Dou Zhao looked in the direction Princess Ningde pointed and saw a girl of about fifteen or sixteen dressed as a maid. She had apricot eyes and peach-like cheeks, quite attractive, but unfamiliar.
“I don’t recognize her either,” she smiled. “But since she’s with your sister-in-law, she must be in her service. Why did you notice this maid? Would you like me to inquire about her?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Princess Ningde said. “Before you arrived, Miao was by my side, and I noticed this girl’s speech and behavior were unlike that of an ordinary maid. Yet Miao treated her rather indifferently. I wonder if she might be the one who caused such embarrassment for the Song family in public. Miao is too soft. Even if she can’t control such a person, she shouldn’t bring her to social events. Isn’t this boosting others’ confidence while diminishing her authority? No wonder Song Han doesn’t take her seriously.”
She was displeased.
Dou Zhao didn’t respond, only offering a smile to Princess Ningde.
Princess Ningde frowned, about to say more, but people began to fill the flower hall. Someone came to greet her, leaving her no time to continue the conversation with Dou Zhao, and the topic was dropped.
Dou Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.
She stayed close to Princess Ningde, sitting together, watching opera, and admiring chrysanthemums, never moving independently.
Miao Ansu found this strange and quietly asked Dou Zhao, “Sister-in-law, didn’t you say you wanted to take a closer look at the Prince of Liao’s chrysanthemums? Would you like me to attend to the Princess for a while?”
“We’re guests here after all,” Dou Zhao smiled. “There will be plenty of opportunities to see chrysanthemums. It would be improper and frivolous to leave our elders’ side in front of so many people, inviting disdain.”
Miao Ansu understood and followed Dou Zhao’s lead, prompting the Third Princess to smile at Princess Ningde, “Look how respectful your two granddaughters-in-law are to you!”
Princess Ningde chuckled, but her gaze towards Miao Ansu remained cold.
Miao Ansu felt bitter inside but still forced herself to stay with Princess Ningde—besides them, she neither knew anyone else nor did others show interest in knowing her. She even felt people pointing and whispering about her when she turned away.
She barely endured until it was time to leave when a young maid from the Prince of Liao’s household came to Dou Zhao and whispered, “Madam, the Young Master of Duke Ying says he’s waiting for you outside.”
Dou Zhao nodded with a smile, rewarding the maid with a red envelope. After seeing off Princess Ningde, she bid farewell to Miao Ansu and left through the side gate.
Miao Ansu smiled as she saw Dou Zhao off, but her carriage was nowhere to be seen. As people around her gradually left, she stood alone at the side gate for a long time. Just as the maids of the Prince of Liao’s household were preparing to clean the courtyard with brooms, her carriage finally arrived.
She couldn’t help but scold, “Why are you so late?”
The carriage driver didn’t dare respond, timidly bowing to Miao Ansu. Song Han poked his head out of the carriage and snapped at her, “What’s with all the chatter? Let’s go home!”
Miao Ansu had to swallow her dissatisfaction and grievances, climbing into the carriage herself.
Meanwhile, Dou Zhao and Song Mo were almost home.
Song Mo was massaging Dou Zhao’s shoulders while talking to her: “Are you tired? Fortunately, he’ll be leaving for Liaodong on the first day of the tenth month.”
Dou Zhao, resting her head on Song Mo’s lap with her eyes closed, said, “I’m not tired, just uncomfortable having to put on a facade with these people from the Prince of Liao’s household.” Then she asked about the Prince of Liao, “We didn’t bring Yuan’er. Did he say anything about that?”
“He asked,” Song Mo adjusted his position to make Dou Zhao more comfortable. “I said the child was too young, and we were worried he might be frightened in an unfamiliar place. He didn’t say much after that.”
Dou Zhao finally felt at ease.
Unexpectedly, a couple of days later, Song Yichun informed Song Mo and Dou Zhao that he would be hosting a return banquet for the Prince of Liao at Duke Ying’s mansion.
Song Mo stared at Song Yichun expressionlessly and said, “Do you realize what you’re saying? The Prince of Liao is feudal. Aren’t you afraid of displeasing the Crown Prince? Or do you think that since Duke Ying’s mansion will be mine in the future, its fate doesn’t concern you? How about this: why don’t you go to the palace right now and tell the Emperor you want to pass the title to me early? That way, when misfortune befalls the Duke Ying’s mansion, you might escape unscathed.”
Song Yichun’s face turned red with anger as he shouted, “You ungrateful child! Even the Emperor hasn’t said anything, yet you jump out to criticize. Do you think others care about your opinion? If you don’t like it, you don’t have to stay at home.”
So Song Mo did leave with Dou Zhao and Yuan’er to visit the lane behind the temple.
Song Mo had received a few jin of newly tribute glutinous rice from Jiangnan. Knowing that older people often enjoyed glutinous foods, he sent half to his grandmother. When they arrived, Grandmother was making tangyuan with freshly ground glutinous rice and newly preserved osmanthus sugar, along with Hong Gu. She washed her hands, put on an apron, and came out to greet them, loudly instructing her maids and elderly servants: “Quick, bring out the pastries that the Sixth Madam sent over the other day for Yuan’er to try.”
Dou Zhao was surprised and smiled, “Sixth Aunt came to visit?”
“Yes!” Grandmother smiled. “She said she came to pay her respects and brought many delicacies. Some pastries were reportedly bestowed by the palace. They look delicious. I had them stored away, waiting for you to come so Yuan’er could try them.”
Imperial-bestowed pastries might be rare for others, but for Yuan’er, who frequently visited the palace, they were nothing special. However, Grandmother’s thoughtfulness warmed their hearts.
Song Mo stepped forward to support Grandmother, chatting with her as they walked towards the main hall: “We haven’t come to see you for a few days. Have you been well? Is there anything the household needs?”
“All is well, all is well,” Grandmother looked at Song Mo, joy overflowing from her eyes.
Song Mo truly had a way with elders!
Dou Zhao thought with a hint of jealousy as she carried Yuan’er into the main hall.
In the evening, Dou Shiyingand Dou Dechang, having received word, came over for dinner.
Everyone chatted and laughed until the lamps were lit before dispersing.
What Dou Zhao and Song Mo didn’t expect was that the banquet at Duke Ying’s mansion was just ending at this time.
They ran into Song Yichun and Song Han, who were seeing off the Prince of Liao.
The Prince of Liao stepped forward and punched Song Mo’s shoulder, laughing, “You rascal, even if things aren’t like before, you don’t need to avoid me so obviously. You’re breaking my heart. But don’t worry, I didn’t linger until now just to wait for you. I was delayed at the palace, being questioned by the Empress Dowager. Don’t overthink it!”
In her previous life, Dou Zhao had once seen the Prince of Liao from afar.
Although she couldn’t see him then, the impression she got was of someone imposing, domineering, and unpredictably mysterious. But now, the Prince of Liao appeared young, generous, witty, and humorous, making people feel at ease.
She quickly glanced at the Prince of Liao before immediately lowering her gaze, curtsying, and standing behind Song Mo.
Song Mo, however, seemed a bit out of step. He respectfully bowed to the Prince of Liao and said, “I was ignorant then. Now I understand that the ruler is forever the ruler, and the subject is forever the subject. I can’t help but feel anxious. You know my personality; I fear these conflicts the most, so I had to retreat.”
“Come off it!” The Prince of Liao laughed heartily. “Are you someone who fears trouble? I think you’re just dissatisfied with me.” As he spoke, he reached out to put his arm around Song Mo’s shoulder.
Song Mo suddenly turned, instructing Dou Zhao, “The Prince’s consort didn’t come. You take Yuan’er back to the room first!” This conveniently avoided the Prince of Liao’s outstretched arm.
It seemed like a mere coincidence, but it was perhaps too coincidental.
Song Yichun stepped forward angrily, quietly hissing “Song Yantang,” his warning clear.
“It’s alright, it’s alright. Don’t scold Yantang,” the Prince of Liao waved his hand dismissively, appearing very magnanimous. “I understand that times have changed, and some things can never go back to how they were.” His expression darkened as he continued, “I shouldn’t have come back this time.”
“Your Highness misunderstands!” Song Yichun hurriedly said, “Both the Emperor and the Empress have been looking forward to your visit to the capital…”
“Let’s not speak of this,” the Prince of Liao interrupted with a smile, quickly regaining his previous cheerfulness. He pointed at Yuan’er, who had fallen asleep in his wet nurse’s arms, and said with a smile, “This is your eldest son, right? I heard his childhood name is Yuan’er, born just before or after the Emperor’s third son, and named by the Emperor himself. You’re quite fortunate. I didn’t see him that day,” he untied a jade pendant from his waist and handed it over, “Let this be a meeting gift for Yuan’er. We don’t know when we’ll meet again, so come and have a drink with me.” He turned and walked into Duke Ying’s mansion, “I’d like to ask you about what’s going on between you and Baisun. It’s caused quite a stir, even the Empress Dowager knows about it.”
Song Mo thought for a moment, then followed him into the mansion.
Seeing this, Song Yichun and Song Han hurriedly crowded around them.
Dou Zhao’s gaze swept across and caught sight of Liu Zhang standing submissively among the servants.
She glanced at Liu Zhang and headed towards Yizhi Hall.
When she turned at the ceremonial gate, she looked back, but Liu Zhang had disappeared.
Dou Zhao nodded slightly and took Yuan’er back to the inner chambers.
After bathing Yuan’er, feeding him goat’s milk, and putting him to sleep, she faintly heard the drum signaling the second watch of the night.
Dou Zhao felt a bit uneasy and asked Ruotong, “Has the Young Master not returned yet?”
“No,” Ruotong replied. “The lights are still bright in Xiangxiang Hall. The banquet hasn’t ended.”
Dou Zhao pondered for a moment, then instructed Ruotong, “Go and invite Mr. Chen over.”
Ruotong left and returned with Chen Qushui after about the time it took to burn an incense stick.
Dou Zhao quietly told Chen Qushui about Song Mo drinking with the Prince of Liao in Xiangxiang Hall, adding, “Xia Lian just escorted us back, but he can’t stay by the Young Master’s side constantly. Please have Duan Gongyi and Chen Xiaofeng find a way to secretly enter Xiangxiang Hall. Don’t let the Young Master be alone.”
Chen Qushui was greatly alarmed and immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
Despite his advanced age, he ran out of the main courtyard.
Dou Zhao sat on the kang by the window, weaving and waiting for Song Mo.
After a while, Chen Qushui returned.
With a somewhat strange expression, he said, “Madam, Lu Ming has returned to the mansion at some point.”
This meant someone was secretly protecting Song Mo.
Dou Zhao murmured “Amitabha,” then realized something was amiss.
When did Song Mo recall Lu Ming?
Why did he bring Lu Ming back?
It’s worth noting that Lu Ming was responsible for helping Song Mo train his secret guards!