Song Mo exited Kun Ning Palace and encountered Ma Youming, the deputy commander of the Shen Shu Camp, along with a group of his subordinates at the West Zhi Gate.

Without waiting for Song Mo to greet him, Ma Youming slapped a hand on Song Mo’s shoulder, causing him to stagger slightly. “Young Master, you’re getting married! Why didn’t you let your brothers know so we could help you out?” he complained. “That’s just not fair!”

Ma Youming’s subordinates chimed in, adding to the ruckus. 

“Young Master, our brothers from the Shen Shu Camp are just as good as those from the Jin Wu Guard!” 

“Young Master, even though we are military officials, we’ve studied for a few years. We can help you with the wedding without losing any decorum. You can rest assured!” 

“Exactly!” someone else interjected. “Young Master, we’ll pick a brother who’s just as tall as you to wear the Shen Shu Camp’s official uniform for your wedding. I guarantee he’ll look even more impressive than the flag bearers!”

Their chatter grew louder, and the four flag guards on duty at the West Zhi Gate couldn’t take it anymore. They interjected, “What’s wrong with our flag guards? Our commander is from the Front Army Command and has served under the Duke. If the Young Master needs a ceremonial escort, it shouldn’t fall to your Shen Shu Camp!”

“You lot are just showy on the outside. Can you compare to our Shen Shu Camp?” 

“Come on, your Shen Shu Camp looks fierce when you march out. Anyone who sees you would think you’re going to settle a score, not help the Young Master with his wedding!”

The group of men abandoned Song Mo, the main subject, and began bickering among themselves. Song Mo couldn’t help but smile wryly. He had known these troublemakers would stir up chaos! He wasn’t a prince or a king; why should he use royal ceremonial guards? He wasn’t trying to make the censors’ jobs any easier!

Choosing to ignore the commotion, Song Mo clasped his hands in greeting Ma Youming and said, “Brother Ma, when did you come to the palace? Why didn’t you stop by my place?”

“The threshold of your Jin Wu Guard’s office is too high; I’m afraid of tripping,” Ma Youming replied with a chuckle. “Old Wang was called in by Elder Liang for questioning, and I accompanied a few brothers.” He then quickly added, “Congratulations! I wish you and your future wife a harmonious marriage and a long life together.”

When Ma Youming mentioned “Old Wang,” he referred to Wang Xu, the commander of the Shen Shu Camp. Song Mo thanked him profusely.

Ma Youming continued, “I hadn’t heard a whisper about your wedding before. I was shocked when I received the invitation yesterday; I thought it was a joke! Just as I was talking to the Earl of Huichang’s son, I asked him about it, and that’s when I realized the invitation was genuine. With the wedding day approaching, I wonder which officials you’ve invited to help with the preparations?” He still felt a bit slighted about receiving the invitation so late.

Song Mo smiled bitterly. As soon as the Lu family heard the news, they sent someone to question his father about the marriage. His father had stammered for a long time before managing to smooth things over. Perhaps fearing further scrutiny, he had only sent out the invitations in the last couple of days.

If this marriage were set in stone, he wouldn’t have allowed his father to treat the wedding so lightly. He was worried that Dou Zhao might refuse to marry him—if he made too much noise now, it would only complicate matters later.

With a quiet sigh, Song Mo said, “I returned to the palace with the emperor on the twelfth. I’ve only slept three hours at home, and the wedding day is almost here. Lord Shao has only given me five days off. I have no idea how the preparations are going!”

Ma Youming felt relieved, realizing Song Mo was being honest about the situation. Then he remembered something and pulled Song Mo aside under a large locust tree, lowering his voice. “I heard the emperor is unwell. Is that true?” His expression turned serious.

Considering that Ma Youming appeared carefree but was discreet and trustworthy, Song Mo replied tactfully, “The emperor’s old illness has flared up again, but he is recovering well now. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Ma Youming’s face lit up with joy. He clapped Song Mo on the shoulder again and said, “Young Master, you’re a good man! I owe you one!”

Ma Youming came from a respectable background himself; otherwise, he wouldn’t have risen to the position of deputy commander at such a young age. However, compared to someone like Song Mo, who enjoyed the emperor’s favor, he felt a significant gap in status. Song Mo’s words felt like a ray of light breaking through the clouds, illuminating his path ahead, akin to a favor granted.

This time, Song Mo was prepared and managed to withstand the shoulder slap without staggering. However, he couldn’t let Ma Youming get away with this. Pretending to be in pain, he rubbed his shoulder and joked, “You lost to me in archery, but you don’t have to injure my shoulder to feel better! Look at your strength; my whole side is numb now.”

Ma Youming burst into laughter. Seizing the moment, Song Mo said, “Brother Ma, after I return home, I’ll see how my family is arranging the wedding preparations. I might need your help to keep things in order.”

If his marriage to Dou Zhao could go through, having Ma Youming, the deputy commander of the Shen Shu Camp, and a few colleagues from the Jin Wu Guard to assist would certainly make for a more impressive scene.

Ma Youming, seeing Song Mo’s sincerity, replied without hesitation, “I have some free time these days. Even if you don’t invite me, I’ll still join in the fun.”

Just then, a fourth-rank eunuch, accompanied by two young attendants carrying items, hurried over. The three of them froze at the sight before them.

Song Mo recognized the eunuch as Cui Yijun, the chief eunuch close to the Crown Prince. He greeted Cui Yijun with a smile.

Cui Yijun snapped back to reality and exclaimed, “Oh, my Young Master! I was sent by the Crown Prince to find you. Thankfully, you haven’t left the palace. If you had, I would have had to chase you to the Duke’s residence!” He waved his hand at the two young attendants and smiled at Song Mo. “The Crown Prince knows your wedding day is the day after tomorrow and specifically instructed me to bring you two gifts from him.”

Song Mo thanked him repeatedly, accepted the boxes, and introduced Ma Youming to Cui Yijun before preparing to follow Cui Yijun to express his gratitude to the Crown Prince.

Cui Yijun, aware of Ma Youming’s capabilities—having won accolades in the autumn archery competitions—was polite to him since he was introduced by Song Mo. He nodded and exchanged pleasantries.

Ma Youming usually looked down on these eunuchs, but seeing Cui Yijun’s courteous demeanor, he felt he should also maintain decorum.

After they exchanged greetings, Cui Yijun smiled and said, “The Crown Prince has instructed that you need not thank him. If you have time on your wedding day, the Crown Prince will come to toast you; if not, please invite the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess to the palace for tea when you have the chance. The Crown Princess would like to pay her respects to you.” He then stepped closer to Song Mo and whispered, “The emperor has asked the Crown Prince to join him for dinner.”

The emperor’s health was unstable.

Song Mo smiled knowingly and replied, “Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Cui.” He slipped two red envelopes into Cui Yijun’s hands.

“You’re too kind!” Cui Yijun accepted the envelopes without hesitation and pulled out a flat purse, handing it to Song Mo. “Young Master, your wedding day is coming up. I still have to serve my master, so I might not have time to congratulate you. This is just a small token of my appreciation; I hope you won’t mind.”

Ma Youming barely suppressed a look of disdain.

Song Mo maintained a calm expression, smiling as he accepted the purse. He assured Cui Yijun, “If you have time, you must come and share a drink at the wedding.”

Just then, Gu Yu rushed over, panting, and called out from a distance, “Tian Ci Ge!”

Cui Yijun’s expression changed at the sight of Gu Yu, the notorious troublemaker, and he quickly bowed to her before leading his attendants away in a hurry.

Gu Yu looked puzzled. “Did that Cui fellow do something again? Why did he run when he saw me?”

Cui Yijun was known for being opportunistic, and the children of noble families often referred to him as “Cui the Opportunist” in private.

Song Mo, wanting to avoid conflict, tucked the purse into his sleeve and asked Gu Yu, “Did the Empress allow you to leave the palace?”

Gu Yu nodded. “She said I could return to the palace with you.”

Song Mo instructed Gu Yu to greet Ma Youming.

Reluctantly, Gu Yu called out, “Lord Ma.”

Perhaps because he had to maintain his image in the palace, or perhaps because of Song Mo’s earlier words, Ma Youming didn’t tease Gu Yu this time. Instead, he smiled and nodded politely at her.

Gu Yu, preoccupied with her thoughts, ignored Ma Youming and pulled Song Mo out of the palace.

The carriage from the Duke of Ying’s residence was already waiting outside the palace gate.

Gu Yu jumped into the carriage first, and as soon as Song Mo settled in, she eagerly shared what she had overheard while eavesdropping over the wall.

Dou Zhao was even offering a loan!

No wonder Chen Quishui was so familiar with court matters; he must have close ties with those lower-ranking officials.

Why was Dou Zhao doing this?

And what about the Ri Sheng Silver Building? Why didn’t she believe in its prospects? Why would she rather forgo fifty thousand taels of private funds than let Dou Qi retire from his shares?

At that moment, Song Mo suddenly wanted to see Dou Zhao and clarify all his confusion. He was too preoccupied to continue talking with Gu Yu and fell into deep thought.

Having expressed his thoughts, Gu Yu felt a weight lift from his chest. He was relieved, thinking that Song Mo would surely come up with a plan, and he didn’t care how Song Mo would act. He simply followed Song Mo back to the Duke of Ying’s residence.

At the Duke’s residence, Song Mo’s uncle, Song Maochun, and his other uncles, Song Fengchun and Song Tongchun, were chatting and laughing with Song Yichun about the wedding preparations for the next day. Upon hearing that Song Mo had returned, Song Maochun said to Song Yichun, “Tian Ci must have some friends. Besides Qin Er and Duo Er, why not let Tian Ci invite a few friends to join in the wedding preparations? It would make things livelier.”

It was as if the incident of expelling Song Mo from the family had never happened, and his tone was very affectionate.

Song Fengchun, feeling a bit displeased, remarked, “Jun Er is also getting older. It would be good for him to join his brothers and broaden his horizons. Why not let him come along for the wedding preparations?”

When the Duke of Ying’s residence held a wedding, all the nobles and ministers from the capital would come to congratulate them. It was a perfect opportunity for the younger generation to make an impression and get acquainted with the adults. Why should his son be left out? The eldest had already gained plenty of benefits from the second brother!

Song Maochun shared the same sentiment and laughed, “Jun Er is still young…”

Song Yichun, uninterested in the usual arguments, thought Song Maochun’s idea was good. It would show everyone that there was no discord between them.

He instructed Lu Zheng, “Please invite the Young Master over to speak.”

Lu Zheng complied and left, returning shortly to report, “The Young Master said that Young Master Gu is visiting the residence, and he can’t leave right now. He will come to see you as soon as Young Master Gu leaves.”