None of the ladies, including Mrs. Wang, had expected Dou Zhao to be so forthright. They were momentarily stunned. It was the quick-witted Madam Cai who smoothed things over, saying nonchalantly, “Sisters always have their little squabbles. Given enough time, they’re all forgotten.” She then covered her mouth and chuckled, “I’ve come with a request for Fourth Young Mistress. Last time, I noticed you wearing a large water jade hairpin. Not only was the style novel, but the combination of grape purple and peach red was also quite striking. My eldest niece is coming of age next month, and I’ve been thinking of gifting her a set of jewelry to use for her future wedding. I wonder where Fourth Young Mistress had her ornament made? I’d like to commission a set for my niece from the same craftsman.”
Whether her words were true or not, they at least managed to change the subject.
Mrs. Wang and Third Madam Zhang both breathed sighs of relief, looking at Madam Cai with newfound respect.
The large hairpin had been a gift from Song Mo.
Dou Zhao genuinely didn’t know where it had been purchased.
She sent someone to inquire with Song Mo.
Madam Cai’s face was immediately filled with envy. “Fourth Young Mistress, you’re truly blessed!” She then feigned reproach, “Unlike me, who’s been married to your Tenth Brother for four or five years now. He hasn’t even bought me a handkerchief! It’s amazing how different people’s fates can be! Not only is the Fourth Young Master handsome, but he also treats the Fourth Young Mistress so well. No wonder Fourth Young Mistress looks even more beautiful after marriage than before!” She giggled behind her handkerchief.
The conversation had taken on a rather uninhibited tone, typical of gossiping women.
Given their shallow acquaintance, Mrs. Wang and Third Madam Zhang laughed awkwardly.
Dou Zhao pretended not to hear and invited Mrs. Wang and Third Madam Zhang to enjoy some tea.
Madam Cai, unperturbed, joined in the conversation, and the atmosphere in the room became quite lively and harmonious.
The person sent to inquire with Song Mo returned quickly, providing the name of the family’s silversmith.
Madam Cai invited Dou Zhao to accompany her: “Let me borrow some of Fourth Young Mistress’s influence.”
Dou Zhao understood that Madam Cai was trying to get closer to her. However, she found Madam Cai’s chatter annoying and had many tasks of her own to attend to. Not wanting to get involved with someone who enjoyed gossiping, she politely declined Madam Cai’s invitation. “We’ll see when Tenth Sister-in-law goes to the silversmith. By my calculations, my father-in-law will be returning soon. With such a significant event having occurred in the family, I’m not sure what plans he might have. I’m afraid I won’t have time to go out leisurely with Tenth Sister-in-law shortly.”
Madam Cai’s eyes lit up at these words.
Currently, rumors were circulating in the capital that the heir of Duke Ying’s household had the Duke so cowed that he couldn’t even raise his head. It was said that if the Duke wanted to remarry, he’d need his eldest son’s approval. Even her father-in-law had privately asked her mother-in-law about this matter. However, since the Fourth Young Mistress was newly married, her mother-in-law couldn’t summon her for questioning. If she could glean some information, how could Madam Guo maintain her position in the family?
Having made up her mind, she smiled and said, “Then we’ll go together whenever Fourth Young Mistress is free.”
Dou Zhao smiled, “I wonder if your niece can wait that long?”
Madam Cai felt a bit embarrassed but quickly recovered, “Oh, that’s not a problem! The silversmith’s craftsmanship is so good, that I might as well have some jewelry made for myself! I ended up with your Tenth Brother who doesn’t take care of things, so I have to look out for myself, don’t I?”
Dou Zhao smiled faintly.
After some more idle chatter, Mrs. Wang was the first to stand and take her leave. “… Today is the ninth day since our Young Mistress’s wedding. Since you’re not busy, I’ll go and check on our Young Mistress.”
Dou Zhao personally escorted Mrs. Wang to the entrance hall.
Third Madam Zhang and Madam Cai stayed behind to continue their gossip with Dou Zhao.
Song Mo’s servant came to report: “The Young Master has business outside and won’t be home for lunch. He sent me to inform you.”
Dou Zhao knew that Song Mo was going to meet Wang Yuan. She responded with a simple “I understand,” which prompted another round of envy from Madam Cai and caused Third Madam Zhang to regard Dou Zhao with increased respect.
The two women insisted on staying for lunch at Duke Ying’s mansion and didn’t leave until the afternoon.
Su Lan clicked her tongue in amazement: “How do they have so much to talk about? They didn’t stop for the entire afternoon.”
Dou Zhao chuckled.
In truth, she rather admired Third Madam Zhang and Madam Cai. Not every woman could talk for an entire afternoon without repeating themselves.
Meanwhile, in Wang Yuan’s private residence in Qudeng Hutong, not far from Duke Ying’s mansion, Song Mo was sitting in a small hall, talking with Wang Yuan, who was dressed in a semi-formal home robe.
“I never imagined that Eunuch Wang’s home would be decorated so elegantly!” Song Mo held his teacup, gazing at the various chrysanthemums arranged on the tea table. He remarked with apparent admiration, “People often say that one’s handwriting reflects one’s character. I think in your case, sir, your character is reflected in your flowers!”
First presenting a generous gift, then following up with effusive praise – even a fool would know he had a favor to ask.
If it were anyone else, Wang Yuan would have simply smiled and let it pass. But facing Song Mo, he couldn’t help but sit up straight, alert and on guard.
What kind of matter could make a formidable person like Song Mo come to him for help? It couldn’t be something trivial.
A barely perceptible wariness flashed in Wang Yuan’s eyes.
“Young Master Song is too kind! This old servant hardly deserves such praise,” he smiled, betraying no emotion. “These flowers are just casually arranged to suit the season. They’re not as fine as Young Master Song suggests.” He then skillfully deflected, “How is the investigation into the fire at Duke Ying’s mansion progressing? The Emperor inquired about it just this morning. Earl Dongping and Huang Qi seem to be dragging their feet, necessitating Duke Ying’s household to offer a reward! Though perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. With Japanese pirates rampant in Fujian, the Emperor is keen on rectifying the situation there. When the time comes to suppress the pirates, it will undoubtedly require funds. Any silver the court can save now is beneficial.”
Since the death of his uncle, those who had followed him had either been purged or demoted. Those remaining in Fujian no longer held much influence. His uncle’s twenty years of military achievements had vanished like smoke in just a few years.
A shadow passed over Song Mo’s eyes. After a moment of silence, he stood and bowed deeply to Wang Yuan.
Wang Yuan was greatly surprised.
Song Mo spoke, “This bow is on behalf of my uncle, to thank Eunuch Wang. I recently heard that those involved in escorting my uncle were all dealt with for offending the eunuch…”
Wang Yuan was taken aback.
But he quickly composed himself.
If Song Mo didn’t have at least this much ability, he wouldn’t be the heir of Duke Ying who could stir up such chaos in the capital!
Ever since Song Mo regained the Emperor’s favor, Wang Yuan knew it was only a matter of time before he learned of this matter.
He just hadn’t expected Song Mo to find out so quickly.
Never underestimate the young!
Looking at the composed, calm, and wise Song Mo before him, Wang Yuan quickly calculated and smiled, “Young Master Song misunderstands! This old servant is merely a servant, naturally doing whatever the master commands. How could I dare to accept such a grand gesture from Young Master Song?” He cupped his hands in return, considering it a reciprocation of the gesture.
Song Mo was shocked to his core, staring at Wang Yuan in astonishment.
Not only did he understand the subtle implications, but he also knew what should and shouldn’t be said.
While Wang Yuan had always been kind to Song Mo before, it was merely because he was in the Emperor’s favor. Now, however, Song Mo found himself forced to truly see Wang Yuan with his own eyes.
“Young Master Song, please try this Biluochun tea,” he refilled Song Mo’s cup, smiling. “The Emperor says that Dahongpao tea is becoming increasingly difficult to drink, so this old servant has taken to drinking Biluochun as well.”
“Thank you, Eunuch Wang!” Song Mo raised the cup and took a sip, but found only bitterness in his mouth. He briefly mentioned Chen Jia’s matter, then bid farewell to Wang Yuan and returned to Yizhi Hall in a daze.
Upon entering, he went straight to Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao was taking inventory of the silks and satins from her dowry with Su Xin and others.
It was her first year married into Duke Ying’s household, and she planned to reward her maids well, giving them good fabric to make New Year’s clothes.
Seeing Song Mo enter in a distracted state, she immediately signaled to Su Xin with her eyes and personally went to help Song Mo sit on the large kang by the window in the inner room.
Song Mo embraced Dou Zhao tightly, burying his face in her chest.
Feeling Dou Zhao’s soft fullness, his emotions began to relax.
“Shou Gu,” he said in a muffled voice, “Wang Yuan was acting on the Emperor’s orders… but why?” He raised his head, his dark eyes glistening as if wet with rain, bright and clear. “Uncle guarded Fujian for twenty years. If not for his achievements, at least for his hard work… Yet he could be killed, his property confiscated, and he could be exiled at will… Why? Why?” His questioning grew louder.
Dou Zhao, frightened and pale, quickly covered his mouth. She looked around warily, realizing that only she and Song Mo were in the inner room. Her frantically beating heart began to calm.
“Both thunder and dew are the Emperor’s grace,” she said, surprised by the revelation about Wang Yuan acting on imperial orders. However, compared to Song Mo’s emotional state, she couldn’t afford to dwell on it. She could only try to comfort him, “We had many theories about your uncle’s death before. If it weren’t for Chen Jia’s appearance, we would never have traced it back to Ding Wei. But if Duke Ying’s mansion hadn’t caught fire, and if you hadn’t acted so decisively, Chen Jia wouldn’t have sought you out… It seems Heaven has eyes and also felt your uncle was wronged, giving us a chance to help clear his name. At times like these, you must not let emotions cloud your judgment. You need to stay calm more than ever! What Wang Yuan said is just one side of the story; the specifics still need to be verified.” She added, “Master Yan and the others don’t know about this yet, do they? Should we invite Master Yan over to discuss it? Didn’t you ask him to investigate Chen Jia? Is there any news?”
But Song Mo clung to Dou Zhao, unwilling to let go.
“My head hurts,” he said, leaning against her chest.
Anyone faced with such a shocking revelation would have a moment of weakness.
“Let me massage it for you,” Dou Zhao said, her heart aching. She tried to reach for a pillow to help Song Mo lie down, but he tightened his grip on her waist, preventing her from moving. She could only grab a nearby large cushion for Song Mo to lie on, while she sat beside him, massaging his temples.
He whined, “I want water!”
Dou Zhao went to pour him a cup of warm water.
He didn’t take the cup, just staring at Dou Zhao with open eyes.
Resigned, Dou Zhao helped him drink the water.
He hugged her waist again, “Stay with me for a while.”
Dou Zhao agreed readily, leaning against the head of the kang, gently stroking his forehead.
Song Mo closed his eyes, his expression gradually relaxing.
A wave of tenderness washed over Dou Zhao, and her caresses became increasingly gentle.
Song Mo spoke as if in a dream, “I’ve thought about it carefully. The Emperor isn’t someone who can’t tolerate others. What could Uncle have done to displease him so? If it was a matter of his achievements threatening the throne… the Emperor should have dealt with Uncle ten years ago. Why wait until now? If it was because Uncle cut off someone’s source of wealth… Uncle wasn’t so upright as to be inflexible. He once told me that water too clear has no fish. As long as it didn’t affect military intelligence, he would usually turn a blind eye…”