Touched by Song Mo’s filial piety, Dou Shiying naturally didn’t want to trouble him and said, “I’ll go alone. You stay home and rest well.”
He feared Dou Shishu might misunderstand that Song Mo had urged him to go to Huaishu Hutong.
Seeing Dou Shiying’s resolute attitude, Song Mo didn’t insist. However, as soon as Dou Shiying left Jing’an Temple Hutong, he headed to Yuqiao Hutong.
Dou Qijun had gone out to socialize with colleagues.
Song Mo tracked him down to the tavern where he was drinking.
Dou Qijun’s attendant brought out the red-faced Dou Qijun.
Inside the carriage, Song Mo informed him about Dou Shishu recommending Dou Shiying to tutor the Crown Prince’s eldest son.
Dou Qijun sobered up instantly from fear: “I’ll go see Fifth Great-Uncle first thing tomorrow morning.”
He hadn’t realized the situation was so dire – the Dou family could be labeled as part of the Crown Prince’s faction or Prince Liao’s faction at any moment.
Song Mo nodded and said, “Go back to your drinking. I’ll head home first.”
Dou Qijun was in no mood to drink anymore and asked Song Mo to take him back to Yuqiao Hutong.
In the carriage, he worriedly said, “If Fifth Great-Uncle asks, I’ll say these are insights from my recent observations in court. I just don’t know if Fifth Uncle will listen.”
“Whether he listens or not, you must have a good talk with Fifth Uncle,” Song Mo advised him. “Now is not the time to take sides.”
Dou Qijun nodded.
The two parted ways at the entrance of Yuqiao Hutong.
Song Mo hurried back to Jing’an Temple Hutong.
Entering the inner room of the east wing, he saw Dou Zhao drinking a bowl of pigeon soup.
The enticing aroma made Song Mo’s stomach growl.
He suddenly realized he hadn’t eaten much all day.
Dou Zhao quickly ordered the kitchen to bring in a table of dishes for Song Mo.
Song Mo found it troublesome and said, “Just bring me some snacks to fill my stomach.”
“How can that be enough?” Dou Zhao came forward to help him take off his outer robe and called for a maid to bring water. “By the looks of it, you probably didn’t have a proper lunch. You can’t always make do like this. Be careful not to harm your health in the long run.”
As she spoke, a cook from the kitchen had already brought over a tray table.
It was filled with dishes – minced meat with pickled vegetables and yellow beans, braised pork belly with garlic, steamed eggplant puree, sesame chicken… all freshly made.
Song Mo was surprised.
Ganlu smiled and said, “The woman who delivered the vegetables said that when the master returned from court and didn’t see the young master, he said the young master probably couldn’t eat well in the palace. So he ordered the kitchen not to extinguish the stove fire and be ready to serve food at any time.”
Hearing this, Song Mo fell silent for a moment, then looked up and smiled at Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao’s heart melted. She smiled and pushed Song Mo to sit on the kang bed, personally setting out chopsticks for him.
Song Mo lowered his head and began eating heartily.
Dou Shiying returned.
Song Mo and Dou Zhao quickly stood up.
“Please, sit down. Eating is important,” Dou Shiying said, seeing one eating and the other sitting nearby doing needlework. He craned his neck to look into the inner room and asked, “Where’s Yuan? Is he asleep?”
“He just fell asleep,” Dou Zhao replied, taking the tea offered by the maid and placing it in front of Dou Shiying.
“That’s good,” Dou Shiying said with satisfaction. “Children who eat and sleep well will grow tall.” Then he gestured for Song Mo to sit down, “Eat your meal, don’t mind me.”
Song Mo looked at the sumptuous dishes, smiled, sat down, and began eating without restraint.
Dou Shiying watched with a slight smile. After Song Mo finished eating, they moved to Song Mo’s small study to rest. Dou Shiying recounted his visit to Huaishu Hutong: “…I spoke frankly with Fifth Brother. Although he was somewhat displeased, seeing my insistence, he didn’t say much more. He just told me to think it through carefully to avoid regrets later.”
Song Mo smiled and asked, “So, Father-in-law, will you regret it in the future?”
“There might be some regret,” Dou Shiying laughed. “But compared to regret, I’m more afraid of an uneasy conscience.”
Perhaps this was why Dou Shiying had remained alone in his quarters for so many years.
Song Mo personally brewed tea for Dou Shiying, accompanying him in discussing court affairs and sharing amusing anecdotes about various officials.
Dou Shiying found the evening very enjoyable. After checking on little Yuan and advising them to rest early, he left with a smile on his face.
After washing up, Song Mo and Dou Zhao leaned against the large welcoming pillow on the kang bed by the window, talking.
“Why did you come back so late?” Dou Zhao asked.
“After leaving the palace, I went to the Lu mansion,” Song Mo told Dou Zhao about asking Princess Ningde to act as a matchmaker for Jiang Yan.
Dou Zhao thought that although Jiang Yan had just suffered a great misfortune, it wasn’t necessary to discuss marriage so soon. However, if she could find a good family, settling the marriage early would be fine. She smiled and said, “When I return, I’ll start preparing the dowry for Sister Yan.”
Her words stirred up Song Mo’s concerns again.
He said, “Tomorrow I’ll go see Father and have Song Han return Mother’s dowry.”
Dou Zhao said, “I’m afraid they won’t be so amenable.”
“They don’t have a choice,” Song Mo said coldly. “It was fine when the palace didn’t know about this, but now that they do, even if I force Song Han to return Mother’s dowry, the palace will likely turn a blind eye.”
That was true.