Song Mo decisively handed over the social obligations at home to Dou Zhao, while he took Gu Yu to visit the Duke of Dongping.
The Duke of Dongping was of average height with fair skin. Years of indulgence in sensual pleasures had left his gaze somewhat clouded.
Suddenly tasked with taking charge of the Five Cities Military Command and given only a month to solve the case, he had no idea where to begin. Upon leaving the palace, he returned home directly and consulted with his advisors for hours, but they couldn’t come up with a good plan. As he was growing frustrated, a servant brought in Song Mo’s calling card. The duke couldn’t help but smile bitterly as he handed the card to his advisor, asking, “What do you think I should do?”
The advisor pondered briefly before responding, “Duke Ding was executed, Madam Jiang passed away from illness, yet Duke Ying couldn’t do anything about the heir. Such a person cannot be offended under any circumstances… You certainly must meet with him… However, since you’ve just taken charge of the Five Cities Military Command and aren’t familiar with the case yet… Didn’t the Emperor bestow Emperor Taizong’s sword upon him to investigate the fire at Duke Ying’s mansion? He also bears the responsibility of investigating the case… Why don’t we go to the Five Cities Military Command together tomorrow, clarify the details of the case, and then come up with a plan together? It would be best to invite the newly appointed Prefect Huang to the Five Cities Military Command as well…”
The Duke of Dongping nodded repeatedly and brought the advisor who had offered this suggestion to the reception hall.
Song Mo and Gu Yu paid their respects to the Duke of Dongping as juniors.
The duke smiled warmly, invited them to sit, and inquired about the fire at Duke Ying’s mansion with concern.
Song Mo had no choice but to recount the incident once again.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Duke of Dongping immediately expressed his anger, “The Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Cities Military Command have been far too indulgent! If they had responded to the report immediately, how could thieves have broken in? No wonder the Emperor is furious. This matter cannot be tolerated, otherwise the homes of all the nobles in the capital will become like vegetable gardens, open for anyone to enter at will. Where would the safety be? This case must be investigated thoroughly. Anyone who dares to be negligent will be treated as a thief!” Though his words were stern, they were rather hollow.
Song Mo had seen many such officials before. Considering the Duke of Dongping’s usual conduct, he could see that the Duke was merely trying to appease him.
“Your Grace’s words are reasonable,” Song Mo said in a humble tone. “However, with such a vast population, nearly four hours have passed since the incident occurred. Even if we were to lock down the entire city now, it would be difficult to track down those few thieves.”
You understand well!
The Duke of Dongping nodded, but then Song Mo changed the subject, saying, “However, the commander of the Eastern City Military Command is quite capable. He has already led his men to question all sorts of people in the Eastern City, asking them to identify…”
The Duke of Dongping was still confused, but his advisor had already grasped Song Mo’s implied meaning. He quickly coughed lightly and said with a smile, “I wonder what this commander of the Eastern City Military Command is called? I didn’t expect him to be so resourceful. With such a major incident in the capital, those street performers and tricksters should indeed be dealt with. Perhaps the thieves are hiding among them!”
The Duke of Dongping finally understood.
The Emperor was angry, and they needed to provide some explanation.
These various groups in the capital could serve as scapegoats!
“Yes, yes, yes!” he exclaimed repeatedly. “Not just the Eastern City, but the other four cities should be dealt with as well.” He quickly called for his attendant: “Go, summon the commander of the Eastern City Military Command from the Five Cities Military Command!”
The attendant acknowledged and left.
The Duke of Dongping, half probing and half consulting smiled at Song Mo and asked, “Where does the young master think we should begin the search?”
Gu Yu was about to speak but was silenced by a glare from Song Mo. He swallowed his words, and Song Mo then replied, “Your Grace has been entrusted by the Emperor to manage the Five Cities Military Command, so naturally, it’s up to Your Grace to decide.”
Hearing this, the Duke of Dongping smiled, feeling that Song Mo was a child who understood propriety and had a sense of the bigger picture. No wonder people treated him like a nephew.
“Then let’s start the search from the Eastern City!” the Duke of Dongping said with a smile. “Hasn’t that commander of the Eastern City already rolled up his sleeves and gotten to work? We shouldn’t meddle unnecessarily. Let’s follow his lead…”
As they were speaking, the commander of the Eastern City Military Command entered.
Seeing Song Mo, he was very surprised but quickly shot him a grateful glance.
If it weren’t for Song Mo, how would the newly appointed commander of the Five Cities Military Command have summoned him to his home?
He appreciated this act of recommendation.
Thinking this, the commander of the Eastern City Military Command respectfully bowed to the Duke of Dongping.
Song Mo, however, stood up with Gu Yu to take their leave, saying, “…We still need to meet with Lord Huang.”
The Duke of Dongping smiled and escorted Song Mo and Gu Yu to the door of the reception hall.
As an elder, he had already shown them great courtesy.
Gu Yu, however, was very dissatisfied. Once they were in the carriage, he pouted and said, “What can that Duke of Dongping do besides eating, drinking, and flattering the Emperor? Why did you hand this matter over to him? We don’t even know where the thieves are, and he’s already thinking about finding scapegoats. Is this how you catch thieves? You might as well have given it to me instead of him!”
“Gu Yu,” Song Mo interrupted him, “Catching thieves is originally the responsibility of the Five Cities Military Command and the Shuntian Prefecture. If we were to overstep our bounds, not only would it invite criticism from others, but it might also cause resentment and a lack of cooperation from that person. What use would there be in us taking charge? It’s better to do them a favor so that they’ll be more accommodating in the future.” He continued, “The city gates of the capital haven’t been locked down until now. Do you think we can still catch those thieves?” At this point, his expression turned cold. “After we leave the Shuntian Prefecture, let’s go to the Five Military Commander’s Office. Since those thieves came from Cangzhou, shouldn’t Cangzhou give us an explanation as well?!”
Despite this, Gu Yu still felt unsatisfied. “…We should let those people know our power!”
If Uncle were still here, would I perhaps have the same thoughts?
A flicker of pain crossed Song Mo’s eyes as he realized that if he didn’t find something for Gu Yu to do, he probably wouldn’t stay calm.
“Gu Yu,” Song Mo hesitated for a moment before saying in a low voice, “I have something I need your help with.”
Hearing this, Gu Yu immediately perked up and said eagerly, “Brother Tianci, what do you want me to do? Is it to go to Cangzhou Prefecture?”
Song Mo chuckled, then said seriously after a while, “It’s a personal matter, and I don’t quite trust others…” He beckoned Gu Yu to come closer and whispered, “Didn’t the Marquis of Anlu act as a matchmaker for my father? See if you can arrange for someone from the Marquis of Anlu’s household to harbor the thieves…”
“I know what to do!” Gu Yu was very excited and rubbed his hands together. “I’ll make sure he suffers in silence, unable to speak of his misery!”
“That’s exactly the idea.” Song Mo smiled and sighed, “Gu Yu has grown up and knows that some things can’t be done recklessly!”
Gu Yu blushed at the praise.
Meanwhile, Dou Ming rushed back to the Marquis of Jining’s mansion from Liuye Alley, heading straight for Wei Tingyu’s study.
Wei Tingyu’s study was quiet, with only a servant wiping the tables.
She frowned and asked, “Where is the Marquis?”
The servant respectfully replied, “The Marquis heard that there was a fire at Duke Ying’s mansion, and coincidentally, both Duke Ying and the young master were not at home. The fire spread to the inner courtyard, and the Marquis was very worried, so he rushed to Duke Ying’s mansion…”
Before he could finish speaking, Dou Ming’s face had already turned as black as the bottom of a pot. She turned and left the study.
Zhu’er, the newly promoted first-class maid of Dou Ming, quickly said, “Madam, Duke Ying’s mansion and the Marquis of Jining’s mansion are after all related by marriage. At this time, everyone will go to visit. Why don’t you also go to see the Fourth Young Lady? You can return together with the Marquis!”
This Zhu’er was originally serving Dou Ming’s maternal grandmother. Every time she called Zhu’er, Dou Ming felt like she was calling Zhenzhu (pearl). She particularly liked this name and, seeing that Zhu’er was quick-witted and clever, had specifically requested her to come over.
Hearing this, Dou Ming’s face darkened as she said, “I’m not going! If he wants to go, he can go by himself. Don’t think I’ll go to please Dou Zhao!” She was on the verge of tears from frustration.
Zhu’er sighed inwardly but dared not say more. She assisted Dou Ming in washing up and changing clothes.
Dou Ming waited and waited until it was almost time for the evening meal when Wei Tingyu finally returned.
Feeling bitter in her heart, her tone was somewhat displeased: “Why are you back so late?”
Wei Tingyu was taken aback and said, “Didn’t you know that there was a fire at the Fourth Young Lady’s house?”
Fourth Young Lady, Fourth Young Lady! They were already married now, and according to custom, he should address Dou Zhao as “Sister-in-law.” Even if he felt awkward due to past events, calling her “Madam” would be acceptable. Yet he insisted on calling her “Fourth Young Lady.” Did he think they were still unmarried?
Dou Ming felt even more bitter.
“Can’t you change how you address her?” She widened her eyes. “Others might think my sister is still unmarried!” As she spoke, the image of Wei Tingyu looking back towards Dou Zhao’s residence that day suddenly flashed in her mind. Something surged up in her heart like a stormy sea, and she couldn’t help but say, “Do you still think in your heart that my sister isn’t married? Is that why you rushed over there as soon as you heard Song Yantan wasn’t home? Well? Did you get to talk to my sister? Did she cry to you about how scared she was…”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Even with Wei Tingyu’s good temper, such baseless accusations made him furious. “Do you know what you’re saying? I didn’t even see your sister. I was just fulfilling my duty as a relative by paying a visit. How can you think like this? You weren’t like this before. How have you become like this now?”
He was very disappointed, yet he couldn’t help but think of Dou Zhao’s vibrant appearance.
When he went to Duke Ying’s mansion today, Wei Tingyu inadvertently saw Dou Zhao seeing off guests. Her tall figure, spirited smile, and graceful, composed demeanor made him pause, and his mood inexplicably became heavy. Although he had waited for almost an hour, and that advisor surnamed Liao had said Song Yantan would return soon, he no longer had the heart to stay at Duke Ying’s mansion.
Returning home in a daze, instead of gentle words or cheerful conversation, he was met with Dou Ming’s unreasonable accusations. Dou Zhao’s liveliness became even more precious in comparison.
Thinking of this, he felt it was particularly meaningless and turned to walk out.
Dou Ming panicked.
She rushed forward to block Wei Tingyu’s path: “You’re not allowed to leave! If you leave, I… I… I’ll never speak to you again!”