Dou Zhao’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing those words.
Li Liang’s cousin should be at least 27 or 28 years old now. Ten years ago, she was only in her teens and couldn’t have been involved with the Song family’s affairs. However, Li Liang’s cousin’s daughter was the same age as Song Han…
She thought of the sister Song Mo had mentioned in her previous life.
Where did this sister suddenly come from? Why would he go to such lengths to secretly pay respects to her?
Her heart instantly felt sour, like she had swallowed a salted apricot kernel.
Dou Zhao entrusted Chen Jia: “One task per person is enough. Please investigate Li Liang’s cousin for me, Minister Chen.”
Chen Jia agreed with a smile.
Dou Zhao politely said a few words like “Thank you for your hard work” and offered tea.
After leaving Duke Ying’s mansion, Chen Jia let out a long sigh of relief.
Knowing about the old connection between the Li and Song families, he deliberated for a long time before deciding to personally report back to Dou Zhao.
The moment he entered Duke Ying’s mansion, he truly feared he might not make it out alive.
It seemed Lady Dou was still a magnanimous woman who could match any man. Working for her was quite comfortable.
Chen Jia didn’t go home, instead heading directly to the Jinyiwei Zhenfu Yamen.
Dou Zhao, however, pondered over the Jiang family’s young ladies.
Duke Dingguo might not be good at interpreting the emperor’s intentions, but he was quite perceptive about people. After the Jiang family’s downfall, none of the engaged young ladies from the Jiang family had their engagements canceled. Currently, besides the 13th and 14th young ladies who came to send off the bride, there were also the 15th, 16th, and 17th young ladies who weren’t engaged yet.
The 12th young lady, Jiang Lizhu, was seventeen this year, born a few months after Song Mo. The 13th, Jiang Xiexiu, was sixteen, and the 14th, Jiang Xieying, was fifteen. The other young ladies were about ten years younger than Song Mo. When the Jiang family fell from grace, they were still toddlers learning to speak, so Dou Zhao didn’t inquire much about them. Thus, when she met Jiang’s fourth madam, Dou Zhao couldn’t help but take a glance at the three young ladies.
The three Jiang young ladies all had snow-white skin and average builds. Jiang Lizhu was graceful, Jiang Xiexiu spirited, and Jiang Xieying gentle. However, all three sisters bore a faint sorrow in their brows, unlike the lively, energetic girls from ordinary families.
After experiencing the great misfortune of having their family’s property confiscated and losing their father, no one could remain as innocent as before.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but feel sorry for them.
Jiang’s fourth madam was very enthusiastic towards her. Seeing Dou Zhao pregnant, she stepped forward to take her hand before Dou Zhao could curtsy: “Your health is important, let’s dispense with these formalities.” She also praised Song Mo for finding a good courtyard, “In the outer city, close to Xizhao Temple, it’s quiet.”
Song Mo had specially taken a day off to welcome the Jiang family’s women at Chaoyangmen. Dou Zhao had arrived early to wait at this temporarily rented residence.
Hearing Jiang’s fourth madam’s words, Song Mo’s expression showed some guilt. He said to Jiang Lizhu, “I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Twelfth Sister. Since you’ve married in Beijing, come visit us when you’re free to keep your sister-in-law company. If you encounter any difficulties, you can also have your husband come find me.”
Jiang Lizhu smiled and said “Alright” quite promptly, but Dou Zhao felt that she was merely brushing Song Mo off, not wanting to engage in further conversation. If anything happened, she definitely wouldn’t come to them.
Dou Zhao then glanced at Jiang Xiexiu.
Since entering, Jiang Xiexiu’s gaze had frequently fallen on Song Mo. When their eyes met, Song Mo would smile at her generously. Jiang Xieying, meanwhile, had been quietly supporting Jiang’s fourth madam, silently and attentively helping her adjust her seat cushions and softly instructing the accompanying maids and servants to take care of everyone in the main hall.
They didn’t avoid each other’s company and had lunch together.
After lunch, Song Mo and Dou Zhao took their leave.
Wu Zijie accompanied his mother to visit Jiang’s fourth madam.
Song Mo and Dou Zhao, who had already reached the door, had to turn back.
The three Jiang young ladies excused themselves.
Song Mo stayed to drink tea with Wu Zijie in the main hall, while Dou Zhao accompanied Jiang’s fourth madam in entertaining Madam Wu.
Madam Wu was slightly plump, looking amiable, and spoke frankly. It was evident that she was quite easy to get along with.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but nod inwardly in approval.
Looking up, she saw Jiang’s fourth madam smiling at her with contentment.
Dou Zhao was taken aback.
After seeing off the Wu mother and son, Jiang’s fourth madam finally said, “The late Grand Aunt once said you had a chivalrous heart. Now that I’ve met you, it’s indeed true. Song Mo is truly fortunate to have you by his side.”
Dou Zhao was stunned.
Jiang’s fourth madam smiled and said, “Grand Aunt told us about how you warned the Jiang family. We’ve always wanted to thank you but unfortunately left in a hurry back then and didn’t get the chance. Now that we’re family, saying thank you seems a bit affected… Our entire Jiang family, dozens of people, are grateful for your righteousness back then.” As she spoke, she slightly bent her knees towards Dou Zhao, startling her. Dou Zhao hurriedly went forward to support Jiang’s fourth madam, who didn’t insist and stood up smoothly, smiling, “Just this once, I won’t trouble you like this again in the future.”
Her face, previously full of smiles, was now streaming with tears.
Thinking of the deceased Jiang brothers and the current chaotic coastal situation, Dou Zhao became emotional, her eyes brimming with tears as well.
Song Mo quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Dou Zhao’s face, saying softly, “Don’t cry, be careful of your eyes.” He then said to Jiang’s fourth madam, “You shouldn’t bring up old matters. What’s past is past. Mentioning these things from before only makes people sad.”
Being in front of Song Mo’s elder, Dou Zhao felt a bit embarrassed and took the handkerchief to wipe her tears.
“It’s my fault!” Jiang’s fourth madam said, wiping her eyes while smiling at the couple, “Tianci has grown up and knows how to care for others now. If your uncle and grandmother knew, they would be so happy!”
Song Mo blushed.
After bidding farewell to the Jiang family women, Song Mo helped Dou Zhao onto the carriage, and the young couple returned to Duke Ying’s mansion together.
The next day, Dou Zhao handled some household matters in the morning and went to Jiang’s fourth madam’s place in the afternoon to add to Jiang Lizhu’s dowry.
Seeing her generosity, Jiang’s fourth madam seemed a bit surprised but didn’t say much, just having people send the gifts to Jiang Lizhu’s room.
Jiang Lizhu, who came out to express her gratitude, seemed to have something to say but hesitated.
Jiang’s fourth madam smiled and said, “Since our family’s downfall, we’ve received so much kindness, how can words express it? We just need to remember it in our hearts, and when we have the ability, not forget to repay the kindness – that’s the best way to show our gratitude.”
Jiang Lizhu respectfully curtsied to Jiang’s fourth madam and said solemnly, “Fourth Aunt, I will remember this.”
Jiang’s fourth madam nodded.
When Jiang Lizhu sat down to talk with Dou Zhao again, she had lost her initial restraint and showed a gentle and gracious manner with a hint of intimacy.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but inwardly praise the Jiang family’s good upbringing.
Afterward, people came intermittently to add to Jiang Lizhu’s dowry, mostly the wives of middle and low-ranking military officials.
Jiang’s fourth madam then instructed Jiang Xiexiu and Jiang Xieying to accompany Dou Zhao to their residence in the west wing to sit for a while.
The spirited Jiang Xiexiu didn’t talk much. Instead, it was the gentle Jiang Xieying who asked Dou Zhao when her child was due and what she usually did, making appropriate conversation.
Dou Zhao was also happy to have someone to chat with.
The two became increasingly engaged in conversation. Remembering that Song Mo had night duty in the palace today and wouldn’t return, she decided to stay for dinner at Jiang’s fourth madam’s place before returning home.
Ruotong, who had stayed at home, served her in changing clothes with a little maid and informed her, “Minister Chen came shortly after you left and has been waiting for you in the small flower hall until now.”
Dou Zhao’s hand paused as she was fixing her hair in the mirror, and then she stood up and said, “Let’s go to the small flower hall.”
Ruotong quickly instructed the little maid to light the lamps and supported Dou Zhao to the small flower hall.
Chen Jia was anxiously pacing back and forth in the flower hall. Hearing movement, he hurriedly came forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Madam, you’re back!”
Dou Zhao’s heart began to race.
She instructed Ruotong, “All of you withdraw to the courtyard of the small flower hall. I have something to discuss with Minister Chen.”
Ruotong complied, instructing the servants to hang lanterns around the small flower hall, then led the attendants to the center of the courtyard.
Only then did Dou Zhao ask, “What have you found out?”
Under the red lanterns, Chen Jia’s face looked somewhat gloomy.
He lowered his voice and said, “Li Liang’s cousin is thirty-six years old this year!”
Dou Zhao’s heart tightened.
That means seventeen years ago, she was nineteen.
She looked at Chen Jia.
Chen Jia nodded silently toward her and said in a low voice, “We couldn’t find Li Liang’s cousin’s household registration. Her daughter is registered under Li Liang’s name, with the given name Yigui. Our people who were sent to keep watch say that Li Liang called his cousin ‘Tiaoniang’ several times.”
Damn it!
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but rub her forehead.
What kind of eyesight did the old Duke have? What game was Song Yichun playing?
She called for Song Shize.
“Who exactly were the people who followed the old Duke to handle the Li family’s affairs back then?”
Song Shize glanced at Chen Jia.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but raise her voice, saying, “Don’t look at him. Since I’m asking you in front of him, he’s someone we can trust. Just answer my question.”
Hearing this, Chen Jia bowed to Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao, however, didn’t want to beat around the bush with Song Shize and said, “We just discovered that Li Tiaoniang is still alive and even has a daughter, yet you told me she died long ago!”
“That’s impossible!” Song Shize’s eyes widened like copper bells, “I checked Li Tiaoniang’s breath…” He paused here, his body trembling, his eyes widening even more, “At that time, the Duke was very agitated and pushed me aside immediately. I was afraid that if I continued to check, it would offend the Duke…”
Dou Zhao sneered coldly.
Song Shize lowered his head, mumbling in defense, “No matter what, the Duke is our master. Even if that woman came back to life, the Duke couldn’t possibly have any relationship with her. The Duke had to consider the Jiang family’s face…”
So you all became careless, thinking it looked about right and assuming she was dead?
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.
Then who is Yigui’s father?
As the thought flashed through her mind, Dou Zhao’s expression changed dramatically.
Yigui?
Why would Li Liang give Li Tiaoniang’s daughter such a name?
Could Yigui be Song Yichun’s daughter?
She looked at Chen Jia.
Chen Jia was also looking at her, his face unable to hide his shock.
He urgently said, “Madam, according to my informant in the Li family, Li Liang beat Li Tiaoniang, seemingly because something happened to Yigui…”
So that’s why Song Mo used the word “pay respects” in her previous life.
Dou Zhao suddenly jumped up: “Minister Chen, please go to Baoding quickly!” Feeling this wasn’t secure enough, she emphasized, “Go to Baoding Prefecture yourself and find Yigui.”
Chen Jia hurriedly bowed to Dou Zhao and turned to leave: “I’ll depart immediately.”
Dou Zhao felt relieved, but then a strange feeling arose.
Even if Yigui was Song Yichun’s daughter, Song Mo’s feelings towards her should be very faint. Why did he sound so sad when mentioning her?