Blossom Recap, Plot, Synopsis

Blossom Synopsis

Dou Zhao, who lost her mother at a young age, becomes disillusioned with love and familial affection due to the hardships and upheavals in her life. Facing challenges such as scheming stepmothers and safeguarding her family’s assets, she retreats to a remote estate, dedicating herself to learning and self-reliance. On a stormy night, she encounters Song Mo, disguised as a merchant seeking shelter at her estate. Using her intelligence, she helps him protect the orphaned descendants of the Duke of Dingguo, who had rendered meritorious service in quelling rebels. This fateful encounter intertwines their destinies.

Song Mo, born into a prominent bureaucratic family, is entangled in the mysteries surrounding his family’s downfall, while Dou Zhao faces malicious rumors of an arranged marriage swap instigated by her stepmother. To form an alliance and navigate their respective crises, they agree to marry. Though initially mistrustful of each other, they gradually develop mutual respect, understanding, and affection through shared struggles, becoming confidants and soulmates.

However, as political turmoil looms and the imperial court is thrown into chaos, Dou Zhao and Song Mo join forces to confront the impending challenges. Together, they save their families, unravel the mystery of the Duke of Yingguo’s child-swapping scandal, thwart the Prince of Liao’s treasonous plot, redress the injustices faced by loyal officials, and ensure the peace and stability of the nation. In the process, they carve out a life of true happiness and fulfillment for themselves.

Blossom Recap

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In the twenty-seventh year of the Chengping era, during the severe winter, the emperor fell gravely ill and ceased court affairs. Taking advantage of the situation, Song Mo, the General of the Cavalry, supported Prince Qing under the guise of attending to the emperor's illness and launched a surprise attack on the capital at night. His intent was to redress the injustice suffered by the Duke of Dingguo in the past.

Song Mo imprisoned the crown prince, forcing him to abdicate. Although the crown prince knew Song Mo's motives were to clear the Duke of Dingguo's name, he would rather die than comply. Before taking his own life, the crown prince cryptically warned Song Mo that he was seeking revenge on the wrong person, leaving Song Mo puzzled. Madam Dou Zhao of the Marquis of Jining’s household had long anticipated Prince Qing and Song Mo's rebellion.

She made preparations in advance, though outside, Song Mo’s forces caused a massacre. The household servants, terrified, attempted to flee with stolen belongings but were harshly punished by Dou Zhao. Even the Marquis, Wei Tingyu, scolded the servants for gossiping about the situation. At this time, Song Mo entered the palace, seeking an audience with Prince Qing, but was blocked by Wang Ge, the eunuch holding the imperial seal.

Wang Ge claimed that Prince Qing was discussing state affairs with the emperor and could not meet him. He suggested Song Mo leave the seal to earn merit. Song Mo, however, insisted that his only purpose was to rectify past wrongs and left with the seal. He stationed his troops outside the city, refusing to leave until Prince Qing agreed to see him, which plunged the situation into deeper chaos.

To protect the Marquis's household, Dou Zhao, despite her deteriorating health, took charge of all matters. She ordered materials to be brought into the courtyard, claiming her illness required constant care. This kept Wei Tingyu from leaving the house, ensuring temporary safety from the external turmoil. Dou Zhao’s health worsened, and she began coughing blood. Her maid, Tuo Niang, blamed Wei Tingyu for neglecting Dou Zhao. Yet Dou Zhao remained indifferent to his absence, continuing to manage the household diligently.

One day, noticing blooming flowers outside, she went out to enjoy them but caught the scent of medicinal herbs. Realizing Dou Ming was making medicine for her, she was comforted and hurried to the kitchen to thank her. However, she unexpectedly discovered Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu in a clandestine affair. Overhearing their conversation, she learned that Wei Tingyu harbored no feelings for her and wished for her death so he could marry Dou Ming.

Heartbroken, Dou Zhao interrupted them, yet proposed a shocking solution: she suggested taking Tuo Niang and leaving, believing that Dou Ming, as a Dou family member, could solidify relations between the two families through marriage. However, she soon overheard another revelation—Dou Ming’s mother and Dou Zhao’s mother had been sworn sisters, but Dou Zhao’s father had an affair with Dou Ming’s mother, leading to her mother’s death.

Overcome with rage and grief, Dou Zhao realized all her efforts for the household had been for the benefit of others. Dou Zhao instructed Tuo Niang to spread word of a fire in the kitchen, drawing everyone to extinguish it. She then exposed Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu's affair and demanded answers about her mother’s death. In the aftermath, Dou Zhao burned Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu's clothes, trapping them inside and publicly declaring their disgrace to the household staff.

She renounced her title as Madam of the Marquis of Jining, severed all ties with the household, and left. Dou Ming, humiliated, regretted not heeding her mother’s earlier advice to poison Dou Zhao and end her life sooner. Dou Zhao, now traveling by carriage, distributed food to refugees she encountered, unable to bear their plight. Watching the snow fall mirrored her emotions. Recalling her mother’s death during her childhood, she asked Tuo Niang about suspicious events from that time.

Tuo Niang revealed that after Dou Zhao’s father became a Jinshi scholar, coinciding with Dou Ming’s birthday, her mother sent Dou Ming to share the good news with her uncle Zhao Si. Shortly after, her mother passed away, and Wang Yingxue married into the household. Suddenly, Dou Zhao’s carriage overturned when she swerved to avoid a child on the road. Fortunately, Song Mo arrived in time to save her.

Despite his rumored cruelty, Dou Zhao found him to be quite different. Song Mo comforted the child with a few words, stopping their tears. At that moment, Ji Yong, a monk, approached, advising Song Mo to avoid further bloodshed since he could bring peace to others. Song Mo was displeased with the chaos caused by war but listened as Dou Zhao explained her return journey.

When she coughed violently and couldn’t continue, Ji Yong checked her pulse and sarcastically commented that her condition suggested she was rushing to the afterlife. Under Song Mo’s arrangements, Dou Zhao and her companions found temporary shelter. As the turmoil continued, Song Mo investigated the reasons behind Dou Zhao’s sudden departure. Dou Zhao revealed the truth, and Song Mo expressed sympathy, admiring her decisiveness amidst misfortune. Dou Zhao, curious about Song Mo’s white hair, questioned him.

Song Mo, coughing up blood, avoided explaining, saying it wasn’t worth discussing. Feeling a shared fate as two dying individuals, Dou Zhao empathized with him. Ji Yong then entered, declaring that the strange celestial phenomenon of the day signified intertwined destinies, though Dou Zhao dismissed his words as overly flattering. Soon, Wang Ge and Wei Tingyu arrived with troops, accusing Dou Zhao and Song Mo of collusion and demanding the return of the seal followed by their deaths.

Unfazed, Song Mo lamented Prince Qing’s betrayal and revealed he had already made arrangements. He hinted that Prince Qing was likely dead, but Wang Ge dismissed this as a bluff. Amid the standoff, Ji Yong took the opportunity to help Dou Zhao and Tuo Niang escape. A fierce battle ensued. Wang Ge’s subordinate Chen Jia pursued Dou Zhao and her group, intent on proving Song Mo’s guilt by killing her.

Despite his fears, Wei Tingyu believed that Dou Zhao’s death would solidify their plans. Chen Jia caught up with Dou Zhao and her companions in Shandong, killing Tuo Niang and Ji Yong. When he was about to strike Dou Zhao, Song Mo arrived just in time to save her, though he was injured in the process. Dou Zhao blamed herself, explaining she was unaware of Wei Tingyu’s schemes.

Song Mo reassured her, believing his actions had brought misfortune upon her as well. As they prepared to leave, Ji Yong handed them a book, *Records of the Enlightened Age*, urging them to change their fate before dying. While fleeing, Song Mo and Dou Zhao were ambushed again, falling into a deep ravine after being struck. As time seemed to reverse, Dou Zhao glimpsed the book floating toward her and slowly closed her eyes.

When Dou Zhao awoke, a boy nearby told her she had been daydreaming while reading, hitting her head on a mirror. Looking at her reflection, she saw a wound on her forehead and realized she had returned to her childhood. Before she could process the situation, her mother, Zhao Guqiu, and Tuo Niang rushed in, worried about her injury. Seeing her family alive and well, Dou Zhao tearfully embraced them, learning it was the eighth year of the Chengping era.

Recalling the events recorded in *Records of the Enlightened Age*, Dou Zhao resolved to change her fate and prevent past tragedies from repeating.

After Zhao Guqiu returned to her room, she was pressured to agree to Dou Shiying marrying Wang Yingxue. This led to a heated argument between Zhao Si and Dou Shiying’s elder brother. Dou Shiying’s brother argued that since Zhao Guqiu only had one daughter, Wang Yingxue, with her respectable family background, was a suitable choice. Wang Yingxue feigned sorrow, even pretending to want to end her life. Zhao Guqiu, frustrated, threw her hairpin at Wang Yingxue, effectively conceding.

Wang Yingxue continued her act of despair, and Dou Shiying held her tightly. Dou Zhao overheard everything in the room and rushed in to ask what had happened. Dou Shiying lied, claiming Wang Yingxue was merely an ordinary person. Seizing the opportunity, Dou Zhao tried to expel Wang Yingxue. However, Wang Yingxue feigned weakness and fell, prompting Dou Shiying to show concern.

He declared that Wang Yingxue had cared for him closely during his illness, which led to his asthma, and thus he couldn’t abandon her. Carrying Wang Yingxue in his arms, Dou Shiying left, determined to look after her. Dou Zhao, heartbroken, comforted her mother. Dou Zhao reassured Zhao Guqiu that as long as she didn’t consent, Dou Shiying wouldn’t be able to take a concubine, and Wang Yingxue would remain an outsider.

Dou Zhao explained that Wang Yingxue’s father, Wang Xingyi, would never approve of the situation. Zhao Guqiu was stunned by her daughter’s wisdom. Dou Zhao also reminded her mother that she could seek a divorce. If Zhao Guqiu left, Dou Zhao promised to follow her, and they could rely on Zhao Si, who was well-versed in law, to ensure they stayed together.

Wang Yingxue blamed her asthma on the magnolia trees, which were Zhao Guqiu’s favorite flowers and a symbol of her love with Dou Shiying. Whenever Zhao Guqiu saw the trees, she remembered their sweet moments. Yet, Dou Shiying ordered the trees to be cut down to avoid triggering Wang Yingxue’s asthma. Zhao Guqiu resisted, but Dou Shiying knelt and pleaded. Reluctantly, Zhao Guqiu agreed, but as the flowers fell, so did her emotions.

She returned to her room and coughed uncontrollably, her heart heavy with sorrow. One day, Dou Zhao played on a swing alongside her cousin from Zhao Si’s family. Dou Shiying came to push the swing, explaining that he had built it for Zhao Guqiu. Dou Zhao furiously rebuked her father for dividing his love between two women and failing to weigh the importance of his promises.

Although Dou Shiying cared deeply for both Zhao Guqiu and Dou Zhao, he resolved to send Wang Yingxue away to ease their pain. However, his elder brother dissuaded him, encouraging him to focus on expanding the family lineage. Meanwhile, Wang Yingxue revealed she was pregnant, leaving Dou Shiying unable to act. As he wrestled with his dilemma, a servant rushed in to report that Zhao Guqiu had passed away.

Dou Shiying hurried to the scene, finding Dou Zhao weeping bitterly while holding Zhao Guqiu’s lifeless body. Zhao Guqiu had hanged herself using a jar of *zhuangyuan hong* wine she had buried beneath a tree to bless Dou Shiying’s academic success. Stricken with guilt, Dou Shiying read her final letter, where she expressed her only wish: for him to care for Dou Zhao.

At the mourning hall, Wang Yingxue came to pay her respects but was nearly pushed over by Dou Zhao. Dou Shiying, overcome with grief, turned to alcohol and ignored household affairs. Wang Xingyi and Dou Shiying’s elder brother began plotting to make Wang Yingxue his principal wife. Zhao Si was outraged that Wang Yingxue had taken Zhao Guqiu’s dowry and argued with her.

Meanwhile, Dou Zhao continued eating the snacks Wang Yingxue prepared for her, which Zhao Si misinterpreted as a lack of concern. Unexpectedly, Dou Zhao collapsed from poisoning. This incident prompted Dou Zhao’s grandmother, Madam Cui, to return home. Having lived in seclusion on the family estate, Madam Cui stepped in to seek justice, reclaiming Zhao Guqiu’s dowry for Dou Zhao and demanding Wang Yingxue compensate the family with 3,000 taels of silver.

Wang Yingxue resisted, arguing that Dou Zhao was too young to manage property, but Madam Cui insisted she take charge. Dou Zhao, grieving her mother’s suffering and death, refused to accept Wang Yingxue as her stepmother. She proposed observing a three-year mourning period for her mother, during which Dou Shiying agreed not to cohabit with Wang Yingxue. He even moved into Zhao Guqiu’s room to honor her memory. Terrified by these developments, Wang Yingxue knelt to beg for forgiveness.

Standing under the magnolia tree, Dou Zhao mourned her mother and finally felt some relief. However, she realized this was no longer her home or her mother’s. She moved to the family estate with Madam Cui, who doted on her greatly. Dou Zhao confided to Madam Cui that Wang Yingxue constantly schemed against her, forcing her to endure and protect herself. However, she vowed to seek revenge when the time was right.

Touched by Dou Zhao’s resolve, Madam Cui embraced her, urging her to grow strong and rise above petty household conflicts. She gave Dou Zhao a repaired bracelet that once belonged to Zhao Guqiu, symbolizing her hope for Dou Zhao to be resilient like the robust *jiuchongzi* flowers. Dou Zhao silently resolved to thrive, unyielding in the face of adversity. From that point forward, Dou Zhao apprenticed under the renowned scholar Chen Qushui, gaining a deep understanding of worldly affairs.

She also hired two skilled warrior-maids, Su Lan and Su Xin, to ensure her safety. Ultimately, Dou Zhao established herself as a formidable figure in commerce, navigating every challenge with ease. Meanwhile, in the Dingguo Duke’s military camp, a young recruit, Song Mo, arrived. His aunt, Jiang Meisun, immediately opposed his enlistment. However, Song Mo cleverly evaded her and even managed to capture General Yan Chaoqing.

Recognizing his potential and learning that Song Mo had been beaten and expelled from his home by his father, Song Yichun, Jiang Meisun reluctantly allowed him to stay. Song Mo vowed to rise through the ranks, starting from the kitchen staff. Years passed in the military camp, and Song Mo matured into a young general. At the same time, Dou Zhao grew into a sharp and capable businesswoman, amassing wealth and influence.

Observing the political and military landscape, she accurately predicted that Jiang Meisun’s military campaigns would make her stockpiled goods as valuable as gold in the near future. One day, Dou Zhao recalled advice from an elderly man she had once met. He had instructed her to toss a stone into a river, explaining that a mere stone couldn’t alter the river’s course. Only by amassing enough power to “tip the strait” could she change her fate. Inspired, Dou Zhao resolved to acquire that level of influence.

Song Mo led his brothers in a surprise attack on the pirate ships of the Eastern Yu people and successfully forced them to reveal their base on Zhou Island. Filled with enthusiasm, Song Mo immediately proposed attacking Zhou Island to leave his name in history. The residents of Futing were filled with joy, and when they heard that the Dingguo Army had returned victorious, they lined the streets to welcome them.

Young General Song Mo had led his troops to conquer Zhou Island and achieved a significant victory. Yan Chaoqing suddenly reported to Song Mo that Song Yichun, the Duke of England and Song Mo’s father, had arrived. In the military camp, Song Yichun had been tied up by Jiang Meisun for delaying military affairs and was about to be whipped. At that moment, Song Mo returned.

Having achieved a great victory against the odds with limited supplies, he offered to take the punishment in his father’s place. Others also pleaded on his behalf. Jiang Meisun, while heartbroken, ordered ten lashes for Song Mo. He knew all along that Song Mo had launched the sudden attack on Zhou Island to plead for his father’s sake. As Jiang Meisun applied medicine to Song Mo’s wounds, he regretted marrying his sister to Song Yichun.

He also pointed out that Song Mo’s daring assault on Zhou Island was to save his father, lamenting the misfortune of having such a father. Zhao Si's daughter, Zhao Zhangru, prayed daily for prosperity and wealth. Dou Zhao, however, dismissed such prayers, stating it was better to rely on her. She predicted the pirates would be wiped out this year, leading to significant profits. Zhao Zhangru teased Dou Zhao, calling her a "female Zhuge Liang.

" Dou Zhao, in turn, joked about Zhao Zhangru’s failure to find a husband this year. As the two sisters playfully argued, the maid, Susu, came with good news, and they teased her too, causing Susu to drop her silver notes into the water. They stopped their antics to dry the notes. Susu praised Dou Zhao for her foresight, noting that the goods they stockpiled last year, such as tea and silk, had risen in value.

She believed Futing would grow even more prosperous. However, Dou Zhao decided to sell all the goods and ships, predicting that after the pirates were eradicated, the local officials would increase taxes, making business less profitable. Zhao Zhangru, fully trusting Dou Zhao, joked that if Dou Zhao became the richest person in town, her stepmother and the Marquis of Jining's family would beg to propose marriage.

Suddenly, a messenger from the Dou family arrived, claiming Dou Shiying was gravely ill and wished to see his daughter. Dou Zhao initially refused but agreed after receiving a nod of approval from her mentor, Chen Qushui. When Song Mo returned home, he brought a battle sword as a gift for his younger brother. Song Yichun, however, continued to belittle Song Mo, particularly resenting Jiang Meisun’s attitude toward him. Song Yichun accused Jiang Meisun of targeting him intentionally.

Jiang Huisun, hoping to ease tensions, comforted her son and persuaded her husband while hurrying to the kitchen to cook Song Mo’s favorite dishes. Despite her efforts, Song Yichun kept complaining. When Song Mo defended Jiang Meisun, Song Yichun angrily questioned whose son he truly was. Feeling frustrated, Song Mo wandered the streets. Watching a father accompany his child reminded him of how kind his father was to his younger brother, deepening his feelings of loneliness.

On the bustling street, a storyteller was performing a shadow play of Records of the Enlightened Age. Unintentionally, Song Mo found himself near the scene. He picked up a mask and put it on. At the same time, Dou Zhao descended from her carriage, returning to her family home, where she noticed the guests invited for the day's banquet were all children of high-ranking officials. Her younger sister, Dou Ming, rushed to greet her, noticing Dou Zhao’s plain attire.

Dou Ming tried to persuade her to change, but Wang Yingxue interrupted and urged them to meet the guests. Despite Dou Ming's reluctance, she followed her mother’s orders. Dou Shiying and his brother, Dou Laowu, came out with the guests. Dou Laowu publicly criticized Dou Zhao for dressing plainly, comparing her to Dou Ming’s maid. Dou Zhao, however, explained her simplicity as intentional, pointing out that due to the recent wars, even the emperor and empress practiced frugality.

As officials, they should set an example. Dou Laowu, realizing his oversight, praised her observation. Dou Shiying immediately ordered Dou Ming to change her attire and replaced the lanterns in the mansion with simpler ones. Dou Zhao’s remarks also caught Wu Shan’s attention. Under the magnolia tree, Dou Zhao admired the blossoms, which were especially vibrant this year. Dou Shiying explained that he personally tended the tree to restore its bloom.

Dou Zhao bluntly revealed that her earlier remarks about frugality were deliberate. In reality, her plain attire was because her mother’s death anniversary was approaching. She also exposed the true purpose of the banquet—to present the Dou family's daughters to potential suitors. She declared that she would not be used to secure court alliances, urging them to pin their hopes on Dou Ming instead. This left Dou Shiying feeling deeply remorseful.

Dou Zhao overheard several young men mocking them, calling Zhao Zhangru a “sugarcane tail” and describing Dou Zhao as a wealthy target. Furious, Dou Zhao deliberately spilled water on them and threw some coins to attract Wu Shan’s attention. Wu Shan avoided the commotion but noticed Dou Zhao’s presence, which further increased his admiration for her.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo both unknowingly entered the same theater to watch a play. Separated only by a screen, they each expressed their interpretations of the play. Eventually, they removed the screen to see whose understanding was more accurate. To their surprise, the play turned out to be neither a tragedy nor a happy ending. In their conversation, Song Mo revealed his inner conflict between familial affection and moral principles.

Dou Zhao, seeing through his thoughts, advised him to separate the two: to be a son behind closed doors and to follow reason in public matters. On stage, a riddle-guessing game began, drawing a crowd. Dou Zhao repeatedly guessed correctly. Song Mo, amazed by her ability even to identify weaponry, jokingly suspected she was disguised as a man. Dou Zhao retorted with a smile, asserting that women are no less capable than men.

Though both were wearing masks, it felt as if they could see each other clearly. They answered every riddle correctly until, during the last question, Song Mo hesitated. Memories of feeling like an outsider in his family surfaced—watching his father show kindness only to his younger brother. Lost in thought, he missed his chance to answer, and Dou Zhao seized the victory. As Song Mo left, Dou Zhao observed his departing figure and pondered his thoughts.

She asked Su Xin to send the prize lantern to him along with a letter. Song Mo was surprised by Dou Zhao’s perceptiveness. When Yan Chaoqing later visited him, he noticed a scented sachet tied to Song Mo’s waist and realized it must have accidentally come from Dou Zhao during their encounter. He decided to return it in the future. Shortly after Dou Zhao left the theater, she was ambushed and taken to an abandoned temple by Pang Kunbai.

Pang Kunbai had malicious intentions toward her, but Dou Zhao had anticipated this and prepared accordingly. Her men captured Pang Kunbai, killed several of his subordinates, and planned to hand him over to the authorities. Just then, Yuan Tong arrived, kicked Pang Kunbai away, and urged him to flee. Su Xin was puzzled by Yuan Tong's actions, wondering why he would help Pang Kunbai escape.

Pang Kunbai hurriedly returned to report to Wang Yingxue, who was revealed to be his aunt and the mastermind behind the plot. Yuan Tong, leading Dou Zhao and her people, searched Wang Yingxue’s room and found Pang Kunbai hiding there. Dou Zhao praised Yuan Tong’s resourcefulness, noting that reporting the case to the authorities would likely have been ineffective due to the Wang family's influence. However, exposing the matter on the spot left Wang Yingxue with no room to maneuver.

Dou Shiying furiously reprimanded Wang Yingxue in private. Wang Yingxue tearfully lamented that ever since Zhao Guqiu’s death, Dou Shiying had blamed everything on her. She argued that she had been entirely devoted to the Dou family. Seeing her distress, Dou Shiying softened and consoled her. Meanwhile, Dou Ming arrived and attempted to mediate between her mother and Dou Zhao, but Wang Yingxue dismissed her daughter as useless.

She regretted leaving her daughter to be raised by others, feeling it led to her own lack of male heirs and a lifetime of conflict. Tearfully, Dou Ming begged her mother not to take risks on her behalf. Wang Yingxue reassured her that everything she did was for Dou Ming’s future. Her dowry and background would be essential for survival; otherwise, she would always live cautiously. Later, Dou Shiying caught up with Dou Zhao and blamed himself for her constant grievances.

Dou Zhao brushed it off, saying she had grown accustomed to it. Watching her walk away, Dou Shiying’s guilt deepened. Yuan Tong stayed at the manor, and Dou Zhao personally cooked for him. When asked how they met, Dou Zhao thought of Ji Yong, the monk from her past life, but she lied, saying they met at a temple. Cui Shi’s illness worsened, but due to gender propriety, she refused treatment.

Yuan Tong took her pulse and determined it wasn’t serious. With Dou Zhao’s persuasion, Cui Shi agreed to treatment and gradually recovered, for which Dou Zhao felt deeply grateful. Yuan Tong asked for Dou Zhao’s perspective on life, to which she replied that death is inevitable, so one must make the most of life and help others if possible.

Images of her past life flashed in her mind, and she decided to learn medicine from Yuan Tong, who readily agreed and began teaching her the art of healing. Cui Shi noticed the closeness between Ji Yong and Dou Zhao, feeling comforted but also aware that their relationship could never blossom. Ji Yong soon prepared to leave for his imperial examination, bidding farewell to Dou Zhao.

She couldn’t understand why someone so talented as Ji Yong would eventually choose to become a monk. Meanwhile, the common people suffered greatly from hunger. Song Mo raided corrupt officials’ homes, uncovering hidden treasures behind walls. Knowing Song Mo’s reputation, some officials voluntarily surrendered their wealth. However, Eunuch Ding disapproved of Song Mo’s actions and complained to Jiang Meisun, who took full responsibility, asserting that the people’s suffering took precedence over all else.

Dou Zhao, too, organized efforts to repair a dam, fearing it might collapse due to relentless rain. She assured Cui Shi that she would be safe at the manor. Elsewhere, Song Mo gave a jade hairpin he had taken from a prisoner to a little girl, telling her to exchange it for food. However, the girl accidentally dropped the hairpin and was nearly struck by a carriage. Song Mo saved her but was injured by the carriage’s cargo, losing consciousness.

At the same moment, Dou Zhao felt a sharp pain in her chest. While unconscious, Song Mo dreamed of the masked girl and the flower behind her ear. Upon waking, he examined the scented sachet. Legend had it that Emperor Xuanzong used such a sachet to dream of Yang Guifei when he missed her. Song Mo believed the girl had saved his life. While Dou Zhao tended to refugees, Wu Shan also assisted the people.

Amid the crowd, the two exchanged smiles. That night, Dou Zhao dreamed of Song Mo and woke up startled. Su Xin reported that a group claiming to be merchants had arrived at the manor, seeking shelter. However, their hands were calloused, raising Chen Qushui’s suspicions. Uneasy, Dou Zhao asked Su Xin to invite Chen Qushui for a discussion.

Jiang Meisun was urgently summoned back to the capital by the Emperor. Song Mo, worried about his uncle, helped organize his clothing while expressing concern about the injury on his shoulder. He pressured Commander Chen to reveal the reason for the Emperor’s summons. Although Commander Chen appeared uneasy, Jiang Meisun reassured Song Mo, advising him to focus on managing military affairs in his absence. He speculated that the Emperor might want to inquire about disaster relief efforts.

As Jiang Meisun exited the tent, the gathered generals knelt, seeking guidance on how to proceed with disaster relief. Jiang Meisun sternly commanded that regardless of what happened, relief efforts must not cease, and the people's livelihoods should be prioritized. Meanwhile, Song Mo led a group to the manor where Dou Zhao resided. Chen Qushui recognized Yan Chaoqing among the visitors, who was a trusted aide of the Duke of Dingguo.

Chen Qushui, once a subordinate of Zhang Kai, recalled how Zhang Kai abandoned the city during a crisis and neglected its people, leading to his execution by Jiang Meisun on the battlefield. Chen Qushui confessed his past actions to Dou Zhao, fearing that Yan Chaoqing would recognize him and implicate Dou Zhao. Dou Zhao supported her mentor Chen Qushui, reminding him of the promise she made when taking him as an advisor—to never question his past.

However, Chen Qushui remained worried that his history could endanger everyone in the manor, as Yan Chaoqing's group had brought along a child, indicating potential trouble. Dou Zhao recalled the "Records of the Enlightened Age," which mentioned a child connected to the Duke of Dingguo. She deduced that the respected young man traveling with the group was likely Song Mo, the heir. Hearing this, Chen Qushui grew more anxious and offered to surrender himself, but Dou Zhao firmly stopped him.

In another room, Song Mo held Jiang Meisun’s son while listening to Yan Chaoqing’s report. He concluded that those associated with Chen Qushui were untrustworthy and resolved to eliminate everyone to protect the child’s identity. Dou Zhao and her group were soon surrounded by Song Mo’s forces. Dou Zhao claimed to be a court official investigating matters related to the Duke of Dingguo, but Song Mo quickly saw through her guise.

Holding a sword to Dou Zhao’s throat, he pointed out the flaws in her fabricated identity. Dou Zhao, maintaining her composure despite her racing thoughts, locked eyes with Song Mo and unexpectedly called out his name. Song Mo was briefly taken aback, sensing familiarity in Dou Zhao’s gaze, but pressed on. Just as Song Mo was about to act, Su Xin and Su Lan captured the wet nurse and child, forcing Song Mo to halt.

Dou Zhao explained that her actions were not meant to harm the child but to create an opportunity for negotiation. During the ensuing discussions, both Dou Zhao and Chen Qushui analyzed the current political situation and shared their insights into the Emperor’s intentions, offering a strategy to resolve the crisis and save the Duke of Dingguo while earning the Emperor’s favor. Song Mo found Dou Zhao’s reasoning compelling but remained suspicious of her identity and motives.

When the child began crying and the wet nurse couldn’t calm him, Dou Zhao suggested feeding him goat’s milk, which surprisingly worked. Her knowledge of childcare amazed the group, as it was unexpected for a young woman like her to possess such skills. Dou Zhao later arranged a meal for everyone, with Song Mo’s men assisting in preparation. The tense atmosphere gradually eased.

Song Mo questioned why Dou Zhao would risk herself in such a dangerous matter, warning her of the potential consequences if the Shadow Guard discovered her involvement. Dou Zhao cryptically replied that she wanted to safeguard someone’s future, though she privately recalled Song Mo’s tragic fate in her past life. At that moment, Manor Master Tan arrived with his men, expressing gratitude to the Duke of Dingguo’s household.

He also vouched for Dou Zhao, pledging to protect both her and the child. Song Mo acknowledged this gesture and informed Dou Zhao that her actions had secured the manor’s safety. The following day, Dou Zhao noticed Song Mo interacting with a young girl, discussing dogtail grass. The warm and kind youth seemed completely different from the cold and ruthless man she had faced the previous night.

Song Mo also spotted Dou Zhao and, perhaps reflecting on their recent negotiation, seemed lost in thought. Song Mo requested to take Chen Qushui as a hostage, which Dou Zhao understood was a precautionary measure. In return, she asked Yan Chaoqing to remain as a guest. Both parties reluctantly agreed to this exchange. After Song Mo left, he investigated Dou Zhao’s background and learned she was abandoned by her family and sent to the manor.

However, he noted that all her maids and servants were skilled fighters, which contradicted the rumors of her being discarded. Song Mo concluded that Dou Zhao was far from an ordinary noblewoman. Meanwhile, Dou Zhao finally relaxed, drinking several cups of water after the tension of dealing with Song Mo. She silently hoped to avoid confronting his penetrating gaze again. Later, Su Ansu and Zhao Zhangru visited Song Mo.

Meanwhile, due to Lady Cui’s charitable efforts, Dou Shiying petitioned for her recognition, which delighted Lady Cui. She personally made wontons as a gesture of gratitude, bringing a smile to Dou Zhao’s face. Elsewhere, Wang Yingxue prepared desserts for Dou Shiying, hoping he would comment on Dou Ming’s calligraphy. However, Dou Shiying dismissed it as merely a hobby and encouraged Dou Ming to pursue it for personal enjoyment rather than results.

At Dou Ming’s urging, Dou Shiying eventually tasted the dessert and praised Wang Yingxue’s cooking. Using this opportunity, he proposed moving Lady Cui in with them after her commendation was approved. Though Wang Yingxue outwardly agreed, she secretly resented his favoritism toward Lady Cui and wished Dou Zhao would also return home. Following Dou Zhao’s advice, Song Mo maneuvered court officials into forming two factions to impeach Jiang Meisun.

The contradictory accusations created the impression that Jiang Meisun was not forming cliques, paving the way for his release. However, Dou Wushou, unaware of this plan, clashed with Elder Wu during court debates, accusing Jiang Meisun of harboring personal ambition. Though he apologized afterward, Elder Wu placed him on leave as punishment. As Song Mo left the court, he encountered Elder Wu outside, crossing paths with Dou Wushou.

Yunyang Bo came to find Song Mo and learned that there was a woman, comparable to Zhuge Liang, advising Song Mo behind the scenes. Yunyang Bo had also contributed significantly to these efforts. Noticing the sachet ball hanging on Song Mo’s waist, he immediately guessed it belonged to someone Song Mo admired.

Yunyang Bo offered to help propose marriage on his behalf, reassuring Song Mo not to worry and asserting that the Duke of Dingguo would surely emerge from this crisis unscathed. However, Song Mo still felt uneasy. From Wu Ge’lao, Song Mo heard about Dou Shishu’s comments in court. Wu Ge’lao also mentioned he should try the Dou family’s zongzi when he had the chance.

Song Mo didn’t understand the deeper meaning behind this, but the remark deepened his suspicions about the Dou family. His guards, Lu Zheng and Lu Ming, even began to question why Dou Zhao, an unmarried woman from the inner chambers, had such a grasp on court affairs. They speculated that the Dou family might all be pieces on her chessboard and worried they themselves might fall under her control.

Song Mo, though disturbed, decided to observe the situation quietly for now. Dou Shishu, frustrated at being forced into a leave of absence, sought to strengthen court alliances. He approached Wang Yingxue, suggesting they arrange marriages between Wu Shan and Dou Ming, as well as Wei Tingyu and Dou Zhao. Wang Yingxue understood his intentions but saw potential mutual benefits and readily agreed to facilitate the matchmaking. She immediately sent out invitations.

Her subordinate worried that Dou Ming would be overshadowed since Wei Tingyu’s status was higher than Wu Shan’s. However, Wang Yingxue had already done her research. Although Wu Shan's rank was relatively low, Wei Tingyu was a notorious playboy who wasted his family’s wealth and frequented brothels. His family had long been in decline, with his elder sister Wei Tingzhen marrying into an ordinary household with no real standing.

When Wei Tingzhen received the invitation, she found Wei Tingyu at a brothel, discussing poetry and painting. She demanded he meet the Dou family’s daughters and fulfill the arranged marriage. Wei Tingyu, already biased against Dou Zhao for her rumored vulgarity, initially resisted. Wei Tingzhen, however, persuaded him by highlighting Dou Zhao’s beauty and wealth. Reluctantly, Wei Tingyu agreed to meet her.

Hearing that Wei Tingyu was coming to visit, Dou Zhao recalled her previous life, where she had suffered under his abuse after their marriage. He had even falsely accused her of colluding with Song Mo. This time, she was determined to settle the score. When Wei Tingyu arrived at the Dou residence, he first saw Dou Ming chasing butterflies and was moved by her delicate grace. Then he noticed Dou Zhao shooting arrows and was startled by her bold demeanor.

Wu Shan, on the other hand, admired Dou Zhao's confidence and strength. Dou Zhao deliberately portrayed herself as someone with interests opposite to Wei Tingyu’s, hoping to dissuade him. When Dou Ming expressed interest in archery, she was scolded by Wang Yingxue, who admonished her that such activities were inappropriate for women. Wu Shan, observing Dou Zhao miss several shots, stepped in and hit the target effortlessly with his own bow and arrow.

Dou Zhao then challenged Wei Tingyu to try archery. Wei Tingyu, eager to impress Dou Ming, boasted about his archery skills, only to miss repeatedly and hit the roof instead of the target gourd. Dou Zhao mocked him by perfectly following the techniques he had bragged about, hitting the target in one shot. Embarrassed and frustrated, Wei Tingyu desperately wanted to withdraw from the marriage but couldn’t find a valid excuse.

Meanwhile, Dou Ming felt inadequate, comparing her skills to her elder sister’s and blaming herself for not being as capable. Wei Tingyu, however, consoled her, remarking that branches and arrows each had their own roles and strengths, and there was no need for self-doubt. He even gently removed a leaf from Dou Ming’s hair, causing her heart to flutter as she hurriedly excused herself. Later, both Dou Ming and Dou Zhao presented embroidered tiger tokens.

Dou Zhao intentionally used coarse stitches to make hers look rough, ensuring Dou Ming’s would stand out. Wei Tingyu grudgingly accepted Dou Zhao’s token but secretly admired the one Wu Shan held, which Dou Ming had embroidered. Wu Shan, however, preferred Dou Zhao’s rugged work. Wang Yingxue organized a butterfly-catching event, hoping to foster connections among the young guests. She subtly tried to pair Dou Ming with Wu Shan.

However, in the garden, Wei Tingyu dropped his tiger token, which Wu Shan picked up. When Wu Shan attempted to return it, Wei Tingyu insisted on swapping tokens, favoring the one Dou Ming had made. Just then, a swarm of butterflies, which had been intentionally arranged, flew toward Wu Shan. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, a servant deliberately dirtied Dou Zhao’s clothes, prompting an elderly maid to insist she go to another room to change.

Dou Ming wanted to follow her in but was stopped by the maid. This raised Dou Zhao’s suspicions, so she barged in with others, discovering Wu Shan unconscious on the bed. Upon inquiry, they learned he had been stung by phoenix butterflies. Dou Zhao examined Wu Shan and found him wearing the tiger token she had made. He was struggling to breathe and had developed red rashes.

Remembering an account from the *Records of the Enlightened Age* that stated Wu Shan had died on this very day during the Dragon Boat Festival, Dou Zhao became furious. She slapped the maid, warning that if anything happened to Wu Shan while he was a guest in their home, no one could bear the consequences. Seeing his worsening condition, she immediately ordered him to be moved to an open area outside.

In another room, Sheng Tianfu Yin, Dai Jian, was chatting with Dou Shishu, who presented him with zongzi as a gift. Dai Jian casually touched the zongzi, as though realizing something. Unexpectedly, Song Mo arrived with soldiers carrying the zongzi from Wu Ge’lao’s residence. These zongzi, also sent by Dou Shishu, were examined by Song Mo, who revealed they contained gold.

He sternly warned Dou Shishu that if he dared to frame Jiang Meisun again, he would present these zongzi directly to the emperor. At this moment, news arrived that Wu Shan had been carried to the open ground outside. Wu Shan was the grandson of Wu Ge’lao. Fearing harm, Song Mo rushed to the scene, only to find Dou Zhao about to administer acupuncture. Dai Jian, furious, insisted Wu Shan be taken to a doctor.

Dou Zhao explained that she had already sent for one, but the closest doctor was ten miles away, and Wu Shan might not survive the journey. Dou Zhao grabbed Song Mo’s sleeve and implored him to look into her eyes. She knew he had the ability to read people’s true intentions and pleaded with him to trust her, assuring him she genuinely wanted to save Wu Shan and could do so.

Song Mo, moved by her sincerity, gave the order for his guards to surround them with screens, forbidding anyone to look in their direction under threat of death. Terrified of Song Mo, the onlookers complied. Dai Jian accused Song Mo of defiance, and Dou Shishu criticized him for acting arrogantly on their estate. However, Song Mo rebuffed them both. Just then, Wu Shan coughed up blood onto one of the screens. Wang Yingxue accused Dou Zhao of endangering the Dou family, while Dou Shishu and Dai Jian shifted all blame onto Song Mo.

Dai Jian testified that Song Mo had unlawfully broken into a private residence, pinning all the blame on him. At this moment, Madam Cui and Dou Shiying arrived. Madam Cui advised Song Mo to assess the situation clearly, warning him that his efforts to help Jiang Meisun might inadvertently harm him instead.

Song Mo humbly apologized to Madam Cui, acknowledging that while this matter could not be brought to court, it had revealed many truths to him, which he now understood. Madam Cui then turned to Dai Jian, asking him to let this issue go for her sake. Dai Jian took the opportunity to de-escalate the matter and agreed not to pursue it further with Song Mo. When Wu Shan vomited blood again, the physician finally arrived.

After examining Wu Shan, he declared that there was no major health issue, and it was fortunate that Dou Zhao had acted to save him in time. Wu Shan expressed his deep gratitude toward Dou Zhao, but Song Mo reminded Wu Shan that the cause of his illness must be investigated further.

Wu Shan explained that his condition originated from a lung disease contracted during disaster relief efforts and that the episode triggered by the phoenix butterflies was beyond human control, completely unrelated to Dou Zhao. Song Mo did not elaborate further but had Wu Shan sent home while discreetly removing the tiger talisman from Wu Shan's waist. When no one else was around, Song Mo confronted Dou Zhao about the tiger talisman, accusing her of having ulterior motives.

Dou Zhao hastily explained that her rescue of Wu Shan proved she had no hidden agenda. However, Song Mo remained skeptical, staring intently at her. Dou Zhao grew uneasy and, realizing that Song Mo had seen through her lies, he warned her that she owed him an explanation. Dou Zhao then approached Wang Yingxue with the tiger talisman in hand, demanding an explanation.

She pointed out that the talisman had been soaked in Hehuan incense, clearly an attempt to implicate her and Wei Tingyu in a scandal. However, Dou Zhao firmly declared that she would never marry Wei Tingyu. Wang Yingxue feigned ignorance, claiming she had no idea what had happened, but emphasized that Wu Shan was someone she had carefully chosen for Dou Ming and would not allow Dou Zhao to interfere. She insisted that Dou Zhao should marry Wei Tingyu instead.

On the way home, Wei Tingyu repeatedly voiced his dissatisfaction with Dou Zhao. However, Wei Tingzhen argued that the family needed a bride who could bring wealth to their household. She pointed out that, while their family had an empty reputation, Dou Zhao’s dowry would be substantial. Wei Tingzhen added that if Wei Tingyu didn’t like Dou Zhao, he could always take a concubine. Unable to bear the nagging, Wei Tingyu reluctantly agreed to marry Dou Zhao.

Song Mo visited Wu Shan, who scolded him for doubting Dou Zhao, pointing out that she had saved his life. However, Song Mo, while acknowledging that Dou Zhao was uninvolved in the incident, also noted that she had concealed certain truths. He warned Wu Shan to stay away from the Dou family, as they were not as simple as they seemed.

Wu Shan, on the other hand, believed that Dou Zhao might have feelings for him, which filled him with delight. Seeing that he could not dissuade Wu Shan, Song Mo could only shake his head in resignation. Back at home, Song Mo shared his concerns about the Dou family, noting that Dou Shishu’s hunger for power and Dou Zhao’s cleverness made them a dangerous combination.

However, Jiang Huisun offered a different perspective, stating that Dou Zhao, having been ostracized since childhood, likely developed her cunning as a means of self-preservation. Just then, Lu Ming and Lu Zheng reported back, confirming that the phoenix butterfly incident was not orchestrated by Dou Zhao, which aligned with Song Mo’s earlier suspicions. Dou Zhao knelt before her father and Dou Shishu, pleading for them to cancel her engagement to Wei Tingyu. However, Dou Shishu slapped her harshly.

Although Dou Shiying was displeased with Dou Shishu’s actions, he dared not interfere with the marriage arrangements. Dou Zhao accused her father of being weak. Just then, Madam Cui arrived and scolded her two sons for pressuring Dou Zhao. Dou Shishu retorted, blaming their mother for raising Dou Zhao in a way that brought harm to the family.

As Madam Cui was grieving, Wang Yingxue hurriedly entered with a commendation decree, misleading Madam Cui into believing that Dou Shiying had coerced her into agreeing to Dou Zhao’s marriage. Outraged, Madam Cui left with Dou Zhao, vowing never to return. Wang Yingxue pretended to chase after them, while Dou Shiying attempted to follow, only to be stopped by Dou Shishu, who advised him not to let himself be caught in the crossfire.

Dou Zhao saw through Wang Yingxue’s ploy and warned her that while she had previously overlooked Wang Yingxue’s schemes, any harm to Madam Cui would result in consequences a hundredfold worse. Feeling distressed over Dou Zhao’s injuries, Madam Cui regretted not retaliating against Dou Shishu earlier. As she caressed Dou Zhao’s face with tears in her eyes, Dou Zhao comforted her grandmother and asked about her past.

Madam Cui recounted that her marriage to Dou Duo, arranged by her parents, had been a disaster. Dou Duo was depraved, preying on every woman around him. When he tried to harm Cui’s maid, Tuo Niang, who had already been betrothed, Madam Cui struck him with a vase to save her maid. However, her actions led to her condemnation by the Dou family, who accused her of harming her husband and banished her to a rural estate as an outcast.

Even her own son, Dou Shishu, rebuked her for being unfit to be a mother. From then on, Madam Cui refused to carry the Dou surname and lived in the countryside. She expressed her determination not to let Dou Zhao suffer the same fate. Dou Zhao reassured her grandmother, stating that such Dou family members did not deserve to be called family. She added that their true family was comprised of themselves, Zhao Zhangru, and Miao Ansu.

Madam Cui felt comforted by her words. Wu Shan came to thank Dou Zhao personally, expressing his feelings and offering to marry her, reasoning that her actions to save him had tarnished her reputation as a woman. However, Dou Zhao dismissed these concerns, pointing out that their families were incompatible. She enjoyed her current carefree life, which was not something a prominent family could accept.

Wu Shan seemed to understand her, sharing his admiration and promising to protect her from societal constraints. Dou Zhao, however, did not wish for Wu Shan to sacrifice too much for her and simply encouraged him to pursue a successful career. She hinted that they might not meet again. Before parting, Wu Shan gifted her a handmade item. Zhao Zhangru noted Wu Shan’s sincerity and asked Dou Zhao if she had been moved.

Dou Zhao replied that falling for someone was easy, but heartbreak was even easier. Shortly afterward, Dou Ming sent her a letter requesting to meet under the full moon. Dou Zhao found herself thinking that Dou Ming seemed different from the person she had previously thought to be hypocritical. Dou Ming, while writing, noticed that the paper was unlike what she usually used.

She recalled Wei Tingyu’s earlier remarks about tree bark being used to make paper, which stirred her feelings toward him. Dou Shishu’s memorial was rejected, forcing him to personally deliver it to Wu Ge’lao, who tossed it aside. Wang Xingyi retrieved it and handed it back to Dou Shishu, offering a few words of advice out of respect for Wang Yingxue and Dou Shiying. The Emperor’s Shadow Guard escorted Jiang Meisun to the court, giving Song Mo hope.

He believed that if the Emperor met Jiang Meisun, his uncle might finally return home. Song Mo even prepared medicine for his uncle. However, upon reaching the palanquin, he found it empty. Together with Yunyang Bo, he boarded a boat but found no one. Realizing something was wrong, Yunyang Bo created a loud commotion to distract the guards, while Song Mo snuck below deck, where he found Jiang Meisun’s lifeless body.

The Shadow Guard claimed that pirates were responsible, but the wounds suggested otherwise. Overwhelmed with guilt, Song Mo knelt before his uncle’s body, blaming himself for not accompanying him back to the capital. He removed half of his uncle’s measuring stick and wore it on his waist before apprehending the Shadow Guard eunuch to seek answers from the Emperor.

The Emperor and Empress were paying respects to their ancestors when Song Mo barged in, kneeling before the Emperor and demanding an explanation for Jiang Meisun’s death. The Emperor was incredulous, claiming that he had been eagerly awaiting Jiang Meisun’s report and would never harm him. Song Mo presented a token, an item from the Emperor’s past.

The Emperor took the broken ruler in his hand, tears falling as he remembered their youth. Back then, Ji Yong had always protected him. When the Emperor had Ji Yong secretly escort him out of the palace, Ji Yong ended up being punished with beatings. Every plan had been the Emperor’s idea, yet it was always Ji Yong who bore the consequences. The Emperor felt that having Ji Yong by his side had been his greatest fortune.

The Emperor had once broken the ruler himself, gifting Ji Yong half of it, symbolizing an unbreakable bond of trust between them. It was a personal agreement akin to an ironclad promise: no matter what Ji Yong did, the Emperor would never punish him and would always believe in him. Song Mo questioned the Emperor, asking why he had broken his promise and started doubting Ji Yong.

Stricken with grief, the Emperor ordered an investigation to find those responsible for harming Ji Yong, vowing not to let any of them escape. Overwhelmed with emotion, the Emperor collapsed, coughing up blood, and the Empress ordered Song Mo to be detained. Song Yichun informed Jiang Huisun, who was gravely ill, about Song Mo’s situation. Although the Emperor had regained consciousness, he had yet to pass judgment.

Song Yichun suggested gambling on the Emperor’s sentiments, which made Jiang Huisun even more anxious, worsening her condition. Meanwhile, Yan Chaoqing, along with Lu Zheng and Lu Ming, learned of Song Mo’s predicament and wanted to rescue him. They blamed everything on the Dou family, vowing to make the entire family pay if anything happened to Song Mo. However, Dou Zhao intervened, cautioning them against rash actions that could worsen the situation.

She explained that the Emperor had not convicted Song Mo yet because Ji Yong was already dead, and the Emperor likely hoped for a turning point. She reminded them that the court was now controlled by Wu Ge’lao and Wang Xingyi, and any reckless rescue attempt would only give them an excuse to convict Song Mo. Yan Chaoqing acknowledged Dou Zhao’s reasoning and knelt to beg her for help.

Dou Zhao agreed and took them to her paper mill, which supplied most of the paper used in the capital. The mill also served as a hub for gathering information. She believed that locating the Emperor’s whereabouts could lead to a solution. Yan Chaoqing expressed concern that Song Mo might be harmed in prison, but Dou Zhao reassured him, saying she had already sent Suxin to handle the matter.

In prison, Wang Ge attempted to torture Song Mo, but Yunyang Bo appeared and claimed he had been punished with imprisonment specifically to keep an eye on Wang Ge’s actions. Wang Ge, intimidated, left without daring to act further. In reality, Yunyang Bo had deliberately provoked someone to get himself imprisoned. When Song Mo learned of this, he couldn’t help but laugh, realizing it was Dou Zhao’s plan that had allowed Yunyang Bo to gain entry.

Song Mo bribed a eunuch in charge of paper supplies in the palace to gather intelligence. He learned that the Emperor had only met with Wu Ge’lao in recent days and spent most of his time staring at the broken ruler or writing. After three days without results, Yan Chaoqing angrily confronted Dou Zhao, demanding answers. Dou Zhao, pretending to show him something, caught him off guard and had her subordinates detain him in an abandoned house.

The Emperor summoned Dou Shishu to the palace, asking for advice on how to handle Song Mo. Dou Shishu, aware of the Emperor’s intent to release Song Mo, praised him as a pillar of the nation and suggested that the blame lay with Song Mo’s subordinates, not Song Mo himself. The Emperor entrusted Dou Shishu with handling the matter and commended him for being capable of taking on great responsibilities.

Soon after, an imperial decree pardoned Song Mo, Yunyang Bo, and Gu Yu while exiling the entire Jiang family. When Song Mo was released, Dou Zhao celebrated with fireworks and draped a cloak over him, expressing her hope that he would also release Chen Qushui. Song Mo, understanding that his release was thanks to Dou Zhao, sincerely thanked her, which made her secretly happy.

After Dou Zhao left, Yan Chaoqing approached Song Mo, confessing his recklessness and revealing their failed jailbreak attempt that had been thwarted by Dou Zhao. Song Mo reprimanded them lightly and told them to go home. Back at home, Song Mo’s younger brother awaited him at the door. When he entered to greet his parents, he overheard their conversation. Song Yichun feared being implicated and urged Jiang Huisun to distance herself from the Jiang family.

Upon seeing Song Mo, Song Yichun scolded him as usual. Jiang Huisun, distressed by Song Mo’s injuries, coughed heavily and advised him to find someone who truly understood him. Song Mo became momentarily lost in thought, recalling the girl in the mask with a red flower behind her ear. Jiang Huisun speculated that Dou Zhao might be Song Mo’s love interest. Song Mo seemed surprised but did not confirm it.

Jiang Huisun remarked that Dou Zhao was loyal and kind, though it was unfortunate she was born into the Dou family, as that might corrupt her over time. Jiang Huisun revealed that Wu Ge’lao refused to form a marriage alliance with the Dou family due to Dou Shishu’s involvement in Ji Yong’s death. He had ordered Wu Shan to marry someone else.

However, Wu Shan, deeply in love with Dou Zhao, knelt in the pouring rain to express his determination, resulting in a high fever. Jiang Huisun worried that if Wu Shan’s condition worsened, it would devastate Wu Ge’lao. The tension between Wu Ge’lao and the Dou family had escalated, becoming common knowledge in the capital. Wu Shan, already suffering from lung disease, now refused medicine or treatment due to his fever, causing concern for both Yan Chaoqing and Song Mo.

They learned that Imperial Physician Li would return to the capital that evening. While waiting, Song Mo spotted Chen Qushui from a distance and planned to release him as agreed. Yan Chaoqing, however, cautioned that honorable intentions could not guard against treachery. Meanwhile, Wu Ge’lao tried to reason with Wu Shan, urging him to see the bigger picture. He reminded Wu Shan that he had always protected him, but if he were gone, no one would shield the Wu family.

Though Wu Shan enjoyed woodworking as a hobby, the situation was different now. If he disliked the Liang family’s daughter, Wu Ge’lao suggested someone else. However, Wu Shan refused, leading to another argument. In frustration, Wu Ge’lao smashed one of Wu Shan’s wooden creations. As the two quarreled, a carriage carrying Imperial Physician Li arrived at the gate. Yet, the person stepping out of the carriage was Dou Zhao in disguise.

Grand Secretary Wu scolded his grandson Wu Shan angrily, emphasizing that imperial power outweighed everything. He lamented that Wu Shan, hiding in his room working on carpentry, couldn’t shield himself from danger. In his fury, the Grand Secretary smashed Wu Shan’s wooden craft. When news came that Imperial Physician Li had arrived, the Grand Secretary calmed himself and ordered the physician to be brought in. However, Wu Shan refused treatment.

A servant brought out a wooden box, explaining that Imperial Physician Li had said Wu Shan could open it if he refused to see her. Wu Shan looked back and recognized it as a piece of carpentry he had gifted to Dou Zhao. Meanwhile, Song Mo prepared a farewell meal for Chen Quishui. Both Song Mo and Yan Chaoxing acknowledged that while Chen Quishui had once served a questionable master, he was undeniably talented.

They wondered why he chose to serve Dou Zhao. Chen Quishui admitted he carried guilt from past mistakes, and Dou Zhao had taken him in as a strategist despite his history, allowing him a peaceful life in his later years. This deepened Song Mo's curiosity about Dou Zhao. Dou Zhao visited Wu Shan, urging him not to be stubborn. She shared his perspective on arranged marriages, noting that it was cruel for unwilling individuals to be forced together.

Wu Shan explained that he hadn’t fallen ill to manipulate Dou Zhao. He recalled the time he gifted her a present and she asked him how someone without the freedom to choose his responsibilities could protect himself. Wu Shan admitted he had always respected his grandfather and never defied him, except in marriage.

Dou Zhao advised that if Wu Shan supported the Grand Secretary in court, the elder wouldn’t have to worry about his marriage, as Wu Shan’s abilities could revive the family. Her words enlightened Wu Shan. As Dou Zhao left, Wu Shan expressed his desire to see her again, but Dou Zhao simply hoped he could find happiness, which would ease her worries more than their meeting again.

Su Lan arrived to escort Chen Quishui back, which puzzled Song Mo as he had expected Dou Zhao to come. Around the same time, Imperial Physician Li was brought back by Lu Ming. Song Mo had originally invited the physician to treat Wu Shan, but Dou Zhao had impersonated the physician. Lu Ming had captured Su Xin and reported this to Song Mo, who ordered Lu Ming to summon Dou Zhao for questioning.

As Dou Zhao left, she encountered the Grand Secretary in the hallway. Wearing a large cloak, she avoided recognition, but the Grand Secretary grew suspicious and ordered her to turn around. Just as Dou Zhao panicked, Lu Ming intervened, claiming to escort "Physician Li" to see Song Mo. The Grand Secretary relented, allowing her to leave. Wu Shan, back in his room, stared at the wooden bird Dou Zhao had brought him.

The Grand Secretary, now certain Dou Zhao had visited, urged Wu Shan to rest assured. Wu Shan apologized to his grandfather and confessed his feelings. He admitted that his life had always been prearranged by his grandfather, leaving him envious of Dou Zhao and Song Mo’s freedom. Now, however, he understood the deep waters of court politics and wanted to support his grandfather in overcoming challenges. The Grand Secretary, moved to tears, helped Wu Shan to his feet.

Song Mo learned that the court had begun taking action against the Duke of Ding’s army and that the imperial edict was delivered by Dou Shishu. Suspecting Dou Zhao had stalled him to allow this, Song Mo grew angry and ordered her intercepted for questioning. Dou Zhao, unable to provide a satisfactory explanation, lost the chance to reclaim Chen Quishui, retrieving only Su Xin. Su Xin asked why Dou Zhao didn’t explain herself, but Dou Zhao, feeling helpless, shook her head.

Without evidence, the coincidences were impossible to clarify. Lu Ming, frustrated by Dou Zhao’s unpredictability, suggested that marrying her would be the only way to keep her in check. Song Mo remained silent but believed Dou Zhao might be innocent in this matter. Meanwhile, Song Mo continued investigating the escort responsible for returning Jiang Meisun to the palace. He learned that the travel permit listed nine individuals, but there were only eight casualties aboard the ship.

The missing individual was Chen Jia, a former Shadow Guard dismissed due to his gambling habits. Chen Jia’s foster father, however, valued his skills and kept him close, despite not officially listing him as part of the crew. The night of the ambush, high-ranking officials led a surprise attack against the Shadow Guards, killing everyone aboard, including Chen Jia’s foster father. The attackers used Dongyu-style blade techniques, seemingly to frame others. Chen Jia, arriving late, found his foster father slain.

Knowing escape was futile, he jumped into the water and fled, overwhelmed by guilt. He lived in gambling dens, drowning his sorrows, until Song Mo tracked him down. After paying Chen Jia’s debts, Song Mo forced him to reveal the truth, chastising him for forgetting his foster father’s death. Chen Jia, regretful, vowed to follow Song Mo and avenge his foster father.

Ji Yong sent a letter reporting that officials at the Maritime Trade Bureau had detained ships belonging to Miao Ansu’s family and demanded she sever ties with Dou Zhao. Realizing the matter involved court politics, Dou Zhao decided to travel to Futing to investigate. Song Mo, too, prepared to leave for Futing, determined to uncover the truth behind Jiang Meisun’s death.

His mother, Jiang Huishun, worriedly reminded him to stay safe, personally draping a cloak over his shoulders and watching tearfully as he departed. Song Mo assured her he would return, urging her to wait for him. As he left, Jiang Huishun’s coughing worsened. While resting on the journey, Dou Zhao appeared preoccupied. Miao Ansu urged her to eat something, reminding her not to worry the Cui family.

Dou Zhao had kept her departure a secret from them, instead instructing her maid to feign illness and cover for her. Zhao Zhangru provided additional support, praying for Dou Zhao’s safe return. In Futing, refugees filled the streets, struggling with hunger. Dou Zhao and her maid began distributing food to the needy. The locals, once reliant on tea farming, were now suffering because their tea couldn’t be sold after the Duke of Ding’s death.

The head of the Maritime Trade Bureau, Ding Wei, summoned Dou Zhao and Miao Ansu. Dou Zhao discreetly signaled Su Xin to stay hidden. In court, Ding Wei accused them of colluding with pirates, demanding their confessions. Refusing to confess, they were threatened with harsher punishment. Dou Zhao rebuked Ding Wei, pointing out the risks of wrongfully convicting them. Ding Wei, undeterred, presented weapons allegedly found on their ship, a clear attempt to frame them.

When Dou Zhao demanded witnesses, Ding Wei failed to provide any and had them imprisoned and tortured. Dou Zhao remained steadfast, knowing Ding Wei feared public backlash if he punished her openly. He claimed that Miao Ansu had already confessed and warned Dou Zhao not to drag others down with her. Dou Zhao, however, trusted that Miao Ansu would never betray her. As Ding Wei prepared to escalate the torture, Song Mo arrived, mocking Ding Wei’s ineffective methods.

Sensing an opportunity, Ding Wei handed the case to Song Mo, believing he would be harsher on Dou Zhao and thus gain his favor. Alone, Song Mo interrogated Dou Zhao, accusing her of colluding with Dou Shishu. Dou Zhao pleaded not to be associated with Dou Shishu, but Song Mo feigned preparing to torture her. Instead, he secretly applied medicinal powder to her wounds and whispered for her to scream convincingly.

Dou Zhao’s exaggerated cries only reinforced Ding Wei’s belief in Song Mo’s ruthlessness. Quietly, Song Mo pressed Dou Zhao for answers. He questioned her substantial investments in Futing, suspecting she had long foreseen the pirate-clearing operation and profited from it. Dou Zhao explained that Jiang Meisun’s valor made such an outcome inevitable. Song Mo, unconvinced, pushed further, revealing that Miao Ansu had disclosed Dou Zhao’s sale of all her ships earlier in the year. It seemed as though Dou Zhao had predicted future events, including Jiang Meisun’s death, and Song Mo demanded to know why.

Song Mo questioned Dou Zhao, and she offered a surface-level explanation. However, Song Mo was not easily fooled. He could sense the turmoil in her heart and detect unspoken words that seemed related to him. Yet, he couldn’t understand why Dou Zhao refused to confide in him. Dou Zhao leaned in and told Song Mo that if they could survive and leave safely, she would explain everything. Song Mo chose to trust her.

Meanwhile, Ji Yong arrived at the prison with an imperial token, demanding to see Miao Ansu and Dou Zhao. Ji Yong had been ordered to take over the case involving Dou Zhao and Miao Ansu. Upon arrival, he immediately recognized that Song Mo was no fool and likely realized Dou Zhao had been wronged.

Knowing Ding Wei was secretly spying from outside, Ji Yong deliberately staged a conflict with Song Mo, even pretending to be injured and bleeding from Song Mo's "attack. " This ruse excited Ding Wei, who wanted to see both sides suffer before stepping in. Leaving guards to monitor the situation, Ding Wei departed, allowing Ji Yong to check Dou Zhao's injuries. Noticing she had already been treated, Ji Yong glanced knowingly at Song Mo.

Despite this, Ji Yong personally reapplied medicine to Dou Zhao’s hand and acted overly familiar, claiming they had grown up together—a relationship Song Mo could never compare to. Song Mo felt a tinge of displeasure at this display. Outside, Lu Zheng and Lu Ming watched the scene unfold. They began to regret allowing Ji Yong inside.

Lu Ming had long suspected that Song Mo harbored feelings for Dou Zhao; otherwise, he wouldn’t have rushed to her side as soon as he heard she was in trouble. They feared Ji Yong might clash with Song Mo over Dou Zhao. Inside the cell, Song Mo, Dou Zhao, and Ji Yong discussed the current situation. Song Mo wanted to board the ship to uncover the truth and clear the Duke of Dingguo's name.

Dou Zhao also insisted on going to seek justice for the Miao family. Seeing their resolve, Ji Yong reluctantly agreed to feign loyalty to Ding Wei to obtain the necessary token for Song Mo and Dou Zhao to access the ship. However, he warned Song Mo not to drag them down. When Song Mo and Dou Zhao reached the dock with the token, the guards, following Ding Wei's earlier orders, refused to let them board.

As Song Mo prepared to use force, Dou Zhao feigned tears, claiming her newly purchased jewelry was aboard the ship. Song Mo seized the opportunity to offer silver, and the guards, tempted by the bribe, secretly allowed them to board with an escort. To the guards, Song Mo appeared to be a lust-driven man who would do anything for a woman. Once aboard, Song Mo kept Dou Zhao close, justifying it as necessary for maintaining their cover.

However, his overly intimate gestures made Dou Zhao blush, and even the escort felt embarrassed to look at them directly. Upon reaching the lower deck, Song Mo knocked out the escort, and he and Dou Zhao began searching for clues. While investigating through the wooden planks, they accidentally glimpsed each other, suddenly recalling their masked encounters in the past. In that moment, their mutual affection deepened.

The ship's steward, hearing that Song Mo had brought a woman aboard, ordered a search and issued a kill-on-sight command for any intruders. However, Song Mo eliminated the steward. In the ensuing chaos, the steward fired an arrow at Dou Zhao. This reminded her of a past life where Song Mo died protecting her from an arrow. Once again, Song Mo shielded her, leaping into the water with Dou Zhao in his arms.

When Ding Wei learned that Dou Zhao and Song Mo had boarded the ship, he dared not follow and instead ordered his subordinates to flee by carriage. Emerging from the water, Dou Zhao and Song Mo lit a fire to dry their clothes. Dou Zhao noticed Song Mo’s injury and bandaged it for him. Song Mo, unable to resist, asked Dou Zhao if she had ever seen a certain performance.

Dou Zhao thought of the performance and her past life, recalling Song Mo's sacrifice for her. She denied having seen it, unwilling to admit the truth. While escaping, Song Mo was intercepted by Lu Ming and Lu Zheng. At the same time, Su Xin, under orders, broke into the prison to rescue Miao Ansu. The guards attempted to stop her, but Ji Yong and Dou Zhao arrived with evidence of Ding Wei’s crimes.

Just as they were about to leave, the steward appeared and captured Dou Zhao, using her as leverage. Meanwhile, Song Mo captured Ding Wei and demanded to know who was behind him. Ding Wei, however, warned Song Mo not to ruin his own future. Ignoring the warning, Song Mo stabbed Ding Wei, who claimed he was acting out of personal revenge. Song Mo, convinced that Ding Wei was working for someone else, pressed him further.

Frightened, Ding Wei bit off his own tongue to avoid revealing the truth. Later that night, the steward brought Dou Zhao to exchange her for Ding Wei. Song Mo, however, dismissed Dou Zhao as a pawn and coldly remarked that if she died, he would burn incense in her memory. Firing an arrow, Song Mo appeared to miss Dou Zhao, but the arrow struck the steward behind her, killing him instantly. Releasing Dou Zhao, Song Mo blamed himself for involving her.

Seeing her trembling hands, he wanted to comfort her, but Dou Zhao assured him she was fine. Song Mo, impressed by her resilience, mused that someone who had survived being shot twice in two days was no ordinary person. Dou Zhao cryptically remarked that she had been shot in her dreams before, leaving Song Mo with more questions. However, they were interrupted by the sound of fighting outside. Emerging from the cabin, they found the ship engulfed in flames.

Wrapping themselves in a blanket, Song Mo vowed to learn the truth if they survived. Outside, Song Mo’s men captured the individuals sent to rescue Ding Wei and attempted to interrogate them. Just as someone was about to reveal the mastermind, Eunuch Wang arrived. Song Mo demanded answers, but Eunuch Wang declared the emperor's decree, blaming all crimes on Ding Wei. To Song Mo’s dismay, Eunuch Wang executed all the captives, leaving no survivors.

Confronting Eunuch Wang, Song Mo held a blade to his throat, questioning the emperor's motives. Eunuch Wang explained that loyalty required sacrifice, urging Song Mo to abandon the investigation to protect those around him. Witnessing this, Dou Zhao’s heart ached for Song Mo. Later, Song Mo stared at a pair of matching daggers, recalling how the emperor had once gifted them to Jiang Meisun in recognition of his service.

Jiang, however, had passed the daggers to Song Mo, signifying his succession. Distraught, Song Mo discarded the daggers, vowing to no longer serve the emperor. Handing Dou Zhao a token to retrieve a ship, he bid her farewell, hoping never to meet again. As Dou Zhao walked away, she remembered Song Mo’s sacrifice in her past life and the words he had spoken, burdened by infamy and unwilling to implicate her. She turned back, gazing at his departing figure.

Dou Zhao ultimately couldn’t bring herself to leave. She turned back and tried to persuade Song Mo, mocking him for not being as good as Jiang Meisun. Then, Dou Zhao set a small prayer boat afloat on the water as a send-off for Jiang Meisun. She expressed that all the wealth she had in her life was because of Jiang Meisun.

Dou Zhao also hoped Song Mo would believe in His Majesty, who surely knew the truth but was constrained by the current political situation. Dou Zhao believed that concealing one’s strength and showing restraint was the only way forward. Even though the Duke of Dingguo was gone, he had brought peace and would live on in everyone’s hearts. Dou Zhao solemnly reminded Song Mo that from this day forward, he was Jiang Meisun.

Chen Jia gathered news from the palace, learning that His Majesty talked nonsense to his ruler every day. This suggested His Majesty felt guilty about Song Mo and knew the Duke of Dingguo had been wronged but had hastily closed the case. Song Mo hadn’t expected Dou Zhao’s words to hit the mark once again. However, he still couldn’t figure out who His Majesty might be shielding.

He even speculated that the truth was hidden to protect the Crown Prince’s faction. Song Mo asked Chen Jia about the princes’ actions when the Duke of Dingguo was brought back under custody. He learned that only the Crown Prince and Prince Qing inquired, while the others remained inactive. At that moment, someone reported that there was an incident at the Futing military camp. Song Mo picked up his paired short sabers and immediately headed to the camp.

At the camp, the soldiers were outraged, talking about rebelling or becoming outlaws. Song Mo arrived just in time to stop them from saying anything reckless. Although Song Mo had been relieved of his military duties and was no longer the Young Commander, everyone admired him and wanted to continue following him to avenge the Duke of Dingguo. Song Mo promptly announced the disbandment of the Dingguo Army.

However, in secret, he convened a group of trusted subordinates to plan covert operations and prepare for future uprisings. Meanwhile, with merchant ships being detained and many people's goods destroyed, creditors went to Miao Ansu’s home demanding repayment and threatened to loot everything. Fortunately, Dou Zhao and Ji Yong arrived just in time.

Ji Yong invoked the law to stop the mob, while Dou Zhao pawned her late mother’s bracelet to the authorities, promising to settle the debts within ten days. Miao Ansu felt uneasy and decided to sell all her shops to redeem the bracelet. However, Dou Zhao believed that all the wealth in the world was not as valuable as Miao Ansu. She was confident that her mother would be happy to see the bracelet being put to good use.

Miao Ansu, willing to use her entire dowry to repay everyone, didn’t want to implicate Dou Zhao. However, her father worried that her brother Anping would need money for his imperial examinations. Miao Ansu insisted on helping Dou Zhao, feeling that her ability to save up her dowry was all thanks to Dou Zhao. Overhearing this, Dou Zhao entered the room and stopped her from using the money to settle the debts.

Wang Yingxue brought festival gifts for Dou Zhao but insisted on seeing her. Zhao Zhangru tried to stop her, saying she wasn’t qualified to meddle in the Dou family’s affairs. Wang Yingxue scolded her, saying she had no authority to manage the Dou household. Cui Shi arrived just in time to reprimand Wang Yingxue. Wang Yingxue claimed she had brought a statue of a deity to bless Dou Zhao.

Her maid, Nanny Zhou, tried to lift the curtain to see Dou Zhao, but Su Xin reached out to stop her. Cui Shi used the excuse that Dou Zhao couldn’t be exposed to the wind due to smallpox and drove them away. However, Wang Yingxue had already noticed from the outstretched hand that the person behind the curtain wasn’t Dou Zhao. Cui Shi, realizing the same, pressured Zhao Zhangru, who reluctantly revealed that Dou Zhao had gone to Futing.

Meanwhile, Wang Yingxue reported this to Dou Shiying. At the same time, the Marquis of Jining’s family sent a visitation card, requesting to join them. Dou Shiying wanted to decline, but Wang Yingxue believed it wouldn’t be appropriate and assumed they wanted to propose marriage. She volunteered to attend the banquet on their behalf, leaving Dou Shiying no choice but to agree. Dou Zhao discovered sprouted potatoes and, knowing they were inedible, suggested using them for planting.

She instructed Miao Ansu to quickly buy land to grow potatoes, which would yield results in three months. Ji Yong also brought good news: he had submitted a strategy for developing the ship trade to the court. The Ministry of Works found the proposal reasonable and agreed to pay a high price to purchase private ships. Dou Zhao was very grateful to Ji Yong.

Ji Yong, observing the Crown Prince’s unfavorable position, planned to visit Prince Qing, who had His Majesty’s favor. The Crown Prince’s mother, Empress Shen, held a lowly status and was never favored, leading to limited support among officials. In contrast, Prince Qing was known for respecting and valuing talented individuals, exuding the demeanor of a ruler. Dou Zhao recalled that in her previous life, Prince Qing succeeded because of a strategist by his side—likely Ji Yong.

Ji Yong seemed to have everything under control as if he already knew the future. Knowing it was futile to dissuade him, Dou Zhao gifted Ji Yong a pair of spectacles, having noticed his vision issues. Ji Yong leaned closer to examine Dou Zhao, complimenting her appearance as not unattractive. At this time, Dou Shishu and Dou Shiying arrived.

Dou Shishu scolded Dou Zhao for traveling such a great distance and embarrassing herself, while Dou Zhao defended her actions, saying she came to help the Miao family. Dou Shishu dismissed the Miao family as too insignificant to be her relatives. He accused Dou Zhao of causing Cui Shi’s severe illness by leaving. Dou Zhao, upon hearing this, immediately admitted her mistake and prepared to return home to care for Cui Shi. However, Dou Shishu deliberately delayed their departure.

Anxious, Dou Zhao offered all her funds in Fudian to the Dou family in exchange for an early departure. Only then did Dou Shishu agree to leave early. They could have stayed in Wuzhen for the night, but Dou Zhao, eager to hurry, led them to a remote area. Dou Shishu couldn’t resist grumbling again. At that moment, stationed soldiers approached them, provided them with a lavish meal, and advised them to stay safely at the camp.

Dou Zhao, feeling unwell from the journey, expressed a wish for light food. Almost immediately, a simple bowl of porridge appeared, confirming to her that these were Dingguo soldiers. She smiled knowingly. When they arrived in Yuzhou City, the soldiers at the gate began inspections. Dou Zhao had someone inform the gatekeepers that they were officials from the Dou family on their way to report back to the capital.

Hearing it was the Dou family, the gatekeeper immediately prioritized their passage—an unprecedented act. Dou Shishu looked back at Dou Zhao’s carriage, realizing this was her doing. Heavy rain made the road muddy, and the carriage became stuck. A group of villagers lifted the carriage out of the mud, repeatedly addressing Dou Zhao as “Fourth Miss” and refusing her reward. Dou Shishu grew even more displeased, believing Dou Zhao enjoyed associating with commoners.

When Dou Zhao returned to the Dou family estate, Dou Shishu refused to visit Cui Shi. This infuriated Dou Zhao, but he reminded her not to forget her engagement to Wei Tingyu. Dou Shiying and his wife had already signed the marriage contract. Dou Zhao, too preoccupied to argue, rushed to check on Cui Shi, only to be greeted by Wang Yingxue’s sarcastic smirk. Song Mo, seeing Dou Zhao safely return home, finally felt at ease and departed after escorting her all the way.

Dou Zhao knew that everything was Wang Yingxue's scheme, forcing her to return, while Wang Yingxue appeared smugly satisfied. Dou Zhao performed acupuncture on Cui Shi and prepared medicine packs for her recurring illnesses, instructing Zhao Zhangru on their use in her absence. When Cui Shi woke and found Dou Zhao had returned, she cried like a child. Cui Shi also realized that Wang Yingxue had deliberately caused her worry to trigger her illness.

Upon hearing that Wang Yingxue had already signed the marriage agreement, she became furious and wanted to confront her immediately. However, Dou Zhao stopped her, saying that she was now grown and had to face some things herself. Cui Shi blamed herself for being unable to protect Dou Zhao but trusted in her intelligence to handle matters, though she continued to remind her to be cautious.

Dou Shishu deliberately brought over some luxurious clothes for Dou Zhao, worried that her plain attire might embarrass the family in the capital. At this moment, the sound of musical instruments was heard outside. Cui Shi thought it might as well serve as a celebration for her birthday. Dou Zhao guessed it might be musicians passing by, unaware that the one playing outside was Song Mo.

Dou Zhao made an agreement with Cui Shi and Zhao Zhangru to await her safe return. Dou Zhao later went into the yard alone and planted some purple nine-layered flowers. Knowing that Song Mo was in the yard, she called him out directly. She thanked him for looking after her and for the music he played. Song Mo praised Dou Zhao as the most perceptive woman he had ever met, saying few women could see through situations so clearly.

Dou Zhao expressed her desire to learn from Song Mo's courage and decisiveness in resolving issues quickly. Song Mo returned an earring to Dou Zhao, which she recalled had been shot off by Song Mo with an arrow on a boat. She was surprised he had retrieved it. Lu Zheng had not been seen for several days.

Chen Qushui noticed that many new attendants had appeared in the residence, and Jiang Huisun’s condition seemed to have worsened significantly, as she coughed up blood daily. Chen Qushui looked worried. Dou Zhao voluntarily moved back home, and while Wang Yingxue outwardly welcomed her, she was secretly displeased. In private, Wang Yingxue demanded Dou Zhao curb her wild nature.

Dou Zhao agreed to listen to her in the future, but Wang Yingxue immediately punished her by ordering her to copy texts. Dou Zhao complied without a word. That night, Shopkeeper Zhao delivered new inkstones and paper. Upon opening the package, Dou Zhao found a message from Chen Qushui. This reminded her of an entry in Records of the Enlightened Age about Song Mo, which mentioned patricide and fratricide occurring this very year, along with his hair turning white overnight.

She realized it might not only involve the Duke of Dingguo but also the Duke of England. Dou Zhao instructed Chen Qushui to investigate further. Dou Ming visited Dou Zhao and suggested they go on a lake outing. She even helped Dou Zhao copy the texts assigned by Wang Yingxue. Dou Zhao suddenly felt that Dou Ming was completely different from how she used to be, though Dou Ming didn’t understand what she meant.

Hearing footsteps outside, Dou Zhao quickly extinguished the candle. Dou Ming hid on Dou Zhao’s lap, and this moment of closeness subtly changed the bond between the sisters. Later, Ji Yong and Song Mo sent over some copied texts for Dou Zhao. Dou Zhao noticed that Song Mo’s handwriting matched her own left-handed writing exactly, and Ji Yong’s was nearly identical. Suxin suggested using both, which brought a smile to Dou Zhao's face.

Ji Yong, now working for Prince Qing, arranged for the prince to witness Song Mo’s martial skills. Blindfolded, Song Mo shot arrows with unerring accuracy, hitting targets from a hundred paces away. Prince Qing was impressed and expressed interest in having Song Mo join his retinue. Song Mo, however, used his mother’s illness as an excuse to return to the capital.

Coincidentally, military unrest broke out at the border, and Prince Qing led troops to suppress the rebellion, sending Song Mo to deliver a proclamation to the capital. Upon Song Mo’s return, he found that his mother had passed away. Her spirit hall was set up, and his younger brother knelt before the coffin, explaining that their mother, during her final days, often called Song Mo’s name and refused to eat. Overwhelmed with guilt, Song Mo knelt and kowtowed.

A servant reported that the Duke of England was devastated and wished to see him. Song Mo hurried to his father, who was grief-stricken, holding a comb and lamenting the suddenness of his wife's death, almost as if believing she had merely gone to enjoy the flowers and would soon return. Before Song Mo could comfort him, Song Yichun produced a piece of mutton-fat jade, which had been a keepsake from Song Mo’s maternal grandfather to Jiang Huisun.

Song Mo recognized it immediately. Song Yichun accused Song Mo of having an illicit relationship with the maidservant Meirui. After Jiang Huisun’s death, Meirui had committed suicide, and an autopsy revealed she had been three months pregnant. Song Yichun claimed Song Mo was responsible, as he had returned three months prior but had never visited home.

Song Mo argued that servants and Lu Zheng could testify to his innocence, but Song Yichun refused to believe him, striking him and ordering his punishment under family law. Hearing that the Duke of England had closed his gates, Dou Zhao suspected trouble and insisted on saving Song Mo, despite being under house arrest herself. At that moment, Song Mo was being severely punished on Song Yichun’s orders.

Song Mo recalled the times he had been forced to carry out punishments on behalf of his father, who had never shown him warmth. He questioned why his father treated him this way, saying that if he was truly unwanted, he would never return. Song Yichun clenched his fists but remained unyielding, ordering that Song Mo be confined in the ancestral hall.

The next day, he intended to summon the entire clan to formally expel Song Mo and strip him of his title as heir. Locked in a woodshed, Song Mo gazed at the lantern Dou Zhao had given him after a play they attended together. The memory brought him a moment of clarity. He thought of his mother’s love and saw Dou Zhao struggling toward a spear—his mother’s weapon when she was alive.

In a daze, he thought he saw Dou Zhao approaching him. Upon opening his eyes, he found that it truly was her. Dou Zhao explained that without Chen Qushui’s help, she would not have been able to rescue him. Lu Zheng had also been locked in a secret chamber, but with Chen Qushui’s message causing chaos, they managed to rescue Song Mo.

Lu Zheng and Lu Ming coordinated the escape, but Lu Zheng was killed defending the gate, ensuring no one could pursue them. Song Mo was deeply pained that someone unrelated by blood would sacrifice themselves for him, while his own kin sought to harm him. He was especially moved by Dou Zhao’s disregard for propriety in risking everything to save him.

Dou Zhao blurted out that Song Mo had once saved her life, though she refused to confirm his suspicions that she was the same woman he had met at the play. While treating Song Mo’s wounds, Dou Zhao noticed a strand of white hair, reminding her of the Song Mo from her past life. Song Mo insisted on returning. His father was about to hold the ancestral meeting to strip him of his title, and family law was paramount.

Even the emperor would approve of his removal as heir. He believed that since he had entered a life-or-death situation, he could not afford to falter. His loyal guards’ lives were in peril, and his mother’s body had yet to be properly buried. What he needed now was not recovery but the ability to wield a blade again.

Dou Zhao had already guessed Song Mo’s intentions and prepared medicine for him, which could temporarily restore 70% of his strength, though it might leave lasting health issues. Song Mo, undeterred, took the medicine. He then brought up some things he had said to the masked girl at the opera. Dou Zhao avoided his gaze and simply told him that distinguishing truth from falsehood was not important.

Song Mo leaned in to examine her closely but found no pink flower behind her neck, confirming his disappointment that she was not the girl he sought. Dou Zhao stood up and left, preparing some items for him. When Song Yichun heard that the seriously injured individual had escaped, he immediately ordered his trained assassins to return. As Dou Zhao sent Song Mo off, he confided his feelings to her.

He knew his actions would likely result in infamy, yet even if he died, he wanted to prove what was right or wrong. As long as even one person believed in him, it would be worth it. Dou Zhao candidly replied that she would wait for Song Mo to return and would always support his decisions. Song Mo was comforted by her words. As Song Mo departed, he suddenly noticed white powder on his hand.

Realizing that Dou Zhao was the masked girl and had covered the flower to avoid influencing his decisions, Song Mo was overcome with emotion. He shouted into the house, declaring that if he survived, he would return for Dou Zhao. Song Yichun sat alone in his residence, waiting for Song Mo to return. He knew Song Mo was someone who repaid grudges without fail.

Dressed in mourning attire, Song Mo led his followers to storm Song Yichun’s residence, engaging in a fierce battle with the assassins as he demanded the whereabouts of his people. Meanwhile, in the ancestral hall, two elders of the Song family awaited. Hearing the commotion outside, they rushed out only to find Yan Chaoqing and his men.

Standing at the entrance, Yan Chaoqing warned them that staying in the hall would keep them alive, but stepping outside would lead to death. One person tried to test his resolve and was beheaded on the spot, terrifying the others into staying put. Lu Zheng awaited Song Mo’s arrival and informed him that the brothers had been coerced into leaving their fingerprints but had bitten their fingers to avoid compliance.

They entrusted their identity tokens to Lu Ming, asking him to take care of Song Mo in their stead. Overwhelmed with grief, Song Mo collapsed to the ground. As lightning flashed and thunder roared, Song Yichun, feeling uneasy, stepped outside and found numerous corpses at his door. However, he laughed, convinced that Song Mo wouldn’t dare take further action, as the emperor would not tolerate internal strife. Song Mo questioned his younger brother about who had been treating their mother.

His brother revealed that it was the Empress who had introduced a physician, but their mother’s condition only worsened afterward. Confronting Song Yichun, Song Mo severed ties between father and son. He declared that he had already repaid the debt of blood and kinship through the punishments he endured and the suffering he bore. Song Yichun accused Song Mo of causing such a commotion to publicly secure his position as heir.

Song Mo retorted that he had never relied on the Duke of England’s household since joining the army; he only wanted to give his mother a dignified farewell. He vowed to move to his grandfather’s old residence and cut all ties with Song Yichun. The Li Zhen tribe repeatedly violated the border, and Wu Ge’lao suggested sending Wang Xingyi to lead troops, but Dou Shishu opposed the idea, concerned that prolonged warfare would disrupt spring planting due to grain shortages.

Wu Ge’lao and his faction knelt in protest, pleading their case to the emperor. The emperor, coughing heavily, grew increasingly nostalgic for Jiang Meisun, lamenting that her presence would have easily resolved these matters. Song Mo personally buried the fallen soldiers of the Dingguo army and his mother, Jiang Meisun. However, rumors spread among the populace, accusing him of failing to attend his mother’s funeral and criticizing the simplicity of the arrangements.

Gu Yu, the Earl of Yunyang, took a group to deal with the gossipers, beating them in an alley. He then approached Song Mo, pledging his unwavering support. Song Mo was deeply moved by Gu Yu’s loyalty. After the burial, Song Mo and his followers remained focused on their mission. However, Song Mo suddenly collapsed from his injuries. Dou Zhao received word that Song Mo had secured his position as heir and felt reassured.

At the same time, Dou Shishu summoned Dou Zhao. Wang Yingxue had found a bloodstained garment in Dou Zhao’s possession, accusing her of secretly meeting with a man and subjecting her to punishment under the family’s rules. Dou Shishu intentionally leaked the news to Wu Shan, hoping he would act. Dou Shishu believed that if Wu Shan and Dou Zhao formed an alliance, it would be more beneficial than relying on Wei Tingyu.

After days of unconsciousness, Song Mo finally woke and learned of Dou Zhao’s punishment for supposedly meeting a man. Alarmed, he wanted to see her immediately. Yan Chaoqing informed Song Mo that Wu Shan had resolved the matter. That very day, Wu Shan stormed into the Dou family, claiming the bloodstained garment was his and demanding punishment in Dou Zhao’s stead. Dou Shishu seized the opportunity to have Wu Shan imprisoned.

In prison, people slandered Wu Shan, accusing him of speaking against the emperor, misusing his authority, and secretly meeting an official’s daughter. Dou Zhao, unwilling to let Wu Shan suffer, begged Dou Shishu to release him. She knew Dou Shishu intended to destroy the Wu family. Dou Shishu coldly warned her not to overreach and shut the door on her pleas, leaving Dou Zhao kneeling in pain.

When Dou Zhao heard that Song Mo had awakened, she hurried to rescue Wu Shan, fearing that Song Mo and Wu Shan might both lose their lives. At this time, Dou Shiying returned. Learning of Dou Zhao’s injuries, he rushed to see her, only to be turned away. After a decade apart, Dou Zhao had returned to her father’s side but had suffered repeated injuries and even confinement. Dou Shiying, guilt-ridden, resolved to lift Dou Zhao’s restrictions.

Dou Zhao, injured, ventured onto the streets and encountered Song Mo. The two hurried toward each other, each concerned for the other’s wellbeing—Song Mo for Dou Zhao’s injuries and Dou Zhao for the accusations against Song Mo. As Song Mo examined the wounds on Dou Zhao’s feet, she checked his pulse, concerned about his condition. Both quickly realized their mutual worry clouded their judgment and withdrew their hands.

They discussed the current situation, recognizing that the conflict with the Li Zhen tribe was at the heart of the crisis. Wu Ge’lao advocated for war, while the emperor was reluctant. Dou Shishu, understanding the emperor’s intentions, had dragged Wu Shan into the matter, knowing that the real issue lay between Wu Ge’lao and the emperor.

Dou Zhao visited Wu Shan in prison. Wu Shan remarked that this was the sixth time he had seen Dou Zhao. Dou Zhao, however, was more concerned about why Wu Shan knowingly walked into a trap. Wu Shan admitted he had suspected it was a trap, but he couldn’t risk the possibility that it wasn’t. He couldn’t gamble with Dou Zhao’s life. He expressed no regret about his imprisonment, though he felt ashamed toward his grandfather.

Wu Shan also urged Dou Zhao not to feel sad for him. Dou Zhao, on the other hand, blamed herself for implicating Wu Shan, saying she should never have gotten to know him. Wu Shan countered that knowing Dou Zhao was the happiest thing in his life. When Wu Shan was brought to the execution ground, the crowd attempted to stop the authorities, proclaiming Wu Shan a good man.

Wu Ge’lao and Song Mo knelt at the palace gates, submitting their resignations. They declared themselves too old and unfit for their roles and admitted their errors, particularly their support for the war. They pleaded to see the Emperor, willing to accept any punishment for their mistakes, even death. At the execution ground, the judge insisted Wu Shan confess to his crimes, but Wu Shan refused to sully his grandfather’s reputation. He would rather die than admit to false charges.

Just as the executioner gave the order, Song Mo arrived in time with an imperial decree. The Emperor, after meeting with Wu Ge’lao, spared Wu Shan’s life. The decree reduced Wu Shan’s rank and assigned him to repair the statues of Yuan You Palace but avoided harsher punishment. Wu Shan glanced at Dou Zhao, who responded with a relieved smile. As Wu Shan prepared to leave the capital, Dou Zhao came to see him off.

Wu Shan told her that freedom is something one can fight for and encouraged her to bravely pursue the one she loves. Dou Zhao watched him leave. Shortly afterward, Song Mo arrived and comforted Dou Zhao, saying that Wu Shan, at least, had escaped the constraints of his family and could now do what he loved. Song Mo handed Dou Zhao a blood-stained letter that Wu Shan had written while in prison, believing he wouldn’t survive.

In it, Wu Shan expressed no regrets but wished not to live as a caged bird. Dou Zhao felt a deep sense of sorrow, realizing that while she could strategize for miles away, she was powerless before the forces of authority, especially those wielded by Dou Shishu. Song Mo then informed Dou Zhao that Dou Shishu would soon be sent on a diplomatic mission to Li Zhen.

The last envoy to Li Zhen had met a tragic end, which explained Dou Shishu’s recent melancholy. All of this had been orchestrated by Wu Ge’lao and Song Mo, who suggested the idea to the Emperor. Song Mo reaffirmed that freedom can be fought for and that the cage could not confine the bird forever. He asked Dou Zhao if she wanted to stop or take a walk up the mountain.

Dou Zhao decided to head up the mountain, and Song Mo quickly followed. Three months later, at the martial arts competition, Dong Qi presented a bow gifted by the previous Emperor, signaling his intent to win. Haichang Bo mocked that Song Mo had no chance, recalling a past incident where Song Mo’s father punished him harshly. Gu Yu, however, immediately retorted, fiercely defending Song Mo.

Meanwhile, the court held a competition of grace and etiquette, open only to daughters of high-ranking officials. Since Dou Shishu had returned victorious, the Dou family’s daughters could participate this time. Wei Tingzhen, one of the judges, had already accepted gifts from Wang Yingxue, intending to help Dou Ming win. However, during the first round, which tested cooking skills, Liang Xiaojie accidentally knocked over Dou Ming’s dish, causing her elimination.

Liang Xiaojie then mocked Dou Zhao’s efforts, claiming her dishes were unworthy of presentation. She attempted to repeat her trick, but Dou Zhao, prepared this time, dodged deftly. Liang Xiaojie’s dish ended up on the ground instead, resulting in her own disqualification. In doing so, Dou Zhao avenged Dou Ming. Dou Zhao went on to win the competition. Wei Tingzhen, already dissatisfied with her, sought to disqualify Dou Zhao for participating in men’s gambling games, deeming it inappropriate conduct.

However, Princess Shude intervened, countering Wei Tingzhen’s claim. She revealed that she herself had ridden horses, shot arrows, and participated in gambling games at Dou Zhao’s age, with the Emperor never having forbidden such activities for women. Wei Tingzhen, faced with Shude’s authority, hastily apologized. In the hunting grounds, Dou Ming witnessed Wei Tingyu sparing a rabbit because he found it too adorable to kill, which increased her fondness for him.

Meanwhile, Shude grew fond of Dou Zhao, finding her demeanor reminiscent of her own youth. When Shude asked Dou Zhao to predict the best hunter, Dou Zhao confidently named Dong Qi. Although Shude believed Song Mo to be the most outstanding, she respected Dou Zhao’s analysis, noting her deep understanding of Song Mo. Dong Qi captured a tiger, while Song Mo only hunted a venomous snake. Song Mo explained that his intent was solely to maintain peace and stability.

Song Yichun mocked Song Mo for his eloquent words, but the Emperor was reminded of Jiang Meisun and rebuked Song Yichun for being an unworthy father. He personally draped his robe over Song Mo and appointed him Commander of the Jinwu Guards. Later, Dou Shishu returned, and the Crown Prince was interrogating him regarding the opening of a horse market. The Emperor rushed to the scene with Shude and Song Mo in tow. Shude, however, brought Dou Zhao along.

Upon arrival, the Emperor listened to the ministers’ debates on the horse market. Shude recommended Dou Zhao speak, citing her expertise in business. Dou Zhao recounted her recent gambling success during the hunt, explaining how she had deliberately influenced expectations to favor Dong Qi, while she secretly bet on Song Mo, resulting in her grand victory. The Emperor, amused, asked for her thoughts on the horse market.

Dou Zhao’s arguments pleased him, leading him to order the implementation of her suggestions. When the Emperor offered a reward for Dou Zhao’s victory, Shude proposed matchmaking Dou Zhao with Song Mo. However, Dou Zhao interjected, requesting instead to plant potatoes. The Emperor agreed, but Dou Shishu brought up Dou Zhao’s engagement to Wei Tingyu, stating that such a venture would not involve Wei Tingyu. The Emperor glanced at Song Mo, seemingly helpless.

Considering that the martial lineage of the Marquis of Jining seemed to be ending with Wei Tingyu, the Emperor ordered him to train at the Jinwu Guards and suggested Song Mo marry Princess Jingyu. Shude objected, citing Jingyu’s strong personality, and the matter was temporarily set aside. As Dou Zhao was leaving, Song Mo stopped her, offering to help annul her engagement. Dou Zhao, however, insisted on handling her matters independently. Just then, they learned Dou Ming had not returned. Dou Zhao speculated she might be with Wei Tingyu and proposed searching for her with Song Mo.

In the corridor, Shude encountered Dou Shishu and congratulated him on his safe return from Lizhen and his promotion. However, she also suggested smoking together and expressed her desire to hear him play the zither, but Dou Shishu rejected both requests. He turned away coldly, leaving Shude with an indifferent figure. Song Mo wanted to mobilize the Jinwu Guards to search for Dou Ming but was stopped by Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao worried that if Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu were seen together by a large crowd, it would ruin their reputations. She proposed that she and Song Mo search for them together. In the woods, they found Wei Tingyu, who had twisted his ankle, and Dou Ming, who was reluctant to leave his side. Feeling guilty, Dou Ming apologized and explained that nothing had happened between her and Wei Tingyu—they had merely encountered each other while chasing a rabbit.

Dou Zhao didn’t hold it against her and suggested Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu ride her horse back. However, Dou Ming hesitated to take her elder sister’s fiancé’s horse, fearing rumors, and proposed that Dou Zhao and Wei Tingyu leave together. At this, Song Mo stepped out and volunteered to escort Wei Tingyu back himself, claiming they shared common interests and could keep each other company.

After inspecting Wei Tingyu's injury, which was only a dislocation, Song Mo reset it and prepared to leave. Suddenly, an arrow flew toward them. Song Mo instinctively shielded Dou Zhao, catching the arrow. A hunter mistook Song Mo, dressed in brown, for a bear and had shot in panic. Song Mo did not blame the hunter but noticed that Dou Zhao appeared shaken. He embraced her and gently asked what was wrong, but Dou Zhao refused to speak.

When Wang Yingxue saw Dou Zhao, she was furious. Despite Dou Ming claiming that it was Dou Zhao who found her and brought her back, Wang Yingxue neither expressed gratitude nor restrained her sarcasm. She mocked Dou Zhao for winning the top honor merely to delay her marriage and vowed to thwart her plans. Dou Zhao said nothing and left, leaving Wang Yingxue astonished that Dou Zhao didn’t retort as usual.

Dou Zhao went alone to the lakeside, recalling a conversation from her childhood with an elderly man who told her that great strength could move mountains and seas. Yet, despite all her efforts, nothing seemed to have changed. Song Mo had nearly gotten hurt because of her. The memory of the old man seemed to reappear, reminding her that she was like a boulder in a river: though it could briefly redirect the water, the currents would always reunite.

An individual’s power was insignificant. When she snapped back to reality, the old man was gone. Distracted and despondent, she almost fell into the water, but Song Mo appeared just in time and caught her in his arms. He tried to probe her thoughts, but Dou Zhao claimed she was merely hungry and weak, which led to her stumble. Song Mo immediately made her a pot of congee. Having been a field cook, preparing food was no trouble for him.

Dou Zhao, however, had no appetite. Song Mo draped his cloak over her shoulders and held her hands, trying to discern her feelings from her expressions, which irritated Dou Zhao. She snapped at him, asking whether figuring out her thoughts gave him a sense of achievement. Song Mo explained that he only wanted to help her relieve her burdens and understand her pressures.

Dou Zhao took a step back, asking him to stay away from her, saying that was the greatest relief he could give her. Under the emperor’s orders, Wei Tingyu reported to the Jinwu Guards under Song Mo’s command. On his first day, he was given food, but Song Mo rebuked him for eating during military training and reminded everyone that such actions warranted punishment. To set an example, Song Mo ate some himself and declared he would also accept punishment.

By the end of the day, the harsh training left Wei Tingyu exhausted, and even simple steamed buns tasted like delicacies to him at dinner. When Song Mo inquired about his marriage to Dou Zhao, Wei Tingyu complained bitterly, criticizing Dou Zhao as an unrefined and unsuitable match. However, he admitted that marrying her was like bringing a golden goose into the family. This angered Song Mo, who used training as an excuse to further discipline Wei Tingyu harshly.

Unable to bear the grueling regimen, Wei Tingyu rallied some noble peers to petition the emperor. The emperor, impressed by Song Mo’s strict discipline, dismissed their complaints and ordered that Wei Tingyu’s grievances be ignored. However, the emperor did take note of Dou Shishu’s accusation that Song Mo frequented brothels and brought courtesans home to warm his feet. He believed marriage would stabilize Song Mo and urged Dou Shishu to settle the young men’s marital issues promptly.

Wang Yingxue and Dou Shiying invited Wei Tingzhen to watch an opera, bringing younger family members along to foster closer ties and finalize the marriage between Wei Tingyu and Dou Zhao. However, Wei Tingyu secretly met with Dou Ming, gifting her a painting to express his affection. Dou Zhao stumbled upon Song Mo carousing with several opera performers. She was displeased, and Song Mo dismissed everyone to speak with her alone.

He directly pointed out that Dou Zhao understood his intentions and asked for clarity. Dou Zhao, unable to face his gaze, tried to flee but was cornered by Song Mo against a wall. Just as she struggled to escape, Wei Tingyu arrived, assuming Song Mo was bullying Dou Zhao. Wei Tingyu pulled Dou Zhao behind him, but Song Mo noticed how Dou Zhao quickly shook off Wei Tingyu’s hand. Amused, Song Mo left without arguing.

Dou Zhao privately confronted Wei Tingyu, urging him to call off the engagement if he didn’t love her. Wei Tingyu, fearful of his sister’s authority, said he was willing to marry. Dou Zhao then suggested consulting an oracle to determine the wedding date. Wei Tingyu grew anxious, hoping Dou Zhao would speak to Dou Shishu to resolve the matter. Frustrated by Wei Tingyu’s cowardice and lack of resolve, Dou Zhao felt even more disheartened.

Song Mo observed everything from the shadows and realized that Dou Zhao didn’t want to marry Wei Tingyu. This lifted his spirits as he eagerly awaited Dou Zhao’s next move. Wei Tingyu again secretly met Dou Ming, who, despite her feelings for him, remained rational. She had investigated his background, discovering his numerous concubines and frequent visits to brothels.

Wei Tingyu knelt and swore to dismiss all his maids, dedicate his art solely to her, and presented her with a portrait of Dou Zhao he had painted. In return, he noticed Dou Ming had embroidered red bean motifs, signifying their mutual affection. When Dou Zhao agreed to consult the oracle, Wang Yingxue found her unusually compliant. Upon hearing that Dou Zhao was unwell, Wang Yingxue grew suspicious.

Wei Tingzhen invited a renowned oracle to perform a divination using tortoise shells. Suddenly, Chen Qushui and Suxin rushed in, claiming intruders were nearby and urging everyone to seek shelter. After the group left, Wang Yingxue secretly returned and witnessed Dou Zhao swapping the auspicious shell with an inauspicious one. Pleased with her foresight, Wang Yingxue had prepared another auspicious shell and instructed her maid to replace it.

However, Dou Ming soon entered, removed the auspicious shell, and replaced it with an inauspicious one. Wang Yingxue, ever cautious, had multiple tortoise shells prepared. She instructed her maid to replace it again but found the fire tongs had been taken by Dou Ming. Unable to retrieve the shell by hand, Wang Yingxue used her sleeve to replace it. Just as she finished, Wei Tingzhen and the oracle returned.

The oracle declared the shell auspicious, but Wei Tingzhen noticed Wang Yingxue’s trembling hands and grew suspicious. As Wei Tingzhen left, she encountered Dou Zhao, who greeted her while feigning illness and presented her with a valuable gift. Wei Tingzhen’s doubts deepened. This, however, was all part of Dou Zhao’s plan. Knowing Wang Yingxue would prepare extensively, Dou Zhao’s true goal was to sow doubt in Wei Tingzhen’s mind.

When Suxin expressed confusion over what they were investigating, Dou Zhao smiled enigmatically, hinting at a drama involving the scheming sisters.

Dou Zhao told Su Lan and Suxin that her goal was to provoke Wei Tingzhen's suspicions. As long as doubts arose, Wei Tingzhen would investigate thoroughly. Su Lan curiously asked what would be uncovered through the investigation. Dou Zhao smiled at the sisters and said they must start their performance. After returning, Wei Tingzhen indeed grew suspicious and instructed her trusted nanny to investigate discreetly.

The nanny pretended to deliver tonic and took the opportunity to invite Su Lan and Suxin for a meal, probing Dou Zhao's health indirectly. Suxin pretended to let slip that Dou Zhao was unwell but refrained from revealing the illness, as Su Lan stopped her in time. That night, the nanny secretly followed Suxin and found her burying medicinal residues. The nanny dug them up for examination and discovered that the medicine was for treating infertility.

Furious, Wei Tingzhen believed she had almost fallen into Wang Yingxue's trap. She decided to delay the engagement, intending to quietly annul it over time. Wang Yingxue discovered the relationship between Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu and punished Dou Ming in anger. Ji Yong came to visit Dou Zhao and noticed her preparing medicine, quickly deducing her intentions.

Ji Yong suggested that he had other ways to cancel the engagement without so much effort, but Dou Zhao insisted on avoiding unnecessary trouble. She warned Ji Yong not to act rashly, saying she would handle her own affairs. Song Mo purchased the Taihe Theater and became engrossed in opera daily. Even the Crown Prince visited but criticized Song Mo for neglecting his duties, sparking discontent among the court officials.

The Crown Prince speculated that Song Mo was lying low to lower his opponents' guard for a decisive strike. The Crown Prince offered assistance, but Song Mo maintained his carefree demeanor, even offering to arrange performers for the Crown Prince. Infuriated, the Crown Prince left in disgust. In reality, Song Mo had bought the theater because many officials in the capital enjoyed opera. It provided a convenient way to gather intelligence.

In private, he convened strategists to discuss the current political situation and ordered people to monitor the Crown Prince's palace and gather information from his close aides. They also discovered that before Duke Dingguo entered the capital, he had written a letter to Jiang Huisun. However, the letter had mysteriously disappeared. Song Mo had searched his household earlier but found no trace of it. Song Yichun was attended to daily by Court Officer Su Yan.

Hearing about the missing family letter, Song Yichun grew uneasy, fearing it could cause upheaval. However, Su Yan believed that with Duke Dingguo and the Dingguo Army gone, a single family letter couldn't stir trouble. Still, Song Yichun remained uneasy, uncertain about Song Mo's next move. Ji Yong had someone inform Dou Ming that Wei Tingyu needed to see her urgently. Dou Ming hurriedly disguised herself as a maid and rushed to the theater.

She entered Wei Tingyu's room but found the door locked when she tried to leave. When Wei Tingyu awoke and saw Dou Ming, he was delighted but understood he couldn't compromise her reputation. Dou Ming, worried about staying the night and the rumors it might cause, lamented that death might be better. Wei Tingyu vowed to die with her. Their mutual affection was confirmed, and they embraced tightly. Ji Yong, eavesdropping outside, felt relieved that his plan had succeeded.

However, as he turned to leave, Song Mo appeared, beat him up, and broke the door lock. Wei Tingyu shielded Dou Ming and took full responsibility for the situation. After beating Wei Tingyu, Song Mo sent him back to his family and handed him over to Wei Tingzhen. Song Mo warned Wei Tingyu that if he mentioned that night to anyone, he would face severe consequences.

Wei Tingyu knelt and pleaded with Wei Tingzhen to marry Dou Ming instead of Dou Zhao. Furious, Wei Tingzhen concluded that Wang Yingxue was scheming to marry one of the Dou daughters into their household. Wang Yingxue, however, refused to let Dou Ming marry Wei Tingyu and pushed for Wei Tingyu to marry Dou Zhao. This time, Dou Ming, who had always tolerated her mother, openly opposed her.

She declared that she had already exchanged vows with Wei Tingyu and could not marry another. Dou Ming lamented that while her mother always criticized her, Wei Tingyu was the only one who recognized her worth. Wang Yingxue believed that only a man's future could safeguard a woman for life and ordered Dou Ming to be confined in a temple.

Wang Yingxue then approached Wei Tingzhen to renegotiate the marriage, but Wei Tingzhen accused her of substituting brides and clinging to the Marquis of Jining's family. Wang Yingxue shifted the conversation to Dou Zhao's substantial dowry, which was something the financially unstable Wei Tingzhen sorely lacked. Wei Tingzhen reluctantly agreed and set the wedding date for ten days later. When Dou Zhao learned of Ji Yong's actions, she angrily dismissed him.

Ji Yong felt her methods were too slow, but Dou Zhao insisted she never harmed others and wouldn't stoop to Wang Yingxue's level. Ji Yong argued that even if Wei Tingyu and Dou Zhao married, they would still betray her. He sarcastically remarked that if not for Song Mo's intervention, the two would likely be thanking him with wedding sweets by now.

Remembering past betrayals, Dou Zhao dismissed Ji Yong, who left in a huff but picked up the glasses Dou Zhao had once gifted him. Dou Ming attempted to swallow gold to commit suicide but was discovered in time. Wang Yingxue, heartbroken, held her daughter as Dou Ming confessed that she had vowed during her wedding vows with Wei Tingyu that if they couldn't be together in life, they would reunite in death.

Wang Yingxue relented and agreed to let Dou Ming take Dou Zhao's place in the marriage. She prepared a phoenix crown and ceremonial robe for her daughter. On the wedding day, Dou Ming brought a bowl of soup for Dou Zhao. As the bride was veiled and carried into the sedan chair, Wang Yingxue ran out and placed her jade bracelet on the bride's wrist. Ji Yong, watching from the side, smiled knowingly, realizing the substitution had succeeded.

Song Mo led a group intending to disrupt the wedding but found the veiled bride cowering behind Wei Tingyu. Recognizing the bride wasn't Dou Zhao, Song Mo guessed the truth. Ji Yong pulled Song Mo into the sedan to explain, but Song Mo had already figured it out. During the wedding night, Wei Tingyu believed he had married Dou Zhao and drowned his sorrows in alcohol, only to discover Dou Ming under the veil.

Dou Ming embraced Wei Tingyu, explaining the substitution. She recounted that when she brought drugged porridge to Dou Zhao that day, her nervousness caused her to spill it. Dou Zhao, understanding her intentions, didn't blame her but instead suggested Dou Ming hit her with a tray to feign unconsciousness. Taking advantage of the situation, Dou Ming swapped clothes and took her place. Hearing this, Wei Tingyu felt immense gratitude toward Dou Zhao.

As they strolled along, Dou Shiying and Dou Shishu chatted idly about the wedding arrangements, relieved to have resolved their worries. But suddenly, they noticed someone sitting in the garden eating—it was Dou Zhao! The sight shocked them, and after some investigation, they discovered that Dou Ming had gone in place of Dou Zhao to get married. Dou Shishu's first thought was how to apologize to the Wei family while preserving the dignity of both families.

He proposed publicly announcing that Dou Zhao was withdrawing from the marriage due to infertility and suggested forfeiting the dowry, even adding more as compensation. Dou Zhao, however, was dissatisfied with Dou Shishu’s decision, feeling like she, the true victim, was being forced to endure everything silently. Wang Yingxue, standing nearby, made unkind remarks, accusing Dou Zhao of being secretly happy since she never wanted the marriage anyway.

Unable to bear it any longer, Dou Shiying, usually meek and reserved, exploded in anger for the first time. He declared that Dou Zhao was his daughter, and if apologies or explanations were necessary, they were his responsibility—not Dou Shishu's. He rebuked Wang Yingxue, calling her shameless for even thinking of keeping Dou Zhao’s dowry. Dou Zhao was stunned, surprised that her typically timid father was defending her so strongly for the first time.

That evening, Dou Zhao sat alone beneath the magnolia tree, lost in thought. Song Mo appeared and confessed his love for her, asking her to marry him. Dou Zhao, however, rejected him, claiming she didn’t like him. Song Mo stared into her eyes, realizing she was lying. Reluctantly, Dou Zhao revealed another reason: her mother had been deeply devoted to her father, but her father’s romantic past drove her mother to hang herself beneath this very tree.

Dou Zhao admitted that she no longer believed in marriage. Song Mo wasn’t convinced this was the whole truth. Pressed further, Dou Zhao finally shared another reason—she once dreamt of the two of them being killed by a single arrow through their hearts. Song Mo finally understood her fear.

He admitted he too had once dreamt of a girl wearing a mask, but he dismissed it as just a dream, urging Dou Zhao not to let such visions control her life. Dou Zhao, agitated, insisted it wasn’t merely a dream. She pointed to a red flower mark behind her ear as proof. However, when Song Mo checked, the mark was gone. Shocked, Dou Zhao rushed to a mirror and confirmed it had disappeared.

She recalled the words of an elderly man: once she gained the power to overturn mountains, she would also have the ability to change the course of rivers. Perhaps she had already altered everyone’s fate. Song Mo then gave Dou Zhao a token of imperial authority, something he had begged the emperor for, handed to him by Shude.

The token granted Dou Zhao the freedom to choose her own marriage or to annul an existing one, ensuring that her marital decisions were entirely in her hands. Before leaving, Song Mo told Dou Zhao she had five days to decide. If she agreed to be with him, she should tie a red ribbon to the magnolia tree; if not, a white ribbon. Soon after, Wei Tingzhen stormed into the Dou household, demanding an explanation, though his true motives were financial.

Wei Tingyu arrived shortly after and boldly declared his willingness to marry Dou Ming and care for her for life. Cornered, Wei Tingzhen finally relented when Wang Yingxue privately offered to share half the profits from her businesses with him. Wei Tingzhen agreed and promised to formalize the marriage contract appropriately, treating Dou Ming with care. Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu knelt outside Dou Zhao’s door to apologize and plead for forgiveness.

However, Dou Zhao refused to see them, only observing Wei Tingyu’s demeanor through the door’s crack. She felt that perhaps he and Dou Ming were indeed a good match. Later, when Su Xin and Su Lan mentioned that Wei Tingzhen had gone to Wang Yingxue’s room, Dou Zhao immediately guessed it was all about money. Dou Shiying gave Dou Zhao a silver banknote worth 5,000 taels as compensation.

Dou Zhao declined it, instead asking her father to promise to reject any future marriage proposals on her behalf. She clarified that she wasn’t opposed to marriage itself—only to marrying the wrong person. Dou Shiying fully supported her decision, finally breaking free from his years of timidity to protect his daughter. He revealed that he had often visited the countryside estate in secret to check on Dou Zhao’s well-being, only finding peace knowing she was happy.

The estrangement between father and daughter was finally resolved. Dou Zhao also told Dou Shiying about Wang Yingxue’s questionable actions. Dou Shiying took Dou Zhao to confront Wang Yingxue, demanding she surrender the household management seal to Dou Zhao. Wang Yingxue resisted, arguing that she had managed everything for years. Dou Shiying reminded her that lending money at exorbitant rates was a serious crime that could doom the entire family.

Now that Dou Zhao had discovered it, others surely would too. Enraged, Dou Shiying scolded Wang Yingxue harshly. Terrified, she knelt and confessed her wrongdoings, trying to implicate Dou Shishu as well. But Dou Shiying ignored her excuses and ordered her to reflect on her mistakes while handing over all financial matters to Dou Zhao. After news spread that Dou Zhao had annulled her engagement, many prominent families in the capital began sending marriage proposals.

Overwhelmed, Dou Shiying was at a loss until he heard that Grand Secretary Liang had also sent a proposal. Dou Shiying’s frustration peaked, and in a fit of rage, he accidentally fell and hit his head. Seeing the flock of geese sent as betrothal gifts only added to Dou Shiying’s headache. He ordered them all thrown out, but Dou Zhao stopped him, pointing out that such actions would offend people. She suggested returning them one by one later that evening.

Thinking Dou Shiying would refuse to eat the goose she cooked, mistaking it for the wild geese, Dou Zhao ordered it taken away. But Dou Shiying, touched by his daughter’s rare gesture of cooking for him, insisted on eating it. Just then, news arrived that Lord Haichang had come to propose marriage. Furious, Dou Shiying chased him out with a broom, accusing him of treating their house like a brothel.

Lord Haichang argued that since no one else would marry Dou Zhao after her annulment, he was offering her salvation, further enraging Dou Shiying. To avoid further drama, Dou Shishu suggested sending Dou Zhao to live at the countryside estate. Both Dou Zhao and the matriarch saw through the ploy, understanding that with Dou Shishu poised to become the next Chief Minister, the Dou family’s influence had skyrocketed.

With Dou Zhao’s broken engagement, she was now seen as a desirable yet vulnerable target. Lu Ming specially delivered tofu pudding to Dou Zhao and the others on behalf of Song Mo, comforting her. Song Mo frequently purchased large quantities of tofu pudding, ensuring that any unbroken ones were sent to the Dou household while rewarding soldiers with any that were damaged during transport. Seeing the vibrant purple flowers blooming in the courtyard, Dou Zhao remembered Song Mo’s words.

Though the hardy flowers could thrive without care, they would flourish even more with support. The thought brought an involuntary smile to her lips. Cui Shi, noticing her expression, gently advised Dou Zhao to remember Song Mo’s kindness. She noted that despite having the emperor’s favor, Song Mo had only requested Dou Zhao’s freedom to choose her marriage—not her hand directly. Such care and restraint were rare, giving Cui Shi peace of mind.

The emperor summoned Dou Shiying, questioning why Dou Zhao still hadn’t chosen a suitable match. Dou Shiying explained that he had promised not to interfere in her marriage decisions. Frustrated, the emperor ordered him to resolve the matter soon, warning that failure would jeopardize his standing with the Ministry of Revenue. On his way back, someone set off firecrackers near Dou Shiying’s carriage, spooking the horses and nearly overturning it.

Thankfully, Song Mo arrived in time to rescue him and personally escorted him home. Yet Dou Shiying couldn’t understand why Song Mo would go to such lengths.

Ji Yong sat in the temple, watching a young monk sweeping fallen leaves under a dead tree. He advised the monk to give up and rest instead, as the tree had been lifeless for years and there were no leaves to sweep. However, the monk followed his master’s instructions and continued sweeping. Suddenly, Ji Yong noticed a flower blooming on a branch of the tree, and he recalled his master’s words: “Even dead wood can bloom in spring.

” Ji Yong was sent to the temple as a child because he had difficulty connecting emotionally, making the temple a suitable place for him. Now that he had returned to the mortal world, he had metaphorically "blossomed. " This realization brought a smile to his face. Song Mo escorted Dou Ming back home. Observing her expression, he worried that she might misunderstand his intentions and think he had ulterior motives.

To avoid leaving a bad impression, Song Mo respectfully declined to enter the residence. During their conversation, Dou Ming mentioned her fondness for the book *Spring and Autumn Annals*. Song Mo had read it before and, with his remarkable memory, later asked Lu Ming to purchase a copy for his home. Lu Ming, noticing Song Mo’s intentions, couldn’t help but laugh.

Meanwhile, Yan Chaoqing arrived to investigate the recent fireworks incident, discovering that the culprit was someone associated with Hai Changbo. Although the individual was caught, he refused to confess, but the size of the fireworks already indicated a violation of regulations. While Dou Zhao was pondering Song Mo’s recent actions toward her, Ji Yong came to visit her.

Dou Zhao expressed her wish to learn stargazing, but Ji Yong pointed out that she had the *Records of the Enlightened Age* and didn’t need to stargaze. Dou Zhao asked Ji Yong if he remembered anything from his past life. Ji Yong replied with a smile, saying he could only observe the present through stargazing and had no knowledge of past lives. Hai Changbo was suspected of privately storing fireworks to make explosives.

When he failed to report to Dou Zhao, she became furious, believing the matter was urgent. However, Song Mo was only focused on investigating trivial matters. Later, Dou Zhao inspected a magnolia tree and discovered a white paper kite hanging on it, which she immediately ordered someone to retrieve. Song Mo realized someone was following him and had the person captured for questioning. It turned out the individual was sent by Chen Qushui, who was one of Dou Zhao’s people.

Song Mo couldn’t help but laugh, amused that Dou Zhao had sent someone to spy on him. Personally untying the captive, he even gave him a gold ingot. The spy was remorseful for revealing information under pressure, but Dou Zhao didn’t blame him—she just found the situation embarrassing. Suddenly, the sound of fireworks erupted outside, followed by what seemed to be an explosion. Dou Zhao rushed to the scene, where she found flames everywhere.

Anxiously calling out Song Mo’s name, she attempted to charge into the blaze but was stopped as Song Mo picked her up and carried her out. Dou Zhao confessed that she had always strived to live according to her own will and protect herself, but she realized she was terrified—terrified of losing Song Mo. She also expressed her feelings for him. Although she couldn’t fully adhere to traditional marital roles, she vowed to face life together with him.

Song Mo, deeply moved, embraced her and promised not to let societal norms restrict her. To alleviate her fears of the “Seven Grounds for Divorce,” he promised to write “Seven Vows” for her. Dou Zhao reminded Song Mo that while Su Rian had agreed to their marriage, her father and Dou Shishu would be difficult to deal with. She pledged to face the challenges alongside him.

Song Mo understood the obstacles ahead but remained undeterred, as long as he could be with Dou Zhao. Meanwhile, Song Yichun secretly ordered people to monitor Song Mo, discovering that he had recently spent time with Princess Jingyu, accompanying her on horseback rides. Song Yichun feared the emperor might arrange a marriage between them, as he had hinted at this during a hunting trip.

To prevent this, Song Yichun decided to find a wife for Song Mo, specifying that the candidate must not be gentle or docile. When the matchmaker suggested Dou Zhao, claiming she was a fierce and untamable woman, Song Yichun was delighted. Upon hearing that Dou Zhao had a reputation as a difficult and rebellious woman, he felt she was the perfect match for Song Mo, whose relationship with the Dou family seemed antagonistic on the surface.

Song Mo deliberately invited Dou Ming to his residence, flattering him with praise. Thrilled by the attention, Dou Ming even gifted Song Mo a bottle of fine wine from the emperor. When Dou Ming discovered a rare copy of *Spring and Autumn Annals* in Song Mo’s collection, he was overjoyed. Song Mo generously offered it to him, and knowing Dou Ming’s love for literature, he had also prepared a high-quality inkstone in advance.

Pretending it was unintentional, he let Dou Ming notice it and then presented it as a gift. When Dou Shishu learned of this, he criticized Dou Ming for being reckless and worried that the Duke of England would not approve. Yet, before he could finish speaking, the duke’s visiting card had already arrived. Meanwhile, Dou Zhao and Song Mo were at a restaurant celebrating the success of their scheme.

Every step had been part of their plan, including spreading rumors about Dou Zhao’s negative reputation. Their confidants eagerly offered blessings, wishing them success and happiness. Madam Cui prepared Dou Zhao’s dowry and revealed that Dou Zhao’s mother’s bracelet was part of a matching pair, with the other one buried under a tree by Dou Ming. After so many years, it was uncertain whether it could still be found.

Dou Ming had intended to give the pair to Dou Zhao for her and her future husband to share. Dou Ming began digging under the tree with his bare hands, injuring his fingers in the process but failing to find the bracelet. Feeling guilty, he feared he had disappointed Dou Zhao. Dou Zhao arrived, distressed at seeing her father’s state. She had her people help dig, but they still couldn’t find the bracelet.

Ji Yong then arrived on horseback, but Song Mo, observing from a distance, didn’t want Ji Yong to get close to Dou Zhao. He whistled to lure the horse away. Later, Song Mo, blindfolded to abide by the custom of not seeing the bride before the wedding, came to Dou Zhao. He wanted to help find the bracelet, but Dou Zhao felt that so many people had already failed to locate it, leaving her disheartened.

Lu Ming was caught monitoring Dou Zhao’s residence and explained that Song Mo had instructed him to stay vigilant to prevent another bride-switching incident. Zhao Si, seeing this, worried that Song Mo might be overly suspicious or even tyrannical. She advised Dou Zhao to reconsider, but Dou Zhao firmly believed Song Mo was not that kind of person.

Zhao Si, despite not knowing much about Song Mo, believed that as long as Dou Zhao liked him, Zhao Guqiu would approve as well. Zhao Si naturally offered no objections and even prepared a generous dowry for Dou Zhao. Zhao Zhangru, upon hearing her father had returned, rushed over to meet him. The sight of the father and daughter talking intimately filled Dou Zhao with relief.

Zhao Si, now enjoying a prosperous career, had even purchased an estate in preparation for retirement, living what could be considered a life of great fortune. Meanwhile, Song Mo continued digging for the bracelet. Yan Chaoqing tried to persuade him to prepare for the wedding instead, pointing out that Dou Zhao had said it wasn’t a big deal. But Song Mo knew that when Dou Zhao said it wasn’t important, it actually was.

While continuing to dig, Song Mo discovered a cloth used to cover wine jars and ordered his men to investigate who might have stationed troops in the area previously. However, due to past flooding, much of the site might have been lost. Later that night, Chen Jia sneaked into a manor and got into a scuffle with Zhao Zhangru.

After learning Zhao Zhangru’s identity, Chen Jia handed her a package to deliver to Dou Zhao and Song Mo, offering his congratulations on their wedding. However, upon opening the package, they found the jade inside shattered. Zhao Zhangru suddenly realized it had broken during their earlier fight. On the wedding day, Song Mo arrived late, missing the auspicious hour. However, Dou Zhao didn’t seem to mind and calmly continued eating, knowing that something must have delayed him.

Just as everyone grew worried, Song Mo rushed in, covered in dirt, and insisted on seeing Dou Zhao despite being stopped by others. Peeking through the door crack, Dou Zhao saw Song Mo’s tightly shut eyes. He asked her to extend her hand and slipped the jade bracelet onto her wrist. Dou Zhao noticed his injured hand and learned that Song Mo had tracked the bracelet down to Dong Qi, who had thrown it into a furnace out of spite.

Song Mo had retrieved it barehanded, causing his injury. Disregarding propriety, Dou Zhao ran out and personally treated Song Mo’s wounds. This scene warmed the hearts of Zhao Si and Dou Shiying, who felt reassured seeing how well-matched the couple was. The wedding procession, with its grand ten-mile-long bridal parade, drew envious gazes. However, Wang Yingxue seethed with jealousy, believing this left Dou Ming with no place to stand.

She secretly wrote a letter to the Duke of England, filled with seemingly earnest words but laced with subtle insults, hoping to provoke him into taking action against Dou Zhao. Song Yichun easily saw through Wang Yingxue’s intentions but was pleased by the thought of Dou Zhao as a strong-willed woman, further convinced that she was the right match for Song Mo. Eagerly, Song Yichun took charge of the wedding arrangements to welcome the bride and groom.

During the wedding ceremony, Shude personally arrived to offer her blessings. In the backyard, Miao Ansu, carrying numerous gifts, was stopped due to her merchant-class background. Song Mo’s younger brother, Song Han, stepped in to help and even handed her his handkerchief to wipe the dirt from her face. In the bridal chamber, Song Mo and Dou Zhao lifted the veil and completed the traditional hair-binding ceremony.

Shude declared their union official and recognized that Song Mo had indeed found someone worthy of him. Dou Zhao knew that Shude’s presence was crucial for the smooth proceedings of her wedding. She even invited Shude to sit on the bridal bed for the "bed-pressing blessing" tradition, which required the person to be happily married with children. Despite Shude being single and childless, Dou Zhao did not mind and even admired her carefree and independent spirit.

Shude, in turn, finally understood why Song Mo loved Dou Zhao so much. Wang Yingxue, hearing that the wedding had gone off without a hitch, grew even more furious and lamented the Duke of England’s inability to grasp her true intentions, considering him foolish. After the wedding banquet, the Crown Prince intentionally got Song Mo drunk, teasing him for his poor alcohol tolerance. In reality, Song Mo was faking it just to leave early and reunite with Dou Zhao.

Gu Yu, a friend, jokingly complained that Song Mo had forgotten his brothers now that he was married. Back in the bridal chamber, Song Mo found Dou Zhao watching outside the window, observing the Crown Prince secretly discussing a search operation with others. Song Mo warned Dou Zhao that it was hard to distinguish between friend and foe among the people outside. He helped her remove her intricate hairpiece, complimenting her beauty.

Dou Zhao then removed her *Records of the Enlightened Age* diagram from her wedding attire and showed it to Song Mo. He remarked that even if Prince Qing ascended to the throne, it wouldn’t be a big deal to him, as his thoughts were solely on their wedding night. Unable to hold back, he leaned in to kiss Dou Zhao, but her growling stomach interrupted the moment. Laughing, Song Mo immediately went to prepare grilled fish for her.

As they sat by the fire, Dou Zhao reminisced about how, just a year ago, they had been enemies, and now they were a family. She shared stories of her childhood, deepening their bond. Watching Song Mo skillfully grill fish, she asked if it was true that he could slice a live fish three thousand times without killing it, leaving it swimming freely. Song Mo laughed and teased her, saying it was too late to regret marrying him now.

Their eyes met, and in that tender moment, Song Mo kissed Dou Zhao—only to be interrupted by Zhao Zhangru bursting in. Zhao Zhangru flung herself into Song Mo’s arms, crying loudly. Song Mo thought she had been wronged, but she explained she was simply overwhelmed with joy for Dou Zhao. Still, Zhao Zhangru worried she might never find her ideal husband. To appease her, Song Mo summoned the Jinwu Guard, offering her a chance to choose a suitor.

However, Zhao Zhangru dismissed all of them. When Dou Zhao asked if she had someone in mind, Zhao Zhangru’s thoughts drifted to Chen Jia, though she didn’t admit it. That night, Zhao Zhangru insisted on sleeping in the same bed as Dou Zhao. Song Mo, unable to do anything about it, gently covered the two sleeping women with a blanket. Watching Dou Zhao sleep peacefully, he smiled warmly, though he had to spend the night in the study.

The next morning, Song Mo woke up to find Dou Zhao missing. Searching everywhere, he discovered her kneeling in the ancestral hall, paying respects to Jiang Huisun. She recounted everything she had learned about Song Mo’s past, his struggles, and his resilience. Dou Zhao vowed to stand by Song Mo, supporting him so he would never have to face anything alone again.

Overwhelmed, Song Mo knelt beside her, tears in his eyes, and together they prayed for his mother’s blessing to protect Dou Zhao.

Chen Qushui came to inform Dou Zhao and Song Mo that the Duke of England had brought the elders of the eldest uncle's family to pay their respects. However, Song Mo felt that he had no connection with the Duke of England and saw no need for formalities. He was indifferent to what others thought of him. Dou Zhao suggested meeting them, as avoiding them forever was not a viable option.

The elders of the eldest uncle’s family criticized Dou Zhao for paying respects to the deceased before serving tea to the living, deeming it disrespectful and deliberately finding fault with her. Dou Zhao countered by citing the Records of the Enlightened Age, which demonstrated the propriety of honoring the deceased. Nevertheless, they insisted she kneel and serve tea again. Song Mo initially refused to comply, but Song Yichun rebuked him, stating that as the heir, he should follow the rituals.

Dou Zhao volunteered to kneel and serve tea, but Song Mo stopped her. Instead, he handed the tea to Song Yichun with one hand. Song Yichun, intimidated by Song Mo's intense gaze, had no choice but to drink the tea. Song Han presented Dou Zhao with a set of valuable chess pieces as a meeting gift.

The eldest aunt praised Dou Zhao for her understanding of propriety, but Song Mo pointed out their true intentions, emphasizing that as the heir’s wife, Dou Zhao should manage the household finances. The eldest aunt was reluctant to hand over control and was covetous of Dou Zhao's dowry. The eldest uncle accused Dou Zhao of being incapable of managing a household upon marrying into the family.

Song Mo defended her, asserting that Dou Zhao had passed the emperor’s tests and could even account for the revenues of all provinces, so managing household affairs was trivial in comparison. However, the eldest uncle and aunt persisted in demanding Dou Zhao’s dowry. To resolve the situation, Dou Zhao instructed Chen Qushui to bring out her dowry. When the elders saw the dowry, they were dumbfounded—it amounted to seventy thousand taels of silver.

Dou Zhao explained that this was only the profit from planting potatoes and proposed incorporating the funds into the household’s accounts to help share the expenses. She even suggested that the funds could generate more income under the eldest aunt’s management. The eldest aunt, realizing her own incompetence, began to feel uneasy. Dou Zhao elaborated on business strategies and ways to earn additional income. Seeing this, everyone quickly suggested separate accounting.

Song Mo intervened, stating that it would be inappropriate for the husband’s family to take over the wife’s dowry, as it would invite gossip. The eldest uncle, eager to increase wealth, proposed handing over the Duke of England’s household finances to Dou Zhao, hoping she could generate more income for everyone. Song Yichun, infuriated by the agreement, stormed off in anger.

Chen Qushui advised Song Mo not to worry about Dou Zhao, explaining that everything she did was to stabilize the Duke of England’s household and support him. Both the eldest and third brothers tried to persuade Song Yichun to relinquish control to Dou Zhao. Song Yichun was furious that Dou Zhao had won everyone over in just one day and blamed himself for letting Song Mo marry such a formidable woman.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo analyzed the Song family’s current situation, concluding that the harmony between the eldest uncle and third uncle was superficial, as they were actually fighting over money. Dou Zhao believed gaining control of the household finances would not be difficult and could be achieved by leveraging the dynamics between the two uncles.

Song Mo, admiring her insight, reminded her that if the Duke of England caused trouble again, Chen Qushui could summon the imperial guards to resolve it. He insisted that they must not suffer any losses. Dou Zhao reassured him and urged him to trust her. Later, Song Mo taught Dou Zhao how to use a firearm. Though initially frightened, Dou Zhao noticed how calm and composed Song Mo remained, not even blinking.

Song Mo comforted her, assuring her that she had nothing to fear as long as he was by her side. Even though she missed her first shot, he praised her for her effort and encouraged her to try again. When Dou Zhao successfully hit the wind chime hanging from a tree, Song Mo complimented her talent. Thrilled, Dou Zhao noticed that Song Mo’s hand had reopened a previous wound.

While bathing, Song Mo refused Dou Zhao’s offer to help him wash, but she insisted, stating that it was her duty as his wife to care for him when he was injured. To her surprise, the mighty general appeared bashful. When Dou Zhao removed his clothes, she discovered scars all over his back. Song Mo explained that he wasn’t shy but feared the sight might frighten her.

Dou Zhao, who had heard of his scars before, was still deeply moved and pained to see them in person. She understood that these marks were a testament to his sacrifices for the nation and its people. Among them, she even spotted a scar she had caused. Dou Zhao embraced Song Mo tightly, vowing that they should always be honest with each other no matter what happened in the future. Song Mo agreed.

Dou Ming brought snacks to Wei Tingyu and found him painting. Curious, she wanted to take a look, but Wei Tingyu playfully teased her, promising to show her after it was finished. Seeing Dou Ming’s beauty, Wei Tingyu couldn't resist the urge to kiss her, but just then, someone informed Dou Ming that she needed to pay respects to Wei Tingzhen. Although Wei Tingyu was displeased, he didn’t say anything.

When Dou Ming arrived, she saw her nanny, Nanny Zhou, being scolded and beaten, her face covered in bruises. Unable to protect her own people, Dou Ming herself was ordered by Wei Tingzhen to serve scalding ginseng soup while kneeling, as a lesson on proper etiquette for serving her mother-in-law. Wei Tingzhen deliberately compared Dou Ming to Dou Zhao, mocking her for her inability to bring wealth to the Wei family and for lacking a generous dowry.

She also criticized Dou Ming’s mother for failing to deliver the promised dividends. At this moment, Wei Tingyu arrived. Seeing Dou Ming kneeling, he quickly helped her up and reminded Wei Tingzhen not to make things difficult for his wife. He pointed out that this was Jining Marquis Manor, not Jing Duke Manor. Wei Tingzhen, angry and humiliated, blamed Wei Tingyu for his failures and lamented how she had to subsidize the Marquis Manor, only to be scolded in return.

Dou Ming, unwilling to see Wei Tingyu argue with Wei Tingzhen, promised to go back to her mother to ask for the dividends. When Dou Ming returned to her family home, her gifts were lavish and generous. Dou Shiying, her father, was delighted, but Wang Yingxue sneered that Dou Zhao was only good at making money and lacked anything else of value. She contrasted this with the apparent mutual affection between Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu.

Wang Yingxue even implied that without money, Song Mo wouldn’t treat Dou Zhao the same way. Unexpectedly, Dou Zhao responded sharply, leaving Wang Yingxue speechless. At that moment, it was reported that Dou Ming had also returned home. When Dou Ming arrived, she praised her mother for looking youthful. However, Wang Yingxue noticed that Dou Ming had lost weight and immediately guessed that Wei Tingzhen was deliberately making things difficult for her.

Dou Ming explained that Wei Tingyu had been protective of her, but Wang Yingxue mockingly pointed out that the gifts Wei Tingyu brought last time were so modest that they couldn’t even be compared. Dou Ming lied, claiming that Wei Tingzhen treated her well, but Wang Yingxue was unconvinced. She felt that if Wei Tingzhen saw the gifts Dou Zhao brought, Dou Ming’s life would only get harder.

Saddened by her own situation, Dou Ming quietly left the room, feeling as though she couldn’t please anyone—oppressed by her in-laws and criticized by her family. Nanny Zhou shared Dou Ming’s current struggles with Wang Yingxue, who felt both anger and heartache for her daughter. When Dou Ming left in tears, she was seen by Dou Shiying, Song Mo, and Dou Zhao. Concerned, Dou Shiying worried about why Dou Ming was crying.

Dou Zhao quickly explained that Dou Ming must be homesick and signaled Song Mo to take Dou Shiying away. In private, Dou Zhao asked Dou Ming about her situation. Dou Ming admitted that Dou Zhao had been right when she tried to warn her before. Jining Marquis Manor’s financial situation was dire, and her dowry wasn’t enough to fill the gap. However, Dou Ming felt powerless to change anything.

Dou Zhao shared some strategies for generating income from household assets, and Dou Ming praised her as a financial genius. While Dou Ming was eagerly taking notes, Wang Yingxue interrupted, insisting that Dou Ming didn’t need to stress herself out over such trivial matters. She also vowed to have Wang Xingyi arrange a position for Wei Tingyu to ensure Dou Ming’s life wouldn’t be so difficult.

Wang Yingxue gave Dou Ming some banknotes, promising to seek her father’s help in securing a government post for Wei Tingyu. Dou Ming hesitated to accept the money, worried about the risk of embezzlement during a time of strict government oversight, which could lead to severe consequences. Wang Yingxue, however, dismissed these concerns and lamented that she had no other choice but to help.

She emphasized that Dou Ming must remember her status as a marchioness and avoid becoming overly preoccupied with trivial household matters. Wang Yingxue promised to support Dou Ming fully, saying that once they had enough money, Wei Tingzhen would no longer mistreat her. Dou Ming tearfully hugged her mother. After seeing Dou Ming off, Wang Yingxue watched her daughter’s carriage leave with a heavy heart.

Her nanny noted that Wang Yingxue had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, deeply loving Dou Ming. Wang Yingxue resolved to pull some strings and provide more money from her private savings to secure a position for Wei Tingyu. Yan Chaoqing and Chen Qushui noticed that spies from the Duke of England’s household had infiltrated their ranks and were secretly reporting back. They suggested replacing these people, but Dou Zhao disagreed.

She reasoned that with both the Crown Prince and Prince Qing vying for Song Mo’s allegiance, replacing the staff could allow their spies to slip in, making matters worse. Su Xin lamented that Dou Zhao was being wronged, but Dou Zhao reassured her that since she and Song Mo were married, they were a team, and everything she did was for him. Meanwhile, Song Mo, who had been listening in silence, couldn’t take his eyes off Dou Zhao.

Yan Chaoqing and Chen Qushui immediately understood the meaning behind Song Mo’s gaze and tactfully left. Taking advantage of the moment, Song Mo kissed Dou Zhao and teasingly forced her to change the way she addressed him. Dou Ming was helping Wei Tingyu organize paintings, worried they might get damp. In doing so, she discovered a finished painting inside a box.

Unable to resist her curiosity, she opened it and found that it was a portrait Wei Tingyu had drawn of her. Overjoyed, Dou Ming shared a sweet moment with him. However, their happiness was interrupted when they were informed that Wei Tingzhen had summoned Dou Ming. Dou Ming, feeling nervous, begged Wei Tingyu to accompany her, but he declined, using painting as an excuse.

Instead, he reminded her that as the mistress of the house, she should not always fear Wei Tingzhen. When Dou Ming went to see Wei Tingzhen, the latter scolded her harshly, accusing her of being incapable of managing household affairs. In response, Dou Ming presented Wei Tingzhen with Wei Tingyu’s letter of appointment, proving that she had authority over the household. Only then did Wei Tingzhen restrain her temper. Meanwhile, Wei Tingyu overheard the entire conversation from outside the room.

Wei Tingzhen was quite satisfied with Dou Ming this time. Dou Ming explained that Wei Tingyu was supposed to retrieve his appointment from the Ministry of Personnel, but her grandfather had obtained it in advance. Now, Wei Tingyu only needed to meet with the Ministry officials briefly. Wei Tingzhen reminded Dou Ming to make sure Wei Tingyu didn’t forget about this. However, unbeknownst to her, Wei Tingyu had overheard their conversation.

When Dou Ming went to find Wei Tingyu, he had already packed his things. Claiming he had made plans with others to go sketching, he ignored Dou Ming’s desperate pleas. Wei Tingyu made it clear that he despised officialdom and asked Dou Ming not to change him. Helpless, Dou Ming could only watch as Wei Tingyu left, unable to do anything about it. While Dou Zhao was balancing the accounts, Song Mo sat nearby, feeling distressed at how hard she worked.

Dou Zhao revealed that she was the famous "Master Zhaoning" in the capital. Song Mo, aware that Zhaoning owned countless estates nationwide, was surprised to learn that this person was actually Dou Zhao. She recounted her struggles over the years, making Song Mo feel even more regretful for not always being by her side—and for bullying her when they first met.

Noticing that Dou Zhao seemed awkward using her right hand to write, Song Mo gently placed the pen in her left hand. He told her that in Yizhi Hall, she could live freely without adhering to strict rules. Seeing how upset Dou Zhao was, she jokingly suggested splitting half of her assets with Song Mo. But Song Mo declined, smiling as he joked that he feared her father would disapprove of him as a son-in-law.

Concerned about Dou Zhao’s exhaustion, Song Mo prepared a calming soup for her. However, by the time he returned, Dou Zhao was already asleep. He carried her to the bed, not realizing she still held a brush in her hand, which stained the bedding. The next morning, Song Mo got up early and specifically instructed the servants not to disturb Dou Zhao’s rest.

He arranged for nutritious food to be prepared for her and reminded them to replace the soiled bedding. The servants assumed that Song Mo and Dou Zhao had shared a room, happily speculating that a little heir would soon arrive. Rumors quickly spread, with some even claiming that twins were on the way. When Dou Zhao noticed how others were looking at her strangely, she learned of the rumors. She suspected Song Mo had deliberately played a prank on her.

In retaliation, she made him drink chicken soup endlessly. Song Mo soon regretted making too much of it. Hearing that Wei Tingyu had gone out and that Dou Ming had packed his belongings for him, Wei Tingzhen was furious and summoned Dou Ming for a scolding. Wei Tingzhen also took the opportunity to belittle both Dou Ming and Wang Yingxue. When Nanny Zhou spoke up in Dou Ming’s defense, she was slapped across the face.

Wei Tingzhen mocked Dou Ming for being useless, unable to contribute to the Wei family, and compared her unfavorably to Dou Zhao, who was both capable and wealthy. She lamented allowing the "swap" of brides and began finding ways to torment Dou Ming daily, forcing her to adhere to strict rules. This relentless stress led to Dou Ming suffering a miscarriage.

Initially, Wei Tingzhen felt guilty and fearful, but her nanny shifted the blame onto Dou Ming, claiming that Dou Ming had deliberately concealed her condition, which caused the miscarriage. Convinced of her own innocence, Wei Tingzhen went to confront Wang Yingxue. Meanwhile, Song Yichun, frustrated by his unclear accounts and jealous of Dou Zhao’s harmonious relationship with Song Mo, sent his steward Lü Zheng to investigate Dou Zhao again. This time, the results contradicted the earlier findings.

Dou Zhao was revealed to be not only a "female Zhuge Liang" but also the owner of countless estates, beloved and respected by the people for her care and generosity. This revelation angered Song Yichun so much that he fell ill. Dou Shiying visited Song Yichun, urging him to let go of his worries, focus on his health, and leave matters to the younger generation.

However, Song Yichun misunderstood, thinking Dou Shiying wanted him to pass the title of Duke of England to Song Mo. This infuriated him further. When he learned that Dou Zhao had personally prepared medicine for him, he even overturned the medicine bowl, fearing she might poison him. He ordered Lü Zheng to prepare his medicine instead. Dou Shiying visited Dou Zhao, relieved to see her current lifestyle. However, he also received news of Dou Ming’s miscarriage, which saddened him.

Dou Zhao sensed something was wrong and questioned him, and Dou Shiying told her the truth. Meanwhile, Wang Yingxue and Wei Tingzhen argued fiercely. Wei Tingzhen accused Wang Yingxue of orchestrating the bride swap, while Wang Yingxue blamed Wei Tingzhen for causing Dou Ming’s miscarriage. Wei Tingzhen retaliated by accusing Dou Ming of being cruel-hearted and harming her own child, suggesting that Dou Ming should divorce Wei Tingyu. Unsure how to respond, Wang Yingxue was relieved when Dou Zhao returned.

With just a few words, Dou Zhao rendered Wei Tingzhen speechless and even threatened to take her to the Sheng Tian Prefecture to settle the matter. Frightened, Wei Tingzhen pretended to fall ill. Wang Yingxue had no choice but to calm her down and postpone the discussion. Wang Yingxue believed that Dou Zhao’s concern was insincere, thinking that Dou Ming’s current situation was entirely Dou Zhao’s fault. Dou Zhao scolded Wang Yingxue for repaying kindness with resentment.

Unable to argue back, Wang Yingxue went to pick up Dou Ming, while Dou Zhao wandered to the magnolia tree, lost in thought and nearly falling. Song Mo, who had been secretly following her to ensure she wasn’t bullied, caught her in time. Seeing Dou Zhao’s commanding presence during the earlier confrontation, he admired her even more. Dou Zhao admitted that such conflicts within the household weren’t worth letting him witness.

Meanwhile, Wang Yingxue gave Nanny Zhou a considerable amount of money to buy supplements for Dou Ming and keep some for emergencies. A worried maid warned her that the money came from usurious loans intended for the Cangbei Gang, and if the gang wasn’t paid, they wouldn’t spare Wang Yingxue. Left with no choice, Wang Yingxue began looking for other ways to cover the shortfall.

Dou Zhao also visited Jining Marquis Manor to see Dou Ming, advising her not to stay with Wei Tingyu any longer. Dou Ming, however, bore no grudge against Wei Tingyu. She reminded Dou Zhao that she had long been warned that Wei Tingyu wasn’t a good husband and that Jining Marquis Manor wasn’t a good place. Yet, Dou Ming had insisted on marrying into the family. Dou Zhao urged Dou Ming to divorce, saying it was her best way out.

But Dou Ming asked her, “What would you do if one day the same thing happened with the heir of your household? ” This left Dou Zhao momentarily speechless. At that moment, Song Mo had already returned with Wei Tingyu. Kneeling outside the manor, Wei Tingyu repeatedly punished himself, begging for Dou Ming’s forgiveness. When Dou Zhao appeared, she slapped Wei Tingyu across the face, furious at his lack of resolve.

Seeing the divorce papers prepared by Dou Zhao, Wei Tingyu thought Dou Ming intended to leave him. He quickly admitted his mistakes and vowed to cut off all improper ties and protect Dou Ming moving forward.

Wei Tingyu was determined to cut ties with Wei Tingzhen, but Wei Tingzhen still blamed Dou Ming for everything. Wei Tingzhen even lamented that if Dou Zhao had been married into their family, she could have supported ten marquis households on her own. Wei Tingyu firmly stated that Wei Tingzhen should stop meddling in the affairs of the Marquis Household and stop comparing herself to Dou Zhao.

Wei Tingzhen, heartbroken by her younger brother's disdain, watched as Wei Tingyu left without another word. After returning home, Wei Tingyu comforted Dou Ming and decided to pursue painting as his future career. Dou Ming, feeling hopeful about Wei Tingyu’s future, blamed herself for lacking the skills and abilities of her elder sister. However, Wei Tingyu didn’t care about such matters, only wishing to live a good life with Dou Ming and promising to work hard to improve their situation.

The members of the Cangbei Gang captured Wang Yingxue, demanding money from her. Wang Yingxue, fearless, laughed in their faces and boldly asked them to kill her, claiming that Wang Xingyi would never let them go if they did. However, if given a chance, she suggested they sit down and negotiate. The gang leader, after much deliberation, reluctantly let her go.

Desperate for money, the gang threatened Wang Yingxue, saying that if she didn’t pay, they would target the Marquis of Jining's residence. Wang Yingxue calmly informed them that the Marquis’s household was penniless and suggested targeting another estate. The gang leader’s eyes lit up, envisioning an endless stream of wealth. Dou Zhao blindfolded Song Mo and helped him remove his outer garments to measure his body.

Song Mo, nervous and flustered, thought Dou Zhao might have some ulterior motive, but to his surprise, she presented him with a soft armor. Although slightly disappointed, he couldn't deny how much he liked the gift. Later in his room, Song Mo stared at the armor for a long time, overthinking its significance. He consulted Yan Chaoqing and Lu Ming, wondering if Dou Zhao didn’t love him but only cared for him as a strategist would care for a general.

Yan Chaoqing and Lu Ming argued that Dou Zhao’s thoughtful actions proved her affection. However, after much discussion, they still couldn’t reach a definitive conclusion. That evening, Dou Zhao and Song Mo went on a lake tour to watch a play—a plan suggested by Lu Ming. However, Yan Chaoqing believed it wasn’t a good idea. Zhao Zhangru suddenly appeared, overhearing their conversation and finding it suspicious.

During the outing, Dou Zhao unknowingly drank too much and asked Song Mo if he liked her. Song Mo gazed at her deeply and admitted his feelings. Laughing drunkenly, Dou Zhao confessed she liked him too, then collapsed into his arms. Song Mo carried her all the way home. Along the way, when Dou Zhao saw a beautiful lantern, Song Mo immediately offered to get it for her.

Carrying Dou Zhao and the lantern, they were teased by a child for being shameless, but Song Mo paid no attention, declaring he would do anything as long as his wife was happy. After returning home, as Dou Zhao called out his name in her sleep, Song Mo couldn't resist leaning in to kiss her but held back, not wanting to take advantage of her drunken state.

To his surprise, Dou Zhao pulled him closer and whispered that she wasn’t drunk before passionately kissing him. The next morning, Dou Zhao woke up with vague memories of the previous night. Learning from Suxin that Song Mo’s neck was covered in marks, she blushed, recalling her bold actions. She sought out Song Mo to ask if she had done anything else, but he teased her by repeating all the affectionate words she had said, leaving her embarrassed.

She hurriedly urged Song Mo to head to the yamen. Meanwhile, Song Mo had retrieved the lantern Dou Zhao admired the previous night and placed it in the front courtyard. Though Dou Zhao found it ostentatious and ordered it to be moved to the back, her heart felt warm with sweetness. Wei Tingyu attempted to sell his paintings, but when the art dealer critiqued his work, Wei Tingyu became displeased.

Dou Ming apologized on his behalf, explaining that the dealer’s advice had helped many artists achieve fame, with just one painting covering a household’s expenses for an entire year. However, Wei Tingyu was outraged when the dealer complimented Dou Ming’s beauty and elegance, accusing him of being a scoundrel and driving him away.

Dou Ming worked to placate Wei Tingyu, suggesting they meet influential figures, but Wei Tingyu rejected the idea, stating his art was meant to cultivate his mind, not be tainted by worldly affairs. During their argument, Wei Tingyu made disparaging remarks about Wang Yingxue’s greed. Dou Ming, upset by his attitude toward her mother, scolded him. Wei Tingyu quickly apologized and reluctantly agreed to take up an official post.

A groom from the Duke of Ying’s residence, Ma Qiang, sought out Song Mo. His wife, Qixia, had once served Jiang Huisun, and after falling ill with madness, she had been abandoned, narrowly escaping harm. Song Mo and Dou Zhao quickly went to investigate and found Qixia, who was paranoid and refused to take any medicine, believing it was poisoned. This behavior had started after Jiang Huisun’s illness worsened.

Unable to decipher the medical situation, Dou Zhao sought Ji Yong’s help. Ji Yong examined Jiang Huisun’s prescriptions, which seemed fine, but discovered that she ate candied fruit to mask the bitterness of the medicine. Song Mo had preserved some of this candied fruit, and Ji Yong confirmed it was made with licorice, which, when consumed regularly, would lead to death within a month. Dou Zhao brought Qixia to Ji Yong for treatment, but her recovery remained uncertain.

Song Yichun was alarmed upon hearing that Qixia was at the Yizhi Hall, fearing that Song Mo’s continued investigation would ruin their plans. That evening, Song Yichun met with Wang Ge, Dou Shushu, and Su Yan. The group had already learned that Wang Yingxue planned to lure bandits into the city to raid Dou Zhao’s residence. With the emperor planning to travel soon, Song Mo would be accompanying him to ensure his safety.

If Dou Zhao were harmed, Song Mo would be unable to return and save her. They also planned to incite chaos, turning the bandit raid into a full-scale rebellion. While Song Yichun was focused on dealing with Song Mo, he showed affection for Song Han, instructing him to stay home and avoid danger. However, Song Han, suspecting his father’s true intentions, confronted him but was scolded in return. Meanwhile, Wang Yingxue prayed fervently, determined to eliminate Dou Zhao.

A fire broke out in the northern part of the city, and Dou Zhao, worried about potential casualties, urged Yan Chaoqing to lead a rescue team. Although Song Mo had instructed Yan Chaoqing to prioritize Dou Zhao’s safety above all else, her insistence left him no choice but to comply, leaving behind a few guards to protect her.

Chaos ensued as members of the Cangbei Gang broke through the city gates, only to be joined by more bandits intent on raiding Dou Zhao’s estate. Song Mo, noticing the flames engulfing the capital, became concerned and wanted to return to check on Dou Zhao. However, the empress stopped him, ordering him to fulfill his duty of protecting the emperor.

After the bandits entered the city, they looted and killed indiscriminately, causing suffering to many citizens. Zhao Zhangru was repairing a pomegranate jade carving at home when she suddenly heard noise outside and quickly hid. Two bandits broke in and were about to strike Zhao Zhangru with a blade when Chen Jia arrived just in time to save her.

Chen Jia noticed the pomegranate jade carving was the one he had entrusted Zhao Zhangru to deliver to Dou Zhao and Song Mo. He asked her why it was still there, and Zhao Zhangru admitted that it had broken, and she was trying to repair it. Chen Jia didn’t press her further on the matter. Meanwhile, two bandits knocked on a door, only to see a woman in a cloak extend her hand and show a gold token.

The bandits, undeterred, attempted to enter, but the woman suddenly pulled one of them in and broke his bones, scaring them into submission. With a contemptuous smile, she shut the door. Hearing the knocking outside, Dou Zhao asked who it was. The person claimed they were sent by the Duke of England's household to check on them.

Dou Zhao immediately ordered the doors to be barred, as she knew the Duke of England would not send people specifically to care about them. Realizing they couldn’t fool Dou Zhao, the bandits ordered the door to be broken down, while others climbed over the walls. Chen Qushui sent men to search for Yan Chaoqing and also arranged for people to hold the courtyard at all costs. Su Xin and Su Lan urged Dou Zhao to leave, but she refused.

Dou Zhao knew that if she left, morale would collapse. Assessing the situation, she believed they still had the upper hand and calmly ordered her subordinates to take action. At that time, Song Mo also noticed something amiss in the city and wanted to return, but his men stopped him. They warned him that if he returned now, he would be committing a serious offense. The Cangbei Gang broke through the west gate, and the bandits swarmed in, searching for silver.

Dou Zhao and her people hid inside a building. The roof had already been soaked with water, preventing the bandits from setting it on fire. From inside, Dou Zhao aimed a fire gun out the window and shot at the Cangbei Gang’s leader. However, she hit the wrong person and only killed someone by his side. The leader hastily hid, shocked that Dou Zhao still had access to firearms. Ji Yong arrived with reinforcements.

At the same time, masked men dressed in black, led by Song Mo, rushed toward Dou Zhao's residence. Yan Chaoqing also sensed something wrong and returned with his men. Hearing that several gates were being attacked, the Cangbei Gang suddenly realized they had fallen into Wang Yingxue’s trap. Song Mo anxiously returned to Dou Zhao’s side. The maids praised Dou Zhao, saying she was as courageous as any man.

However, when Dou Zhao saw Song Mo, she broke down and clung to him, tears streaming down her face. Song Mo comforted her and praised her bravery. Dou Zhao admitted that she hadn’t felt like crying when she saw the bandits, but seeing Song Mo made her want to cry. Ji Yong arrived just in time to see Song Mo and Dou Zhao embracing through the window. Smiling quietly, he left without disturbing them.

Song Mo felt guilty, saying he had married Dou Zhao to protect her, but now she had been dragged into danger. Dou Zhao, however, believed the bandits were targeting her dowry. Song Mo explained that he had arranged for someone to pretend to be him in his room, while he led the elite soldiers of the Duke of Dingguo to ensure the city’s safety.

Dou Zhao urged Song Mo to return to the emperor’s side and warned that the elite soldiers must not be discovered. As Song Mo was about to leave, he sensed something amiss and returned just in time to kill several attackers trying to harm Dou Zhao. He ordered Yan Chaoqing to interrogate the captives. Wang Yingxue felt uneasy about the chaos under the emperor’s nose, fearing accountability.

Her servant reassured her that Dou Zhao was surely dead, and no one would suspect Wang Yingxue. Feeling more at ease, Wang Yingxue ordered the servant to be killed to silence her. Dou Ming discovered a maid fleeing with gold and silver. After questioning her, she learned that the maid had been ordered by Wang Yingxue to steal Wei Tingyu’s token. Afraid of being implicated in the bandit attacks, the maid attempted to escape.

Concerned for Wei Tingyu, Dou Ming went out to find him but encountered the Cangbei Gang on the way. The gang leader recognized Dou Ming as Wang Yingxue’s daughter and tried to kidnap her. Angered by Wang Yingxue’s actions, he stabbed Dou Ming. Dou Ming, dying, looked through the window to see Wei Tingyu eating and drinking with others, unable to call out or say a word. Wang Ge carefully observed Song Mo and found him sitting still in his room.

Unable to resist, he went inside to check again, but Song Mo had already returned without him noticing anything unusual. Yan Chaoqing interrogated the assassins and discovered that the Duke of England’s household had conspired with Lü Zheng to open the gates. Enraged, Dou Zhao led her people into the Duke of England’s residence. Song Yichun avoided her, pushing out the eldest sister-in-law, who managed the household.

Knowing the situation was dire, the sister-in-law relinquished control of the household affairs to Dou Zhao. Through further interrogation, Dou Zhao also discovered that the person who opened the city gates had used Wei Tingyu’s token, allowing the attackers to enter through the north gate under his jurisdiction. Furious, Dou Zhao burst into the place where Wei Tingyu was drinking and playing. An arrow shattered his wine cup, leaving him stunned.

Dou Zhao berated Wei Tingyu, who soon found out that his wife, Dou Ming, was mortally injured just ten steps away from where he sat. Overwhelmed with grief, Wei Tingyu realized that Dou Ming had never blamed him, even as she died, nor did she regret marrying him. The emperor, upon hearing about the chaos in the city, was furious and ordered Song Mo to investigate. Wang Yingxue’s crimes were exposed, and Dou Shishu demanded Wang Yingxue take responsibility.

Filled with rage, Wang Yingxue, who believed she had sacrificed her life for the Dou family, vowed to take everyone down with her. Dou Zhao arrived, carrying Dou Ming’s body, and told Wang Yingxue that Dou Ming was the first of the many people she had brought to ruin. Seeing Dou Ming dead, Wang Yingxue broke down, but Dou Zhao angrily scolded her. If it weren’t for the bandits, Dou Ming wouldn’t have died. Whoever was responsible must face justice. As Wang Yingxue was taken away, she turned back to glare viciously at Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao was ordered to deal with Wang Yingxue. Wang Yingxue held onto a pillow, grieving Dou Ming. Upon seeing Dou Zhao, she accused her of being a cursed lone star who caused the death of those around her—first her mother, now Dou Ming. Wang Yingxue believed that from the first time she saw Dou Zhao, she knew she wouldn’t let her go.

Dou Zhao calmly said she had already let go of Wang Yingxue long ago, but it was Wang Yingxue who could not let go of herself. Wang Yingxue persecuted her time and time again out of guilt, only trying to escape her internal torment. Dou Zhao continued, revealing that Wang Yingxue and Zhao Guqiu were once close friends, yet Wang Yingxue betrayed her, which ultimately led to Zhao Guqiu's death. Wang Yingxue screamed madly.

While she believed that men could naturally have multiple wives and concubines, she was still terrified when she saw the magnolia petals Dou Zhao scattered. Though she said she wasn’t afraid, her heart had completely collapsed. Suddenly, she fell to the ground, gasping for breath. Dou Zhao turned and left. She knew the flower petals wouldn’t take Wang Yingxue’s life, but she hoped Wang Yingxue could finally understand the deep pain her mother had once suffered.

Dou Zhao went to visit Dou Shiying. Dou Shiying advised Dou Zhao to cherish the one she loved so she would not regret it for a lifetime like he did. As he spoke, his gaze landed on the magnolia flowers Zhao Guqiu loved. When Dou Zhao left, she saw Song Mo waiting outside. He put a cloak around her shoulders, admitting he had been waiting outside ever since she entered Wang Yingxue’s room.

Seeing that Dou Zhao ultimately spared Wang Yingxue, Song Mo promised he would protect her for the rest of his life. Wei Tingyu’s home was confiscated for his dereliction of duty. He cared for nothing except a painting of Dou Ming. To retrieve it, he knelt and begged the investigators, even calling them “grandfather. ” Holding the painting, he sobbed bitterly. At court, Dou Shishu suggested that Song Mo lead troops to suppress the bandits, and the emperor agreed.

He ordered Song Mo not to return until the bandits were eradicated. In reality, Song Mo was to fight the bandits while Dou Shishu managed the aftermath. This ensured that whatever Song Mo discovered would never reach the emperor’s ears. At the city gates, Lu Ming reminded Song Mo to prepare for departure. Yet, Song Mo continued gazing toward the city. Hearing Dou Zhao’s voice brought a smile to his face.

Dou Zhao had specially asked for a peace blessing and offered it to Song Mo to draw. The slip read, “May the couple remain loving and together for a lifetime. ” Dou Zhao had hoped for a simple blessing of safety, but Song Mo preferred this slip and insisted on keeping it with him. Dou Zhao instructed him to return unscathed.

Song Mo embraced Dou Zhao and leaned in for a kiss, only for Yan Chaoqing to interrupt, urging him to leave. Reluctantly, Song Mo gathered the Jinwu Guards. As he rode past Dou Zhao on horseback, he still leaned down to kiss her, and Dou Zhao watched him leave, murmuring, “May we remain loving and together for a lifetime. ”Passing by the Drunken Immortal Tavern, Wei Tingyu was searched for unpaid debts.

He had little money and was shoved to the ground. As he prepared to leave, three men came out, led by Young Master Zhou. Spotting Wei Tingyu’s back, Zhou followed him and blocked his path, snatching his painting. Realizing it was of Dou Ming, Zhou insisted on burning it. Wei Tingyu knelt and begged him not to, but Zhou ignored him and beat him when he resisted.

Wei Tingyu managed to put out the fire and held the damaged painting tightly, grieving his lost love and praying for Dou Ming to visit him in his dreams. At that moment, heavy rain began to pour. Wei Tingyu clutched the painting, closing his eyes. When he awoke, he found himself lying at a table, wrapped in a blanket, with the painting miraculously intact. Dou Ming appeared, bringing him medicine and urging him to drink it.

Overjoyed, Wei Tingyu hugged her, afraid she might disappear, and vowed never to part from her again, grateful it was all just a nightmare. Dou Ming fed him the medicine, and Wei Tingyu stared at her lovingly, finding it no longer bitter. However, in reality, Wei Tingyu was still lying in the rain, a smile on his lips as his hand slowly fell to the ground.

Wang Yingxue encountered a Taoist priest, who told her to kneel and bow daily so that Dou Ming’s soul could be spared from suffering. Strangely, Wang Yingxue seemed to regain her sanity and went to worship daily. Dou Zhao and Dou Shiying visited her. Dou Shiying thanked Dou Zhao for pleading with the emperor to allow Wang Yingxue to spend the rest of her life repenting there. Dou Zhao also felt that perhaps her mother had finally forgiven Wang Yingxue.

Ji Yong visited Dou Zhao to check her pulse, noticing she often had nightmares. Dou Zhao pretended it was her “friend” who dreamt her husband was ambushed in the forest and asked Ji Yong to help. Ji Yong, aware that Dou Zhao was worried about Song Mo, deliberately said her “friend’s” husband was in danger, angering Dou Zhao. Just then, a letter from Song Mo arrived, confirming he had been ambushed in the forest.

Alarmed, Dou Zhao hurriedly rode out of the city. When she couldn’t find him, she broke into tears. Song Mo appeared, explaining he was ambushing others and was only slightly injured. That night, Dou Zhao prepared noodles for Song Mo, as it was his birthday. After finishing the meal, Song Mo leaned in to kiss Dou Zhao, only for Lu Ming to interrupt with urgent news. Frustrated, Song Mo sent Lu Ming away and finally kissed Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo encountered a mother and daughter seeking shelter in the capital, unsure where to go or how to survive. Dou Zhao offered the mother a job in her business to provide stability while searching for her daughter. The elderly woman gratefully gifted Dou Zhao a hairpin in return. In front of the citizens, Song Mo executed the leader of the Cangbei Gang and distributed food and medicine to the people, claiming it was the emperor’s benevolence.

The crown prince grew displeased and tried to sow discord in front of the emperor. However, the emperor criticized the crown prince, saying he should learn from Song Mo’s actions. Song Yichun brought Song Han to meet a woman named Shu Yao, who turned out to be Song Han’s biological mother. Song Yichun revealed that the birthday gifts Song Han received every year were handmade by Shu Yao.

Song Han rejected this revelation and left, but later, he wept while holding a peace charm Shu Yao had given him. Song Mo then gifted Song Han a black cat, startling him into throwing the charm into the fireplace. Chen Jia visited Song Mo. Dou Zhao, recalling her past life when Chen Jia had pursued her and Song Mo, insisted on listening to their conversation. Song Mo met Chen Jia while Dou Zhao secretly eavesdropped.

Chen Jia revealed that Song Yichun had another mistress he visited at Wanfo Temple every fifteenth of the month. Song Mo ordered Chen Jia to continue the investigation. When Song Mo later brought his men to Shu Yao, they found Song Yichun clutching Shu Yao’s lifeless body, sobbing uncontrollably.

Dou Zhao and Ji Yong went to the Wanfo Temple to seek an audience with the abbot. However, no matter how much they knelt and begged, the abbot refused to meet them. A young monk informed Dou Zhao that if it was for mundane matters, they should not stay there. Meanwhile, when Song Mo arrived at Shu Yao's place, she had already hanged herself. Song Yichun was crying uncontrollably.

Song Mo’s men found a necklace in the room, reminding him of the peace talisman necklace that Song Han had burned. Realizing there must be a connection between the two, Song Mo questioned Song Han. Song Han admitted that Shu Yao had given him the necklace when their father brought him to meet her. However, he didn’t want it and burned it. Song Han pleaded with Song Mo to stop fighting with their father.

Song Mo ordered Song Han to be taken away and told Song Yichun that even though Shu Yao had died, he would continue to investigate the matter. He also expressed disdain for his mother, lamenting how she had followed such a man. After investigating, Song Mo speculated that Song Yichun had long been romantically involved with Shu Yao, a woman with a criminal background. When Shu Yao's family was imprisoned, Song Yichun had visited her twice, leaving a record.

Song Han later rebuked Song Yichun for showing no shame or remorse over their mother’s death. Seeing that the abbot refused to meet Dou Zhao, Ji Yong volunteered to meet the abbot himself. Only then did the abbot agree to appear. Dou Zhao begged the abbot to reveal the truth and seek justice for both families. The abbot finally revealed the events of that year. Both Jiang Huisun and Shu Yao came to the Wanfo Temple.

Shu Yao was holding a one-month-old baby boy, while Jiang Huisun, having given birth prematurely, delivered a baby girl at the temple. However, Song Yichun insisted the baby was a boy. Song Mo interrogated Song Yichun about the whereabouts of the child, but Song Yichun refused to answer. Song Mo presented Shu Yao’s corpse and planned to test the bones to confirm if she was Song Han’s biological mother. Song Yichun broke down, admitting his long-standing relationship with Shu Yao.

The two had been deeply in love, but Jiang Meisun, leading an army, raided Shu Yao’s home, branding her as a criminal. Later, the emperor decreed a marriage between Jiang Huisun and Song Yichun. Song Yichun was enraged but helpless. He confessed that his only regret over the years was fathering Song Mo with Jiang Huisun. Song Mo realized that freeing Shu Yao from her criminal status was beyond Song Yichun's power.

He deduced that Jiang Meisun's assassination while returning to the capital was orchestrated by someone trying to avoid offending the Jiang family. This conspiracy likely led to Jiang Huisun’s death. Suspecting a powerful figure behind Song Yichun, Song Mo pressed him for their identity. Song Yichun remained tight-lipped, leading Song Mo to tie him up in the courtyard and prepare to burn him alive. Song Han knelt down, threatening to sacrifice himself to save his father.

However, Song Mo seized Song Han’s dagger and had him imprisoned. Ji Yong tried to dissuade Dou Zhao from returning, but Dou Zhao recalled the contents of the Records of the Enlightened Age, which stated that Song Mo would kill his father and brother, turning his hair white overnight. Fearing a grave mistake, Dou Zhao resolved to stay by Song Mo’s side, no matter how difficult the road ahead.

Ji Yong’s eyes filled with tears, moved by how deeply Dou Zhao cared for Song Mo. Suddenly, a torrential rain extinguished the torches, causing Song Yichun to rejoice, believing heaven was on his side. He mocked Song Mo for seeking revenge for Jiang Huisun against divine will. Song Mo accused Song Yichun of poisoning his mother through conflicting medicinal ingredients and candied fruits, demanding his confession. However, Song Yichun denied any knowledge of pharmacology.

Song Mo, overwhelmed with rage, trembled with pain and dropped his blade. Song Yichun mocked him further, reminding Song Mo that he had already been poisoned during his previous flogging, which caused his first strand of white hair. He warned that once his entire head turned white, death would follow. In a fit of rage, Song Mo raised his blade to kill Song Yichun, but Dou Zhao arrived just in time. She grabbed the blade with her hand, stopping him.

At that moment, an imperial decree arrived, summoning Song Mo and his father to face the emperor. Dou Zhao attempted to accompany them but was stopped. The emperor ordered the imperial physician to check Song Mo’s pulse, discovering he had been poisoned with “Resentment’s Embrace,” a toxin with no antidote. The physician explained that reducing hatred could alleviate the suffering, while harboring too much resentment would cost him a year of life.

Furious yet heartbroken over Song Mo’s condition, the emperor decreed that the imperial physician must find a cure within a year or face death. The emperor personally visited the unconscious Song Mo, who kept murmuring about the baby-switching incident. Holding Song Mo’s hand, the emperor reassured him that justice would be served for his uncle and mother. The emperor ordered Song Yichun to be flogged, stripped him of his military command, and rebuked him for pleading for Song Han.

A court eunuch chastised Song Yichun, calling him the son of a prostitute, leaving Song Yichun devastated over his son’s bleak future. Dou Zhao sent Su Lan to invite Ji Yong down the mountain to help manage the bookstore. Ji Yong initially refused, claiming he only cared for Dou Zhao’s safety and had no interest in Song Mo’s affairs. However, he eventually softened and provided medicine for Dou Zhao’s injuries, instructing her to apply it regularly.

Standing on a bridge, Song Mo observed the bustling lives of commoners, coming to terms with the fleeting nature of life. He decided to cherish the remaining time with Dou Zhao. Just then, news came from Chen Jia’s side. Lu Ming reported that Lu Zheng had been brought in. Lu Zheng admitted that a baby girl was taken from Jiang Huisun’s home and later entrusted to his care by Song Yichun.

Unfortunately, the child passed away shortly after, and he knew nothing further. Song Mo visited Song Yichun in prison, speculating that his recent actions were preparations for rebellion. Song Yichun initially denied it, but when Song Mo warned him that if exposed, Song Han would also suffer, Song Yichun showed signs of wavering. Song Mo reminded him that he was now a discarded pawn. Even if he took his secrets to the grave, those behind him wouldn’t spare Song Han.

After Song Mo left, a cloaked woman observed the scene from the shadows. Song Yichun suddenly fell ill, frantically taking medicine from a bottle on the table to alleviate his symptoms. Dou Zhao sought out Song Mo. Seeing her injured hand, Song Mo felt deep guilt and told her never to use such a method to stop him again.

Reflecting on Song Yichun’s past, Song Mo recalled how his father used to bring gifts for his mother and always seemed considerate, which he had mistaken for love. Now, he didn’t know what to believe. Dou Zhao reassured him that he could entrust all his worries to her. She reminded him of the genuine respect he earned from the National Guard, the nurturing he received from Jiang Meisun, and the love from Jiang Huisun. Her words eased Song Mo’s heart.

Later, Song Mo and Dou Zhao watched fireworks together. Song Mo remarked on the fleeting beauty of the fireworks, while Dou Zhao handed him a lit sparkler, reminding him that, although brief, he could still hold onto it. Song Mo gently embraced Dou Zhao.

After the last bandit incident, Zhao Zhangru insisted on learning martial arts for self-defense, but only Chen Jia caught her attention. Song Mo believed that Chen Jia could teach her well, while Dou Zhao, noticing Song Mo's confidence in Chen Jia, proposed a bet with a six-month deadline. When Chen Jia was teaching Zhao Zhangru, he praised her for being more talented than other young ladies.

However, Zhao Zhangru misunderstood this as a sign that Chen Jia had taught many others, which made her jealous. Enraged, she grabbed a spear and started chasing Chen Jia around. Song Han was strolling through the streets when he coincidentally saw Miao Ansu busy in front of her shop. Noticing her sweating, Song Han kindly offered her a handkerchief. Seeing him, Miao Ansu was delighted and remembered that this was the second time Song Han had given her a handkerchief.

Later, Song Han accompanied Miao Ansu to inspect her nursery, where she gifted him some peanuts she had grown. Song Mo prepared a lavish table of dishes for Dou Zhao, hoping she could taste all his culinary skills. Dou Zhao felt that Song Mo was rushing things, saying there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Without a word, Song Mo handed all his assets over to Dou Zhao, transferring them into her name and entrusting her to manage them, declaring that he wished to retire from responsibilities. Dou Zhao, worried something was wrong, asked him why, but Song Mo simply held her hand and said that after marriage, he should hand over his private assets. Dou Zhao dreamed of having several children and living a happy life together, while Song Mo listened silently.

That night, Dou Zhao couldn't sleep and noticed that Song Mo's hidden white hair had become more prominent. She checked his pulse and felt a sense of unease. The next morning, Dou Zhao overheard a conversation between Lu Ming and Yan Chaoqing, who mentioned that Song Mo's condition had worsened. When Dou Zhao approached them for details, they claimed it was nothing serious.

Dou Zhao arranged for a play based on "The Tale of the Luo Robe," which they had watched when they first met. However, Dou Zhao had rewritten the ending, giving the protagonist an unbreakable and priceless home. She hoped Song Mo could have such a life, but Song Mo responded that he knew she desired a life free of conflict, which he could no longer provide. He sought vengeance.

Dou Zhao held his hand, understanding his resolve, and promised to accompany him on this journey, dreaming of a peaceful future with children where one would teach martial arts and the other academics. Song Mo, however, refused, breaking her embrace and walking away. Wandering in the courtyard, Song Mo seemed to see visions of his uncle's teachings, moments of closeness with his brother, and memories of his parents' love, as he clutched the longevity lock they had given him.

Later, Dou Zhao confronted Song Mo, asking if his life expectancy was down to three years. Song Mo admitted it was only one. Dou Zhao insisted they should cherish every day of the year, treating it as their entire lifetime. She vowed never to let him face life and death alone. Song Mo held Dou Zhao tightly and kissed her deeply, confessing his feelings.

He revealed he once dreamed of a woman holding a lantern who guided him; that woman was Dou Zhao. That night, their emotions culminated in a night of shared intimacy. Zhao Zhangru and Miao Ansu were watching a play, while Ji Yong, observing the stars, sensed what Dou Zhao and Song Mo were doing and felt a pang of jealousy. In front of the two women, he complained that Dou Zhao only cared about love and neglected her friends.

Zhao Zhangru and Miao Ansu realized that Ji Yong had feelings for Dou Zhao, but he adamantly denied it, claiming he would only step in if Song Mo ever hurt her. That evening, Su Yan, wearing a black cloak, visited Song Yichun, bringing him a painting. The painting's message implied that Song Yichun should obey to protect Song Han. Left with no choice, Song Yichun agreed.

A maid informed Song Mo that Shuyao had visited Song Han the day before her death. At the time, Song Han was distraught over his missing cat, refusing food and drink. Observing him in secret, Dou Zhao and Song Mo found his anger unusual. When Song Mo returned the cat, he pressed Song Han for answers about his mother's death.

Song Han, preferring death to confession, eventually revealed that Song Yichun had sent him to deliver medicine to his mother, only to realize later that it was poison. Fearing for his own life, he used the cat to test the medicine. Song Han admitted he dared not speak of this, fearing it would tear the family apart.

Song Mo sent him home, but shortly after, Song Mo began bleeding from his nose and fainted, the last thing he saw being Dou Zhao rushing to his side. When Song Mo awoke, Dou Zhao checked his pulse but couldn't detect anything unusual. She suggested consulting Lu Yuanpan, but Song Mo refused. Dou Zhao's investigation revealed that before Jiang Huisun's death, the household had indeed received a large amount of licorice root.

Song Mo began to suspect he might have misunderstood Song Han. That night, Song Han couldn't sleep, haunted by memories of his mother and Shuyao's final moments. He clung to his identity as a legitimate son, refusing to accept the label of an illegitimate child. The next day, Miao Ansu brought him food, which he devoured without hesitation. The emperor issued an edict allowing Song Mo to carry a sword in court.

However, a second decree revealed that Song Yichun had confessed to his crimes in prison before succumbing to illness. Song Han attended Song Yichun's funeral, while Song Mo declared that his ties to his father were severed, leaving him only with the memory of his deceased mother. He allowed Song Han to remain in the residence. After Song Mo left, Song Han smirked, recalling his final meeting with his father.

He mocked Song Yichun for his failures and revealed that the medicine Song Yichun had taken was poisoned. As Song Han planned to complete what Song Yichun could not, a cold smile spread across his face. Following Song Yichun's death, Song Mo inherited the title of Duke of England, with Dou Zhao becoming the duchess. When relatives tried to curry favor, Song Mo distanced himself and left with Dou Zhao.

Song Han, feigning composure, apologized to the elders on Song Mo's behalf, attributing his brother's behavior to his new responsibilities. The elders criticized Song Mo, while Song Han's expression betrayed his delight.

The Emperor learned that Prince Qing had taken the opportunity of the festival to send many gifts to Dou Shishu. He privately asked the Crown Prince whether he was concerned about the two forming factions and colluding. The Crown Prince replied that he wasn’t worried, as abandoning Dou Shishu because of suspicion would be unwise; instead, they should unite and stabilize the court.

The Emperor praised the Crown Prince’s compassion and remarked that Song Mo was the sword he had prepared for the Crown Prince, hoping the Crown Prince would know how to wield it wisely. While helping Song Mo dye his hair, Dou Zhao discussed the current intentions of the Crown Prince and Prince Qing.

Although the Crown Prince had previously supervised and warned others, it was clear his actions stemmed from his focus on securing the throne, not from a desire to form alliances. This was expected of the Crown Prince. However, Prince Qing, with his open markets in Liaodong, could support a large army and had now drawn Dou Shishu into his circle to gain control over troops.

This alliance could facilitate a coup by imprisoning the Emperor from within and taking the throne. In contrast, Song Mo’s control over the troops made him a key obstacle in this plan. Song Mo suspected that the Crown Prince’s true motives were still unclear, so he decided to assign people to monitor him and uncover the truth. The next day, Dou Zhao was urgently summoned to the palace by Shude for a game of mahjong.

The players included the Empress, the Princess, and the Crown Princess. Dou Zhao treaded cautiously and managed to create a situation where one family lost while three families won, earning the Empress’s admiration for her cleverness. Before leaving, the Empress summoned Dou Zhao again under the pretext of choosing suitable paper for palace use. Dou Zhao gave her professional opinion, but the real intention was to gift her a rare Snow Elixir as a gesture of allegiance.

The Snow Elixir, highly sought after by Chen Qushui but impossible to obtain, was rumored to heal injuries and regenerate bones. However, accepting the Elixir would mean falling under the Empress’s control and aligning with Prince Qing, so Dou Zhao refused. Upon returning home, Dou Zhao ordered the Snow Elixir to be intercepted while it was being sent to Prince Qing's residence and delivered to Song Mo instead.

Song Mo was deeply moved by Dou Zhao’s efforts and promised not to let blind loyalty cause his family pain. When the time came for difficult decisions, he would prioritize his family. Dou Zhao expressed her unwavering support for his choices. However, just as Song Mo was about to take the medicine, Dou Zhao recalled that in her previous life, Song Mo had joined Prince Qing but still ended up with white hair.

This suggested the medicine might be ineffective or even poisonous. Rushing to test it, she discovered it indeed had detoxifying properties. But before she could administer it to Song Mo, Zhao Zhangru arrived, insisting they go lantern-watching. The couple left, and after they were gone, the tested medicine mysteriously changed color. The Empress suspected Dou Zhao of orchestrating the robbery of the Snow Elixir but had no evidence.

Moreover, Dou Zhao had declined it when it was offered to her, leaving the Empress without a justifiable reason to act against her. Meanwhile, Shude met Dou Shishu and advised him to stay away from Prince Qing’s faction. Shude reminded Dou Shishu of his early struggles when he served as a county magistrate and faced suppression. At the time, Dou Shishu wanted to resign and retake the imperial exams but was denied.

During that difficult period, Shude encountered him at a temple while praying for her late husband. Touched by a poem he wrote, Shude recommended him, though Dou Shishu initially refused, wanting to rely on his abilities alone. Shude persuaded him to face reality, arguing that only strength could bring opportunities to fulfill his ambitions. From then on, Dou Shishu persevered despite ridicule, ultimately achieving his current status.

Shude, fearing future entanglements, urged him to stop, but Dou Shishu vowed to continue, promising one day to give Shude everything she desired. Seeing his determination, Shude relented. Dou Zhao and Song Mo went lantern-watching in town, where Dou Zhao noticed Zhao Zhangru with a man. She wanted to follow and investigate, but Song Mo pulled her aside, reminding her of their wager: intervening would count as breaking the rules.

Dou Zhao, worried about losing track, assured him she had no intention of disrupting them. Zhao Zhangru accidentally sprained her ankle, so Chen Jia carried her on his back. The two were cheerful until they unexpectedly ran into Dou Zhao and Song Mo. Frightened, they tried to hide, but Chen Jia stepped forward to explain that he was taking Zhao Zhangru back due to her injury. Song Mo appreciated Chen Jia’s straightforwardness, seeing it as a sign of responsibility.

Dou Zhao felt relieved and stopped following them, choosing instead to enjoy the lanterns with Song Mo. Meanwhile, Miao Ansu brought pastries to Song Han, who gave her a hand warmer in return. Miao Ansu, always there during Song Han’s lowest moments, encouraged him to stand tall and forge his own path. Looking at the moon, Miao Ansu recalled part of a poem but could only remember two words. Song Han easily recited the rest, making them both smile.

That night, wearing a black cloak, Song Han rode out of the estate. Later, Song Han approached Prince Qing, offering his services and sharing his insights. He claimed he was born to be a hidden and unpredictable chess piece against Song Mo. Prince Qing tested him by firing an arrow, which Song Han caught, though his hand bled. Impressed, Prince Qing promised to promote Song Han if he performed well in the imperial exams.

Prince Qing then met Ji Yong, praising his foresight and noting that he had predicted Song Han’s actions. Ji Yong, like Prince Qing, was an illegitimate son and understood the struggle to rise. Prince Qing gifted Ji Yong gold and jewels, but Ji Yong dismissed them and prepared to leave. Realizing his mistake, Prince Qing apologized, and Ji Yong let it go. Ji Yong noted that since he hadn’t recruited Song Mo, using Song Han as a substitute worked perfectly.

Should anything go wrong, it would remain a family matter, leaving Prince Qing unaffected. In the upcoming imperial exams, Dou Shishu would be the chief examiner. Elder Mu’s son wanted to participate, so Elder Mu sought Dou Shishu’s favor. Dou Shishu agreed to be lenient in the written exams but insisted that martial tests required true skill. Elder Mu expressed confidence in his son’s martial abilities.

The son of Elder Mu successfully passed the literary examination and entered the martial arts competition. After a few lucky victories, he became overly confident. When Song Han stepped onto the stage, he defeated Elder Mu's son, nearly breaking his leg in the process. Song Han secured the top position, earning praise from the court officials but also incurring Elder Mu's displeasure. The emperor commended Song Han as a talented member of the Song family and its military lineage.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Song Han requested a match against Song Mo. Song Mo accepted without hesitation. During the match, Song Mo realized that Song Han was being used by Dou Zhao’s uncle, Dou Shishu. Knowing that losing would disappoint Dou Shishu, Song Han feigned weakness as he started to lose. He then accused Song Mo of denying him a chance at a better future.

This moment of hesitation allowed Song Han to find an opening, and the match ended in a draw. Song Mo sustained a small cut on his face from Song Han’s sword. The emperor awarded Song Han an official position, but Song Han pushed his luck further by requesting to marry the princess. The emperor, unwilling to outright refuse, said he would consider it carefully. Dou Zhao tended to Song Mo's wound and shared her concerns about Song Han’s intentions.

She worried that Princess Jingyu might suffer if married to Song Han. Song Mo, however, believed that Princess Jingyu’s sharp and eccentric personality might prevent Song Han from succeeding. Sure enough, during Song Han’s celebration banquet, Princess Jingyu left a poem on the screen declaring her refusal to marry him, humiliating Song Han in the process. The emperor, determined to proceed with the marriage, decided to grant Song Han a princess.

The empress objected to marrying off a royal princess to Song Han, a mere concubine’s son, and suggested elevating Miao Ansu, a descendant of Dowager Miao, to princess status to marry Song Han. The emperor agreed. Secretly, the empress had ulterior motives. She believed that Miao Ansu, a close ally of Dou Zhao, could stir up drama once married to Song Han.

The empress also arranged for Su Yan to accompany Miao Ansu into the marriage, serving as both a monitor and a troublemaker. When Miao Ansu received the imperial decree, she was not pleased. She immediately sought out Song Han, proposing that they jointly petition the emperor to annul the decree. She understood that she was being used as a substitute for Princess Jingyu and felt unworthy of comparison.

Song Han, however, reassured her that she deserved to be a princess and enjoy wealth and honor. He claimed he had already prepared a petition, falsely stating that he had a health condition that prevented him from marrying, thus canceling their engagement. Song Han then opened up about his difficult childhood, where he lacked love and support after losing his parents. Touched by his vulnerability, Miao Ansu held his hand and expressed her willingness to marry him.

Dou Zhao and Zhao Zhangru visited Miao Ansu to persuade her not to marry Song Han, offering their help in breaking off the engagement. They knew Song Han to be an opportunistic and ruthless person. However, Miao Ansu believed she could change him and remained firm in her decision. Miao Ansu was officially granted the title of princess, and many came to deliver gifts.

Her younger brother, Miao Anping, tried to seize the wealth and mocked Song Han’s lowly status as a concubine’s son. Song Han, though angered, maintained composure and publicly conceded that all the gifts belonged to the princess. At that moment, Su Yan arrived with guards and, on behalf of the empress, ordered Miao Anping punished with a slap to his face. Dou Zhao and Song Mo attended Song Han’s wedding to congratulate him.

They presented an extravagant dowry that shocked everyone present, showcasing a gesture of supposed brotherly affection. Miao Ansu was delighted that Dou Zhao came, having firmly believed she would. Ji Yong later sought out Dou Zhao, advising her to leave Song Mo. He warned her that Song Mo was a target for many and even hinted that the emperor might be a mere pawn. However, Dou Zhao expressed her unwavering loyalty to Song Mo, which left Ji Yong heartbroken.

Still, he cautioned her that any disaster befalling Song Mo could destroy the freedom she had fought so hard to attain. After the wedding banquet, Song Han sensed the whispers and mocking stares directed at him, reminding him of his status as a concubine’s son. Returning to his chambers, he saw through the doorway that Miao Ansu was adding something to the wine pot. Suspicious and cautious, he poured out his wine during the toasts.

When Miao Ansu asked him to turn around so she could present him with a gift, Song Han assumed she intended to harm him and nearly strangled her in a fit of paranoia. Only upon seeing the handkerchief she had treasured since the day he gave it to her did Song Han realize his mistake. He apologized and left the room. The next day, Miao Ansu and Song Han visited Song Mo and Dou Zhao.

Su Yan, meddling as planned, insisted that Dou Zhao kneel to serve tea to Miao Ansu. To everyone’s surprise, Miao Ansu knelt first to honor Dou Zhao, calling her an elder sister. Dou Zhao quickly helped her up, reaffirming their bond as sisters. Later, Song Han prepared snacks for Miao Ansu and took her for a walk in the backyard.

There, they overheard complaints from two servants, Su Xin and Su Lan, who criticized Miao Ansu for her background, mocking her inability to act like a proper noblewoman. Though Dou Zhao intervened to stop the gossip, Miao Ansu felt disheartened. Song Han pulled her away to cheer her up. He showed her a special garden he had prepared for her, where she could grow flowers and plants to her heart’s content.

He reassured her that her identity change didn’t matter as long as there was someone in the world who truly cared for her. Their eyes met, and they embraced tightly. Meanwhile, urgent news arrived for Song Mo from Liaodong. It revealed that Prince Qing had been withholding 70% of his annual revenue for his own purposes, submitting only 30% to the national treasury. Dou Zhao realized this was part of Prince Qing’s plan to accumulate wealth and prepare for rebellion.

Song Han used Miao Ansu's kindheartedness and deliberately acted in front of her. He prepared a few bowls of soup, claiming that it was something a mother-in-law would make for her daughter-in-law. Since his mother had already passed away, he made it himself. He even set up a memorial tablet for Song Yichun and offered his respects. His sincere words made him seem like someone deeply emotional and dutiful.

Miao Ansu, moved by his devotion, suggested placing the memorial tablet in the ancestral hall for worship. When Chen Qushui and Sulan heard about this, they rushed over to stop it. After all, Song Yichun was a convicted criminal, and worshipping her alongside the family would bring disgrace to the Song clan. They cursed Song Han, calling him a child born of shame, unworthy of being in the ancestral hall.

With Su Yan's instigation, Miao Ansu, feeling for Song Han, ordered Sulan to be punished with family discipline. Sulan, being highly skilled in martial arts, managed to resist, but when the Empress's name was invoked, Sulan did not dare fight back and submitted to the punishment. Dou Zhao arrived upon hearing the commotion and took the opportunity to strike Su Yan for her insolence. Unexpectedly, Song Han slapped Dou Zhao, pretending to take all the blame upon himself.

This further triggered Miao Ansu's compassion for Song Han. She turned against Dou Zhao, accusing her of not treating her as a true sister but merely pitying her. She even questioned why Dou Zhao allowed a maidservant to insult them as beasts. Dou Zhao was so angered that she fainted. Fortunately, Song Mo arrived in time to catch Dou Zhao and, holding her in his arms, sternly rebuked everyone for their actions against Dou Zhao.

He quickly summoned Lu Yuanpan to attend to Dou Zhao's health. Dou Zhao, already in poor health and struggling with fertility, surprisingly became pregnant this time, bringing joy to both her and Song Mo. Despite this, Song Mo worried about her health and suggested that she consider giving up the pregnancy. However, Dou Zhao insisted on keeping the child and had already picked a name for the baby. Song Mo, touched by Dou Zhao's resolve, cherished her even more deeply.

Dou Zhao went to the temple to pray for blessings and happened to overhear Miao Ansu praying for reconciliation between them and for Dou Zhao's good health. Remembering their long-standing sisterly bond, Dou Zhao decided not to hold a grudge. She intended to warn Miao Ansu about Song Han’s true nature to prevent her from being deceived.

Unexpectedly, Song Han arrived and gently draped a cloak over Miao Ansu’s shoulders, worried that she might catch a cold, and quickly sent her back. In private, Dou Zhao directly confronted Song Han, revealing that she had seen through his facade and intentions. She warned him not to betray Miao Ansu’s love and trust and to restrain his behavior, or else she would not let him go unpunished.

Song Han, unbothered, retorted that Dou Zhao was not the ultimate authority and could not control everything. If she overstepped, she might hurt herself in the process. Watching Song Han leave, Dou Zhao called him stubborn and incorrigible. Just then, someone reported that Qixia had awakened. Dou Zhao hurried over to see her. Ji Yong had treated Qixia with acupuncture, ensuring her recovery.

Dou Zhao decided to keep Qixia in her service, and Ji Yong volunteered to teach her the "Thirteen Ghost Needles" technique. When Dou Zhao asked if Ji Yong had anything else to say, he cryptically stated that today’s lesson would be the last. Dou Zhao uncovered Prince Qing's schemes, believing he would go to great lengths to keep Ji Yong.

Ji Yong, realizing he could not hide the truth from Dou Zhao, took her to a cave where fragments of a mirror lay scattered. This was the place where Dou Zhao and Ji Yong had first met. Ji Yong expressed his ambition to rebuild the kingdom and put someone he truly trusted on the throne.

Dou Zhao deduced that the chaos caused by the bandits entering the city was also Ji Yong’s doing and condemned him for treating human lives as expendable. She asked if he also disregarded her life. Ji Yong admitted he would never let Dou Zhao die or sacrifice herself for the pawns in his game. Dou Zhao questioned who among her inner circle was loyal to Prince Qing, but Ji Yong refused to answer.

Enraged by Ji Yong’s actions, Dou Zhao severed ties with him, but suddenly she fainted. Ji Yong panicked and tried to help her, but Song Mo arrived just in time, carrying Dou Zhao. He also noticed that Ji Yong had laid an ambush there, intending to take his life, yet he still chose to appear. Ji Yong stopped his men from attacking, allowing Dou Zhao and Song Mo to leave.

He warned Song Mo that his end was near and advised him to write a divorce letter so as not to implicate Dou Zhao. Meanwhile, Miao Ansu saw Song Han asleep and tried to cover him with a blanket. Startled, Song Han instinctively grabbed a sword and injured her neck. Realizing it was Miao Ansu, he was filled with regret and immediately apologized, holding her and calling for a doctor.

Miao Ansu stopped him and comforted him instead, letting him rest his head on her lap while calming his emotions. Song Han clung tightly to her, murmuring for his mother, deepening Miao Ansu’s compassion for him. The next morning, Song Han woke to find Miao Ansu asleep. He gently cradled her in his arms, his heart aching at the sight of her neck wound. Unable to resist, he kissed her.

Miao Ansu woke up and responded to his kiss, leading to their first intimate night together since their marriage. When Miao Ansu returned to her family, she discovered her brother Ping’an had been recklessly taking on debts and seeking money for business ventures. Believing he lacked the talent for business, she refused, only to be scolded by her parents. They reminded her that the family businesses were merely entrusted to her care and belonged to Ping’an.

They even pushed her to the ground. Unbeknownst to them, Song Han, who had been hiding in the shadows, witnessed everything but chose to leave quietly. Later, Song Han deliberately took Ping’an to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and introduced him to the courtesan Hua Kui. When Ping’an encountered Dong Qi competing for the same woman, he angrily started a fight. During their altercation, Dong Qi pushed Ping’an down the stairs.

At that moment, Miao Ansu, embroidering at home, pricked her finger and saw blood, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease. Soon after, servants carried Ping’an’s lifeless body home, leaving Miao Ansu grief-stricken. Standing in the snow, Song Han held an umbrella over Miao Ansu as snowflakes fell. Suddenly, she fainted. When she awoke, Song Han apologized for arriving too late but assured her that he had caught the culprit.

Miao Ansu, consumed by sorrow, lamented that Ping’an was her only brother. Meanwhile, her father suffered a stroke, and her mother fainted multiple times. Song Han embraced Miao Ansu, promising to take care of her, even if she had no one else in the future.

Su Yan noticed a silver hairpin in Dou Zhao's hair when at the temple. She followed Dou Zhao on the street, suddenly appeared, and took the hairpin. Excitedly, Su Yan asked about its origins. Dou Zhao truthfully explained that it was a gift from a mother she rescued, along with her child, during a campaign to eliminate bandits.

Su Yan, anxious to visit the mother and child, took out her own matching hairpin, proving that the mother and child were, in fact, her own mother and younger brother. Dou Zhao brought Su Yan to visit the sleeping mother and child. Su Yan, not wanting to disturb their peaceful dreams, quietly attempted to leave. However, her mother woke up, called her back, and the two embraced each other, crying tears of joy.

Mother and daughter knelt before Dou Zhao, expressing their heartfelt gratitude for her help. Su Yan also resolved to repay Dou Zhao for her kindness. While Dou Zhao was making lanterns for the Lantern Festival, Song Mo arrived. Aware that the palace banquet was approaching, Song Mo wanted to quickly gather information on Prince Qing's actions. Dou Zhao suggested that to control Prince Qing, they would need to leverage the power of the workers.

Conveniently, the Crown Princess had invited her to discuss the palace banquet, presenting an opportunity to move their plans forward. Song Mo also intended to accompany the Crown Prince and Prince Qing on a hunting trip, where he could potentially gather more insight. The two split up to take action. The Crown Princess was impressed by Dou Zhao's innovative ideas for organizing the palace banquet and instructed her maids to follow Dou Zhao’s arrangements completely.

When the Crown Princess was about to taste a fish dish, she suddenly felt nauseous. Dou Zhao noticed her reaction and realized she was pregnant. A pregnant woman’s sense of smell is particularly sensitive. The Crown Princess did not hide this fact from Dou Zhao and instructed Wang Ge to pick a magnolia flower for her.

Dou Zhao noticed a tattoo on Wang Ge's exposed arm and suddenly recalled her past life, where Wang Ge had drawn a bow and aimed an arrow at Song Mo. Observing the Crown Princess's discomfort, Dou Zhao promptly treated her. Wang Ge initially wanted to intervene but was reprimanded by Dou Zhao for his disrespectful behavior and had no choice but to let her proceed.

Prince Qing, impatient and restless, used the hunting trip as an excuse to provoke the Crown Prince, demanding that the Crown Prince relinquish his position to him. The brothers started to fight. Song Mo ordered the Imperial Guard to turn away and forbade anyone from eavesdropping on their conversation, under penalty of death for their families. As the brothers’ fight escalated, both were bound to get injured.

To stop them, Song Mo stepped in and punched both of them, effectively ending the conflict. News of this incident quickly reached the emperor. The empress took the initiative to apologize, offering to step down from her position and requesting that Prince Qing be demoted to a commoner. As a result, the emperor did not punish Prince Qing. Although he knew the Crown Prince had been wronged, the emperor refrained from visiting him, as doing so would expose the incident.

Song Mo, as the commander of the Imperial Guard, was bound to be blamed, and without him, no one could maintain balance in the court. At the Crown Prince's residence, the Crown Prince rebuked Song Mo for striking him. However, the Crown Princess, understanding the bigger picture, acknowledged that without Song Mo, the Crown Prince would have been seriously injured. Dou Zhao also realized that Prince Qing intended to eliminate both the Crown Prince and Song Mo.

Hoping to unite their efforts, Dou Zhao asked the Crown Prince about the circumstances surrounding the death of Duke Dingguo. The Crown Prince explained that he had once sworn to the emperor that he would not disclose any details. However, the Crown Princess, who had not made such a vow, revealed the truth. Duke Dingguo was blameless, and the emperor had summoned him to the capital under false pretenses because he was the only person the emperor fully trusted.

At that time, the emperor was gravely ill and feared that the kind-hearted Crown Prince would not be able to control Duke Dingguo. To ensure the duke's loyalty to the Crown Prince, the emperor feigned animosity and ordered him to be brought to the capital under charges. The plan was for the Crown Prince to release the duke upon ascending to the throne, thus gaining a loyal ally.

The Crown Prince, disdaining such manipulative tactics, respected Duke Dingguo and refused to play political games. However, the emperor believed that as a ruler, he could not rely solely on kindness and needed to create resentment to secure loyalty. What seemed like a flawless plan fell apart when someone exploited the situation. At this time, Eunuch Wang arrived on the emperor's orders to recount the events of the past.

The emperor had known that Duke Dingguo was innocent but had still issued a guilty verdict based on the Empress Wan's suggestion. Even then, he had shown leniency to the Jiang family, condemning only Duke Dingguo. From this, Song Mo deduced that the real mastermind behind the rebellion was Empress Wan. The emperor was poisoned, and Empress Wan, adept in the art of toxins, had mixed poison into his antidotes, preventing his condition from improving.

In her palace, Prince Qing knelt before Empress Wan, admitting his recklessness but claiming he only wanted her to replace the emperor, as he could not bear to see her submit to him. Empress Wan, instead of blaming him, gently caressed his face, lamenting that seizing power was not an easy task. Now that their plans were close to being exposed, there was no need to continue their charade. She decided to act ahead of schedule.

The toxin she had administered to the emperor was about to take effect, and she was eager to see if the emperor could still shed tears. Dou Zhao understood that the half-poisonous, half-medicinal concoction given to the emperor would have dire consequences if the antidote was not found and the treatment suddenly stopped. This was why the emperor could not reveal the truth. Song Mo asked the Crown Prince if he was willing to restore order.

However, the Crown Prince was adamant that doing so would trample on the dignity of the royal family and refused. Dou Zhao scolded him harshly, and before the Crown Prince could respond, the Crown Princess praised Dou Zhao for her words and joked about hiring her to berate the Crown Prince every day.

Song Mo mentioned a letter Duke Dingguo had sent to Jiang Huisun, hoping it would not fall into Prince Qing's hands, as it was something his faction deeply feared. Song Mo expressed his willingness to assist the Crown Prince in ascending the throne, provided the emperor publicly exonerated Duke Dingguo and cleared his name. The Crown Prince hesitated, but the Crown Princess clasped his hand and shook hands with Song Mo.

The Crown Prince, dissatisfied with Song Mo’s arrogance, warned Dou Zhao to ensure Song Mo didn’t step out of line. Song Mo, in turn, told the Crown Princess to manage the Crown Prince. After leaving, Song Mo and Dou Zhao encountered some teasing. Along the way, Song Mo grew unhappy, suspecting the Crown Prince’s praise for Dou Zhao was born out of admiration. He demanded that Dou Zhao wear only black and avoid dressing up.

But even as he made the demand, he admitted to himself that she would look stunning in black too. Frustrated, he jumped off the carriage, carried Dou Zhao in his arms, and walked down the street, declaring that everyone should know she was his woman. He vowed to protect her at all costs. Eunuch Wang brought a bowl of medicine to the emperor, who drank it without hesitation, seemingly resigned to his fate.

Meanwhile, Miao Ansu and Song Han prepared to bury Anping. Miao Ansu regretted coming to the capital, feeling her brother wouldn’t have died if they had stayed in Futing. Song Han reassured her, mentioning his new position as commander of the Tengxiang Guard, on par with Song Mo’s rank, and promised that they no longer needed to endure anyone’s scorn. Miao Ansu, unfamiliar with the position, listened as Song Han explained its importance.

While she saw the capital as peaceful, his words painted it as a battlefield. Song Han embraced her, promising to bring her peace. Dou Zhao took Qixia to her former courtyard, hoping to jog her memory. In fragments of conversation, Qixia revealed that she had once prepared medicine for Jiang Huisun, who had been seriously ill. Song Mo, testing her, asked about a letter. Qixia urgently sought it from Dou Zhao.

Pretending to have the letter, Dou Zhao handed her a decoy. Qixia rushed to Jiang Huisun, excitedly announcing that Duke Dingguo had sent a letter. The letter contained hidden words visible only when moistened. Jiang Huisun initially wanted Qixia to hide it but later decided it was better to give it to Song Mo. Knowing it could not be concealed, Jiang Huisun instructed Qixia to paste it in plain sight, believing it would be safer there.

On a snowy night, Qixia searched everywhere for a place to hide the letter. She eventually pasted the letter on a painting. Suddenly recalling this, Qixia tore down the painting and handed it to Song Mo. With this, Qixia recovered her memory. The letter she had given to Jiang Huisun at that time was actually a painting by Jiang Huisun herself, with invisible words written beside it that could only be revealed with water.

Jiang Huisun had discovered corruption in Liaodong and planned to report it to the emperor. Qixia had pasted the painting on the scroll in the corridor but overheard a conversation between Song Han and Song Yichun upon her return. Song Yichun had harmed Jiang Huisun, and when confronted by Song Han, he self-righteously claimed it was all for the sake of not wronging Shu Yao.

Song Mo retrieved the letter from the Duke of Dingguo, which listed the names of corrupt officials, including Dou Shiying. Dou Zhao was puzzled. While it was clear that Dou Shishu was allied with King Qing, it made no sense for Dou Shiying’s name to appear. She speculated that someone might be trying to drag Dou Shiying down. Dou Zhao and Song Mo visited Dou Zhao’s father, Dou Shiying, who had bought some properties for Dou Zhao.

Concerned that he might have been tricked, Dou Zhao questioned him. Dou Shiying explained that he had engaged in business because both Grand Secretary Mu and Dou Shishu had embezzled funds and couldn’t compensate for the losses. Song Mo analyzed the current political situation and the forces behind these individuals. However, Dou Shiying believed that politics and business should not mix. Song Mo reminded him that King Qing’s bid for the throne had already tied him to their cause.

Only then did Dou Shiying realize the severity of the situation and wanted to quickly disengage from these dealings. Dou Zhao volunteered to handle it on his behalf. Dou Shiying even considered resigning from his position to avoid disaster, but Song Mo pointed out that their familial ties would still implicate him, as Dou Zhao was Song Mo’s wife, making Dou Shiying his father-in-law. Dou Zhao went to the shop where she encountered Wei Tingzhen, the owner of the silver shop.

Dou Zhao offered double the money to buy back her father’s contract, but Wei Tingzhen blamed Dou Zhao for Wei Tingyu’s death and refused to yield. Dou Zhao warned her that this was her only chance to resolve things amicably, but Wei Tingzhen, unafraid, remained defiant, claiming Dou Zhao’s future was uncertain. Ji Yong, acting on behalf of King Qing, approached Chen Jia to win him over through gambling.

When this failed, Ji Yong promised him a high-ranking position, but Chen Jia remained unmoved. Ji Yong then resorted to threats involving Zhao Zhangru, causing Chen Jia to turn pale. Meanwhile, Dou Shishu invited Song Mo to a tea gathering at the silver shop. Upon entering, Song Mo discovered that King Qing was also there. Already aware of Dou Shishu’s allegiance to King Qing, Song Mo was unsurprised.

Having been avoided by Song Mo recently, King Qing had orchestrated this meeting. King Qing offered to detoxify Song Mo, but Song Mo dismissed it, saying the poison could be removed, but hatred would remain. King Qing speculated that Song Mo’s grudge stemmed from Jiang Huisun’s death and suggested offering Song Han’s head as compensation. Song Mo remained silent.

King Qing likened their situation to that of Zhao Gou and Yue Fei, arguing that the true blame lay with the emperor, not Qin Hui. Song Mo retorted that both Zhao Gou and Qin Hui should kneel before Yue Fei’s statue. Seeing he couldn’t persuade Song Mo, King Qing ordered his men to attack. Song Mo seized a weapon and captured King Qing as leverage, forcing his attackers to stand down.

Song Mo had already planned the situation with Dou Zhao, knowing the contracts were hidden in the room's walls. He ordered the walls demolished and retrieved the contracts. King Qing accused Song Mo of attempting to assassinate a royal prince and ordered his execution. Song Mo suddenly succumbed to the poison, vomiting blood. At that moment, Dou Zhao arrived with Eunuch Wang and the Imperial Guards to rescue Song Mo and brought him before the emperor.

Dou Zhao knelt at the palace gate, refusing to leave. The empress tried to persuade her, pointing out the difference between Song Mo and King Qing. Regardless of King Qing’s transgressions, he was the emperor’s son, while Song Mo, despite his merits, was merely a court official. Dou Zhao declared her resolve to wait for Song Mo’s release. The empress hinted that the only way for Song Mo to be spared was to shift the blame onto Dou Shiying.

Despite the evidence presented to the emperor, court officials accused Song Mo of shielding King Qing. The emperor, in frustration, declared the contracts illegible due to bloodstains, leaving Song Mo disheartened. When the emperor subtly suggested pinning the blame on Dou Shiying, Song Mo openly confessed his guilt. The emperor ordered Eunuch Wang to preserve the contracts and scolded King Qing, remarking on the favor his uncles had shown him, a testament to the empress’s upbringing.

To protect the court’s stability, the emperor intended to sacrifice Dou Shiying. However, Song Mo knelt and refused to implicate others. When royal uncles accused Song Mo of defiance, he drew his sword in despair. The emperor, deeply moved, realized Song Mo’s enduring resentment towards him and suddenly saw the young Jiang Huisun in Song Mo’s expression. Overwhelmed, the emperor coughed up blood and collapsed.

The emperor, recognizing Song Mo’s contributions, decreed that the destruction of the silver shop would not result in Song Mo’s execution but stripped him of his titles and sent him to Zhaoyu Prison. As Song Mo was escorted out, Dou Zhao, who had been waiting, fainted upon seeing him. In a panic, Song Mo broke free and carried her, calling for an imperial physician.

Ji Yong took Dou Zhao away, but even in her delirium, Dou Zhao insisted on returning to save Song Mo. Eunuch Wang secretly delivered something to a temple for safekeeping but returned to the palace to find that Wang Ge had replaced him in overseeing the inner court. Song Han, anxious, led a search party to Ji Yong’s residence to find Dou Zhao, but Ji Yong remained calm, sipping tea and confronting Song Han with indifference.

Dou Shiying beat the drum to appeal for justice for Song Mo, but he was met with opposition from Dou Shishu. Over the years, Dou Shiying had been controlled by Dou Shishu, tirelessly serving him. However, Dou Shiying now refused to continue down the wrong path. He was unwilling to see Dou Zhao, Song Mo, and the common people sacrificed.

Breaking off his brotherly ties with Dou Shishu, he demanded that Dou Shishu stab him three times to repay the debt of upbringing. Song Han barged into Ji Yong's room, only to find a small dog on the bed. Ji Yong mocked him, saying Song Han was like a dog that bit everyone it encountered. In the prison, Song Mo was tortured by Wang Ge.

Chen Jia persuaded Wang Ge not to leave himself with a reputation for extracting confessions through coercion. Though Wang Ge was dissatisfied with Chen Jia's advice, he understood that Song Mo was resilient and ceased the physical torture. Instead, he used a drug to smoke Song Mo, plunging him into a state of inner conflict and struggle. Song Mo seemed to see visions of Jiang Huisun and Jiang Meisun.

Wang Ge believed that stirring Song Mo’s emotions would deepen the poison of resentment and hatred, causing him unbearable pain. Dou Zhao, in her unconscious state, kept calling out Song Mo's name. Meanwhile, Song Mo fainted in his cell. When he woke, he saw a ray of sunlight streaming through the window and envisioned Dou Zhao walking toward him. They smiled at each other before he fell unconscious again.

In his dream, he saw a white-haired youth and a girl from his past, but this time, their faces were clear. An arrow flew toward him, but Song Mo reached out, transforming it into petals of purple flowers. Both smiled peacefully. In reality, Dou Zhao regained consciousness. Zhao Zhangru and Madam Cui, who had been caring for her, were overjoyed and told her that Ji Yong had brought her there.

They reassured Dou Zhao that Song Mo would be safe, the emperor was not foolish, and her child was unharmed. Hearing that all was well with her loved ones, Dou Zhao lay down again, gazing at the Ninefold Purple flowers outside the window with a smile. Dou Shiying continued to beat the drum to appeal for justice. Wang Ge seized the drumstick, so Dou Shiying used his fists instead. Fortunately, the crown prince arrived in time and scolded Wang Ge.

Dou Shiying begged the prince not to wrongfully accuse Song Mo. In court, the emperor was too ill to attend, and the empress acted as regent. The crown prince accused Prince Qing of corruption and amassing private wealth, presenting a petition signed by the people calling for a thorough investigation of the case involving the silver house. The empress dismissed it as interference in state affairs.

At that moment, Shude entered the hall, insisting on an investigation to preserve the royal family's honor. Many ministers supported her, arguing that examining the accounts was justified. Unable to refute them, the empress reluctantly agreed. After court, the empress was furious and worried that her son might be implicated. Minister Mu suggested finding a scapegoat, and the empress decided that Dou Shishu, who had been promoted by Shude, would be the perfect candidate to take the fall.

Dou Shishu realized he might become a scapegoat, but he remained calm. He believed the Dou family would not fall, and Dou Shiying would eventually rise to the position of chief minister. Dou Shishu even offered to do one last favor for Shude. Later, Dou Shishu held a knife to the princess's neck when Wang Ge came to arrest him.

Dou Shiying arrived, trying to persuade Dou Shishu to surrender, but Dou Shishu publicly severed all ties with Dou Shiying, declaring that they had nothing to do with each other. Wang Ge ordered a volley of arrows to kill Dou Shishu. Dou Shishu used his body to shield Shude. As he lay dying in her arms, he asked Shude to return to her fief, eat more fruit when it ripened, and think of him.

Dou Shishu died, and his smoking pipe fell to the ground. Shude cried out his name in grief. Madam Cui visited Dou Shiying, worried that he might collapse under the weight of his guilt. Dou Shiying suddenly realized he must take on the burden of protecting the entire Dou family and prevent the crown prince from being accused of harboring corruption.

Madam Cui advised Dou Shiying to present her commendations and Dou Zhao's accomplishments as evidence of the family's contributions to the court. The empress, cornered, accused Song Mo of dereliction of duty and released him from Zhaoyu Prison. He was confined to the Yizhi Hall to await punishment. Dou Zhao and Song Mo were locked in Yizhi Hall together, with the Golden Guard unable to enter. Their guards were replaced by the Shadow Guard.

Dou Zhao realized this was a form of protection. She reassured Song Mo that they had done all they could and could now enjoy a few days of peace, waiting for the flowers to bloom. Song Han suggested to Prince Qing that Song Mo be killed. Ji Yong remained silent but disapproved of Song Han's behavior. Prince Qing agreed to the suggestion and decided it was time to act.

After Song Han left, Prince Qing asked Ji Yong for his opinion. Ji Yong did not oppose Song Han's actions against Song Mo, reasoning that whether or not Song Mo died, the conflict would not implicate Prince Qing. Prince Qing also noticed that Ji Yong disliked Song Han because of Dou Zhao. Miao Ansu and Su Yan distributed porridge to the people.

On the surface, Miao Ansu was fulfilling her duty as a princess, but in reality, it was to ease her conscience over Song Han's killings. While distributing porridge, a disheveled man saw Miao Ansu and fled in terror, unsettling her. Song Han was in his room reprimanding a subordinate for failing to capture a carriage driver. Just as he was about to kill the subordinate with a sword, Miao Ansu entered.

Song Han immediately changed his demeanor, allowing the subordinate to leave with his sword. Toward Miao Ansu, he was exceedingly gentle. Su Yan told Song Han that Miao Ansu had nearly fainted earlier, but Miao Ansu interrupted her. Song Han, concerned for Miao Ansu's health, wanted to call for a doctor, but she stopped him, and he complied. Miao Ansu told Song Han that Dou Zhao had a 70% share in his profits.

If she could renegotiate the terms, she hoped Song Han would spare Dou Zhao. She believed Dou Zhao would not harm them. Song Han agreed to talk to Dou Zhao. However, when Miao Ansu met with Dou Zhao, she did not discuss renegotiating profits. Instead, she asked Dou Zhao for guidance. Dou Zhao advised her to seek out Chen Jia. Chen Jia captured the carriage driver and brought him before Miao Ansu, forcing him to explain why he had fled. The driver revealed that Song Han had been hunting him because of Anping.

Miao Ansu only then learned that Anping had sought help from Song Han that day, complaining about being beaten by Dong Qi. However, instead of saving him, Song Han had beaten him to death with a club. A passing coachman witnessed the entire scene, panicked, and fled, but his fleeing figure was noticed by Song Han. When Miao Ansu returned home and was about to light a candle, Song Han suddenly rushed in and kissed her, leaving her flustered.

Song Han had searched all over the capital to buy a necklace for Miao Ansu because it was her first birthday since their wedding. Miao Ansu was moved and asked if Song Han was hiding anything from her. Song Han admitted to many past wrongdoings. Miao Ansu pressed further, asking if he would turn back if given a chance. Song Han nodded. Miao Ansu hugged him tightly. That night, as Song Han slept, Miao Ansu gazed intently at the necklace.

The Emperor woke up to the Empress presenting an elixir, claiming it was made by a Taoist recommended by Lu Yuanpan. The Emperor did not immediately take it. Learning that Eunuch Wang was attending to him, he guessed that Wang Ge must now control the Directorate of Ceremonial, and Lu Yuanpan had already returned to his hometown. Knowing Lu Yuanpan had always advised against trusting Taoists and elixirs, the Emperor realized the Empress had gained the upper hand.

Watching her smile and urge him to take the medicine reminded him of their younger days when they discussed state affairs together. Even when the Emperor grew tired, the Empress's persistent smile had always seemed vibrant, like the morning sun. The Emperor reflected on entrusting the Crown Prince to the late Empress Dowager's care, which must have caused the Empress much grievance. He gently encouraged her to express her grievances if she had any.

The Empress, recalling her efforts to assist the Emperor in handling state affairs, remembered one instance vividly. Upon hearing the Emperor cough, she personally brought medicine to him, only to overhear his decree to have her buried with him after his death to avoid a repeat of the Wu Zhou chaos. Moreover, if the King of Qing attempted to return, he was to be accused of treason and subdued by Duke Dingguo.

From that moment, thoughts of rebellion began to stir within her. However, she refrained from voicing these thoughts, instead expressing gratitude to the Emperor for including her in state matters and sharing her aspirations to participate in the imperial exams when she was young. She urged him once again to take the medicine. At that moment, the Crown Prince and Liang Gelao forced their way in, despite the guards' attempts to block them.

The Crown Prince insisted it was his duty as a subject to care for the Emperor. Liang Gelao suggested the Emperor attend a sacrificial ritual but, considering his health, proposed that the Crown Prince go instead. The Crown Prince was unwilling, insisting on staying by the Emperor's side. The Emperor ordered him to go and allowed Gu Yu to accompany him.

The Emperor assured Gu Yu that if this mission succeeded, Song Mo’s life would be spared, and she would grant Gu Yu any rank he desired in the future. After Gu Yu left, the Empress smashed her cup in anger, feeling that the Emperor had forced her into her current position. The King of Qing conspired with Song Han to stage a coup. During negotiations, Song Han openly made his demands, knowing the King of Qing needed his help.

Enraged by Song Han’s tone, the King of Qing considered killing him with an arrow but hesitated after Song Han killed a soldier to prove his point, warning that the dead were useless allies. The King of Qing reluctantly agreed to Song Han’s terms, promising him the title of the first non-royal king after success. When the King of Qing suggested killing Miao Ansu, Song Han argued that the wealth of the Miao family was critical to their plans.

Realizing Song Han was reluctant to harm Miao Ansu, the King of Qing let the matter rest. The two agreed to launch the coup on the fifteenth. Song Han returned and helped Miao Ansu pin on her hairpin. He intended to send her out of the city early but, before he could speak, Miao Ansu suggested accompanying her parents to deliver Anping’s ashes to Futing.

Song Han advised her to return after the Lantern Festival, not wanting her to endure a long journey, though his true intent was to ensure the coup had concluded by then. Song Mo locked himself in his room, refusing to open the door for anyone. Dou Zhao, worried, went to see him. Song Mo tied himself up and urged Dou Zhao to leave, unwilling to let her see his current state.

He wished to maintain his perfect image in her eyes. Dou Zhao, unconcerned about his graying hair, only hoped he wouldn’t isolate himself. Suddenly, Song Mo coughed up blood. Hearing the commotion, Dou Zhao forced her way in and tried to feed him medicine. Song Mo nearly strangled her but managed to restrain himself, fleeing the room in panic. Desperate, Dou Zhao drank the medicine herself and chased after him, administering it to him mouth-to-mouth.

Meanwhile, Song Han had already seen Miao Ansu off. Song Mo gradually recovered and recalled their first confrontation on a rainy night. Holding a dagger to Dou Zhao’s throat, he had felt as if she were an old friend he hadn’t seen in years. Dou Zhao confessed she had been just as nervous but had tried to remain calm. She also shared her dream about Song Mo.

At that moment, a messenger arrived from the palace, inviting Dou Zhao to a banquet hosted by the Empress. Accompanying the Crown Prince, Gu Yu seized the opportunity to detain him. The Crown Prince, believing Gu Yu’s friendship with Song Mo, was surprised but had no choice but to comply when Gu Yu admitted his own difficulties. Song Han closely monitored Dou Zhao and Song Mo.

Learning of Song Mo’s poisoning and subsequent argument with Dou Zhao, he gleefully informed Ji Yong and the King of Qing, who suggested they take action immediately. At the palace banquet, noblewomen presented rare treasures. Dou Zhao offered exotic Western goods, which some attendees eagerly sought her business advice on. Wei Tingyu sarcastically remarked on Dou Zhao’s apparent decline, implying her late arrival was due to traveling by donkey cart.

Dou Zhao arrived just then and retorted with her own sarcasm. The Empress’s arrival interrupted their exchange, and she praised Dou Zhao’s unique offerings. Dou Zhao also brought a dance performance, symbolizing peace and prosperity, even as violence unfolded outside. Song Han opened the city gates to welcome the King of Qing, who sought to seize the imperial seal and declare his rule before dawn. At the banquet, the Empress raised a cryptic toast, wishing for a fresh start.

Suddenly, guards stormed in, taking the noblewomen hostage. Unperturbed, Dou Zhao glanced at the clock she had brought as a gift, and the Empress realized Dou Zhao had anticipated her plans. Dou Zhao understood the Empress intended to hold the women as hostages to deter any counterattacks. She also knew the Empress would not harm them. However, the Empress, enraged by Dou Zhao’s defiance, ordered her execution. Just then, an explosion occurred near the clock.

Su Yan appeared, capturing the Empress and forcing her to retreat step by step. Wang Ge and his men pursued them. Wang Ge deceived Dou Zhao and Su Yan by claiming Song Mo was dead. When Su Yan was distracted, she was struck by an arrow while shielding Dou Zhao, leading to her capture. Wang Ge ordered Chen Jia to execute Dou Zhao, but Chen Jia turned against him, wounding him instead.

Dou Zhao appealed to the Shadow Guards, urging them not to be tools of the powerful. Moved by her words, they pledged loyalty to Chen Jia. Dou Zhao instructed Chen Jia to guard the city gates and block the King of Qing and Song Han. Song Mo arrived with the Dingguo Army to confront Song Han and the King of Qing. Miao Ansu, pretending to head to Futing, had secretly delivered Dou Zhao’s letter to the Dingguo Army, rallying them to the capital.

Dou Zhao hurried to the emperor's chambers to check his pulse. Noticing the spectacles left by Ji Yong, she immediately realized something. Taking out her prepared silver needles, she recalled Ji Yong teaching her the "Thirteen Ghost Acupuncture Points" and understood that Ji Yong had hinted at something profound without explicitly stating it. Eunuch Wang confirmed Dou Zhao's suspicions—it was the emperor who had arranged for Ji Yong to be by Prince Qing’s side.

The emperor had long been aware of Prince Qing’s ambitions but knew that only through rebellion could he convict him, making Ji Yong the strategist for the rebellion. Song Mo led his troops to fiercely block Prince Qing's entry into the palace. Prince Qing ordered his men to leave no one alive, and both sides clashed violently. Gunshots rang out from behind, scattering Prince Qing’s forces.

The emperor, seated in his imperial palanquin, was carried out, glaring angrily at Prince Qing, with Dou Zhao standing by his side. Song Mo, with tears in his eyes, looked at Dou Zhao as his reinforcements arrived. Prince Qing reminded the emperor that the crown prince had already been assassinated and, by the rites, he should inherit the throne. Song Han incited his subordinates to keep fighting, promising rewards of titles and lands if they succeeded.

The battle resumed, and the emperor, with tears in his eyes, seemed to see Duke Dingguo, vowing to not disappoint him this time. At that moment, the crown prince and Gu Yu arrived with reinforcements. Gu Yu had not truly harmed the crown prince but had intercepted him and delivered Dou Zhao’s secret letter, revealing Prince Qing's rebellion. Ji Yong also arrived with his forces. Seeing their defeat was inevitable, Prince Qing’s men surrendered.

Furious at Ji Yong’s betrayal, Prince Qing lamented that he had regarded Ji Yong with the utmost respect. Ji Yong admitted his hunger for fame but clarified that his true aim was to purge the court. He declared that no matter how Prince Qing treated him, he had to eliminate him as the first corrupted element. Enraged, Prince Qing swung his blade toward Song Mo.

Dou Zhao fired a shot, hitting Prince Qing, and Song Mo, looking up at Dou Zhao, finally believed that freedom was something worth fighting for. The emperor rebuked Prince Qing, stating he was unworthy of holding the imperial seal. Prince Qing admitted his incompetence but revealed that after ascending the throne, he intended for his mother to act as regent.

He expressed that his mother had done so much for the court and the emperor yet had only faced tragic outcomes. The emperor angrily accused Prince Qing, stating that all his actions stemmed from the empress targeting the loyal minister Jiang Meisun. Since Jiang Meisun’s death, the emperor had begun laying his plans. He acknowledged the empress’s schemes but also his youthful vow with Jiang Meisun to restore justice to the court, a vow unfulfilled until now.

The emperor revealed that the court had long been riddled with corruption, and only by drawing these elements into the open could he eradicate them entirely. He also recognized that his poor health was the result of schemes by the empress and Prince Qing. Prince Qing was shocked that the emperor had orchestrated such elaborate self-sacrificing tactics for an external minister.

Song Mo pleaded for Prince Qing's life, suggesting instead that he be placed under house arrest and be informed daily of the emperor and crown prince’s achievements. He then handed over the Twin Blades, asking the emperor to restore justice to Duke Dingguo. Song Mo, knowing his days were numbered, wished to relinquish the blades and spend his remaining time with Dou Zhao in peace.

The emperor, seeing Jiang Meisun’s shadow in Song Mo, tearfully called his name, reluctant to see him go. At the palace gates, Song Han encountered Miao Ansu standing there. Overjoyed, he embraced her, only to be stabbed by her. Heartbroken, Song Han lamented that Miao Ansu waited until he fell in love with her to betray him. Miao Ansu wept, confessing that she had admired him since their first meeting and cherished every encounter.

While she hated him, she could not bear to let others disgrace him. She believed that perhaps Song Han could find some peace by dying at her hands. Song Han begged her to reconsider, but Miao Ansu silently removed the necklace he had given her and walked away. Dou Zhao went to see the empress. The empress claimed they were alike, but Dou Zhao disagreed, stating that the difference was she always believed in her loved ones.

Eunuch Wang arrived with an imperial edict summoning the empress, but she refused to see the emperor, unwilling to continue the charade. The emperor did not depose her but ordered her house arrest. The empress, however, requested to be deposed, demoted to a commoner, and granted death. The emperor stepped outside, gazing at the snow-covered world. Eunuch Wang knelt before him, heartbroken, unable to understand why the emperor gave his last blood ganoderma to Song Mo.

Wang, who had sought protection for himself, heard the emperor wish to protect Song Mo instead, believing that Song Mo would, in turn, safeguard the crown prince. The emperor wrote a self-criticism edict, clearing the injustices against Duke Dingguo and the Jiang family. A year later, the crown prince ascended the throne, granting amnesty across the land.

Wu Shan returned to the capital to serve, and Ji Yong became the first grand councilor of the new dynasty, with both revitalizing the court. Though the court flourished, Ji Yong suddenly retired. A monk observed that while Ji Yong had opened his heart, he still held only one person in it, urging him to let go of worldly attachments to find peace.

Dou Zhao and Song Mo had a daughter named Lianjun, a mischievous child who climbed trees and walls, leaving her parents exhausted. One morning, she interrupted their rest, making Dou Zhao envy traveling merchants who roamed freely. Song Mo reminded her that Lianjun would soon attend private school, giving them time to travel. Dou Zhao was overjoyed. Dou Shiying rose in court rank but remained busy.

Despite numerous matchmaking attempts, he rejected them all, his heart still yearning for Zhao Guqiu. Chen Qushui taught that "traveling a thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books," but Lianjun often went missing, embodying Dou Zhao's personality entirely. Dou Zhao and Song Mo occasionally managed to go on outings. One day, Song Mo sneaked some wine from his father-in-law, sharing it with Dou Zhao. As they sipped, they reflected on their fulfilled wish of clearing injustices. Dou Zhao made a new wish for a loving and united life together. Song Mo responded with a tender kiss.

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