At the main gate, Chen Qushui and Su Lan encountered Dou Shiying, who was returning home, slightly intoxicated.

Surprised to see Chen holding account books, Dou glanced at the sky. It was already dark, with lanterns lit all around.

Chen quickly explained, “The Fourth Young Lady suddenly ordered me to organize the past six months’ accounts. I’ve been busy until now and have come to report to her…”

Dou nodded, patting Chen’s shoulder. His speech was slightly slurred, and he praised, “Very good! Very good! Serve the Fourth Young Lady well, and I won’t let you down!” He seemed quite pleased.

Su Lan silently grumbled to herself. The Seventh Master had been drinking again at someone’s house, talking nonsense. If they relied on him for rewards, they’d have starved long ago.

Chen thanked him respectfully. Together with Gao Sheng, who had come out to greet them, they escorted Dou Shiying back to his room before following Su Lan to the flower hall.

Dou Zhao, having received word, was waiting in the flower hall, fully dressed. Su Lan served tea and snacks before quietly retreating to stand guard outside.

Chen bowed and apologized, “I’ve long felt ashamed to face my old acquaintances. I’ve only contacted former friends when in need. Now, approaching sixty, I’ve become more clear-headed. These past two days, I visited some old friends, causing you to worry, Young Lady.”

Dou Zhao, not one to demand constant updates from her subordinates, smiled and asked about his visits before they moved on to the main topic.

“My visit to old friends had a purpose,” Chen said thoughtfully. “The Duke Ying’s household is full of intrigue, as you’ve surely noticed. Previously, these matters didn’t concern us much. Even if things changed, it wouldn’t have affected your life. But now it’s different. You’re engaged to the heir, and we’ll be settling in the capital. We need to plan ahead and not rely solely on the young master.” Remembering Dou Zhao’s close relationship with Song Mo and his decisive nature, Chen worried she might not view Song objectively.

He paused, explaining, “We know the young master’s character, but some things might be beyond even his control. That’s when we’d be vulnerable. My suggestion is that we cultivate more connections—officials who associate with Cui Thirteen, my old acquaintances… If anything happens to Duke Ying’s household, we’ll have backup plans. Even if we can’t help the young master, we can at least ensure your safety and keep you out of harm’s way!”

Dou Zhao was quite surprised. Chen spoke as if her marriage to Song Mo was a foregone conclusion.

“So, you approve of my marrying into their family?” she asked Chen.

Chen replied diplomatically, “Though the young master is formidable, your marriage to him has several advantages. Firstly, Duke Ying’s household name carries weight. Your rejection of the Ji family’s proposal likely caused the Fifth Master considerable effort to mend relations. The East Dou branch may not say it, but they’ll harbor resentment. If you stay home, we’ll be constantly at odds with them, with uncertain outcomes. But if you marry into Duke Ying’s household, even if the East Dou branch is displeased, they’ll have to reconcile with you under the protection of such a powerful family. They’ll treat you with respect for their interests, which could be beneficial for you.”

“Secondly, we know the young master well. You won’t have to worry about being suppressed, and even if you suggest separate living quarters, he likely won’t find it shocking.”

“Thirdly, the young master can help you reclaim your dowry properties. This way, we can nurture our business managers. In ten years at most, we can completely separate from the Dou family,” he continued, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Young Lady, this means we’ll no longer have to rely on the Dou family’s goodwill. We can be our masters!”

Dou Zhao understood all this.

But they needed to overcome the palace coup four years from now!

The Duke Ying’s household had to remain standing!

Yet she couldn’t tell Chen about these future events.

After some thought, Dou Zhao probed, “When the nest falls, no eggs stay unbroken. Noble families rely on imperial favor, which can change unpredictably. Marrying into Duke Ying’s household ties us to their fate. If they end up like Duke Ding’s family, all our plans might be in vain. I still feel uneasy.”

Chen replied, “Do you know another reason I met with old friends?” He smiled slightly. “I suspect the young master might not be Duke Ying’s biological son!”

“That’s impossible!” Dou Zhao exclaimed, knocking over her teacup.

Tea quickly spread across the table, dripping onto the bluestone floor with a soft patter.

If Song Mo wasn’t Song Yichun’s son, how could he have so brazenly killed his father and brother in her previous life?

Chen smiled, helping Dou Zhao right the teacup. He said slyly, “See? Even you hadn’t considered this possibility. How could the young master have thought of it? Yet the world often surprises us in unexpected ways!”

Dou Zhao had to admit Chen had a point.

Her mind was in turmoil, unable to think clearly.

“According to Duan Gongyi, the young master is exceptionally skilled, yet he was beaten half to death by Duke Ying, who can’t even tie a chicken. In the end, it was only because of their father-son relationship, catching the young master off guard,” Chen continued. “We can’t see the true face of Lu Mountain because we’re in the mountain itself. But we’re different—we’re outsiders, able to see things more clearly. I’ve carefully considered what you’re worried about,” he leaned forward, his gaze intense. “It’s like a puzzle. If we can unravel it, we’ll understand why Duke Ying treats the young master this way

With the young master’s talents and methods, how could he not handle Duke Ying? With internal threats gone, what external threats could worry us? How could the Duke Ying’s household fall then?” He leaned back in his chair, his expression full of ambition. “Young Lady, every man dreams of ‘wielding power over the world by day and resting in the arms of a beauty by night.’ Many women could bear the young master’s children, but with this leverage, you could walk tall in Duke Ying’s household for the rest of your life! Isn’t that better than being trapped in the Dou family, squabbling with women and children?”

Dou Zhao had calmed down by now.

She couldn’t help but pour cold water on Chen’s enthusiasm: “But if we discover the young master isn’t Duke Ying’s biological son, wouldn’t we risk being silenced permanently?”

Chen chuckled, “I’ve thought about why Duke Ying would want to kill the young master, and there are only two possibilities. Either the young master isn’t his flesh and blood, or the young master poses a threat to Duke Ying’s life.”

“After hearing about your engagement to the young master, I started inquiring about some things. Then I asked an old friend to help investigate the young master’s background.”

“The young master’s wet nurse was selected from the Wet Nurse Bureau, a native of Wanping County. She left the household when the young master was three and is still alive today, proudly telling anyone who’ll listen that she was once the wet nurse to the heir of Duke Ying’s family. According to her, she arrived at the Duke’s household ten days before the young master’s birth. The midwife who attended Lady Jiang’s delivery was recommended by the Empress herself and had previously delivered for Her Majesty.

Not only was the late Lady Lu of Duke Ying’s household present in the delivery room, but also the late Lady Mei of Duke Ding’s household. The old Duke waited in the courtyard. After the young master was bathed, the two ladies personally carried him to the door of the delivery room for the old Duke and Duke Ying to see. Afterwards, at Lady Lu’s invitation, Lady Mei stayed to oversee Lady Jiang’s postpartum care, while Lady Lu, along with the wet nurse and a group of maids and older women, took care of the young master. The old Duke, except when attending court, spent all his time at home holding his grandson… The possibility of the young master being switched is almost non-existent.”

Dou Zhao didn’t believe for a moment that Song Mo wasn’t Song Yichun’s son, but she admired Chen’s thorough approach. She pondered, “So you suspect the young master has done something that threatens Duke Ying’s life?”

Chen nodded, his expression serious. “Either something threatens Song Yichun’s life, or something infringes on Duke Ying’s fundamental interests, making him willing to kill his son rather than compromise.”

Dou Zhao involuntarily furrowed her brow.

“Time is too tight,” Chen sighed. “Otherwise, with the young master in the open and us working in secret, we could investigate thoroughly. Then, when you enter the household, you’d be much safer!”

Is it really that simple? Dou Zhao was very hesitant.

Chen urged, “Young Lady, there’s a saying: ‘Fortune favors the bold.’ The greater the potential gain, the higher the risk. But we know the inside story of Duke Ying’s household. Marrying into their family is better than marrying elsewhere only to discover later that the family is ‘all glitter and no substance.’ Moreover, we’re prepared. We have an idea of what to expect after you marry. With careful planning, we have at least a 70-80% chance of overcoming difficulties. What’s there to hesitate about? Remember, in this world, there’s no such thing as a free lunch or success without effort.” Seeing the serious atmosphere and Dou Zhao’s tense expression, he tried to lighten the mood, joking, “Unless the young master commits treason, I guarantee you’ll come out unscathed. What else is there to worry about, Young Lady?”

Dou Zhao’s expression turned strange at his words.

But Song Mo would commit treason in the future!

Chen noticed her reaction and paused, “What’s wrong? Did I say something incorrect?”

Or perhaps Dou Zhao had discovered something she hadn’t told him!

“It’s nothing,” Dou Zhao said reluctantly. “I still need to think this through carefully!”

After hearing Chen’s speech, her thoughts were even more jumbled.

Should she marry into the family or not?

If only time could stop, allowing her to think it through before moving forward.

After seeing Chen off, Dou Zhao stood in the courtyard, her fists clenched. She let out a piercing scream, startling Dou Shiying, who had just finished washing up and was preparing for bed. He rushed out in his slippers, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“It’s nothing!” Dou Zhao said, her shoulders drooping, looking deflated. “I just saw a shadow and got scared. When I looked closer, it was just a cat.”

Dou Shiying sighed in relief, then beckoned to Dou Zhao mysteriously, “Come, Father has something to tell you.”