Dou Zhao was immersed in her beautiful visions for the future, while the servant women in Jing’an Temple Hutong were surprised that after Dou Zhao regained consciousness, she not only refrained from causing a scene but also managed to calm her father and comfort her aunt. With no one in charge in Jing’an Temple Hutong due to Wang Yingxue’s detention, she quickly took control of the situation, demonstrating her attitude toward Madam Wu and others.

Soon, they felt reassured, collectively exhaling in relief, and gradually restored their composure. After Dou Zhao settled down, the servants resumed their duties—brewing fresh tea for the women in the hall, directing the rougher maids to clean up the scattered firecracker remnants, arranging night watchmen, and counting the dishes for the banquet. The household gradually became orderly. The cook even sent a young maid to ask Liu Mama, “It’s getting late; I wonder what the ladies and grandmothers prefer for supper?”

Liu Mama thought of Dou Zhao’s composed face. Although she knew that the sky was falling and someone tall would bear the brunt, this matter didn’t concern her too much. Yet, she felt inexplicably tense, having no appetite for supper. She just wanted to return quickly and report this matter to the Second Matriarch, seeking her guidance. However, with Madam Wu present, she had to ask for Madam Wu’s opinion first.

The situation was entirely unexpected for Madam Wu.

Logically, after such a significant event, Dou Zhao should have cried and made a fuss, but she didn’t shed a single tear. Not only did she quickly accept Dou Ming’s proxy marriage, but she also immediately devised a response, appearing as if she had been prepared for this all along.

Yet, Madam Wu quickly dismissed this thought.

Only she, Madam Cai, and the Second Matriarch knew about this matter; they would never tell Dou Zhao.

In other words, was Dou Zhao naturally calm and unafraid in the face of danger?

Then there was Dou Shiying. His second daughter had married in place of the eldest, and he would surely be unable to accept it at first. In his anger, he would likely act impulsively, but who would have thought he would see through the situation so quickly and become so enraged that he fainted?

Madam Zhao was also much more rational than she had anticipated.

Upon hearing that Dou Ming had taken Dou Zhao’s place in the bridal sedan, she grabbed Wang Xushi’s collar, ready to report to the authorities, leaving Wang Xushi in a state of embarrassment. However, aside from her initial outrage, her subsequent actions became more measured, clearly not wanting to escalate matters before Dou Ming’s marriage to the Wei family was finalized, thus putting Dou Zhao in a precarious position.

Madam Wu vaguely felt that this matter was somewhat inappropriate and probably wouldn’t go as smoothly as she had initially thought…

That meant she couldn’t leave Jing’an Temple Hutong.

If anything changed, she could respond in time…

Madam Wu pondered whether to inform Dou Zhao about the Ji family’s situation.

For a proud and intelligent person, being open-hearted was always more effective than hiding and scheming.

She spoke to Liu Mama in a consulting tone, “It seems that the women from the Ji and Wang families haven’t left, and there’s no one in charge here. We can’t just abandon this situation, can we? We should stay! The Ji and Wang families also need to send someone to greet us.”

The women from the Ji family who had come to observe the ceremony were settled in the side rooms of the adjacent courtyard. Since Madam Ji was called over, she hasn’t appeared again.

Wang Xushi, however, had been frightened by Madam Zhao’s commotion, so Madam Wu had to send her to the nearby side room to rest. She also dispatched someone to the Imperial Hospital to summon the physician. Until the physician arrived, Gao and the others didn’t dare to move Wang Xushi and stayed behind.

Madam Wu spoke to herself in this manner only because she served the Second Matriarch. Liu Mama understood this clearly; she didn’t dare to be presumptuous and hurriedly praised Madam Wu for her thoughtful consideration. Just then, a young maid rushed in, looking flustered.

“Not good!” She hastily greeted Madam Wu and reported, “I don’t know why, but the Sixth Matriarch suddenly started crying while talking with the Ji family!”

This young maid had been sent by Madam Wu to gather information from the adjacent room.

Madam Wu exchanged a glance with Liu Mama.

It seemed the Sixth Matriarch had learned about Dou Ming taking Dou Zhao’s place in the Wei family.

Madam Wu thought for a moment and said, “We should go and comfort her!”

Sometimes, while it was amusing to cover one’s ears and steal a bell, one still had to cover their ears first.

She led Liu Mama along the covered walkway to the adjacent room, where they encountered Madam Ji.

Madam Ji’s eyes were red, her face tense, and her expression was very grim.

Madam Wu smiled and called out, “Sixth Sister-in-law,” but Madam Ji didn’t even glance at her, brushing past her directly and heading straight to the east wing where Dou Zhao was resting.

“Su Xin, you go out; I have something to say to your Miss.” Madam Ji briskly dismissed Su Xin, then, with tears welling in her eyes, she grasped Dou Zhao’s hand as she rose, choking back her emotions, “Shou Gu, tell me the truth. If you were to marry Jianming, would you be willing?”

Dou Zhao was taken aback.

Seeing this, Madam Ji’s tears streamed down her face: “Shou Gu, this is all the fault of my Sixth Aunt. I know our family’s old master has taken a liking to you. I thought she would encourage the Dou family and the Wei family to break off the engagement. Although Jianming isn’t a suitable match, if you were willing, I would certainly speak on your behalf to my sister-in-law. With your intelligence, it wouldn’t be difficult to win her favor. But I never expected they would resort to a proxy marriage… If you are willing to marry Jianming, then that’s fine. If you’re not willing, I’ll go find your Sixth Uncle. Even if Ming Jie enters the Wei family’s door, we have the marriage contract in hand, and this engagement won’t count!”

Dou Zhao’s eyes grew warm, and she leaned against Madam Ji’s shoulder.

Tears quickly soaked Madam Ji’s clothing.

“Sixth Aunt, I don’t want to marry into the Wei family, nor do I want to marry into the Ji family.” She choked out, “I just want to stay at home and be a free and easy lady.”

In the face of such a situation, what else could Dou Zhao say?!

Madam Ji began to cry softly.

For a moment, the room felt heavy with sorrow.

Gu Yu sat idly in the Jining Marquis’s wedding tent and spotted Ji Yong.

He was drinking with the Dou family’s eldest son, Dou Wenchang.

When the newlyweds bowed to each other, the guests who had accompanied the bride had to step aside. After the ceremony, the guests were seated at the main table to drink wedding wine.

Wei Tingyu finished his cup.

Gu Yu couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, “Fool,” then turned to Wang Qinghuai, who was chatting at the table next door, and said, “Why are all the Dou family’s brothers the same? They just pour wine for the son-in-law? Whoever marries their daughters will be in for a rough time!”

Wang Qinghuai had drunk a bit too much and chuckled a couple of times.

Gu Yu craned his neck to look around: “Where did Tianzi go? The bride has already entered the bridal chamber, yet he hasn’t returned? Could he have gone home?” He then thought that Song Mo wasn’t the type to do that and called for a young servant, “Go find him.”

The young servant complied and left.

Song Mo gazed at Huai Tree Hutong, where only a few lanterns flickered in the dark, his expression darker than the night itself.

“Is there no one in Huai Tree Hutong?” he confirmed again.

“Except for a few servants, the Dou family members have all gone to Jing’an Temple Hutong,” Zhu Yicheng replied firmly. “Today, the Fourth Miss of the Dou family is getting married, and Madam Wu took her daughter-in-law and grandchildren to Jing’an Temple Hutong yesterday. They haven’t returned yet; only Old Master Dou and a few servants are at home.”

Could Dou Zhao still be in Jing’an Temple Hutong?

Song Mo felt a surge of anxiety, his mind racing.

If the Wei family wanted to marry someone else, they could simply break off the engagement with the Dou family; why resort to a proxy marriage? The Wei family was unaware that the bride had been switched.

The Dou family had been officials for generations, and Dou Yuanji, being a high-ranking official, couldn’t possibly be ignorant of the consequences of such a reckless marriage. The person marrying into the Wei family must be of equal status to Dou Zhao…

He recalled that Dou Zhao had a younger sister.

Was the person marrying Dou Zhao’s sister?

But why?

Marriage is a union between two families. The Dou family and the Wei family were from different circles, one civil and one military and the Wei family had no power or influence. The Dou family did not need to engage in such a ridiculous act that would lead to ridicule once discovered.

As this thought crossed his mind, a cold light flashed in Song Mo’s eyes.

The Summer Palace was not as grand and imposing as the Forbidden City, and the emperor no longer maintained the solemnity of the palace. He often played with the concubines and young princes, frequently summoning the Jinwu Guards accompanying him to demonstrate archery. Because he and Dong Qidu came from prominent backgrounds, they were often called to participate.

Just three days ago, the Ministry of War submitted a memorial requesting the Ministry of Personnel to evaluate Wang Xingyi’s merits.

The emperor laughed and remarked, “This Wang is indeed a talent,” instructing Wang Yuan to pass the memorial to the chief minister of the cabinet, Liang Jifang.

Could it be that the Wang family was behind this?

Song Mo felt as if a handful of chili powder had been thrown into his heart, burning painfully.

Bastards!

They were all a bunch of bastards!

Could a proxy marriage be arranged by just one person?

Song Mo recalled the rumors surrounding Dou Zhao before her marriage, remembering how she had told him not to interfere, saying she had her plans. Had she sensed something back then?

Dou Zhao was exceptionally intelligent; if she disdained Wei Tingyu, she would have broken off the engagement long ago. Why would she repeatedly stir up trouble with the Wei family?

She wholeheartedly wanted to marry into the Wei family, yet they forcibly tore apart her engagement!

Was it a collaboration between the Wang and Dou families? Or was it led by the Wang family while the Dou family turned a blind eye?

Had Wei Tingyu already had an affair with Dou Zhao’s sister?

Marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime event; otherwise, which woman would willingly marry in secret?

Or perhaps it wasn’t secretive at all, but rather an open and honorable marriage!

Song Mo’s whip sliced through the air, striking the wall with a sharp crack, causing a corner of the brick to crumble and fall, leaving a deep mark.

They were merely bullying Dou Zhao, who had lost her mother at a young age and had no one to take charge of her!

“Xia Lian!” Song Mo said quietly, “Take a few people to the shops on the street below the Drum Tower and see if Mr. Chen and the others are there. If they are, bring them to Jing’an Temple Hutong. If not, head straight to Jing’an Temple Hutong. Zhu Yicheng, you come with me.”

Xia Lian and the others silently clasped their fists, their figures vanishing like ghosts into the vast night.

Dou Zhao had just managed to comfort Madam Ji when the sound of the fourth watch echoed in her ears.

She couldn’t help but look up at the sky.

A crescent moon hung in the sky, with a few twinkling stars.

Tomorrow should be a good day.

It would be suitable for dealing with Dou Ming’s situation.

Dou Zhao thought to herself, but then she saw Su Xin rushing over in a hurry.

“Miss, Guard Duan just signaled that someone has broken in and told us to stay inside and not come out.”

Dou Zhao was taken aback. “My father is just a fifth-rank official; he doesn’t even have a place in the morning court. Why would anyone target the Dou family? If they were going to, they should be going to Huai Tree Hutong instead!”