In the north, people celebrate Little New Year on the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, while in the south, it is celebrated on the twenty-fourth.
The day after Su Xin’s wedding, Duke Ying’s residence held a ceremony to worship the Kitchen God, sweeping away dust and pasting charms, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the estate.
Dou Zhao and Song Mo donned new clothes and headed to the open hall, where the Song family’s annual family banquet was set up.
Song Maochun and Song Tongchun had already arrived and were gathered together, chatting and laughing. When they saw Song Mo and his wife enter, the cheerful laughter abruptly stopped. After a brief pause, it resumed, but this time it was directed at Song Mo and Dou Zhao, who were suddenly surrounded by everyone.
Song Maochun smiled and said, “Tian Ci is truly impressive! In just a year, he was promoted to the position of Tongzhi of the Jinwu Guard and is now in charge of the affairs of the Wucheng Bingmasi. Your second brother is currently idling at home; if you come across any good opportunities, don’t forget about him.”
Song Mo smiled faintly and replied, “I will keep an eye out.”
Song Duo’s face turned bright red.
The eldest madam then knelt and greeted Dou Zhao, repeatedly saying, “Congratulations! The baby is due next summer, right? If you need to find a wet nurse or a midwife, just let me know. When your mother-in-law gave birth to Tian Ci, I helped find the midwife.”
Dou Zhao smiled and thanked her.
The fourth madam pulled Dou Zhao aside to talk. “I’ve heard that your Dou family has a strong academic tradition, producing several jinshi and juren. My daughter Yaor is about to start her education; could you help me find a good teacher?”
Thinking back to when Song Yichun tried to expel Song Mo from the ancestral hall, no one had come to plead for him then, and now she expected her to manage such trivial matters.
Dou Zhao replied gently, “Some people may be good at studying themselves, but that doesn’t mean they can teach well. Others may not be scholars but excel at imparting knowledge. It’s hard to judge whether a teacher is good or bad, so I can’t easily recommend anyone to you.”
The fourth madam was quite taken aback.
The eldest madam, entrusted by Song Yichun to manage Duke Ying’s household while he was away from the capital, had barely been in the door for a day before she was forced to hand over the household’s authority and returned home with her daughter-in-law, Tan. Although she tried to conceal her embarrassment, the events that transpired were soon exposed.
The fourth madam pondered that the main house had thrived over the years because they had clung to Song Yichun’s influence, accumulating a vast estate. Now that Duke Ying and Song Mo had a rift but were helpless against him if her family could align with Song Mo, they would surely prosper in a few years. This was why she suggested Dou Zhao help find a teacher for her son—there were countless teachers in the capital. Her intention was merely to flatter Dou Zhao for her scholarly background, but she unexpectedly hit a wall, as Dou Zhao skillfully evaded her request.
She bit her lip.
Then she would have to find another way!
Just then, Song Fengchun’s family arrived.
Before Song Fengchun and his wife could greet everyone, Song Jin broke free from her nurse’s grasp and ran to Song Mo, pulling at his sleeve with a look of deep grievance. “Third Cousin, you didn’t give me anything this year.”
Since Song Mo was the only girl in her generation, he had always treated her kindly. Although he disapproved of her fourth uncle’s attitude when their father tried to expel him from the Song family, he did not take it out on his cousin. As in previous years, he would give Song Jin two pieces of gold and silver jewelry for her dowry during the New Year. However, ever since the day of his wedding when Song Jin had made things difficult for Dou Zhao, even though Song Mo knew she was being manipulated, Song Jin had not even offered an apology to Dou Zhao afterward. This made him less fond of her, and this year, he did not give her anything for the New Year.
Now, seeing her run into the hall demanding gifts, ignoring the elders and brothers-in-law, she appeared quite uncouth, which displeased him even more. “Why don’t you greet the elders?”
“I forgot!” she stuck out her tongue, looking innocent and carefree.
Song Mo’s expression darkened.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly felt as if a cold wind had swept through, chilling the air.
The third madam quickly interjected, “Jin’er, you shouldn’t speak to your third cousin like that. Quickly greet your third cousin and third sister-in-law.”
Song Jin pouted, reluctantly bowing to Song Mo and Dou Zhao.
Song Mo nodded and helped Dou Zhao, saying, “Father will probably arrive in a while. You should sit for a bit; don’t stand all the time.”
Dou Zhao ignored Song Jin.
At twelve years old, Song Jin was no longer a child of two or three.
She smiled sweetly and softly agreed, allowing Song Mo to help her sit in a nearby armchair.
As she looked on, tears welled up in her eyes.
The third madam quickly shot a glance at Song Mo, noticing he hadn’t even glanced at Song Jin, and hurriedly embraced her daughter, soothing her gently, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Today is Little New Year; your third cousin has things to attend to, so he’s not ignoring you.”
Seeing her mother was not angry, Song Jin grew bolder and complained, “Third Cousin is only paying attention to Third Sister-in-law…”
The fourth madam chuckled, “If your third cousin isn’t paying attention to you, who else should he focus on?”
Song Jin’s face tightened at this remark, glaring fiercely at the fourth madam.
The third madam also showed displeasure.
The eldest madam quickly intervened, “Alright, alright, it’s rare for everyone to gather today; let’s all sit down and chat!”
The third and fourth madams exchanged cold huffs, each taking their children to find a place to sit.
Tan silently served tea to her mother-in-law, but her eyes couldn’t help but drift toward Dou Zhao.
Having been married into the Song family for over four years without any news, she had become pregnant within two months of her arrival…
Her luck is truly enviable!
I wonder if she has any secret to having a son?
While she pondered, Song Yichun entered with Song Han.
Everyone stood to greet Song Yichun.
Song Yichun, beaming with joy, returned the greetings, warmly chatting with her nephews and nieces surrounding her. She affectionately ruffled Song Jin’s hair and hugged six-year-old Song Yao, but her gaze never lingered on Song Mo and Dou Zhao, subtly excluding them from the circle.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but squeeze Song Mo’s hand.
Song Mo smiled at her, his expression calm.
Dou Zhao whispered, “Shall we leave early?”
“No need!” Song Mo quietly replied to Dou Zhao, “Even if I feel uncomfortable watching him, I doubt he finds me pleasant to look at either!”
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.
Song Han, who was following behind Song Yichun, felt a sharp pain in his eyes.
Surely, whatever their father does can’t hurt his brother, right?
He approached with a smile, calling out, “Brother, what are you and sister-in-law talking about? You look so happy! Share it with me so I can be happy too!”
His loud voice echoed in the hall, causing Song Yichun’s smile to freeze, instantly losing interest in teasing her nephews and nieces. She sulkily discussed court affairs with Song Maochun and others, sharing anecdotes from the capital. Before long, it was time for everyone to sit down at separate tables for men and women, filled with laughter as they began their Little New Year reunion dinner.
After the meal, with plenty of time left in the day, the third madam suggested playing mahjong: “I, the eldest madam, the fourth sister-in-law, and Tian Ci’s wife make four.”
Since she was going to go to war with the Song family, being low-key would only allow her opponents to step on her head.
Dou Zhao smiled, “I’ll pass. First, my condition doesn’t allow me to sit for long, and second, you all are playing for fun, which doesn’t interest me. The eldest madam should accompany the matriarch and the two aunts.”
The third madam’s smile froze on her face.
Dou Zhao pretended not to see and directly instructed her maid, Ruo Tong, “Peel me a pear. This dreadful weather makes my throat dry and sore with the fire pit, and it’s too cold without it. Since we always have our reunion dinner in the hall, why not set up a heated kang there?”
Her tone was filled with disdain and contempt.
The atmosphere in the room stilled.
Song Jin was already resentful about not receiving anything from Song Mo, but she dared not blame him, so she directed her anger at Dou Zhao, feeling that her third cousin had forgotten her because he married her third sister-in-law. If her third sister-in-law were virtuous, she should remind her husband. Moreover, everyone said that her third sister-in-law had been rejected before, and since she couldn’t find a husband, she married her third cousin. Given her third cousin’s character, it must have been some trick from her family.
She looked down on her third sister-in-law from the bottom of her heart, and now that her mother had been humiliated, she could no longer hold back, provoking Dou Zhao, “We all know that third sister-in-law is wealthy and generous; why don’t you pay to set up a heated kang in the hall?”
Dou Zhao scoffed and remained silent.
Song Jin, furious, jumped up, “What do you mean by that, third sister-in-law?”
Dou Zhao ignored her, leisurely sipping her tea.
Ruo Tong, standing behind her, remarked, “Miss, that’s quite strange. The elders in the family haven’t said anything, yet you’re instructing your sister-in-law. Do you think you can act as the head of the Duke Ying’s household?”
“You insolent maid!” Song Jin raised her hand to slap Ruo Tong, “What right do you have to speak here?”
Ruo Tong was startled, not expecting Song Jin to act violently. She quickly stepped back, avoiding Song Jin’s hand, but retorted defiantly, “In front of the masters, I have no say. I only speak with those of similar status.”
Su Lan rushed forward, grabbing Song Jin’s arm.
Seizing the opportunity, Song Jin sat on the ground and began to cry, “Second Uncle, the maidservants of Third Cousin, and Third Sister-in-law are bullying me! Quickly call someone to take them away and sell them!”
The third madam felt a pang of anger in her heart and rushed to pull her daughter, “Don’t cry, dear. Let me handle these two maidservants for you.”
The third madam’s maid rushed forward to strike Su Lan, but Su Lan kicked her aside, causing a commotion and drawing gasps from the eldest madam and others.
Song Yichun’s veins bulged as she shouted, “Everyone, stop!” Her gaze shot like an arrow at Dou Zhao, “Is this how you behave as a daughter-in-law? Disrespecting your elders and insulting your sister-in-law, get out!”
Song Mo’s face darkened, and he stepped forward to say something, but he saw Dou Zhao give him a “calm down” look.
He clenched his fists and stood still.
Dou Zhao sighed in relief.
She knew that when she encountered trouble, Song Mo would stand up for her, but she needed to handle this herself. If Song Mo intervened, even if he had the authority to manage the household, others would only think it was her husband helping her. She would still have to exert effort to manage the inner courtyard. It was better to confront Song Yichun openly today, letting everyone know her strength so they wouldn’t dare to treat her lightly in the future.