Dou Zhao couldn’t sleep, lying awake until dawn.
Seeing her poor spirits, Song Mo thought he had disturbed her during the night. He smiled and said, “How about setting up a couch by the bed tomorrow? I can sleep there.”
He was reluctant to sleep in separate rooms.
Dou Zhao laughed, “Then I’d have to get up in the middle of the night to tuck you in. That’s even more trouble. Just sleep well in bed and don’t come up with new ideas.”
Hearing her words, Song Mo couldn’t help but smile, his eyebrows lifting.
His warm, gentle smile brightened the morning air.
A few days later, Du Wei came to report to Dou Zhao: “Everything the Li sisters said is true. Their father’s senior disciple not only became a bandit but also kidnapped the mistress of the Fuzhou Pacification Commissioner and stole their money. That’s why the Imperial Guard is keeping such a close watch on them.”
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.
Seeing her interest, Du Wei continued, “The Li family has had bad luck. A scholar named Yin from Wuyi had long coveted the Li family’s 300 mu of good land but never had a chance to take it. When the Li family’s disciple got into trouble, Scholar Yin seized the opportunity to give 100 taels of silver to the Fuzhou Pacification Commissioner. The commissioner then charged the Li family with ‘colluding with bandits’ and confiscated their property. Fortunately, the Fuzhou Pacification Commissioner has a good relationship with Mr. Chen. Mr. Chen interceded, got them released, and even had the 300 mu of land returned to the Li family.”
Dou Zhao nodded inwardly and sent a message to Chen Jia, asking him to send Jin Gui and Yin Gui over.
Chen Jia was naturally overjoyed when he heard this.
He repeatedly instructed the Li sisters to be loyal, obedient, and diligent: “When the madam asks about you, don’t cling to people’s legs and cry for help as you did with Manager Zhao’s wife. Noble people only like to hear happy things…” He said everything he could think of, and finally didn’t forget to threaten the two young girls, “If you make even the slightest mistake, I can send your family back to prison just as easily as I got them out.” As a result, when the two girls met Dou Zhao, they were still somewhat shaken, their faces pale.
Suxin couldn’t help but glance at Chen Jia.
Although the two girls weren’t lively by nature, they had been proper in their responses before. How had they become so dispirited in just a few days, like wilted vegetables?
What had Chen Jia said to them?
Looking at their timid manner and frightened eyes, they seemed like completely different people compared to last time. They were even worse than the rough maids sent from Duke Ying’s estate farm. How could they serve the madam closely?
She pondered to herself, wondering where to place these two girls if the madam didn’t approve of them.
However, Dou Zhao thought these two girls were fine.
Although their skin was somewhat tanned and their fingers rough, their expressions showed a sense of integrity. They came from a family with a good upbringing. With proper guidance, they should be able to adapt to life in Yizhi Hall quickly.
She smiled and asked about the sisters’ family situation.
The younger sister, Yin Gui, was too shy to speak and hid behind her older sister Jin Gui.
Although Jin Gui’s legs were shaking, she dared not remain silent. She forced herself to stammer: “We have many brothers and few sisters in our family. Both our older cousins are married, leaving only my sister and me at home. Besides helping our mother prepare meals for the family every morning, we also clean the courtyard, do laundry, and mend clothes…”
Afraid of upsetting Chen Jia and having her family sent to prison, she didn’t dare mention anything about her family’s troubles or plead their case to Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao had no idea about this. She was simply interested in children from martial arts families like Jin Gui. She smiled and asked, “Do you do the laundry and mend clothes for the whole family?”
Jin Gui nodded, trembling as she replied, “Our family has lived in Wuyi for generations without dividing. Over 40 people are living together. Chores like laundry and cooking are done together under the guidance of our eldest aunt.”
Dou Zhao pondered, “When your family got into trouble, were your eldest aunt and the others also arrested?”
Jin Gui’s tears suddenly fell as she choked out, “Except for my seventh uncle who was out training with some cousins, everyone else was arrested…”
At this point, she wanted to beg this seemingly kind noblewoman to save her family, but remembering Chen Jia’s words, she dared not speak. She could only look pitifully at Dou Zhao, hoping she would suddenly have a change of heart and ask about her family’s situation.
Seeing this, Dou Zhao inwardly sighed and said gently, “Don’t worry about your family. I’ve already had people inquire about it. It’s not a serious matter. Mr. Chen has already intervened to clear your family’s name. Your family members have been released from prison, and the confiscated land has been returned to you. You can serve here with peace of mind. When you’re older, you’ll be allowed to reunite with your family.”
Jin Gui and Yin Gui wept with joy, kowtowing repeatedly to Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao had Ganlu help the sisters up and handed them over to Suxin for training. She told the sisters, “If you miss your family, you can write them a letter. Just give it to Mrs. Zhao, and she’ll find someone to take it back to Wuyi for you.”
The two young girls were stunned for a moment before reacting. They fell to their knees again, about to kowtow to Dou Zhao, but Suxin quickly pulled them up. Knowing their strength, the girls looked at Suxin in surprise, seeing her gentle and delicate appearance that didn’t resemble a martial artist at all.
Suxin took the opportunity to lead the two girls away, telling them how to be different yet put people at ease, and what it takes to be a suitable senior maid…
Jin Gui and Yin Gui humbly accepted her teachings.
Dou Zhao felt relieved and was discussing Chen He and Sulan’s marriage with Chen He’s mother when she suddenly received news that her uncle Zhao Si was coming to Beijing to report on his duties and had already arrived in Tongzhou.
She was overjoyed.
Thinking carefully, she realized it had been fourteen years since she last saw her uncle.
She wondered how her uncle was now. Was he thin and haggard with graying temples like in her previous life, or vibrant and energetic due to his changed fate and successful career?
Dou Zhao hurriedly changed clothes and went to Yuqiao Alley.
Her aunt and cousin were busy directing maids and servants to clean the courtyard, arrange decorations, and buy chickens, ducks, fish, and meat.
Seeing this, Dou Zhao knew her aunt had received the news. She asked, “When exactly will Uncle arrive in Beijing? What did his attendant say?”
To ensure a smooth journey, personal attendants would go ahead to arrange food and lodging and send messages.
“They said he’ll enter the city the day after tomorrow in the afternoon,” her aunt said, barely containing her joy as she pulled Dou Zhao into the inner room. She ordered the maids to bring some fresh fruit and continued, “Don’t worry, as soon as your uncle returns to Beijing, I’ll tell him you’ve been here!”
Dou Zhao nodded repeatedly, saying, “Then I’ll go to the outskirts to welcome Uncle the day after tomorrow morning. When my uncle left for his post, I was only three years old. He probably won’t recognize me…” She seemed very excited.
Her aunt smiled and patted her hand, saying, “Alright, we’ll go together then.”
Dou Zhao nodded with a smile.
Song Mo arrived.
“I knew you’d come to Yuqiao Alley to visit your aunt,” he smiled. “I’ve come to Aunt’s place for a meal too.”
Her aunt was delighted, repeatedly saying “We’d be honored” and personally went to the kitchen to prepare several of her specialty dishes for their dinner.
Zhao Zhangru leaned close to Dou Zhao’s ear and grumbled, “Look, he’s followed you here! Doesn’t it bother you that he sticks to you like this every day?”
Dou Zhao didn’t want others speaking ill of Song Mo. She said, “I don’t find it bothersome at all! I think it’s quite nice. I like it.”
This left Zhao Zhangru stunned and speechless.
Song Mo, with his sharp ears, couldn’t help but smile, the corners of his mouth almost reaching the sky.
After dinner, Dou Zhao and Song Mo headed back to Duke Ying’s mansion.
Song Mo suddenly produced a sandalwood box from his chest like a magician and handed it to Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao asked curiously, “What is it?” as she opened the box.
Inside, on a bright red velvet lining, lay a flawless white jade arm bracelet.
The lotus pattern on the bracelet was simple yet elegant, natural yet not lacking in grandeur. It was very beautiful.
“What’s this?” Dou Zhao looked at Song Mo in confusion.
Song Mo smiled and said, “This is a reward for you.”
“A reward? For what?”
Song Mo wouldn’t tell her: “Just keep it.”
Dou Zhao was bewildered, but no matter how she asked, Song Mo wouldn’t say. She had no choice but to accept the bracelet, saying, “Where did this bracelet come from? Why do you suddenly have a piece of jewelry with you?” Her tone was quite suspicious.
Song Mo’s smile brightened as he said, “Dai Jian invited me to dinner today. I passed by Yubao Pavilion, saw this bracelet was quite nice, and bought it.”
On Dou Zhao’s birthday, due to guests at home and Song Yichun’s presence, they couldn’t have a big celebration and only had a bowl of longevity noodles. But Song Mo had always remembered and gave Dou Zhao a white jade lotus hairpin. Seeing that this bracelet matched the hairpin perfectly, he bought it. He had originally planned to find an excuse to give it to Dou Zhao in a few days, but after hearing her words today, he couldn’t help but proudly present the bracelet in the carriage.
“Really?” Dou Zhao glanced at Song Mo sideways.
“Why would I lie to you?” Song Mo was quite open about it.
As long as it wasn’t a bribe, it was fine.
Dou Zhao accepted it with peace of mind and asked Song Mo, “Is the Kuang family’s matter settled?”
“Of course,” Song Mo’s tone carried a hint of pride. “Boyan is about to take the spring imperial examinations. If I hadn’t handled this well and he got distracted, wouldn’t it be my fault?”
Dou Zhao smiled at him, suddenly kissed him, and said softly, “This is your reward!”
Song Mo said seriously, “Tomorrow I’m going to treat Boyan, Twelfth Cousin, and the others to drinks. Since I helped and even paid for it, don’t I deserve another reward?”
Dou Zhao laughed so hard she couldn’t sit up straight.
The two chatted and laughed back to the Duke Ying’s mansion.
As their carriage passed the main gate of Duke Ying’s mansion, they crossed paths with a drunken Song Yichun who had just returned.
When Song Yichun heard the cheerful laughter like silver bells coming from the carriage, his face immediately darkened like a cloud covering the sky.
Dou Zhao had no idea about Song Yichun’s gloom. At home, she rummaged through boxes and cabinets, finding two inkstones she had taken from her father, two boxes of Huding ink sticks, two boxes of wolf-hair brushes, two pieces of Hetian jade seal material, and a cloisonné silver ink warmer. She packed them in gift boxes and went to Yuqiao Alley the next day.