Su Lan understood the situation and went to the pawnshop the next day.
Dou Zhao had also invited Jiang Lizhu, who was married in the capital, into the residence. He dismissed the maids and servants and spoke privately with her for a long time. When Jiang Lizhu emerged, her legs trembled slightly. She turned to her wet nurse, who had accompanied her as a dowry, and said, “I want you to have the guards escort you back to Haozhou to deliver a letter to my aunt. Remember, where the letter goes, the person must follow; if the letter is lost, the person is lost.”
The “master” she referred to was her husband, Wu Zijie.
The wet nurse, who had been through the Jiang family’s turmoil, was not alarmed. Understanding that Jiang Lizhu’s words were likely related to the safety of the Jiang family, she vowed, “Rest assured, young mistress, even if I have to die, I will deliver the letter to the madam.”
Jiang Lizhu nodded and, in a daze, returned to write the letter.
Seeing that everything was nearly prepared, Dou Zhao was at home flipping through the almanac with Song Mo. He informed Song Mo about Jiang Yan’s inquiries regarding household matters and said, “I plan to send Song Shize to serve Sister Yan for a while. If she asks about the old matters of the household, at least there will be someone to answer her.”
Moreover, he was an elder from the Song family, so loyalty was not a concern. He could also prove that Dou Zhao and Song Mo had not deceived her.
“You can arrange it as you see fit,” Song Mo replied, feeling that this was an internal matter and should be handled by Dou Zhao.
As he spoke, he turned to the first day of the sixth month in the almanac and asked, “What do you think of this date?”
It wasn’t the best, but it was the most recent.
Dou Zhao smiled and said, “Then let’s set it for the first day of the sixth month.”
While they were talking, Gu Yu ran over.
He complained, “What has Tian Ci been busy with these days? Why can’t I ever find him?”
Gu Yu had been looking for Song Mo several times a day, and each time he was in a hurry. When it came to serious matters, he only brought up trivial issues. Song Mo thought that if Gu Yu truly had urgent matters, he would naturally come to him, so he didn’t take it to heart. He smiled and said, “I’ve been quite busy these days. If you have something to say, hurry up. I still need to go with your sister-in-law to the back to Bi Shui Xuan to take a look.”
Bi Shui Xuan was a bit secluded, separated from Yi Zhi Tang by two courtyards, but it was right next to the back lake of Duke Ying’s residence, with a small hill made of Taihu stones nearby, making the scenery exceptionally beautiful.
Gu Yu glanced at Dou Zhao and asked, “Is your sister-in-law planning to move there for the summer?”
Dou Zhao, noticing that Song Mo was not inclined to discuss Jiang Yan, replied with a smile, “It’s not me; it’s a cousin of your brother, who has been favored by your Jiang mother since childhood. You know your brother only has two brothers. Your Jiang mother originally wanted to adopt her as a goddaughter to raise her, but later, due to the second master’s poor health, she feared she wouldn’t be able to care for her and sent her back home.
After the Jiang family’s troubles, no one cared for her. Last year, her husband passed away, and she had no children, so the Jiang family brought her back. We only learned of her departure when the twelfth young lady of the Jiang family got married. Your brother thought that since the Jiang family is now old and young, we discussed with the Fourth Aunt about bringing the Jiang cousin to stay with us for a while.
This way, she can relax, and it would also be nice to have company. If fate allows, perhaps she can find a suitable family. She will arrive in a couple of days, and your brother specifically took time to check how her living arrangements are being prepared.”
Since she was Song Mo’s cousin, she was likely not very old.
Gu Yu became interested and said, “The wife of the commander of the Eastern Camp of the Five Armies passed away this spring. What do you think?”
Such matters were best discussed with someone like Gu Yu, who was well-connected in the capital and could name candidates off the top of his head.
Dou Zhao quickly asked, “What’s her surname? How old is she? Who else is in her family? What’s her temperament like?”
Song Mo shot them a cold glare and said irritably, “His eldest son is only two years younger than me! Stop trying to match me with random people!”
Dou Zhao and Gu Yu felt embarrassed, and Gu Yu whispered to Dou Zhao, “Sister-in-law, could it be that Jiang’s mother wanted to betroth this cousin to your brother, which is why he’s so concerned? Be careful not to let a wolf into the house! I think it’s better to arrange the Jiang cousin in an outside courtyard. Isn’t the twelfth young lady of the Jiang family married in the capital? They are cousins; I think you can settle her there. At worst, we can pay for it!”
What kind of nonsense was this?
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh, finding Gu Yu amusing. It was no wonder even someone as aloof as Song Mo liked him.
However, Gu Yu’s words also reminded Dou Zhao. After Jiang Yan entered the residence, she needed to be taken around; otherwise, others might think Jiang Yan was sent by the Jiang family to be a concubine for Song Mo.
Song Mo, however, was furious, his face darkening. He said to Gu Yu, “Do you have any business? If you do, speak up; if not, go back and practice your horse stance!”
Gu Yu quickly replied, “I have a business! I have a business!” He then wilted like a frostbitten eggplant and continued, “In a couple of days, my family will exchange the marriage proposal with the Feng family. You need to think of a way for me! I don’t want to marry their eleventh young lady!”
Song Mo asked, “What kind of girl do you want to marry? The eleventh young lady is not only beautiful but also gentle and dutiful. With your temperament, I think it would be a pity for her.”
Dou Zhao was taken aback. “Didn’t you say the Feng family’s young lady is plain and timid, and rather dull? Have you checked this out?”
Gu Yu quickly replied, “Yes, yes! What I heard is the same as what you said. That Feng girl has no opinions at all; she’s just obedient and has nothing else to recommend her. If she comes to our house, she’ll hold me back. I don’t want to clean up her mess every day.”
Song Mo said to Dou Zhao, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. I’ve seen the girl with my own eyes; she’s not as bad as he says! He just doesn’t want to marry her!”
Dou Zhao, however, knew that this marriage ultimately harmed the Feng family, so she firmly sided with Gu Yu. “No matter how good the Feng family’s young lady is, if Gu Yu doesn’t like her, then she’s not good enough. If you can’t think of a way, then just let it go. If you can, please help Gu Yu!”
Gu Yu now regarded Dou Zhao as a benefactor and flattered her, “Sister-in-law, if you help me this time, I promise to help you marry off the Jiang cousin!”
“Truly ridiculous!” Song Mo scolded, “Your uncle also said this is a good match. How can you casually dismiss the elders’ opinions…”
Gu Yu became annoyed, saying, “You both are like this! My uncle is even more straightforward; he said if I’m not satisfied after marrying her, I can divorce her in a couple of years and remarry. He told me not to make a fuss, as if the Feng family’s girl was like a cabbage that could be thrown away if I didn’t like her. What about me? Marriage is a lifelong commitment; I want to find a capable girl to live a good life with. Is that too much to ask?”
In your past life, you found a formidable Zhou family girl, but didn’t you end up not getting along with her?
Dou Zhao shook her head at this thought.
At this time, Empress Wan must have been fully focused on the Liao King, primarily appeasing the nobles, fearing that Gu Yu would cause a stir over his marriage and affect the Liao King’s grand plans. That’s why she compromised with Gu Yu on this matter.
Thinking of Gu Yu’s reckless past, Dou Zhao felt he was also a pitiful person.
Song Mo sighed, “Then I’ll talk to your grandfather.”
Gu Yu jumped up in joy, “Brother, I’ll help sister-in-law arrange the courtyard for the Jiang cousin. I promise not to let her lift a finger!”
Song Mo snorted coldly, “If you don’t help your sister-in-law, no one in Yi Zhi Tang will dare let her lift a finger.”
Gu Yu grinned and pushed Song Mo, “Hurry to the Yunyang Duke’s residence; if you’re late, my grandfather will go to the Shichahai villa to fish.”
After giving Dou Zhao a few instructions, Song Mo changed his clothes and left.
Gu Yu accompanied Dou Zhao to Bi Shui Xuan.
On the way, Dou Zhao asked him, “Why are you and your stepmother at odds? Although she is an exceptional external wife, the Empress doesn’t like her and can easily make things difficult for her.”
“If she had any brains, I would have been done for long ago!” Gu Yu scoffed. “She just relies on her connection with the Shen family, thinking my aunt won’t touch her. But if one day I get fed up with her, I’ll encourage Shen Qing to deal with her. Let’s see what she can do then!”
The Shen family was the maternal family of the current Crown Prince.
Seeing his fierce expression, Dou Zhao remarked, “Look at you, you haven’t even used your methods yet, but you’re already shouting. Others will be cautious around you; how can you deal with anyone? No wonder, as a boy, you still can’t win against your stepmother even with the Empress backing you!”
Gu Yu was very unconvinced.
Dou Zhao said, “Then tell me, when have you ever won against your stepmother?”
Gu Yu’s lips twitched, and he was silent for a long time.
Dou Zhao advised him, “Use the right methods for the right people. For someone like your stepmother, either don’t make a sound and ignore her, or act first and leave her no room to complain.”
Gu Yu pondered this and lowered his head.
When Song Mo returned in the evening, Bi Shui Xuan had already been adorned with new Xiangfei bamboo curtains. A painting of a beauty under the moon hung in the main hall, and the incense burner was filled with mugwort, while the kang had been replaced with a cool hibiscus mat. The maids and servants were all prepared, and he nodded in satisfaction, inviting Gu Yu to stay for dinner.
However, Gu Yu was only concerned about his matters, tugging at Song Mo’s sleeve and asking, “What did my grandfather say? Hurry and tell me!”
“If it doesn’t work out, would I dare to come back and see you?” Song Mo laughed, pulling his sleeve away from Gu Yu’s grasp. “Be careful not to ruin my clothes; this outfit was made by your sister-in-law herself.”
Gu Yu jumped up in excitement, wrapping his arms around Song Mo and shouting to Dou Zhao, “Sister-in-law, quickly bring a whole jar of wine!”
Song Mo, influenced by his mood, rarely showed a cheerful smile and said, “Shouldn’t you be the one to treat us to this jar of wine? I can’t do all the work and pay for it too!”
“Today you treat, tomorrow I will!” Gu Yu laughed as he sat down on the kang and said to Dou Zhao, “Sister-in-law, you should come too, so you’re not stuck at home every day.”
Dou Zhao smiled slightly.
Song Han entered, carrying a jar of wine.
Seeing Gu Yu, he was not surprised but raised the jar of wine in his hand and smiled, “You’re lucky. I finally managed to get a jar of pear blossom wine from the Ningde Long Princess’s residence to honor my brother, and unexpectedly, you’re here too.”
Gu Yu dismissed it casually, “Isn’t it just a jar of pear blossom wine? Tomorrow I’ll send you a part of it.”
Song Han didn’t mind, sitting next to Song Mo with a smile and saying to Gu Yu, “You’d better keep your word; I’ll be waiting for your wine tomorrow.”
Gu Yu patted his chest in assurance.
Dou Zhao smiled and instructed the maids to serve the dishes, but her mind was on Song Han.
He had been coming over almost every day, catching up to Gu Yu…
In the evening, after sending off Gu Yu and Song Han, Dou Zhao asked Song Mo, “How did you convince Duke Yunyang?”
Song Mo smiled and said, “Don’t think Duke Yunyang is old and confused. He just doesn’t want to offend anyone. But if he’s thinking of the Duke Yunyang residence, he naturally needs to marry a capable granddaughter-in-law.”
After saying this, he asked Dou Zhao, “Have you noticed how much Song Han resembles our father when he drinks?”
Coming back to her senses, Dou Zhao realized that Song Mo was indeed very suspicious.
If she hadn’t met him during his youthful years and wanted to gain his trust, it would have been nearly impossible.
Dou Zhao sighed and said, “I didn’t pay attention.”