Shortly after, the Fifth Aunt arrived.
They engaged in their usual friendly banter.
The invited elder sister-in-law also came, along with Madam Guo’s daughter and Madam Cai’s two sons, who livened up the room with their antics.
Madam Guo and Madam Cai busied themselves directing maids to set up tables, while the Fifth Aunt took the elder sister-in-law to her inner chamber, saying she had recently acquired some palace flower hairpins and wanted everyone to choose a few to wear.
Only the Second Madam and Dou Zhao remained in the room, along with the bell-like laughter of the three children.
The Second Madam then gently took Dou Zhao’s hand and said softly, “Now that you’re married, by rights, your property should be returned to you. Have you decided who will manage it for you?”
Dou Zhao allowed the Second Madam to hold her hand, smiling as she replied, “I’ve discussed this with the Young Master. He has thirteen businesses in Guangdong, doesn’t he? Manager Zhong there has been managing them, following in his father’s footsteps. I initially planned to let Zhao Liangbi take over but feared he might be too young and impulsive for such a responsibility. The Young Master suggested having Manager Zhong come and guide him for a while. I thought this was a good compromise, so I agreed.”
The Second Madam wasn’t surprised.
Anyone who could resist the temptation of such vast wealth would be a bodhisattva.
She pondered, “Although a husband should guide his wife, money can be tempting. You should still be cautious. I think for the farmlands and ponds, there’s no need to trouble Manager Zhong. Choosing a few reliable estate managers should suffice.”
Dou Zhao smiled, “You’re right. It’s better to work with familiar people. I think, for now, let’s have the current estate managers continue. When my Third Cousin was helping manage affairs, weren’t these managers quite honest? I’ve noticed the rent collected in recent years has increased significantly compared to before.”
The Second Madam smiled wryly as she listened.
No matter what she said, Dou Zhao had a response ready, indicating she had come prepared. But was it Dou Zhao who had guessed her intentions? Or was it Song Mo?
The more this was the case, the more certain things needed to be said.
“Silly girl,” the Second Madam sighed, “Even with a husband, it’s best to keep some things in your own hands.”
If the previous events hadn’t occurred, Dou Zhao might have felt grateful for the Second Madam’s heartfelt advice. Unfortunately, her mother’s death permanently soured Dou Zhao’s opinion of the Second Madam, even in this second life.
She inwardly scoffed.
Better Song Mo has it than you lot.
Outwardly, she smiled and responded, “Yes, I’ll remember your words and be careful.”
The Second Madam, having climbed from a young bride to her current position as the family matriarch, could easily see through Dou Zhao’s perfunctory response. She could only shake her head inwardly and set the matter aside for now, saying, “In that case, let’s have your Third Uncle and Third Cousin come to the capital. While your aunt is still in Qingyang, we can sort out the accounts from the past few years and hand them over to you.” She added, “It’s good timing as Boyan will be taking the spring examinations next year. They can travel to the capital together for company.” Then she sighed, “If Boyan fails again this year, I’m thinking of having him study with your father in Jing’an Temple Alley. We have a Hanlin academician right here in the family, why seek out so-called famous teachers who haven’t even passed the provincial exams themselves? Isn’t that putting the cart before the horse?”
After failing the exams, Dou Qijun didn’t shut himself away from studying. Instead, he had been traveling with two young servants. As the first of the “Qi” generation to show promise in academics, the Dou family had high hopes for him, which explained the Second Madam’s dissatisfaction.
Both in her previous life and now, Dou Zhao had a good impression of Dou Qijun, viewing him as an upright person. Moreover, regardless of the considerations behind it, she was pleased that her property could be returned so smoothly.
However, she remembered that Dou Qijun would likely pass the imperial examinations next year, in the Renxu year, so her father might not have the chance to tutor him after all.
“Let’s hope Boyan won’t need to study in Jing’an Temple Alley,” she said with a curved smile, looking quite pleased. “Instead, may he write a glorious chapter of ‘three Hanlin academicians in one family, uncle and nephews all jinshi scholars.'”
The Second Madam was taken aback, then chuckled repeatedly, saying, “Let’s hope your auspicious words come true, and Boyan is so fortunate.”
“Boyan’s scholarship is so good, Second Madam should have confidence in him,” Dou Zhao chatted with the Second Madam about family matters. After lunch, they played cards all afternoon. It wasn’t until dusk that Dou Zhao, having eaten little, returned to Yizhi Hall.
Dou Zhao asked Ganlu, who was helping her change clothes, “What have Master Chen and the others been doing today?”
“Master Chen and Master Chen went out, while Master Duan stayed home talking with some of the guards who didn’t go out,” Ganlu smiled. “They said they wanted to explore Beijing properly and familiarize themselves with the roads, so they won’t be lost when accompanying you in the future.”
Dou Zhao thought for a moment and said, “When Master Chen returns, go over and tell them that in a few days, Zhao Liangbi will be coming to the capital with the Third Master and others. If anyone wants to bring their families, they can come with Zhao Liangbi then.”
In the hearts of Ganlu and the others, Zhending was their true home. No matter how good Beijing was, it could still feel lonely and isolated. Having a few fellow townspeople from Zhending around would make life more flavorful and grounded.
She eagerly responded, “Yes, I’ll go tell Master Duan right away.”
Dou Zhao nodded but added, “This is Zhao Liangbi, I left him in Zhending hoping he could give me advance notice if the East Dou branch made any moves, but he didn’t know anything.” Her tone was quite dissatisfied.
Ganlu was somewhat surprised.
Dou Zhao had never spoken about her people like this before. What was going on today?
She could only smile and say, “Don’t be angry, Madam. Have some tea first to calm down.”
Dou Zhao looked at her carefully.
Ganlu’s gaze was clear, her expression calm.
Dou Zhao inwardly sighed and repeated these words to Suxin.
Suxin’s smile froze momentarily, then she quickly smiled and explained to Zhao Liangbi, “Manager Zhao is so capable, he might have just missed it this time. When he arrives, you can ask him what happened.”
Perhaps their fates had already changed when Wang Yingxue became a concubine.
Dou Zhao discussed with Song Mo, “When Zhao Liangbi arrives, I plan to arrange marriages for both Suxin and Sulan.”
Song Mo, who had been lying on the kang reading, sat up suddenly and said, “Does this mean you agree to marry Sulan to Chen He?”
“That depends on whether they’re willing,” Dou Zhao said, her smile fading. “Suxin and Sulan have taken care of me for so many years, they should have their own lives now.”
“Ah!” Song Mo flopped back onto the kang disappointedly, “I thought you had agreed to let Sulan marry Chen He!”
Dou Zhao smiled, pressing her lips together, and stroked Song Mo’s forehead, “Just because my maids don’t marry into Yizhi Hall doesn’t mean we’re not family, does it?”
Song Mo pouted, “Wouldn’t it be better if they married in?”
Dou Zhao laughed and told him about her visit to Huaishu Alley today, adding, “Can you have Manager Zhong come as quickly as possible? I think Third Uncle and the others will be arriving in Beijing soon.”
Song Mo rolled over, resting his head on Dou Zhao’s lap, and said, “Don’t worry, Manager Zhong is already on his way.”
Dou Zhao was surprised.
Song Mo closed his eyes and pointed to his forehead, indicating for Dou Zhao to continue massaging it. He said lazily, “Every year at the start of winter, he comes to Beijing to review accounts with me. I figure he should arrive in the next few days.”
Seeing Song Mo lying comfortably and lazily on her lap like a big cat, Dou Zhao felt both exasperated and amused. But ultimately, she felt sorry for him, cherishing his rare moment of relaxation, and continued to massage his forehead.
The room fell quiet.
When Dou Zhao looked down, Song Mo had fallen asleep peacefully.
He must be exhausted after capturing the thieves who set fire to Duke Ying’s mansion, helping his cousin find a suitable marriage, and tying up loose ends everywhere these past few days.
She couldn’t help but lean down and place a gentle kiss on Song Mo’s forehead.
The cool sensation on her lips startled Dou Zhao.
When had she become so intimate with Song Mo?
Outside, the winter wind whistled, but inside, it was as warm as spring.
Dou Zhao gently pulled over a quilt and covered Song Mo.
From a distance, Tao Qizhong heard a familiar voice.
The voice that had startled him awake from dreams many times since his return to Beijing.
“Is that the Chen Bo you mentioned?” Tao Qizhong asked Guard Chang, his lips turning pale.
Although they were standing on a Taihu rock viewing from above, the large red lanterns hanging on the covered walkway below lit up the surroundings brightly. Master Chen and his group, who had just returned from touring the Great Xiangguo Temple, were walking along the covered walkway, chatting and laughing. They were as visible as if in broad daylight, every detail clear.
Tao Qizhong saw the guard who had kidnapped him, repeatedly addressing the old man as “Master Chen.”
“That’s him!” Guard Chang pointed at Chen Qushui, “I’m not mistaken. I’d recognize him even if he were burned to ashes.”
“Then he must be the accountant from the Young Madam’s maiden home!” Tao Qizhong’s face turned pale as well. “When I went to Zhending, I heard people mention this person. Everyone in Zhending knows this Master Chen.”
If the person who rescued the Young Master was Master Chen, then the Young Madam…
Guard Chang suddenly became excited, his breathing quickening.
Tao Qizhong’s mind went blank.
Meeting again…
How should they interact from now on?
The night wind blew, rustling and bone-chilling.
The two men shivered, coming back to their senses.
“I think we should report this to the Duke,” Tao Qizhong said slowly, his mind still foggy and his reactions slow. “It’s best to let the Duke decide what to do.”
Uncharacteristically, Guard Chang immediately pulled Tao Qizhong towards Xixiang Hall.
Song Yichun had been anxiously waiting for news from Tao Qizhong all day. Seeing the two enter together, he disregarded the master-servant distinction and eagerly went to meet them, asking, “What did you find out?”
Before Tao Qizhong could speak, Guard Chang hurriedly said, “That Master Chen is indeed the missing advisor Chen Bo. And Chen Bo is indeed the accountant from the Young Madam’s maiden home. Those guards are also people who used to serve the Young Madam.”
Song Yichun’s face turned pale.
This meant that the person who rescued Song Mo that night was Chen Bo.
And behind Chen Bo was the Dou family.
So did the Dou family know about his attempt to kill Song Mo?
Why did the Dou family show no sign when he went to propose marriage?
How did the Dou family’s accountant end up in Yizhi Hall in the first place?
How did Chen Bo know about his plan to harm Song Mo?
Chen Bo, a scholar incapable of tying a chicken, couldn’t have personally rescued Song Mo, so how did he manage to help Song Mo escape?
Song Mo had always been clear about gratitude and grudges. Among these newly arrived people, were there any who had saved Song Mo or to whom he owed a debt of gratitude?
Song Yichun’s temples throbbed as if struck heavily, and he collapsed into his armchair.