What is going on here?
Dou Zhao was momentarily stunned.
Song Mo had already handed her the letter he had been holding.
Dou Zhao took the letter and quickly scanned a few lines, and her face filled with shock. “Uncle Wu says he is struggling to make a living in Liaodong and asks you to send him a few thousand taels of silver, considering how much the late Uncle Da took care of you?”
The Emperor had not completely ruined the Jiang family.
Although most of the Jiang family’s assets had been confiscated, their ancestral home and the sacrificial fields in Haozhou remained intact. When Jiang Lizhu got married, Song Mo, fearing that the Jiang family would face financial difficulties, secretly gave Dou Zhao five thousand taels of silver to support them. However, the fourth madam of the Jiang family not only refused the money but also gently informed her that although the Jiang family was not as prosperous as before, Madam Mei had arranged for certain matters before her death. This included a dowry of one thousand taels for each daughter and two thousand taels for each son’s marriage, making them wealthier than most families. How could Jiang Baisun possibly lack silver? Why would he ask Song Mo for help?
She was quite puzzled.
Song Mo whispered, “When I was young, Uncle Da once told me to write family letters using the ‘Qian Jia Shi’ (Thousand Family Poems). The surface meaning is one thing, but the deeper meaning is another.”
He carefully explained to Dou Zhao how to interpret the letter.
After a while, Dou Zhao finally grasped the general idea, but by the time she understood a line, her head was spinning. She couldn’t help but say, “Why don’t you just tell me directly what Uncle Wu wrote in the letter? I can ponder over it later when I have time.”
Song Mo replied, “Uncle Wu says that the Liaowang has ambitions and advises us to be cautious.”
It seemed her suspicions were correct; the Liaowang was already showing its fangs.
Dou Zhao’s expression turned serious.
“Uncle Wu has performed excellently in the military these past few years. The Liaowang intends to have him lead troops and has promised that once successful, he will clear the Jiang family’s grievances. Uncle Wu thought it over and decided to ally with the Liaowang. However, he fears that if things go awry, it might implicate me, which is why he wrote this letter.
He also mentioned that in a few days, he would send someone to ask for silver and would spread the word: if it weren’t for my mother’s hard work, how could Duke Ying’s residence enjoy such wealth today? Now, the Jiang family is suffering in Liaodong while the Song family continues to live in luxury. How can this be fair? If he doesn’t receive at least a hundred thousand taels in compensation, this matter won’t end! He also advised me to be willing to take on the reputation of being stingy and heartless to distance myself from him. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, at least I can clear my relationship with him…”
Dou Zhao listened, feeling quite displeased. “What about the women and children in Haozhou if the Liaowang fails? Are they to endure another round of confiscation and extermination?”
Song Mo smiled bitterly. “When one is under a low eave, one must bow their head. Uncle Wu, under the Liaowang’s rule, likely has no choice but to comply.”
“Can’t we think of another way?” Dou Zhao said. “The Jiang family, despite their current plight, still earns the respect of former colleagues and friends, all because of their reputation for ‘loyalty to the throne and devotion to the country.’ If they ally with the Liaowang, even if he ascends the throne in the future, he will be seen as a usurper and a traitor. The Jiang family’s reputation would be ruined! If anything happens to them afterward, it will be hard for anyone to protect them!”
In her previous life, the Liaowang had used Song Mo; in this life, he was using Jiang Baisun.
She couldn’t help but sigh for the Jiang family.
“Do I not know this?” Song Mo said. “But the Liaowang’s conditions are too tempting. Uncle Da died so tragically; how could Uncle Wu remain calm and harbor no resentment? Even if Uncle Wu finds a way to refuse the Liaowang, will the Crown Prince believe that he hasn’t colluded with him?”
“Impossible!” Dou Zhao shook her head helplessly.
Could she just watch Jiang Baisun take risks?
Dou Zhao felt a pang of sadness.
Meanwhile, Song Mo paced the room.
Dou Zhao didn’t know what he was thinking and didn’t dare to interrupt, quietly sitting to the side.
After a long while, Song Mo finally stopped pacing and sat down beside Dou Zhao.
She hurriedly poured him a cup of warm tea.
As Song Mo drank the tea, he said, “It seems we have to test the Crown Prince!”
Dou Zhao’s eyes widened.
Song Mo lowered his voice. “The Crown Prince has always appeared indifferent and unambitious. I find it hard to grasp his thoughts. If he learns of the Liaowang’s ambitions, will he panic and confront him, or will he remain calm and strategize in secret? Now that the Liaowang has set his sights on the Jiang family, he must also covet the things left behind by Uncle Da. Even if we want to distance ourselves, it will be difficult. It’s better to see clearly who is stronger between the Crown Prince and the Liaowang and act accordingly!”
This meant they had to choose sides early!
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but silently criticize the Liaowang.
The Jiang family had already been ruined by the Emperor; why push them further into the fire? No wonder he had used Song Mo without mercy in her previous life.
Dou Zhao could only say, “I’m afraid the Liaowang has a greater chance of winning!”
To her surprise, Song Mo laughed and said, “It’s too early to say that. Let’s observe the situation first!”
That was fine!
Even if they ultimately allied with the Liaowang, they shouldn’t get too close to him; as long as they didn’t provoke his suspicion, it would be fine.
It was clear that plans could never keep up with changes.
They had thought that with Duke Ying’s status, they could watch from the sidelines, but in the end, they were still drawn into the struggle for the throne.
Dou Zhao let out a long sigh.
Song Mo comforted her, “Don’t worry; I know how to handle this. Regardless of whether Uncle Wu allies with the Liaowang, as long as the Liaowang has any ill intentions, both Uncle Wu and I will have to appear to fall out. After all, we don’t yet know who will prevail, and I won’t let you and the child suffer because of foolish loyalty.”
“As long as you know!” Dou Zhao could only keep Song Mo tied to her side. “Throughout history, those who participated in the struggle for the throne, whether they succeeded or failed, rarely ended well.”
Song Mo smiled, “I promise!”
Yet Dou Zhao still felt uneasy and confided in Chen Qu Shui.
Chen Qu Shui laughed, “With so many people around the Crown Prince, and the Young Master has never been one to get close to him, even if he wants to ally with the Crown Prince, it requires the Crown Prince’s trust in him! I support the Young Master’s approach; let’s observe the situation first. If it comes to it, we can only sacrifice a pawn to protect the king.”
That pawn referred to Jiang Baisun, right?
Dou Zhao felt a bit relieved.
By noon, Ruo Zhu came to report, “Fortunately, Madam instructed me. If I hadn’t sent some healing medicine to the little maid who takes care of the second master’s cat, she might have already lost her life. Knowing I’m from Madam’s household, she cried and said she could only repay Madam’s kindness in the next life. She also mentioned that the second master feeds that cat whatever he eats, making it accustomed to sitting under the kang table. Qixia had warned her to be careful not to let the cat jump on the kang, fearing it would knock over the teacup and scald the second master. She regretted not heeding Qixia’s advice, which led to this trouble.”
Dou Zhao had other matters on her mind and was not in the mood to listen. “So that little maid was sent to the estate?”
“Yes!” Ruo Zhu replied. “One leg couldn’t be saved, but at least she survived.”
Dou Zhao quickly put this matter aside. That evening, when Song Mo returned, she instructed Gan Lu to prepare a bowl of noodles with the chicken soup that had been simmering all day for his supper.
Song Mo tasted the chicken soup and found it delicious. He scooped a spoonful for Dou Zhao, saying, “It’s really good; you should try some.”
Dou Zhao was now eating smaller meals more frequently. She had just finished a bowl before Song Mo returned, but she didn’t want to dampen his spirits, so she took a sip from the spoon.
Song Mo said, “Isn’t it good?”
Dou Zhao nodded with a smile.
Song Mo scooped another spoonful, blew on it, and offered it to Dou Zhao. “Have another sip.”
As Dou Zhao looked at the steaming chicken soup, a scene suddenly flashed in her mind: Song Han sitting at the kang table, feeding the food he liked to the cat.
Her mind buzzed, and her expression changed dramatically.
Song Mo was startled and quickly asked, “What’s wrong? Shou Gu? Are you okay? Is something bothering you?”
His expression was alarmed.
Dou Zhao let out a long sigh, coming back to her senses, but she could no longer eat anything.
She turned pale and asked Song Mo, “I think I remember you saying that before your mother passed away, she was bedridden, and you were in Liaodong at that time. Was it Song Han who attended to her illness?”
Dou Zhao directly called her brother’s name.
Song Mo instinctively sensed something was wrong, and his expression turned serious as he nodded, “Yes.”
“I remember you once said that your mother loved to raise cats, but when you returned, those cats had disappeared?”
Song Mo nodded.
Dou Zhao spoke softly, “Song Han raises cats, and when he eats, he feeds the food he likes to the cats first before eating himself…”
Song Mo’s eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp as a knife, and his expression stiffened. “What are you trying to say?”
Dou Zhao placed her hand on Song Mo’s.
His hand trembled.
“He has raised two more cats, hasn’t he?” Dou Zhao said. “I wonder if he still has that habit? If the cats are gone, will he look for a dog to feed instead?”
Song Mo closed his eyes and took a long time to open them.
But when he did, his eyes were devoid of any emotion, as cold as a well.
He ordered Wu Yi, “Tell Lu Ming to come see me immediately!”
Wu Yi retreated, trembling.
Song Mo, however, had lost his appetite.
Gan Lu noticed that there was still half a bowl of chicken soup left and was about to ask Song Mo if he wanted something else when she caught Dou Zhao’s eye.
She quickly retreated quietly.
After Lu Ming left, Song Mo returned to his room to rest but tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Dou Zhao wrapped her arms around Song Mo’s.
He calmed down and softly said in the dark, “Did I disturb you? Should I sleep on the kang instead?”
“No.” Dou Zhao tightened her embrace around his arm. “I can’t sleep either!”
The two remained silent.
The inner room was completely quiet.
Suddenly, Song Mo chuckled softly, gently placing his hand on her prominent belly. “You know, the child in your belly has already encountered so many things. Will he be overly thoughtful when he’s born?”
“Maybe!” Dou Zhao laughed. “It’s good that it’s the first child; whether it’s a daughter or a son, such a personality is quite nice.”
Song Mo sighed and turned to embrace Dou Zhao.
It was too hot.
But thinking of Song Mo’s low spirits, Dou Zhao endured it.
Moreover, she had been going to bed early and rising early these days, so she was not used to staying up late and soon fell into a drowsy sleep.
In a half-dream, she seemed to hear Song Mo say, “It’s wonderful that you can marry me.”
Dou Zhao’s heart blossomed with joy, wanting to ask him, “Really?” but her eyelids felt as heavy as lead, and she couldn’t open them.
Unintelligibly, she mumbled a few words and fell asleep.