Song Mo indeed wanted to go to Zhen Ding. Before heading to Qianfo Temple Alley, he had already sent someone to investigate Ji Yong’s background. He was concerned that something irreparable might happen to Wei Tingyu, so without waiting for Du Wei, who was responsible for gathering intelligence, to report back, he hurried to Qianfo Temple Alley.
Upon returning to Yizhi Hall, he received the news from Du Wei. Since Ji Yong had visited his aunt, Madam Ji of the Dou family, three years ago during his travels, he had stayed at the Dou residence multiple times. Before the imperial examination, he even borrowed a place to study at the He Shou Hall, where Dou Zhao’s grandfather had spent his later years in quietude, becoming quite familiar with Dou Zhao.
His heart churned like a stormy sea, and he struggled to control his emotions. Ji Yong had no grievances with Wei Tingyu; why would he want to harm her? Did Dou Zhao have any connection to this? If she was unaware, what was Ji Yong’s intention? If she did know… was she planning to break off the engagement with the Wei family?
A heavy stone seemed to block his chest, making it hard for him to breathe. There were countless ways to break off an engagement; why resort to harming others?
He thought of Dou Zhao’s bright laughter, her dignified yet slightly charming face, her star-like bright eyes, and her long, elegant brows. His heart felt as if it were being fried in oil. Did Dou Zhao know about this?
Could that woman, as clear and cool as a gentle breeze and bright moon, yet with a hint of warmth, truly do such a thing? Hope, doubt, disappointment, and guilt surged within him, leaving him in a state of confusion, unsure of what to do.
After running for over half an hour in Daxing, his emotions gradually calmed. He instructed Chen He, “Let’s go to Zhen Ding!”
Since childhood, his uncle had told him that if you have doubts about something, rather than wasting time guessing and pondering, it’s better to verify or refute it as quickly as possible.
Chen He glanced at Xia Lian and replied loudly, “Yes,” but inwardly he muttered, *He guessed right! The heir came to Daxing just to find an excuse to go to Zhen Ding.*
Xia Lian, however, felt no sense of pride. He smiled at Chen He, pondering whether he should remind Song Mo not to get involved in this matter. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find an appropriate moment to bring it up until they arrived in Zhen Ding.
Song Mo stood by a small river at the back of the Dou family’s estate. The summer mountains were lush with greenery, and the water flowed gently, accompanied by a refreshing breeze. This place was truly beautiful.
As he gazed at the three wild peach trees on the opposite bank, his restless heart slowly settled. He recalled Dou Zhao saying that from the peach trees, one could see the wife of the village head of Langjia Village drunkenly beating her husband, and how her father, a porter during the slack season, would always bring back a pancake for his two daughters whenever he returned from the countryside. He remembered how the daughter-in-law next door was often scolded by her mother-in-law, yet in times of crisis, the mother-in-law would rush around seeking medical help for her daughter-in-law. But that time, aside from the curling smoke from cooking fires, he had seen nothing.
Song Mo tucked the hem of his clothes into his waist and climbed the peach tree. Langjia Village and Dou Village appeared like miniature landscapes before him.
When Dou Zhao climbed the back mountain, she saw Song Mo, just as before, leaning against the trunk, standing at the fork of the tree, gazing at the scenery below.
*What has happened to him this time?*
Yesterday, she received a letter from Chen Qu Shui, detailing everything that had transpired recently.
In this life, two people who had previously disliked each other could come together; aside from having a common goal, she couldn’t fathom why they would tolerate each other.
Dou Zhao was certain that Wang Yinxue and Wei Tingzhen were colluding, and she was also sure that with Wang Yinxue’s involvement, her plan to break off the engagement would proceed more smoothly. Thus, her mood was quite good.
She didn’t think much of Song Mo’s sudden request to see her.
Holding up her skirt, she stepped across the blue stones in the river, shielding her face from the sunlight with her hand, and asked Song Mo, “What did the heir see?”
In the past, she had called him Mei Gongzi, then she called him the heir, and now she simply referred to him as the heir.
She had never truly feared him in her heart, unlike the people from the capital who, after killing their guards and leaving the bodies in the courtyard, felt a bit apprehensive when facing him. Dou Zhao had never questioned him.
Song Mo couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and smile, “Want to know? Then come up here!”
*Who has the energy to play with you on such a hot day?* Dou Zhao thought to herself, but she smiled and said, “I’m wearing a white embroidered dress today; I don’t want to get it dirty.”
Song Mo was momentarily taken aback. *Is that a reason to refuse?*
He burst into laughter.
His laughter startled the guards accompanying him, who all glanced over at Song Mo and Dou Zhao.
Chen He couldn’t help but sigh. The heir always seemed so happy whenever he encountered Dou Zhao.
Xia Lian, however, secretly sighed as well.
Song Mo jumped down from the tree.
Dou Zhao asked him, “How is your injury?”
“It’s nothing serious now,” Song Mo replied with a smile, his gaze lingering on Dou Zhao’s brows as he scrutinized her as if trying to see her. His expression gradually turned serious. “I came to tell you something.” He hesitated, noticing the fine beads of sweat on Dou Zhao’s forehead. Thinking the woods would be cooler than this spot, he moved toward the trees while succinctly informing Dou Zhao about Ji Yong and Wei Tingyu staying overnight in Qianfo Temple Alley. He didn’t mention anything about Wei Tingyu partnering with Ji Yong in business, only saying he had heard Gu Yu mention it and knew Ji Yong was Dou Zhao’s future husband, which felt off to him, prompting his visit.
Dou Zhao was taken aback. *How could this happen?*
She had spent over half a year planning, and now it was just one step away… What was Ji Yong doing here?
Could it be that, like last time, he would uncover everything if she revealed even a hint?
Dou Zhao didn’t know what to say.
Although she wanted to break off the engagement, she had never intended to harm Wei Tingyu.
Happiness gained through hurting others was not true happiness.
She struggled to keep her furrowed brows from knitting tightly, but her expression gradually grew serious. “Is this true?”
Song Mo nodded earnestly. “It happened three days ago. Ji Jianming did not deny it.”
No wonder she was unaware. At that time, Chen Qu Shui had already set off back to Zhen Ding.
This was indeed Ji Yong’s style!
Dou Zhao forced a smile and sincerely thanked Song Mo, “Thank you for coming to tell me!”
Song Mo had rushed to Zhen Ding in just three days to personally inform her, indicating he recognized the seriousness of the matter.
Now, this was troublesome!
With Ji Yong’s interference, even if Wei Tingzhen didn’t immediately grasp his intentions, the astute Zhang Yuanming would likely figure it out.
Breaking off her engagement with the Wei family was one thing—her dissatisfaction with Wei Tingyu—but the Wei family’s dissatisfaction with her was another.
Once Wei Tingzhen learned of this, she would undoubtedly feel humiliated, and Dou Zhao could forget about breaking off the engagement discreetly.
Ji Yong was truly… more trouble than he was worth! His destructive power was extraordinary… This matter would require careful consideration.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.
Watching her expression shift from surprise to bitterness, helplessness, and worry, Song Mo felt a sense of relief wash over him.
Dou Zhao truly was unaware.
She remained as open and generous as he remembered, sincere and beautiful. Unable to help himself, he said, “Thank you,” and added, “I’m sorry.”
He wanted to thank Dou Zhao for not disappointing him after he had endured so much darkness; he wanted to apologize for his previous doubts and suspicions about her.
Dou Zhao was taken aback.
Song Mo smiled but then asked her, “Do you know why Ji Yong is treating Duke of Jining this way?”
“Cousin Ji is rather impulsive,” Dou Zhao replied vaguely, “Perhaps he just doesn’t like Duke of Jining?”
Song Mo’s heart stirred at her words.
In his view, Ji Yong’s character was less impulsive and more arrogant and willful.
Moreover, Ji Yong and Dou Zhao had a close relationship; it was unlikely he would scheme to break off the engagement with Wei Tingyu merely because he disliked him.
Unless there was some other reason.
With Dou Zhao’s intelligence, it was clear she was concealing something.
He couldn’t help but ask, “Do you want to break off the engagement with Duke of Jining?”
Dou Zhao was startled. *Was her intention that obvious?*
Ji Yong knew, and now Song Mo knew too.
She couldn’t help but look at Song Mo.
Under the lush camphor trees, Song Mo, dressed in a light blue cotton robe, lowered his eyelids, exuding an indescribable restraint.
Dou Zhao felt a headache coming on.
With Ji Yong already causing such a scandal for Wei Tingyu, if Song Mo got involved… wouldn’t Wei Tingyu be completely ruined?
She shook her head repeatedly, “No, no need!” fearing that Song Mo would get entangled in it too.
Song Mo replied with a faint “Oh,” lifting his gaze, transforming back into the aloof and noble heir of Duke Ying.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile, “You look weary from your journey. It must have been tough coming all this way. It’s getting late; let Chen He prepare something for you to eat. After you freshen up, you should get some good rest. The weather has been quite pleasant these past few days.” Her tone was gentle.
Suddenly, Song Mo felt reluctant to leave.
After a moment of thought, he said, “I’ll be out of mourning next year. Mr. Yan suggested I either marry the legitimate daughter of Duke of Yan or take Princess Yijing, the daughter of Empress Wan…”
Dou Zhao felt a pang in her heart.
If Madam Jiang were still alive, or if Madam Mei were still around, would he be discussing this with her?
She carefully considered Song Mo’s marriage prospects, surprised to find that Wang Qingyuan was among the candidates for his wife: “Miss Wang from Duke of Yan’s family is outstanding in appearance and character, and with a brother like Wang Qinghuai if your mother were still here, it would be an excellent match. However, she is gentle and submissive. If your father’s future wife comes from a prominent family and is capable, you won’t have a reliable partner in managing household affairs.”
Dou Zhao spoke earnestly, “The princess is a good choice. No matter who your father marries in the future, she will never be overshadowed by the princess, and it will stabilize your position as heir, making it easier for you to inherit the title later. However, Princess Jingyi may not be ideal; her relationship with the Emperor is too close, and the Crown Prince is the son of the former Empress, which could entangle you in royal affairs. It’s best to find a princess born of a high-ranking consort who is skilled in social maneuvering. If I remember correctly, Princess Fuyuan, born of Concubine Chen, and Princess Jingtai, born of Concubine Shu, are both around your age and gentle. You might consider discussing with Mr. Yan and choosing one of them.”
Since Song Mo had managed to retain his position as heir and had not been expelled from the family, she hoped he wouldn’t get involved in the power struggle between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Liao.
After all, whoever inherits the throne in the future will treat Duke Ying’s family with respect. While the merits of the Dragon are commendable, Duke Ying’s family may not necessarily need them.