Blossom

She was startled awake by Song Mo and decided to sit up in bed, waiting for him to rest together.

After washing up, Song Mo climbed into bed and said, "Twelfth Brother-in-law and Miss Ji are at the Great Xiangguo Temple!"

"The Great Xiangguo Temple?" Dou Zhao's mouth fell open.

The Dou family had nearly turned the Capital upside down searching for Dou Dechang, yet he had been right under their noses all along.

The Great Xiangguo Temple was the busiest temple in the Capital—wasn't he afraid of being recognized?

Dou Zhao silently grumbled to herself, but Song Mo chuckled and said, "Twelfth Brother-in-law has mastered the Art of War well. The best hiding place is in plain sight—no one would expect them to be hiding at the Great Xiangguo Temple. Even if they were discovered, a simple 'each here to worship' would suffice to dismiss any inquiries. The temple, fearing damage to its reputation, would also go out of its way to prove there was no connection between the two. Twelfth Brother-in-law has thought this through!"

No wonder they had ended up married in her past life. Clearly, Dou Dechang wasn't acting recklessly.

Dou Zhao sighed in relief and asked, "When should we report back to Father and Sixth Uncle?"

The sooner the Dou family knew, the better. While Dou Dechang and Ji Lingze's elopement remained unknown, the Dou and Ji families could work together to nip the matter in the bud. The longer it dragged on, the harder it would be to contain.

Song Mo smiled. "I'll go to Jing'an Temple Alley first thing tomorrow—after all, this is the Dou family's affair. Even if Twelfth Brother-in-law intends to marry Miss Ji, he can't keep hiding like this. Since he dared to take her to the Great Xiangguo Temple for temporary shelter, he should be prepared to face the consequences. Besides, his position as a Bachelor of the Imperial Academy is his greatest safeguard. If he loses that, any hope of marrying Miss Ji would be gone."

In her past life, Dou Dechang hadn't abandoned his official post, proving he understood this well. Without income, even basic sustenance would depend on others—how could he have any say in his marriage?

She nodded slightly, and they settled down to sleep without further discussion.

Song Mo closed his eyes, but the sound of the windmill still seemed to echo in his ears.

He forced himself to stay still until the third watch drum sounded, only then managing to fall into a fitful sleep.

To deliver the news to Jing'an Temple Alley before heading to his office, he rose before dawn the next day. He kissed the still-sleeping Dou Zhao and left the inner chamber.

The Dou household was thrown into chaos.

Torn between her own niece and her son, Ji Shi fainted from sheer anger.

Han Shi, however, was convinced Ji Lingze had seduced Dou Dechang. She said to Fifth Madam, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, "Twelfth Uncle is still a child—what does he know? If not for Ji Lingze's schemes, how could he have thrown away his future and the Western Dou family's legacy?"

But Fifth Madam knew this wasn't something to be shouted about. For any family, producing a Presented Scholar was no small feat—they couldn't afford to lose such an asset over this.

Disregarding propriety, she scolded Han Shi: "What are you babbling about? All we know is that Zixian and Miss Ji were both seen at the Great Xiangguo Temple. Must you stir up trouble for your own family?"

Han Shi flushed crimson with embarrassment, unable to retort.

When Ji Shi regained consciousness, she wept silently. "What are we to do? Shou Gu has always been steady, and Zixian was found by Yantang. Normally, no one would be better suited to handle this than Shou Gu, but she's with child now and mustn't be agitated..."Fifth Madam and Ji Shi were thinking along the same lines.

Both had decided not to disturb Dou Zhao.

Fifth Madam comforted Ji Shi, “Let’s see what the men decide first! The Western Dou will have to rely on Zixian to uphold the family in the future.”

This matter was no longer theirs to decide.

Ji Shi nodded with reddened eyes, unsure of whom to blame.

In the end, Dou Shishu made the final decision: they would simply “fetch” Dou Dechang back and, if anyone asked, claim he had been kidnapped by ruffians and rescued by Song Mo. As for Ji Lingze, she would continue to be treated as a cousin.

Ji Shi’s heart ached.

After this incident, Ji Lingze would likely face death.

But in a life-or-death situation, she had no choice but to steel herself and save her son.

Song Mo, however, knew the matter wasn’t as simple as the Dou family imagined. Moreover, he was counting on Dou Dechang to stand up for Dou Zhao in the future. When the Dou family asked him to intervene in retrieving Dou Dechang, he declined, saying, “After all, I’m just the brother-in-law. I can arrange the manpower, but I shouldn’t be directly involved in fetching him.”

Dou Shishu also felt it inappropriate for Song Mo to take the lead, but the matter was still being kept under wraps within the Dou family, and sending anyone else would be even worse.

Dou Shiheng flew into a rage, “That unfilial son! I’ll go fetch him myself!”

Seeing that Dou Shiying had been sidelined, Song Mo gave him a meaningful look and said, “I think it would be better for Father-in-law to go.”

After all, Dou Shiying was now Dou Dechang’s father.

Dou Shishu and Dou Shiheng were taken aback but quickly nodded in agreement.

Dou Shiying had always been kind to his nephews. When Dou Dechang was adopted, he simply saw it as having a nephew to keep him company, not yet adjusting to the role of being his father. Even when Song Mo spoke up for him, he didn’t immediately grasp the situation. But since it was Song Mo’s suggestion and he trusted Song Mo implicitly, despite feeling uneasy, he went along to “fetch” Dou Dechang.

However, as soon as they left Mao’er Alley, he whispered to Song Mo, “Are you worried that Zixian will be beaten by Sixth Brother? Sixth Brother isn’t that kind of person!”

Song Mo found this both amusing and exasperating but didn’t explain. Instead, he smiled and asked, “What do you think about this matter?”

“Me?” Dou Shiying said in surprise. “I don’t have any particular thoughts!”

Song Mo was momentarily speechless. After a pause, he said, “If Twelfth Brother insists on marrying Miss Ji, would you be willing to have a daughter-in-law like her?”

Dou Shiying laughed, “It’s his life. If he wants Miss Ji, what can I say? But Sixth Brother probably won’t agree.”

Song Mo smiled, “As long as you agree, that’s enough. Miss Ji will be the Lineage Wife of Western Dou in the future.”

Dou Shiying, who had already divided half the family assets for Dou Zhao, wasn’t particularly invested in things like family legacy. He chuckled, “Western Dou is already a mess—what’s there to flaunt?”

With a stepmother like Wang Yingxue around, it was indeed chaotic enough.

Song Mo’s eyes gleamed as he smiled, “Since you don’t mind, I know what to do now!”

Before Dou Shiying could fully grasp the situation, Song Mo had already led him out of the carriage.

Dou Dechang had long been under surveillance by Song Mo’s men, so they found him immediately.

When Dou Dechang saw Dou Shiying and Song Mo arriving together, he was stunned. But he quickly knelt before Dou Shiying and pleaded, “All the blame is mine. I only beg Father to bring Lingze back to the Dou family as well.”Dou Shiying hesitated upon recalling Dou Shishu's decision. However, Song Mo said, "The intention of Fifth Uncle and Sixth Uncle was merely to 'fetch' you back. But Father-in-law felt it inappropriate and insisted I accompany him personally to 'fetch' you. If you have anything to say, clarify it with Father-in-law now. Once you return to the Dou family, such an opportunity may not arise again, and even if it does, Father-in-law might not be able to uphold your wishes."

As long as the Dou family was willing to bring Ji Lingze back as well, it would mean acknowledging this marriage.

Dou Dechang was overjoyed and eagerly recounted to Dou Shiying how he admired Ji Lingze's talents and how he had fought for her fairness.

The Dou family had a profound scholarly tradition. Dou Dechang's success as a Presented Scholar was undeniable proof of his intellect. With a sincere desire to move Dou Shiying, his eloquent narration rivaled famous ancient essays, stirring Dou Shiying's emotions. Hesitant, Dou Shiying glanced at Song Mo.

How could Song Mo spoil the moment? With a smile, he ordered the pages to prepare a sedan chair and arranged for the old women to assist Ji Lingze into it.

Dou Dechang's eyes moistened slightly as he pressed his lips together and bowed deeply to Dou Shiying.

"What are you doing?" Dou Shiying was startled and quickly helped Dou Dechang up.

A faint smile flickered across Song Mo's face as he escorted Dou Shiying and the others back to Jing'an Temple Alley.

When Dou Shiheng learned that Ji Lingze had also returned, he was furious, veins bulging on his forehead. "I knew it! Letting Old Seventh handle this would only mess things up! Why didn’t Yantang stop him?" He stood up, ready to rush to Jing'an Temple Alley.

But Dou Shishu grabbed his arm and sighed deeply. "Stay out of this matter. Old Seventh is Zixian’s father!"

Dou Shiheng was taken aback. "How can that be? You know as well as I do that Old Seventh wouldn’t even step on an ant. Leaving Zixian under his guidance is like letting sheep graze freely—"

Dou Shishu cut him off. "Haven’t you realized? Song Yantang has been standing up for Old Seventh all along!"

Dou Shiheng tensed.

Looking weary, Dou Shishu said, "Sixth Brother, with Song Yantang as his son-in-law, Old Seventh has gained an ally. From now on, we must be cautious about matters concerning Western Dou."

Song Mo was using Dou Dechang’s marriage to remind them who truly held authority in Western Dou.

But voicing this would only deepen the rift, so Dou Shishu kept it to himself.

After a moment’s thought, Dou Shiheng understood his meaning.

His expression darkened. "So, Zixian is to marry a widow as his first wife?"

Dou Shishu smiled bitterly. "Unless you’re willing to break ties with Old Seventh!"

Dou Shiheng fell silent.

Meanwhile, Ji Shi lay weeping on the large bolster, her emotions in turmoil.

Song Mo then approached Ji Shi, pleading for her to send someone to the Ji family to propose the marriage. "Flesh of the palm and back of the hand are both part of the same body. Regardless of Miss Ji’s past marriage, she regards you as her own mother. Surely you wouldn’t want to see her perish? Besides, Twelfth Brother is already a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations. If he can’t even manage his own household affairs, how can he govern the country? Let Twelfth Brother take this step on his own."

Ji Shi remained silent.

But by the afternoon, she had invited a matchmaker to Cat’s Alley.

Upon learning this, Dou Shiheng locked himself in his study and refused to speak to Ji Shi.

When Dou Zhao heard the news, she grew worried. "Should we ask Father to persuade Sixth Uncle?""That's Twelfth Brother's problem now!" Song Mo had been busy all day and felt utterly exhausted, as if his bones had fallen apart. These household matters were no simpler than affairs of state. "We've helped him this much already. If he still can't handle it, then I think even marrying Ji Lingze won't bring him peace, and Western Dou can forget about prospering under his leadership. I was hoping our children would have a capable uncle!"

At least it would stop Ji Yong from constantly boasting about being the children's uncle!

He kissed Dou Zhao's cheek.

In the past, how could he have thought that Dou Zhao merely managed Household Affairs at home and led an easy life?