At Duke Ying’s manor.
After seeing off the imperial physician, Song Mo went to Xiuxiang Courtyard.
Song Han rushed over to him. “Brother, I’m scared!” His mouth quivered as he tried hard to hold back tears.
Dou Zhao, standing respectfully to the side with her hands lowered, found the scene peculiar. This 13-year-old boy, already as tall as Song Mo’s chin, was acting like a 5 or 6-year-old child.
Song Mo, however, seemed oblivious to this. He gently patted his brother’s shoulder and softly consoled him: “It’s alright. Father has taken his medicine. With some rest, he’ll naturally recover.” After speaking, his gaze fell on Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao immediately said, “Don’t worry, Young Master. I’ll take Luoyan from Father-in-law’s room to help brew his medicine.”
At times like these, even if it was just for show, everything had to be done perfectly, leaving no room for criticism.
A glimmer of satisfaction flashed in Song Mo’s eyes as he entered Song Yichun’s inner chamber with Song Han.
Dou Zhao led Luoyan to the tea room. There was a ready stove there; they just needed to bring the medicine pot, prepare the herbs, and they could start brewing.
Luoyan appeared to be 17 or 18 years old, with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, quite beautiful.
She was the head maid in Song Yichun’s quarters, having entered the household after Madam Jiang’s passing. Whether she also served as a concubine was of no concern to Dou Zhao. Attended by Suxin, Dou Zhao sat drinking tea from a cup, watching Luoyan brew the medicine without any intention of helping.
Luoyan was taken aback but quickly lowered her head, concealing her surprise as she deftly washed the medicine pot and fetched water.
A young maid entered quietly but hurriedly: “Madam, the eldest master, and the first and second young masters have come to inquire about the Duke’s condition.”
Luoyan couldn’t help but glance at Dou Zhao from the corner of her eye.
Dou Zhao merely nodded silently, and the young maid left as quietly as she had come.
Luoyan knew this was one of Dou Zhao’s people informing her. She quickly lowered her gaze as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.
Soon after, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard outside.
Suxin went to lift the curtain, peeking through the gap. She turned back to Dou Zhao and said, “Not only has the eldest master’s family arrived, but the second master’s family has come as well.”
Dou Zhao commented lightly, “They came quite quickly,” and said nothing more.
Suxin also remained silent.
A suppressed silence fell over the tea room.
In Song Yichun’s inner chamber, a similar oppressive silence reigned.
The father was ill, yet he wouldn’t allow his son to attend to him, instead having his eldest nephew stay to care for him…
Upon hearing Song Yichun’s decision, Song Maochun’s family, who had come to visit the sick, felt extremely awkward. Song Maochun forced a smile and suggested to Song Yichun, “How about letting the Heir help with brewing medicine and such?”
Ever since the fire incident at Duke Ying’s manor, Song Maochun had come to recognize Song Mo’s formidable nature.
He hadn’t expected Song Yichun to act as if he was ready to sever ties completely.
Song Maochun couldn’t help but regret his hasty visit. Had he known it would turn out like this, why had he rushed over? Now, not only had he failed to curry favor, but his son had become a pawn in the power struggle between Song Yichun and his son.
Song Yichun’s attitude, however, remained resolute.
“There’s no need!” He lay pale-faced on the bed, his voice hoarse and weak, yet his words were firm and left no room for negotiation. “Having Qin’er stay to look after me is enough. The Heir and Tian’en should return to their quarters.” Then he instructed Tian’en, “You still need to attend your lessons with the tutor. Your studies are important.”
He absolutely could not allow Song Mo to attend to him during his illness.
Given Song Mo’s cunning nature, he would surely take advantage of the situation to cause trouble and win over those loyal to him. By the time he recovered, Duke Ying’s manor would have changed hands, and he would be at Song Mo’s mercy!
Song Maochun was at a loss for what to do.
What would visitors think of this?
Would they say Song Mo was unfilial? That Song Yichun disfavored Song Mo? Or that Song Qin, as the elder cousin, was silver-tongued and driving a wedge between Song Yichun and his son?
He hastily said, “This isn’t right! This isn’t right!”
Song Fengchun, who had come along, felt very uncomfortable.
He hadn’t skimped on flattering his second brother during festivals and holidays, yet his second brother still favored his eldest brother more.
Both of his second brother’s sons were alive and well, yet it was his eldest brother’s son who was asked to attend to his second brother… It was like walking on the edge of a cliff – pleasing his second brother would offend Yan Tang while pleasing Yan Tang would offend his second brother. Whether it would bring fortune or misfortune, no one could say.
He remained silent, secretly rejoicing in the awkward situation.
Song Mo, however, gave a cold smile.
With each interaction with his father, a part of his heart died.
He certainly wouldn’t allow Song Yichun to have his way and label him as unfilial, but neither would he stay here to be disliked.
“If that’s the case, Tian’en and I will wait in the outer reception room,” Song Mo said calmly. “If Big Brother needs anything, just let us know.”
This was his way of agreeing to let Song Qin attend to the sick.
Song Duo glanced meaningfully at his brother.
Song Qin could only smile bitterly, pretending not to have seen it.
His second uncle had specifically named him to attend to the sick. How could he refuse?
And what excuse could he use to refuse?
This was truly a disaster falling from the sky. Even though he knew how absurd the situation was, Song Qin had no choice but to steel himself and sit on the brocade stool by Song Yichun’s bedside.
Song Mo then addressed everyone: “Father’s illness requires peace. Let’s go to the reception room for tea. We shouldn’t disturb his rest.”
Song Maochun and the others naturally agreed, rising to follow Song Mo out.
Song Yichun’s eyes widened, feeling a dull pain in his chest again.
He was still very much alive, yet Song Mo dared to isolate him under the pretext of “rest.” If one day he became old and frail, unable to manage Duke Ying’s manor, wouldn’t Song Mo drive him to his death?
He couldn’t help but say sternly, “Yan Tang, if you want to leave, then go. I still have things to discuss with your eldest uncle and third uncle.”
Song Maochun and Song Fengchun exchanged glances and stayed behind.
Song Mo remained unfazed, smiling at Song Duo, “The elders have matters to discuss. Let’s go to the reception room first.” With that, he led the way out of the inner chamber.
Song Duo nodded repeatedly, following Song Mo out.
They ran into Song Tongchun and Song Yao.
Song Tongchun hurriedly asked, “How is Second Brother’s illness?”
Song Mo couldn’t be bothered to engage with him and said, “Father is talking with Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle. You should go in and see him quickly!”
Song Tongchun made a sound of acknowledgment and led his son Song Yao into the inner chamber.
Song Mo went to serve tea to everyone.
Song Han quietly tugged at his brother’s sleeve. “Brother, why won’t Father let us attend to him?”
His large, innocent eyes gazed at Song Mo, making Song Mo’s heartache as if cut by a knife.
“Big Brother is older and more steady in his actions,” he consoled his brother. “When you’re older, Father will gradually entrust you with important tasks.”
Song Han obediently nodded.
In the tea room, Dou Zhao immediately learned of what had transpired in the inner chamber.
She sat there lost in thought.
Song Yichun feared Song Mo would harm him and was guarding against him – this was expected. But why didn’t he trust Song Han either?
In just two days, everyone knew that Song Yichun had fallen ill, and relatives and friends inevitably came to visit.
Song Mo consistently remained in the reception room. Several times, Song Yichun told him in front of guests to return to Yizhi Hall and let Tao Qizhong help with receiving visitors. Song Mo always agreed respectfully in front of the guests, but once they left, he continued doing what he had been doing. This infuriated Song Yichun so much that he once threw a cup at Song Mo’s head. Song Mo dodged it, and when new guests arrived, he nonchalantly continued to receive them.
When faced with Song Mo and Tao Qizhong, which guest in their right mind would treat Tao Qizhong as the host?
Moreover, guests came in waves, and no matter how dissatisfied Song Yichun was with Song Mo, he couldn’t tell every visitor who entered to ignore Song Mo. So Song Yichun continued to vent his anger, Song Mo continued to entertain the visiting guests, and Tao Qizhong continued to follow behind Song Mo like a servant. The situation didn’t improve at all.
Some guests who considered themselves close to Song Yichun gently advised him: “Yan Tang is now an official of the third rank. Even if he’s done something to displease you, you shouldn’t disregard his face like this.” Some went even further, shaking their heads and advising Song Qin: “You’re the elder brother. How can you not advise your second uncle at a time like this? Instead, you’re in there stirring up trouble. Child, you usually seem so mature in your actions, how have you become so muddle-headed at this critical moment?”
Song Qin was deeply frustrated but didn’t dare say a word in his defense.
Those less familiar with Song Yichun kept praising Song Mo’s filial piety: “He usually seems so aloof, but no matter how the Duke loses his temper, he always responds gently and patiently. The hardest part of filial piety isn’t obedience, but maintaining a respectful demeanor. Truly admirable, truly admirable!”
When these words reached Song Yichun’s ears, just as he was starting to show signs of recovery, he coughed up blood, and his condition worsened.
Dou Zhao chuckled secretly in the tea room. When there were no guests, she had the old women gossip near Song Yichun’s window: “…Have you heard? The Dou family added over a hundred thousand taels of silver to the Young Madam’s dowry, and she entrusted it all to the Young Master to manage. That’s why the head manager Zhong from the Thirteen Hongs came to reconcile accounts with the Dou family.”
Upon hearing this, Song Yichun cursed Song Mo as an unfilial son.
Only then did Dou Zhao send word to the Dou family that Song Yichun was ill?
Some in the Dou family had heard about Song Yichun’s illness, but since Dou Zhao hadn’t sent any message, they weren’t sure if it was true and had remained silent. Now that they knew Song Yichun was indeed ill, out of respect for Dou Zhao, not only did Dou Shiying and Dou Shiheng come to visit Song Yichun, but Dou Shishu came along as well.
Song Yichun, however, was furious.
He had been ill for so long, and only now did the Dou family, as in-laws, come to visit. Was it merely out of obligation? Or were they trying to show that the relationship between the two families was nothing special?
Yet he couldn’t show his displeasure to the Dou family.
After all, they were being courteous. He couldn’t criticize the Dou family for visiting later than others just because they came to inquire about his illness after everyone else.
Song Yichun’s face turned ashen.
Dou Shiying, thinking Song Yichun’s pallor was due to his illness, advised him: “Yan Tang is so capable. In-law, you can entrust him with any matters that need attention. I know my daughter well; she’s obedient and sensible. She’s been in the tea room these past days, personally brewing medicine for you… You should rest well. You’ll recover quickly!”
Upon hearing this, Song Yichun felt his hair stand on end.
As soon as the Dou family left, he immediately summoned Tao Qizhong, slapping the bed: “Has the Young Madam been brewing my medicine all this time?”
“Yes!” Tao Qizhong couldn’t very well say that Luoyan was brewing the medicine while the Young Madam merely sat and watched.
Ignoring his dizziness and blurred vision, Song Yichun jumped up. “How could you let her brew my medicine? Do you want me to die even faster? Quick, tell her to get out! You brew my medicine yourself! No, throw away all the medicinal herbs and buy new ones!”
Even the wisest can make a mistake.
He had been so focused on guarding against Song Mo that he had forgotten about this daughter-in-law who always seemed so quiet and inconspicuous in his presence.