Chapter 249: Embarrassment

After lunch, the ceremony of recognizing relatives ended.

Song Mo personally escorted Dou Jichang and other members of the Dou family to the gate.

The Song family's relatives moved to the garden in the east wing.

Princess Ningde and Old Lady Lu, accompanied by Lu Chen's wife and Lu Shi's wife, played cards in the warm pavilion next to the flower hall. Zhang San's mother Feng Hui led Lu Han's wife, Lu Qin's wife, the women of the Song family, and the women of Yunyang Earl Gu's family to play mahjong in the flower hall. As for Lu Chen, Lu Shi and others, accompanied by Song Yichun and Song Mo, they listened to opera in the garden. Gu Yu pulled Wang Qinghuai, Feng Shao and others to gamble in the mountain house.

Dou Zhao followed Grandma Lu, serving Princess Ningde and Old Lady Lu, while Madam Wang Shao sat next to the Princess and drank tea. Dou Zhao helped Old Lady Lu play a few cards, and Old Lady Lu couldn't help but laugh and said, "I didn't expect that Yantang's daughter-in-law is such a master!"

The first and second wives of the Lu family looked at her with laughter and friendly expressions.

Dou Zhao smiled and said, "I have many uncles and brothers on my mother's side. We often play cards together. After a long time, I have learned a little bit."

Old Madam Lu nodded, became interested, and asked with a smile about Dou Zhao's daily life at her parents' home.

If we were to say which relative among those who came today cares most about Song Mo, it would probably be someone from the Lu family.

Dou Zhao did not hide it and told the two elderly people some interesting stories about his time in Zhending. For a while, the warm room was filled with laughter and was very lively.

Feng Hui smiled and said, "I didn't expect that Yantang's new daughter-in-law is such a sweet talker. As soon as she came in, she made my aunt and my mother laugh so hard. I think that Yantang's daughter-in-law will be like my cousin's mother-in-law and will always be able to please my aunt and my mother..." As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Han's wife, Lu Ernainai, and Lu Qin's wife, Lu Sannainai.

The cousin she was referring to was Song Mo's mother Jiang Huisun.

They smiled but said nothing.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Song Da and Mrs. Song San exchanged glances, and at the same time made the excuse of going to the toilet, and went to talk behind the Taihu stone rockery next to the flower hall.

"You were the one who tested the Yuanpa this morning," Mrs. Song San said shrewdly, "How are they?"

This was originally the mother-in-law's business. Dou Zhao had no mother-in-law, and Song Yichun was not in a position to take care of it personally, so she asked Mrs. Song to help check the Yuanpa.

"They consummated their marriage yesterday." Mrs. Song said this with a hint of frustration in her tone, "I asked Yizhitang's maids, and they all said that Yantang was staying in the new room." At this point, she seemed to remember something and said, "You too, why did you arrange Jin'er to test them when you could arrange anyone else? What if Yantang got suspicious and got angry at Jin'er? I think you should find a chance to explain to that Dou family!"

"Of course I don't know." Mrs. Song San was full of resentment when she heard this. "But the Third Master insisted that I arrange Jin'er to test them. He also said that if it was a maid, who would have the courage to do it? It would be terrible if it backfired! Now Jin'er is being remembered by Yantang... If anything happens to Jin'er, I will fight with the Third Master to the death!"

Mrs. Song hurriedly advised, "That's not the case. Although Yantang is cold to others, he is not the kind of person who would quibble over small matters. Just tell Jin'er not to run around in the future."

Mrs. Song nodded and said awkwardly, "That's what my eldest uncle said. He said that my second uncle didn't like Yantang and wanted to cultivate Tianen... That's why my third uncle made up his mind and he won't change his mind no matter who persuades him!"

It was obvious that the third brother and his wife wanted to please the second uncle, but they insisted that it was their eldest grandfather who instructed them to do so!

Mrs. Song was very dissatisfied when she heard this, but she always kept her composure and this time she just pretended not to hear it.

Mrs. Song San said, "I think that Dou is very generous. She doesn't have the shyness or timidity of a bride when she speaks or acts... Is there another Jiang in the family?"

"We are not so unlucky, are we?" Mrs. Song hesitated, with a hint of gloom in her eyes. "Even if it is so, we are still her elders, unlike when Jiang was here..." She looked up and saw Mrs. Song blinking at her. She immediately changed the subject: "...Where is your dress made? It's very beautiful! Look at the hem, it should be a new style from the south, right?" Before she finished speaking, Mrs. Song smiled and said behind her: "Fourth brother's wife, why are you out too?"

It turns out she is here!

Mrs. Song sneered in her heart, but she turned around and greeted Mrs. Song Four with a smile: "Who has the best luck right now?"

Mrs. Song curled her lips secretly.

I knew that when these two disappeared together, it must be no good, and sure enough, they were hiding here whispering.

"It seems that the second wife of the Lu family has the best luck." Mrs. Song said with a smile, "I have lost four or five taels of silver in this short time. I came out to take a breath and see if I can change my luck."

"This Second Madam Lu, she always wins every time we play cards with her. If she wins again this time, we have to let her treat us..." Mrs. Song said as the three sisters-in-law walked into the flower hall with smiles on their faces.

※※※※※

After dinner, the relatives left one after another.

Old Madam Lu, Princess Ningde, and Madam Wang all warmly invited Dou Zhao to visit their homes in a few days. Dou Zhao accepted with a smile and escorted them all the way to the Chuihua Gate. He watched their carriage leave the Duke of Ying's Mansion before turning back.

Gu Yu and his friends were so excited about gambling that they didn't even have dinner. Song Mo was worried and went to the mountain house.

Dou Zhao thought about it and went straight to Yizhi Hall.

Su Xin said with some worry: "Aren't you going to pay your respects to the Duke?"

"I don't have a mother-in-law, and the prince is not here, so I won't go to the Duke's place." Dou Zhao said with a smile, "If the Duke wants me to set rules, he will naturally send a maid to tell me."

I've only heard of mothers-in-law asking their daughters-in-law to set rules, but I've never heard of fathers-in-law asking their daughters-in-law to set rules.

Su Xin pondered in her heart and went back to the house with Dou Zhao.

Because they had just arrived and did not know the rules of the Duke of Ying's mansion, Sulan and the others did not dare to move without Dou Zhao coming back. They had been sitting in the house all day. When they saw Dou Zhao, they were all overjoyed. Sulan even pulled Dou Zhao's sleeve and said, "Miss, can you assign us something to do?"

Dou Zhao couldn't help but laugh.

Knowing that Song Mo was dragged away by Gu Yu to gamble, she washed up, changed into a casual dark green jacket, and leaned against the headboard of the nanmu bed to read a book.

Su Xin brought in a brand new scarlet silk blanket with a pattern of swimming birds, and spread it silently on the big kang in the banquet room.

Dou Zhao's hand, which was turning the pages of the book, paused.

That set of silk and satin was her dowry.

It seemed that Su Xin and the others knew that she did not consummate her marriage with Song Mo last night.

She couldn't help but sigh softly.

Song Mo returned to the house.

Dou Zhao stood up and helped him wash and dress.

Song Mo waved his hands and said with a smile: "No need! Just read your book. I don't need anyone to serve me normally."

Is that so?

Dou Zhao smiled and listened carefully. After a while, he heard the sound of a copper basin falling to the ground in the bathroom.

She got up and went to the bathroom.

Song Mo was twisting his sleeves in a furious manner.

Dou Zhao told Su Xin to fetch another basin of water, while he found a change of clothes for Song Mo and walked over lightly and silently.

"Come on, change your wet clothes," she helped Song Mo untie his belt, "The weather is getting colder, be careful not to catch a cold!"

"No need!" Song Mo said with a smile, "I can do it myself!" His tone was calm and relaxed, with his usual elegance.

Dou Zhao looked up at Song Mo.

But I found his ears were red.

She smiled and took a step back, saying, "Okay, I'll help you take out the wet clothes."

"No need!" Song Mo said with a smile, "Just let the maid clean it up."

"It's okay." Dou Zhao smiled, "I sent her to get you some water!"

Song Mo let out an "oh". Under Dou Zhao's gaze, the belt tied with a simple bow could have been loosened with a little effort, but somehow, he pulled it tighter and tighter, and finally tied it into a knot.

"Let me help you!" Dou Zhao stepped forward with a smile.

"No need!" Song Mo said with a smile, "It will be done soon!" But beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Song Mo was like a child trying to show off in front of adults, which made her feel very cute.

Dou Zhao held back his anger and reminded himself not to show any strange expression.

"Don't move!" She whispered, her tone unexpectedly gentle, "I'll help you untie it."

Song Mo was very embarrassed, but the fingers on his belt were not only white and tender, but also slender and flexible. They quickly untied his tangled belt.

He smiled awkwardly, not knowing what to do with his hands and feet.

Dou Zhao seemed not to see anything. He calmly helped Song Mo take off his clothes and prepared warm water for him to wash.

Song Mo held the handkerchief and murmured "thank you".

"You're welcome." Dou Zhao walked out with a smile.

Song Mo breathed a sigh of relief.

Dou Zhao poked his head in and said with a smile, "Isn't it for two people to be together to make each other feel more comfortable and happy?"

Song Mo was stunned, then seemed to be thinking about something.

Dou Zhao turned and left the bathroom, laughing loudly at the person behind him, "Call me when you're done with your shower, and I'll wash your hair for you."

The sound was clear and pleasant, and somehow it reminded Song Mo of the oriole he raised when he was a child.

He couldn't help but smile and said loudly, "I'm used to washing my hair before taking a bath."

"Okay then!" Dou Zhao walked in again with a frown on his face, "I'll help you wash your hair."

Song Mo sat on a small stool nearby.

※※※※※

Song Mo came out of the bathroom, and Dou Zhaozheng and Su Xin spread a royal blue silk quilt with twin lotus flowers on the big kang next to the window in the inner room.

Hearing the noise, Dou Zhao raised his head and said with a smile, "I'm used to having a maid on duty at night. Why don't you sleep in the inner room?" Then he said in a teasing tone, "I can't ask you to get up in the middle of the night to serve me tea, can I?"

"Why not?" Song Mo raised his eyebrows and sat down on the big kang by the window with a smile, "Didn't you say that when two people live together, they should feel more comfortable and happier with each other?" He had regained his original calmness.

Dou Zhao couldn't help but smile.

Song Mo, you adapt really quickly!

This marriage was decided too hastily. Not only she, but also he was not ready.

But she moved his blanket from the banquet room to the inner room, and he accepted it calmly. This should be considered a good start, right?