A few days later, the capital welcomed its first snow of the winter.
In Zhending, four hundred li away, howling winds and heavy snow also filled the air.
A few days ago, a steward from the manor had delivered some annual goods, including two snow leopard pelts. They were a bit small for a coat but too precious to use as mere skirt trimmings. After much consideration, Dou Zhao decided to make a fur collar for her grandmother and a “Zhaojun set” in autumn fragrance color with cloud patterns, perfect for the New Year.
As the weather was cold and there wasn’t much to do, Ganlu and the others accompanied Dou Zhao in the inner room, sitting on the heated kang by the window, doing needlework.
Suxin entered quietly.
“Miss,” she winked at Dou Zhao and smiled, “There seems to be a discrepancy in the accounts sent from the manor a few days ago.”
Hearing this, Ganlu and the others immediately withdrew.
Suxin then took out a letter from her bosom. “Miss, Mr. Chen had someone deliver this.”
Dou Zhao nervously accepted the letter.
Eight or nine days had passed since the incident, but there had been no news from the capital. Though she appeared relaxed, she had been constantly worried, often lying awake at night.
After quickly scanning the letter, Dou Zhao couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.
Suxin, who had been anxiously observing her, saw this and her expression also relaxed, soon revealing a joyful smile. “Miss, are Guard Duan and the others safe and sound?”
Dou Zhao nodded, gesturing for Suxin to light the nearby ram’s horn palace lantern. As she burned the letter, she whispered, “Young Master Mei’s situation is settled. He presided over Madam Jiang’s memorial service on the twenty-first day. Mr. Chen, Guard Duan, and the others will return in a few days!”
Even the usually calm Suxin couldn’t contain her joy upon hearing that Chen Qushui and the others would return soon. “That’s wonderful, that’s wonderful!”
Seeing her happiness, Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile and said, “Go tell Lu Ming, so they won’t worry.”
Suxin left, overjoyed.
Dou Zhao, however, stared at the ashes of the burned letter for a long time.
Song Mo was indeed not the type to submit passively.
If his father wanted to frame him, he would fight back just as fiercely.
Her decision to send Duan Gongyi, Chen Xiaofeng, and others to rescue Song Mo overnight had been risky.
But whenever she thought of Song Mo’s fate in her previous life, she couldn’t stand by and watch the tragedy repeat itself.
However, why Duke Ying wanted to frame his own eldest son remained a mystery to Dou Zhao, both in her previous life and this one.
In her previous life, the Jiang family had been executed, and Madam Jiang had fallen ill and passed away shortly after. Song Mo, having just lost his uncle and then his mother, must have been exhausted both mentally and physically, with some resentment in his heart. He couldn’t possibly have had the energy or inclination to pay attention to what was happening around him, allowing Duke Ying to carefully arrange his downfall, starting with the impeachment by the imperial censor.
In this life, although Jiang Meisun and others had been harmed, Madam Mei and other women and children had survived. To protect the Jiang clan, Song Mo not only didn’t become depressed over the deaths of Jiang Meisun and others but became more actively involved in the noble circles of the capital. He even deliberately lost the autumn hunting archery competition to test the Emperor’s intentions, reaffirming his position in the Emperor’s eyes.
Song Mo’s reputation had become a hot potato for Duke Ying, who finally chose to strike suddenly when Song Mo returned for the funeral… Dou Zhao’s warning and Duke Ying’s reluctance had given Song Mo a glimmer of hope.
Sometimes, one’s identity can be a constraint.
Now that he had successfully escaped danger and hopefully retained his position as the heir, Dou Zhao hoped he wouldn’t become as reckless as in her previous life.
Dou Zhao let out a soft sigh.
At dusk, Lu Ming came to bid farewell.
Without a word, he first knelt and kowtowed three times to Dou Zhao. “Fourth Miss, not only the Young Master but all of us will never forget your great kindness!” He then continued, “The Young Master is injured and needs care and support, but he’s short-handed. Mr. Yan and I have discussed it and decided to rush back to the capital tonight. Xu Qing’s injuries are too severe, so we’ll have to trouble the Fourth Miss to let him recover at the manor for a few more days.”
Lu Ming had been very respectful to Dou Zhao during his half-year stay with the Dou family, but now his respect was tinged with a hint of reverence, seeming very sincere.
Perhaps it was because she had saved Song Mo!
“Please stand up,” Dou Zhao pondered, then said, “There aren’t many people at the manor, so feel free to let Xu Qing recover there.” She then had Suxin bring fifty taels of silver as travel money. “Be careful on your journey. My people haven’t returned yet, so I can’t provide an escort back to the capital.”
Lu Ming didn’t stand on ceremony and tucked the silver note into his bosom. “It’s only a five or six-day journey from here to the capital. Since the situation has been settled, Duke probably won’t have time to bother with us now. We should be able to arrive safely.”
Dou Zhao thought the same and, after giving a few more words of advice, served tea and saw Lu Ming off.
Ganlu came in to report, “Miss, Gao Xing has returned!”
A month ago, Gao Sheng had come on Dou Shiying’s orders to bring Dou Ming back to the capital.
Dou Zhao had sent Gao Xing to accompany them.
She met Gao Xing in the hall.
“Miss, the journey was very smooth,” Gao Xing still had traces of melted snow on his clothes, indicating he had come to see Dou Zhao before even settling in. “The Seventh Master even called me to ask many questions about you.” He grinned, clearly happy that Dou Shiying cared so much about his eldest daughter. “He sent many specialties from the capital, saying they were for Miss’s New Year.”
Dou Zhao thanked him for his hard work and asked Suxin to inventory the items. She then inquired about her father’s health.
“The Seventh Master is very well,” Gao Xing smiled. “Every rest day, he goes to the temple to discuss Buddhist teachings with the masters. Everyone praises the Seventh Master’s profound understanding of Buddhism, and we all benefit from it.” As he spoke, he took out a safety charm from his waist pouch. “When I was playing at the Great Xiangguo Temple, the guest-receiving monk Fude learned I was from the Seventh Master Dou’s household in Beilou, and he especially gave me this safety charm blessed by the abbot!”
Dou Zhao was stunned and then burst into laughter.
Years ago, Abbot Fude of the Great Xiangguo Temple and Dharma Master Yuantong of the Great Longshan’s Huguo Temple were the two most renowned Chan masters in the capital. One could talk the dead back to life, while the other could talk the living to death; one was handsome and dignified, and the other was outstanding in appearance. Every year during the Ghost Festival ceremonies, the areas in front of both temples would be packed with women coming to listen to Buddhist teachings. It was said that when the monks came out with the donation boxes, copper coins would fall like raindrops.
Now, the future abbot of the Great Xiangguo Temple was still a guest-receiving monk, but he already knew how to take care of the servants of Academician Dou’s relatives. If Ji Yong was indeed the future Abbot Yuantong of the Great Longshan’s Huguo Temple… he was temporarily staying in the Dou family’s Heshou Hall, preparing to take the spring imperial examinations next year…
Was it fate that often brought destined people together unknowingly?
The more Dou Zhao thought about it, the more she believed Ji Yong was likely to be Dharma Master Yuantong.
However, what had Ji Yong been doing these days?
Since that day when he had stormed off, she hadn’t paid attention to him, and he hadn’t appeared before her either.
As Dou Zhao was hesitating whether to go check on Ji Yong, Ganlu’s voice suddenly came from outside: “Young Master Ji…” Her voice quickly turned to panic, “What are you doing…”
The warm curtain fluttered, and Ji Yong barged in unceremoniously.
He wore only a blue brocade robe, with snowflakes still on his head and shoulders. If not for his unusually serious expression, she might have frowned and scolded him loudly.
“Miss!” Ganlu, who had followed closely behind Ji Yong, looked at Dou Zhao pleadingly.
Dou Zhao made a gesture, indicating for her to go serve tea, then calmly pointed to the armchair beside her and said, “Cousin Ji, please sit.”
Ji Yong seemed completely unaware of any impropriety. He nodded but didn’t sit down. Instead, he stood straight and said coolly, “I’ve decided to leave for the capital tomorrow. I’ll rent a house near the Shuntian Prefecture school, seclude myself to study, and take part in next year’s spring imperial examinations.”
His sudden arrival had caught Dou Zhao off guard, and she hadn’t expected him to tell her he had accepted her advice. It took her a moment to regain her composure.
“That’s wonderful!” she said, maintaining her usual demeanor. “Let me be the first to wish Cousin Ji success in achieving his goals and hearing his name announced in the golden hall!” Inwardly, she wanted to laugh.
This Ji Yong, even when admitting he was wrong, had to use a condescending tone.
Seeing her reaction, Ji Yong nodded with great satisfaction.
Dou Zhao turned her face away and coughed lightly, finally suppressing the laughter that had almost escaped her lips.
Ganlu came running in.
“Miss, Miss, Mr. Chen has returned!”
“Ah!” Dou Zhao’s face lit up with joy. She hurriedly said to Ji Yong, “Please wait here for a moment,” and went out to greet them.
Through the snowy-covered corridor, she could see Chen Qushui and the others in their blue robes approaching.
Dou Zhao’s eyes glistened with moisture.
“Miss!” The group stopped under the veranda, and Chen Qushui, filled with emotion, looked at Dou Zhao and bowed deeply.
“Mr. Chen,” Dou Zhao said with a smile, “You’ve finally returned!” She then carefully looked over Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng, who were bowing to her behind Chen Qushui. Seeing their rosy complexions, she nodded with a face full of smiles, “It’s good that you’re all safe!” Then she invited them in, “Let’s talk inside!”
Everyone’s faces were filled with smiles of joy at the reunion.
As they were about to enter the room, surrounding Dou Zhao, the warm curtain was lifted, and Ji Yong walked out.
Mr. Chen and the others were somewhat surprised.
Ji Yong, however, narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade as it fell on Chen Qushui.
“Mr. Chen?” He raised an eyebrow. “I heard you went to visit a friend in the capital. May I ask where this esteemed friend resides? How come you didn’t pay a visit to Master Dou while you were in the capital? You’re truly as elusive as a dragon showing its head but not its tail!” His tone carried a hint of sarcasm.
Chen Qushui didn’t know that Ji Yong had been investigating him.
In the past, he would have been displeased. But after experiencing the events at Duke Ying’s mansion, he suddenly felt that compared to Song Mo’s ordeal, these were trivial matters.
“My friend lives in Daxing,” he said calmly with a smile. “I’m in the habit of referring to it as the capital. I apologize for the misunderstanding, Young Master Ji. As for Master Dou’s place, I did pay a visit, but I didn’t happen to meet you there.” His words were concise, without a single extra sentence.
Ji Yong found Chen Qushui even more suspicious, but seeing Dou Zhao’s excited expression, he swallowed the words that were about to leave his mouth.
“Then I’ll take my leave now!”
He swung his sleeves and left the upper house of the West Dou residence.
From outside came Zishang’s panting voice: “Young Master, Young Master, please at least wear a cloak!”
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile as she entered the room with Mr. Chen and the others.
After Ganlu and the others served tea, they quietly withdrew.
Mr. Chen began to recount their experiences in the capital over the past few days.