While Song Mo and Wang Ge were conversing in the small study, Princess Ning De and Old Lady Lu were speaking with Dou Zhao in the warm chamber behind the flower hall.
“Years ago, the old Duke intended for your father-in-law to manage affairs, with your mother-in-law assisting him,” Old Lady Lu reminisced. “However, after the incident with Earl Guang’en, your mother-in-law pleaded with the old Duke on your father-in-law’s behalf. Your father-in-law felt that your mother-in-law and the old Duke were playing good cop, bad cop, making a fool of him. No matter how others tried to persuade him, your father-in-law couldn’t get past this. The old Duke finally gave up and handed the family business to your mother-in-law.” She sighed, “So, your father-in-law’s confusion isn’t a recent development; everyone in the family knows this. Now that you have a son, you must plan everything for his sake. As for the elders’ affairs, it’s best to turn a blind eye and not take them to heart.”
Those who are pitiful often have detestable aspects.
Since Dou Zhao had begun interacting with Old Lady Lu, everything the latter did was for Song Mo and her benefit. Although Dou Zhao had no intention of letting Song Yichun off the hook, she didn’t want to worry Old Lady Lu. So, she responded vaguely, “Please don’t worry. As juniors, even if our elders make mistakes, we’ll endure and yield. We won’t quibble with them.”
Old Lady Lu nodded with a smile and sighed, “While that’s true, we can’t let you practice blind filial piety.” She then exchanged a glance with Princess Ning De. “I have something to discuss with you!”
It was likely not a small matter, and it probably involved Song Yichun.
Dou Zhao’s heart tightened, but she maintained her composure and smiled, “Please, go ahead.”
Old Lady Lu continued, “I think Song Han is not young anymore and has reached the age for marriage. Princess Ning De and I were thinking, with so many consorts in the palace, surely each family has a niece or two waiting to be married. Why not ask the Empress Dowager to act as a matchmaker and choose a capable wife for Song Han? After he’s married, he can move out and live separately, with someone to manage the household. What do you think?”
Dou Zhao was quite surprised, feeling that Old Lady Lu was overstepping her bounds this time.
Song Yichun might not agree to let Song Han move out after marriage.
After a moment’s thought, she carefully replied, “As his brother and sister-in-law, we only wish for his well-being—if he’s doing well, he can also help our nephews in the future. However, firstly, we may not have a say in this imperial marriage arrangement; secondly, asking the second young master to move out after marriage… He’s the eldest son and eldest grandson, the apple of his parents’ eyes. I’m afraid the Duke won’t agree and might think that our young master can’t accommodate the second young master and that we’re pushing our uncles to suggest such a thing.”
Princess Ning De smiled, “You don’t need to worry about this. If you think it’s a good idea, I’ll go and ask the Empress Dowager to arrange the marriage. Since he’ll be marrying a relative of a palace noble, it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to always live under his brother’s roof. The palace nobles will personally broach this subject with the Duke.”
If it could be arranged this way, it would be ideal.
The past life was the past life, and this life was this life.
Dou Zhao knew that Song Mo now harbored a deep hatred for Song Han, and she understood that Song Mo wouldn’t let Song Han off easily. However, if Song Mo were to insist on killing him for revenge like in her past life, it would ruin Song Mo’s reputation. It would be better for them to separate, preventing Song Han from constantly reminding Song Mo of his mother’s murder in his presence. This might even improve Song Mo’s mood.
As for Song Han having a powerful wife’s family to support him, Dou Zhao believed her own family was not inferior, so she didn’t dwell on it.
She stood up and respectfully curtsied to Old Lady Lu and Princess Ning De, saying, “If it weren’t for you two ladies, we would have had to swallow our grievances.”
Old Lady Lu and Princess Ning De both showed gratifying smiles.
Princess Ning De decided to be frank with Dou Zhao, “Your cousins have been kept on a tight leash by us since childhood. They’re destined for a peaceful life, not for reviving the family business. In the future, Yan Tang will need to look after them more… We can’t let the Duke ruin everything with his foolishness! But as his children, you can’t stop him. Let us be the bad guys.”
Despite this, Dou Zhao was still grateful and said, “The two ladies are so kind-hearted. Our young master will surely remember this.”
Old Lady Lu and Princess Ning De nodded with satisfaction and went to sit in the flower hall.
Although Dou Zhao was pleased with this arrangement, she feared Song Mo might have other plans. She thought about informing Song Mo of this matter after the banquet. Just then, a servant hurriedly entered, bowing to Dou Zhao while reporting urgently, “The Crown Prince and Crown Princess have sent eunuchs with full moon gifts for the young master. The young master asks you to go to the front courtyard to express gratitude.”
With the Crown Prince’s eunuch arrived, Song Mo would receive him; for the person sent by the Crown Princess, Dou Zhao had to make an appearance.
Dou Zhao quickly changed into a bright red jacket.
The eunuch from the Crown Princess’s side had already been escorted into the inner courtyard by Gu Yu.
Marchioness Chang Xing and others had retreated and remained in the flower hall.
Dou Zhao curtsied towards the west, in the direction of the imperial palace, to express her gratitude. The eunuch presented the gifts from the Crown Princess for young Yuan on trays: gold and silver locks, an eight-treasure necklace, clothes, shoes, and socks. Dou Zhao received them and passed them to the maid behind her.
At that moment, all the young maids from Yizhi Hall’s main courtyard came out in full force.
The guests who had come to celebrate young Yuan’s full month were all amazed.
Marchioness Chang Xing remarked, “Young Yuan has truly won the Crown Princess’s favor. He’s bound to be blessed in the future.”
Dou Zhao smiled and thanked Marchioness Chang Xing. She then gave a large red envelope to the eunuch and instructed someone to prepare a table with good wine and food to entertain him.
However, the eunuch repeatedly shook his head, saying, “This servant came out with Eunuch Cui to handle matters. I’d better stay with Eunuch Cui.”
Cui Yijun was the Crown Prince’s top favorite. Since the eunuch had mentioned him, Dou Zhao couldn’t insist. She had someone give two high-quality red envelopes to the eunuch instead.
The eunuch’s eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled, repeatedly thanking Dou Zhao.
Cui Yijun didn’t stay long. After handing over the gifts from the Crown Prince to Song Mo and exchanging a few pleasantries, he took his leave.
Song Mo personally escorted Cui Yijun to the front of the screen wall, while Dou Zhao, following custom, displayed the gifts from the Crown Prince and Crown Princess in the main hall. They would be stored in the treasury after the full month celebration.
The golden qilin made of pure gold, the eight-treasure necklace, and the bright red embroidered cape gleamed dazzlingly in the bright summer sunlight.
Although all the guests were from wealthy families and had seen many fine things, these gifts from the Crown Princess held special significance.
The guests praised Song Mo and Dou Zhao, speaking highly of them for a while before returning to sit in the small flower hall.
Amidst the sound of silk and bamboo instruments, the banquet began.
Song Yichun noticed Wang Ge sitting in a corner, chatting animatedly with Gu Yu. He frowned and quietly asked Shi Chonglan, “How did it go over there?”
Shi Chonglan smiled, “Don’t worry. Since he dared to take our silver, he won’t back out of the deal.”
Song Yichun felt slightly relieved and began to feel better.
Old Lady Lu was also whispering to Princess Ning De, “What if Empress Dowager doesn’t want to bother with this trivial matter?”
Princess Ning De smiled, “The late Emperor favored Consort Miao the most. If it weren’t for the early death of Consort Miao’s son, the palace might have seen quite a commotion. During the full-month celebration of the third imperial grandson, I quietly told Imperial Consort Shi about the Song family’s situation. With her personality, she’ll inform the Empress Dowager. Once Song Mo agrees to this matter, I’ll go to the palace to seek a marriage for Song Han. The Empress Dowager will surely arrange a marriage with Consort Miao’s family’s daughter. Just wait and see.”
Old Lady Lu had always admired Princess Ning De’s tactics, and upon hearing this, a smile spread across her face.
That evening, Dou Zhao relayed Old Lady Lu and Princess Ning De’s intentions to Song Mo.
Song Mo couldn’t help but sigh, “My parents’ fate was thin, which I deeply regretted. But unexpectedly, I encountered Father-in-law, Old Lady Lu, and Princess Ning De.”
Dou Zhao couldn’t resist chiding him, “You can think about Father’s matters in your heart, but don’t praise him openly anymore, lest he becomes even more enthusiastic.”
For Yuan’s full month celebration, besides sending some writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, gold rings, and silver locks, Dou Shiyingalso gifted Yuan a 600-mu tea garden and an oil press. These two properties alone yielded an annual income of three to four thousand taels of silver.
Song Mo laughed heartily, “I’m just teasing Father-in-law. I’ve already discussed those properties with him. They’ll still be managed by the Dou family’s stewards. When Yuan is about to get married, Father-in-law can give them to Yuan. This way, Father-in-law maintains his dignity, and Yuan will know how well his maternal grandfather treated him in the future.”
“Don’t forget about the fire at Duke Ying’s mansion,” Dou Zhao was troubled by her father’s habit of spending money lavishly. “Please don’t make such a grand gesture again.”
“You underestimate Father-in-law,” Song Mo said. “This time, he only informed the Dou family about Yuan’s gifts, without announcing it publicly. He informed the Dou family to avoid any misunderstandings in the future. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have even told them.”
Dou Zhao pondered, “Does Dou Ming know?”
“The Wei family sent gifts but didn’t come in person,” Song Mo was pleased that the Wei family had fallen out with him, suppressing his satisfaction as he said, “Father-in-law said he would send someone to inform Dou Ming.”
Now that things were clear, it would prevent Dou Ming from causing trouble in the future.
Dou Zhao’s expression brightened considerably.
However, Song Mo was not interested in discussing the Wei family with Dou Zhao. He told her about Song Yichun asking Shi Chonglan to sound out the Emperor’s opinion on having Song Han marry a princess, and said, “The sooner the marriage is arranged, the better. You’ve just completed your postpartum confinement, and traveling by carriage might harm your health. I’ll go to the Lu mansion tomorrow to thank the two ladies personally!”
Dou Zhao, who personally cared for the child and felt that even twelve hours a day weren’t enough, naturally didn’t object. She had gifts prepared for Song Mo overnight, and after breakfast the next day, she saw him off.
After lunch, Princess Ning De sent her token into the palace.
The following day, the Empress Dowager summoned Princess Ning De and kept her for lunch in the palace.
The Empress heard that Princess Ning De had entered the palace and wanted to visit Cining Palace, but she was called to Qianqing Palace by the Emperor.
“Haven’t Jingyi and Jingfu’s marriages been arranged yet?” the Emperor asked the Empress, putting down the memorial he was reading. “Now that Yan Tang has become a father, their marriages should be settled as well.”
If it weren’t for Song Yichun, Song Yan Tang would have already become his son-in-law.
However, he was quite pleased that Song Yichun had taken the initiative this time to propose his second son marrying a princess. Whether it succeeded or not, it showed that Song Yichun had finally yielded, which made the Emperor quite happy.