The Dou family sent several maids along with the carriage, while Wei Tingzhen escorted Tian Shi back to the Jining Marquis’s residence.
Wei Tingyu, having received the news, was already waiting at the entrance of the Chuihua Gate.
“Mother, how could she suddenly faint?” He rushed forward, lifting the curtain to ask Wei Tingzhen, “Is she alright? What did the doctor say?”
Since there were still maids from the Dou family by the carriage, Tian Shi had no choice but to continue pretending to be unconscious.
Wei Tingzhen, however, sneered a few times and said, “Ask your wife!”
What did this have to do with Dou Ming?
Wei Tingyu was taken aback.
Seeing her brother’s bewilderment, Wei Tingzhen felt a surge of anger. She pushed Wei Tingyu aside and, with the help of her maid, got down from the carriage.
The Wei family’s servants hurriedly brought over a soft sedan chair.
Wei Tingzhen directed the servants to lift Tian Shi into the sedan chair, dismissing the Dou family’s maids, and with Jin Mama and the others surrounding the sedan chair, they entered through the Chuihua Gate without even glancing at Wei Tingyu as if he were a stranger.
Wei Tingyu felt an indescribable discomfort in his heart.
He silently followed Wei Tingzhen into the east wing, sitting in a grand chair in the hall, waiting for her to come out while keeping his head down.
When Wei Tingzhen saw her brother in such a cowardly state, she felt both angry and helpless. She exaggerated the incident in Huai Tree Alley and said, “Mother is fine now. The only thing she worries about is you. Go see her!” She added, “If you could manage your wife, how could Mother suffer such humiliation from the Dou family?”
Wei Tingyu’s face turned purple with anger as he turned to leave.
Wei Tingzhen quickly grabbed him, saying, “Where are you going?”
“I want to divorce Dou Ming!” Wei Tingyu said furiously. “I would rather be alone for the rest of my life than be with a woman with such a venomous heart!”
“That’s nonsense!” Wei Tingzhen shouted. “What kind of family is the Dou family? Do you think you can just divorce Dou Ming? What about Mother? If you divorce her, what will happen to our mother? I thought you had matured since getting married, but you still act like a child!”
This matter was ultimately related to Tian Shi, and mentioning it inevitably dragged her into the conversation.
Wei Tingyu hung his head, speechless and dejected.
Seeing his pain, Wei Tingzhen’s voice softened. “Don’t worry too much. Mother said she would personally teach her the rules. As long as she listens, there is still hope.”
What else could be done?
Wei Tingyu was filled with regret.
Wei Tingzhen took his hand. “Alright, let’s not talk about these distressing matters. Let’s go see Mother and keep her company.”
Wei Tingyu nodded, and they entered the inner room together.
Meanwhile, Dou Ming, resting in Tian Shi’s inner chamber, heard the commotion and quickly sent out Mama Zhou to inquire. Upon learning that Tian Shi and Wei Tingzhen had gone to Huai Tree Alley to scold her but ended up being reprimanded by the Dou family and fainting, she trembled with anger and exclaimed, “I must have been blind! I thought my mother-in-law was kind-hearted, but she is nothing more than a wasp with a stinger, pretending to be virtuous. She’s a hundred times more disgusting than those who speak ill of others!” She then asked, “Where is the marquis? Is he being dragged around by my sister-in-law, talking nonsense?”
Dou Ming had the little maid inform Wei Tingyu’s servant about her miscarriage. Sure enough, Wei Tingyu, putting aside past grievances, rushed over. Not only did he discuss with the doctor what medicine to use, but he also personally checked the herbs before sending Mama Zhou to prepare the medicine. His attentive attitude provided her with some comfort after losing her child.
However, this warmth lasted less than half an hour before Wei Tingyu was called away by his servant and did not return.
Mama Zhou advised, “Madam, your body is still weak. You shouldn’t concern yourself with these matters. No matter how much the Old Madam and your sister-in-law stir things up, the fact remains that they caused you to lose your son. The Dou family won’t let them get away with it.”
Dou Ming was still filled with resentment. She instructed Mama Zhou, “Find a way to send a message to Liuye Alley and inform my maternal grandmother about my situation.”
Mama Zhou, feeling that the Wei family was being too overbearing, nodded in agreement and quietly sent someone to deliver the message.
Meanwhile, far away at Duke Ying’s residence in the eastern part of the city, Dou Zhao was completely unaware of what was happening at the Jining Marquis’s residence.
Song Mo was almost counting the days of her pregnancy. As soon as she reached three months, he invited the most skilled gynecologist from the Tai Hospital, Wang Benju, to diagnose Dou Zhao. Without any surprise, he confirmed that she was indeed pregnant. Before Wang Benju could leave, Song Mo sent someone to Jing’an Temple Alley and Cat Alley to share the good news. Just as Wang Benju’s medicine for preserving the pregnancy was about to be prepared, Dou Shiying arrived with a large bundle of supplements, dragging Song Mo into a drunken stupor.
He patted Song Mo’s shoulder and handed him a stack of silver notes, urging him to take good care of Dou Zhao and not to make her angry. Even if he had to sleep alone, he should avoid causing trouble at home. There were plenty of private courtyards in the alleys around Qianfo Temple, and they should ensure the child was born safely before anything else.
Dou Zhao was both amused and exasperated.
That evening, after Song Mo returned and washed up, he leaned against the headboard as usual to read.
She rested her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist, and asked, “I heard there are many private courtyards near Qianfo Temple?”
These little rascals only knew how to please Dou Zhao. Whatever he said to others, they would relay it to her, leaving no secrets between them.
Song Mo thought to himself, realizing that it was all his fault for indulging them, but he didn’t feel angry; instead, he found it amusing.
His eyes were fixed on the book, but his thoughts were entirely on her waist—Dou Zhao’s delicate hand, cool to the touch, was rubbing against him, occasionally pausing as if hesitating whether to continue.
“Of course!” he replied absentmindedly. “And they all resemble Zhao Zhi Shu, selling dog meat under the guise of mutton, each with its unique charm. It’s truly a great place to pass the time.”
Dou Zhao playfully bit his ear and whispered, “So, do you want to go?”
“Of course!” Song Mo put down his book and said seriously, “Any man would want to go!”
For some reason, even though it was just playful banter between husband and wife, Dou Zhao felt a twinge of discomfort upon hearing him say that, even a bit dejected as she lay down and asked, “Is Zhao Zhi Shu the top courtesan there?”
Just like how new dishes were introduced at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the most popular courtyards in Qianfo Temple Alley were well-known among the elegant young men of the capital. Although Song Mo rarely ventured into Qianfo Temple, he had heard of the unique features of the most popular courtyards. He had intended to tease Dou Zhao about it, but when he turned to look at her, he noticed a hint of embarrassment in her eyes, and her smile had lost its sweetness.
Could it be that Dou Zhao was feeling jealous?
This thought suddenly crossed his mind.
He immediately dismissed the idea.
Dou Zhao had always been generous; how could she be jealous over something so unreasonable?
Despite thinking this, his gaze couldn’t help but linger on her.
Dou Zhao’s expression showed a hint of disappointment, lacking the earlier joy…
In the past, when Song Mo was at his uncle’s house, he despised those cousins who were shy and couldn’t say two words without getting lost in their thoughts, constantly sulking and being jealous. But when it came to Dou Zhao, his heart felt like a purple clay pot on a red clay stove, bubbling with joy.
He propped his elbow and leaned closer to her, pretending to ponder. “I don’t know; I’ve never been there. However, my father-in-law gave me ten thousand taels of silver. I think, even for the sake of that ten thousand taels, I shouldn’t go. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be living off my wife?!”
When did this guy become so witty?
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but chuckle, playfully hitting Song Mo.
But suddenly, Song Mo felt a strong urge, and he was becoming quite uncomfortable.
He let out a soft sigh.
No wonder people say that love makes one see beauty in everything; no matter what Dou Zhao did, it all seemed charming to him.
With seven months left until Dou Zhao’s delivery, should he move to the study to sleep?
While Song Mo was lost in thought, Dou Zhao noticed that he had suddenly fallen silent and looked a bit forlorn. She smiled and asked, “What’s wrong now?”
Hearing Dou Zhao’s clear and pleasant voice, Song Mo felt he was overthinking things.
Even if they couldn’t do anything, just chatting and joking like this with Dou Zhao was still enjoyable, right?
He asked Dou Zhao, “What do you think? Will it be a boy or a girl?”
“Whatever kind of child the Bodhisattva gives us, that’s what we’ll have. There’s no need to guess,” Dou Zhao replied with a smile.
“But we have to give the child a name, right?” Song Mo said with anticipation. “If we name the child a boy’s name and end up with a girl, won’t she blame us for life?”
“Then let’s give both a boy’s name and a girl’s name,” Dou Zhao suggested. “It’ll work for either.”
“The due date is in July next year, right? It will still be hot during the day then. We should stock up on ice this year to prevent the baby from getting heat rash.”
“Alright! I’ll talk to the household tomorrow!”
The couple chatted about trivial matters, making anyone who overheard chuckle, yet they spoke with utmost seriousness, continuing their conversation until the early hours before finally drifting off to sleep.
Like Song Mo and Dou Zhao, who only blew out the lamp in the middle of the night, Duke Ying Song Yichun and Second Master Song Han were also awake.
If Song Mo had a son, his position as heir would be even more secure.
Even if a daughter was born, it would prove that Song Mo could have children; even without a legitimate son, he could still have a son born out of wedlock.
Could it end like this?
He was willing to let it go, but would Song Mo?
Song Yichun tossed and turned in bed.
Song Han, on the other hand, was copying the Lotus Sutra under the lamp.
His maid, Qixia, advised him, “It’s so late, Second Master, you should rest early. You can copy it again tomorrow.”
But Song Han replied, “Bring me a cup of hot tea.” He had no intention of resting.
Qixia had been personally chosen by Song Yichun for Song Han, and he usually treated her politely. Over time, Qixia became a bit casual in front of him. Hearing this, she laughed and tried to take Song Han’s brush. “Second Master, just listen to me! You have to study with the teacher early tomorrow. If you stay up late, you’ll doze off. If the Duke finds out, he’ll scold you again…”
“Impudent maid!” Without warning, Song Han kicked Qixia, “Who is the master here, you or me? Can’t I even give you orders? Do you want me to change to someone else to serve me tomorrow?”
If there had been outsiders present, they would have noticed that Song Han’s kicking posture was exactly like Song Yichun’s.
Qixia never expected Song Han to show such a fierce expression.
She shivered and quickly knelt, bowing her head. “I deserve to die, please spare me this time, Second Master. I’ll go make tea for you right away.”
Song Han grunted in response.
Qixia hurriedly crawled out of the study, only to realize her lower abdomen was cramping painfully.