Blossom

Jiang Bosun didn’t need to guess what Song Mo was thinking.

“This matter is already decided,” he said with a faint smile. “If it weren’t for your wife giving my sister a brilliant idea, and if it weren’t for your meticulous arrangements, we would all be dead by now—let alone talk about restoring our family’s honor. Since we’ve already faced death once, what is there left to fear? There’s no need to stop me. As for my sister-in-law, I’ll speak to her myself.” He then asked, “If I want to return to Liaodong, when can I set off?”

Currently, he was still under the stigma of being a criminal. If he wanted to leave, he would have to inform the Crown Prince first.

“Fifth Uncle,” Song Mo frowned, “don’t act on impulse! The Crown Prince understands the situation this time. At most, you’ll have to wait a few years—”

“And then what?” Jiang Bosun waved his hand, his expression turning solemn. “Rely on my eldest brother’s legacy to inherit the Duke of Dingguo’s Mansion and live as a carefree duke? You might think that’s for the best. But every time I remember my eldest brother’s tragic death, the humiliation my third and fourth brothers endured, I can’t sleep at night. I may not be able to avenge them, but I refuse to let my eldest brother have a worthless younger brother who does nothing but idle away his life!”

He fixed his gaze on Song Mo, resolute.

Song Mo gave a bitter smile. “I underestimated you, Fifth Uncle.”

Jiang Bosun laughed heartily and patted Song Mo’s shoulder. “You didn’t underestimate me. It’s just that over the years, you’ve gradually taken on the responsibility of supporting the family and gotten used to looking after others. Back then, my sister worried you’d be spoiled, but in the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into such a capable man. If she knew in the afterlife, I wonder if she’d feel more comfort or heartache.”

Song Mo smiled faintly.

Jiang Bosun continued, “But your wife is truly remarkable. If your grandmother were still alive, she’d be overjoyed! As the saying goes, a good wife is half the blessing. You must cherish her.”

Song Mo’s face flushed slightly as he replied sheepishly, “I treat her well.”

“Seeing how you’ve had two children in three years, I’d say you’re doing just fine.” Jiang Bosun’s demeanor suddenly shifted back to that of the Capital’s famed charming gentleman.

Song Mo’s expression darkened like the bottom of a pot, and he quickly changed the subject. “Since you’ve decided to return to Liaodong, Uncle, it’s best to discuss it with Aunt soon. And as for Cousin Lizhu, she should come and pay her respects to you before you leave.”

Back then, Jiang Meisun and the others were in Fujian, while Jiang Bosun remained in the Capital. His cheerful personality and care for his nieces and nephews made him well-liked among the younger generation.

“I’ll definitely see them before I leave,” Fifth Uncle said. “The Wu family is decent too. If you can help them, do so.”

Song Mo nodded. “With the Imperial Bodyguard’s office completely purged this time, there are plenty of vacancies. I already had Yuan Ge’er’s mother pass a message to Lizhu a couple of days ago. No matter which position the Wu family has their eyes on, it shouldn’t be a problem.” At this point, he remembered the “matchmaker” between him and Dou Zhao and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Fifth Uncle, that child is still with the Tan family. When do you think we should bring him back?”

Jiang Bosun pondered for a long moment before replying, “Let him stay with the Tans. Being born into our family might not be a blessing. His mother is already gone. If he can grow up safely, marry, and have children, that’s enough. His mother would surely agree with my decision.”

Noble families enjoyed prestige but also bore great risks. The Jiang family was not yet entirely out of danger, so it was better for the child to remain with the Tans. At most, he would keep a closer eye on him in the future.He stopped bringing up the matter of children.

Jiang Bosun asked about Song Han, "How do you plan to deal with him?"

Since Liao Wang's affairs were kept secret, Song Han's charges naturally couldn't be established.

"I plan to send him to the Northwest Camp," Song Mo said tactfully. "Jiang Yi might be transferred there as Assistant Prefect."

"That's excellent!" Jiang Bosun exclaimed. "Though the Northwest Camp is tough, the position of Assistant Prefect is a third-rank post. That boy Jiang Yi is getting quite the opportunity."

Song Mo chuckled.

Jiang Bosun sighed and said, "When you think about it, I practically raised him from childhood. Who would have imagined things would turn out like this?"

Song Mo hesitated for a moment before asking, "Fifth Uncle, do you know why Father hated Mother so much?"

Jiang Bosun replied helplessly, "It was because your mother was too capable, making him feel inferior! Before our family fell from grace, your father and mother would argue like any other couple, but they could always be reconciled with a little mediation. Neither I nor your maternal grandmother ever suspected your father harbored such deep hatred for your mother. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have fallen into his trap."

Song Mo felt a pang of sorrow.

Jiang Bosun's expression darkened as he shifted the conversation to the situation in Liaodong.

※※

The Wu family received the news and deliberated for a long time. They concluded that since the Imperial Bodyguards had a fearsome reputation, joining the Golden Guard would be a better option.

Jiang Lizhu came to relay the message to Dou Zhao, bringing along several small jars of pickles personally made by Madam Wu. "They're great with rice," she said. "Sister-in-law, eat just a little—it’ll whet your appetite."

Dou Zhao enjoyed this kind of familial exchange and sent a jar to Jiang Yan. She also informed Jiang Lizhu about Jiang Bosun recuperating at home and apologized, "Earlier, we didn’t know the Emperor and Crown Prince’s intentions, so we couldn’t mention it to you."

Jiang Lizhu was both surprised and delighted. "Please don’t worry about it, Sister-in-law. Our family has always been involved in military campaigns. One moment, the men are eating, and the next, they’re leaving their bowls to receive an imperial decree. Who returns to the Capital and who remains on the battlefield—these are things we can’t ask about or discuss. The women in our family are used to it."

Her words were somewhat exaggerated but not entirely unfounded.

Dou Zhao felt relieved and smilingly took Jiang Lizhu to meet Jiang Bosun.

Jiang Bosun was overjoyed to see Jiang Lizhu and even teased her a little before the two caught up on each other’s lives.

Dou Zhao had her personal maid, Ruo Zhu, serve them tea.

They talked until lunchtime, and Jiang Lizhu stayed to share the meal with Jiang Bosun before leaving.

The next day, she sent over daily necessities like clothes, shoes, and socks.

Wu Liang even specially brought Wu Zijie to visit Jiang Bosun.

For a while, the household became quite lively.

Dou Zhao grew slightly concerned and asked Song Mo, "Is this all right?"

The Emperor planned to reside long-term in the Western Garden Palace, and the Crown Prince wanted to renovate it. However, the Empress had been diverting resources from the Emperor’s treasury to support Liao Wang over the years, leaving no funds available. They had no choice but to draw from the Ministry of Revenue’s budget. But the Ministry, already strained by river projects and floods in the south, had no spare funds for palace renovations. The Crown Prince closed his eyes to the problem and handed the task to Song Mo.

Song Mo then invited a retired former Vice Minister of Revenue to the Capital to audit the accounts.

The Ministry of Revenue panicked and managed to scrape together the renovation funds within half a month. From then on, its officials began avoiding Song Mo whenever they saw him.

Dou Zhao knew nothing of all this.Song Mo smiled and said, "Fifth Uncle plans to take this opportunity to return to Haozhou to visit our grandmother's grave. After the Mid-Autumn Festival in Haozhou, he'll set off for Liaodong. Even if there's any commotion, it'll only last these couple of days—nothing serious."

Mentioning the Mid-Autumn Festival reminded Dou Zhao of Miao Shi. She asked, "When is Song Han leaving? Should we bring Miao Shi back after he's gone?"

Song Mo had already decided to send Song Han to the Northwest Camp. Knowing him as she did, Dou Zhao was certain there was more to this plan. Even if Song Han managed to keep his life, he would never set foot in the Capital again. The residence at Four Lane Alley had been given to Song Han by Song Yichun, and Miao Ansu was his lawful wife. With Song Han away, it was only right for Miao Ansu to live there. Would Song Yichun dare to reclaim the property?

That would be letting Song Yichun off too easily!

Song Mo chuckled, "You decide."

Dou Zhao sent a message to Miao Ansu.

Miao Ansu found it strange and asked the messenger, "How did Second Master agree to go to the Northwest Camp?"

The old woman, not knowing the details and fearing Dou Zhao's strict discipline, claimed ignorance and left it at that.

Not daring to press further, Miao Ansu said she needed time to think and would respond to Dou Zhao later. She rewarded the messenger with a tael of silver and dismissed her. Alone by the window on the heated brick bed, she pondered the message until dinner, still visibly distracted.

Ji Hong noticed and asked what was wrong.

Miao Ansu shared Dou Zhao's suggestion, puzzled. "What does Madam mean by this? Could it be that Second Master might never return?"

Ji Hong thought for a moment. "Second Master used to be close to Prince Liao's Residence. Could this be related to Prince Liao? The Young Lord doesn’t seem to like him much."

Living in the secluded courtyard and being women, they were neither concerned with nor aware of outside events.

Miao Ansu's heart raced.

Had Song Han done something to offend Song Mo, leading to his exile to the Northwest Camp, possibly never to return?

She paced restlessly half the night and went to The Duke of England's Mansion early the next morning.

Dou Zhao didn’t hide anything and told her the whole story.

Miao Ansu gasped, taking a while to recover. "He truly reaps what he sows!" she exclaimed in horror.

Dou Zhao said, "That property is still yours. Though the farmstead is nice, it’s not as convenient as the city. Moving back would be for the best now that it’s possible."

Miao Ansu clenched her teeth, suddenly kneeling before Dou Zhao.

Startled, Dou Zhao hurriedly had Ruo Zhu help her up.

Miao Ansu refused, tears in her eyes. "Sister-in-law, I have a request!"

"Whatever it is, rise first," Dou Zhao said, sensing what was coming. She dismissed the servants to speak privately.

"I want to accuse Song Han of adultery with his stepmother!" Her eyes blazed with fury. "I want him ruined and dead!"

Dou Zhao had expected a request for divorce.

Stunned, she replied, "That charge won’t hold. First, the Duke has no concubines. Second, Du Ruo and the others are gone. Baseless accusations will only anger the Duke and harm you."Who would have thought Miao Ansu would raise her eyebrows with a smile and say, "Precisely because those people are all gone now, I can accuse Song Han of adultery with his stepmother!" As she spoke, she knelt before Dou Zhao again. "Sister-in-law, this time you must help me no matter what. I'd rather die than be associated with Song Han in any way."