Dou Ming failed to notice Han Shi’s unusual behavior. She was intently listening to Song Mo, who was conversing with Dou Shishu and others from behind a screen.

“… At that time, Father wanted to ask Lord Yu to be my tutor, but Lord Yu repeatedly declined, refusing to agree,” Song Mo said with a smile. “As luck would have it, we encountered the Emperor at the Hanlin Academy that day. Seeing Father’s exasperated state, the Emperor inquired about the situation. Father, still fuming, complained bitterly about Lord Yu.

The Emperor laughed heartily and called Lord Yu a ‘stubborn mule,’ saying it would be better to find another wise teacher rather than let him turn me into a little stubborn mule. Duke Zhongyi happened to be accompanying the Emperor, so His Majesty appointed him as my tutor. From then on, I entered the palace at the Hour of the Tiger and left at the Hour of the Rooster, studying alongside the Crown Prince and several other princes. It wasn’t until I was ten when Duke Zhongyi retired due to illness, that I could finally enjoy a full night’s sleep.”

His tone was light and cheerful, without a hint of dissatisfaction. Instead, it carried a touch of nostalgia and regret, causing Dou Shishu and the others to nod approvingly, feeling that this was the proper attitude towards learning.

“I was wondering how you became Duke Zhongyi’s disciple,” Dou Shiheng said with a laugh. “So that’s how it happened! It was truly your good fortune.” He then inquired about the Crown Prince and the other princes, “… How is their scholarship?”

Song Mo, reluctant to evaluate them, simply smiled and said, “They’re somewhat better than me.”

As Dou Shiheng was about to ask more, Dou Shishu, feeling it wasn’t the right time to discuss such matters, smoothly changed the subject to Yu Li, who was now the Chief Academician of the Hanlin Academy. “… Your father certainly had a good eye. Lord Yu’s scholarship is first-rate, but his temperament is equally stubborn. The Emperor appointing him to oversee the compilation of the ‘Wenhua Daxun’ is truly putting the right talent to use.”

The conversation then shifted to praising the Emperor’s ability to recognize talent. Dou Shiheng even remarked, “Lord Yu is getting on in years and his energy is waning. I’ve heard that the Emperor intends to replace him as the head of the ‘Wenhua Daxun’ compilation. Given Lord Yu’s personality, although he might be displeased, he would certainly agree if the Emperor requested it. I wonder who will take over as Chief Academician of the Hanlin Academy?”

Dou Shiying had heard this rumor as well and joked, “Well, with our seniority, that position of Chief Academician certainly won’t fall to us!”

Dou Shishu, hearing this rumor for the first time, furrowed his brow and asked, “Where did you hear this?”

Dou Shiheng laughed, “The source is untraceable, but it’s all over the Hanlin Academy.”

Faced with his two outspoken brothers, Dou Shishu couldn’t help but massage his temples.

If the position of Chief Academician of the Hanlin Academy were based solely on seniority, what about those senior Hanlin scholars with even more experience than the current Chief Academician?

Looking at Dou Wenchang and the others sitting at the nearby table, listening intently to their conversation, Dou Shishu hesitated to speak further.

Noticing this, Song Mo smiled slightly and said, “It’s probably because of the Emperor’s recent audience with Lord Yu. I heard that Lord Yu suffers from rheumatism, which has been worsening in recent years. His left pinky finger can no longer straighten. The Emperor, considering Lord Yu’s advancing age, exempted him from attending grand court sessions. That’s likely how these rumors started.” He added teasingly, “Writing books and establishing one’s ideas is a lifelong honor for scholars, especially a book that the Emperor himself will preface and publish! Even if Lord Yu is known for his integrity and lack of desire for power, he’s unlikely to retire at this juncture! Father-in-law and Sixth Uncle needn’t rush to prepare retirement gifts!”

Dou Shiying laughed heartily, “Well said!”

Dou Shiheng couldn’t help but look at Song Mo with admiration.

Dou Shishu’s eyes lit up as he stroked his beard and smiled.

Wei Tingyu sat to the side, unable to contribute to the conversation.

Dou Zhao, Aunt, and Zhao Zhangru were also paying close attention to the conversation on the other side of the screen.

Aunt breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Zhao Zhangru, however, winked at Dou Zhao and whispered, “This son-in-law Uncle found for you is quite impressive!”

Even with her two lifetimes of experience, Dou Zhao couldn’t help but blush. She placed a spring roll in Zhao Zhangru’s bowl and chided, “Your favorite foods still can’t keep your mouth shut!”

Zhao Zhangru giggled quietly.

Dou Ming’s face, however, had turned pale.

After lunch, Dou Zhao and Song Mo were to pay their respects to the Second Madame, who, being a widow, couldn’t attend such occasions and remained at Locust Tree Alley.

The Fifth Madame naturally accompanied them. Dou Shiying, recalling that the Second Madame had strongly advocated for Dou Zhao’s marriage to the Ji family, decided to go along in case she gave Song Mo a cold reception, so he could smooth things over. Dou Shiheng thought that since Dou Zhao was visiting her maiden home on the third day after her wedding, and they had all taken leave, they might as well take the opportunity to visit their mother. This meant that Ji Shi would also have to go to pay her respects… Dou Shishu simply suggested that everyone have dinner at Locust Tree Alley: “It’s rare for us all to be together. Let’s make Mother happy!”

The large group set off in the rain for Locust Tree Alley.

The Second Madame, anxious about Dou Shiying’s firm stance on Dou Zhao’s marriage, wasn’t sure if Dou Zhao would bring her husband to pay respects. She waited restlessly at home. Suddenly seeing the large group arrive, she was overjoyed. Especially upon seeing Song Mo, who stood out like a pearl among pebbles, she couldn’t hide her surprise. She glanced at Dou Zhao, then at Song Mo, her expression dimming slightly as she inwardly heaved a long sigh.

If she were Dou Shiying, wouldn’t she also hold onto Song Mo and never let go?

The Fifth Madame, fearing the Second Madame might say something to spoil the atmosphere, quickly helped her onto the large kang by the window and instructed Aunt Liu to bring over some kneeling cushions: “The Fourth Son-in-law and Fourth Young Mistress are about to kowtow to the Madame!”

Aunt Liu had already prepared everything. Before the Fifth Madame finished speaking, she was smiling and placing the cushions in front of the Second Madame.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo kowtowed to the Second Madame.

The Second Madame presented them with a pair of glass cups as a welcoming gift.

To outsiders, these glass cups might seem rare, but to the Dou family, who were related by marriage to the Ji family, they were merely valuable. However, in the eyes of the servants accustomed to interpreting their masters’ intentions, this gift elicited knowing smiles.

A few days ago, when the Fifth Son-in-law and Fifth Young Mistress came to pay their respects to the Second Madame, she had rewarded them with a silver note worth 140 taels. How could that compare to the prestige of these glass cups?

The tea served to Dou Zhao and Song Mo was the same as before, the pastries were the same as before, but the smiles were more eager, the voices softer, and the attitudes more cautious.

Dou Shishu invited Dou Shiheng, Dou Shiying, Song Mo, and Wei Tingyu to the study for a chat, excluding the others. However, he hesitated slightly before inviting Wei Tingyu, and he was the last to be asked.

Wei Tingyu didn’t seem to notice, but Dou Ming, who had grown up under constant scrutiny, understood clearly.

Her face paled. Seeing the Second Madame holding Dou Zhao’s hand, with everyone gathered around them like stars around the moon, chatting and smiling, she quietly slipped away to the veranda outside the study.

Dou Shishu was casually conversing with Song Mo, discussing anecdotes about several Grand Secretaries from the Inner Court.

Song Mo occasionally added a few comments, clearly familiar with these Grand Secretaries. Moreover, his additions were always about the Emperor’s, Crown Prince’s, or other nobles’ and ministers’ approval of these Grand Secretaries. This further piqued Dou Shishu’s interest, and even Dou Shiheng and Dou Shiying joined the discussion.

She never heard Wei Tingyu’s voice.

Upon leaving Locust Tree Alley, Dou Ming suggested to Wei Tingyu, “Why don’t you try to find a position in the Jinwu Guard or somewhere similar?”

Wei Tingyu looked at her as if she were a child asking for candy, with a hint of indulgence in his eyes. “It’s not that easy. The Jinwu Guard is part of the imperial bodyguard, with a fixed number of positions. If there’s no vacancy, even money won’t help.”

Dou Ming bit her lip and asked, “Then how did Song Yantang get into the Jinwu Guard?”

“He’s different,” Wei Tingyu’s tone betrayed a hint of envy that even he hadn’t noticed. “He was born with an inherited rank of fourth grade, and his entry into the Jinwu Guard was by imperial decree. He went straight in as a third-grade Commander—the former Front Guard Commander of the Jinwu Guard was transferred to be the Deputy Commander of the Henan Military Commission because of this, and he was the second son of the Marquis of Jingjiang! Who else but the Emperor could make such a grand gesture?”

Dou Ming’s face flushed red with frustration. “So there’s no other way?”

“There is!” Wei Tingyu felt the difficulty was immense and that it was beyond his abilities, so he spoke quite casually, “If you can navigate the connections in the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Five Military Commands when there’s a reshuffle in the Jinwu Guard, you might be able to secure a position.”

Dou Ming didn’t respond, but she was calculating in her mind. They had connections in the Ministry of Personnel through Fifth Uncle, and Father could put in a word there. In the Ministry of War, they had Grandfather’s connections, and Big Uncle could help. The only problem was the Five Military Commands, where they didn’t know anyone… But where there’s a will, there’s a way… Grandfather had fought in wars for so many years, that he must have had some connections with generals and governors. Through a chain of introductions, they should be able to reach some acquaintances…

With this thought, she felt more assured and instructed the carriage driver, “To Willow Leaf Lane!”

Wei Tingyu was startled, “Why are we going to Willow Leaf Lane?”

The matter was still far from certain, and if it didn’t work out, it would be a disappointment. Dou Ming decided not to tell Wei Tingyu about it for now and said, “Father said that after Sister’s third-day return visit, he would send Mother back to Willow Leaf Lane. I want to seek Grandmother’s advice.”

Wei Tingzhen had told Wei Tingyu about this, and they both thought that since Wang Yingxue had been part of the Dou family for over a decade, even if Dou Shiying was dissatisfied, he would just vent his anger and let it pass. They hadn’t expected the situation to become so serious.

He asked in shock, “Is Father-in-law going to send Mother-in-law back to her maiden home?”

Dou Ming nodded, unconcerned about this matter.

As long as Grandfather was around, Fifth Uncle would certainly not allow Father to divorce Mother. At most, Mother would be sent back to the Wang family to stay for a while.

“My Lord, there’s no need to worry,” she reassured Wei Tingyu. “Father only said he’d let Mother stay at her maiden home for a while.”

In a flash of insight, Wei Tingyu suddenly realized that Dou Shiying’s insistence on sending Wang Yingxue back to her maiden home was likely related to Dou Ming marrying him in Dou Zhao’s place!

He fell silent.

But in his heart, he thought of Dou Zhao.

If only he could speak to her alone for a few moments.

He recalled how he had accepted Dou Ming’s invitation to the Great Xiangguo Temple, and how heartbroken Dou Zhao had been, yet she had said she believed there was nothing between him and Dou Ming. He had hastily accepted Dou Ming without even explaining…

Lost in these thoughts, he turned to look out the window.

The rain had stopped without him noticing. The bare branches of the trees lining the road evoked a sense of desolation.

Winter was approaching!