Blossom

Ji Hong paled at the words, secretly relieved that she had already entrusted Miao Ansu's valuables to the Jin Gui and Yin Gui sisters for safekeeping.

"All of the Second Madam's belongings are here," she said nervously, afraid Miao Anping might notice something amiss. "We haven’t seen any of the jewelry or valuables you mentioned." She cast a pleading glance at the maids and Old Women who had accompanied her to the Four Alleys Hutong. "If you don’t believe me, Uncle, you can ask them."

Dou Zhao’s people naturally held Miao Anping in contempt, disdainful of his greedy demeanor. They stood there with their eyes downcast, refusing to speak.

Miao Anping didn’t believe her.

His eyes gleamed as he smiled and said, "I’m not trying to take my paternal aunt’s things for myself. I just want to make sure none of those fine items were swallowed up by the Song family’s Second Master—otherwise, my aunt would suffer the loss!"

Wouldn’t it be better if Miao Anping mistakenly believed Song Han had kept the valuables?

His words reminded Ji Hong, and she swore she hadn’t hidden any of the gold, silver, or fine goods: "...If I took them, may I be struck by lightning!"

This was a severe curse.

Miao Anping hesitated.

Could Song Han really have pocketed his sister’s valuables?

He whispered instructions to one of his idle companions, then turned to head back into the city.

One of his men grabbed his sleeve and muttered, "Didn’t you say you wanted to squeeze your brother-in-law for a hefty sum? If that’s the case, why rush? You can always go after the Song family’s Second Master later—there’s no hurry to settle accounts. Are you afraid he won’t hand them over?"

Miao Anping thought it over—this made sense. He had just extorted hush money and compensation for "medical expenses" from Song Han. If he immediately went back to demand the valuables, he might provoke Song Han into cutting ties altogether, leaving him with nothing.

He turned to Ji Hong and the others. "When the time comes, you’ll all have to testify that we never received my aunt’s valuables—that they were all embezzled by Song Mo."

Ji Hong nodded repeatedly.

Dou Zhao’s people remained silent.

Miao Anping was displeased by this.

Ji Hong, fearing further trouble, quickly added, "Uncle, you’ve worked hard! Our Second Madam probably doesn’t even know you went to Four Alleys Hutong yet. I’ll send someone to inform her right away so the kitchen Old Women can prepare fine wine and dishes to welcome you..."

Miao Anping had already made a deal with Miao Ansu to split whatever they extorted from Song Han. If he followed Ji Hong and the others to the farmstead now, he’d have to share the silver he’d just obtained with Miao Ansu. But if he didn’t go, how would he get his hands on the items in those trunks?

After much deliberation, he decided it was best to hide the silver he’d already secured first. "Tell your Second Madam that I still have friends to entertain. Once I’ve seen them off, I’ll visit her—there’s no rush."Ji Hong breathed a sigh of relief and pretended to know nothing as she respectfully saw Miao Anping and his group of friends off. Only then did she curtsy to Jin Gui and Yin Gui. "It wasn't my intention to involve you two sisters," she said. "But as you saw, if I had handed over Madam's valuables to her brother, not a single item would have made it back to her." Her voice choked with emotion. "The Second Master is unreliable. Madam has no children to depend on. If even her dowry is taken by her brother, how will she survive in the future?"

Jin Gui, being older and having weathered family hardships, wasn't easily moved. But Yin Gui, who had always been protected by her sister, was touched and quickly comforted her: "Don't worry. Before we left, Madam instructed us to follow your lead in everything. We were just helping you carry a few things—there's no need for such formalities."

Reassured, Ji Hong thanked the sisters profusely before returning to the farmstead under the protection of Dou Zhao's people.

When Miao Ansu learned her brother had extorted four hundred taels of silver from the Fourth Lane residence, she was stunned.

Her mother, who was accompanying her at the farmstead, hurriedly explained, "Your brother did this for your sake. He gathered so many people to stand up for you in that standoff. Though they're friends, they can't just run around for your brother without compensation—they need a thank-you feast and a few taels each. Otherwise, who would help him in the future? Don't think he took that silver for himself."

Miao Ansu felt even colder inside and couldn't even muster polite words for her mother. She had her wet nurse move the trunks into the temporary storeroom in the western wing, then properly rewarded Dou Zhao's attendants before calling Ji Hong into the inner chamber for a private talk.

Upon learning her valuables had been preserved thanks to Jin Gui and Yin Gui, tears welled in her eyes. She instructed Ji Hong, "Please endure the hardship and make another trip to the Hall of Cultivating Will. Hand these items to Madam for safekeeping. I know my brother—if he can't get these valuables from Song Han, he might bring people to search my quarters. Though we have the Young Lord's men guarding us, they're here to watch the Second Master, not to interfere in sibling matters. Besides, I still need my brother's help to ruin Song Han's reputation. I can't afford to openly break with him now."

Ji Hong assented and, without even stopping for water, left for The Duke of England's Mansion with Dou Zhao's escort.

Dou Zhao found Miao Ansu's concerns reasonable. She had Ruo Zhu and Ji Hong inventory the items, list them, seal them in a box, and entrusted the box to Ruo Zhu's care.

Ji Hong kowtowed to Dou Zhao on Miao Ansu's behalf before returning to the farmstead.

Dou Zhao then summoned Liu Zhang for a report: "What are people saying in Fourth Lane?"

Liu Zhang chuckled. "All sorts of things. That the Miaos are extorting silver from The Duke of England's Mansion again; that the Second Master is committing adultery with the Duke's bedroom servant; that the Second Madam has been beaten beyond recognition by the Second Master and can't show her face; that the Duke is so enraged by the Second Master he's trembling and speechless... Who knows how these rumors started? It's both laughable and exasperating!""Gossip spreads just like that." Dou Zhao was quite satisfied with the outcome and smiled. "Keep an eye on things. If anyone steps forward to clear Second Master's name, make sure to tarnish his reputation further. If necessary, let the whole neighborhood know that Second Master was caught in an affair with Father's bedroom servant, driving Second Mistress so mad she had to retreat to the farmstead to recuperate."

Liu Zhang responded with a smile and kept an even closer watch on Song Han.

Meanwhile, Song Han paced restlessly at home, turning the matter over in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more he realized the situation could escalate—especially with the Miao family involved. Even a whisper could stir up a storm, let alone with Miao Ansu adding fuel to the fire!

He changed his clothes in haste and rushed to Cassia Fragrance Courtyard.

Song Yichun was already fuming over his failed scheme against Song Mo, which had also cost him Du Ruo. When he heard Song Han had come to see him, his face darkened. "Tell him I'm not receiving anyone," he snapped coldly.

The maids and old women dared not relay the truth directly to Song Han, stammering vague excuses instead.

Song Han saw right through them and barged straight into Song Yichun’s study.

Song Yichun was practicing calligraphy. He flung his brush aside and growled, "What is the meaning of this?"

Song Han quickly put on an ingratiating smile. "I have urgent matters to discuss with you, Father. The pages said you were practicing calligraphy in your study, so I thought I’d come and grind ink for you."

One doesn’t strike a smiling face.

Song Yichun’s expression softened slightly.

Seizing the opportunity, Song Han explained his purpose: "I plan to visit Prince Liao tomorrow—he’s about to leave soon. Since our plan failed, we must at least give him an explanation. If we stay silent, he’ll likely assume we lack accountability. A man can lack ability, but never accountability. The only reason Elder Brother acts so arrogantly is because he relies on the Emperor’s favor. Now that there’s no chance of reconciliation between him and us, if we also lose the Empress’s support, he’ll never take us seriously again."

What Song Yichun feared most right now was Song Mo seeking retribution.

Though Song Mo was his son, he had long known this son was no rule-follower—which was precisely why he had once resolved to eliminate him.

Song Han’s words struck a chord.

After some thought, Song Yichun retrieved a few valuable items from the storeroom, wrote a formal visiting card, and had it delivered to Prince Liao’s Residence.

Prince Liao received countless gifts from the Capital’s nobility and high officials every year. Now that he was returning to Liaodong with the Emperor and Empress’s favor, many were sending him travel expenses.

Song Han’s visit went unnoticed by others.

But Prince Liao received him in his study.

The moment they met, Song Han knelt before Prince Liao, his face flushed with shame. "I’ve ruined Your Highness’s plans. The fault lies entirely in my poor strategy. I beg for your punishment."

If they couldn’t bypass Song Mo, they had to find a way to conquer him.

Now that the scheme had failed, cutting off any chance of cooperation with Song Mo, their only option was to find leverage over him.

No candidates were better suited than Song Han and Song Yichun.

Whether they succeeded or failed, it would remain a feud between father and sons—nothing to do with him.

That was why he had agreed to meet Song Han in his study.

With a smile, Prince Liao said, "Tianen, you’re mistaken! There’s no blood feud or stolen love between me and your brother. Why would I punish you? I merely regret that you brothers remain at odds, and even my mediation couldn’t turn your swords into plowshares."Song Han immediately understood and smiled, saying, "This humble one has come to express deep gratitude for Your Highness's great kindness. My elder brother is too stubborn and has failed to appreciate Your Highness's goodwill. Allow me to thank you on his behalf."

Liao Wang gave an approving "Hmm" and raised his teacup, signaling the end of the audience.

Song Han respectfully kowtowed and withdrew.

Geng Li emerged from behind the screen and mused, "I fear Song Han is no match for Song Mo."

"Many are no match for Song Mo," Liao Wang replied dismissively with a smile. "But even tigers nap—who knows when this pawn might prove useful?" He then added, "In the future, if Song Han seeks assistance in trivial matters, lend him a hand. That way, he’ll be more pliable when we need him."

Geng Li acknowledged the order.

Song Han was exhilarated.

This counted as establishing a connection with Liao Wang, didn’t it?

With the Empress backing him, he refused to believe his wit would let him fare worse than Song Mo!

Song Mo only had the advantage of being older, nothing more!

From then on, Song Han ingratiated himself with superiors and befriended colleagues, quickly securing his position in the Imperial Bodyguard and even gaining a few obedient followers.

When Liao Wang departed the Capital with his eldest son, Geng Li, and other attendants, Song Han turned his attention to Miao Anping.

This Miao Anping, who kept "visiting" him every few days, was utterly insufferable!