The sky was beginning to lighten, and Dou Zhao stood beneath the eaves, her expression obscured from Song Mo’s view. Yet her posture resembled a plum blossom standing proud in the cold, exuding an air of solitary elegance, while also conveying a sense of aloofness, like a tranquil mountain quietly observing him.
Memories flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern. He recalled her stunning brilliance when they first met, her generosity during their second encounter; the help she offered during his times of peril, and her silent care during his moments of sorrow. He remembered the peaceful sleep he enjoyed after a long day of labor in the chrysanthemum fields, and the clarity he felt while gazing at distant villages from atop a wild peach tree. All these memories were like the gentle autumn breeze, softly caressing his heart.
Dou Zhao’s beauty had always been subtle and unassuming, easily overlooked yet profoundly felt.
Suddenly, Song Mo felt a surge of excitement. What was Dou Zhao thinking at this moment? Had he overlooked something important?
He turned around and strode toward Dou Zhao. Her face gradually came into focus. Her dark hair, fair complexion, elegantly arched brows, and lips as rosy as flowers, along with her smiling eyes, became increasingly vivid.
“Dou Zhao,” he exclaimed, widening his eyes and gazing intently at her, “if we are fated, can we become husband and wife?”
The pale light on the horizon had transformed into a soft purple hue, reminiscent of the splendid glow of dawn peeking through the clouds, eager to reveal its brilliance.
Song Mo’s face glowed with a lustrous sheen in the morning light, like exquisite jade, his dark eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky.
Dou Zhao looked at the striking young man before her, who had grown taller than her without her noticing and felt a moment of daze. Could they truly be fated to become husband and wife?
No, that couldn’t be! Whether in this life or the past, they were never meant to be together. He was destined to be the center of attention, and even in his moments of downfall, he would still find a way to assert his presence. She, on the other hand, preferred tending to flowers and plants, imagining herself as a blossoming tree, changing with the seasons—springing to life in spring, flourishing in summer, harvesting in autumn, and resting in winter.
One was a cloud atop a peak, while the other was a tree in the forest, forever destined to gaze at each other from afar.
Yet, in this autumn morning light, under the brilliant gaze of the hopeful youth, she found it hard to reject him so bluntly. After a moment’s thought, she smiled and said, “If we can become husband and wife, then it must be fate!”
But they would likely never have such a fate!
However, in that instant, Song Mo’s face lit up. A hint of joy sparkled in his eyes. He gazed deeply at Dou Zhao for a moment, then turned and strode out of the courtyard.
Watching his steady and confident steps, Dou Zhao felt an inexplicable sense of unease. Had she said something wrong?
She carefully recalled their conversation. The sound of the morning bells from Jing’an Temple echoed melodiously, and the air still carried the coolness of mid-autumn, while the dawn had quietly painted half the sky.
Song Mo left the Dou family residence, feeling a sense of inexplicable exhilaration.
In the crisp autumn morning, Duan Gongyi, Xia Lian, and others, having enjoyed a bowl of hot soy milk that warmed them from their core to their limbs, gathered in the small alley beside the Dou residence, chatting quietly and appearing relaxed, as old friends reunited after a long separation.
Upon hearing the commotion, they all showed signs of alertness, turning to see it was Song Mo, and their expressions relaxed.
“Your Highness!” they greeted respectfully.
Zhu Yicheng couldn’t help but glance at Xia Lian, pondering to himself: No wonder the master said that skills are just a stepping stone; to establish oneself in a noble family, one must learn to gauge the intentions of those above. Xia Lian had said that the Young Master wouldn’t appear for a while, and indeed, they had waited nearly half an hour.
Song Mo smiled and nodded, but his gaze fell on Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng. “Since you’ve come to the capital with the Fourth Miss, why not visit a nearby alley? Mr. Yan and I were just talking about you the other day, and I’m curious about what you’ve been up to lately.”
Such treatment was something even the guards and instructors of the Imperial Forest Army, let alone the hundred or thousand households, could not expect.
Zhu Yicheng couldn’t help but look at Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng with newfound respect.
Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng were taken aback and hurriedly bowed, repeatedly saying, “We dare not.”
Although they had gone to Jing’an Temple early yesterday morning and had drunk quite a bit at the Jining Marquis’s residence the night before, returning home just before dawn, Ji Yong had slept soundly. However, he woke up at the first sound of the bells from the Drum Tower in the capital.
After refreshing himself, he headed straight to the alley by Jing’an Temple.
Dou Wenchang was discussing the details of the double celebration and the recognition ceremony with Fifth Madam. Yesterday, Fifth Madam had been busy checking on the sick Wang Xushi, dealing with the two sisters-in-law from the Wang family, comforting Ji Shi, and worrying about the movements of the Wei family, contemplating who should take charge of the visit today. She hadn’t closed her eyes since.
Upon hearing that Ji Yong had arrived, Fifth Madam felt greatly relieved. With Ji Yong’s talents akin to Zhang Yi and Su Qin, having him accompany them would make it difficult for the Wei family to refuse the marriage. Moreover, since Ji Yong valued Dou Zhao so highly, he would surely not turn down any requests from the Dou family in the future.
She warmly welcomed Ji Yong, “Have you had breakfast yet? We haven’t eaten yet. Why don’t you join us for breakfast first, and then you can go to the Jining Marquis’s residence with Jingwei?”
Jingwei was Dou Wenchang’s courtesy name.
He was momentarily taken aback. Ji Yong was merely a relative by marriage, and although they were close, he was not a direct relative of the Dou family—those attending the recognition ceremony were mostly the bride’s close relatives, brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews.
However, since Fifth Madam had already spoken, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to say that Ji Yong’s presence was inappropriate.
Ji Yong was not shy either; he sat down to have breakfast with Fifth Madam and Dou Wenchang, while Fifth Madam kept Dou Wenchang to talk.
“Yesterday, it was Ming Jie who married, not Shou Gu!” she whispered. “When we bid farewell to our parents, we only realized it was too late, and we had no choice but to go along with it. Since Ming has always been close to your seventh uncle, I specifically asked him to help Shou Gu. When you go, just act according to Ming’s cues. Since the wedding night has already passed, there’s no reason for Ming Jie to suffer any loss.” She hinted to Dou Wenchang that this matter was the responsibility of the Wang family, “… Since the Seventh Madam hasn’t spoken, we can’t act rashly.”
Fifth Madam knew Dou Wenchang was a straightforward person and feared he might reveal something, so she had kept him in the dark until today.
Dou Wenchang was shocked and filled with confusion. Even so, Fifth Aunt was his sister-in-law; how could they allow Seventh Madam to act recklessly in such a significant matter?
However, he shared a close bond with Dou Shishu, and speaking such words would be disrespectful to Fifth Madam. He suppressed his confusion, respectfully acknowledged her, and left the hall with Fifth Madam.
Ji Yong stood on the west side of the corridor, a playful smile on his lips.
Dou Wenchang approached him suspiciously, noticing that from Ji Yong’s position, he could vaguely hear the sound of a woman crying loudly.
The family of the Seventh Uncle was simple, and he wondered who was crying. Ji Yong said, “Cousin, let’s greet Seventh Uncle first before heading to the Jining Marquis’s residence.”
Dou Wenchang had no choice but to follow.
Ji Yong, however, was secretly amused. Why did the Wang family only start crying now?
In just one night, Dou Shiying seemed to have aged ten years. He lay on the bed, ignoring Fifth Madam, and only offered a few apologetic words to Dou Wenchang and Ji Yong, saying, “I’m sorry for the trouble.”
In such a situation, no one felt good, especially not a father!
Dou Wenchang understood Dou Shiying’s feelings, nodded in silence, and solemnly assured him to not worry.
Ji Yong, with great courtesy, offered a few comforting words, “Please don’t worry, Seventh Uncle; we will handle this matter well,” before he and Dou Wenchang headed to the Jining Marquis’s residence.
Tian Shi had received the news and nearly fainted from the shock. Once she regained her composure, she urgently instructed her trusted wet nurse to find Wei Tingzhen, then burst into tears, “How could this happen? If word gets out, where will our Wei family’s face go?”
The wet nurse sent by Tian Shi to gather information was the most capable, Mama Luo.
“Madam, please lower your voice!” she quickly handed a handkerchief to wipe Tian Shi’s tears. “Not many people know about this yet. If you cry like this, won’t everyone find out? Although the lord and the Dou family’s young lady haven’t honored their ancestors yet, they have already entered the bridal chamber. Whether to formally recognize this marriage or clarify things with the Dou family, you should wait for the eldest aunt to arrive before making any decisions. We can’t let this become common knowledge right now!”
Upon hearing this, Tian Shi quickly stopped crying, choking out, “Zhen’er is right. The Dou family is indeed not good, and it’s all my fault for being indecisive, which harmed Yu’er.” She began to cry again, “If I had known this would happen, I should have agreed to Zhen’er’s suggestion to break off the engagement with the Dou family. It would have been better than marrying an unclear bride.” She was filled with regret.
Now was not the time for such thoughts!
Fortunately, Mama Luo had served Tian Shi for decades and understood her temperament. She remained calm and gently reminded her, “Perhaps we should send someone to manage the maids and servants? I don’t think the Dou family wants to make this matter public either. As for the older relatives, with such an incident, the ceremonies for honoring the stove, ancestors, and recognizing relatives will likely have to be postponed. We need to have an explanation.”
Tian Shi nodded repeatedly, saying to Mama Luo, “You take care of this matter. Before the eldest aunt arrives, make sure no one gets suspicious.”
Mama Luo respectfully replied, “Yes,” and then withdrew.
In times of joy, it was customary for the groom’s family to host the banquet. Moreover, Zhang Yuanming, with his prominent background and support for the Wei family, was a significant figure.
He had risen early, had breakfast, and was waiting for Wei Tingzhen to finish her makeup.
The people sent by the Wei family to fetch Wei Tingzhen, in front of Zhang Yuanming, dared not mention that the bride had been replaced. They only said that Tian Shi had urgent matters to discuss with Wei Tingzhen and urged her to hurry.
Zhang Yuanming teased Wei Tingzhen, “Your mother must have woken up this morning feeling that the meeting gifts we discussed yesterday were too light. She probably wants to add a few more items for the new bride and asked for your help in choosing jewelry. I think you need to step up—after all, you’re the matriarch now. Don’t be too stingy, or the new sister-in-law might think you’re miserly, and then you won’t get fed when you return to your family.”
“She wouldn’t dare!” Wei Tingzhen, already feeling displeased, raised an eyebrow and said domineeringly, “If she wants to be the mistress of the Jining Marquis’s residence, she better match!”
Zhang Yuanming knew his wife was strong-willed, so he wasn’t surprised by her words. He teased Wei Tingzhen a few more times, making her laugh, and the couple then set off with their children to the Jining Marquis’s residence.