Blossom

In Song Mo's study, Lu Ming was speaking softly to him: "...Only a few who usually sweep and water the plants in Cassia Fragrance Courtyard were released, especially Chang Guard and Zeng Wu. I personally threw their bodies into the river, with the silver notes and bundles still on them. Even if discovered, it would only appear as accidental drowning—no suspicion would arise. As for Tao Qizhong, he supposedly died of illness on his journey home due to exhaustion from travel."

Song Mo had always trusted Lu Ming's competence.

He nodded slightly and smiled, "I have nothing else for you here. What are your plans? Joining the Imperial Bodyguard or the Divine Machine Battalion wouldn’t be difficult. Wuyi followed Zhao Liangbi into trade, but your temperament doesn’t seem suited for business."

Lu Ming chuckled awkwardly. "I’d rather stay in the mansion like Master Duan."

The Young Lord always needed someone to handle unsavory tasks, and Lu Ming had grown accustomed to this role. He had no desire to join a military garrison and be constrained by others.

Song Mo indeed couldn’t do without him. Since Lu Ming insisted, he didn’t press further and dropped the matter.

A few days later, the imperial decree arrived.

Gu Yu was betrothed to Princess Jingtai.

The Duke of Xingguo sought Princess Jingyi’s hand for his third son.

When the news reached Dou Zhao, she smiled faintly.

No wonder the Duke of Xingguo’s household became the foremost among the nobility after the fall of the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion. It seemed they had also sensed Liao Wang’s schemes—otherwise, they wouldn’t have refused their son’s betrothal to Princess Jingyi earlier.

Now that Liao Wang had failed, the Emperor still cherished Empress Wan’s memory and pitied Princess Jingyi, while the Crown Prince was troubled by the matter. By proactively seeking the princess’s hand, the Duke of Xingguo positioned himself as easing the sovereign’s burden.

Noting that Princess Jingyi’s wedding was set for the tenth of September and Gu Yu’s for the twelfth, Dou Zhao discussed with Song Mo, "Should we increase the congratulatory gift to the Duke of Xingguo’s household beyond the usual amount?"

Song Mo, now recognizing the Duke of Xingguo’s shrewdness, pondered and replied, "Let’s add thirty percent."

Dou Zhao relayed the order.

Song Mo then inquired about Gu Yu’s wedding preparations: "Any news from the Yunyang Earl’s household?"

Though Gu Yu was still en route from Tianjin to the Capital, the Yunyang Earl’s household had already received the decree, and relatives had flocked to offer congratulations. Dou Zhao had visited them that morning.

"Ever since Cui Yijun delivered the message to the Yunyang Earl’s household, Gu Yu’s stepmother has wilted like frostbitten eggplant, feigning illness in bed," she said with a laugh. "The preparations are now overseen by Gu Yu’s second aunt, who appears quite astute. Everything for the wedding is of the finest quality."

Since the expenses came from the family coffers, she neither gained nor lost by being frugal. Splurging to ensure a splendid event would earn her a reputation for virtue.

Song Mo sighed in relief. "I was prepared to step in if things were mishandled, to save face for him."

Dou Zhao knew Gu Yu weighed heavily on Song Mo’s mind and reassured him, "It seems Gu Yu is blessed, always encountering good fortune at critical moments."

Song Mo smiled and nodded.

Upon returning to the Capital, Gu Yu went straight to the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion before heading home.

The moment he saw Song Mo, he knelt and clutched his legs, weeping uncontrollably.

Song Mo vowed, "Empress Wan’s death was truly not the Crown Prince’s doing!"Gu Yu nodded tearfully and said, "I know. She's so strong-willed—how could she bear to spend the rest of her life under someone else's scrutiny? It just breaks my heart that she ended up like this."

Dou Zhao suddenly felt a faint understanding of Gu Yu from her past life.

Empress Wan and Liao Wang had succeeded. Yet, he was equally unhappy.

Dou Zhao’s eyes grew slightly moist as she thought of his proud nature. His marriage in her past life had been fraught with difficulties, and now in this life, he was marrying a princess. She wondered if he saw it as a humiliation. She wanted to comfort him but didn’t know where to begin, so she could only sigh softly before turning to ask a maid to brew Gu Yu’s favorite jasmine tea.

After Gu Yu’s wedding, Dou Zhao and Song Mo hosted a banquet at their home to entertain him and Princess Jingyi.

Princess Jingyi had an oval face, almond-shaped eyes, and a delicate figure—she was truly beautiful. While sitting in the Reception Hall drinking tea with Dou Zhao, she would occasionally glance outside at Gu Yu, who was chatting with Song Mo.

Dou Zhao’s worries finally eased.

Princess Jingyi smiled and said, "You were afraid I’d put on airs in front of my cousin, weren’t you?"

Dou Zhao hadn’t expected Princess Jingyi to refer to Gu Yu as "cousin," following Princess Jingyi’s example, nor had she anticipated the princess’s candid and straightforward nature. Her cheeks flushed slightly.

Princess Jingyi, however, didn’t seem to mind. Gazing at Gu Yu outside, she said softly, "You might not know this, but Cousin used to visit the palace often when we were children. Though his words can be sharp, his heart is kind. I break out in rashes if I eat almonds. Empress Wan, as the mother of the realm, naturally wouldn’t remember such trivial matters. My mother, though skilled in social graces, was merely a concubine with no powerful family backing or sons to rely on. In the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, she always wore a smile. Once, when my mother took me to pay respects to Empress Wan, the Empress had someone serve me freshly made almond milk. I didn’t dare refuse. But Cousin snatched the cup from my hands, saying he was thirsty, and had the maids bring me Longjing tea instead. After that, whenever I visited the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the almond milk Empress Wan offered me was replaced with soy milk..." Her voice grew quieter as she lowered her lashes. "For that, I’ll always be grateful to him. I’ll always respect him..."

There was one thing no one knew.

When her mother began worrying about her marriage prospects, she had secretly prayed to the Matchmaker, hoping Empress Wan would be merciful and betroth her to Gu Yu... She vowed to be as virtuous as Princess Yongping of Yongcheng.

Dou Zhao was stunned.

Wasn’t this a stroke of serendipity?

After seeing Gu Yu and his wife off, she recounted the story to Song Mo and asked curiously, "Do you think Gu Yu remembers this?"

"I don’t know," Song Mo replied, also finding the matter quite amusing. "Gu Yu only thinks Princess Jingyi is as capable as Consort Shu. Apparently, within days of her arrival, all of Gu’s relatives were singing her praises. Some even suggested she take over managing the household affairs of the Yunyang Marquisate. Gu Yu’s stepmother could no longer feign illness and hurriedly claimed she had recovered, demanding the authority back. But Princess Jingyi persuaded the Marquis with just a few words, and Gu Yu’s second aunt continued overseeing the household. Now, his second aunt is incredibly fond of Jingyi, consulting her on everything and effectively sidelining Gu Yu’s stepmother."

Dou Zhao widened her eyes. "Then Gu Yu must be overjoyed?""Mm!" Song Mo smiled. "He realized that his previous confrontational approach toward his stepmother was indeed too simplistic and crude—no wonder others looked down on him."

Perhaps this was the kind of wife Gu Yu needed?

Dou Zhao chuckled softly.

Song Luo entered hurriedly with an odd expression. "Young Lord, Madam, the heir of the Marquess of Huichang, Shen Qing, is here to visit."

Shen Qing?

Dou Zhao and Song Mo exchanged puzzled glances.

What was he here for?

Song Mo went to the reception hall.

The moment Shen Qing saw him, he abandoned his teacup and rushed over. "Yantang, save me! My father wants to send me to the Western Hills Camp. Find a way to get me into the Imperial Bodyguard or the Divine Machine Battalion instead! I’ll owe you a favor—I’ll do anything you ask in the future!"

Song Mo rubbed his temples. "The Western Hills Camp isn’t bad. I have an acquaintance there. I’ll write you a letter of introduction, and he’ll look out for you—"

"Yantang, Yantang!" Shen Qing interrupted, tugging at Song Mo’s sleeve. "Even if your friend is an assistant prefect there, can he exempt me from drills? You can’t just stand by and watch me suffer. Am I really less important than Gu Yu? You helped him so much—why can’t you help me too?"

Song Mo’s heart skipped a beat. "How did I help Gu Yu?"

Shen Qing muttered, "If not for you, would Cui Yijun have stepped in to relay a message to the Marquess of Yunyang’s household? You have no idea—Gu Yu’s stepmother has been groveling before my mother, hoping my cousin would support her son. But now that my mother knows the Crown Prince favors Gu Yu, she refuses to see his stepmother at all. Otherwise, that woman wouldn’t have backed down so easily!"

This was the first time Song Mo had heard of this.

Shen Qing pressed, "Will you help me or not? If you do, I’ll make sure my mother keeps Gu Yu’s stepmother in line!"

Song Mo replied, "Even without you, Jingtai could handle Gu Yu’s mother."

Shen Qing slumped into a chair in disappointment.

Amused and exasperated, Song Mo asked, "Do you really hate the Western Hills Camp that much?"

"Yes!" Shen Qing grimaced. "We’re just imperial relatives—we should enjoy our peaceful, comfortable lives. Why compete with the nobility for merit? My father’s blinded by ambition and doesn’t know his limits."

Song Mo’s eyes gleamed thoughtfully. "Since you feel that way, I’ll try to help."

Shen Qing leaped up. "You’ll do it?"

Song Mo smiled. "I only said I’d try."

"Ah, my father will definitely listen to you!" Shen Qing exclaimed happily. "He admires you the most—saying how you dared to kill your own guards and display their bodies in the courtyard, calling it the mark of true nobility..." He suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth, then added cautiously, "I was just rambling. Pretend you didn’t hear that."

Song Mo punched Shen Qing’s shoulder. "Go do whatever you’re supposed to be doing!"

"Right, right!" Shen Qing scurried away like a gust of wind.

The next day, Song Mo visited the Marquess of Huichang’s residence.

No one knew what was discussed, but Shen Qing’s assignment to the Western Hills Camp was quietly shelved.

Overjoyed, Shen Qing sent two cartloads of gifts.

Yet within days, the Marquess of Huichang tossed him into the Fujian General Military Headquarters as a guerrilla general.Shen Qing, his face livid with anger, stormed into the Hall of Cultivating Will to confront Song Mo: "You went back on your word! Return all the gifts I gave you. I bought those with my own private savings!"

Song Mo's expression remained indifferent as he raised an eyebrow and instructed Chen He, "Return everything Young Master Shen sent over."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing squatted on the ground and began to cry: "I don't want the things back! I want you to get me into the Imperial Bodyguard!"

Song Mo had Chen He "escort" Shen Qing out along with his belongings.

Dou Zhao asked him, "Is this appropriate? Though Shen Qing has a childish temperament, children do grow up eventually."

"I have my own plans for this matter," Song Mo said mysteriously, stroking her belly. "Is the baby behaving?"

"It turns over every afternoon, but otherwise stays lazily still."

The couple smiled as they spoke of their unborn child, their eyes filled with joy.

Soon, the wind carried a biting chill.

The Duke of England's Mansion began preparations for Dou Zhao's delivery. Even the Crown Princess personally visited the Hall of Cultivating Will to see Dou Zhao.

Suddenly, news spread through the Capital.

Huichang Bo recommended Wang Xingyi, the Governor of Yunnan, to become the Governor of Fujian.

Though the rank remained unchanged, the position held more substantial power.

Dou Zhao gazed at the withered yellow leaves, slightly dazed.

Song Mo smiled as he draped a fur coat over her shoulders, asking, "Feeling a bit unsettled?"

Dou Zhao nodded.

Song Mo chuckled. "It was my suggestion to Huichang Bo."

Dou Zhao was stunned.

Song Mo gently held her hand and said warmly, "I know that in terms of personal virtue, Wang Yousheng is utterly lacking. But in terms of capability, he is indeed talented. During all those years you struggled fiercely with Wang Shi, you never targeted Wang Yousheng—simply because you saw he could still serve the country and its people. But I don't want you to be unhappy. By recommending him to Huichang Bo and placing Shen Qing in the Fujian Regional Military Commission, I intend for Wang Yousheng to pave the way for Shen Qing, letting him taste the bitterness of having his achievements stolen with no recourse..." His expression turned cold by the end. "Huichang Bo wants to elevate his family's status and have Shen Qing earn a noble title through merit. Since Wang Yousheng is so adept at warfare and keeps winning battles, let him do Huichang Bo a favor. I'm sure the Emperor will remember his contributions."

Everyone, including Dou Zhao, knew exactly what kind of person Shen Qing was.

This way, as long as Shen Qing wanted to advance in his career, Wang Xingyi would be unable to leave his side—forcing him to serve the nation while remaining perpetually overshadowed by Shen Qing.

Dou Zhao's eyes immediately brightened.

"Yantang!" She cupped his face and planted a firm kiss on his lips. "You're amazing!"

Song Mo smiled faintly. "Feeling better now?"

Dou Zhao pursed her lips, gazing at Song Mo with sparkling eyes.

In Song Mo's study, palace lanterns cast a soft glow over the vermilion Chicken-wing wood desk.

The news of Ding Wei's death from overeating lay steadily beneath the bluestone paperweight.

(The End)