The small garden of Heyi Hall covered about 5-6 mu, surrounded by covered walkways and shaded by green trees. In the center were two connected lakes – a large one like a full moon and a small one like a crescent. An octagonal glazed pavilion stood in the large lake, while a waterside pavilion flanked by two embracing camphor trees sat by the small lake. The scene evoked the elegance of a southern garden.

Dou Zhao smiled and asked Song Mo, “Where should we build the greenhouse?”

As this was the Young Master’s residence, the layout favored a harder aesthetic over softness, unlike the garden with the small Buddhist shrine behind the main house at Duke Ying’s mansion. That garden, belonging to the Duchess, not only had a greenhouse but also featured artificial mountains made of Taihu rocks, a winding bridge of white marble, and a lakeside stage – all exuding refinement and elegance.

Song Mo pointed to a patch of peonies by the waterside pavilion: “How about there?”

Dou Zhao looked carefully and indeed, building it there wouldn’t disrupt the current scenery. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment idea; he must have come to look earlier and made up his mind.

When a typically cold and aloof person shows consideration and gentleness, it’s especially touching.

“Let’s not disturb that patch of peonies,” Dou Zhao said, her voice unconsciously revealing excitement. “Come spring, I’ll interplant some tree peonies and camellias. That way, we’ll have flowers blooming year-round. It would be a shame to build a greenhouse there.”

Song Mo fretted, “Then where should we build it?”

Only now did he feel Heyi Hall was a bit small.

Dou Zhao smiled, “Isn’t there a small backyard behind the kitchen? I was thinking we could convert that into a greenhouse. If we grow radishes and cucumbers, they can be sent directly to the kitchen, saving the trouble of coming all the way here to pick them.” She joked.

Song Mo thought seriously for a moment, then smiled, “That’s a good idea. Let’s do it!” He called out to Chen He, instructing him to buy stone materials, find craftsmen, and inquire about radish and cucumber seedlings. “It’s fine if they’re a bit expensive,” he added, “as long as we can plant them this season.”

To Chen He, this seemed like creating unnecessary work. Radishes at 500 wen per basket and cucumbers at 150 wen per basket could be ordered from Fengtai farmers whenever needed. Why go through the trouble of building a greenhouse and finding seedlings? Who knew if they’d even grow… They’d probably need to hire several servants just to tend to this greenhouse…

Nevertheless, he respectfully responded “Yes” and withdrew.

Song Mo then discussed with Dou Zhao, “Why don’t we buy a house by Shichahai? You could stay there every few days.” This way, they could have a larger greenhouse there.

“Let’s talk about that later,” Dou Zhao said softly. “I’ve just married into the family. If we buy a house outside now, people will gossip. Besides, I have another idea – Mother-in-law only has you and the Second Young Master as her flesh and blood. We should be close. My Father-in-law has been out early and returning late these days, and Tian’en doesn’t dare come to pay his respects to me, only secretly sending me some things. Father-in-law is very strict with him. He was raised pampered by his Mother-in-law and you, unable to endure hardships. Over time, his personality might become even more timid. I think, before I’m officially titled, it’s best to maintain the status quo – don’t manage anything, don’t interfere with anything. Once I’m officially titled ‘Madam’, we should try to reclaim household management rights from my Father-in-law. Firstly, this would allow me to legitimately manage the Second Young Master’s daily life. Secondly, through some minor details, we could learn what our Father-in-law is doing and has done. You can leave these two tasks to me. This way, you can focus your energy on important court matters. The Emperor’s illness is a matter that could affect the entire country!”

Dou Zhao was truly different from other women!

Song Mo nodded, looking at her with undisguised admiration, making Dou Zhao somewhat uncomfortable. Fortunately, Chen He came running back, out of breath.

“Young Master,” he wiped the sweat from his forehead, “Eunuch Wang Ge has come, saying he’s here on the Emperor’s orders to have you and your wife pay respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress tomorrow morning.”

This was an invitation to meet the Empress Dowager and the Empress!

In her previous life, Dou Zhao had been a Marchioness for over a decade without ever receiving such an honor.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but exclaim, “Ah!”

Song Mo frowned and asked, “Why this sudden decision to have us enter the palace?”

“I don’t know,” Chen He said softly. “They say that as soon as you left the palace, the Emperor inquired about you. When he learned you had returned home, the Emperor said nothing, but the Empress spoke up, saying you had always been concerned about the Emperor, entering the palace three days after your wedding, and only leaving once you knew the Emperor was safe.” At this point, he glanced secretly at Dou Zhao and lowered his voice even more, “The Empress also said that you had left your new bride at home, and wondered if you might be locked out upon your return. Hearing this, the Emperor sent Eunuch Wang to deliver the message.”

It shouldn’t be anything bad.

Dou Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.

Song Mo asked, “Should I go alone to receive the edict, or should my wife come along?”

Although Dou Zhao had not yet been officially titled, Song Mo had submitted the request for her title a few days ago, and the household had already begun addressing her as “Madam” according to custom.

“It’s a verbal order,” Chen He said. “Eunuch Wang is here to deliver the token.”

Song Mo turned to Dou Zhao and nodded, saying, “I’ll be right back!”

“Let’s go together!” Dou Zhao smiled. “After all, he’s a eunuch from the palace. I should at least greet him. Besides, we’ll inevitably be entering and leaving the inner palace in the future. Getting to know one more person means forming one more good connection.”

Eunuch Wang Ge was Wang Yuan’s adopted son. In her previous life, after the Liao King ascended the throne, he became the head eunuch of Qianqing Palace. While not as powerful as the Chief Eunuch, he was still one of the Liao King’s trusted confidants. Moreover, he was known for his narrow-mindedness and vindictiveness.

Many noble families looked down on eunuchs, considering them incomplete and prone to meddling in state affairs. However, they failed to realize that for the Emperor and Empress living in the Forbidden City, these eunuchs who clung to them like vines were closer than even the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet.

Song Mo found Dou Zhao’s words reasonable and accompanied her to the main hall of Heyi Hall.

Wang Ge was about 25 or 26 years old, with regular features and very lively eyes, clearly a clever and astute person.

After exchanging greetings, Wang Ge repeated what Chen He had said and smiled, “Young Master need not worry. With the Empress speaking on your behalf, the Emperor will surely not give you and the Young Mistress any trouble.”

While the household staff could address Dou Zhao as “Madam,” she didn’t want to give Wang Ge any leverage, so she quickly said, “I am unworthy of the title ‘Madam’.” Then she slipped a red envelope to Wang Ge, “I come from a rural background and have limited knowledge. For tomorrow’s audience in the palace, I must trouble you for guidance.”

Wang Ge hurriedly replied, “Madam, you’re too kind. The Young Master and I have no ordinary friendship.” He then tried to return the red envelope to Dou Zhao, “You’re embarrassing me with this.”

Dou Zhao said, “It’s precisely because of your special relationship with the Young Master that we should thank you for your trouble in delivering this message. We should invite you for tea before you leave, but fearing you have imperial duties to attend to, we don’t want to delay you. This is just a small token for tea.”

Song Mo also smiled, “It’s just an invitation for tea, please don’t refuse.”

Wang Ge finally accepted the red envelope, exchanged a few polite words, and took his leave from Heyi Hall.

Dou Zhao felt slightly relieved.

Song Mo comforted her: “There’s no need to be nervous. He’s just a minor seventh-rank eunuch. If he’s disrespectful to you, I have ways to deal with him.”

Dou Zhao gave him a sidelong glance, thinking to herself, “You don’t know what kind of person he’ll become in the future, that’s why you can speak so carelessly.”

Her rare display of girlish coquetry delighted Song Mo, who teasingly asked, “What? Don’t you believe me?”

“Of course, I believe you!” Dou Zhao was amused to see Song Mo acting like a child vying for candy. She urged him, “Go have dinner now! We need to enter the palace early tomorrow morning. After dinner, I still need to prepare our attire.” At this point, she realized she didn’t know what to wear for tomorrow’s palace visit. She said to Song Mo, “Send someone with Su Xin to Princess Ningde’s mansion. I need to ask Princess Ningde what I should wear to the palace tomorrow.”

According to custom, as a new bride, she could wear the wide-sleeved jacket worn by officials’ wives to the palace. However, palace rules were strict, and she feared this might be taboo and give others something to criticize.

Song Mo was puzzled, “Do we need to ask the Princess about this?” But he still instructed Chen He to accompany Su Xin to Princess Ningde’s mansion.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo returned to their room for dinner, then moved to the inner chamber to drink tea while waiting for Su Xin.

Song Mo took this opportunity to tell Dou Zhao about the personalities of several imperial consorts, their backgrounds, and the grudges between them. Fearing that Dou Zhao might take his words too seriously, he added, “These are palace matters after all, and some of what I’ve heard is just hearsay. You’ll need to judge for yourself when the time comes. I’m telling you this so you won’t be completely in the dark when faced with the situation.”

“I understand,” Dou Zhao smiled. “I’ll take the opportunity during this palace visit to carefully observe the imperial consorts.”

The palace could be a lonely place, and sometimes the imperial consorts were even more fond of gossip than common women. Most of this gossip turned out to be true, even more reliable than the information from Cabinet ministers.

As they were talking, Su Xin returned from Princess Ningde’s mansion.

“Princess Ningde said you should wear a true red wide-sleeved padded jacket to the palace,” she said, curtsying to Dou Zhao and Song Mo. “The Emperor has become increasingly fond of family matters in recent years. As a new bride, wearing this attire to the palace is appropriate. She also said you shouldn’t be nervous when speaking. Answer the Emperor’s questions as you would your uncle’s – respectful but with a hint of familiarity. As for the Empress, she’s the easiest person to talk to. As long as you’re respectful, it doesn’t matter if you answer incorrectly. However, be careful when speaking to the Empress Dowager. She’s advanced in years and her hearing isn’t very good, but she particularly dislikes people knowing about her hearing loss. When you respond to her questions, remember to speak loudly.”

Song Mo couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this, saying, “I didn’t expect you to have gained Princess Ningde’s favor! In all my years, she hasn’t said as much to me as she’s advised you today!”