Dou Zhao had just finished nursing Yuan before coming out. She never imagined the Empress Dowager would be playing cards with Consort Shi so early in the morning, let alone keep her to join the game. It was nearly noon now, and her breasts were full again, making her feel uncomfortable.
Hearing the Empress Dowager invite her to continue playing cards in the afternoon, she glanced at the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess immediately understood Dou Zhao’s predicament.
After a brief thought, she smiled and asked, “Lady Dou, have you arranged everything at home?”
Dou Zhao hurriedly replied, “I’m nursing the child myself, but we also have wet nurses at home… I’ll just have someone instruct them to take good care of the child.”
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager exclaimed in surprise, “You’re nursing the child yourself? Be careful not to harm your health.”
Dou Zhao smiled and said, “You know the situation at home best, Your Majesty. The young master values the child greatly and doesn’t trust others.”
The Empress Dowager chuckled and waved her hand, dismissing Dou Zhao, “Go take care of the child. When he’s a bit older, bring him to the palace for me to see. I remember he’s only a day younger than Prince Xun.”
Dou Zhao respectfully thanked her and, seeing that the Crown Princess had no intention of leaving, withdrew alone.
The Crown Princess curtsied to the Empress Dowager, “Grandmother is truly compassionate like a Bodhisattva.”
The Empress Dowager playfully scolded the Crown Princess, “Your silver tongue, always knowing how to please me.” She added, “I’m showing you favor, what does it have to do with Bodhisattvas?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” The Crown Princess smiled brightly as she stepped forward to massage the Empress Dowager’s shoulders. “Your granddaughter-in-law knows, that’s why I stayed behind to thank you!”
The Empress Dowager chuckled, looking at the Crown Princess with great affection.
Meanwhile, Dou Zhao sighed in relief as she left the palace, instructing Ganlu, “Let’s hurry back!”
Ganlu thought something had happened and turned pale with fright, hastily giving orders.
Dou Zhao felt embarrassed but let Ganlu continue to misunderstand as they rushed back to Jing’an Temple Hutong.
Little Yuan was crying.
He had grown accustomed to his mother’s scent and refused to take milk from the wet nurse.
Dou Zhao quickly took the child.
The baby began to suckle ravenously.
Dou Zhao trembled with heartache.
At this rate, it seemed best for her not to go anywhere until the child was weaned.
She now realized the importance of wet nurses.
But seeing the peaceful, satisfied expression on the child’s face as he nursed, Dou Zhao’s heart melted, feeling that any inconvenience or trouble was worth it.
As she stroked the child’s shiny black hair, she thought of the Crown Princess who had helped her out of the awkward situation.
Such a perceptive and refined woman, yet she ultimately met a tragic end. Could this be considered the fate of a beautiful woman?
She thought of the third prince, only a day older than Yuan, and suddenly felt a bit uneasy.
When Song Mo came over, she couldn’t help but ask him, “What kind of person is the Crown Prince?”
Song Mo smiled, “What’s this? Did you suffer some grievance from the Crown Princess?”
“What are you talking about!” Dou Zhao glared at him and said, “Would you not know if I had suffered any grievance in the palace? When I went to the Eastern Palace, the eunuchs there offered me just a cup of plain water.”
Nursing mothers were advised against drinking tea.
Song Mo laughed heartily, leaning down to kiss the sleeping Yuan. He smiled and said, “He was educated by the Grand Secretaries, so naturally he follows the Confucian way. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Perhaps it was in line with the saying “A gentleman deceives with righteousness” that the Crown Prince failed in his previous life.
This thought flashed through Dou Zhao’s mind.
She asked about Song Mo’s return to the mansion, “What did the Duke say about Mother’s dowry?”
“Naturally, he won’t return it,” Song Mo said with a cold smile. “He said he wanted to go to the Court of Judicial Review to sue me. But when I proposed exchanging three estates worth a total of 7,000 taels of silver for the properties under Song Han’s name, he immediately changed his tune. He wants me to add three more shops, and then he’ll return Mother’s dowry to me. I suppose it’s because Song Han is getting married, and he wants Song Han to appear more prosperous. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him, so I agreed. I’ve asked Liao Bifeng to buy three shops in the market, and we’ll go to the Shuntian Prefecture in a couple of days to process the contracts.”
“That’s good too,” Dou Zhao said. “It’s just a matter of spending a few more taels of silver. Consider it as if you’ve rewarded someone, avoiding getting angry with them and unnecessarily harming your health.”
Song Mo nodded.
The properties had already been given to Song Han, and he was worried that Song Han might do something desperate and sell off the things Madam Jiang had left behind piecemeal. It would be more troublesome to recover them later, so it was better to get Madam Jiang’s properties in hand first.
As for the farms and shops given to Song Han, how much income they generated would depend on who was managing them. They might be worth 10,000 taels of silver now, but not necessarily in the future.
Dou Zhao then brought up the matter of tomorrow’s small engagement ceremony: “…Would it be appropriate for me not to attend?”
“What’s inappropriate about it?” Song Mo smiled. “Aren’t people allowed to have urgent matters? Besides, I’ll be there, so they won’t have time to fuss about you.”
Dou Zhao didn’t understand.
Song Mo smiled and said, “I’ll keep it a secret for now. You’ll know when the time comes.”
It seemed he had another trick up his sleeve to trouble Song Yichun.
Dou Zhao smiled quietly.
Song Mo, concerned about her physical discomfort today, said gently, “Shall I report that you’re ill for the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet on the fifteenth?”
Dou Zhao hesitated.
They conflicted with Song Yichun, and support from the palace was crucial.
Song Mo said, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle this matter!”
Dou Zhao trusted Song Mo and didn’t ask further.
Early the next morning, Song Mo went to Yuanping County and entered a teahouse not far from the Miao family’s residence.
Yan Chaoqing, Xia Lian, and others were already waiting in the main hall of the teahouse. The teahouse owner was carrying a teapot, serving them attentively like a waiter.
Seeing Song Mo enter, Yan Chaoqing and the others immediately stood up and said, “Master, the private room has been prepared. It’s by the window, and when opened, you can see the pedestrians on the street…”
Song Mo nodded at him with a smile and went up to the second-floor private room.
The teahouse owner rushed over to serve, but was stopped at the door by Wuyi: “Our master likes peace. If there’s anything needed, we’ll call for you.”
The teahouse owner retreated awkwardly.
As the sun gradually rose, more and more people appeared on the street. Through the Korean paper-covered window, the noisy voices from outside could be faintly heard. Wuyi quickly walked in.
“Master, they’ve arrived.”
Song Mo nodded and handed the book he was holding to Wuyi, saying, “Ask the owner how much it costs. Take it back for the lady to see.”
It was a travelogue provided in the teahouse’s private room for guests’ entertainment. Song Mo had been flipping through it out of boredom earlier and found it quite interesting, so he decided to take it home.
Wuyi smiled and tucked the book into his robe, accompanying Song Mo downstairs.
The Miao family had invited Xie Wan, the magistrate of Wanping County, and Ma Hao, the deputy magistrate, to act as matchmakers. With Duke Ying’s household coming to make the small engagement, the two officials naturally had to accompany them.
Ma Hao had arrived early, but Xie Wan, considering his status, had not yet appeared even as the auspicious time approached.
Miao’s father sent Miao Ansu’s elder brother, Miao Anping, to invite Xie Wan.
Miao Anping thought of how Xie Wan had only agreed to be the matchmaker for his sister after receiving 300 taels of silver as a thank-you gift, and he couldn’t feel happy about it.
The marriage proceedings had barely begun, and the Miao family had already spent 1,000 taels of silver.
At this rate, it seemed the wedding would cost no less than 3,000 taels of silver.
They had only prepared 2,000 taels of silver. Where would they find the additional 1,000 taels to fill the gap?
Miao Anping was extremely worried, and his mind wandered as he walked.
He collided with someone coming out of the nearby tavern.
He cried out “Ouch!” and fell to the ground.
The other person, however, was unaffected and walked on without even glancing at him.
This was Wanping County, and who didn’t know their Miao family?
Moreover, the county magistrate was right beside him.
Miao Anping got up and reached for the person’s sleeve: “You’re just going to walk away after bumping into someone? Not even an apology? How unreasonable can you be?”
Because Duke Ying’s household was coming to make the small engagement today, he was wearing a newly made silk robe that had cost him nearly 4 taels of silver, and now it was ruined.
But before he could grab the person’s sleeve, someone darted out and seized his hand, saying sternly, “Where did this ruffian come from, daring to reach out without knowing who our master is? Do you want me to call someone to break your dog’s paw? The Shuntian Prefecture’s constables would say we did the right thing!”
Miao Anping looked closely and saw that the person holding his hand was only about 15 or 16 years old, with clear features. Though dressed as a servant, his clothes were made of fine gauze from Guangdong, worth 6 taels of silver per bolt, very rich and elegant.
He realized he had encountered servants from a noble family.
Wanping was close to the capital, and many meritorious families had properties there, with such people often seen around.
His spirits lifted, and he shouted, “A life for a life, a debt for a debt. You bumped into me and want to leave without even an apology? Where’s the logic in that? At the very least, compensate me for this robe. Six taels of silver, pay up quickly! Otherwise, we’ll settle this at the Shuntian Prefecture! Our family’s in-law is Duke Ying, don’t say I’m bullying you…”
The person in front stopped at these words and turned back to glance at Miao Anping.
Miao Anping’s heart skipped a beat.
He had never seen such an exquisite youth. Just standing there casually, he had an air of refined grace.
Miao Anping suddenly felt less confident.
The youth had already spoken: “You’re from the Miao family of Wanping?”
Before Miao Anping could answer, Xie Wan, who had been peeking out from behind the sedan curtain, hurriedly alighted: “Lord Song, Lord Song! This humble official is Xie Wan, the magistrate of Wanping County. I’ve been entrusted by the Miao family to act as a matchmaker for your younger brother and the Miao family’s sixth daughter. I was just on my way to discuss the marriage arrangements with the Miao family.”
As it was an imperial-granted marriage, everything was to be kept simple. Today they would make the small engagement and discuss the betrothal gifts, money, and wedding date.
Song Mo gave a cold laugh and strode away.
Miao Anping and Xie Wan were left standing there, dumbfounded.
Wuyi hurried after him.
The other guards also quickly brushed past them.
Xie Wan came to his senses and pulled one of the guards aside, whispering, “Brother, what’s going on here?” As he spoke, he slipped a red envelope to the guard.
The guard glanced at his departing companions and said in a low voice, “Considering that you’re going to Duke Ying’s mansion for the Second Young Master’s affair, I’ll tell you this – the Young Master was originally accompanying the Second Young Master to make the small engagement at the Miao family, but the Duke wanted to give face to the Second Young Master and proposed exchanging the Second Young Master’s farms worth 5,000 taels of silver for the Young Master’s farms worth 7,000 taels of silver and three shops worth 3,000 taels of silver… The Young Master was angered and is no longer going to the Miao family…”