Blossom

Third Madam Song couldn't help but feel resentful toward First Madam Song.

First Madam Song used to accompany them everywhere, but over the past two years, she had gradually distanced herself. When it came to contributing to Jiang Yan's dowry, First Madam Song merely sent someone to inform them before heading to The Duke of England's Mansion with her eldest daughter-in-law, Tan Shi, leaving them behind.

With a hint of sarcasm, Third Madam Song remarked to Fourth Madam Song, "Our sister-in-law is quick-witted, arriving early to curry favor."

Fourth Madam Song smiled faintly but remained silent, thinking to herself: If you hadn't always been so eager to push ahead, indulging your daughter to take the lead the moment Dou Zhao entered the household, Song Yantang and Dou Zhao wouldn't have treated their aunts with mere superficial courtesy.

She began to wonder if she should follow First Madam Song's example and distance herself from Third Madam Song.

As both women harbored their own thoughts, Ningde Princess and Old Madam Lu arrived.

Dou Zhao, surrounded by maids and old women, went forward to greet them.

Fourth Madam Song couldn't help but marvel at the sight. Later, she mentioned it to her husband, saying, "It seems the servants' rumors are true—Jiang Yan really is the legitimate eldest daughter of The Duke of England's Mansion."

Song Tongchun frowned and grumbled, "How could Second Brother do such a thing? Who exactly is Song Han? Second Brother was always so upright back then—could Song Han have been adopted from somewhere?" The more he thought about it, the less Song Han seemed like a true member of the Song family. "Yantang, of course, is beyond reproach—graceful, accomplished in both civil and martial arts. Even Song Qin and the others are bright, excelling effortlessly in studies and martial training. But I've heard Song Han is rather dull—after all these years studying the Four Books and Five Classics, he's never even attempted the imperial exams. And look at his appearance—he only vaguely resembles Second Brother and Yantang. There's a saying that a child raised by someone will resemble them—perhaps even that slight resemblance comes from being raised in Second Sister-in-law's household. No wonder Yantang was willing to spend extra silver to reclaim Second Sister-in-law's dowry." Lowering his voice, he cautioned his wife, "This stays between us. Passing off a commoner as nobility or falsely claiming a child—either charge would ruin Second Brother. If the Song family's reputation suffers, we'll all be dragged down."

Fourth Madam Song replied impatiently, "Do you think I don't understand that? Don't worry, I won't tell a soul."

Song Tongchun pondered for a moment before saying, "In that case, you should inform your sisters-in-law in your maternal family. When Jiang Yan marries, they should all send gifts."

Fourth Madam Song agreed.

Of course, she wouldn't tell outsiders.

But her own mother and sisters-in-law—how could they be considered outsiders?

Soon, whispers about Song Han's dubious origins began circulating quietly among the relatives and old acquaintances of The Duke of England's Mansion.

Naturally, Song Han remained oblivious.

Song Mo had no mind for such matters.

He had received a personal letter of apology from Liao Wang, and Geng Li's attitude had become exceedingly humble.

Returning to his chambers, Song Mo sighed to Dou Zhao, "No wonder he's so ambitious—with this kind of magnanimity, he truly has the bearing of a ruler."

After Jiang Yan's abduction, Song Mo had initially suspected Liao Wang in his fury. But once he calmed down, he quickly sensed something amiss.Liao Wang was in dire need of capable men. His intention to take Jiang Yan as his Madam was merely to secure the support of the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion and forge an alliance with him. Even if he were refused, given his current predicament, it was unlikely he would risk alerting others by forcibly abducting someone.

Song Mo focused his investigation on Shi Chuan.

He quickly uncovered the truth of the matter.

But Dou Zhao harbored the deepest resentment toward Liao Wang for pressuring Song Mo.

If not for him, why would Song Mo have been forced to assassinate the Crown Prince in his past life? Why would he have been reviled by the world? Why would he have committed patricide and fratricide?

Hearing the note of reluctant admiration in Song Mo’s tone when speaking of Liao Wang, she felt a chill run down her spine. With a smile, she said, "Indeed, before ascending the throne, every prince claims to have grand ambitions. But once they do, which one doesn’t 'discard the bow once the birds are gone'? These so-called dragon descendants—none of them are easy to deal with."

Song Mo chuckled but had to admit Dou Zhao’s words held truth.

For the time being, they set the matter aside and devoted themselves to preparing for Jiang Yan’s wedding.

Meanwhile, Song Han was agonizing over whether to attend Jiang Yan’s wedding.

By convention, Jiang Yan was nominally the Duke of Yingguo's Cousin. As the second young master of the mansion, he need only send a gift. But with the wedding still over a month away, Ningde Princess and Old Madam Lu had already begun frequenting the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion. Relatives and friends would inevitably compare Jiang Yan’s wedding to his own. Attending would be like standing there naked, inviting others to slap him in the face.

Yet if he didn’t go, with all the Song family’s relatives and friends present except him, wouldn’t people assume he no longer held any influence in the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion?

He recalled how, just days ago, he had to wait for a seat when dining at the Great Xiangguo Temple.

Such a thing would have been unimaginable in the past.

The thought stuck in his throat like a fishbone, and he turned back to Si Tiao Alley.

Without the protective umbrella of the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion, he was just an ordinary commoner without any official rank.

He had to secure an official position—preferably one with jurisdiction.

Even better if it were a hereditary post like Vice Commissioner or Assistant Prefect.

Given either his father’s seniority or Song Mo’s, they could easily secure him an inherited appointment.

It seemed he would have to approach his father about this!

As Song Han pondered in his study, he was informed that Miao Anping had come to visit. Before the page could finish speaking, he impatiently said, "I’m busy. If he has something to say, let him speak with the Madam."

The page swallowed the rest of his words. Facing Miao Anping, he dared not relay the message verbatim and instead said tactfully, "Our young master is occupied at the moment. Please have some tea, and once he’s finished, he’ll come to chat with you."

Miao Anping nodded. After seven or eight cups of tea in the hall with no sign of Song Han, he finally realized he was being ignored.

Fuming, he flicked his sleeves and stormed into the inner courtyard, confronting Miao Ansu: "I came to offer you a chance to make some money, but it seems you look down on it. Don’t complain in the future about your natal family neglecting you—it’s not us who’ve turned our backs, but you who’ve set your sights too high to see your poor relatives!"

If Miao Anping had any real opportunities, the Miao family would have prospered long ago—they wouldn’t be waiting for him now!

Knowing her brother’s nature all too well, Miao Ansu could only reply, "Though we’ve moved out of the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion, we’re still part of the household. Before we left, the Duke explicitly warned the second young master not to tarnish the mansion’s reputation. He forbade any involvement in business ventures. I’m afraid we must decline your kind offer."Miao Anping stormed off in a huff.

Miao Ansu couldn't help but sigh deeply.

※※※※※

At this moment, Song Mo was also feeling a headache.

Just before leaving the office, the Crown Prince had Cui Yijun summon him. After dismissing the attendants, they went to the heated room, where the Crown Prince quietly asked, "What really happened with your cousin being abducted? Don't try to fool me—the Duke of Yingguo's carriage bears silver serpent embroidery. The first thing servants of noble households in the Capital learn is to recognize official ranks. Did you offend someone you couldn't handle, and that's why you're using this as an excuse?"

Who said the Crown Prince was weak and incompetent?

At least these words were well-put.

Song Mo felt anything he said would be wrong, so he simply gave the Crown Prince a bitter smile.

After a long silence, the Crown Prince muttered, "I understand," then gloomily picked up his tea.

Song Mo wanted to ask, "What exactly do you understand?" But seeing the Crown Prince's mournful expression, he inexplicably felt a complex mix of emotions.

When he left the Eastern Palace, Cui Yijun's smile faded as he solemnly said to the Crown Prince, "You really shouldn't have called Song Yantang here to question him. Someone like him won't say anything."

The Crown Prince replied gently, "If it were me, I wouldn't say anything either. Besides, Yantang grew up in the palace. I'm the Crown Prince, so he's naturally more distant with me. That one is just a prince, always putting on a bold and straightforward front in public. Skilled in riding and archery, he naturally gets along well with Yantang. The palm is flesh, and the back of the hand is flesh too. What can he say? Today, he neither denied anything nor asked for my help—that in itself is helping me. Don't say such things in the future. There are things you don't understand. Yantang is like our younger brother. If we brothers have a rift, how can he, the younger one, choose sides?"

No one in the world was more cunning than Song Yantang, yet the Crown Prince saw him as honest and kind.

Cui Yijun clenched his fists tightly, suppressing his frustration as he bowed and acknowledged the order.

The Crown Prince stood up, smiling as he headed to the Crown Princess's quarters. "Chong Ge'er changes every day now—it's quite amusing. Yantang's He Ge'er is just a day older than Chong Ge'er, so he must be growing just as delightfully. We should have the Crown Princess summon the Duke of Yingguo's heir's Madam to bring He Ge'er into the palace more often."

Cui Yijun's eyes lit up, and he quickly agreed.

Early the next morning, the Empress Dowager issued an edict summoning Dou Zhao and Yuan Ge'er to the palace the following day.

Song Mo had already told Dou Zhao about the Crown Prince's summons, and she faintly sensed a connection between the two events.

She calmly prepared for the palace visit.

But a cold glint flashed in Song Mo's eyes.

Dou Zhao understood his anger.

Perhaps because of his estrangement from his father, he valued family and kinship above all else. First, Liao Wang threatened Jiang Yan, and now the Crown Prince's veiled warning—his heart must be burning with fury.

Dou Zhao quickly took Song Mo's hand and said gently, "When Yan Mei was abducted, didn't we also suspect Liao Wang's hand? I haven't met the Empress Dowager or the Crown Princess yet, so we shouldn't jump to conclusions."

Song Mo gradually calmed down.

He snorted coldly. "They'd better not target you, or I won't let them off lightly."

One was the Crown Prince, the heir to the throne, and the other was a prince, the Empress's own son. No matter how furious Song Mo was, what could he really do to them?Dou Zhao thought Song Mo was just trying to comfort him.

But Song Mo said seriously, "I'm not speaking out of anger. The Emperor is advanced in years and fears nothing more than filial disobedience from his sons. They are all in their prime, and it's unlikely the Emperor doesn't harbor some wariness toward them. It's just that taking action now would likely result in 'gaining a little at a great loss.' Unless it comes to that, there's no need for us to engage in a life-and-death struggle with them."

Dou Zhao was taken aback.

Song Mo was more calculating than she had imagined.

Was this why, in her past life, he had committed so many shocking and outrageous deeds that angered both gods and men, yet Liao Wang could do nothing about him?

Dou Zhao gently embraced Song Mo.