As lunch concluded, the family recognition ceremony came to an end. Song Mo personally escorted Dou Jichang and the Dou family members to the main gate.

The Song family’s relatives moved to the garden in the east wing. Princess Ningde and Madam Lu, accompanied by Lu Chen’s wife and Lu Shi’s wife, played leaf cards in the warm pavilion next to the flower hall. Zhang San’s mother-in-law, Feng Hui, led Lu Han’s wife, Lu Qin’s wife, and the female relatives of the Song family and the Yunyang Marquis Gu family to play mahjong in the flower hall. As for Lu Chen, Lu Shi, and others, they enjoyed opera performances in the garden, accompanied by Song Yichun and Song Mo. Gu Yu invited Wang Qinghuai, Feng Shao, and others to gamble in the mountain house.

Dou Zhao followed behind Lu’s eldest daughter-in-law, serving Princess Ningde and Madam Lu, while Wang’s young madam sat beside the princess, sipping tea. Dou Zhao casually helped Madam Lu play a few hands of cards, prompting Madam Lu to laugh, “I didn’t realize Yantang’s wife was such an expert!”

The first and second madams of the Lu family looked at her with friendly smiles.

Dou Zhao replied with a smile, “I have many uncles and cousins in my maiden family. We often play leaf cards when we gather, so I’ve picked up a thing or two over time.”

Madam Lu nodded, her interest piqued. She began asking Dou Zhao about her life in her maiden home.

Among today’s relatives, the Lu family was perhaps the most concerned about Song Mo.

Dou Zhao didn’t hide anything, recounting some amusing anecdotes from her life in Zhending to the two elderly ladies. Soon, the warm pavilion was filled with laughter and merriment.

Feng Hui remarked, “Who would have thought that Yantang’s new wife would be so articulate? She’s just arrived, yet she’s already made Aunt and my mother laugh so heartily. I think Yantang’s wife will be just like our cousin-in-law, always able to please Aunt and my mother…” As she spoke, she glanced at Lu Han’s wife, the second madam of the Lu family, and Lu Qin’s wife, the third madam.

The cousin-in-law she referred to was Song Mo’s mother, Jiang Huisun.

The two women smiled without saying a word.

Hearing this, the first and third madams of the Song family exchanged glances and, as if by mutual agreement, excused themselves to use the restroom. However, they gathered behind the Taihu rock garden near the flower hall to talk.

“You checked the bridal sheet this morning,” the third madam of the Song family said shrewdly. “How are the two of them?”

This was typically the mother-in-law’s duty, but Dou Zhao had no mother-in-law, and Song Yichun couldn’t ask directly, so they requested the first madam of the Song family to help with the inspection.

“They consummated the marriage last night,” the first madam of the Song family said, her tone tinged with a hint of disappointment. “I asked the young maid from Yizhitang, and she said Yantang slept in the new room.” As if remembering something, she added, “And you, why did you have to arrange for Jinr to test them? What if Yantang becomes suspicious and takes it out on Jinr? I think you should find an opportunity to explain to that Dou woman!”

“Don’t you think I know that?” the third madam of the Song family replied, full of resentment. “But the third master insisted I arrange for Jinr to test them. He said no maid would have the courage to do it, and if it backfired, it would be disastrous! Now, Yantang has taken notice of Jinr… If anything happens to Jinr, I’ll fight the third master to the death!”

The first madam of the Song family hurriedly consoled her, “It won’t come to that. Although Yantang is cold towards others, he’s not the type to hold grudges. Just tell Jinr to be careful not to wander around in the future.”

The third madam nodded and sheepishly explained, “It was also what Big Brother said. He said Second Brother doesn’t like Yantang and wants to groom Tian’en… That’s why the third master was so determined and wouldn’t listen to anyone!”

It was the third couple’s idea to curry favor with the second uncle, yet they insisted it was on the orders of their eldest brother!

The first madam of the Song family was very displeased upon hearing this, but as usual, she remained composed and pretended not to have heard.

The third madam of the Song family then said, “I find that Dou woman is quite generous. Her speech and actions show none of a new bride’s shyness or timidity… I hope we won’t have another Madam Jiang on our hands?”

“Surely we’re not that unlucky?” the first madam of the Song family hesitated, a flash of gloom crossing her eyes. “Even if that’s the case, at least we’re her elders, unlike when Madam Jiang was here…” She looked up to see the third madam winking at her, and immediately changed her tone: “…Where did you get this dress made? It’s stunning! Look at the trim, it must be a new style from the south, right?” Before she could finish, the third madam of the Song family was already smiling and saying, “Fourth sister-in-law, you’re out here too?”

So she had arrived!

The first madam of the Song family laughed coldly in her heart but turned with a smile to greet the fourth madam of the Song family: “Who’s having the best luck right now?”

The fourth madam of the Song family secretly pouted.

She knew these two disappearing together meant nothing good, and sure enough, they were here whispering.

“It seems the second madam of the Lu family has the best luck,” the fourth madam of the Song family smiled. “I’ve already lost four or five taels of silver in this short while. I came out for some fresh air, hoping to change my luck.”

“This second madam of the Lu family, she always wins when we play cards with her. If she wins again this time, we should make her treat us…” the first madam of the Song family said as the three sisters-in-law entered the flower hall, chatting and laughing.

After dinner, the relatives gradually took their leave.

Madam Lu, Princess Ningde, and Wang’s young madam all warmly invited Dou Zhao to visit their homes in the coming days. Dou Zhao agreed with a smile and escorted them to the entrance gate, watching their carriages leave Duke Ying’s mansion before returning.

Gu Yu and his friends were caught up in their gambling and hadn’t even eaten dinner. Song Mo, worried, went to the mountain house.

Dou Zhao thought for a moment and headed straight to Yizhitang.

Suxin asked with concern, “Aren’t you going to pay your respects to the Duke?”

“I don’t have a mother-in-law, and the heir isn’t here, so I won’t go to the Duke,” Dou Zhao smiled. “If the Duke wants me to follow the rules, he’ll surely send a matron to tell me.”

She had only heard of mothers-in-law making daughters-in-law follow rules, never fathers-in-law doing so.

Suxin pondered this silently as she returned to the room with Dou Zhao.

Being new and unfamiliar with the rules of Duke Ying’s mansion, Sulan and the others hadn’t dared to move around in Dou Zhao’s absence. They had been sitting idly in the room all day. Seeing Dou Zhao return, they were overjoyed. Sulan even tugged at Dou Zhao’s sleeve, saying, “Miss, please give us some tasks to do!”

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile.

Knowing that Song Mo had been dragged off to gamble by Gu Yu, she freshened up and changed into a casual dark green jacket. She then leaned against the nanmu bed’s headboard to read.

Suxin brought in a set of brand new bright red silk bedding with mandarin ducks playing in water embroidered on it. Without a word, she laid it out on the large kang in the resting room.

Dou Zhao’s hand paused as she turned a page of her book.

That set of silk bedding was part of her dowry.

It seemed that Suxin and the others knew she hadn’t consummated her marriage with Song Mo last night.

She couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

Song Mo returned to the room.

Dou Zhao rose to help him freshen up.

Song Mo waved his hand, smiling, “No need! You can continue reading. I usually don’t require assistance.”

Is that so?

Dou Zhao smiled, pressing her lips together. She listened carefully and soon heard the clanging sound of a copper basin falling in the washroom.

She got up and went to the washroom.

Song Mo was awkwardly wringing out his sleeves.

Dou Zhao instructed Suxin to fetch fresh water, then found a change of clothes for Song Mo and walked over quietly.

“Come, let’s change out of these wet clothes,” she said, helping Song Mo undo his sash. “The weather is getting colder. Be careful not to catch a chill!”

“It’s fine!” Song Mo smiled. “I can manage on my own!” His tone was calm and composed, maintaining his usual elegance.

Dou Zhao looked up at Song Mo.

She noticed his ears were bright red.

She smiled and took a step back, saying, “Alright then, I’ll take the wet clothes out for you.”

“No need!” Song Mo smiled. “Let the maids take care of it.”

“It’s no trouble,” Dou Zhao smiled. “I’ve sent her to fetch water for you!”

Song Mo let out an “Oh,” and under Dou Zhao’s gaze, the simple butterfly knot of his sash, which should have come undone with a slight tug, somehow became tighter and tighter, eventually turning into a knot.

“Let me help you!” Dou Zhao said with a smile as she stepped forward.

“It’s fine!” Song Mo smiled. “I’ll manage in a moment!” But beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

This version of Song Mo was like a child trying to act tough in front of adults, which Dou Zhao found incredibly endearing.

Dou Zhao struggled to maintain a neutral expression.

“Don’t move!” she said in a low voice, though her tone was unexpectedly gentle. “I’ll help you untie it.”

Song Mo was extremely embarrassed, but the fingers working on his sash were not only fair and delicate but also long and nimble. They quickly undid the mess he had made of his sash.

He laughed awkwardly, not knowing what to do with his hands and feet.

Dou Zhao acted as if she hadn’t noticed, calmly helping Song Mo remove his clothes and preparing warm water for him to wash up.

Song Mo took the towel, mumbling his thanks.

“No need to be polite,” Dou Zhao smiled as she walked out.

Song Mo breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Dou Zhao poked her head back in, smiling, “Isn’t the point of being together to make each other more comfortable and happy?”

Song Mo was taken aback, then became thoughtful.

As Dou Zhao turned to leave the washroom, she called back to him, “Call me when you’re done bathing. I’ll help you wash your hair.”

Her voice was clear and pleasant, reminding Song Mo of the oriole he had kept as a child.

He couldn’t help but smile and called out, “I usually wash my hair before bathing.”

“Alright then!” Dou Zhao returned with a bright smile. “I’ll help you wash your hair.”

Song Mo sat down on a small stool nearby.

When Song Mo came out of the washroom, Dou Zhao and Suxin were spreading a sapphire blue silk quilt embroidered with lotus flowers on the large kang by the window in the inner room.

Hearing movement, Dou Zhao looked up and smiled, “I’m used to having maids on night duty. Why don’t you sleep in the inner room?” Then, in a teasing tone, she added, “We can’t have you getting up in the middle of the night to fetch tea and water for me, can we?”

“Why not?” Song Mo raised an eyebrow and sat down on the kang by the window with a smile. “Didn’t you say that living together is about making each other more comfortable and happy?” He had regained his usual composure.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile.

Song Mo, you adapt quite quickly!

This marriage was arranged too hastily. Not only she but he too hadn’t been prepared.

But when she moved his bedding from the resting room to the inner room, he accepted it without a fuss. This could be considered a good start, couldn’t it?