Dou Zhao felt both amused and exasperated. Song Mo was making a mountain out of a molehill! She found it somewhat unnecessary. Yet inexplicably, a faint joy bubbled up in her heart, leaving her momentarily dazed.
Why did she feel annoyed when Wei Tingyu did such things, but happy when Song Mo did them?
Dou Zhao recalled her previous life. The day after her miscarriage, she sat up in bed to manage the household affairs of Duke Jining’s manor. Wei Tingyu had urged her, “You haven’t fully recovered. Let these matters wait.” He then shooed away all the stewards who had come to report.
She remembered feeling quite pleased at the time, following Wei Tingyu’s advice and lying down to rest. But just as she settled in, a servant came to ask for instructions, saying that the Duchess Dowager of Marquis Dongping had passed away and inquiring about what funeral offerings to send.
Having only recently taken charge of the household, Dou Zhao wasn’t familiar with how Duke Jining’s manor had handled such matters in the past. She had no choice but to get up and check the old account books. Seeing this, Wei Tingyu snatched the ledger away, insisting she rest.
Once again, she heeded Wei Tingyu’s words and lay back down. However, no one took care of the funeral offerings for the Duchess Dowager of Marquis Dongping. If not for the fact that Marquis Dongping had invited a feng shui master to determine that the coffin should remain in the home for six days, Duke Jining’s manor would have missed the proper time to send offerings.
The Marquis Dongping’s household had previously sent condolences to Duke Jining’s manor. If Duke Jining’s manor failed to pay their respects, the Marquis Dongping’s household might assume they wished to sever ties!
Several similar incidents occurred afterward.
Dou Zhao finally understood that Wei Tingyu’s care was like spring willow catkins – unable to withstand even a gentle breeze. He wouldn’t help her with any tasks; they simply piled up, waiting for her to handle them herself. She even got the sense that if she truly followed Wei Tingyu’s words, it might lead to many misunderstandings.
As time passed, she grew weary of heeding Wei Tingyu’s concern. Seeing her unmoved, Wei Tingyu also lost interest in caring for her.
She learned to shoulder and resolve all matters on her own.
Song Mo was different.
Last night, she had been utterly exhausted. Disregarding the stickiness on her body, she had curled up naked on the bed with her eyes closed, panting as she said, “Wait a moment, I’ll fetch some water for you.”
Su Xin and the others were unmarried maidens. As she hadn’t planned to make them serve as bedchamber maids, it wouldn’t have been appropriate to call them in to attend.
Perhaps noticing her exhaustion, Song Mo had leaned over to gently stroke her forehead, softly telling her to rest well: “…I’ll take care of everything!”
She remembered smiling at that moment.
To her surprise, Song Mo not only brought in water to help clean her but also changed the bedding. Through the latticed window, he instructed Su Juan, who was on night duty: “Don’t take these to the laundry room. Just wash them clean yourselves.”
Although he later became aroused again, constantly exploring her body, she fell into a peaceful sleep. Even when she was briefly awakened by his getting up, she simply rolled over and drifted off again.
Was this why she found his care particularly sweet?
Dou Zhao pondered this as she ate her breakfast.
Outside Yizhi Hall, there was Mr. Yan; inside, there was Chen He. Among the maids and servants, there was Su Xin. With little to do, she considered visiting Song Han, but her waist ached terribly. She lounged in bed and fell asleep again.
By the time she awoke, it was already dusk.
Dou Zhao was startled, not realizing she had slept so deeply.
Su Xin brought in the evening meal, smiling as she said, “Seeing Madam sleeping so soundly, we didn’t want to disturb you.” She then helped Dou Zhao get up, adding, “We’ve prepared pigeon soup today. I’ll fetch a bowl for Madam.”
It was all highly nourishing food.
Dou Zhao nodded with a smile, settling herself on the kang bed.
Wu Yi entered and reported, “Madam, the Young Master has sent a letter for you.”
Dou Zhao was quite surprised.
Opening the letter, she found a packet of medicinal powder enclosed, with just a few words explaining its use.
Dou Zhao’s face burned hot.
The powder was what Eunuch Yan Xi from the palace used for women injured during intimate encounters.
Damn that Song Mo, surely he hadn’t let everyone in the palace know?
Though inwardly mortified, she firmly believed that Song Mo wouldn’t gossip about such matters.
These conflicting emotions made Dou Zhao long to see Song Mo immediately.
She wondered what Song Mo was doing at that moment.
As she thought of Song Mo, he too was thinking of her.
The bed in the duty room was hard. He had slept on such hard plank beds for seven or eight years, but never before had it felt so uncomfortable.
He thought of Dou Zhao’s body.
So soft and warm.
And her face, flushed with color… her eyes, moist as if about to drip… her disheveled black hair, damp with sweat and clinging to her fair forehead…
He felt all his blood rushing downward again, hardening painfully.
He shouldn’t have treated Dou Zhao that way last night.
But he had wanted her so desperately.
Wanted to make her his.
He wondered if she was angry.
He would have to stay in the palace for another night tomorrow, only able to leave at the hour of you the day after. Should he buy something to apologize to Dou Zhao when he returns?
Song Mo couldn’t quite decide.
A guard came in to report: “Sir, Young Master Zhang from the Jing Guo Gong mansion wishes to see you.”
The guards, all of noble birth, mostly knew each other.
Song Mo went to the West Straight Gate.
Zhang Xuming came forward to greet him, speaking in a low voice: “Early this morning, the document from the Ministry of Personnel arrived.” He gave Song Mo a meaningful look. “That matter is settled.”
They moved quite quickly!
Song Mo smirked, exchanged a few casual words with Zhang Xuming, and then they parted ways.
He walked slowly back to Qianqing Palace, pondering who would be best to incite the family members of the Yuanqiu Lingwei Qianhu to file a complaint with the Da Li Temple.
Merely failing to obtain something in the first place only leads to disappointment.
Gaining and then losing something is far more painful.
Especially if it leads to legal troubles, not only losing one’s official position but possibly even one’s life – that pain must be even more intense.
At this moment, however, Dou Zhao was summoned by Song Yichun to Qixiang Garden.
“I’ve been ordered by His Majesty to inspect Xuantong. I’ll be gone for half a month.” He looked at his daughter-in-law, dressed appropriately and with a neither haughty nor humble demeanor, feeling somewhat irritated. “You’re still young and don’t understand much. I’ve asked your aunt to come and help manage the household affairs of the Duke Ying mansion. You should treat your aunt as you would your mother-in-law, obeying her in all things. Don’t act on your initiative!”
Dou Zhao respectfully answered “Yes” and withdrew.
Early the next morning, Lady Song arrived at Duke Ying’s mansion, leading Madam Tan along with a matron and two maids. With the arrogance typical of an elder, she took the household token from Duke Ying’s hand. She seated herself in the main reception hall where Madam Jiang used to give instructions and sent someone to summon Dou Zhao for a talk.
Dou Zhao responded with a simple “I understand” and went to the flower trellis in the small garden.
True to his nature of swift action, Song Mo had already requested two women from the flower beds to specifically tend to the trellis. Radishes and small cucumbers had already been planted.
Dou Zhao rewarded the two women responsible for the trellis with two high-quality red envelopes each.
The two women thanked her profusely.
Lady Song sent someone to hurry Dou Zhao: “…The Lady and the stewards are all waiting for Madam to discuss how to manage the household these next few days!”
Without even looking up, Dou Zhao patted her clothes, which were free of dust, and said coolly, “Go tell the Lady that the household has its established customs. As long as we follow these customs, there won’t be any mistakes. There’s no need for discussion. Since my mother-in-law passed away, the house has been without someone to manage the affairs, yet we haven’t seen any chaos.” Fearing that the messenger might be too afraid of Lady Song and Song Yichun’s authority to speak up, she called Su Xin to go with her, adding, “Make my words clear to the Lady, and don’t foolishly gesture about.” The last part was meant for the messenger to hear, so she would spread the word and let everyone in the household know Dou Zhao’s stance.
Su Xin smiled and obeyed.
Dou Zhao returned to her room, changed her clothes, and lay down to read.
Another servant came to report: “Madam, the Duke requests your presence.”
Dou Zhao responded with a simple “Mm” and told the servant to wait outside: “I’ll change my clothes and be right over.”
This was basic etiquette, and the servant naturally responded respectfully with a “Yes,” waiting outside.
Dou Zhao continued reading until Su Xin returned.
“The Lady was so angry her mouth twisted,” Su Xin reported in a low, amused voice. “She immediately sent someone to inform the Duke.”
Dou Zhao smiled and said, “So he’s calling me over for a lecture.”
She put down her book and, accompanied by Su Xin and Su Lan, went to Qixiang Hall.
However, due to the delay, Song Yichun was about to depart. He had just finished reprimanding the docile-looking Dou Zhao when Lu Zheng entered: “My Lord, the auspicious hour has arrived.”
Song Yichun had no choice but to stop. Song Han and Dou Zhao, along with others, saw him off at the main gate as he boarded his carriage and left.
Dou Zhao then asked Song Han, “I’ve had some walnut cookies made. Would you like to try them?”
“Yes!” Song Han exclaimed excitedly, ready to follow Dou Zhao to Yizhi Hall.
Nearby, Lu Zheng hurriedly called out, “Madam,” and said, “The Young Master still has lessons—when the Duke left, he instructed us that if the Young Master missed any classes, we would be held responsible. Please, Madam, have mercy on us!” With that, he knelt.
As studying was important, and Lu Zheng’s attitude was respectful, Dou Zhao found it difficult to be angry. She smiled and said softly to Song Han, “Then come to my room for snacks after your lessons, alright?”
Song Han agreed enthusiastically and was escorted to the outer study by a group of maids, matrons, and servants.
Lady Song, with a forced smile, said, “Daughter-in-law of Yan Tang, shall we go to the flower hall to discuss matters?”
Dou Zhao ignored her completely and strode away.
Lady Song was dumbfounded, taking a long moment to recover.
“I’ll tell the Duke! I’ll tell the Duke!” she shouted, stamping her feet in anger.
Su Xin worriedly asked, “What will we do when the Duke returns?”
“Isn’t the Duke not returning for half a month?” Dou Zhao replied calmly. “The Young Master will be back tomorrow! Besides, even without the Young Master, half a month is enough time for me to crush this Lady Song into dust.”
Su Lan couldn’t help but giggle, saying, “Miss, it’s been so long since I’ve heard you say that!”
Su Xin immediately put on a stern face and scolded, “Address her as Madam!”
Su Lan made a face at Dou Zhao, then formally curtsied and respectfully addressed her as “Madam.”
Dou Zhao laughed heartily.
Chen Qushui was also leaving the capital today.
He was bidding farewell to Yan Chaoqing: “I won’t go say goodbye to your wife, to avoid her asking questions that I might find difficult to answer. I’m heading back to Zhending now. We’ll meet again in October!”
Yan Chaoqing couldn’t hide the joy in his eyes and brows as he humbly said, “It’s all because I was too hasty, inviting you from so far away and troubling you to travel back and forth. It’s entirely my fault. When you come to the capital again, I insist on treating you to tea. Please don’t refuse!”
As Yan Chaoqing was Song Mo’s top advisor and Dou Zhao was now married to Song Mo, Chen Qushui naturally hoped to maintain a cordial relationship with Yan Chaoqing. This would also benefit Dou Zhao.
Chen Qushui repeatedly said, “I wouldn’t dare,” exchanged a few more polite words, then boarded his carriage and headed straight out of the capital.
Yan Chaoqing returned to Yizhi Hall in high spirits.