Chen Jia’s plans were well-conceived, but given his social circle, finding a matchmaker with access to high-ranking households wasn’t an easy task. Matters became more pressing when the position of Investigating Censor in the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Disciplinary Office became vacant after the previous holder was transferred to the Divine Machine Battalion as a commander. The Commander-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Shi Chuan, personally summoned Chen Jia, hinting that the position could be his if Duke Ying’s heir, Song Yantang, would put in a good word for him. This development made it even more crucial for Chen Jia to quickly marry a socially adept woman who could converse with Lady Du, the wife of Duke Ying’s heir.
He was so anxious that his mouth was full of blisters.
Previously, Chen Jia had exchanged the information he knew for Wang Yuan’s understanding. It was fortunate enough that Song Mo hadn’t silenced him permanently, so how could he dare to approach Song Mo again?
Let alone ask Song Mo to speak on his behalf.
However, if he couldn’t persuade Song Mo this time, his recent actions of using Song Mo’s reputation as leverage would be exposed. What awaited him then would be a fate worse than death.
What could he do?
Chen Jia paced anxiously in his room.
Huzi suggested, “Why don’t we try to establish contact with Lord Du from Jing’an Temple Alley? I’ve noticed that the young master seems to hold his father-in-law in high regard.”
In recent days, they had been investigating matters related to the wife of Duke Ying’s heir, hoping to find a way to connect with her in the future.
“I’m afraid that won’t work,” Chen Jia rejected Huzi’s proposal. “When Lady Wang entered the family, the Du and Zhao families had a falling out. Otherwise, the Western Du branch wouldn’t have provided half of the dowry for the young mistress. Over the years, the young mistress has been living in Zhending, exchanging letters with her uncle and aunt monthly, but she’s been at odds with her stepsister, Du Ming. Moreover, as soon as she arrived in the capital, there was the incident of the sisters’ marriages being switched. This gives us a glimpse of the relationship between the young mistress and Lord Du. Even if the young mistress can’t resent Lord Du due to filial piety, she’s unlikely to truly respect him. Getting too close to Jing’an Temple Alley might not be a good idea for us.” At this point, he thought of the properties registered under Du Zhaoming’s name and couldn’t help but feel a toothache.
Such a woman, with power, influence, wealth, and a capable staff, not to mention a determination that surpassed many men’s – even if they could meet her, how could they possibly sway her?
Chen Jia couldn’t help but rub his forehead and sigh, muttering, “What does the young mistress lack, after all?”
Huzi couldn’t resist complaining, “Indeed! Can you believe it? A woman from a family of officials for generations, not only has she hired a scholar as her advisor, but she also keeps a group of highly skilled guards. Even some of the masters from those grand households might not have such an impressive setup. She’s more formidable than most men! How can the young master tolerate this? He even allowed the young mistress’s advisor and guards to move into Yizhi Hall…”
“Wait a moment!” Chen Jia’s expression suddenly changed, his eyes fixed intently on Huzi. “What did you just say? The young mistress’s people have moved into Yizhi Hall?”
“Yes!” Huzi replied, “Don’t you know? The Du family’s third uncle and young master have returned to Zhending, but the people who escorted them stayed behind. I secretly went to check, and they’re the same group that used to follow the young mistress in Zhending…”
“No, no, no!” Chen Jia excitedly rubbed his hands together, his face glowing. “I know about this. I’m just upset with myself for not thinking about it earlier!” He sat down in the armchair next to Huzi. “Think about it. She’s a married woman who has entered the Duke Ying’s household. The young master respects her so much that with just a word from her, his people would be at her disposal. Why hasn’t she dismissed her former advisor and guards? She must have a plan! And her plan must be related to the young master’s interests! I was wondering how the young master, who had no previous connection with her, suddenly came to value her so highly! Huzi, in this world, no matter what you do, if you stay ahead of others, you’ll achieve twice the result with half the effort. This is why so many frontier officials are willing to lower themselves to curry favor with minor court officials and even eunuchs. If I could serve the young mistress as an Investigating Censor and put the Embroidered Uniform Guard at her disposal, do you think she could refuse?”
“W-what?” Huzi jumped up in fright. “How could this be possible? The Disciplinary Office is the Emperor’s eyes and ears, observing the officials…”
Chen Jia impatiently waved his hand, interrupting him, “I’m not planning to become the young mistress’s servant. I’m just talking about using the Disciplinary Office’s authority to help the young mistress with a few small matters that don’t harm the court, within certain limits. This kind of thing, which of the Disciplinary Office’s centurions and millenary hasn’t done it before? Otherwise, how could they strut around in the Disciplinary Office, acting like big shots…”
Huzi still felt uneasy, “Wouldn’t it be better to directly seek patronage from Duke Ying’s heir? After all, we do have some leverage over the young master. It would be more convenient and smooth for him to use us!”
“How foolish you are!” Chen Jia said, “Given Duke Ying’s heir’s current status and position, even Shi Chuan is probably hoping that the young master would ask him to handle some private matters. Countless people can’t even get a chance to offer their services. What do we have that could move the young master? We can only find another way!”
Huzi couldn’t help but smile sheepishly.
Even if one wanted to be a sharp blade in Duke Ying’s heir’s hand, one needed to be sharp enough to satisfy him!
Chen Jia instructed Huzi, “For the next few days, do nothing else but keep an eye on Yizhi Hall. Whenever the young mistress’s carriage goes out and the young master isn’t with her, notify me. I’ll find a way to meet with the young mistress. I refuse to believe that even the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Disciplinary Office can’t move her!”
Huzi nodded repeatedly.
Du Zhao was unaware that someone was going to such lengths just to meet her.
While Zhao Liangbi was reviewing account books with Zhong Bingxiang, she sat in Song Mo’s small study discussing the marriages of Suxin and Sulan with Chen Quishui. “…Do you think this arrangement is suitable?” she asked.
Chen Quishui, being considered an elder to the Bie sisters, was the best person to sound out Suxin’s thoughts on the matter.
“I’ve watched Liangbi grow up,” Chen said happily. “These past two years, while Suxin and Sulan have been in the capital with you, it’s been Liangbi who has personally taken care of Master Bie’s grave and the annual memorial services. He’s of good character and ambitious. If these two children can make a match, I think even Master Bie would approve. It’s also good for Sulan to marry Chen He. This way, our relationship with Yizhi Hall will become even closer. My only concern is that Sulan is lively while Chen He is steady – I wonder if they’ll be compatible… If Suxin doesn’t agree, you might consider Ganlu and Sujuan. These two girls are also of marriageable age now.”
Du Zhao smiled, “You’re experienced in matters of the world. I’d like to ask you to take the lead on this matter.”
In her previous life, she couldn’t get along with Wei Tingyu, but as the saying goes, ‘Marry a rooster, follow the rooster; marry a dog, follow the dog.’ She could only try to make the best of her life, enduring hardships and grievances without complaint. But in this life, being with Song Mo, she realized how much there was to look forward to when living with someone who truly cared for her. She hoped that those around her would also marry well and not become resentful couples.
Chen Quishui readily agreed.
The next day, Ganlu replaced Suxin in serving tea to Zhao Liangbi.
Du Zhao smiled, pressing her lips together.
Zhao Liangbi, however, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. That evening, he even sent Ganlu to ask Suxin, “Sister, why aren’t you serving tea to Manager Zhao and the others anymore?”
Suxin looked at Du Zhao, who was sitting on the kang, smiling as she sewed clothes for Song Mo. Suxin’s face turned as red as a piece of cloth as she replied sharply, “I only did it because the young mistress went to see him, so it was just a casual gesture. Do you expect me to especially serve him?”
Her words had never been so sharp before, startling Ganlu, who went back to report to Zhao Liangbi in a daze.
When Song Mo returned, Du Zhao told him about this incident.
Song Mo put his arm around Du Zhao’s shoulders, affectionately kissing her cheek, and laughed, “You’re becoming more and more mischievous!”
Is that so?
Du Zhao thought to herself that she had indeed become less strict than before.
Just as this thought crossed her mind, Song Mo kissed her forehead again, whispering intimately in her ear, “But I like you this way.” A woman only truly relaxes and stops worrying about the outside world when she completely trusts the man by her side.
Du Zhao, however, was reminded of their recent bedroom activities.
She had never indulged herself like this in either of her lives.
It was indeed a bit too “mischievous.”
As this thought flashed through her mind, Du Zhao suddenly froze.
Her monthly cycle seemed to be late…
Could it be?
Her emotions immediately became difficult to control, but she tried hard to suppress her excitement…
She mustn’t make a mistake!
Inexplicably, she instinctively felt that if she raised a false alarm, Song Mo would be very upset and disappointed.
She took a deep breath, trying to stabilize her emotions, which caught Song Mo’s attention.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
“No, no,” she replied. In her previous life, when she was pregnant with her children, apart from occasional morning sickness, she had no other discomfort. The midwife who delivered her children had even joked, “Blessed women like you should have more children.”
She decided to wait until the second month when the pulse could confirm the pregnancy before telling Song Mo.
Having made up her mind, Du Zhao didn’t dare let Song Mo touch her that night.
He was too passionate in these matters, completely unlike his cool and dignified appearance in public. She was afraid he might harm the child.
Song Mo naturally wouldn’t force her, and seeing that she seemed somewhat distracted, he held her like a child.
Du Zhao, usually a strong person who had gone through pregnancy and childbirth alone in her previous life, now inexplicably felt short of breath in Song Mo’s arms. She tossed and turned, first to the left, then to the right, sometimes wanting water, sometimes finding the lamplight too harsh. After tormenting Song Mo for half the night, she finally fell into a drowsy sleep.
Song Mo looked at Du Zhao curled up in his arms, his brows furrowed into a “川” shape.
Du Zhao had something on her mind that she didn’t want to tell him!
The next day at noon, he casually called Suxin over to question her.
Suxin had been preoccupied with what Chen Quishui had told her and hadn’t noticed anything unusual about Du Zhao. Her face turned purple-red as she stammered, unable to say anything coherent.
Song Mo decided to ask Chen Quishui instead.
Chen Quishui laughed heartily and told Song Mo about the matter Du Zhao had asked him to handle, adding, “After all, they’ve served by her side for so many years, like sisters. How could she bear to part with them?”
Song Mo went back to discuss with Du Zhao, “Why don’t we just let Suxin stay in Yizhi Hall? Zhao Liangbi is a grown man; he can walk a few extra steps if needed. Suxin can just keep you company and chat with you like before.”
If Sulan could marry Chen He, she would naturally also live in Yizhi Hall. With this arrangement, Du Zhao’s life would remain the same as before, with no changes.