Song Yichun proved to be even more ruthless and shameless than Song Mo and Dou Zhao had imagined.
Song Mo spent a day considering the matter and planned to speak with Song Yichun again about Song Han’s situation the next day. However, when he went to Xiangxi Courtyard the following morning, Song Yichun had already gone to the palace.
“Did the Duke go alone?” Song Mo frowned. “Has Master Tao set a departure date?”
He was greeted by Huang Qing, the chief steward of Duke Ying’s manor. He respectfully replied, “The Duke is accompanied by Zeng Wu. Master Tao will depart after the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Song Mo nodded and returned to Yizhi Hall. He said to Dou Zhao, “The weather is getting cooler. Since it’s nice out and you’re not too far along in your pregnancy, let’s take Yuan’er to visit Grandmother.”
He greatly admired his grandmother’s composure and dignity, which increased his respect for the old lady.
Dou Zhao asked curiously, “Is it because the Duke doesn’t want to go to the palace to discuss Song Han’s matter?”
“No,” Song Mo replied expressionlessly. “Father went to the palace early this morning.”
He couldn’t quite describe the feeling in his heart, but he didn’t want to see Song Yichun.
Dou Zhao, however, seemed to understand vaguely.
As a father, Song Yichun showed no paternal affection towards either Song Mo or Song Han. Deep down, Song Mo felt disappointed in him.
She also knew that the laughter of children and the love of a grandmother could provide Song Mo with a touch of warmth.
Dou Zhao loudly instructed Ruo Tong, and the maids and servants bustled about happily packing things. Yuan’er ran in and out, creating a warm and lively atmosphere in the house.
Song Mo’s expression gradually softened.
Dou Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and smiled as she returned to the alley behind the temple with Song Mo and Yuan’er.
Ji Lingze was also there.
She had personally made seven or eight sets of autumn clothes for Grandmother. Seeing that the weather was nice today, she brought her maid to visit Grandmother.
When Dou Zhao and the others arrived, she was helping Grandmother wash her hair.
Grandmother was overjoyed, her face never ceased smiling.
Song Mo quietly teased her, “See? You’ve fallen out of favor!”
Dou Zhao was happy to have someone take such good care of Grandmother. She snorted, “I’m the grand-aunt, how can I be compared to my sisters-in-law!”
A grand-aunt returning to her maiden home was a guest, while a daughter-in-law was responsible for being filial to her parents-in-law.
Song Mo chuckled.
Yuan’er ran over and said, “Great-grandmother, great-grandmother, let me massage your shoulders!”
“Oh my!” Grandmother exclaimed with delight. “Our Yuan’er even knows how to massage shoulders.”
Ji Lingze smiled gently, bringing a stool and placing it behind Grandmother, then helping Yuan’er stand on it.
Yuan’er used his little hands to pat Grandmother’s back, saying, “My father massages my mother’s shoulders. When they do it, they send me away.”
Everyone froze, looking at Song Mo whose face had turned bright red. They wanted to laugh but didn’t dare, lowering their heads and trying to hold it in.
“What’s going on here?” Dou Shiyinghad heard that Song Mo and his wife had brought Yuan’er to the alley behind the temple, so he brought Dou Dechang along. As he entered, he saw everyone looking as if their throats had been squeezed. He asked curiously, “Did I miss something?”
“You didn’t miss anything,” Grandmother said, smiling. “Didn’t you say you had something to do today? Why did you come? Have you had breakfast? Red-made sweet potato porridge today, would you like some?”
Dou Shiying was confused but went along with Grandmother’s words: “I’ve already eaten. I heard Yangtang was here, so I came to see. I’ll head out again later.” He then said to Song Mo, “Xu Zhiyi has been appointed as Right Remonstrator in the Ministry of Works. He’s inviting us for a meal today.”
Song Mo quickly said, “Father-in-law, are you close with Xu Zhiyi? I have some business in the Ministry of Works. When it’s convenient, could you introduce me to this Xu Zhiyi?”
“Of course!” Dou Shiying smiled. “Why don’t you come with me for drinks today? He’s quite easy to talk to.”
“I’ll pass for today. I want to spend some time talking with Grandmother,” Song Mo said, pulling Dou Shiying aside to speak privately.
Dou Dechang scratched his head, looking confused: “What exactly happened? Why does Yangtang seem a bit uncomfortable?”
“It’s nothing,” Ji Lingze glanced at Dou Zhao, who was lowering her head to drink tea and decided to quietly tell Dou Dechang about this incident when they got home, letting her husband share in Dou Zhao and Song Mo’s embarrassment.
Seeing Grandmother gesture for Yuan’er to stop patting, she smiled and picked him up, saying, “Our Yuan’er is so good. Grandmother’s massage is done, and you must be tired too. Let your uncle take you to play.”
Grandmother grabbed a handful of candy for Yuan’er, smiling as she instructed him: “Come back to Grandmother’s room after you play for a while. Grandmother has many more treats!”
Yuan’er nodded with a smile, and Dou Dechang put him on his shoulders and went to the garden in the back.
Ji Lingze nudged Dou Zhao and smiled, “That scarlet dress you wore last time was beautiful. Whose handiwork was it? I’d like to have one made for the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Seeing her serious expression but mischievous eyes, Dou Zhao’s face immediately turned red. She said, “Are you telling lies with a straight face?”
Ji Lingze couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into laughter.
Dou Zhao was embarrassed and angry. She put on a stern face and ignored Ji Lingze.
“This child!” Grandmother chided. “It’s a good thing for you and your husband to be affectionate. Why are you upset?” This made Dou Zhao’s face turn as red as the morning sun.
Ji Lingze put her arm around Dou Zhao’s shoulders and said with a smile, “Alright, alright, don’t be angry. I brought some newly made osmanthus honey. Let’s go make some tangyuan.”
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile, feeling that she had been a bit stubborn earlier and had almost put Ji Lingze in an awkward position. Fortunately, Ji Lingze was broad-minded and didn’t take these things to heart.
She bashfully followed Ji Lingze to the kitchen.
When they returned home that evening, Yan Chaoqin was waiting for them at the gate of Duke Ying’s manor.
Both Song Mo and Dou Zhao were secretly surprised.
Yan Chaoqin approached with a bitter smile, saying, “The Duke returned at noon and has been sending someone every half hour to ask if you’ve returned…”
Before leaving, Song Mo had instructed Yan Chaoqin to say he didn’t know where he had gone unless it was a matter from the palace.
Dou Zhao and Song Mo exchanged glances upon hearing this.
Song Mo said in a low voice, “You take the child back first. I’ll go see what he wants.”
Dou Zhao nodded and returned to Yizhi Hall. She had just finished washing up when Chen Qushui requested an audience.
“I noticed that after the Duke returned from the palace, he sent people to the homes of several gentlemen from the Song family,” he speculated. “He might have decided to open the ancestral hall.”
So quickly?
The matter had been dragged out for several years, and now it was resolved just like that.
Dou Zhao felt a sense of unreality.
About half an hour later, Song Mo returned.
His expression didn’t reveal joy or anger, but he didn’t seem as calm and composed as usual. Instead, he appeared strange.
Dou Zhao quickly asked, “What did the Duke want?”
“He’s decided to open the ancestral hall early tomorrow morning,” Song Mo said, his voice heavy with fatigue. “To expel Song Han from the Duke Ying’s clan.”
Seeing this, Chen Qushui exchanged a glance with Dou Zhao and quietly withdrew.
Dou Zhao gently embraced his waist and let out a long sigh.
Song Mo said dejectedly, “He wants my death, shows no mercy to Song Han, and cares even less about mother. I truly want to cut open his heart and see if it’s red or black.”
This must be his anger from his previous life as well.
Dou Zhao pressed her face against his back and said softly, “I only know that Song Yangtang is the person who treats me the best in this world.”
Song Mo smiled and turned to embrace Dou Zhao.
Maids and servants quietly laughed as they lit the lanterns under the eaves. Yuan’er’s footsteps could be heard running along the corridor, along with the wet nurse’s anxious calls and the kitchen granny’s soft voice asking Ruo Tong and others if they wanted a late-night snack. All these sounds intertwined, somewhat noisy but full of vibrant life, filling Song Mo’s heart to the brim.
He smiled and released Dou Zhao, taking her hand and saying, “Come, let’s go watch the servants light the lamps.”
As the lamps were lit, everything became bright, warming his heart.
Dou Zhao smiled slightly and followed Song Mo out of the hall.
That night, Song Mo not only sent for Miao Ansu from the countryside estate but also invited Uncle Miao, Father Miao, and Miao Anping.
“Song Han is unfilial. Father has reported to the Emperor and wants to expel him from the family,” he said, meeting with the Miao family in the small study. “Madam Miao has done no wrong. I intend to have Madam Miao divorce Song Han first, then the Song family will open the ancestral hall.”
The Miao family members looked at each other in astonishment.
After a while, Uncle Miao coughed and asked, “What about our Sixth Miss’s daily expenses in the future?”
Miao Anping, however, shuddered.
Although he usually didn’t do good deeds, he hadn’t committed any major sins either. None of his acquaintances would casually take someone’s life. When he was beaten severely, he didn’t understand at the time, but afterward, he saw some clues and realized how far apart the Miao family was from the Song family — they could kill someone without consequences. If he had beaten a commoner, he would immediately be reported to the authorities, face legal charges, and be fined, with no room for leniency.
“Uncle,” he hurriedly said, “What are you saying? The Second Young Master is being expelled from the family, yet the Young Master has specially called us to discuss the divorce of the Sixth Miss. How could the Young Master not have considered the Sixth Miss’s future life? We should just listen to the Young Master. It won’t be wrong.”
Father Miao glared at his son.
He had just been stunned by the news of the divorce, but once he came to his senses, he was calculating how to get some money from the Song family. Once his daughter had no more connection to the Song family, they could no longer expect any benefits!
Miao Anping, however, didn’t want his father to ruin his plans. He glared back at his father and said, “Young Master, we’ll do as you say. My uncle and father are old and worried about the Sixth Miss not having support in the future, so they might say some inappropriate things. Please don’t take offense, Young Master.”
After being beaten once, he’s become more sensible.
Song Mo thought to himself, choosing to ignore Uncle Miao and Father Miao, and said to Miao Anping, “All of Song Han’s properties will belong to Madam Miao. In the future, their marriages and lives will be separate. What do you think?”
The Miao family had expected the Song family to give at most a few hundred or thousand taels of silver to settle Madam Miao. Hearing this, they were overjoyed and hastily agreed.
Song Mo arranged for them to stay in the Four Lanes and then went to see Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao said to Qixia, “Since the Duke insists on opening the ancestral hall, I had to ask you to come. Fortunately, there are no outsiders, so you don’t need to be afraid!”
Qixia’s face was covered in tears, but she dared not cry out loud.
She knelt and kowtowed to Dou Zhao, refusing to get up despite Miao Ansu’s attempts to pull her up: “Madam, thank you for letting me testify. I’ve dreamed of seeing the Second Young Master’s expression when he realizes everyone has turned against him.”