Blossom

Dou Zhao followed the direction Ningde Princess pointed and saw a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl dressed as a maid, with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, quite pretty but unfamiliar to her.

"I don’t recognize her either," Dou Zhao said with a smile. "But since she’s with your sister-in-law, she must be one of her attendants. Why do you take notice of her? Should I ask around for you?"

"No need," Ningde Princess replied. "Before you arrived, Miao Shi was by my side. I noticed this girl didn’t act like an ordinary maid, yet Miao Shi treated her indifferently. I wondered if she might be the one who brought such shame upon the Song family that it became public gossip. Miao Shi is too soft—even if she can’t control such a person, she shouldn’t bring her to social gatherings. Isn’t this emboldening others while undermining herself? No wonder Song Han doesn’t take her seriously."

Her tone was full of displeasure.

Dou Zhao didn’t respond, only offering a faint smile.

Ningde Princess frowned, about to say more, but as the Reception Hall gradually filled with guests, someone came over to greet her, leaving her no time to continue the conversation.

Dou Zhao sighed in relief.

She stayed close to Ningde Princess throughout—sharing the same table, listening to the opera, and admiring the chrysanthemums—never acting alone.

Miao Ansu found this odd and quietly asked Dou Zhao, "Sister-in-law, didn’t you say you wanted to take a closer look at Prince Liao’s chrysanthemums? Would you like me to attend to the princess for a while?"

"We are guests here, after all," Dou Zhao replied with a smile. "There will be plenty of chances to see the flowers. But if we neglect our elders for personal interests, it would seem frivolous and invite disdain."

Miao Ansu suddenly understood and followed Dou Zhao’s lead, prompting Third Princess to remark to Ningde Princess, "Look how respectful your granddaughters-in-law are toward you!"

Ningde Princess chuckled, but her gaze toward Miao Ansu remained cold.

Miao Ansu felt bitter but steeled herself to stay by the princess’s side—aside from them, she knew no one, and no one seemed inclined to know her. At times, she even sensed people whispering about her.

She endured until the gathering ended. A maid from Prince Liao’s Residence approached Dou Zhao and whispered, "Madam, the Young Lord of Duke of Yingguo said he is waiting for you outside the gate."

Dou Zhao nodded with a smile, rewarding the maid with a Red Envelope. After seeing Ningde Princess off, she bid farewell to Miao Ansu and exited through the Hanging Flower Gate.

Miao Ansu smiled as she watched Dou Zhao leave, but her own carriage was nowhere in sight. Others departed one after another, leaving her standing alone at the gate for a long while. By the time the maids from Prince Liao’s Residence appeared with brooms, ready to clean up, her carriage finally arrived.

She couldn’t help but scold, "Why are you so late?"

The coachman didn’t dare answer, shrinking back as he bowed. Then Song Han leaned out from the carriage and snapped, "Enough complaining! Get in and let’s go home!"

Swallowing her resentment and grievances, Miao Ansu stepped onto the footstool and boarded the carriage.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao and Song Mo were nearly home.

Song Mo massaged Dou Zhao’s shoulders as he spoke. "Tired? Well, at least he’ll be returning to Liaodong by the first of October."Dou Zhao rested her head on Song Mo's lap, comfortably closing her eyes, and said, "I'm not tired, just feeling uneasy inside and don't want to engage in empty pleasantries with these people from Prince Liao's Residence." Then she asked about Liao Wang, "We didn't bring Yuan Ge'er along. Did he say anything about it?"

"He asked," Song Mo adjusted his posture to make Dou Zhao more comfortable and replied, "I told him the child is too young and might get frightened in an unfamiliar place. He didn't say anything against it."

Only then did Dou Zhao's heart settle.

But who would have thought that within two days, Song Yichun informed Song Mo and Dou Zhao that he would host a return banquet for Liao Wang at the Duke of England's Mansion.

Song Mo stared expressionlessly at Song Yichun and said, "Do you realize what you're saying? Liao Wang is a feudal prince. Aren't you afraid of displeasing the Crown Prince? Or do you think that since the Duke of England's Mansion will be mine in the future, its fortunes no longer concern you? If that's the case, why don't you go to the palace now and tell the Emperor you wish to pass the title to me early? Then when the Duke of England's Mansion faces trouble, you might escape unscathed."

Song Yichun's face turned red with anger, and he shouted, "You unfilial son! The Emperor hasn't said a word, yet you jump out to criticize. Do you even see if others regard you? If you don't like it, you don't have to stay at home."

So Song Mo truly left with Dou Zhao and Yuan Ge'er to visit relatives at Temple Back Alley.

Song Mo had received several catties of newly tributed glutinous rice from the south. Knowing that elderly people often enjoy glutinous foods, he sent half to his grandmother. When they arrived, his grandmother and Hong Gu were making tangyuan with freshly ground glutinous rice and newly preserved osmanthus sugar. She washed her hands, put on an apron, and came out to greet them, loudly instructing the maids and old women around her, "Quick, bring out the pastries Sixth Madam sent the day before yesterday for Yuan Ge'er to try."

Dou Zhao was surprised and smiled, "Sixth Aunt has been here?"

"Yes!" Grandmother laughed. "She said she came to pay her respects and brought many delicacies. Some of the pastries were even imperial gifts from the palace—they looked delicious. I had them stored away, waiting for you to come so Yuan Ge'er could enjoy them."

While imperial pastries might be rare to others, what were they to Yuan Ge'er, who often visited the palace? Yet Grandmother's thoughtfulness warmed their hearts.

Song Mo stepped forward to support his grandmother, chatting with her as they walked to the main hall, "It's been a few days since we last visited. How have you been? Is there anything you need at home?"

"All is well, all is well," Grandmother replied, her eyes brimming with joy as she looked at Song Mo.

Song Mo truly had a way with elders!

Dou Zhao thought somewhat enviously, carrying Yuan Ge'er into the main hall.

That evening, Dou Shiying and Dou Dechang, having received word, came for dinner.

They chatted and laughed until it was time to light the lamps before parting.

But what Dou Zhao and Song Mo hadn't expected was that the banquet at the Duke of England's Mansion had only just ended at that hour.

They ran into Song Yichun and Song Han, who were seeing Liao Wang off at the gate.

Liao Wang stepped forward and punched Song Mo's shoulder playfully, laughing, "You rascal! Even if we're not as close as before, you don't have to avoid me so obviously. You've truly hurt my feelings. But don't flatter yourself—I didn't stay this late waiting for you. I was delayed at the palace because my mother kept questioning me about this and that. Don't overthink it!"

In her past life, Dou Zhao had once seen Liao Wang from afar.Although she hadn't gotten a clear look at Liao Wang back then, the impression he left was one of majesty, dominance, and the unpredictable mystery of his mercurial temper. But the Liao Wang before her now was young, forthright, and spoke with such witty humor that it felt like basking in spring breeze.

She quickly glanced at Liao Wang before immediately lowering her gaze, curtsying in greeting, then stepping behind Song Mo.

Yet Song Mo seemed deliberately obtuse. He bowed respectfully to Liao Wang and said, "I was ignorant back then. Now I understand that the sovereign remains sovereign, and the subject remains subject—it's rather daunting. You know my temperament—I dread such conflicts, so I had no choice but to withdraw."

"Enough of that!" Liao Wang laughed heartily. "Since when have you been one to shy away from trouble? I suspect you're just displeased with me." As he spoke, he reached out to drape an arm over Song Mo's shoulders.

But Song Mo abruptly turned and instructed Dou Zhao, "Since His Highness's consort isn't here, you should take Yuan Ge'er back inside first." This conveniently caused him to miss Liao Wang's outstretched arm.

It might have seemed coincidental, but the timing was far too perfect.

Song Yichun stepped forward angrily, hissing "Song Yantang" in clear warning.

"Let it be, let it be," Liao Wang waved magnanimously, utterly unbothered. "No need to scold Yantang. I understand—times have changed, and some things can never return to how they were." His expression darkened momentarily. "Perhaps I shouldn't have come back this time."

"Your Highness misunderstands!" Song Yichun hurriedly interjected. "Both the Emperor and Empress have been eagerly awaiting your visit to the capital..."

"Let's not speak of this," Liao Wang cheerfully cut him off, quickly regaining his earlier joviality. Pointing at Yuan Ge'er, who had tired himself out playing and was now asleep in the wet nurse's arms, he smiled. "This must be your eldest son? I heard his milk name is Yuan Ge'er, born around the same time as His Majesty's third son, with a name personally chosen by our late father. You're truly blessed. Since I didn't get to see him last time..." He untied a jade pendant from his waist and offered it. "Let this be a meeting gift for Yuan Ge'er. Who knows when we'll meet again? Come share a drink with me." He turned toward The Duke of England's Mansion. "I've been meaning to ask about this whole affair between you and Bai Sun—it's caused such an uproar that even Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has heard of it."

After a moment's thought, Song Mo followed him inside.

Seeing this, Song Yichun and Song Han quickly clustered around them.

Dou Zhao's gaze swept the area, spotting Liu Zhang standing meekly among the pages.

She gave him a meaningful glance before heading toward the Hall of Cultivating Will.

When she passed through the ceremonial gate, she glanced back—Liu Zhang had already disappeared.

Dou Zhao nodded slightly and took Yuan Ge'er back to the inner chambers.

After bathing Yuan Ge'er, feeding him goat's milk, and lulling him to sleep, the distant sound of the second watch drum reached her ears.

A faint unease stirred within her. "Has the Young Lord not returned yet?" she asked Ruo Tong.

"Not yet," Ruo Tong replied. "Cassia Fragrance Courtyard is still brightly lit—the banquet hasn't concluded."

After a pensive silence, Dou Zhao instructed, "Go invite Mr. Chen over."

Ruo Tong obeyed and left, returning about the time it takes to burn an incense stick with Chen Qushui in tow.Dou Zhao quietly informed Chen Qushui about Song Mo accompanying Liao Wang for drinks at Cassia Fragrance Courtyard, adding, "Xia Lian escorted us back just now. He can't possibly stick to the Young Lord's side every moment. Have Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng find a way to discreetly enter Cassia Fragrance Courtyard and ensure the Young Lord isn't left alone."

Chen Qushui was startled and immediately grasped the gravity of the situation.

Despite his advanced age, he hurried out of the main courtyard at a jog.

Dou Zhao sat by the window on the kang, weaving knots as she waited for Song Mo.

After some time, Chen Qushui returned.

With a somewhat peculiar expression, he said, "Madam, Lu Ming has returned to the manor—no one knows when."

This meant Song Mo had someone secretly protecting him.

Dou Zhao murmured "Amitabha," then sensed something amiss.

When had Song Mo recalled Lu Ming?

And why had he summoned Lu Ming back?

After all, Lu Ming was responsible for training Song Mo's Martial Retainers!

Dear readers, this weekend there will only be a single update. Firstly, I'm suffering from a severe cold. Secondly, my child is currently preparing for independent enrollment and we're starting to fill out application materials. Please forgive me for prioritizing my child's matters over writing this time.