Song Mo indeed wanted to go to Zhen Ding. Before heading to Qianfo Temple Alley, he had already sent someone to investigate Ji Yong’s background. He was concerned that something irreparable might happen to Wei Tingyu, so without waiting for Du Wei, who was responsible for gathering intelligence, to report back, he hurried to Qianfo Temple Alley.
Upon returning to Yizhi Hall, he received the news from Du Wei. Since Ji Yong had visited his aunt, Madam Ji of the Dou family, three years ago during his travels, he had stayed at the Dou residence multiple times. Before the imperial examination, he even borrowed a place to study at the He Shou Hall, where Dou Zhao’s grandfather had spent his later years in quietude, becoming quite familiar with Dou Zhao.
His heart churned like a stormy sea, and he struggled to control his emotions. Ji Yong had no grievances with Wei Tingyu; why would he want to harm her? Did Dou Zhao have any connection to this? If she was unaware, what was Ji Yong’s intention? If she did know… was she planning to break off the engagement with the Wei family?
A heavy stone seemed to block his chest, making it hard for him to breathe. There were countless ways to break off an engagement; why resort to harming others?
He thought of Dou Zhao’s bright laughter, her dignified yet slightly charming face, her star-like bright eyes, and her long, elegant brows. His heart felt as if it were being fried in oil. Did Dou Zhao know about this?
Could that woman, as clear and cool as a gentle breeze and bright moon, yet with a hint of warmth, truly do such a thing? Hope, doubt, disappointment, and guilt surged within him, leaving him in a state of confusion, unsure of what to do.
After running for over half an hour in Daxing, his emotions gradually calmed. He instructed Chen He, “Let’s go to Zhen Ding!”
Since childhood, his uncle had told him that if you have doubts about something, rather than wasting time guessing and pondering, it’s better to verify or refute it as quickly as possible.
Chen He glanced at Xia Lian and replied loudly, “Yes,” but inwardly he muttered, *He guessed right! The heir came to Daxing just to find an excuse to go to Zhen Ding.*
Xia Lian, however, felt no sense of pride. He smiled at Chen He, pondering whether he should remind Song Mo not to get involved in this matter. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find an appropriate moment to bring it up until they arrived in Zhen Ding.
Song Mo stood by a small river at the back of the Dou family’s estate. The summer mountains were lush with greenery, and the water flowed gently, accompanied by a refreshing breeze. This place was truly beautiful.
As he gazed at the three wild peach trees on the opposite bank, his restless heart slowly settled. He recalled Dou Zhao saying that from the peach trees, one could see the wife of the village head of Langjia Village drunkenly beating her husband, and how her father, a porter during the slack season, would always bring back a pancake for his two daughters whenever he returned from the countryside. He remembered how the daughter-in-law next door was often scolded by her mother-in-law, yet in times of crisis, the mother-in-law would rush around seeking medical help for her daughter-in-law. But that time, aside from the curling smoke from cooking fires, he had seen nothing.
Song Mo tucked the hem of his clothes into his waist and climbed the peach tree. Langjia Village and Dou Village appeared like miniature landscapes before him.
When Dou Zhao climbed the back mountain, she saw Song Mo, just as before, leaning against the trunk, standing at the fork of the tree, gazing at the scenery below.
*What has happened to him this time?*
Yesterday, she received a letter from Chen Qu Shui, detailing everything that had transpired recently.
In this life, two people who had previously disliked each other could come together; aside from having a common goal, she couldn’t fathom why they would tolerate each other.
Dou Zhao was certain that Wang Yinxue and Wei Tingzhen were colluding, and she was also sure that with Wang Yinxue’s involvement, her plan to break off the engagement would proceed more smoothly. Thus, her mood was quite good.
She didn’t think much of Song Mo’s sudden request to see her.
Holding up her skirt, she stepped across the blue stones in the river, shielding her face from the sunlight with her hand, and asked Song Mo, “What did the heir see?”
In the past, she had called him Mei Gongzi, then she called him the heir, and now she simply referred to him as the heir.
She had never truly feared him in her heart, unlike the people from the capital who, after killing their guards and leaving the bodies in the courtyard, felt a bit apprehensive when facing him. Dou Zhao had never questioned him.
Song Mo couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and smile, “Want to know? Then come up here!”
*Who has the energy to play with you on such a hot day?* Dou Zhao thought to herself, but she smiled and said, “I’m wearing a white embroidered dress today; I don’t want to get it dirty.”
Song Mo was momentarily taken aback. *Is that a reason to refuse?*
He burst into laughter.
His laughter startled the guards accompanying him, who all glanced over at Song Mo and Dou Zhao.
Chen He couldn’t help but sigh. The heir always seemed so happy whenever he encountered Dou Zhao.
Xia Lian, however, secretly sighed as well.
Song Mo jumped down from the tree.
Dou Zhao asked him, “How is your injury?”
“It’s nothing serious now,” Song Mo replied with a smile, his gaze lingering on Dou Zhao’s brows as he scrutinized her as if trying to see her. His expression gradually turned serious. “I came to tell you something.” He hesitated, noticing the fine beads of sweat on Dou Zhao’s forehead. Thinking the woods would be cooler than this spot, he moved toward the trees while succinctly informing Dou Zhao about Ji Yong and Wei Tingyu staying overnight in Qianfo Temple Alley. He didn’t mention anything about Wei Tingyu partnering with Ji Yong in business, only saying he had heard Gu Yu mention it and knew Ji Yong was Dou Zhao’s future husband, which felt off to him, prompting his visit.
Dou Zhao was taken aback. *How could this happen?*
She had spent over half a year planning, and now it was just one step away… What was Ji Yong doing here?
Could it be that, like last time, he would uncover everything if she revealed even a hint?
Dou Zhao didn’t know what to say.
Although she wanted to break off the engagement, she had never intended to harm Wei Tingyu.
Happiness gained through hurting others was not true happiness.
She struggled to keep her furrowed brows from knitting tightly, but her expression gradually grew serious. “Is this true?”
Song Mo nodded earnestly. “It happened three days ago. Ji Jianming did not deny it.”
No wonder she was unaware. At that time, Chen Qu Shui had already set off back to Zhen Ding.
This was indeed Ji Yong’s style!
Dou Zhao forced a smile and sincerely thanked Song Mo, “Thank you for coming to tell me!”
Song Mo had rushed to Zhen Ding in just three days to personally inform her, indicating he recognized the seriousness of the matter.
Now, this was troublesome!
With Ji Yong’s interference, even if Wei Tingzhen didn’t immediately grasp his intentions, the astute Zhang Yuanming would likely figure it out.
Breaking off her engagement with the Wei family was one thing—her dissatisfaction with Wei Tingyu—but the Wei family’s dissatisfaction with her was another.
Once Wei Tingzhen learned of this, she would undoubtedly feel humiliated, and Dou Zhao could forget about breaking off the engagement discreetly.
Ji Yong was truly… more trouble than he was worth! His destructive power was extraordinary… This matter would require careful consideration.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.