Ji Yong was unaware of how much his uncle and father were worrying about him. Having decided to enter official service, he naturally set aside his previous indolence. After registering at the Ministry of Personnel, he immediately went to pay respects to his examiner—Yang Sen, the Vice Minister of Rites and chief examiner of this metropolitan examination.

Yang Sen, a native of Songjiang, was a close friend of Ji Yong’s uncle, Ji Song. Earlier, when Ji Yong was still at home deliberating whether to enter official service, Ji Song had personally visited Yang Sen to explain that Ji Yong had caught a cold and was bedridden, promising he would come to pay respects as soon as he recovered. Although Yang Sen had moved to the capital years ago, Ji Yong was a well-known prodigy from their Jiangnan region. Having heard about Ji Yong’s frequent “illnesses,” Yang Sen didn’t take it to heart and, out of respect for both families, even sent some medicinal herbs as a gesture of concern. Thus, his first words upon seeing Ji Yong were to inquire about his recovery.

When Ji Yong committed to something, he always gave it his all.

He thanked Yang Sen profusely and engaged him in a discussion about agriculture, Yang Sen’s favorite topic. Yang Sen suddenly found this student not only erudite and talented but also sincere in his words. Though somewhat inexperienced, Ji Yong didn’t lack the sharp wit of youth, which Yang Sen greatly appreciated. When Ji Yong took his leave, Yang Sen, in an unprecedented move, escorted him to the study door and urged, “Come visit me whenever you’re free.”

Ji Yong bowed repeatedly in gratitude before getting into his carriage.

Afterward, he hosted banquets for his fellow successful candidates.

Within a few days, he had become familiar with the new jinshi graduates. By the time he reported to the Hanlin Academy, he was greeted with shoulder pats and called “worthy nephew” to the Chief Academician, much to the visible displeasure of Cai Guyuan, the First-Place Scholar who was reporting for duty alongside him.

Ji Yong pretended not to notice, maintaining a humble and cautious demeanor before the senior Hanlin scholars. He quickly earned a reputation for being “modest and prudent,” leaving Ji Song and Ji Qi dumbfounded. Ji Qi wiped the sweat from his brow, exclaiming, “What’s happened to Jianming? He’s like a completely different person!”

Ji Song, however, thought of Dou Zhao.

He summoned a servant and asked, “Did Jianming reply to the Dou family’s fourth young miss afterward?”

“Yes,” the servant whispered. “The young master said the fourth young miss’s words made sense. He said that whether the Emperor chose him as the Third-Place Scholar because of his youth or his well-written essay, it was because he had the ability and strength. He shouldn’t be fixated on what kind of ‘flower’ he was!”

Ji Song nodded approvingly and instructed, “From now on, pay close attention to matters between Jianming and the Dou family’s fourth young miss.”

The servant inwardly grumbled about being asked to be an informant but outwardly showed no displeasure, repeatedly agreeing.

Just then, a letter arrived from the Ji family’s old master.

Ji Song handed the letter to Ji Qi, saying with a wry smile, “He tells us not to make a fuss. Although Jianming likes novelty, he never abandons what he has committed to. Now that he has entered official service, he won’t run off anywhere. With him in the capital and the Dou family’s fourth young miss in Zhending, time will naturally cool things down. We just need to keep a discreet eye on the situation. As for Jianming’s marriage, the old master has his plans and tells us not to act on our own.”

Ji Qi, having quickly read the letter, sighed, “I suppose that’s all we can do!” His tone was rather dejected.

Thinking about how Ji Yong seemed to have changed completely in recent days, Ji Song felt uneasy. He discussed it with Ji Qi and wrote another letter to the old master Ji. He also had someone keep track of Ji Yong’s movements. When they learned that Dou Qijun had come to bid farewell to Ji Yong, but Ji Yong couldn’t fulfill his earlier promise to return to Zhending with him due to his duties at the Hanlin Academy, Ji Song finally breathed a long sigh of relief. He remarked to Ji Qi, “The old ginger is indeed the spiciest. No wonder only Grandfather can manage Jianming!”

Ji Qi nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Meanwhile, Ji Yong wrote to Dou Zhao, complaining, “…I had hoped to come visit you, but now I can’t. I don’t know when this will end!”

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh, replying, “I hear the higher the official, the harder it is to retire. You might as well find some enjoyment, or you’ll truly be bored to death.”

Ji Yong quickly wrote back, “There are many in the Hanlin Academy who hold sinecures, but there are also those of true talent and learning. Recently, I’ve been learning to make zithers from Du Jianian. I’ll send you one when it’s done.”

Du Jianian, whose given name was Lun, was skilled at the zither and a renowned zither maker of the current dynasty. Being from the Hanlin Academy, his zithers were priceless.

Dou Zhao responded, “Why don’t you get me a zither made by Du Jianian himself instead!”

Ji Yong was furious, “You’ll regret your arrogant words today.”

But within a few days, Ji Yong sent her a zither made by Du Jianian from the capital, with “Sanglin” inscribed on the tail.

Dou Zhao loved it and specially invited a great master from Jiangnan to teach her to play.

Ji Yong also found several ancient zither scores.

As they corresponded, autumn quickly arrived.

Xu Qing, who had been recuperating at the estate, requested an audience: “The Young Master, fearing to attract attention at the estate, is staying at the Gaosheng Inn near the East City Gate. He wishes to visit the young miss. When would be convenient for the young miss?”

Dou Zhao was startled, exclaiming, “What happened?”

It had been over half a year since Song Mo was harmed by Duke of Ying. By all accounts, Song Mo should have been in the midst of his struggle with Song Yichun. Why would he suddenly come here?

Xu Qing was taken aback by Dou Zhao’s look of alarm.

He quickly explained, “Nothing has happened! The Young Master now has a firm grip on the situation. He came specifically to thank you. He didn’t come earlier for fear that Duke would discover your connection to that incident and implicate you…”

Dou Zhao sighed in relief, saying, “As long as your Young Master is safe, that’s good. Tell him there’s no need for thanks; we merely happened to be in the right place at the right time. As a woman of the inner quarters, it’s not appropriate for me to meet outside guests casually. I appreciate his goodwill.” She added, “But since he’s come as a guest, I’ll inform Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng to entertain the Young Master on my behalf.”

Xu Qing stared at Dou Zhao in disbelief, unable to comprehend that the Young Master had come to express gratitude only to be turned away.

He was dumbfounded.

Dou Zhao served tea.

Xu Qing could only follow Su Xin out of the hall in a daze.

Su Xin asked Dou Zhao worriedly, “Is it alright not to meet the Young Master?”

She, too, had a strong impression of Song Mo.

“We’ve finally extricated ourselves from the Song family’s affairs,” Dou Zhao said. “Keeping a respectful distance is the right course of action.”

Su Xin nodded.

A servant came to report, “There’s someone named Chen He who claims to be from the Tongde Silver Shop in the capital. He says he was entrusted by Manager Fan to bring something for the fourth young miss. I told him he could give it to me, but he insists that Manager Fan instructed him to deliver it to you personally.”

This supposed shop assistant was Song Mo’s attendant.

It seemed he wouldn’t be satisfied without seeing her.

Fearing that Song Mo might send someone else to request an audience, Dou Zhao frowned slightly and said, “Let that shop assistant in.”

The servant acknowledged and left.

Chen He entered, following the servant with a humble demeanor.

He respectfully kowtowed to Dou Zhao and took out a red-lacquered box about the size of a palm from his bosom, presenting it to her.

“For the fourth young miss’s coming of age, the Young Master should have come to offer congratulations. However, due to the scheming of those around him and fear of implicating the young miss, he had to restrain himself until now when matters in the capital have been settled. Only then did he personally come to congratulate the fourth young miss,” he said respectfully. “Hearing from Xu Qing that the fourth young miss is not convenient to receive guests, the Young Master didn’t want to disturb you and instructed me to deliver the coming-of-age gift he had prepared long ago.”

With that, he kowtowed to Dou Zhao three times in succession. “May the fourth young miss enjoy eternal youth and longevity!” He continued, “This box contains a string of sandalwood prayer beads, originally a cherished possession of the late madam. The Young Master kept it as a memento, but as it was blessed by a virtuous high monk who attained nirvana at the Great Xiangguo Temple, he especially sends it to the young miss, wishing you smooth sailing in all matters and peace of mind!”

Dou Zhao was astonished.

Song Mo had given her his mother’s beloved sandalwood prayer beads as a coming-of-age gift.

She had thought Song Mo came simply to thank her.

The box felt scorching hot in Dou Zhao’s hands as if burning with intensity.

She suddenly regretted refusing to see Song Mo earlier.

If she had, Song Mo wouldn’t have had to send Chen He to deliver the gift on his behalf.

She could have politely declined the gift then.

Now, in front of Chen He, despite her unease, she could only gesture to Su Xin to accept the gift and ask Chen He to convey her thanks to Song Mo.

Chen He didn’t withdraw. Instead, his eyes reddened, and he choked up, saying, “Fourth young miss, you may not know, but the Young Master couldn’t properly tend to his injuries earlier due to dealing with the Duke. His condition has been fluctuating. The imperial physician said that if the Young Master continued to exert himself like this, even the greatest immortals wouldn’t be able to heal him. Now that major issues have been settled, the Young Master has moved to the imperial-bestowed estate in Daxing, using the excuse of needing rootless water to brew medicine.

Everyone thought, whether at Yizhi Hall or the imperial estate, as long as the Young Master could focus on recovering, it would be fine… Who knew the Young Master had other plans, intending to personally come and thank you… You refuse to see him, how heartbroken must the Young Master be…” With that, he began kowtowing to Dou Zhao repeatedly. “Fourth young miss, I beg you. Please go see the Young Master! He still remembers the life-saving grace of the fourth young miss! Moreover, there are words he’s been holding in his heart, with no one to consult. He’s been hoping to see the fourth young miss, to ask about that incident… Please, young miss, grant him this!”

Dou Zhao remained silent.

No one had anticipated Song Yichun’s sudden attack on Song Mo, so it was understandable that Song Mo would still be puzzled to this day.

This matter was likely to remain a thorn in Song Mo’s heart, impossible to remove.

As an outsider who had glimpsed the peculiarities of the situation, Song Mo would certainly seek answers from her, hoping to find some reason for his father’s attack.

If she avoided meeting him, Song Mo would probably think of her whenever he recalled this incident.

After some thought, Dou Zhao said, “Tell your Young Master that we can meet at the estate tomorrow.” She glanced at Chen He and added coolly, “However, this is a one-time exception. It won’t happen again.”

“Fourth young miss!” Chen He was both surprised and delighted. He quickly said, “I won’t dare to act on my own again…” He kowtowed to Dou Zhao several more times.

Dou Zhao had Su Xin see Chen He out, then went to see her grandmother.

Knowing that Dou Zhao was going to the estate to meet Mr. Chen, her grandmother asked with a smile, “How’s the business at your stationery shop?”

“It’s just breaking even,” Dou Zhao smiled. “This trip to the estate is also to consult with Mr. Chen about ways to make the shop profitable.”

Her grandmother nodded and asked about Tang Fugui, who had given Dou Zhao a golden pheasant at her coming-of-age ceremony: “Thirteen took him away. He hasn’t caused you any trouble, has he?”

The old lady felt that since Cui Thirteen had taken him if anything went wrong, the responsibility would fall entirely on Cui Thirteen’s shoulders.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile.

This Tang Fugui was indeed a natural businessman. He had quickly adapted after going to the capital, and because he was even more humble than Cui Thirteen, he was doing even better.

“Don’t worry, Grandmother! How could someone recommended by Cui Thirteen go wrong?!”

“That’s good!” Her grandmother was pleased to hear this and personally saw Dou Zhao off the next day.

On a clear autumn day, without a trace of cloud in the sky, the air was crisp and refreshing.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

The carriage was stopped at the village entrance.

“Fourth young miss,” Chen He, whom she had met before, bowed to her, “The Young Master is waiting for you by the river on the back mountain.”

That was where she and her father used to fish.

There was a small path leading to the back mountain, unsuitable for carriages.

The path was short, just around the mountain. Dou Zhao, assisted by Su Xin, alighted from the carriage. A sedan chair was waiting by the small path.

Chen He stepped forward and lifted the curtain.

Dou Zhao got into the sedan chair.

The chair swayed gently up the small path.

The usually deserted woods now seemed to have an almost imperceptible sharpness every few steps, subtly locking down the path to the back mountain.

Walking on the familiar small path, Dou Zhao felt as if she were treading on the edge of a deep chasm.