Duan Gongyi caught Chen Jia as he stumbled, a teasing smile on his face. “Master Chen, since you’re already at Duke Ying’s residence, shouldn’t you go greet the lady?”
Chen Jia felt a bit weak. Having lost his father at a young age and with a timid mother, he had endured bullying in his clan during his childhood. As he grew up, he struggled hard, but he had never felt as frightened as he did at this moment. He forced a smile and replied, “Of course, I should greet the lady.”
Duan Gongyi chuckled and said, “Please follow me, Master Chen!”
Nervously, Chen Jia trailed behind Duan Gongyi, while Jiang Yan kept her head down, making her way straight to Bishi Pavilion.
She was overwhelmed with shame and anger, unsure how to face Chen Jia. If it weren’t for her cowardice and indecision, she wouldn’t have hesitated to consult Jiang Lizhu. Chen Jia had said she was much more sensible than before… how could she deserve such praise?
If it weren’t for Jiang Lizhu, she might have ruined his prospects! Jiang Lizhu was truly remarkable—not only beautiful but also intelligent and sincere. Just like her sister-in-law, whom her brother respected greatly. The Wu family also valued Jiang Lizhu highly. If only she could be half as good as Jiang Lizhu, she wouldn’t have ended up in such a predicament.
Lost in thought, tears streamed down her face. She longed to be a likable woman, but she had no idea how to be like her sister-in-law or Jiang Lizhu…
Jiang Yan locked herself in her inner chamber. Yinghong, frightened, turned pale and hurriedly sent her trusted maid to inform Dou Zhao, while she stood guard outside the door.
In the main hall of Yizhi Hall, Dou Zhao warmly invited Chen Jia to sit down and instructed a maid to bring in the crystal pears and oranges that had been gifted from the palace a few days prior. “Though they are tribute items, they may not be better than what you find outside. Please make do and try some!”
Chen Jia had been at Duke Ying’s residence for over a year but had never been offered even a cup of tea. Now, not only was he given a seat, but he was also treated to fruits and snacks.
For some reason, Chen Jia thought of the prisoners in the jail, who, before execution, were treated kindly by the guards, ensuring they were well-fed for their final journey…
Sweat dripped down his back.
Surprisingly, Dou Zhao didn’t ask anything and instead chatted about the weather in the capital and the recent vegetable prices before serving tea.
Chen Jia entered and exited in a daze, his heart growing increasingly anxious. He wanted to send a message to Jiang Yan to be careful, but he had no one to relay it. He feared that his interference might worsen her situation, leaving him at a loss for what to do. He couldn’t even remember how he had left the Duke Ying’s residence.
After sending Chen Jia off, Dou Zhao carefully inquired with Duan Gongyi about what Chen Jia and Jiang Yan had discussed, nodding to herself in understanding. When Song Mo returned that evening, she brought up Chen Jia’s situation.
Before Dou Zhao could finish, Song Mo jumped up, exclaiming, “He’s like a toad wanting to eat swan meat! How could Jiang Yan be someone he covets? Has he become so arrogant because I’ve been promoting him lately? You should tell him to abandon this thought as soon as possible!”
Dou Zhao had anticipated this reaction.
In front of Jiang Yan, Song Mo acted like a father, and like all parents, he believed his child was the most adorable, obedient, and well-behaved. Even if there were flaws, they were always attributed to outside influences.
She remained silent, quietly sewing.
Song Mo awkwardly sat beside her and said softly, “I’m not blaming you; I know you’re strict in managing the household… I’m just angry at Chen Jia… he’s simply being unreasonable!”
Dou Zhao pondered for a moment and asked Song Mo, “Have you ever regretted marrying me?”
Song Mo stared wide-eyed. “Of course not!”
“But others think I’m not worthy of you,” Dou Zhao replied. “This shows that marriage is like wearing shoes; only the couple knows if they fit. We don’t need Jiang Yan to enhance our lives, nor do we need her support. Why should we place so much importance on her background?”
Song Mo understood this, but in his heart, Chen Jia was a useful tool. How could someone like him be his brother-in-law?
Dou Zhao empathized with Song Mo’s feelings; she had also struggled to accept Chen Jia at first. Thus, she didn’t push him, instead smiling as she fetched water to help Song Mo wash up and change.
Song Mo quietly allowed Dou Zhao to attend to him.
In the middle of the night, he suddenly sat up and elbowed Dou Zhao awake. “I’ve thought about it, and I still feel this person isn’t suitable.”
Dou Zhao, still half-asleep, yawned and mumbled, “Your father still thinks I’m a shrew! You may not agree, but Jiang Yan thinks well of him. What can you do about it?” With that, she turned over and went back to sleep.
Song Mo, startled awake, could no longer sleep. He leaned over and whispered in Dou Zhao’s ear, “Don’t sleep yet. What does Jiang Yan see in Chen Jia?” He insisted on waking her up.
Since Dou Zhao was already awake, she decided to sit up and explain the whole situation to Song Mo.
After listening for a while, Song Mo fell silent.
Dou Zhao encouraged him, “You have to live your own life. Even if you don’t like Chen Jia, if Jiang Yan feels comfortable with him, we should let her be! She’s so young, yet she has already endured so much suffering; don’t impose more on her.” She then recounted a story she had heard in her past life, “Once, at a temple fair, a man saw a woman and was so taken by her beauty that he insisted on marrying her, despite her humble background. The women didn’t know how to behave properly, and they lived in constant fear. Within two years, she passed away. Our ancestors believed in ‘matching social status’ for a reason. Jiang Yan grew up in the marketplace; if you want her to marry into a prominent family, she must be able to handle it!”
Song Mo remained silent for a long time and finally said, “You’re talking about the Marquis of Xuan Ning, Guo Haiqing’s nephew, right?”
“Eh!” Dou Zhao exclaimed, “How did you know?”
Song Mo chuckled, “I was going to ask you how you knew! Guo Haiqing’s niece-in-law just passed away a couple of months ago.”
Dou Zhao fell into a trance.
In her past life, she had helped Lady Guo with the funeral; in this life, she and Lady Guo had become strangers.
She couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.
Song Mo wrapped his arms around Dou Zhao and kissed her cheek. “Let me hold you; sleep in my arms for a while!”
Dou Zhao leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
The room was quiet, and the lamp wick popped with a few bursts of light.
Song Mo said solemnly, “Anyway, I think Chen Jia isn’t suitable.”
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh. “How about a bet? You act like you want to punish Chen Jia, and if Jiang Yan rushes over to plead for him, then her marriage will be decided by me. If she takes a while to come, then you can decide on her marriage. What do you think?”
Song Mo hesitated.
Dou Zhao smiled, “See? You know in your heart that Jiang Yan and Chen Jia are a good match!”
“That’s not true,” Song Mo denied, “But I’ll take the bet!”
Dou Zhao smiled, pressing her lips together.
Song Mo turned his face away.
Dou Zhao quietly chuckled.
How awkward!
He had already accepted it in his heart, yet his lips were sealed tight, revealing nothing.
She lifted her head, turned Song Mo’s face toward her, and kissed his lips…
The next morning, Dou Zhao woke to find a light rain falling outside, and the room felt a few degrees cooler than the day before.
She instructed Gan Lu, “Close all the windows.” Then she told the wet nurse, “Don’t take Yuan Ge out; let him play inside.”
The wet nurse smiled and complied, taking the well-fed Yuan Ge to play in the hall.
Dou Zhao stepped out of the inner chamber.
Song Mo was sitting on the large kang by the window in the banquet room, with several young maids preparing breakfast.
Dou Zhao sat down beside Song Mo, beaming.
Song Mo pretended not to see her, lowering his head to drink porridge.
Dou Zhao smiled and called Gan Lu, who was directing the maids, to the side and whispered, “Go to Bishi Pavilion and say that the Young Master is furious and has sent someone to capture Master Chen.”
Gan Lu was startled. Seeing Dou Zhao smiling and not appearing angry, she was momentarily confused about what was happening. She hurriedly replied, “Yes,” and rushed off to Bishi Pavilion.
Dou Zhao sat down to have breakfast with Song Mo.
Before she had finished a flower roll, Jiang Yan arrived, following Gan Lu through the rain.
As soon as she entered, she knelt before Song Mo, tears streaming down her face. “Brother, this has nothing to do with Master Chen; it’s all my fault! I begged him, and he had no choice but to agree…”
Dou Zhao had anticipated that Jiang Yan would come to plead for Chen Jia, but she hadn’t expected her to arrive so quickly. She feared Jiang Yan might blurt out about sending silver to Li Liang through Chen Jia, so she hurriedly got off the kang to support her. “What kind of behavior is this? Quickly get up and wipe your tears!” She handed her a handkerchief, interrupting Jiang Yan’s words.
Jiang Yan took the handkerchief and wiped her tears.
However, Song Mo slammed his chopsticks down on the table, his face turning ashen.
Jiang Yan was so frightened that she hid behind Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao comforted her, “Don’t be afraid; let’s talk in the other room.” She then quietly instructed Gan Lu, “Bring Yuan Ge over.”
Seeing his son, Song Mo’s anger dissipated.
Gan Lu complied and went to fetch him.
Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan moved to the inner chamber.
As she had the maids prepare water for Jiang Yan to wash up, she whispered, “With so many maids and matrons in the house, why did you come in to speak up for Master Chen? If even a hint of this gets out, what will happen to you and Master Chen? What was a non-issue could become a real problem!”
Jiang Yan trembled in fear, clutching Dou Zhao’s sleeve. “Good sister-in-law, I was anxious and didn’t think it through. Please don’t be angry with me…”
If she hadn’t been so concerned, she wouldn’t have rushed over with just a careless word!
Dou Zhao said, “Don’t say anything; I’ll handle it.”
Jiang Yan nodded repeatedly.
Outside, Yuan Ge’s laughter rang out.
Dou Zhao felt relieved. Once Jiang Yan had finished washing up, they both exited the inner chamber.
Song Mo was holding Yuan Ge’s feet, lifting him into the air.
Yuan Ge waved his arms and legs, clearly delighted.
When he saw Dou Zhao and Jiang Yan come out, Song Mo said nothing and continued to play with Yuan Ge.
Jiang Yan smiled shyly.
Wu Yi entered, bowing neatly and respectfully saying, “Young Master, it’s time to attend court.”
Song Mo replied with an “Mm,” handing the child to Dou Zhao before heading straight out of the main room.
Jiang Yan immediately grabbed Dou Zhao’s hand, nervously asking, “Sister-in-law, he won’t go find… trouble for him, will he?”
Who knows?
Even if Song Mo went to confront Chen Jia, it wouldn’t endanger Chen Jia’s life; what he considered trouble wouldn’t truly be a problem.
Dou Zhao thought about it and smiled, “Your brother knows how to handle things; you don’t need to worry.”