The Dou family’s farmland is situated in an excellent location.

To the east lies a small river flowing from north to south, while to the west are fertile fields that are slightly lower in elevation. When the rain is scarce, they can irrigate the fields using the river; however, during a flood like this, they can dig a channel at the southern end to redirect the water to the Lang family’s farmland.

“We can’t dig a channel!” Dou Zhao recalled the scene she had witnessed on her way here. “Zhen Ding has turned into a marshland. Even if we dig a channel, it won’t solve anything. Moreover, such actions could lead to disputes between the two families. We’ve lived next to the Lang family for many years without any conflicts; we can’t let them blame us for this.”

The people gathered here were all respected elders in the village who understood farming. Previously, they had worried that Dou Zhao was too young and might insist on digging a channel or seizing the winter seedlings to appease her grandmother. Now, hearing Dou Zhao’s words, they all sighed in relief.

The winter wheat was certainly a lost cause; now, they needed to figure out how to deal with the aftermath.

Several of them silently looked at Dou Zhao.

Understanding their thoughts, Dou Zhao said, “When I arrived, Aunt Cui repeatedly reminded me that you all have been farming for decades. Regardless of when the rain stops, if we can’t plant the autumn corn, this year’s rent will be waived. Please tell your families to rest easy and not to worry too much.”

Everyone’s expressions relaxed, and they praised Aunt Cui for her kind heart and Dou Zhao for her sincerity, showering her with words of gratitude.

Noticing that it was getting late, Dou Zhao began to serve tea and send her guests off.

Just then, Chen Qu Shui hurried in. “Fourth Miss, there’s news from the capital. The Emperor has issued an edict appointing Liang Jifang as the Prime Minister.”

Dou Zhao was momentarily taken aback.

She remembered Liang Jifang. After the coup at the Liao royal palace, he died in the Golden Luan Hall. At that time, she was just a woman managing household affairs, concerned only with the daily necessities. She had heard people talk about it later and had merely sighed, not knowing much about him.

But to die in the Golden Luan Hall, he must have been a person of great integrity!

“Please, have a seat,” she invited Chen Qu Shui.

He sighed, “I never expected him to become the Prime Minister in the end. This has taken everyone by surprise.”

“What is his background?” Dou Zhao asked. If he had any connection to her Fifth Uncle, it would greatly increase her Fifth Uncle’s chances of entering the cabinet.

Chen Qu Shui spoke with a hint of nostalgia, “He was a successful candidate in the Ren Chen examination, and after being appointed as a scholar, he worked in the Ministry of Justice. He faced many obstacles but eventually rose from the Ministry to become the Deputy Minister. He was a disciple of Pan Tuchang, the former Left Minister of the Censorate.

Pan Tuchang and Ye Shipai had a falling out, and when Ye Shipai forced Zeng Yifen into retirement, he supported Liang Jifang’s entry into the cabinet to spite Ye Shipai. Liang Jifang is self-aware; although he has been in the cabinet for over a decade, he has always been submissive and never made any significant decisions. His recent appointment is due to Ye Shipai’s old age and the fierce rivalry between Yao Shizhong and Dai Jiandou, which displeased the Emperor, leading him to appoint Liang Jifang as Prime Minister.” He sighed deeply, “Such is luck!”

Dou Zhao felt a stir in her heart.

Liang Jifang was a successful candidate in the Ren Chen examination, so he should be in his fifties or sixties now. Chen Qu Shui was about the same age, yet he had fallen to the status of a mere advisor while Liang Jifang had risen to such heights. It was only natural for him to feel a sense of loss.

Thinking of this, she comforted Chen Qu Shui, “I wouldn’t be so sure! I don’t know about others, but just look at the people you mentioned—Ye Shipai is formidable enough to force Zeng Yifen into retirement, and his cunning is extraordinary. Dai Jian has Wang Yuan’s support, and Yao Shizhong can hold his own against him, so he’s not an ordinary person either. Liang Jifang has so many powerful figures under him; whether he can keep them in check is another matter!”

Chen Qu Shui’s expression brightened considerably at her words.

Everyone has their sorrows!

Dou Zhao smiled slightly.

After chatting for a while longer, Chen Qu Shui stood to take his leave. Su Xin checked the door, while Su Lan lit some worm-repelling mugwort incense in the room. Gan Lu set up the tent and helped Dou Zhao settle down.

The rain intensified, pouring down like water being dumped from the sky.

Lying in bed, Dou Zhao felt as if she were on a boat.

She thought of Ji Yong and found it impossible to sleep.

Was he that Master Yuan Tong?

Deep down, she felt that a person as talented and extraordinary as him could not possibly remain unknown unless he died young. And Ji Yong didn’t seem like someone who would die young; it was highly likely he was indeed the Master Yuan Tong, whom even Wang Yuan respected!

But why did he choose to become a monk?

Someone so proud and arrogant couldn’t possibly have been forced into it. Did he have a fondness for Buddhism? Or had he seen through the mundane world? Or perhaps both?

There were rumors that he had encouraged the Emperor to become a monk.

If Ji Yong was indeed Master Yuan Tong, he could very well do such a thing!

Thinking of this, Dou Zhao felt a mix of emotions and couldn’t help but toss and turn in bed.

Outside, she faintly heard some noises.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Since being kidnapped by Pang Kunbai, Dou Zhao had become particularly sensitive to such matters. If Pang Kunbai hadn’t been so greedy, trying to lure her with both wealth and beauty, how could she have escaped unscathed?

“Su Xin!” She got up and lifted the curtain. “Go check; I think I heard something!”

Su Xin had also heard it, so when Dou Zhao called her, she had already woken Su Lan, who was lying beside her. By the time Dou Zhao spoke, Su Xin was already dressed and getting out of bed.

“Miss, don’t worry,” she comforted Dou Zhao. “I’ll go check right away.”

Dou Zhao nodded.

Su Lan sat on the edge of the bed, yawning. “Miss, it’s just Uncle Duan and Brother Chen. They won’t have any problems.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Xin returned. “Miss, someone is here to lodge.”

“Someone is here to lodge?” Dou Zhao frowned, glancing at the hourglass on the long table. “At this hour? How many people are there? What do they want?”

Su Xin hesitated. “A young gentleman said he’s a traveling merchant, accompanied by a steward and four or five attendants…”

As she spoke, Dou Zhao seemed to hear the sound of a baby crying.

She felt a chill run down her spine. “What is that sound?” Her voice tightened.

In her previous life, there was a time when Dou Zhao often heard the sound of a baby crying for no reason. It wasn’t until she gave birth to her daughter, Yin Jie, that the cries ceased to echo in her ears.

In Su Xin’s eyes, Dou Zhao was calm, rational, resilient, and composed, always dignified and unflappable. She had never seen Dou Zhao like this, looking as frightened as a child.

She quickly embraced Dou Zhao, her voice softening, “It’s that young gentleman. He brought a baby in swaddling clothes, saying it was his half-brother. His stepmother passed away, and he is fulfilling his father’s wish to return the baby home.”

Dou Zhao immediately calmed down. She sat up straight, thought for a moment, and said, “You help me get dressed; I’ll go take a look.”

Su Xin hesitated a bit.

Dou Zhao immediately sensed it.

“What’s wrong?” she asked in a low voice.

Su Xin hesitated for a moment before saying, “Uncle Duan mentioned that although the young gentleman is young, he moves with a lightness that seems relaxed yet firm. His every gesture flows like a mountain stream, clearly indicating he has practiced some special martial arts. The attendants around him appear ordinary, but they are all composed and measured, showing no signs of chaos in this torrential rain. One of them, with a gaze like a hidden sword, exudes a chilling aura, clearly a top-notch expert.

Such a person would easily be a commander in the capital’s imperial army; why would he serve as a guard for a merchant family? And that baby, not even a hundred days old, can’t even lift his head, yet he’s traveling with his brother. Don’t his family members worry he’ll be jostled and suffer misfortune? Then there’s the wet nurse, only eighteen or nineteen, with fair skin and delicate hands, clearly someone who has never done heavy labor… These people dress very ordinarily, but their demeanor is unmistakable, revealing something strange. Uncle Duan advised us to be cautious, keep the doors tightly shut, and not go out casually. Tonight, he and Brother Chen will personally patrol.”

Dou Zhao’s expression grew serious.

Su Lan, however, yawned and teased, “Maybe they’re a couple eloping! Uncle Duan is being too cautious.”

“Stop talking nonsense!” Su Xin scolded her sister. “Better safe than sorry. It’s people like Uncle Duan who make us feel secure!”

Su Lan stuck out her tongue.

But Dou Zhao felt as if something had been stirred within her, an uncontrollable impulse rising.

She got out of bed. “I want to go see,” she said firmly.

Su Xin pondered for a moment and repeatedly told Dou Zhao, “You must stay behind me.”

Dou Zhao nodded.

Su Xin helped her get dressed and draped a raincoat over her before taking an oil-paper umbrella and accompanying Dou Zhao through the corridor to the front courtyard.

Two black lacquered carriages and several horses stood in the middle of the courtyard, while unfamiliar guards were busy covering the carriages with oilcloth in the pouring rain. Despite the heavy downpour, the horses stood still, unfazed.

Uncle Duan was standing in the eaves of the east wing with a young man, watching the guards work in the courtyard and chatting.

The young man had his back to her, and the light was too dim to see what color his clothes were. He was of medium height, slightly slender, yet stood tall like a pine tree, with a graceful figure.

The scholar-like man beside him was facing her direction.

He appeared to be in his forties, with an ordinary appearance, but his eyes sparkled brighter than stars, radiating wisdom.

Upon seeing Dou Zhao, he leaned down and whispered something to the young man.

The young man and Uncle Duan turned to look at her.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning illuminated the courtyard, making it as bright as day.

The young man’s dark eyebrows, deep-set eyes, slightly pale face, and exquisitely flawless features all came into her view.

Dou Zhao felt as if she had been struck by that lightning, a deafening roar ringing in her ears, leaving her disoriented.

Someone called out in a panic, “Fourth Miss!” A pair of gentle yet firm hands steadied her shoulders.

“Song Mo,” she murmured in terror, “How could I have encountered Song Mo? Am I seeing things…”