In her previous life, Longfu Temple gained the ability to rival the Great Xiangguo Temple and became renowned in the capital due to Ji Yong becoming its abbot.
Dou Zhao did not remember when Longfu Temple’s reputation began to soar. By the time she heard of it, it was already difficult to secure incense there.
However, in this life, although Longfu Temple was bustling with worshippers, its reputation was not prominent. Those coming to offer incense were mostly women from humble households. It was rare to see ornate carriages or sedan chairs.
As Dou Zhao stood at the main entrance of Longfu Temple, she couldn’t help but look up at its mountain gate. She wondered if Ji Yong would form a connection with Longfu Temple in this life as well.
She turned her head to glance at Song Mo.
To avoid drawing attention, both Song Mo and she had changed into plain, unadorned Hangzhou silk clothes. She wore two silver hairpins, traveling light with only Chen He, the Jin Gui sisters, Duan Gongyi, and a few other guards accompanying them.
Inside Longfu Temple, wisps of incense smoke curled upwards as Song Mo and Dou Zhao offered incense in the main hall. Occasionally, female worshippers would stare at them.
Chen Jia smiled bitterly. He had placed Yi Gui here because of the temple’s bustling atmosphere and the large number of people coming and going, allowing her to blend in. However, he had forgotten how outstanding Song Mo and Dou Zhao’s appearances were. Even dressed in the most ordinary attire, their natural grace and nobility were impossible to conceal.
If he had known this would happen, it might have been better to place Yi Gui in the Great Xiangguo Temple instead!
He grumbled inwardly. Thinking of Yi Gui’s timid face, he gave Huzi a look, signaling him to go and give Yi Gui a heads-up. This was to prevent her from cowering in a corner like a frightened animal when she saw Song Mo and Dou Zhao.
Huzi understood and hurried off to the eastern dormitory.
After donating money for incense oil, Song Mo and Dou Zhao headed towards the dormitory with Chen Jia.
On this early summer morning, the air became stuffy as soon as the sun rose. The large trees in Longfu Temple’s courtyard, thick enough to require two people to encircle them, cast green shadows on the ground. Yet, they did little to alleviate the restlessness in Song Mo’s heart.
Last night, he had barely slept at all.
He couldn’t quite describe his feelings.
Sympathy? The girl was his father’s daughter by a concubine, evidence of his father’s betrayal of his mother. This emotion seemed somewhat inappropriate.
Hatred? If he didn’t know about the girl’s circumstances, he might have hated her. But when he thought about how it was his father’s irresponsibility that led to her current situation, he found it impossible to harbor any hatred.
Affection? That was even further from the truth. He had always respected strength, and even for a woman, to end up in such a state showed flaws in her character. How could he possibly like her?
Even as he stepped into Longfu Temple, he still hadn’t decided how to deal with this girl.
Never in his life had Song Mo been so conflicted.
He unconsciously tightened his grip on Dou Zhao’s hand.
Dou Zhao squeezed his hand back just as tightly.
Her feelings were as complex as Song Mo’s.
As a fellow woman, she sympathized with the young girl’s plight. However, considering that this girl might be Song Mo’s half-sister, her loyalty to Song Mo prevented her from feeling too much compassion for the girl.
The couple entered the side room at a leisurely pace.
Despite the heat, the doors and windows of the room were tightly shut. Only a beam of sunlight shone through the skylight, making the room appear very dim.
Huzi was speaking softly to a woman sitting on the master’s chair in the main hall. Hearing movement, he saw them enter and quickly stepped aside. The woman slowly stood up.
Although they couldn’t see the girl’s features, her slender figure appeared extremely frail.
Song Mo was visibly surprised. He stopped at the doorway and said in a deep voice, “Are you Li Yi Gui?”
The girl remained silent.
Chen Jia grew anxious.
How could this girl be so unresponsive?
He had told her so much yesterday! The Duke of Ying’s heir held great power and authority. With just a word, he could determine her life or death. When meeting the heir, she must be respectful in tone and gentle in manner. She mustn’t put on airs. If she could please the heir, she would live a life of luxury and never have to fear being captured by Wei Quan or bullied by He Hao again.
He couldn’t help but cough lightly, quietly reminding Yi Gui, “The Duke of Ying’s heir and his wife have come to see you. Hurry and come forward to greet them!”
The young girl remained rooted to the spot.
Chen Jia had no choice but to step forward and gently push the girl, whispering, “Quickly, kneel!”
But the girl stubbornly stood her ground, head bowed, not moving an inch.
Chen Jia had no other option but to push the girl again.
This time he used a bit more force. The girl stumbled, nearly falling, and took a few unsteady steps forward before regaining her balance.
The beam of sunlight from the skylight now fell directly on the girl’s face.
Her delicate features and clear, beautiful countenance were now fully visible to both Dou Zhao and Song Mo.
Dou Zhao felt a pang of sympathy for this pearl tarnished by dust.
Song Mo, however, was stunned. His expression suddenly changed, and he involuntarily cried out, “Mother!”
The room was empty of others and already quiet. Dou Zhao naturally heard him.
She turned to Song Mo in shock.
Song Mo was also looking at her.
She saw the tumultuous shock in his eyes, like raging waves.
“What’s wrong?” Dou Zhao’s mind was in chaos, completely bewildered, but she still tightly held onto Song Mo’s arm.
The color had drained from Song Mo’s face.
“She… she looks exactly like my mother…” he mumbled, “Even more so than Cousin Han Zhu…”
How could Li Yao Niang’s daughter resemble Lady Jiang?
Even if there was a resemblance, shouldn’t she look like Song Yi Chun?
And what about the Song Han in the mansion?
Dou Zhao’s fingertips grew cold, her mind blank.
Chen Jia, however, was thunderstruck.
Wasn’t Yi Gui supposed to be the daughter of the Duke’s concubine?
How did Lady Jiang become involved?
He felt sweat beading on his forehead and cast a troubled glance at Yi Gui before heading towards the door with Huzi. “Young Master, if you have anything to ask, you can speak directly with Miss Yi Gui. Huzi and I will wait outside.”
Yi Gui, however, grabbed Chen Jia’s sleeve, her face filled with terror as she urgently said, “Didn’t you say you knew my uncle? You brought me back to the capital to find my uncle… You lied! Where is my uncle? I want to see my uncle!” As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and tears began to fall. “Please, take me to see my uncle. He will surely reward you handsomely…”
Her words only fueled the anger rising in Song Mo’s chest.
A young woman who looked remarkably like his mother was repeatedly calling for that despicable Li Liang to save her, causing the veins in his temples to throb.
“What uncle? How dare that lowborn claim such a title?!” His face darkened, the murderous intent in his brow seemingly ready to break free and devour someone. “Chen Jia, go bring Li Liang to me! I want to know exactly what’s going on here!”
Song Mo’s cold laugh sent chills through the air.
Chen Jia couldn’t help but shudder, no longer daring to look at Song Mo. He lowered his head, acknowledged the order, and turned to leave.
Yi Gui clung to Chen Jia’s sleeve, refusing to let go.
Chen Jia had no choice but to quietly coax her, “You heard him. I’m going to fetch Li Liang.”
He dared not refer to Li Liang as “uncle,” fearing Song Mo might explode again.
Yi Gui was already trembling with fear. She cried, begging Chen Jia, “Please, take me with you to find my uncle!”
Chen Jia smiled bitterly.
Her connection to the Song family was intricate, while he had no such ties. No matter how much she protested, Song Yan Tang would handle her case. If he wasn’t careful, he might lose his life here.
He looked pleadingly towards Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao quickly stepped forward to comfort Yi Gui, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Yi Gui, however, shrank back behind Chen Jia in fear.
Watching this, Song Mo’s expression grew even darker.
Dou Zhao had no choice but to speak gently to Yi Gui, “Your mother would be distraught if she knew what you’ve been through. Why don’t we invite your uncle over first? If we meant you harm, why would we go to such lengths? You’re all alone here.”
She still clung to Chen Jia’s sleeve, refusing to let go.
Song Mo’s expression was terrifying as he took a step towards them.
Dou Zhao quickly gave Song Mo a look.
Song Mo hesitated for a moment, then stepped back.
When Dou Zhao tried to persuade Yi Gui again, she finally bit her lip and released Chen Jia’s sleeve.
Chen Jia breathed a sigh of relief and strode out quickly.
Huzi, who had been frightened to the point of weak-kneed, stood dazed for a moment before scurrying after Chen Jia.
Dou Zhao then gestured for Song Mo to leave first.
After some thought, Song Mo exited the room.
Dou Zhao helped Yi Gui sit down and asked her gently, “When did you return to the capital? Who has been taking care of you here?” She then reassured her, “Don’t be afraid. Now that you’re back in the capital, neither Wei Quan nor the He family can act with impunity!”
Yi Gui began to cry.
At first, it was just quiet sobbing, but gradually her cries grew louder until she finally collapsed onto the table, wailing loudly.
Dou Zhao’s eyes began to sting with tears as well. She gently stroked Yi Gui’s hair.
It was then that she noticed Yi Gui had beautiful hair – not only was it black and shiny, but also thick as clouds and smooth as silk.
Song Mo had the same kind of beautiful hair.
Dou Zhao’s heart suddenly filled with an unbearable ache, and tears welled up in her eyes.
What exactly had happened back then?
In this life, if she hadn’t suddenly decided to have Chen Jia find Yi Gui, what would have been her fate?
She remembered Song Mo mentioning in her previous life that he had gone to pay respects to his sister.
The sister he spoke of must have been Yi Gui, right?
In her previous life, Yi Gui had died… In this life, thankfully, they had managed to rescue her in time…
Outside the room, Song Mo listened to the crying inside, feeling as if a heavy stone was pressing on his chest.
He instructed Chen He, “Summon Du Wei!”
Chen He nervously acknowledged the order and left.
Song Mo paced back and forth in the corridor.
Duan Gongyi and the others didn’t dare to make a sound, silently standing guard around the area.
As the crying inside gradually subsided, Du Wei arrived, sweating profusely.
Song Mo ordered him, “Who was present when my mother gave birth to the second young master? Where are these people now? Find out everything in detail and report back to me immediately!”
Du Wei bowed and withdrew.
Chen Jia hurriedly arrived with Li Liang.
Seeing Song Mo standing in the corridor, looking down at him imperiously, and the silent yet menacing guards surrounding the courtyard, Li Liang slowed his pace, his expression becoming grave.
“Who are you? Where is Yi Gui?”
He turned to look at Chen Jia, the man who had lured him here, with an unfriendly gaze.
Chen Jia, however, smiled slightly, bowed to Song Mo, and quietly retreated to the side.