“Can I do that?” Jiang Yan asked Dou Zhao anxiously.

“Why not?” Dou Zhao smiled, smoothing Jiang Yan’s hair. “Every family has their way of living. As long as you feel content, that’s what matters. There’s no need to compare how you live to others.”

Jiang Yan nodded seriously.

The atmosphere grew somewhat solemn.

Jiang Lizhu covered her mouth and laughed, asking how long Jiang Yan planned to stay at her maiden home.

Blushing, Jiang Yan replied softly, “Zanzi said he’d come pick me up in a couple of days.”

Dou Zhao was stunned.

Jiang Lizhu burst out laughing. “He’s being too domineering! Only letting you stay at your maiden home for two days.”

Jiang Yan mumbled, unsure what to say.

Dou Zhao remembered when she returned to her maiden home for a month, and Song Mo had shown up at Jing’an Temple Lane the very next day… She smiled and said, “Just go back in a couple of days then. You live close to Duke Ying’s mansion anyway, so you can come back anytime you want. No need to fuss over it.”

Jiang Yan sighed in relief.

Song Mo, having nothing to say to his new brother-in-law, decided to ask Chen Jia about official matters instead. “I heard Liu Yu has been quite prominent lately. Has that affected you at all?”

As Song Mo’s cousin-in-law now, few would dare to give Chen Jia trouble.

He respectfully replied, “Both Lord Shi and Liu Yu have been very courteous to me.”

Song Mo then asked, “Have you considered transferring to a different post?”

What did he mean by that?

Chen Jia wasn’t quite sure.

Song Mo continued, “The Jinyiwei is good, but it has a notorious reputation and makes many enemies. To become the Commander of the Jinyiwei, one must be the Emperor’s confidant. Your starting point is too low. Even with my help, it would be difficult for you to reach that position. In my opinion, it might be better to transfer to the Shenjiying or the Wujunying. There are more opportunities there.”

The Jinyiwei positions were hereditary. Those of fourth rank and above had the chance to serve the Emperor directly. Only such people could leave an impression on the Emperor. Chen Jia had borrowed his rank and had struggled to become even a minor officer. He had no opportunity to meet the Emperor, let alone have the Emperor remember his name. Even if he managed to make the Emperor remember him, gaining the Emperor’s trust would still depend on chance and luck.

Chen Jia understood this himself.

His greatest aspiration before had been to become a Deputy Commander or Assistant Commander of the Jinyiwei, then find a way to secure a hereditary position as a Centurion or something similar to benefit his descendants. He would have been content with that.

He hadn’t expected to reach his goal so quickly.

It would be a lie to say he didn’t want to advance further. But the thought of leaving the Jinyiwei to start anew felt troublesome.

After pondering for a while, Chen Jia said, “I think I’ll stay in the Jinyiwei for now. I’m familiar with how things work there, which makes everything convenient. If I were to go to the Shenjiying or Wujunying now, I’d have to spend a lot of energy on personnel matters…”

In other words, he hoped to focus more on his family at this time.

Song Mo was very satisfied with his answer. “Well, whether it’s the Shenjiying or Wujunying, transferring would be easy enough. Since you don’t want to leave the Jinyiwei now, we can discuss it later. However, Shi Chuan and I are not on good terms at the moment. You should be extra cautious in the Jinyiwei and try not to get involved in anything.”

Chen Jia respectfully responded “Yes,” but seemed to have more to say.

Song Mo frowned. “If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you being so hesitant?”

Chen Jia bowed his head and carefully said, “I heard about you being impeached in the Great Hall yesterday. I fear this matter isn’t simple. Young Master, you should prepare for the worst.”

Song Mo was quite surprised to hear this, but remembering his first meeting with Chen Jia, his expression softened.

A servant entered to announce, “Du Wei is here to see you!”

He must have found some information.

Setting aside his prejudices, Song Mo had to admit that Chen Jia was a capable person. After some thought, he instructed Chen Jia, “Come with me!”

Chen Jia hadn’t expected Song Mo to include him, despite not liking him.

He followed with steady steps.

Soon after, Du Wei entered.

Seeing Chen Jia, he was slightly surprised but quickly regained his composure. He respectfully said, “The censor who impeached you hadn’t left his home during the Spring Festival, but this morning he suddenly went to a mutton soup shop in the west of the city. He drank soup with a man dressed as a scholar. I sent someone to investigate this man’s background and found that he used to be an advisor in Lord Mu’s household…”

Mu Chuan was the Empress’s man.

Chen Jia was dumbfounded.

Song Mo murmured, “This makes sense… If it were Liang Jifen, he would certainly plan thoroughly before acting, not so rashly… Only the Empress would be so thorough. If it succeeds, she could take the opportunity to replace me; if it fails, it serves as a warning…”

Listening to this, Chen Jia thought of a possibility.

His face turned as white as snow, his mouth agape, unable to recover for a long while.

Song Mo teasingly said, “If you regret becoming my brother-in-law, I advise you to quickly think of a way out now.”

Chen Jia thought of Jiang Yan sitting quietly under the lamp, mending his clothes. His chest tightened as he said, “Young Master, you’re overthinking. I have no regrets about marrying Ah Yan! I just hadn’t thought…”

Song Mo smiled slightly and took a sip of tea.

Wu Yi rushed in: “Young Master, the Fifth Young Master Dou from Yuqiao Lane is here.”

Dou Qijun?

Song Mo was a bit surprised and invited him to speak in the study.

Knowing Chen Jia was Song Mo’s cousin-in-law, Dou Qijun entered the study and revealed some anxiety, saying, “I have an urgent matter I’d like to discuss with you privately.”

Song Mo went with him to the adjacent warm room.

Dou Qijun said in a low voice, “It’s my great-uncle who sent me to see you. He says the impeachment likely has something to do with Mu Chuan, and warns you to be careful of Su Chuan’s people, lest others take advantage. If things get difficult, it’s best to avoid confrontation and keep a low profile for now.”

Song Mo was utterly surprised that Dou Shixu would warn him. He looked at Dou Qijun in astonishment.

Seeing his usually calm and composed uncle-in-law show such surprise, Dou Qijun chuckled and said, “My great-uncle is worried about our family getting involved, so he specifically sent me to inform you.”

Song Mo nodded, inwardly marveling at why Dou Shixu had become the head of the Dou family.

He sincerely said, “Please thank Uncle Dou on my behalf and tell him I’ll be careful.”

Dou Qijun responded with an “Mm” and then said, “Fourth Uncle, you didn’t seem too shocked to hear the censor is Mu Chuan’s man. Did you already know of his connection to Mu Chuan?”

Song Mo replied diplomatically, “I just found out.”

For Dou Shixu to uncover this connection was likely due to his current position and the connections he had built over the years. The fact that Song Mo could also find out so quickly was intriguing.

Dou Qijun looked at Song Mo with admiration, smiled, and stood up to take his leave.

Song Mo invited him to stay for Laba porridge.

Dou Qijun smiled and said, “I still need to report back to my great-uncle. I’ll make a special visit another day when I’m free.” He added, “If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know.”

Song Mo smiled and saw Dou Qijun off at the main gate before returning.

Chen Chuishui had arrived in the study at some point and was chatting idly with Chen Jia.

Seeing Song Mo enter, he smiled and greeted him.

Many people now knew about Song Mo being impeached, and Song Mo thought Chen Chuishui had come for this reason. He smiled and invited Chen Chuishui to sit.

Seeing that Song Mo didn’t ask Chen Jia to leave, Chen Chuishui spoke directly, “I’ve been pondering about Duke Dingguo’s matter throughout the Spring Festival. I remember Lord Dou Six once drank at Huaishu Lane and talked about the imperial examinations with several gentlemen from the Dou family. He mentioned Minister Liang, saying that due to his humble origins, he particularly looked down on sons of noble families. He preferred to use scholars from humble backgrounds and favored essays with passionate and inspiring styles. If Minister Liang were appointed as the chief examiner for the spring examinations, everyone should be careful not to offend the Emperor unknowingly after being selected as the top scholar.”

“Young Master, I recall that at that time, Minister Liang had just taken charge of the cabinet, and the Emperor’s old illness had relapsed. Do you think he might have acted this way simply because he resented Duke Dingguo’s prominence and ostentation?”

Song Mo’s expression grew serious. “What are you suggesting?”

Chen Chuishui said, “I’m suggesting that the Emperor might have feared his sudden death and wanted Duke Dingguo to assist the Crown Prince. But fearing Duke Dingguo’s arrogance, he sought to find fault and punish him. Ding Wei, having a grudge against Duke Dingguo, took this opportunity to instruct Zhong Qiao to torment him. Liang Jifen, newly appointed as the Chief Minister, wanted to make an impression on the Emperor and felt that Duke Dingguo was amassing too much military power and disrespecting the court. Thus, he turned a blind eye to Duke Dingguo’s plight. Zhong Qiao, being just a minor commander, saw that the Jinyiwei was torturing Duke Dingguo while the accompanying censor remained silent. He might have believed that Ding Wei had already secured approval from above, leading him to act recklessly and harm Duke Dingguo as Ding Wei had instructed…”

Chen Jia was present during those events.

Carefully recalling the scene, he realized this was indeed possible.

The Jinyiwei and the Censorate belonged to different circles and usually didn’t interfere with each other. Only the Emperor could keep both the Jinyiwei and the Censorate silent simultaneously.

His throat went dry as he hoarsely said, “Young Master, we did indeed all think it was the Emperor’s will at the time.”

Song Mo felt as if he had a bitter pill in his mouth.

If Chen Chuishui’s deduction was correct, his uncle’s death was truly unjust!

However, what he felt more was indignation.

How could Liang Jifen, a current cabinet minister, judge heroes based on their backgrounds?

Had all his studies gone to waste?

Song Mo thought of Liang Jifen’s face, with two deep wrinkles at the corners of his mouth that made him look harsh and unapproachable. His hands clenched into fists.

He called out loudly for Wu Yi, saying, “Quickly, go and bring back the Fifth Young Master Dou.”

Wu Yi ran out swiftly, catching up with Dou Qijun, who was in his sedan chair, at the gate of the mansion school.

Dou Qijun returned, full of bewilderment.

Song Mo asked about Liang Jifen’s matter.

Dou Qijun recalled, “I’ve also heard my sixth great-uncle mention this.”

Song Mo pulled Dou Qijun along, saying, “Come, let’s go to Huaishu Lane together.”

Dou Qijun didn’t know what had happened, but seeing Song Mo’s grim expression, he repeatedly agreed and went with Song Mo to Huaishu Lane.

Dou Shixu was also off duty today. He was talking with some young scholars from the Hanlin Academy when he heard that Song Mo and Dou Qijun had come together. After some thought, he asked his eldest son to entertain the guests while he went to the small study.