Dou Zhao spotted Song Han.

He was jostling in the crowd, buying something.

Someone pushed him aside. He retaliated forcefully, knocking the person to the ground. As the man rose to fight back, Song family guards quickly intervened, pulling him away. Chen He rushed over and whispered to Song Han, who reluctantly nodded and stepped aside. Chen He then squeezed into the crowd.

The Song family guards gestured towards the man who had pushed Song Han, seemingly asking how to handle him.

Suddenly, Song Han looked up towards Zuixian Restaurant.

Dou Zhao was startled, thinking the guards had noticed her, and informed him. She was about to ask Song Mo if they should greet Song Han when she saw him lower his head and wave dismissively at the guard, letting the man who had pushed him go.

Chen He, sweating profusely, handed Song Han a package of roasted snacks.

Song Han, looking pleased, accepted the paper bag and entered Zuixian Restaurant with Chen He.

Dou Zhao turned to find Song Mo silently observing Song Han as well.

“The young master has arrived!” she said with a smile, sitting at the large table that could seat over a dozen people. The image of Song Han pushing someone lingered in her mind.

Song Mo poured Dou Zhao a cup of tea.

Song Han bounded up the stairs.

“Sister-in-law,” he excitedly presented the snacks to Dou Zhao, “These are Yao Ji’s sugar-roasted peanuts. Everyone who dines at Zuixian Restaurant buys a pack to take home.”

Surprised that he had bought them for her, Dou Zhao hesitated briefly before happily accepting the paper bag, thanking Song Han.

“Please try some, Sister-in-law,” Song Han said, clearly delighted that Dou Zhao liked his gift. “If you enjoy them, I can buy them for you often.”

Seeing his eager gaze, Dou Zhao nodded with a smile and opened the package, tasting one.

Sweet but not cloying, fragrant and crisp.

Dou Zhao nodded approvingly and had Su Xin pour half the package into a blue-and-white porcelain dish, inviting everyone to try.

All praised the snack and, at Dou Zhao’s prompting, thanked Song Han in unison.

Song Han smiled, but it seemed forced. When he looked at Dou Zhao again, the earlier intimacy was gone. He appeared to resent that she had shared his gift meant specially for her with others as if she had slighted his goodwill.

Dou Zhao pondered this thoughtfully.

They returned to Duke Ying’s residence at noon.

Song Mo was due for his palace duties.

He told Dou Zhao, “I have one day off every ten days, three of which I’ll rest in the palace. The other six days, I rise at the Hour of the Tiger and finish work at the Hour of the Rooster. Today I’ll be staying in the palace. If you need anything, have Wu Yi send a message to Chen He.” He added in a low voice, “Lu Ming now manages one of my residences near Jishui Lake. He has a team working under him, coordinating with Du Wei. If it’s urgent, have Su Xin inform Lu Ming directly.”

This meant that Lu Ming’s team comprised Song Mo’s loyal operatives.

No wonder she hadn’t seen Lu Ming lately.

Dou Zhao felt she had much more to discuss with Song Mo, but time didn’t allow it. She could only say, “Mr. Chen and the others will arrive in the capital in October. I’ll have some personal matters to discuss with you then.”

Song Mo smiled, “No worries, you can tell me whenever you’re ready.”

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile.

She appreciated Song Mo’s unhurried attitude, which gave her a sense of peaceful timelessness. It helped ease her occasional concerns about what might happen four years from now, making her feel more at ease.

Dou Zhao smiled as she saw Song Mo off.

Back in her room, she began inventorying her dowry, adjusting small details in the decor to suit her habits and preferences. Early the next morning, armed with Chen Qushui’s layout of Yizhi Hall, she explored the compound with Su Xin and Su Lan, familiarizing herself with its layout.

Wu Yi, who was attending her, was alarmed. He quietly instructed Song Luo to inform Yan Chaoqin quickly, while smilingly helping Dou Zhao understand the various features, mentally noting every place she visited in case the young master or Mr. Yan inquired later.

If Dou Zhao had intended harm to Song Mo, why would she have sent someone to rescue him from afar? Moreover, they were now husband and wife, sharing in each other’s fortunes and misfortunes!

Yan Chaoqin laughed, “Wherever the lady wishes to go or whomever she wishes to meet, accompany her properly. There’s no need for alarm or to report to me.”

Hearing this, Wu Yi broke out in a cold sweat. When Dou Zhao next questioned him, he was less glib and eager, more serious and respectful.

By afternoon, everyone in Yizhi Hall knew of this.

When Dou Zhao questioned the maids, older women, and wives of Yizhi Hall, they spoke freely and thoroughly. Dou Zhao quickly gained a general understanding of Yizhi Hall.

Yizhi Hall had been the residence of successive heirs to the Duke Ying title. To cultivate their ability to handle affairs independently, Yizhi Hall was essentially a miniature version of Duke Ying’s residence, complete with an accounting office, message center, guard post, stables, laundry, and more. Its side entrance even faced the inner gate of Duke Ying’s residence, allowing Yizhi Hall’s occupants to enter and exit directly through this inner gate without using the main or side entrances of Duke Ying’s residence, forming a self-contained unit for convenience.

Drawing on her experience managing the Marquis of Jining’s household, Dou Zhao reviewed the personnel roster and account books. After examining the total monthly expenditures for the past half year, she could estimate Yizhi Hall’s annual expenses for each department.

After pondering for a while and noting it was still early, she visited Yan Chaoqin to inquire, “If I wish to return to Jing’an Temple Lane, how might I obtain the Duke’s permission?”

Yan Chaoqin tactfully replied, “The Duke also leaves for the court at the Hour of the Tiger and returns at the Hour of the Rooster daily, with one day off every ten days.”

Dou Zhao nodded and sent a message to her father, saying she needed to see him.

The next morning after breakfast, she left through the inner gate of Duke Ying’s residence and returned to Jing’an Temple Lane.

Dou Shiyong, unaware of what had transpired, hadn’t slept well all night. Seeing Dou Zhao return alone, his expression grew even more grave.

He hurriedly pulled Dou Zhao into his study, closed the door, and anxiously asked, “What happened? Where’s Yan Tang? Why didn’t he accompany you? Did you two argue? Even teeth and tongue have their moments of conflict, let alone newlyweds like you! Shou Gu, as a woman, you must be patient in all things. Don’t rush back to your maiden home at every turn. Can your maiden home house you forever? You’ll still have to spend your life with Yan Tang…”

Dou Zhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Father, can you please stop jumping to conclusions and let me speak?” She interrupted his speculations, “I haven’t quarreled with Yan Tang. I’ve come back to discuss something with you…”

As she pondered how best to broach the subject, hesitating briefly, Dou Shiyong urgently asked, “If you haven’t quarreled with Yan Tang, and today isn’t the ninth day or any special occasion, why have you come back alone?”

Dou Zhao simply led her father to sit on the large kang by the window and smiled, “Do you remember when the young master mentioned his choice to study the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ during the third-day return visit?”

“I do.” Dou Shiyong’s face was full of suspicion.

Dou Zhao smiled, pressing her lips together, “He made that up to please you!”

“What?” Dou Shiyong’s eyes widened.

Dou Zhao explained, “Duke Zhongyi is deeply learned. When studying under him, the young master surely explored various schools of thought. But he doesn’t need to take the imperial examinations, and with tutors teaching him horsemanship and archery at home, how could he be like those scholars who ‘hear nothing outside their windows and only read the sages’ books’? He must have heard from somewhere that you favor the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’, so he thoroughly read it once. In terms of true scholarship, I’m afraid his knowledge is still quite shallow.” Her words carried a protective tone she hadn’t noticed.

But Dou Shiyong caught it.

He couldn’t help but laugh heartily, saying, “How old is he? Even if he were a prodigy, how much learning could he have?” As soon as he said this, he suddenly realized, “Is this why you rushed back, disregarding propriety? Were you afraid we’d heard about his choice to study the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ and might test his knowledge, fearing Yan Tang couldn’t answer, so you came to plead on his behalf?” Finishing, Dou Shiyong laughed again at Dou Zhao, this time more joyously, his gaze turning playful, “Silly child, do you think Uncles and I are fools? When we were his age, we didn’t even know what we should be reading!

When he said he liked reading the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’, we merely appreciated his early ambition and were pleased that someone shared our fondness for it. How could we possibly test his scholarship? Even if we did, we’d only ask simple questions like ‘In the fifth year of Duke Yin, in spring, the Duke hunted fish at Tang.

What remonstrance did Zang Xi Bo make?’ Would we be like those old scholars in the Hanlin Academy, insisting on stumping someone just to show off our learning? Not just your Sixth Uncle and I, but even Fifth Uncle, when he was in the Hanlin Academy and lectured the princes, knew exactly how much they truly knew! Rest assured, no one will trouble Yan Tang!” He added teasingly, “I’ve studied for over thirty years and wouldn’t dare say I’ve explored all schools of thought. You’re not afraid of overstating his abilities!”

Dou Zhao’s face burned.

No wonder her father and Fifth and Sixth Uncles had so readily believed Song Mo’s words. They never thought he had much scholarship to begin with, merely appreciating that he was willing to study at all!

But thinking of the contempt underlying her father’s words—that Song Mo’s limited knowledge was beneath their notice—she felt deeply uncomfortable. Feeling her father had wronged Song Mo, she couldn’t help but argue, “Song Mo is not like those princes and imperial grandsons. He takes both his studies and horsemanship seriously. He earned his position as Commander of the Front Guard of the Jinwu Guard before even reaching weak adulthood because he consistently ranked first in the autumn hunt assessments for several years, not merely because he’s the heir to Duke Ying. His calligraphy is excellent too, even the Emperor admires it… He’s not as incompetent as you say! Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have told you about this…” She deeply regretted her impulsiveness and complained, somewhat resentfully, “How can I dare to consult you on anything in the future if this is your reaction?!”

Seeing Dou Zhao’s anger, Dou Shiyong hurriedly said, “No, no, I didn’t mean to belittle Yan Tang.” Realizing his words sounded weak and insincere, he added placatingly, “How about letting Yan Tang study with me? I promise he won’t be inferior to those scholars in the Hanlin Academy!”

“I really shouldn’t have mentioned this to you,” Dou Zhao glared. “I came here without Yan Tang’s knowledge. If he finds out, how could he ever feel comfortable visiting our home again?” Knowing her father’s temperament, she demanded a promise, “You mustn’t tell anyone about this! Not even a hint to Sixth Uncle!”

Dou Shiyong quickly swore an oath.

Only then did Dou Zhao’s expression soften somewhat.