Setting aside how Song Mo pretended to be generous in front of Dou Zhao, let’s focus on Ma Youming. He woke up to find himself in an unfamiliar side room, startled. Despite his pounding headache, he leaped up and called for his servant.
His servant entered promptly, carrying a basin of water. He smiled and said, “You’re awake, sir! Yesterday, you got drunk with Duke Ying’s heir and his brothers-in-law. Brother Chen He arranged for you to rest in this guest room. I watched over you all night, and you missed the wedding ceremony and the newlyweds entering the bridal chamber. Now, the Zhao family’s new son-in-law is meeting relatives in the hall—the young master and his wife are there too. Would you like to wash up and go immediately, or have lunch first before greeting Lord Zhao and then returning with the young master?”
He added admiringly, “The young master’s brothers-in-law are so young, yet they could match you in drinking. Impressive!”
Everyone in the Imperial Guard knew that Commander Ma Youming of the Divine Machine Division was a heavy drinker.
Ma Youming’s face paled. “I got drunk yesterday?”
The servant nodded, bringing over a hot towel.
Ma Youming took it, hastily wiping his face. His expression uncertain, he asked, “Did I say anything foolish while drunk?”
The servant thought carefully and replied, “Brother Chen He helped you here. You were shouting something like ‘Young Master, don’t go, I’m telling the truth, I’m staking my life on you.’ Realizing it was serious, I didn’t let anyone else attend to you and stood guard outside. You fell asleep soon after and didn’t say anything else until dawn.”
It’s over, Ma Youming thought. When one has worries, drinking is dangerous. Not only was his tolerance lower than usual, but he had also spoken carelessly.
He felt a chill in his heart. He realized he had kept his concerns too deeply hidden, with no one to confide in. When drunk, he had lost control and blurted things out.
“Alcohol can ruin things—the ancients didn’t lie!” Ma Youming thought bitterly.
Worse still, he couldn’t remember what he had told Song Yantang.
He paced the room a few times, then instructed his servant, “We’ll rest here for now. If anyone asks, say I’m still sleeping off the alcohol. If the Duke Ying’s heir asks, say I’m waiting for him in the side room.”
If he had truly confided in Song Yantang, surely the latter would come to find him.
The servant acknowledged and helped Ma Youming freshen up.
Meanwhile, Song Mo was cheerfully greeting his new brother-in-law.
Song Yan, red-faced and embarrassed, called him “Young Master.”
Song Mo smiled and said, “I dare not accept such a title from my cousin-in-law. Please, call me ‘Yantang’ or ‘brother-in-law.'”
Zhao Zhang, standing beside Song Yan, blushed and glanced at Song Mo.
A hint of a smile appeared in Zhao Si’s eyes.
Song Yan, still too shy to call him “brother-in-law,” softly said “Yantang” instead. After exchanging greetings with Song Mo, he was led to the west side of the hall to meet Madam Zhao and the other women of the family.
Everyone’s gaze followed Song Yan to the west.
Song Mo, however, lowered his eyes, pondering Ma Youming’s words.
Among the Imperial Guard’s three divisions and twenty-two brigades, the Divine Machine Division ranked first. Ma Youming had become a commander in his early twenties, not just due to his background, but also his exceptional abilities. Who could give him trouble?
And for what reason would they want to make an enemy of him?
He thought of Jiang Yi.
It was Ma Youming who had introduced Jiang Yi to him and asked him to transfer Jiang Yi to the Five Cities Military Police. The two were on good terms. In the Divine Machine Division, they were likely seen as allies. Now, both Jiang Yi and Ma Youming were unhappy in the Divine Machine Division, suggesting factional disputes. If he helped Ma Youming further, he might get dragged into these internal conflicts.
But Ma Youming was his friend, and he had to help.
However, as a member of the Jinwu Guard, interfering in another division was a major taboo in the military.
Song Mo knew he was in the spotlight these days, with many enviously waiting for a chance to bring him down or see him fail. But since he needed absolute power to suppress his father, he had to build a force capable of withstanding and destroying all opposition. He had to be high-profile, to the point where people would fear offending him, to secure an unassailable position.
If he openly intervened in the Divine Machine Division’s affairs now, it would only antagonize its leaders. While he didn’t fear for himself, he had to be cautious when it came to his friend.
Last night, he had been too focused on talking with Dou Zhao and hadn’t carefully considered this matter.
Song Mo quietly instructed Chen He, “Tell Du Wei to investigate how many factions currently exist in the Divine Machine Division.”
It was always better to be prepared with more information.
Chen He discreetly left the hall.
Song Mo smiled and joined the others in looking towards the west side of the hall.
Ma Youming waited until he and Song Mo had left Yuqiao Hutong, but Song Mo never mentioned the previous night’s events.
His face paled.
How could he have forgotten this possibility?
He had been drunk, and besides not fully confiding in Song Yantang, there was another possibility—Song Yantang might have dismissed his words as drunken ramblings, pretending not to know and letting the matter pass without a trace.
Ma Youming believed he hadn’t misjudged Song Yantang.
He felt that for other matters, Song Yantang might not act this way, but when it came to… Song Yantang wasn’t just the Deputy Commander of the Jinwu Guard, but also the heir to Duke Ying’s estate. Even if not for himself, he had to consider his clan…
Thinking of this, Ma Youming wilted like a frost-bitten eggplant.
Dou Zhao, however, was in high spirits.
Having resolved her uncle’s concerns and reminded him, she believed that compared to her previous life, her uncle would have an easier time.
She discussed with Song Mo, “Uncle said they’ll depart on the twelfth of February. I’m thinking of giving them two thousand taels of silver as a parting gift and treating them to a meal. What do you think?”
Song Mo considered and said, “Why don’t we host the banquet at home? It’ll let Uncle see how we’re living.”
Dou Zhao nodded, smiling, “Perfect. After seeing Uncle off, we can arrange Su Lan’s wedding.”
Song Mo gently reminded her, “You’re getting further along in your pregnancy. Be careful not to overexert yourself.”
Dou Zhao nodded cheerfully. Upon returning home, she eagerly began preparing for her uncle’s farewell banquet.
The housekeeper from Song Han’s quarters, Mrs. Lü, came to ask for instructions: “Three maids from the Second Young Master’s quarters—one second-class and two third-class—have reached the age to be released. When should I call their parents to collect them, Madam?”
Dou Zhao had Ruo Zhu bring the calendar and smiled, “Let’s set it for the third day of the third month. It’s an auspicious day.”
Giving some extra time would allow those restless individuals in the household to make their moves.
Mrs. Lü respectfully agreed and was about to leave when Dou Zhao called her back, smiling, “How is your husband doing now? Are your children well? Is there anything troubling your family?”
Mrs. Lü was startled and quickly replied, “Thank you for your concern, Madam. My husband is working on the estate, the children are well-behaved, and everything is fine. We have no troubles!”
As soon as she finished speaking, she became anxious.
She had thought that since she and her husband were originally the Duke’s people, it would be enough if the young mistress didn’t openly rebuke them. How could she be elevating her status? She assumed the young mistress was just being polite, so how could she dare to mention any family troubles? That’s why she said everything was fine.
But then she worried that such an answer might make the young mistress think they were still relying on the Duke’s care, and thus distancing themselves from the young master and mistress who were at odds with the Duke in everything.
Her husband’s experience had taught her that their family was but an ant in the grand scheme. If the young master and mistress wanted them dead, the Duke wouldn’t say a word in their defense.
She wanted to explain to Dou Zhao but didn’t know how to begin.
She felt both regretful and resentful.
However, Dou Zhao didn’t pursue the matter. Instead, she spoke gently, “The young master cares most about his full-blooded brother, the Second Young Master. The Second Young Master is growing older, and as just his sister-in-law, there are many things I can’t conveniently do. His affairs still need your attention. If you take good care of the Second Young Master, neither the young master nor I will forget your contribution.”
An elder sister-in-law is like a mother.
Dou Zhao now managed the household affairs of Duke Ying’s mansion. What couldn’t she handle in Song Han’s quarters?
Mrs. Lü thought of the rift between Duke Ying and the young master but didn’t doubt Dou Zhao’s words at all.
She was very surprised and nearly wept with joy at the kindness Dou Zhao showed.
The young master indeed cared most about the Second Young Master, as the young mistress said. Since she was the housekeeper in the Second Young Master’s quarters, wholeheartedly taking care of him could be a way forward.
Mrs. Lü respectfully kowtowed to Dou Zhao, vowing to take good care of Song Han.
Dou Zhao smiled and said, “I’m not familiar with the affairs in the Second Young Master’s quarters. Please take extra care in selecting maids for him.”
Mrs. Lü hesitated for a moment.
Dou Zhao continued, “Since they’ll be serving the Second Young Master, it’s best to prioritize his preferences.”
Mrs. Lü breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to leave.
Dou Zhao smiled slightly and instructed Ruo Zhu, “Bring the menu for Uncle’s farewell banquet. I want to review it carefully and consider some more.”
Ruo Zhu smiled and went to fetch the menu, but then reported, “Madam, the Old Master is here. He says he has urgent matters to discuss with you.”
The Old Master referred to Dou Zhao’s father, Dou Shiying.
Dou Zhao hurried to the small reception hall.
Dou Shiying was pacing back and forth anxiously. Seeing her enter, he didn’t wait for her to greet him before complaining indignantly, “What will it take for your uncle to forgive me? For all these years, I’ve been trying to warm up to him, but he still shows no appreciation. Does he expect me to apologize for my death before he’ll forgive me?”
Dou Zhao remained silent.
She wanted to tell him, “I am Zhao Guqiu’s daughter. It’s not appropriate for you to say these things to me.”
But looking at her dejected father slumped in the armchair, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Moreover, she felt a faint twinge of sadness in her heart.
Seeing the situation, Ruo Zhu quickly ran to the study in the outer courtyard.
When Song Mo arrived, he found Dou Zhao and her father sitting face to face, staring at each other with wooden expressions.
He gave Dou Zhao a meaningful look, then pretended to reproach her, “Why didn’t you tell me Father-in-law was here?” Then he smiled, bowed to Dou Shiying, and said, “Father-in-law, it’s rare for you to visit. I happen to have a bottle of imperial grape wine in my study. Why don’t we have Shou Gu prepare some dishes, and we can enjoy a few cups together?”
His daughter wasn’t as considerate as his son-in-law!
Dou Shiying snorted angrily and followed Song Mo to the small reception hall in the front courtyard.