In stark contrast to the joyous atmosphere in Heyi Hall, the servants in Xiangxiang Courtyard were trembling, not daring to make a sound.
Song Yichun paced furiously around the room like a caged beast. “That little beast! Who knows what tricks he pulled to charm the Emperor? Now the Emperor seems ready to stand up for him. If I had known, I should have dealt with him thoroughly back then instead of opening that ancestral hall…”
Tao Qizhong, standing silently nearby, had other concerns. He interrupted Song Yichun’s endless cursing, addressing him as “Duke” and glancing at the empty room before whispering, “How did the Emperor learn about the rift between you and the Young Master? Ordinary people wouldn’t concern themselves with such matters!”
Song Yichun froze.
Tao Qizhong continued, “Duke, you mustn’t take this lightly. You need to find a way to speak with the Emperor. Even if you can’t clarify today’s events, at least prevent others from poisoning the Emperor’s mind against you in the future. One can’t be a thief for a thousand days, but how can one guard against thieves for a thousand days? If this continues, we’ll be at a severe disadvantage.”
Song Yichun fell into deep thought. The room grew so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Meanwhile, a small figure nimbly darted past the window and disappeared behind a nearby flower wall.
After Dou Zhao finished rewarding the servants, the Dou family members and close friends of Song Mo gradually received the news. Notably, Prefect Huang Qi of Shuntian Prefecture and the acting Commander of the Five Cities’ garrison, the Marquis of Dongping – both of whom would frequently interact with the Five Cities’ garrison in the future – sent generous gifts through their capable stewards. Thus, when Dou Zhao returned to her maiden home for the moon-facing ritual, Jingan Temple Alley was particularly lively. Not only did the entire family from Locust Tree Alley come, but Ji from Cat Alley and the heavily pregnant Han also arrived.
Dou Shiyying felt especially proud. He didn’t question why Dou Zhao hadn’t attended Dou Ming’s recent banquet, instead asking her directly, “How long do you plan to stay at home? I’ll have the household prepare accordingly.”
The moon-facing ritual didn’t necessarily require staying at one’s maiden home for a full month. Rather, it involved selectively staying for a few days within the first month after a girl’s marriage.
“I can only stay for two or three days,” Dou Zhao replied with an apologetic smile. “In a couple of days, the Young Master will take office and needs to oversee the investigation into the fire at our mansion. I’ll have to stay longer next time I visit.”
It was rare for a married daughter to stay for such a short time, as most cherished the opportunity to spend time with their parents and would stay at least four or five days, some even up to a month. However, Dou Shiyying understood that his daughter, now married, naturally prioritized her husband’s family. He smiled and said, “Two or three days it is, then. We’ll have Yantang come to pick you up when it’s time.”
Song Mo quickly stood up and responded, “Yes,” his eyes and brows betraying his joy.
Dou Shiyying chuckled as he watched. He suspected his son-in-law wanted his daughter to return home soon!
His gaze towards Song Mo grew increasingly warm as he began discussing his new duties: “You’re young, so some people might not respect you. But you must not be arrogant. Remember, those seasoned old clerks are the most troublesome. They’re experienced and well-versed in matters of finance and provisions. Many even have personal connections with the clerks in the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of War. While they might not be great at getting things done, they’re experts at creating obstacles. Your future is long, so don’t stoop to their level. Be humble, cautious, gentle, and magnanimous. Learn to overcome hardness with softness…”
Dou Zhao struggled to contain her laughter. She knew that if Song Mo didn’t deal with others first, it would be a miracle if anyone could successfully scheme against him. Those who tried usually ended up like grasshoppers after autumn – few could last long. Moreover, her father’s advice was all about being humble and tolerant. If Song Mo truly followed such advice, he’d likely be eaten alive, with nothing left, not even bones. However, Song Mo, who usually maintained a stoic demeanor in his interactions, now appeared overly joyful in front of her father.
“This guy is quite the actor!” Dou Zhao thought to herself.
Song Mo, however, maintained his obedient facade, listening attentively and constantly nodding in agreement. He treated Dou Shiyying’s words as if they were golden rules, encouraging his father-in-law to speak more enthusiastically to his son-in-law, who held the rank of Junior Third Grade.
Gao Sheng poked his head in at the doorway.
Dou Zhao quickly asked, “Does Steward Gao have something to report?” interrupting Dou Shiyying’s lecture.
Gao Sheng looked embarrassed and hurriedly replied, “No, no, it’s nothing.”
Dou Shiyying’s face darkened.
When Dou Zhao hosted a banquet, Dou Ming didn’t attend, claiming she needed to return to her maiden home for the moon-facing ritual. She didn’t even explain Dou Zhao afterward. Later, when Dou Ming hosted a banquet, although Dou Zhao admitted her “gift arrived person didn’t” approach was inappropriate, her reasoning was sound.
The two sisters were equally at fault.
Therefore, this time he had specifically sent Gao Sheng to invite Dou Ming, insisting on her attendance. He had Gao Sheng convey the message: “Let’s not mention past events. From today onward, the two sisters should be close and loving, like one family.”
Seeing Gao Sheng’s current demeanor, Dou Shiyying immediately understood.
Dou Ming had completely disregarded his words, showing no respect for them at all.
However, if he were to inquire further in Dou Zhao’s presence, wouldn’t it worsen the relationship between the sisters? Moreover, with his son-in-law present… if word got out, how could his daughter maintain face in front of her husband?
Suppressing his displeasure, he asked, “Is everything arranged for the banquet outside?”
“Yes, yes, it’s all arranged!” Gao Sheng, unsure how to respond earlier, breathed a sigh of relief at the question.
Just then, a servant came to report, “The Fifth Master has arrived and is having tea with the Sixth Master in the hall.”
Everyone was taken aback.
For a married daughter returning to her maiden home for the moon-facing ritual, this was a matter for the women of the family. Why would her uncle, as a male relative, come as well?
Dou Shiyying grumbled inwardly but said to Song Mo, “Come, let’s go see your Fifth Uncle. He’s very familiar with the people in the Ministry of Revenue. Take this opportunity, while you’re in charge of the Imperial Guard’s military salaries, to get acquainted with those folks from the Ministry of Revenue. If funds are allocated more quickly in the future, both your superiors and subordinates will view you differently.”
Song Mo respectfully responded “Yes” and followed Dou Shiyying out with neither servility nor arrogance. However, his words were unabashedly flattering to Dou Shiyying: “I’ve long wished to ask Father-in-law for an introduction, but I feared you might find my conduct lacking in steadiness, so I never dared to mention it…”
How could he delay Chanxing Marquis’s military pay if he wasn’t familiar with the Ministry of Revenue?
How could he settle the river works accounts down to the last coin on time if he wasn’t acquainted with the Ministry of Revenue?
Dou Zhao couldn’t hold back any longer. She lowered her head and laughed silently as she headed to the flower hall to receive the female guests.
Her aunt was talking with her Sixth Aunt and Fifth Aunt. Upon seeing her enter, she waved her over.
Dou Zhao approached with a smile, paying her respects to each of her elders.
The Fifth Aunt looked her up and down, smiling as she said, “This rose-red embroidered jacket looks so lively on Fourth Miss.”
“Indeed!” Cai Shi immediately chimed in, “The kingfisher feather hairpin Fourth Miss is wearing today is also beautiful. Look at how spirited the phoenix head is, with eyes so bright they seem alive.”
Dou Zhao merely smiled faintly.
Everyone chatted animatedly, creating a lively atmosphere.
After lunch, several tables were set up in the flower hall for mahjong.
Dou Zhao finally managed to excuse herself, and Zhao Zhangru pulled her aside to talk in the small hall behind the flower hall.
Due to Dou Zhao’s marriage, her aunt had already delayed quite some time. They had set out for the first day of the tenth month, which, if all went smoothly, would allow them to return home just in time for the New Year. Thus, Zhao Zhangru’s mood was somewhat low: “Who knows when we sisters will see each other again?”
Dou Zhao thought of her elder cousin Zhao Biru, who would be staying in the capital with her husband in a few years: “Who can predict the future? Look at me, three months ago I never dreamed I’d marry Song Yantang. You shouldn’t be so dejected.”
Zhao Zhangru’s eyes widened: “You called your husband Song Yantang!”
Dou Zhao coughed lightly and said softly, “A slip of the tongue!” Then she winked playfully at Zhao Zhangru, “Don’t tell anyone!”
Zhao Zhangru giggled, her mood lifting. She asked about the fire at the Duke Ying’s mansion: “Have they caught those thieves? Did you reward someone with a thousand taels of silver?”
“Of course it’s true!” As Dou Zhao was talking with Zhao Zhangru, she saw her Sixth Aunt walk out of the flower hall. The older woman smiled at the two of them and said, “I’m getting old, my back can’t handle sitting for too long. I need to walk around a bit.”
Zhao Zhangru quickly stood up and brought over a thick cushion: “Please, have a seat!”
The Sixth Aunt sat down with a smile and asked them, “What were you two talking about? You seemed so happy.”
“We were discussing the reward offered by Duke Ying’s mansion,” Zhao Zhangru replied cheerfully, continuing to chat with the Sixth Aunt, who listened with a smile.
However, Dou Zhao sensed something amiss and signaled to Suxin with her eyes.
Suxin entered the flower hall.
After a moment, she came out and said to Zhao Zhangru, “Miss, the Madam wants you to go help her with her mahjong hand.”
“Ah!” Zhao Zhangru exclaimed in surprise but still stood up, bowed to the Sixth Aunt to excuse herself, and followed Suxin to the flower hall.
Dou Zhao then took Ji Shi’s arm: “Sixth Aunt, shall we take a walk in the covered corridor?”
Ji Shi’s gaze was filled with affection as she looked at Dou Zhao.
The two slowly strolled along the covered corridor outside the flower hall. The maids and older female servants stood under the eaves of the flower hall, ready to attend to those inside while also keeping an eye on the two walking in the corridor.
Ji Shi finally spoke in a low voice: “Shou Gu, what am I to do? Your Twelfth Brother has done something foolish. I dare not tell anyone, I’m as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. I can only confide in you…”
Before she could finish, tears were already streaming down her face.
Dou Zhao’s heart sank as she vaguely guessed that Dou Dechang and Ji Lingze’s affair had been exposed.
She quickly comforted Ji Shi: “Sixth Aunt, every problem has a solution. Don’t worry. If I can’t handle it, there’s still the Young Master. Now is neither the time nor the place to discuss this. I’ll be staying at home for a few days. I’ll tell Father that there’s no one to manage the household and ask him to have you stay to help. We can talk more tonight.”
Dou Zhao’s calm and composure influenced Ji Shi.
She nodded, quickly wiping away her tears with a handkerchief. Accompanied by Dou Zhao, she walked two more laps around the covered corridor. Once her emotions had settled, she gently patted Dou Zhao’s hand and said softly, “Good child, I’m alright now. Let’s go back inside.”
Dou Zhao responded with a gentle “Mm” and smiled as she and her Sixth Aunt entered the flower hall.