Dou Zhao made up her mind to let things run their course and stop worrying about Dou Dechang’s affairs. After all, it was his life to live, and others had no right to interfere in whether it was good or bad.
She began preparing autumn clothes for the household.
Meanwhile, Song Yichun was contemplating whether he should take a second wife—it wasn’t proper for his household to lack a legitimate female presence.
But who should he marry?
Just thinking about it made Song Yichun’s nose wrinkle in anger.
If it weren’t for that unfilial son Song Mo, how could he have lost control over his son and become a laughingstock among the noble circles of the capital?
Fortunately, the Empress had shown mercy and arranged a position for Song Han, salvaging some of his face.
Considering this, he thought he should go to the palace to thank the Empress.
Song Yichun ordered Zeng Wu to open the storehouse.
Song Han came to visit Song Yichun, bringing some sugar-roasted peanuts from Yao Ji’s shop.
Song Yichun was delighted and took out an ancient painting from the previous dynasty from a chest, saying, “In a few days, we’ll go to the palace together to kowtow to the Empress and thank her for taking care of you.”
This was also the purpose of Song Han’s visit.
His father was unreliable, and Song Mo couldn’t be counted on, so he had no choice but to try to cling tightly to the Empress’s powerful support. Otherwise, his position in the Imperial Guards would be nothing more than idling away his days.
Song Han happily agreed and went home to make several new outfits. On the day of the palace visit, after careful selection with Miao Ruosu, Liu Hong, and Ji Hong, he wore a sapphire blue brocade robe with floral patterns to the palace.
The Empress, seeing Song Han’s tall and handsome figure and refined manner, nodded repeatedly and smiled at Song Yichun, saying, “Both of the Duke’s sons are talented and handsome. It’s truly rare.”
Song Yichun, however, couldn’t stand hearing praise for Song Mo. He immediately said, “You’re too kind to these children. Tianen is still all right, honest, and kind-hearted. But Tianci is a troublemaker, not to be messed with! You can ask anyone outside, who doesn’t know that Duke Ying has a hellraiser for a son?”
The Empress laughed heartily and said, “It seems all parents are the same. They see other people’s children as good but find fault with their own. In my opinion, your Yangtang is already quite exceptional. Look at all the court officials—who are younger than Yangtang? You should be content!”
Song Yichun vaguely sensed that the Empress wasn’t averse to his criticism of Song Mo.
Could it be because Song Mo’s refusal of the King of Liao’s request to marry Jiang Yan had made the Empress lose face?
He was looking for an opportunity to severely criticize Song Mo in front of the Emperor and Empress, so he smiled and said, “Your Majesty, you don’t know, he’s been spoiled by his mother since childhood, very willful, always having his way. But in this world, things don’t go as we wish eight or nine times out of ten. How can everything go his way?
His temper… Ai! Not to mention things from long ago, just recently, Tianen’s brother-in-law had a friend who wanted to join the Five Cities Military Command. He went to talk to Tianci, but for some reason, Tianci was in a bad mood. Not only did he not help, but he also scolded Tianen, saying he had no respect for his elder brother and didn’t know the rules. Tianen was so embarrassed his face turned red, and to this day, he doesn’t dare to face his brother-in-law. And a few days ago…”
He rambled on, listing many of Song Mo’s faults.
The Empress initially listened with a smile, but later her brows furrowed tightly. She said, “I always thought Yangtang was very obedient and sensible. I didn’t expect him to be like this in private. It seems he has changed a lot since Madam Jiang passed away.”
If the Empress could intervene to deal with Song Mo, that would be ideal.
Song Yichun thought of the Empress’s methods, and a smile involuntarily spread from his eyes.
“Indeed!” he sighed, “When his mother was alive, who didn’t praise him as a ‘good child’? I don’t know how he turned out like this. What’s more, he’s grown up now, not only married but also has a son. I can’t scold him in front of his wife and child, can I? But if this continues, I’m afraid his temper will only get worse. I don’t know what to do!”
The Empress smiled slightly, her tone carrying a hint of probing, “Why don’t I find an opportunity to talk to him?”
Song Yichun was overjoyed inside, but his face showed some helplessness as he shook his head and said, “He’s now in a high position with great power. I’m afraid he won’t even listen to Your Majesty. It would be better if he could be taught a lesson.”
Now it was the Empress’s turn to be delighted inwardly.
She smiled and said, “I’ll remember this. When I have time, I’ll give him a good scolding.”
Song Yichun gratefully thanked her, and he and Song Han withdrew.
The two walked out of the palace in silence.
Song Han hurriedly said, “Father, about the Empress…”
Song Yichun glared at Song Han fiercely and said, “Don’t say what shouldn’t be said, don’t ask what shouldn’t be asked. Just remember, this world still belongs to the Emperor, to the noble people in the palace.”
Song Han nodded, and even after returning home, excitement was still evident in his expression.
That night, after a wild time with Liu Hong and Ji Hong, he lazily ordered them to help him wash up.
Miao Ansu sat on the large kang bed in the east wing, silently regretting her decision.
If she had known it would be like this, she shouldn’t have angrily moved to the east wing to spend the night. Now, Song Han had brazenly taken Liu Hong and Ji Hong to sleep in the inner chamber. It was fortunate that she had moved out to her residence, and everyone in this courtyard was her confidant. If they were still in Duke Ying’s mansion, probably every servant with any status could spit in her face.
As this thought flashed through her mind, she had a sudden realization.
Liu Hong and Ji Hong were only of average looks. If Song Han only liked beautiful women, why didn’t he buy a few pretty maids to serve him? Why did he insist on having Liu Hong and Ji Hong share his bed?
Perhaps he was just trying to humiliate her!
Thinking of this, Miao Ansu felt as if her heart was being cut by a knife.
How had her life turned out like this?
Was there no other way?
Miao Ansu silently wept.
Ji Hong tiptoed in.
Miao Ansu quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
Ji Hong, however, fell to her knees in front of Miao Ansu and began to cry silently.
The hatred that had just welled up in Miao Ansu’s chest instantly vanished.
She gently supported Ji Hong’s shoulders and said, “Get up! In a few days, you should mention to the Second Master about making you a concubine.”
Ji Hong shook her head, tears streaming down her face, and took off her clothes, revealing her fair and round shoulders.
They were covered in blue and purple bruises, with bite marks that had broken the skin.
These were not marks left by normal lovemaking.
Miao Ansu was terrified at the sight.
Ji Hong sobbed, “Madam, for the sake of my service to you since childhood, please arrange for me to leave. As long as it’s not a brothel, I’m willing to go anywhere…”
Miao Ansu bit her lip and asked, “What about Liu Hong?”
“She’s still dreaming that one day the master will make her a concubine!” Ji Hong said, “She’s enduring it all.”
Miao Ansu couldn’t sleep all night and only closed her eyes when it was bright daylight.
But as soon as she fell asleep, she was awakened by a commotion.
Irritated, she lifted the curtain and scolded the maid on duty nearby, “Who’s making all this noise?”
The young maid quickly ran out and came back, reporting, “It’s Sister Liu Hong. She says she’s not feeling well and wants Maid Miao to call a doctor. Maid Miao said you were resting and to wait until you woke up, so Liu Hong started crying and making a fuss.”
As she spoke, she carefully observed Miao Ansu’s expression.
Miao Ansu was so angry she almost coughed up blood.
After serving Song Han for just a few nights, even the young maid spoke hesitantly about Liu Hong’s affairs. If she let Song Han continue to act recklessly like this, where would she have a place in this household?
She called Maid Miao in and said, “Isn’t Liu Hong saying she’s unwell? To prevent the illness from spreading to others, take a few people and send her to the country estate to recover.”
Maid Miao smiled and curtsied in agreement.
But within the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, Maid Miao returned with an awkward expression, lowering her head as she said, “Madam, Liu Hong’s little maid ran to inform the Second Master, and he sent people to take Liu Hong to the outer courtyard.”
Miao Ansu felt a sweetness in her mouth and her vision went black as she fainted.
When she regained consciousness, it was already lamp-lighting time.
Maid Miao and Ji Hong were anxiously surrounding her, but Liu Hong and Song Han were nowhere to be seen.
She couldn’t help but clench her teeth in hatred.
In any other noble household, if such a thing happened in a newly married daughter-in-law’s room, she could go to her mother-in-law to reason things out.
But she had no mother-in-law!
Not only that but she had also been given her separate residence early on.
Who could she turn to with such grievances?
Her own family?
It would be good enough if they didn’t bleed her dry, let alone expect them to stand up for her.
Song Mo?
He didn’t even care about the Duke’s life and death, let alone managing her affairs.
Dou Zhao?
She hesitated.
Even when Jiang Yan was widowed and returned home, Dou Zhao treated her kindly and helped her find a new marriage. It showed that Dou Zhao was a kind-hearted person.
Moreover, Dou Zhao was both her sister-in-law and the matriarch of the Song family. It would be reasonable for her to ask her sister-in-law to intervene in her matters.
Thinking of this, she felt her breathing become easier. She struggled to get up and said, “Prepare a carriage. I want to go to Duke Ying’s mansion.”
Maid Miao and Ji Hong were stunned. Ji Hong hesitated and said, “It’s so late. Why don’t you go tomorrow? I heard that the Young Master doesn’t have any concubines or bedchamber attendants. He returns to the main courtyard after finishing his official duties…”
As a sister-in-law, Miao Ansu should avoid suspicion.
“Go now,” Miao Ansu insisted, unable to wait even a moment longer. “Quietly, don’t let the Second Master know.”
After all, this household belonged to Song Han. If he became ruthless and confined her and her servants, they would truly have nowhere to turn for help.
Maid Miao and Ji Hong dared not disobey. One went to arrange the carriage, while the other helped Miao Ansu dress and prepare to go to Duke Ying’s mansion.
Young Master Yuan had just turned one year old when he suddenly started walking.
Song Mo thought about how the three royal grandsons still needed to be carried and felt that his son was no ordinary child.
Realizing that autumn was approaching, he had a large kang bed built in the warm room, occupying two-thirds of the space. Every day after finishing his official duties, he would bring Yuan to practice walking on the kang. As they practiced, he would encourage Yuan, “You’re doing great! I’ve never seen a child walk more steadily than you. You’ll be a martial arts prodigy when you grow up! I heard your great-uncle only started walking two months after turning one. You’re walking even earlier than him, which shows you’ll grow up to be a great hero like your great-uncle!”
Yuan didn’t seem to understand, but every time Song Mo said this, he would stop and giggle at him.
Dou Zhao stood by the kang with a handkerchief, laughing so hard she couldn’t straighten up—after Song Mo finished his official duties, she had nothing to do and had been reduced to a servant wiping Yuan’s sweat and serving tea.