Can one casually share their birth chart? 

Is fortune-telling something anyone can do? 

What if someone gets harmed by a scheme? 

Lü Momo broke out in a cold sweat. 

After exchanging a few hesitant words with Hong Gu, she hurriedly left the writing shop. 

As she stepped out onto the street beneath the Drum Tower, she spotted a fortune-telling stall… 

A thought sparked in Lü Momo’s mind. 

What if the Fourth Miss of the Dou family and the Eighth Lord of Jining were incompatible? 

She couldn’t wait to see Wei Tingzhen. 

Wei Tingzhen listened, both surprised and delighted. 

If their birth charts were incompatible, there were ways to remedy it. 

But if Dou Zhao’s fate was too strong… then the Wei family would have no say in the matter. 

It would be even better if a member of the Dou family said this! 

She praised Lü Momo profusely, but once Lü Momo left, her worries returned. 

While the idea was good, Wang Yingxue was a stepmother with no roots in the capital; her words would be hard to take seriously! 

It would be best if Madam Fan, Dou Shishu’s wife, could step in. 

Wei Tingzhen immediately instructed Jin Momo to relay this message to the Jing’an Temple Alley. 

Wang Yingxue nearly fainted upon hearing it, suppressing her anger as she quietly shouted in her room, “Who does she think she is? Trying to command the Fifth Madam? Has she lost her mind? Does she think the Dou family is filled with fools?” 

Hu Momo advised, “Wei Tingzhen just wants someone credible to speak on her behalf.” 

“A credible speaker…” If Dou Zhao were to be rejected by the Wei family, Wang Yingxue imagined Dou Shiying’s regret and resentment, and she couldn’t help but laugh heartily, causing Hu Momo to feel a chill. She quickly composed herself and said, “If my mother were to step in, everyone would surely believe her, right?” 

Madam Wang Xingyi held some weight in the capital, but regarding Dou Zhao, the Wang family was Wang Yingxue’s maternal family. The Sixth Madam of the Dou family had more influence over Dou Zhao’s reputation than Wang Xushi’s words. 

“But what about the eldest aunt?” Hu Momo worried. “She might scold you again.” 

“When has she not scolded me?” Ever since the Gao family rejected Wang Yingxue’s request, her feud with them had become irreparable. She gritted her teeth and said, “Last time, she ruined Ming Jie’s good fortune! If she dares to interfere again, I’ll make sure she leaves the Wang family, even if it costs me my life!” 

Hu Momo listened, terrified, and dared not say a word. 

Wang Yingxue went to the Liuye Alley where the Wang family resided. 

Wang Xushi was somewhat skeptical of Wei Tingzhen’s words: “Can she pull off this marriage?” 

Wang Yingxue bit her lip. “We have to try. Even if it doesn’t work out, having such a family proposal is good for Ming Jie. I don’t want her to marry back to Zhen Ding!” 

In Zhen Ding, many would criticize Dou Ming’s background, which stripped her of dignity. 

Wang Xushi understood this. 

Dou Ming had grown up in her arms, and their bond was special. Although Wang Yingxue’s situation troubled her, thinking of her clever and charming granddaughter softened her heart, and she nodded in agreement. 

Wei Tingzhen arranged for Wang Yingxue and her daughter to meet the next day at the Daxiangguo Temple. 

Taking advantage of everyone attending the temple to hear the abbot preach, if they made their case in front of the capital’s noble ladies, the Wei family could withdraw their proposal with a legitimate reason. 

Yet, for some reason, despite everything being arranged, Wei Tingzhen felt uneasy. 

She dismissed Jin Momo and whispered to Lü Momo. 

“Do you think the Wang family can be trusted? If so, she’ll become a target. Will the Dou family let her off the hook?” 

Lü Momo chuckled, “Madam, the Wang family only has the Fifth Miss of the Dou family as their daughter. She’ll have to rely on her son-in-law for her future.” 

Wei Tingzhen suddenly understood. 

At her age, Madam Wang could no longer bear a son. If she could find a good husband for her daughter, whether it was taking a concubine or adopting a son, she would have leverage. The Dou family’s complaints would be nothing more than a minor annoyance to her. 

Feeling pleased, Wei Tingzhen instructed Lü Momo, “Don’t wear that pale blue outfit; it’s too plain. Wear that dark green brocade robe instead; it looks more spirited.” 

Lü Momo smiled and went to fetch the outfit, carefully checking the jewelry and shoes for the next day. After hearing from a young maid that Zhang Yuanming was resting in the outer courtyard’s study, she served Wei Tingzhen and then withdrew. 

Meanwhile, in Zhao Zishi’s residence in Qianfo Temple Alley, half the city away from Duke Jingguo’s mansion, the sounds of music and laughter filled the air. 

Zhao Zishi, whose beauty was so enchanting it was hard to distinguish her gender, set down her wine cup, her cheeks flushed. She glanced sideways at Ji Yong, her eyes sparkling with a spring-like softness. 

“Lord Ji,” her voice was low and slightly hoarse, harmonizing with the clear sounds of the bamboo flute, creating an unexpectedly soothing atmosphere, “I’ve finished my drink!” With that, she tipped her cup upside down. 

Not a drop spilled. 

As they took their seats, Zhao Zishi toasted He Yu three times, while Ji Yong cheered her on. After three rounds, she had already toasted four times; this was the fifth round. 

Unlike the lightheartedness at the Zui Xian Lou, they lounged lazily in the waterside pavilion, surrounded by the gentle flow of the jade-white marble channel. Tall, red melon-shaped lanterns stood among the green trees, casting a warm glow on the young performers nearby, who were either playing the qin or blowing the flute, making their features appear soft and delicate, adding a touch of elegance to the midnight feast. 

Wang Qinghuai and He Yu, feeling a bit hot from drinking, were dressed only in their inner garments. One leaned against a girl with delicate features, who was massaging his temples, while the other held a youthful performer, whose beauty was hard to conceal, revealing a hint of wild abandon. 

Gu Yu, on the other hand, was neatly dressed but had removed his shoes, dipping his bare feet into the winding channel, drinking leisurely while splashing water, causing the lotus flowers floating by to sink momentarily. He laughed, raising his hand as a beautiful performer poured him more wine. 

With the wine flowing and the summer heat rising, even though Wei Tingyu wore a light, cool silk robe, he was still drenched in sweat. 

He glanced at Wang Qinghuai and He Yu across the water, then at Gu Yu beside him, unsure whether to follow Wang Qinghuai and He Yu’s lead and remove his robe or to imitate Gu Yu and dip his feet into the clear water for comfort. 

As Wei Tingyu hesitated, Ji Yong’s voice reached his ears: “My lord, can you drink these three cups for me?” 

Ji Yong’s collar was half-open, leaning against a black lacquered table inlaid with ivory, looking as if he could barely handle his drink. 

Wei Tingyu’s head buzzed, and his tongue felt heavy. “I… I can’t drink anymore…” 

Ji Yong’s expression darkened. 

Wei Tingyu looked to Wang Qinghuai for help. 

Wang Qinghuai, having drunk quite a bit himself, was resting with his eyes closed, enjoying the gentle massage from a maid, oblivious to him. 

He Yu sighed inwardly. 

What harm would it be to drink? 

It was just getting drunk and not waking up. 

It would also conveniently help him avoid Ji Yong’s advances. 

How could the Fourth Miss of the Dou family be promised to such a person? 

“Ji Ming,” He Yu signaled a performer beside him to pour wine, “If you can’t drink, I’ll drink these three cups for you!” His tone was hearty, eager to help Wei Tingyu out. 

Wei Tingyu had just been inwardly criticizing He Yu for being a man of vices, but now he felt a surge of gratitude, looking at him with appreciation. 

Zhao Zishi, however, was not pleased: “Then I want someone to drink for me too.” Her gaze shifted to Gu Yu. 

Gu Yu’s face was like a peach blossom, exuding a lazy charm, yet his eyes were as clear as a spring. 

Recalling the rumors of Gu Yu being a little tyrant in the capital, he felt a chill and quickly shifted his gaze to Wang Qinghuai, whose demeanor was warm and approachable: “Young Master, can you drink a cup for me later?” 

Wang Qinghuai squinted, chuckling. 

After a long night of laughter and chatter, Wang Qinghuai, He Yu, and Wei Tingyu each drank three cups. 

Gu Yu watched coldly, finding it all rather dull. 

He stood up barefoot and said, “You all continue; I’m heading back!” 

Zhao Zishi felt a twinge of anxiety. 

Wang Qinghuai, knowing his temperament, laughed and said, “Don’t mind him.” Then he called for a servant, “See Gu Gongzi home.” 

Gu Yu waved his hand, “No need; I know the way.” He strode off. 

In the summer breeze, he could faintly hear Wang Qinghuai’s teasing laughter behind him: “…he’s still a child.” 

Gu Yu felt a surge of anger, initially wanting to turn back and confront them, but then he recalled Song Mo’s words: “When doing something, ask yourself if you are willing. If you are, then accept the consequences without regret or blame; if not, you are just a clown, inviting ridicule.” He decided it wasn’t worth it and instructed the coachman, “To Duke Ying’s mansion.” 

The carriage sped toward the alley where Duke Ying’s mansion was located. 

The patrolling guards saw them and quickly made their way. 

In the dead of night, Gu Yu arrived at the east side door of Duke Ying’s mansion without obstruction. 

Song Mo had already gone to bed, but upon hearing Gu Yu’s arrival, he threw on a robe and met him in his inner chamber. 

“What happened?” Song Mo asked worriedly. “Weren’t you with Wang Qinghuai at the Ministry of Works?” 

Gu Yu waved his hand, pouring himself a cup of tea. “Nothing much! I ran into He Wenda’s son and the nephew of the Minister of Works, Ji Song, and the new top scholar, Ji Jianming. We all ended up at Zhao Zishi’s place drinking again. The Ji and Wei families are related by marriage, and Ji Jianming claimed to be the Eighth Lord’s brother-in-law, pouring wine for him like crazy.” He complained, “That Wei Tingyu too, acting like a country bumpkin, couldn’t refuse Ji Jianming’s drinking, and ended up being made a fool of. I felt embarrassed just walking with him. Tian Ci, you must tell me why you promoted Wei Tingyu. I can’t see anything special about him…” 

Song Mo’s expression changed slightly. “What did you say? You took Wei Tingyu to Zhao Zishi’s place?” 

Zhao Zishi had a questionable reputation, often associating with powerful men who had a penchant for her. 

He exclaimed, “Who suggested going to Zhao Zishi’s?”