Dou Zhao, having visited once before, found the Daxing estate fairly orderly. After a glance, she was respectfully escorted to the main room of the upper courtyard by the estate’s housekeeper, while Song Mo went to the study.
Seeing the main room neat, she instructed Su Xin and took a nap in the inner chamber.
Upon waking, she felt refreshed. Though her body was still a bit soft, her spirits were high.
Dou Zhao looked up to see Song Mo sitting on the large kang by the window, reading something in the fading light. The kang table was covered with various papers.
She realized it was already dusk, and only she and Song Mo were in the inner chamber.
Before she could speak, Song Mo, with his keen senses, turned and asked with a smile, “Are you hungry? You only had half a bowl of porridge before we left. I saw you sleeping soundly, so I didn’t wake you.” He then called out to the servants outside, “Bring in the chicken soup from the stove!”
She was familiar with the proud and aloof Song Mo, the decisive and even ruthless Song Mo, but she had never seen this version of him… gentle, considerate, bright, and cheerful… How many more facets of Song Mo had she yet to discover?
Dou Zhao gazed at him with interest.
Song Mo slipped on his shoes and walked over. “What is it?”
He knew he had been a bit unrestrained that morning, but the feeling had been too wonderful. He couldn’t help but give himself an excuse for indulgence. Now, however, he found himself worrying about Dou Zhao’s well-being.
Her intimate areas were somewhat swollen…
As the thought flashed through his mind, his face reddened slightly, his heart stirred, and his body began to heat up involuntarily.
He quickly pushed these amorous thoughts aside.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke Dou Zhao’s forehead.
Even in this new life, she was still a year older than Song Mo. Yet he always treated her like a child, either squeezing her hand or patting her face, as if soothing a small animal. Dou Zhao found it both amusing and somewhat enjoyable, this feeling of being occasionally pampered.
But she recalled how whenever she showed even a slight sign of pleasure, Song Mo would preen like a proud Persian cat, tail held high, not only smug but also pressing his advantage until she had to beg for mercy… She decided not to tell him.
“What are you doing?” Dou Zhao asked, sitting up wrapped in her quilt, her eyes and brows filled with a radiance she didn’t notice. “Why haven’t you lit a lamp?”
“I didn’t want to wake you,” Song Mo said, stroking her cheek again before tucking in her quilt. “I was looking at a map, trying to figure out where those bandits might flee.” As he spoke, Gan Lu entered with the chicken soup.
Song Mo took it from her. “Let me feed you.”
Dou Zhao quickly said, “I can manage on my own!” It wasn’t as if she were ill and unable to move.
Song Mo didn’t insist, instead helping her prop up with a large pillow behind her back.
The chicken soup was rich and fragrant. With just one sip, warmth spread throughout her body.
“The soup tastes good,” Dou Zhao said, offering a spoonful to Song Mo. “Try some!”
Song Mo looked down at the white porcelain spoon, his expression hesitating slightly.
Dou Zhao suddenly felt awkward.
Many noble households, including the Song family, had strict rules about sharing food.
Why had she impulsively offered Song Mo a spoonful of her soup?
Realizing this, Dou Zhao sighed inwardly.
Whenever she thought of Song Mo’s fate in her previous life, her heart ached slightly. She always wanted to save the best things for him, feeling he had suffered too much in that past life…
But in this life, Song Mo hadn’t yet encountered those troubles, and she should try to change this habit.
Just as Dou Zhao was about to withdraw her hand, Song Mo lowered his head and drank the soup.
“It does taste good,” he said with a smile, turning to Gan Lu who was serving nearby. “Who made it? Give her two top-grade red envelopes as a reward.”
Gan Lu, an unmarried young girl, was happy but also somewhat embarrassed to see Song Mo and Dou Zhao being so intimate. She replied with a red face, “It was made by a woman called Stone Third Sister-in-law from the estate.” She curtsied and added, “This servant will convey the Young Master’s words and give her two top-grade red envelopes as a reward.”
Song Mo nodded, his expression calm but pleased. He turned to Dou Zhao and said, “Give me two more spoonfuls.”
“Oh!” Dou Zhao handed the bowl to Song Mo.
“No need,” Song Mo said, “Just use the spoon to give me a couple more tastes.”
He spoke so earnestly that Dou Zhao didn’t suspect anything and fed him two more spoonfuls. Only then did she realize something was amiss. If he wanted to drink chicken soup, he could have asked for another bowl. Why drink from hers? She only had a small bowl, and a few spoonfuls would empty it.
Dou Zhao was about to give him the bowl when Song Mo said, “This does taste good!” Then he called to the servants, “Bring another bowl in.”
When had she become so petty? Fussing over a bowl of chicken soup?
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but chide herself. Being of a generous nature, she quickly put this trivial matter out of her mind.
After they finished the soup, the maids came in to set up the evening meal.
Song Mo then said, “Why don’t we stay at the estate tonight? The outer courtyard is just having some water-damaged rooms repaired, that’s Tao Qizhong’s business. As for the inner courtyard, it’s just daily necessities. Will they starve if you don’t issue tokens for one day?”
Dou Zhao was both amused and exasperated. She wanted to say, “Young Master, if I stay here tonight, it will be two days without issuing tokens at Duke Ying’s mansion!”
However, these were minor matters.
She was more concerned about being alone with him, far from oversight. She worried he might act impulsively again…
But before she could say anything, Song Mo seemed to read her mind. He chuckled and whispered in her ear, “Indulging in sensual pleasures goes against the principles of health cultivation. I only do it occasionally. How could I always be like that? Your body is soft and weak, and I’m also… lacking in energy…” He winked at her as he said this.
Dou Zhao’s heart skipped a beat.
She couldn’t help but inwardly chide herself.
She had truly been muddled by Song Mo!
How had she not thought of the “health cultivation” aspect? She could have used that as an excuse to restrain Song Mo.
Remembering that their intimate encounters were always closely spaced, she couldn’t help but doubt his claim of “lacking energy.” She wondered if perhaps it was because Song Mo was new to these pleasures and, in his words, allowing himself some indulgence… She found herself in a quandary.
“Alright, I was just teasing you earlier,” Song Mo said, noticing Dou Zhao’s expression and adopting a more serious tone. ” I still have some unfinished business — let’s return tomorrow!”
She had been confused by Song Mo!
If Song Mo were to waste time on frivolities when he had official business, even with his merit of supporting the emperor early on, he wouldn’t have maintained imperial favor for over a decade in her previous life, despite being a treacherous official.
Dou Zhao nodded.
Song Mo smiled slightly, his smile as clean and bright as moonlight.
Dou Zhao once again felt she had been overthinking things.
The two ate dinner in silence. Afterward, Song Mo went to his study, summoned Lu Ming, closed the door, and played several games of Go. Seeing it was getting late, he returned to the inner chamber.
Dou Zhao had tidied up the inner chamber again. A new flower vase stood on the kang table, holding a few chrysanthemums stems, instantly giving the room a cozy feeling.
Marriage truly made a difference.
Song Mo smiled contentedly, allowing Dou Zhao to help him wash up before they retired to bed.
Dou Zhao asked him how his work was progressing.
“I’ve given all the necessary instructions,” Song Mo replied. “There shouldn’t be any major issues.”
Since he was using people from the estate, there were surely many things that couldn’t see the light of day. Dou Zhao naturally didn’t inquire further.
Song Mo complained, “Let’s sleep back-to-back. Lying face-to-face like this lets cold air into the quilt.”
It was only a few months into their marriage, yet he was already complaining about cold air in the quilt…
But everyone had their living habits, and they had just married. They needed time to adjust to each other.
Dou Zhao turned over as suggested.
The inexperienced Song Mo’s shoulders and back weren’t very broad, but they were firm and warm. He didn’t move around much, making it comfortable to lean against him.
Dou Zhao closed her eyes and quickly began to feel sleepy.
But Song Mo behind her turned over.
Dou Zhao found herself in Song Mo’s embrace.
“How can a married couple sleep back-to-back?” he muttered softly, holding Dou Zhao in his arms. “This feels much better.” He snuggled against her, seemingly finding a comfortable position, and quieted down.
Dou Zhao was both amused and exasperated.
Song Mo’s hand, however, quietly slipped into her robe…
“Song Yan Tang!” Dou Zhao scolded, gripping his restless hand to stop him.
How could she have believed Song Mo so easily?
“Shou Gu, you’re so full and soft there, and you smell so good… I can’t even hold it all in one hand… I love it so much…” he whispered in her ear.
Is this something people say out loud? Dou Zhao’s face burned hot.
Then she felt the change in Song Mo’s body.
She immediately stiffened.
“How can you go back on your word?”
After their previous passion, her body was still a bit sore.
“I know you’re not fully recovered,” Song Mo said, gently kissing her earlobe. “I just want to hold you… don’t move…”
Only she knew in this life how heated he could become.
She truly didn’t dare move.
Song Mo indeed didn’t make any further advances.
Dou Zhao’s body gradually relaxed.
Song Mo felt her softening and was greatly pleased.
He truly had no intention of pushing Dou Zhao further, but his body had its ideas!
If Dou Zhao had remained as stiff as a stone, how could he bear to…
Hadn’t she said that when two people are together, they should both feel comfortable?
He also hoped that when they were together, they would be happy and carefree.
Song Mo kissed Dou Zhao’s earlobe, neck, and shoulders. He even raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingertips…
That feeling of being cherished and treasured made Dou Zhao completely relax.
By the time Song Mo indulged himself in her favorite spots again, Dou Zhao offered little resistance. Of course, this was also largely because Song Mo didn’t take things further.
Song Mo smiled slyly.
Take it slow, he thought. They had decades of good times ahead…
With these thoughts, surrounded by Dou Zhao’s fragrance and feeling the softness of her skin under his hands, Song Mo’s mood gradually relaxed, and he drifted off to sleep.
When they woke up the next morning, Dou Zhao found herself and Song Mo nestled together like two spoons.
Song Mo’s hand still stubbornly cupped her full breast.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.
Although there had been some unexpected moments, Song Mo truly hadn’t taken advantage of her.
He had kept his promise to her.
This was what she valued most.
Dou Zhao was in high spirits.
She called out loudly to Song Mo, “Time to get up! We need to return to Duke Ying’s mansion!”
At the hour of Si (9-11 AM), two carriages sped out from the Daxing estate.