Blossom

Miao Anping stumbled out of the tavern, thoroughly drunk, only to have a black sack thrown over his head before being dragged into a nearby alley and beaten mercilessly.

The fists struck with precision, targeting vital areas—clearly aiming to kill him.

Sobered instantly, he pleaded for mercy while shouting, "I'm the brother-in-law of the second master of the Duke of Yingguo's household! Spare me, and I'll give you money, influence—whatever you want! I swear on my honor!"

His captors ignored him.

Miao Anping’s heart turned to ice. Trembling in terror, he lost control of his bladder.

Then came the sound of chaotic footsteps. Someone yelled, "Over here!" and rushed in, clashing with the group trying to kill Miao Anping.

Tearing off the black sack, Miao Anping saw that both groups wore dark masks and coarse short coats, making it impossible to distinguish friend from foe.

He scrambled out of the alley on all fours.

Passersby shrieked at the sight.

Some recognized him and quickly fled.

Staggering home, Miao Anping found the household in chaos. His mother clung to him, weeping. "What happened? Who dares treat you like this? I’ll have your father report this to the magistrate! If Magistrate Xie doesn’t give us justice, we’ll take this to the palace and strip him of his position!"

Miao Anping shoved her away in frustration. "You don’t understand anything!" He bowed to his father and said, "Someone tried to murder me!"

After recounting the incident, the family exchanged bewildered glances. Who had Miao Anping offended? Who had saved him? And why?

Recalling the brutal beating, Miao Anping couldn’t sit still. He stood abruptly. "I need to see Sixth Sister—she’ll know what to do!"

His father, still furious over Miao Ansu’s fallout with Song Han, scoffed. "What can she do? Without the Duke of Yingguo’s household, she’s nothing!"

"You know nothing!" Miao Anping had no patience for his father’s ignorance. "Sixth Sister now lives on the Duke’s farmstead under the Young Lord’s protection. If she remains chaste, she’s far better off than she ever was with Song Han!" Ignoring his father’s outrage, he left for Miao Ansu’s farmstead.

Despite his flaws, he was still her blood brother. Faced with a life-or-death crisis, Miao Ansu couldn’t turn a blind eye.

Her heart pounded as she pleaded with Dou Zhao, "My brother stirs up trouble, but if you could just assign two guards to protect him from ambushes—that’s all I ask. As for the rest, pretend you don’t see it."

She only wanted to keep him alive, not let him exploit the Duke’s name for his own gain.

Dou Zhao considered it, then advised, "Even if I assign guards, it’s not a permanent solution. The one who tied the bell must untie it—your brother should seek out the second master."

At first, Miao Ansu didn’t grasp her meaning. Only after boarding the carriage back to the farmstead did realization dawn.

She gasped. "Turn around—head to Fourth Lane!"

The carriage changed direction.

Half an hour later, a dejected voice came from inside. "Never mind… take me back to the farmstead."

The carriage turned again.

Miao Ansu collapsed onto the large bolster, weeping silently, her teeth clenched in fury.He was merely extorted for a few hundred taels of silver, yet he could take a life so easily—what a cold and heartless man. If she continued to tangle with Song Han like this, she might lose her life one day.

No, she had to think of a way to leave Song Han quickly.

While Miao Ansu was pondering in the carriage, Dou Zhao received an invitation from Jing'an Temple Alley: "Seventh Master said you should bring Yuan Ge'er along when you come."

History hadn't deviated much—Dou Dechang had passed the provincial examination and become a Recommended Man. Dou Shiying decided to take this opportunity to gather all the Dou family members in the Capital for a celebration.

Dou Zhao smiled as she accepted the invitation and said to Gaosheng's wife, who had delivered it, "Please inform Father that we will definitely attend on that day, as it's a day off, and the Young Lord will accompany me."

Gaosheng's wife cheerfully agreed, and Dou Zhao had someone escort her to Gaoxing (Happy).

Song Mo, holding the invitation, joined Dou Zhao in the storeroom to select a gift for Dou Dechang: "I wonder if Sixth Uncle and Sixth Aunt will regret it—Eleventh Brother failed this time."

Although Dou Zhengchang eventually passed the imperial examination and became a Presented Scholar, Sixth Aunt and Sixth Uncle didn’t know that yet.

When Dou Zhao arrived at Jing'an Temple Alley, she couldn’t help but observe Sixth Aunt’s expression.

Ji Shi noticed and pinched her nose playfully, laughing, "You little schemer! Even as a mother now, you're still so mischievous!"

Dou Zhao rubbed her nose and retorted, "How am I being mischievous?"

"Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?" Ji Shi chided. "You’re worried I might regret seeing your Twelfth Brother pass the exam, aren’t you? Your Twelfth Brother was adopted under your Father’s name precisely to uphold the family’s honor. Now that he’s capable, I couldn’t be happier—why would I regret it?" She added, "Besides, I believe your Eleventh Brother is diligent and hardworking. He won’t let a decade of study go to waste."

Touched, Dou Zhao hugged Ji Shi’s arm and teased, "Sixth Aunt, your magnanimity is something I have much to learn from."

"Enough with the flattery!" Ji Shi patted her hand and shared some personal words with her.

A maid entered and announced, "The ladies and young masters from Elm Tree Alley have arrived."

Ji Shi and Dou Zhao went to greet the guests.

After exchanging pleasantries, they headed to the Reception Hall.

Ji Shi and Fifth Madam walked ahead, discussing which sons of Capital officials had passed the provincial exams this time, while Dou Zhao and the others followed behind.

Guo Shi caught Dou Zhao’s eye.

Dou Zhao subtly slowed her pace, letting the others enter the Reception Hall first. The two stood under the veranda to talk.

"I followed your advice," Guo Shi whispered. "When my mother-in-law asked me to take in Bai Shi’s two sons and raise them myself, I refused. Whoever bore them is their mother. As long as their birth mother is alive, no matter how well I treat them, I’ll only ever be their stepmother. Rather than fighting with Bai Shi over this, I’d rather treat them and their mother well and focus my energy on Pinyuan—raising her properly and finding her a good marriage. They won’t dare slight me either way."

Dou Zhao smiled faintly and said, "Exactly! Life is but a few short decades—why torment yourself so?"

Guo Shi nodded repeatedly, then linked arms with Dou Zhao as they entered the Reception Hall together.

Soon, the other sisters-in-law arrived, and the hall buzzed with lively chatter.

Gaosheng’s wife entered with an odd expression and whispered to Dou Zhao, "Fourth Paternal Aunt, Young Master Ji Yong wishes to see you!"

Ji Yong?Dou Zhao was extremely surprised. After giving Ji Shi a few instructions, she headed to the study in the front courtyard.

Ji Yong was dressed in a sapphire-blue straight robe, tied at the waist with a silk sash of the same color. His handsome face was tense, his sword-like eyebrows tightly knitted as he paced anxiously around the room.

"Hey!" Seeing Dou Zhao enter, he rudely addressed the servants in the room, "All of you, get out. Close the door behind you."

The maids in the study paled, looking at Dou Zhao with fearful uncertainty.

But Dou Zhao had never doubted him. She said firmly, "You may withdraw."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Ji Yong's lips.

The maids silently retreated.

Ji Yong stepped forward, moving close to Dou Zhao, and whispered, "What's the deal with that brother-in-law of yours? He's getting too close to Prince Liao's Residence. You should tell Song Mo to keep an eye on his so-called younger brother before he drags the whole family down."

Dou Zhao's heart pounded fiercely upon hearing this. "How did you know there's something wrong with Prince Liao?" she asked.

Ji Yong's expression darkened as he slowly took two steps back. "Seems like I worried for nothing. You already knew something was off."

His voice carried a hint of sarcasm.

The waiting was agonizing.

Dou Zhao now felt that having one more person aware meant one more ally.

She admitted frankly, "It's because Yantang oversees the Golden Guard—there's no avoiding it. But beyond that, none of us dare say anything more."

Ji Yong's expression lightened slightly, and he said smugly, "Who do you think I am? I spend every day analyzing the court's affairs. If I couldn't see this clearly, what's the point of aspiring to be a minister or joining the Grand Secretariat?" He sighed. "I originally planned to bet on Prince Liao as a rare opportunity, but it looks like you're siding with the Crown Prince... Fine, I'll help the Crown Prince too. Otherwise, if I help Prince Liao ascend the throne and you all end up imprisoned—Prince Liao, the favored son of heaven, has suffered too much humiliation now. Once he becomes emperor, he'll be unbearably arrogant. And since you're married to that Song Mo, 'the tallest tree catches the wind'—I'm afraid I might not be able to protect you and Yuan Ge'er then..."

His arrogant tone made it seem as if he controlled the fate of the world. Dou Zhao was momentarily stunned.

Yet she had to admit—Ji Yong's insight was razor-sharp.

In her past life, after Prince Liao ascended the throne, he had indeed become stubborn and self-willed, far from an approachable ruler.

Still, she couldn't resist teasing him. "Are you sure you're just a minor official in the Court of State Ceremonial and not a Grand Secretariat minister?"

Last time, after Ji Yong excelled in his assignment, the Emperor had casually transferred him to the Court of State Ceremonial as an attendant.

Other Presented Scholars from the same examination were either languishing in the Imperial Academy to build seniority or had just begun drafting documents in the Six Ministries. Only he had already been transferred three times—young and exceptionally conspicuous.

Ji Yong shot Dou Zhao a disdainful glance. "Do you even know what the Court of State Ceremonial does? They're the Emperor's inner circle! Inner circle! If they plan a palace coup, can they bypass the Court of State Ceremonial? Typical short-sighted woman! No point talking to you. Just remember to relay my words to Song Mo before he gets you killed."

With that, he stormed off.

Dou Zhao's face flushed with anger. Standing alone in the small flower hall, she took several deep breaths before calming down.

Song Mo walked in, carrying Yuan Ge'er.

From afar, Yuan Ge'er stretched out his arms and called, "Mother!" asking to be held.Dou Zhao smiled warmly as she held her son and asked curiously, "What brings you here?"

Song Mo replied with a grin, "Father wanted me to take Yuan Ge'er out to show everyone, but he kept fussing for you. I thought it might be better to let you hold him for a while first, so he doesn’t start crying in the front hall..."

Before he could finish, Yuan Ge'er pouted and protested in a small, aggrieved voice, "I didn’t cry! I didn’t cry!"

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but chuckle. She patted her son’s head and said, "Our Yuan Ge'er is the best-behaved boy. He didn’t cry, he didn’t cry."

Only then did Yuan Ge'er break into a smile—brighter than the summer sun.

Unable to resist, Dou Zhao planted a kiss on her son’s cheek.