Blossom

Dou Zhao made up her mind to let things take their natural course and no longer trouble herself over Dou Dechang's affairs. After all, it was his own life to live, for better or worse, and no one else had the right to question it.

She began preparing for autumn.

Meanwhile, Song Yichun was contemplating whether he should remarry—it wasn't proper for his household to lack a proper mistress.

But who should he marry?

The mere thought of it made his nose twitch with anger.

If it weren't for that rebellious son Song Mo, how could he have lost control over his own sons and become a laughingstock among the Capital's nobility?

Fortunately, the Empress had shown mercy by arranging a position for Song Han, salvaging some of his dignity.

Thinking this, he decided he ought to visit the palace to express his gratitude to the Empress.

Song Yichun ordered Zeng Wu to open the storeroom.

Song Han came to visit, bringing sugar-roasted peanuts from Old Yao's Fried Goods.

Pleased, Song Yichun retrieved an ancient painting from a chest and said, "In a few days, we'll go to the palace together to kowtow to Her Majesty and thank her for her kindness toward you."

This was precisely the purpose of Song Han's visit.

With his father unreliable and Song Mo out of reach, his only option was to cling tightly to the Empress's coattails—otherwise, his position in the Imperial Bodyguard would be nothing more than a dead-end job.

Song Han happily agreed and returned home to have several new outfits made. On the day of the palace visit, he enlisted Miao Ruosu, Liu Hong, and Ji Hong to help him choose, finally settling on a sapphire-blue silk robe embroidered with floral patterns to wear to the palace.

The Empress, seeing Song Han tall, handsome, and refined, nodded approvingly and said to Song Yichun with a smile, "Both of the Duke's sons are outstanding—truly rare."

Song Yichun couldn't stand anyone praising Song Mo. He immediately replied, "You flatter these boys. Tianen is decent—honest, kind, and tolerant. But Tianci is nothing but trouble, impossible to handle or reason with. Just ask around—everyone knows the Duke of Yingguo has raised a little demon."

The Empress laughed heartily. "All parents are the same—they see other people's children as perfect but find fault with their own. In my opinion, your Yantang is already quite exceptional. Look at all the officials in court—who among them is younger than Yantang? You should be content!"

Song Yichun faintly sensed that the Empress didn't disapprove of his criticism of Song Mo.

Could it be because Song Mo's refusal of Liao Wang's proposal to marry Jiang Yan had slighted the Empress?

Seizing the opportunity to lodge a complaint against Song Mo before the Emperor and Empress, he chuckled and said, "You don't understand—he was spoiled by his mother from childhood, willful and obstinate, insisting on having his way in everything. But life is full of disappointments—how can everything go as he wishes? His temper... Ah! Just recently, Tianen's brother-in-law had a friend who wanted to join the Five Cities Garrison. When Tianen approached him, he was in a foul mood for some reason. Not only did he refuse to help, but he also scolded Tianen for disrespecting his elder brother and lacking manners. Tianen was so humiliated he turned bright red and still dares not face his brother-in-law. And then a few days ago..."

He rambled on, listing one grievance after another against Song Mo.The Empress initially listened with a smile, but soon her brows knitted tightly together. She remarked, "I always thought Yantang was a very well-behaved and sensible boy. Who would have guessed he’d turn out like this in private? It seems Madam Jiang’s passing has changed him greatly."

If the Empress could step in to discipline Song Mo, that would be ideal.

Thinking of the Empress’s methods, Song Yichun couldn’t help but let a smile seep into his eyes.

"Indeed," he sighed. "When his mother was alive, everyone praised him as a 'good boy.' I don’t know how he became like this. And now he’s grown up—married with a son—how can I scold him in front of his wife and child? But if this continues, his temper will only worsen. I truly don’t know what to do."

The Empress smiled faintly, her tone laced with probing. "Perhaps I could find an opportunity to speak with him?"

Song Yichun was overjoyed inwardly, but he shook his head with feigned helplessness. "Now that he holds such a high position, he likely won’t heed just anyone’s words. What he needs is a proper lesson."

Now it was the Empress’s turn to be delighted.

She chuckled. "I’ll keep this in mind. When I find the time, I’ll teach him a lesson."

Song Yichun expressed his gratitude and withdrew with Song Han.

The two left the palace in silence.

Once outside, Song Han couldn’t resist asking, "Father, about Her Majesty the Empress—"

Song Yichun shot him a sharp glare. "Don’t speak of what shouldn’t be spoken. Don’t ask what shouldn’t be asked. Just remember—this world belongs to the Emperor and the noble figures of the palace."

Song Han nodded, but his excitement remained palpable even after returning home.

That evening, after indulging recklessly with Liu Hong and Ji Hong, he lazily had them attend to his bath.

Meanwhile, Miao Ansu sat alone on the heated brick bed in the eastern chamber, filled with regret.

She shouldn’t have stormed off to sleep here in a fit of anger. Now, Song Han had openly taken Liu Hong and Ji Hong into the inner chamber. At least they had their own residence now, and the courtyard was staffed with her trusted servants. If they were still at the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion, even the most minor steward could have spat in her face.

The thought triggered another realization.

Ji Hong and Liu Hong were merely average in looks. If Song Han simply favored beauty, why not buy a few pretty maids to serve him? Why insist on bedding these two?

Perhaps it was all just to humiliate her.

The thought twisted like a knife in her heart.

How had her life come to this?

Was there truly no other way?

Tears fell silently down Miao Ansu’s cheeks.

Ji Hong tiptoed into the room.

Miao Ansu hastily wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

But Ji Hong dropped to her knees before Miao Ansu and began weeping silently.

The resentment swelling in Miao Ansu’s chest instantly dissolved.

Gently, she helped Ji Hong up by the shoulders. "Get up. In a few days, speak to the Second Master. See if he’ll take you as a concubine."

Ji Hong shook her head through her tears, then removed her robe to reveal fair, rounded shoulders.

They were covered in bruises—blue and purple—along with bite marks that had broken the skin.

These were not the marks of normal intimacy.

Miao Ansu trembled at the sight.Ji Hong sobbed, "Madam, please consider how I've served you since childhood and grant me my freedom. I'll go anywhere, just not to those illicit brothels..."

Miao Ansu bit her lip. "What about Liu Hong?"

"She still dreams of being promoted to concubine by the master someday!" Ji Hong said. "She's been enduring it all this time."

Miao Ansu lay awake all night, only closing her eyes as dawn broke.

But she had just fallen asleep when a commotion woke her.

Irritated, she lifted the bed curtain and snapped at the maid on duty, "Who's making such a racket?"

The maid hurried out and returned to report, "It's Sister Liu Hong. She says she's unwell and asked Mother Miao to fetch a physician. Mother Miao said to wait until you woke up. Then Sister Liu Hong started crying."

As she spoke, the maid carefully observed Miao Ansu's expression.

Miao Ansu nearly spat blood in anger.

Just a few nights serving Song Han, and already the maids spoke of Liu Hong with such deference. If Song Han continued his reckless behavior like this, where would her place be in this household?

She summoned Mother Miao and said, "Isn't Liu Hong claiming to be ill? To prevent her sickness from spreading, take some people and send her to the farmstead to recuperate."

Mother Miao smiled and curtsied in agreement.

But before two incense sticks could burn, Mother Miao returned looking embarrassed. "Madam," she said with bowed head, "Liu Hong's maid ran to inform the Second Master. He sent people to take Liu Hong to the outer courtyard."

Miao Ansu felt a sweet taste in her mouth, her vision darkened, and she fainted.

When she awoke, it was already time to light the lamps.

Mother Miao and Ji Hong hovered anxiously by her bedside, but Liu Hong and Song Han were nowhere to be seen.

She gritted her teeth in resentment.

In any respectable household, a newlywed wife facing such circumstances could seek justice from her mother-in-law.

But she had no mother-in-law!

Not only that, but they had been separated from the main household early on.

To whom could she voice such grievances?

Her natal family?

They'd be more likely to drain her blood than help. Expecting them to stand up for her was hopeless.

Song Mo?

He didn't even dare intervene in the Duke's affairs, let alone concern himself with hers.

Dou Zhao?

She hesitated.

Jiang Yan had returned widowed to her parents' home, yet Dou Zhao had treated her kindly and helped find her a new husband. This showed Dou Zhao had a compassionate heart.

Moreover, Dou Zhao was her sister-in-law and the Lineage Wife of the Song family. It wouldn't be inappropriate to ask for her intervention.

At this thought, her breathing eased considerably. Struggling to sit up, she said, "Prepare the carriage. I'm going to The Duke of England's Mansion."

Mother Miao and Ji Hong were startled. Ji Hong hesitated, "It's so late. Perhaps tomorrow? I've heard the Young Lord keeps no concubines or bedroom servants—he returns directly to the main courtyard after official business..."

As a sister-in-law, Miao Ansu needed to maintain some propriety.

"Now," Miao Ansu couldn't wait another moment. "Quietly, without the Second Master knowing."

This household ultimately belonged to Song Han. If he grew furious and confined them all, they'd truly have no recourse to heaven or earth.

Mother Miao and Ji Hong dared not disobey. One arranged the sedan chair while the other helped Miao Ansu wash and dress for the visit to The Duke of England's Mansion.

After Yuan Ge'er turned one, he suddenly began walking.

Thinking how the Third Imperial Grandson still needed to be carried, Song Mo felt his son was no ordinary child.He thought that autumn would soon arrive, so he had a heated brick bed built in the heated room, taking up a full two-thirds of the space. Every day after returning from his official duties, he would take Yuan Ge'er to practice walking on the bed. As they practiced, he would encourage the child, "You're doing great! I've never seen a child walk as steadily as you. You're bound to be a martial arts prodigy in the future. Your granduncle, they say, didn't walk until he was fourteen months old, but you're already walking earlier than he did. Clearly, you'll grow up to be a great hero just like him!"

Whether Yuan Ge'er understood or not was unclear, but every time Song Mo said this, the child would stop walking and giggle at him.

Dou Zhao stood by the bed with a handkerchief, laughing so hard she could barely stand straight—after Song Mo returned from his duties, she found herself with little to do, reduced to the role of an old woman serving tea, fetching water, and wiping Yuan Ge'er's sweat.