The Dou family sent several maids along with the carriage, while Wei Tingzhen escorted Tian Shi back to the Jining Marquis’s residence.
Wei Tingyu, having received the news, was already waiting at the entrance of the Chuihua Gate.
“Mother, how could she suddenly faint?” He rushed forward, lifting the curtain to ask Wei Tingzhen, “Is she alright? What did the doctor say?”
Since there were still maids from the Dou family by the carriage, Tian Shi had no choice but to continue pretending to be unconscious.
Wei Tingzhen, however, sneered a few times and said, “Ask your wife!”
What did this have to do with Dou Ming?
Wei Tingyu was taken aback.
Seeing her brother’s bewilderment, Wei Tingzhen felt a surge of anger. She pushed Wei Tingyu aside and, with the help of her maid, got down from the carriage.
The Wei family’s servants hurriedly brought over a soft sedan chair.
Wei Tingzhen directed the servants to lift Tian Shi into the sedan chair, dismissing the Dou family’s maids, and with Jin Mama and the others surrounding the sedan chair, they entered through the Chuihua Gate without even glancing at Wei Tingyu as if he were a stranger.
Wei Tingyu felt an indescribable discomfort in his heart.
He silently followed Wei Tingzhen into the east wing, sitting in a grand chair in the hall, waiting for her to come out while keeping his head down.
When Wei Tingzhen saw her brother in such a cowardly state, she felt both angry and helpless. She exaggerated the incident in Huai Tree Alley and said, “Mother is fine now. The only thing she worries about is you. Go see her!” She added, “If you could manage your wife, how could Mother suffer such humiliation from the Dou family?”
Wei Tingyu’s face turned purple with anger as he turned to leave.
Wei Tingzhen quickly grabbed him, saying, “Where are you going?”
“I want to divorce Dou Ming!” Wei Tingyu said furiously. “I would rather be alone for the rest of my life than be with a woman with such a venomous heart!”
“That’s nonsense!” Wei Tingzhen shouted. “What kind of family is the Dou family? Do you think you can just divorce Dou Ming? What about Mother? If you divorce her, what will happen to our mother? I thought you had matured since getting married, but you still act like a child!”
This matter was ultimately related to Tian Shi, and mentioning it inevitably dragged her into the conversation.
Wei Tingyu hung his head, speechless and dejected.
Seeing his pain, Wei Tingzhen’s voice softened. “Don’t worry too much. Mother said she would personally teach her the rules. As long as she listens, there is still hope.”
What else could be done?
Wei Tingyu was filled with regret.
Wei Tingzhen took his hand. “Alright, let’s not talk about these distressing matters. Let’s go see Mother and keep her company.”
Wei Tingyu nodded, and they entered the inner room together.
Meanwhile, Dou Ming, resting in Tian Shi’s inner chamber, heard the commotion and quickly sent out Mama Zhou to inquire. Upon learning that Tian Shi and Wei Tingzhen had gone to Huai Tree Alley to scold her but ended up being reprimanded by the Dou family and fainting, she trembled with anger and exclaimed, “I must have been blind! I thought my mother-in-law was kind-hearted, but she is nothing more than a wasp with a stinger, pretending to be virtuous. She’s a hundred times more disgusting than those who speak ill of others!” She then asked, “Where is the marquis? Is he being dragged around by my sister-in-law, talking nonsense?”
Dou Ming had the little maid inform Wei Tingyu’s servant about her miscarriage. Sure enough, Wei Tingyu, putting aside past grievances, rushed over. Not only did he discuss with the doctor what medicine to use, but he also personally checked the herbs before sending Mama Zhou to prepare the medicine. His attentive attitude provided her with some comfort after losing her child.
However, this warmth lasted less than half an hour before Wei Tingyu was called away by his servant and did not return.
Mama Zhou advised, “Madam, your body is still weak. You shouldn’t concern yourself with these matters. No matter how much the Old Madam and your sister-in-law stir things up, the fact remains that they caused you to lose your son. The Dou family won’t let them get away with it.”
Dou Ming was still filled with resentment. She instructed Mama Zhou, “Find a way to send a message to Liuye Alley and inform my maternal grandmother about my situation.”
Mama Zhou, feeling that the Wei family was being too overbearing, nodded in agreement and quietly sent someone to deliver the message.
Meanwhile, far away at Duke Ying’s residence in the eastern part of the city, Dou Zhao was completely unaware of what was happening at the Jining Marquis’s residence.
Song Mo was almost counting the days of her pregnancy. As soon as she reached three months, he invited the most skilled gynecologist from the Tai Hospital, Wang Benju, to diagnose Dou Zhao. Without any surprise, he confirmed that she was indeed pregnant. Before Wang Benju could leave, Song Mo sent someone to Jing’an Temple Alley and Cat Alley to share the good news. Just as Wang Benju’s medicine for preserving the pregnancy was about to be prepared, Dou Shiying arrived with a large bundle of supplements, dragging Song Mo into a drunken stupor.
He patted Song Mo’s shoulder and handed him a stack of silver notes, urging him to take good care of Dou Zhao and not to make her angry. Even if he had to sleep alone, he should avoid causing trouble at home. There were plenty of private courtyards in the alleys around Qianfo Temple, and they should ensure the child was born safely before anything else.
Dou Zhao was both amused and exasperated.
That evening, after Song Mo returned and washed up, he leaned against the headboard as usual to read.
She rested her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist, and asked, “I heard there are many private courtyards near Qianfo Temple?”
These little rascals only knew how to please Dou Zhao. Whatever he said to others, they would relay it to her, leaving no secrets between them.
Song Mo thought to himself, realizing that it was all his fault for indulging them, but he didn’t feel angry; instead, he found it amusing.
His eyes were fixed on the book, but his thoughts were entirely on her waist—Dou Zhao’s delicate hand, cool to the touch, was rubbing against him, occasionally pausing as if hesitating whether to continue.
“Of course!” he replied absentmindedly. “And they all resemble Zhao Zhi Shu, selling dog meat under the guise of mutton, each with its unique charm. It’s truly a great place to pass the time.”
Dou Zhao playfully bit his ear and whispered, “So, do you want to go?”
“Of course!” Song Mo put down his book and said seriously, “Any man would want to go!”
For some reason, even though it was just playful banter between husband and wife, Dou Zhao felt a twinge of discomfort upon hearing him say that, even a bit dejected as she lay down and asked, “Is Zhao Zhi Shu the top courtesan there?”
Just like how new dishes were introduced at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the most popular courtyards in Qianfo Temple Alley were well-known among the elegant young men of the capital. Although Song Mo rarely ventured into Qianfo Temple, he had heard of the unique features of the most popular courtyards. He had intended to tease Dou Zhao about it, but when he turned to look at her, he noticed a hint of embarrassment in her eyes, and her smile had lost its sweetness.
Could it be that Dou Zhao was feeling jealous?
This thought suddenly crossed his mind.
He immediately dismissed the idea.
Dou Zhao had always been generous; how could she be jealous over something so unreasonable?
Despite thinking this, his gaze couldn’t help but linger on her.
Dou Zhao’s expression showed a hint of disappointment, lacking the earlier joy…