Blossom

Dou Zhao asked, "Should we tell Maternal Aunt the truth?"

Song Mo shook his head. "Better not. With such matters, the fewer people who know, the safer it is."

Dou Zhao nodded and dropped the subject, bringing up the Double Ninth Festival instead. "Will you be free that day?"

"I'm afraid I'll have to accompany the Emperor to Tuer Mountain," Song Mo said apologetically. "I'll have Xia Lian and the others escort you." He added, "Have you decided where to go?"

"Fragrant Hills," Dou Zhao replied with a smile. "We'll go a bit farther out."

This would be her first time leaving the city since arriving in the Capital.

Song Mo felt even more apologetic.

He took Dou Zhao's hand and said, "Where else would you like to go? Next time I have a day off, we'll go together."

Dou Zhao knew he was currently locked in a struggle with Song Yichun and couldn't afford any missteps with the Emperor, needing to maintain his presence at court. She chose somewhere closer. "Then let's visit the Great Xiangguo Temple to offer incense. I'd like to pray for Yuan Ge'er."

"Alright," Song Mo said gently, his gaze warm and tender. "When the child is older, we'll go farther—Jiangnan, Guangdong... to see those foreign lands."

Dou Zhao smiled and squeezed his hand.

Song Mo's fingers trailed up her arm, making her giggle from the ticklish sensation.

A spark ignited in Song Mo's eyes.

But the moment was interrupted by a servant announcing from outside, "Young Lord, Madam, Second Madam is here."

Song Mo frowned. "What does Second Madam want at this hour?" His tone was sharp.

The maid trembled and stammered, "Second Madam said that with the Double Ninth Festival approaching, her brother from the Miao family sent some flower cakes and osmanthus wine. She brought them over for you and Madam to try."

Song Mo was annoyed.

But his grudge was with Song Han, not the newly arrived Miao Ansu.

Dou Zhao smiled. "I'll go see her."

Song Mo grumbled, "Make it quick. Don't get caught up in small talk—save it for tomorrow."

Dou Zhao suppressed a laugh and went to the hall.

Miao Ansu wore a crimson brocade jacket with a golden hairpin, lightly powdered and strikingly beautiful.

She greeted Dou Zhao with a smile, addressing her warmly as "Eldest Sister-in-law." "My family lives far from the Capital. They set out this morning and only just arrived. I thought other things could wait, but the flower cakes won't keep, so I brought them straight over. I hope I'm not disturbing your rest?"

Since they would be living under the same roof, it was best to be straightforward.

Dou Zhao smiled. "We had just settled in. If you'd come any later, you'd have had to wait for me to dress again."

Miao Ansu was surprised by Dou Zhao's candor. Covering her sleeve, she laughed. "Eldest Sister-in-law, your beauty is natural—why would you need to dress up? Unlike me, who can't step out without proper grooming."

She showed goodwill, and Dou Zhao hoped to get along with her. But now wasn't the time for lengthy conversation. Dou Zhao smiled. "Don't be modest, Sister-in-law. Didn't you notice how stunned everyone was when your veil was lifted?"

Miao Ansu chuckled. "I heard you and Cousin are going hiking for the Double Ninth Festival. May I join you?"

Dou Zhao replied calmly, "Is Second Brother going?"Miao Ansu then asked, "Is it inconvenient for him to go?"

Dou Zhao replied, "That day, the heir apparent has to accompany the Emperor to Tu'er Mountain."

Though they were sister-in-law and brother-in-law, their ages were close, so it was proper for Song Han and Dou Zhao to maintain some distance.

Understanding now, Miao Ansu smiled and said, "Then I’ll talk to the second master. When the time comes, I’ll go with you, sister-in-law, and let him amuse himself."

Dou Zhao gave a noncommittal smile.

The next morning, Miao Ansu came back with a reply: "The second master said I should follow you, sister-in-law."

Dou Zhao asked her, "How many attendants will you bring? Will two carriages be enough for you?"

"There’s no need for such trouble," Miao Ansu hurriedly replied with a smile. "I can just squeeze in with you."

"That won’t do!" Dou Zhao laughed. "When you leave the mansion, you represent the dignity of the Duke of England's Mansion. How can you just squeeze in with us like that? Don’t refuse—I’ll have them prepare two carriages for you, one for yourself and one for your maids and old women."

Miao Ansu thanked her repeatedly.

A young maid came in to report, "The old master from Jing'an Temple Alley has arrived."

So early? Why would Father come here instead of going to his office?

Surely he wouldn’t make a special trip just for the Double Ninth Festival outing?

Dou Zhao went to the small study in the outer courtyard to meet Dou Shiying.

Dou Shiying looked visibly anxious and asked, "Is Yantang at the palace or the Golden Guard office?"

Such a matter could have been inquired about by a page—why would he come in person?

Unease crept into Dou Zhao’s heart as she replied, "He’s said to be entering the palace at noon."

Dou Shiying hurried off without even mentioning the Double Ninth Festival.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but wonder and instructed someone to wait at the gate, telling them to send Song Mo directly to her if they saw him.

Song Mo arrived in a sweat, and she quickly asked, "Did Father find you?"

So it was about this.

Song Mo had a maid hand him a towel and went with Dou Zhao to the inner chamber to talk. "Your fifth uncle summoned your father-in-law, sixth uncle, and other members of the Dou family in the Capital to Huai Tree Alley last night. He told them to stay indoors and study, avoid befriending strangers, and refrain from getting involved in any factional disputes among officials. No matter what major or minor matters arise, they must report to your uncle first—otherwise, they’ll face family discipline.

"After the younger generation left, your fifth uncle kept your sixth uncle and father-in-law behind and discreetly informed them about Liao Wang’s affairs, asking them to help supervise the Dou family members to prevent any trouble during this time.

"Your father-in-law was very worried after hearing this and feared I might be implicated. He came specifically to warn me to be careful."

Dou Zhao let out a long sigh of relief, patting her chest in relief. "Thank goodness, thank goodness!" Then she chided, "Honestly, he gave me such a fright, rushing over like that."

"You don’t realize how fortunate you are," Song Mo said with emotion. "If your father-in-law didn’t constantly keep us in his thoughts, why would he lose his composure like this? Don’t ever say such things again!"

His tone carried a hint of sorrow.

Dou Zhao looked up in surprise and saw moisture glistening in Song Mo’s eyes.

She fell silent.

Thinking his words had embarrassed her, Song Mo quickly smiled and said, "I asked your father-in-law, and he said he won’t be joining you for the mountain climb on Double Ninth Festival. Instead, he wants us to send Yuan Ge’er to him—he’ll look after the child at home."

Since the child was still too young, Dou Zhao had decided to leave Yuan Ge’er at home.Dou Zhao chuckled.

Her father was now completely content with his grandson and had no desire to go anywhere else.

She nodded with a smile.

Jiang Yan prayed, "May the Bodhisattva bless us with clear weather that day!"

Dou Zhao patted her head affectionately.

The next two days were indeed fine, and on the day of the Double Ninth Festival, the sky was crystal clear, crisp and refreshing.

Dou Zhao first sent Yuan Ge'er and his wet nurse to Jing'an Temple Alley, then met up with Jiang Lizhu at the entrance of Jing'an Temple before heading together to Xiangshan Mountain.

In the second carriage, Ji Hong lifted a corner of the curtain and peeked outside. Seeing that Dou Zhao's lead carriage was at least twenty feet ahead, with guards either leading the way or bringing up the rear, and only four flanking the procession—all focused on Dou Zhao's carriage—she sighed in relief and let the curtain fall. Grumbling, she said, "Madam favors that cousin so much, letting her ride in the same carriage. I can't complain about that. But that Madam Wu is just the wife of a minor Assistant Prefect, yet Madam also elevates her, allowing her to share the carriage... You, Madam, are the rightful daughter-in-law of the Duke of England's Mansion. For Madam to treat you like this is nothing short of a slap in the face!"

"What do you know?" Miao Ansu scolded Ji Hong. "When Dou Shi entered the household, Old Master Lu and Ningde Princess were all present. By the time it was my turn, everyone was either old or frail. Though my family isn't as prestigious, and my dowry isn't as lavish as Dou Shi's, my marriage was still bestowed by the emperor. Once I entered the Song family, I became their daughter-in-law. If they don't show me respect, they're disrespecting the Song family. Doesn't that strike you as odd?"

Ji Hong flushed and ventured, "Perhaps... perhaps the Lu Family is just opportunistic? Seeing that the Second Master won't inherit the Duke of England's Mansion, they act this way?"

Miao Ansu waved her hand, pondering. "There must be something we don't know... The maids and old women around the Second Master can't give us any answers, so we'll have to find out ourselves!"

Getting closer to Dou Zhao might help uncover something.

Miao Ansu said to Ji Hong, "I'm going to rest. Wake me when we're near Xiangshan."

Ji Hong murmured an embarrassed assent.

Yet Miao Ansu felt as though something were lodged in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Her monthly courses had arrived, and the wet nurse had tentatively asked Song Han if he wanted a bedroom servant arranged. To her dismay, he had pointed to Ji Hong...

She had just married into the family.

Even if he fancied Ji Hong, couldn't he wait a couple of months?

Song Mo, as the heir, had no concubines or bedroom servants, even though Dou Shi was pregnant and had given birth.

Born of the same mother, how could the two brothers be so different?

Miao Ansu closed her eyes gloomily.

Meanwhile, in the lead carriage, Jiang Lizhu hesitated. "Are we really taking Miao Shi hiking with us later?"

"Xiangshan is crowded—what's the harm?" Dou Zhao laughed. "We can't dislike Song Han so much that we condemn Miao Shi by association, can we?"

"That's easy to say, but what woman wouldn't side with her husband over her brother- and sister-in-law?" Jiang Lizhu countered. "Knowing full well things will turn sour eventually, yet pretending ignorance and humoring her now—it just feels wrong to me."

Dou Zhao smiled. "This is a good chance for her to hear some rumors. I expect she'll keep her distance from me afterward.""That would be best." Jiang Lizhu felt Dou Zhao's arrangement couldn't be better. She spoke with distress about the rumors between Song Mo and Jiang Bosun, "Cousin-in-law, what do you think I should do?"

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "Though you are a daughter of the Jiang Family, you are first and foremost a daughter-in-law of the Wu Family. If there's a conflict with the Wu Family, you should prioritize them. If it doesn't concern the Wu Family, then you should prioritize the Jiang Family. Everyone else is merely an outsider. I believe Maternal Aunt will establish a code of conduct for this."

"Everyone else is merely an outsider!" Jiang Lizhu murmured Dou Zhao's words, her gaze revealing admiration for the first time.