bed, Song Mo explained Jiang Lizhu's purpose to Dou Zhao: "The news of Fifth Uncle causing a scene with me over money has already spread. Even Eldest Aunt in Haozhou heard about it and sent Cousin Thirteen to ask what exactly happened. She told me not to take Fifth Uncle's behavior to heart and said she would write to reprimand him. She also had Cousin Thirteen deliver a message—that what was given to me is now mine, as per Eldest Uncle's wishes. If Fifth Uncle has any objections, he should take it up with her directly..."