Blossom

The Dou Zhao family was in high spirits when a young maid announced Miao Ansu's request for an audience. Song Mo's brows immediately furrowed in displeasure as he said impatiently, "What does she want? Couldn't she have sent a notice first? The Duke of England's Mansion isn't some vegetable garden where people can come and go as they please!"

The young maid trembled in fear, not daring to make a sound.

Dou Zhao considered that after all, they were sisters-in-law without any prior conflicts. Since Miao Ansu had come to her, she ought to maintain appearances.

With a smile, she instructed the maid, "Please escort the second Madam to the Reception Hall." Then she explained to Song Mo, "I'll go see her first. If she says anything unpleasant or does anything unreasonable, I won't let her have her way. You should trust me on this."

Song Mo was merely annoyed by her poor timing and said, "Don't waste time with her. Go and come back quickly."

"Understood," Dou Zhao replied with a smile, giving Song Mo's hand a gentle squeeze before heading to the Reception Hall.

Miao Ansu was sitting dazedly in the Grand Preceptor's Chair in the Reception Hall and hurriedly stood up upon hearing movement, curtsying to greet Dou Zhao.

Only then did Dou Zhao notice her reddened eyes, as if she had been crying. Not knowing the reason, Dou Zhao couldn't casually comment and pretended not to notice, smiling as she instructed the maid to make fresh tea for Miao Ansu.

Miao Ansu quickly declined, "No need, I've only just sat down."

Dou Zhao had merely smoothed her hair and changed her outer garment before coming out, knowing Miao Ansu wasn't lying, so she didn't insist. Cutting to the chase, she asked with a smile, "You've come to see me so late—is there something urgent?"

This question only made Miao Ansu's tears fall again as she recalled how, upon arrival, she had asked the maid what Dou Zhao was doing and was told that Dou Zhao and Song Mo were playing with their child in the heated room. Miao Ansu then poured out her grievances about how Song Han had been favoring her maid, Liu Hong, and pitting her against her in a standoff.

Dou Zhao felt her anger rising.

This Song Han was truly a hopeless mess!

She hadn't thought much of it before, but now the more she saw, the more disgusted she became.

Thankfully, Song Mo had long since arranged for him to live separately. If he had stayed in the Duke of England's Mansion, he would have corrupted the family's traditions.

Yet she also felt conflicted.

If she were Song Han's birth sister-in-law and Madam Jiang were no longer around, not only would she personally reprimand Song Han, but she could even decide to sell the maid named Liu Hong without issue. But now... she could only say, "Why don't you speak to the Duke? A child's misbehavior is the father's fault. With the Duke here, it's not our place as elder brother and sister-in-law to intervene."

Miao Ansu was well aware of this.

But the Duke had always looked down on her background, never giving her a second glance. Going to him would only invite humiliation.

Miao Ansu wept again, "Sister-in-law, have you ever seen parents side with the daughter-in-law when their son quarrels with his wife?"

That was true.

Even if they did side with the daughter-in-law, it would only be for appearances, smoothing things over to quickly resolve the conflict.

And Miao Ansu had no influential relatives to make the Duke of England's Mansion think twice.Dou Zhao said sincerely, "When someone is ill, the right medicine must be prescribed—it's the same principle here. If a man is fond of women, place a few pretty ones in his chambers. Make it clear that whoever conceives first will be elevated to concubine, and let them fight among themselves. But from what you’ve described, Song Han is only trying to provoke you, and I’m not sure what to suggest. This matter is something you’ll have to decide for yourself."

Miao Ansu’s face couldn’t hide her disappointment. She sat blankly in the reception hall for nearly half an hour before finally rising to take her leave.

Dou Zhao immediately relayed the matter to Song Mo.

Song Mo listened and sneered. "I’ve always wondered how he could endure so much—turns out he found an outlet for his frustrations. Fine. Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world—if he can’t even manage his own household, how can he achieve merit and glory? We’ll just stand by and watch the show from the sidelines."

Dou Zhao nodded, sighing inwardly for Miao Ansu.

A few days later, news spread through Four-Lane Alley that Miao Ansu had fallen ill. Soon after, the Miao family came to visit and noticed that only Ji Hong was attending to her, while the other senior maid, Liu Hong, was nowhere to be seen.

Miao’s mother grew suspicious and quietly questioned the dowry matron.

The matron, who had long believed Song Han dared to bully Miao Ansu precisely because she was too meek, embellished the story in Miao’s mother’s ear.

Miao’s mother was so furious she nearly fainted. She stormed straight to the study in the front courtyard.

There, Liu Hong stood on the steps directing a few junior maids to sweep the courtyard.

She wore a peach-red sleeveless jacket embroidered with floral branches—part of Miao Ansu’s dowry—and even had a gold hairpin from the dowry in her hair.

Miao’s mother nearly collapsed. These were items she had personally selected for her daughter.

In three quick strides, she grabbed Liu Hong by the hair and slapped her several times.

Liu Hong shrieked in terror.

The pages serving Song Mo in the study rushed forward to separate the two.

Miao’s mother shouted that she would sell Liu Hong.

Liu Hong wept pitifully, her tears like rain on pear blossoms.

Song Han, enraged, said to Miao’s mother, "Fine. When you take your daughter’s dowry away, remember to take your daughter with you."

Miao’s mother was stunned. "My daughter was married to you by the Empress’s decree!"

Song Han scoffed. "Wasn’t it your family who disapproved of me as a son-in-law? How is this suddenly my fault?"

Seeing his indifferent demeanor, Miao’s mother deflated.

Miao Anping, however, ignored this and lunged at Song Han to strike him.

Song Han stepped back, took Liu Hong’s arm, and retreated into the study.

Instead, Miao Anping was beaten by Song Han’s pages.

How could the Miao family swallow such an insult?

They carried Miao Anping on a door plank and laid him at Song Han’s gate.

The crowd of onlookers clogged Four-Lane Alley completely.

Third Madam Song said to Dou Zhao, "What kind of mess is this? Hurry and send word to Yantang—have him send someone to lock up those Miaos!"

Dou Zhao found it amusing.

While everyone else stayed out of it, Third Madam Song was playing the good Samaritan.

She smiled. "The Golden Guard serves the Emperor, not the Young Lord. Since Third Madam is so public-spirited, why not report this to Shuntian Prefecture instead of coming here? Frankly, rather than asking the Young Lord to intervene, Third Madam should seek the Duke’s help. After all, the Duke of England’s Mansion belongs to him—any disgrace falls on his face, not our Young Lord’s, who is merely his son."Third Madam Song was left speechless for a long moment before storming off with a darkened face.

Guo Shi, who was visiting Dou Zhao at the time, worriedly asked, "Do you think she'll go complain to your father-in-law?"

"A woman follows her father at home and her husband after marriage," Dou Zhao replied nonchalantly with a smile. "It's only natural that I listen to my husband. Surely my father-in-law can't fault me for that?"

Guo Shi thought this made sense.

She said somewhat shyly, "I suppose I'm just too timid."

Bai Yiniang had recently given birth to another son—her second one already.

Dou Zhao remarked, "People always pick on the soft targets. If we don't dare speak up or act for ourselves, how can we expect others to take us seriously?"

Guo Shi lowered her head in thoughtful silence.

From the heated room came the cheerful laughter of Pin Yuan and Yuan Ge'er.

With a smile, Dou Zhao took Guo Shi's hand. "Come, let's go play with the children. We shouldn't let these unpleasant matters keep us from them."

Guo Shi agreed with a smile, and they went to the heated room together.

Meanwhile, Miao Ansu lay in bed, tears streaming down her face as she asked her wet nurse, "If I wanted to divorce Song Han, who should I approach?"

Her marriage to Song Han had been arranged by imperial decree, making divorce far from simple.

Her wet nurse was shocked and hurriedly said, "My dear mistress, you mustn't even think such thoughts! Where would you live? How would you eat if you divorced? Don't be fooled by how your brother from the Miao family is making a fuss now—if you were to return to your parents' home, he'd be the first to reject you."

Miao Ansu knew this all too well.

Yet the thought had crossed her mind more than once, and she'd accidentally voiced it this time.

A commotion arose outside.

Frowning, the wet nurse said, "I'll go see what's happening."

Miao Ansu listlessly acknowledged with an "Mm."

The wet nurse soon returned, her face livid. "That Liu Hong is getting more and more outrageous! Just because the kitchen was delayed in sending hot water for a moment, she threw a tantrum. Who does she think she is? Riding on someone else's coattails—she'd better watch out before she falls flat on her face..."

Miao Ansu seemed lost in thought.

Alarmed, the wet nurse shook her gently. "Mistress, what's wrong?"

"I'm fine," Miao Ansu said, snapping out of it. But she grew even more convinced of her earlier thoughts and whispered, "Wet Nurse, don't you think it's strange? Liu Hong wasn't this insolent before. Why has she suddenly become so brazen?"

The wet nurse fumed, "These flighty creatures forget their place the moment they're given an inch! Don't you worry, I'll teach her a lesson—"

"No," Miao Ansu interrupted. "That's not what I mean. Liu Hong hasn't just started serving Song Han. Why has she changed so suddenly? Did Song Han promise her something? Or has she decided to stay by his side from now on? Song Han is a cold and heartless man—even Ji Hong knows that. Why is Liu Hong so sure he'll treat her differently? There must be more to this."

The wet nurse couldn't fathom why.

Miao Ansu had her summon Ji Hong and spoke privately with her for about fifteen minutes.

After some hesitation, Ji Hong nodded.

A few days later, she reported to Miao Ansu: "The Second Master has promised Liu Hong she'll become his concubine!"Miao Ansu scoffed, "She actually believes Song Han's words? Has she forgotten that when Song Han wanted to make her a concubine, I refused? The only option left was to beg Father-in-law. But is Father-in-law the kind of man who would spare a glance for mere maidservants?"

Ji Hong said doubtfully, "But from Liu Hong's demeanor, she seemed absolutely certain."

For a moment, both fell silent.

No one understood the temperament of the dowry maids she had chosen better than Miao Ansu herself.

If Ji Hong was somewhat dull due to her unwavering loyalty, then Liu Hong was overly clever with her quick wit and sharp mind.

Without absolute certainty, why would Liu Hong so recklessly help Song Han humiliate her like this?

Could it be that Liu Hong had some leverage over Song Han?

Miao Ansu's eyes lit up as she said to Ji Hong, "You must find a way to investigate what makes Liu Hong so sure she can become Song Han's concubine."

Ji Hong nodded.

But even as the autumn wind began to rise, she had made no progress.

Meanwhile, Liao Wang returned to the Capital from Liaodong.