In the early morning, the rain continued to fall.

Dou Zhao and Chen Qu Shui sat silently at the black lacquered square table in the hall, having breakfast. The table was filled with vibrant green bok choy, golden scrambled eggs, a plate of ten-spice pickled cucumbers, a plate of steamed dried fish, a plate of stir-fried winter vegetables, a plate of mixed vegetables, two bowls of glutinous rice porridge, and a variety of steamed buns and scallion pancakes, all neatly arranged in small bamboo baskets.

However, the two sat across from each other in silence, lacking any appetite.

Duan Gongyi strode in, his expression grave. “Fourth Miss,” he said, “I’ve noticed that it seems like people are watching all the entrances around the estate…” He was unaware of the specifics but sensed something was amiss. “Could it be that the guest staying here has caused some trouble? Should we talk to them? If a conflict arises, we need to know the reason, right? Otherwise, we might end up as innocent victims caught in the crossfire.”

Chen Qu Shui looked at Dou Zhao. This trouble had originated from him, and he had intended to resign before the situation escalated further.

Dou Zhao replied, “I fear it may already be too late. Even if they hadn’t recognized you before, your repeated inquiries about my movements through your servants have likely drawn their attention. Now that they’ve guessed your identity, it’s better to stay here at the estate than to hastily distance ourselves. Their goal is to quietly send that child to safety. We can see they have skilled guards; they must also recognize that our guards are not weak. If a conflict breaks out, although they are skilled, we have the advantage in numbers, and since this is our estate, they may not be able to leave unscathed. It’s safer for you to remain here. Resigning is unnecessary. Everyone faces challenges in life; we can overcome them together.”

There was something else she hesitated to say, fearing it would make Chen Qu Shui feel even guiltier. Given the current situation, even if he left, with Song Mo’s character, he would likely prefer to kill the wrong person than let anyone escape, making it unlikely that they could clear their names.

Chen Qu Shui was left speechless by Dou Zhao’s words, or perhaps “grateful” was a more fitting description. Few could out-argue him, but in the face of Dou Zhao’s earnestness, he felt that anything he said would seem pale and powerless. He deeply bowed to Dou Zhao, saying nothing more, and together they waited to see how things would unfold.

After hearing Duan Gongyi’s words, Dou Zhao’s heart sank. Could it be that someone was truly pursuing them? The situation was becoming increasingly complicated. Logically, if they had noticed someone spying on them, Song Mo should have been aware as well.

She asked Duan Gongyi, “Is there any news from Young Master Mei?”

When Song Mo stayed, he introduced himself as Mei, which was his maternal grandfather’s surname.

Duan Gongyi hesitated. “What’s strange is that Young Master Mei only brought a steward, a manager, two drivers, and four guards, along with a wet nurse and the child. The wet nurse and child, along with Young Master Mei, the steward, the manager, and the drivers are all here, but the four guards have vanished without a trace. Do you think Young Master Mei might have discovered something and sent them out…”

Dou Zhao and Chen Qu Shui’s expressions changed dramatically.

If Song Mo had truly discovered a formidable enemy, he should have found a way to divert their attention, allowing him to escape with the child and guards. Why would he choose to confront them directly? He couldn’t fight against so many, no matter how skilled his guards were… unless the ones spying on them were Song Mo’s four guards?

Why would he do that?

Dou Zhao’s heart raced, and the phrase “kill to silence” flashed through her mind.

Chen Qu Shui exclaimed, “We’re merely caught in the middle; they wouldn’t be so ruthless, would they?”

He is that ruthless! Dou Zhao thought bitterly. He could kill his father and brother; what do you and I mean to him?

Although Duan Gongyi was confused, he could sense the tension between Dou Zhao and Chen Qu Shui. He hesitantly asked a question he shouldn’t have: “Is something wrong?”

If the people watching the estate were indeed Song Mo’s, their situation would be perilous. A confrontation was inevitable.

Rather than let Duan Gongyi remain in the dark about what was happening, Dou Zhao decided it was better to reveal the truth. Three cobblers can outsmart Zhuge Liang; perhaps together they could devise a way to escape!

With that in mind, Dou Zhao explained the background of Song Mo and the grievances between him and Chen Qu Shui to Duan Gongyi.

Duan Gongyi was left dumbfounded, unable to process the information for a long time.

“Fourth Miss, could you be mistaken?” he murmured. “Ding Guo Gong is a great hero against the Japanese pirates; who in the martial world doesn’t know him? If it weren’t for him guarding Fujian, those pirates would have landed long ago. Every household in Fujian has set up longevity tablets for him, burning incense daily to pray for his safety and long life! How could the court possibly arrest him? That would be a betrayal of a virtuous man! What about the pirates along the Fujian coast?” He paced the hall, repeatedly muttering “impossible,” then turned seriously to Dou Zhao. “Fourth Miss, if that child is truly a descendant of Ding Guo Gong, we cannot oppose Young Master Mei. The martial world would scorn us! How about we escort the child away from Zhen Ding? That way, Young Master Mei won’t suspect us. What do you think?”

Dou Zhao stared at him, taken aback by his reaction. If her guards thought this way, how could she possibly confront Song Mo?

At the same time, she felt a sense of relief for having informed Duan Gongyi about this matter in advance. Otherwise, if the two sides faced off and he turned against her midway, it would be disastrous.

Dou Zhao suppressed the throbbing pain in her temples and reminded him, “If Young Master Mei were truly so easy to negotiate with, he could simply find Mr. Chen quietly; why would he need to monitor the entire estate?”

Duan Gongyi looked at Chen Qu Shui.

The usually decisive Chen Qu Shui hesitated, “Fourth Miss, should I go talk to Young Master Mei? Although Ding Guo Gong killed my lord, in the face of national righteousness, he is not in the wrong. I may be mediocre, but I can still distinguish right from wrong…”

That idea was too naive.

It might work for others, but it would be utterly useless against Song Mo.

Dou Zhao interrupted him, saying, “What do we have to gain Young Master Mei’s trust?”

Chen Qu Shui fell silent.

Young Master Mei was the heir of the prestigious DUke Ying’s household, while he was merely a down-and-out scholar wandering the streets. Why would anyone believe what he said?

What weight would his assurances carry for the heir of Duke Ying?

Seeing his reaction, Dou Zhao asked, “What if Young Master Mei believes that only the dead can keep secrets?”

Both Duan Gongyi and Chen Qu Shui lowered their heads.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

“I think this is how we should proceed,” Dou Zhao said, her tone softening after a long pause. “Let’s first try diplomacy! Mr. Chen should talk to Young Master Mei. If the conversation goes well, it will be a win-win situation. As for you, Duan Guard, please keep Young Master Mei’s identity a secret for now. You are a man of loyalty and righteousness, but others may not be. If news leaks out, it could endanger Ding Guo Gong. If Mr. Chen cannot reach an agreement, we cannot just sit back and wait to be slaughtered, can we? Please remind everyone to stay alert and be prepared for Young Master Mei’s potential actions.”

If it were someone else, she would have plenty of ways to escape.

But this was Song Mo.

Just thinking about his ruthlessness in the previous life sent a chill down her spine, making her hesitant to confront him. She feared that if she won this time but disrupted his plans, he would settle the score with her later—she knew she wasn’t as formidable as Duke Ying.

Dou Zhao sighed deeply.

She couldn’t reveal his identity or the purpose of their visit while also ensuring her safety. The only option was to approach Song Mo gradually, finding a way to earn his trust.

Duan Gongyi nodded repeatedly, feeling that this way, they would also be morally justified in their actions toward Ding Guo Gong. “Miss, don’t worry; I’ll make arrangements right away.”

“Make sure not to disclose their identities,” Dou Zhao reminded him once more.

“I will keep this secret to myself,” Duan Gongyi assured her repeatedly before finally leaving.

Chen Qu Shui remained still.

Dou Zhao’s words felt like a bucket of cold water poured over him, and he calmed down, reflecting on the situation. He realized that Dou Zhao’s reasoning was sound. After Duan Gongyi left, he said solemnly, “Miss, I fear Young Master Mei won’t believe us…”

He certainly wouldn’t believe them.

But this was a friendly gesture.

Dou Zhao replied, “We’ve done what we ought to do; whether Young Master Mei appreciates it is his concern.”

Chen Qu Shui understood and felt a sense of relief. “I’ll go see Young Master Mei now.”

Dou Zhao nodded, sending Chen Qu Shui off, but she didn’t immediately return inside. Instead, she stood under the eaves, taking a deep breath.

The damp air filled her lungs, bringing a slight chill that cleared her mind.

If he were going to act, it should be before the rain stops, right? Otherwise, once the rain ceases, the villagers will come out, and his movements will be exposed…

He wouldn’t massacre the village, would he?

Song Mo watched with interest as the wet nurse fed the child water.

Once the child finished drinking, he reached out, saying, “Come, let me hold you.”

The wet nurse carefully placed the child in Song Mo’s arms, instructing him on how to support the child’s head.

Yan Chaoqing walked in. “Young Master, Chen Qu Shui wishes to see you.”

“Then you can talk to him,” Song Mo replied without looking up, holding the child in the position the wet nurse had shown him. He smiled and gently rubbed his cheek against the child’s face, softly patting the child’s back.

Yan Chaoqing immediately understood.

The Young Master had made his decision and would not change it.

Whether to talk or what to discuss was no longer necessary.

He respectfully replied, “Yes,” and stepped back.

Song Mo gazed tenderly at the child, speaking softly, “Don’t worry; you will grow up safely, marry, have children, and live a prosperous and peaceful life…”

His voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, and the child seemed to sense something, burping softly before falling into a deep sleep.