Blossom

The investigation into Liang Jifen had to be temporarily set aside.

Song Mo was deeply frustrated by this.

On their way back from the palace's New Year's Eve banquet, he couldn't help but whisper to Dou Zhao in the carriage, "Tell me, where exactly did my uncle offend Liang Jifen? How could he stand by and watch as my uncle was persecuted by the Imperial Bodyguards..."

Over the years, the death of Duke Ding and the enmity of the Duke of Yingguo had remained knots in Song Mo's heart. Until they were unraveled, he would never find peace.

Dou Zhao held his hand and comforted him softly, "Since we've already found the person, it's only a matter of time before we uncover the truth. Don't rush it."

Song Mo nodded and sighed quietly.

Dou Zhao then shifted the topic to her recent visit to the palace. "...The Crown Princess was very warm and invited me in front of the Empress Dowager and the Empress to bring the children to the palace for the Lantern Festival. The Empress Dowager chuckled happily, but the Empress acted as if she hadn't heard, continuing her conversation with Madam Changxing." She smiled wryly. "It seems the Crown Prince has his own plans too!"

She had initially underestimated the complexity of the palace coup.

She had always thought the Crown Prince was naive and weak, which was why he had been outmaneuvered by Liao Wang.

But after several interactions with the Crown Princess, she realized things might not be as simple as she had imagined.

Her confidence that she and Song Mo could overcome this challenge together had stemmed from her belief that she had glimpsed the workings of fate. Now, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"Unless Liao Wang plans to invade from outside the city, there's no way he can bypass the Golden Guard and the Five Cities Garrison," she continued. "His Highness probably understands this too, which is why he wants to keep you under his control. We must prepare in advance."

Only now did Dou Zhao fully grasp the importance of the Pacification Office under the Imperial Bodyguards.

She sighed regretfully, "If only our son-in-law were still in the Pacification Office..."

"Even if Chen Zan Zhi had three heads and six arms, he wouldn't stand a chance against a premeditated scheme," Song Mo said dismissively. "It's better this way—showing weakness to Liao Wang while also preserving Chen Zan Zhi's life." He then frowned impatiently. "How is Chen Zan Zhi treating A-Yan? Why hasn't she come to visit?"

Dou Zhao laughed. "A-Yan has been married for less than a month, and with the New Year approaching, as a new bride, how could she have time to return to her parents' home? After the Lantern Festival, we'll invite her back for a proper stay." She teased, "If you have anything to ask her, tell me now so you won't overthink it later."

Song Mo chuckled awkwardly. "It's nothing much. As long as Chen Zan Zhi treats A-Yan well, I won't mistreat him."

"I know," Dou Zhao teased. "You've always been generous—on the second day of the New Year, accompany me to pay respects to the Old Madam."

"Of course," Song Mo replied with a smile. "I heard the Old Madam likes flowers, so I've already arranged for a few pots of narcissus to be carefully tended so they'll bloom just in time for the visit."

Dou Zhao was delighted and chatted with Song Mo about New Year's rewards and red packets for Yuan Ge'er. The atmosphere gradually lightened, and by the time they stepped out of the carriage, Song Mo was all smiles. That night, he indulged in intimate moments with Dou Zhao twice, nearly making them late for the grand court assembly the next morning.As it was the New Year, both Yan Chaoqing and Liao Bifeng had left the estate. Chen Qushui, being alone, joined Duan Gongyi for meals. During the day, he ate, drank, and chatted merrily with those who came to pay New Year respects to Duan Gongyi and his mother. But at night, when he returned home alone, he would take out the clues he had gathered about the death of Duke Ding and ponder over them by lamplight.

Meanwhile, Song Yichun was bustling about, trying to secure an official position for Song Han.

Soon, it was the fifteenth day of the first month.

Chang'an Street was lined with lanterns.

Dou Zhao, fearing Yuan Ge'er might catch a chill from the unrestrained cold wind atop the city gate, held her son to watch the lanterns for a while before excusing herself due to discomfort and descending from the gate.

Yuan Ge'er, however, was thoroughly engrossed in the spectacle, wriggling and babbling in Dou Zhao's arms, impossible to soothe. In contrast, the Third Imperial Grandson had long since fallen asleep in his wet nurse's arms, yawning drowsily.

The Crown Princess then instructed the Eldest Imperial Grandson to give his octagonal rotating glass lantern to Yuan Ge'er.

The Eldest Imperial Grandson was a boy who appeared gentle and obedient. It was said he could recognize characters at three and read texts at five, excelling in his studies. The Emperor was so pleased that he had rewarded the boy with several inkstones.

Hearing the request, the Eldest Imperial Grandson smiled slightly and readily handed the lantern to one of Dou Zhao's attendants.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Eldest Imperial Grandson would be the future ruler.

Dou Zhao dared not accept it and repeatedly declined.

The Eldest Imperial Grandson said with a smile, "It's alright. Last year, His Majesty also gifted me a similar palace lantern, though it depicted the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. This one can be given to Brother He to play with!"

His voice was as warm and smooth as jade, instantly endearing him to those who heard it.

As a mother, Dou Zhao couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

Such a fine child would ultimately starve to death in the Palace of Gathered Elegance.

She expressed her gratitude respectfully and had Jin Gui accept the palace lantern.

Yuan Ge'er was immediately captivated by the spinning lantern, twisting his little body to poke at it.

Amused, the Eldest Imperial Grandson asked Jin Gui to hold the lantern closer to Yuan Ge'er.

"No!" the Crown Princess quickly interjected. "Be careful the light doesn't hurt Brother He's eyes."

The Eldest Imperial Grandson's face flushed red, and he glanced at Dou Zhao sheepishly.

Dou Zhao smoothed things over, saying with a smile, "Her Highness is so thoughtful. I hadn't considered that."

As she spoke, she heard the Eldest Imperial Grandson exhale softly in relief.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but smile slightly as the group made their way to the heated room near the city gate.

The path was adorned with various palace lanterns, shining like stars. Yuan Ge'er stared wide-eyed, quickly forgetting the octagonal rotating glass lantern given by the Eldest Imperial Grandson. By the time they entered the heated room, he was yawning repeatedly and had fallen asleep before the tea-serving maids could withdraw.

The Crown Princess chuckled and patted Yuan Ge'er's little head, saying, "This child is just like our third—eats well, sleeps well, and plays hard. Who knows what his temperament will be like when he grows up!"

Dou Zhao smiled but remained silent.

The Crown Princess instructed Yuan Ge'er's wet nurse, "Let Brother He sleep beside the Third Imperial Grandson. Carrying him like this isn't comfortable for him!"

Although the Emperor had generously allowed Dou Zhao and the Crown Princess to leave the city gate early with their children, Yuan Ge'er had no place to rest in the palace.

Dou Zhao understood this as the Crown Princess extending goodwill. If she firmly refused, who knew what Their Highnesses might think?

She thanked her warmly and had the wet nurse take the child to rest.

The two women then sat in the Resting Chamber, discussing the clothing and jewelry of the imperial consorts during the New Year festivities.A palace maid entered with a slightly flustered expression and whispered a few words into the Crown Princess's ear.

The Crown Princess tensed up, her lips pressing tightly together. She turned her gaze to Dou Zhao and said bitterly, "An imperial censor has impeached the Young Lord, accusing him of arrogance and abuse of power, alleging he used the Five Cities Garrison to arrest the guards of a wealthy merchant who offended his cousin."

Dou Zhao was stunned. "At this moment? In front of the Emperor?"

The Crown Princess nodded.

Dou Zhao wanted to send the maid to investigate further but couldn't due to her status. She frowned anxiously, her mind restless.

Was this orchestrated by Liao Wang? Or was someone truly displeased with Song Mo's behavior and seizing the opportunity to attack?

Or perhaps someone noticed their recent closeness to the Crown Prince and wanted to issue a warning?

Regardless, impeaching Song Mo at this time showed a determination to risk everything. She wondered how the Emperor would handle this.

As she worried silently, the Crown Princess snapped at the maid, "Go and listen carefully. Report back immediately if anything unusual happens."

The maid bowed nervously and hurried out.

The Crown Princess flashed a guilty look and reassured Dou Zhao, "It will be fine. Today is the Lantern Festival—the Emperor wouldn’t punish officials on such a day."

Dou Zhao nodded, though her brows remained furrowed.

She could only hope the Crown Princess was right.

Unconsciously, she clasped her hands and murmured "Amitabha" toward the west.

The two waited silently in the heated room.

After about the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the maid returned, beaming.

"Your Highness, Madam," she curtsied, her eyes full of admiration, "the Young Lord argued that one should recommend the worthy without avoiding personal connections. The Five Cities Garrison is responsible for maintaining order in the Capital—should they neglect their duty just because the victim was his cousin? The Emperor found this reasoning sound and laughingly punished the censor with three cups of wine, intending to drop the matter. But the censor persisted, grumbling incessantly. Enraged, the Emperor had him dragged out and scolded, 'Am I some tyrant that you all must vie for fame as outspoken ministers?' The entire court was terrified into silence until the Empress sent a nursemaid to bring the Fifteenth Prince into the hall, which finally calmed His Majesty."

The Fifteenth Prince, only three years old, was the Emperor's youngest son and doted upon like a grandson.

Dou Zhao and the Crown Princess both sighed in relief.

Though the incident seemed resolved, it left Song Mo and Dou Zhao vigilant.

Song Mo ordered surveillance on the censor’s movements.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao arranged for Jiang Yan to return to her family for the customary "Visiting the bride's parents a month after the wedding."

Chen Jia escorted Jiang Yan back.

Dou Zhao invited Jiang Lizhu to join them.

Noticing Jiang Yan’s rosy complexion and lively demeanor, Jiang Lizhu teased, "Still worried Chen Zan Zhi would disdain you?"

Jiang Yan blushed deeply, clinging to Dou Zhao’s arm as she sat down. She whispered, "Sister-in-law, did you also not manage household affairs when you first married?"

Hearing the implication, Dou Zhao smiled. "Oh? You’re not managing the household?"

Jiang Yan shook her head, then nodded.

Dou Zhao was puzzled.

Jiang Lizhu also pricked up her ears to listen.Jiang Yan then blushed and said, "Zan Zhi has indeed entrusted me with the inner household matters, but he also instructed the Wife of Tao the Second to assist me in managing the household affairs. There are only Zan Zhi and me, along with a dozen or so servants, and the Wife of Tao the Second is quite capable. Every day, all I do is listen to her report the accounts, and I have nothing else to do... Eat, sleep, sleep, eat..."

She felt quite uneasy.

Dou Zhao and Jiang Lizhu exchanged glances, barely suppressing their laughter.

Jiang Lizhu even remarked, "You don’t know how lucky you are! Do you think managing a household is easy? One moment it’s oil, the next it’s rice—it’s exhausting. Since Chen Zan Zhi has found someone to help you, just relax and enjoy it. What’s there to worry about?"