Chapter 251 Returning Home

Dou Zhao and Song Mo were greeting Song Yichun when Dou Jichang, who had come to take Dou Zhao home, arrived.

Song Yichun had to keep everything in his mind to himself. He quickly said a few words to Dou Zhao and Song Mo and let them go.

The strong wind brought with it the torrential rain that came in waves like a tide. The corridor seemed to be washed by water, not to mention the people walking on it, whose shoes, socks and clothes would be soaked immediately.

Everyone wore straw raincoats and wooden clogs.

Dou Zhao was a few points taller than usual.

Su Xin helped her hold the umbrella with great effort.

"Let me do it myself!" Dou Zhao smiled and reached out to take Su Xin's umbrella.

But then a pair of crystal clear hands as beautiful as jade reached out and took Su Xin's umbrella in front of her.

Dou Zhao looked up in surprise and saw Song Mo's indifferent face.

"Let me do it!" He calmly held the umbrella, put his arm around Dou Zhao's shoulder and walked out.

Chen He, who was holding an umbrella for Song Mo, didn't know what to do. He was stunned for a long time before he chased after him.

Dou Zhao is just as tall as Song Mo's ears.

If she leaned slightly, she could lean on his shoulder.

In her two lives, Dou Zhao has always been the one holding an umbrella for others. Has anyone ever held an umbrella for her like this?

She was stunned for a long time and followed Song Mo forward in a daze. When she came to her senses, she was already standing in front of the carriage.

The driver had already put the footstool in place.

Song Mo hesitated for a moment, held Dou Zhao's hand, and said, "Get in the carriage quickly, be careful not to get your clothes wet." He moved the umbrella above the footstool and actually wanted to help Dou Zhao get on the carriage himself.

Raindrops as big as beans fell on Song Mo's face.

Dou Zhao hurriedly bent down and got into the carriage.

Chen He ran over, holding a tung oil umbrella high in his hands, to protect Song Mo from the wind and rain.

Song Mo handed the umbrella to Wu Yi beside him and got on the carriage.

Su Xin and the others were surprised, lowered their heads, and sneaked into the carriage behind.

Seeing this scene, Dou Jichang paused slightly.

He was a little surprised.

Everyone in Kyoto knew that the prince of the Duke of Ying's mansion was of distinguished birth, cold and aloof, and not easy to approach. But no one expected that he could humble himself and take care of the fourth sister... It shows that no matter how cold a man is, he will have a tender side in front of his wife.

He smiled and jumped onto the Dou family's carriage.

The raindrops hit the roof of the car with a crackling sound.

Dou Zhao looked at her dress without a single stain of water, feeling deeply moved. She sincerely said "thank you" to Song Mo, handed him a handkerchief, and motioned him to wipe the rain off his face.

Song Mo took the handkerchief with a smile.

It was a very ordinary white satin with a cluster of orchids embroidered on one corner.

This reminded him of Dou Zhao's flower garden.

Song Mo wiped his face.

There was a faint fragrance on the handkerchief, like orchid or jasmine. If you smelled it carefully, it seemed like the fragrance of lily of the valley, very elegant.

He tucked the handkerchief into his sleeve, lifted the car curtain, and looked out through the glass window: "Do you want to go back to Zhending?"

There were few pedestrians on the road. The strong wind and heavy rain blew the fallen leaves all over the ground, making a mess.

Dou Zhao's eyes lit up: "Is it okay?"

"No matter what you want to do, you can always find time for it." He turned around, his eyes sparkling like stars in the dimly lit carriage.

"That's right!" Dou Zhao laughed and thought seriously for a moment.

It would be great if Song Mo could go back to Zhending with her.

Let grandma meet Song Mo, she will feel more at ease.

But Song Mo is on duty at the Jinwu Guard and may not be able to leave, so this matter needs to be considered carefully.

"I will discuss this with Mr. Yan then?" She said with a smile, "I also need to give an explanation to the Duke."

Song Mo nodded.

I feel a little sad.

If his mother were still alive, with his mother helping Dou Zhao, how could Dou Zhao have thought that even a trip back to Zhending would be so difficult!

He couldn't help but clench his fists.

Seeing that he was in a low mood, Dou Zhao also smiled and moved closer to the car window.

"This autumn rain means the weather will be colder the next time." She asked him, "Where are we now?"

In her previous life, although she had lived in Kyoto for more than ten years, she was only familiar with the area around Fuguifang.

"We are on Andingmen Street." Song Mo said, as if thinking about something, and told the driver, "Go to Jiangmi Lane to Jing'an Temple Hutong."

The driver was stunned for a long time before he answered "yes" loudly and drove into a small alley.

Dou Zhao asked curiously, "Why do we have to go through Jiangmi Lane? Is it closer to Jing'an Temple Hutong?"

Next time she goes back to her parents' home, she will know which way to go.

"It's about half an hour farther than walking along the North Street of the Imperial Wall," Song Mo said with a smile, "but the six ministries and the Five Military Commander's Office are all there, you can take a look."

Dou Zhao was embarrassed.

Song Mo thought she was a weak girl who had never been out of the house.

But Song Mo was thoughtful enough to take her for a walk, which still made her feel good.

Dou Jichang, who was following behind their carriage, had a look of confusion on his face.

Why did Song Mo and his friends change their route and head south? They are getting farther and farther away!

Looking again, the carriage slowly stopped, stood in front of the Hanlin Academy, Shanglinyuan Prison, Imperial Medical Office and other government offices for a while before slowly moving forward.

He couldn't help but ask the guards following the car: "What are they doing?"

The guard didn't know either, so he hurried over to ask, and came back to report, "The prince is just telling Fourth Auntie where the six ministries are!"

Dou Jichang was stunned and asked, "What does the six ministries have to do with my fourth sister?"

The guard shook his head, obviously puzzled.

Dou Jichang's servant guessed, "The fourth aunt has not been in Kyoto for long. She seldom goes out on weekdays. When she goes out, she either wanders around in a few temples or in the shops selling silk, satin, gold and silver jewelry on South Street and Drum Tower. The prince must want to broaden the fourth aunt's horizons!"

Dou Jichang suddenly realized and couldn't help laughing, "It's a pity that he could think of it!" He actually brought his wife to visit the six ministries. His son is not his, but he wants to encourage him to take the imperial examination.

Fortunately, it was windy and rainy today, and there were few pedestrians on the road. It was also the day to visit relatives, so there was no time limit. Dou Jichang was too lazy to disturb them, so he lay in the carriage, listening to the sound of rain, and stopped and started. It took him half an hour to reach Jing'an Temple Hutong.

All the relatives of the Dou family have arrived.

Upon hearing that Dou Zhao and others had arrived, Dou Shiying, who was eager to know how his daughter was doing, ignored Dou Shishu's obstruction and went to the gate to greet them in person.

Song Mo got off the carriage, took the big umbrella from Chen He's hand with one hand to block the wind, and helped Dou Zhao get off the carriage with the other hand, but half of his clothes were soaked.

Dou Shiying, who had hurried over, couldn't help but smile. Before Song Mo could stand still, he stepped forward and took his arm: "Come in and sit down! The rain is too heavy!" He then loudly ordered Gao Sheng, "Go find some clean clothes for Fourth Aunt to change into." He was very enthusiastic. Even when Song Yichun and Song Mo's relationship was still intact, she had never been so emotional to Song Mo. Song Mo was stunned for a moment. After a while, he came to his senses and hurriedly thanked Dou Shiying respectfully: "Thank you, father-in-law!"

Dou Shiying looked at the elegant Song Mo in front of him, and thought of how he had taken care of Dou Zhao just now. He was more and more satisfied and pleased with him. He pulled Song Mo into the flower hall and said with a smile, "A son-in-law is half a son. You don't have to be so polite to me. As long as you and your wife are happy, I will be satisfied."

When Song Mo thought of Dou Shiying's tears when Dou Zhao got married, his heart softened.

He replied "yes" respectfully and walked into the gate with Dou Shiying.

Gao Sheng ran over holding a pile of clothes.

"Master, this is the new dress you made a few days ago. I haven't had time to wear it yet." He panted and said, "Which one do you think is suitable?"

Dou Shiying picked out a purple-red silk gown with a pattern of precious flowers and said to Song Mo, "Go change your clothes first. The autumn rain hurts people. Be careful not to get hurt or sick."

Looking at the gorgeous and intricate patterns, Song Mo and Dou Zhao couldn't help sweating on their foreheads - the former felt that the dress was too flashy, but because it was a gift from Dou Shiying, he dared not refuse; the latter did not expect that his father would actually make such a ostentatious dress.

Song Mo was accompanied by Gao Sheng to change clothes. Dou Zhao couldn't help but ask, "Is Baoxianghua fabric still popular in Kyoto now?"

"When did Baoxianghua's fabric become fashionable?" Dou Shiying asked back.

Dou Zhao was speechless.

I could only mutter in my heart: But considering your age, this is a bit too fancy.

As the thought flashed through my mind, I saw Song Mo following Gao Sheng walking towards me.

The purple-red brocade was woven with various floral designs using gold and silver threads. It was colorful and looked like flowing clouds, reflecting Song Mo's flawless fair skin. It was like a touch of white among the riot of colour, exuding a nobleness and dignity that was untainted by dust.

Dou Shiying's eyes lit up and he said, "This dress suits you very well." Without waiting for Song Mo to speak, he walked forward and said, "Let's go to the flower hall for tea - the relatives at home have already arrived and are waiting for you!"

Song Mo adjusted his sleeves uncomfortably, but when he raised his feet, he had regained his usual composure and followed Dou Shiying to the brothel.

Dou Shishu and Dou Shiheng were sitting on the armchairs in the central hall and talking to Wei Tingyu, while Dou Wenchang and several others were standing by and listening respectfully. Ji, the fifth wife and other female relatives were sitting around the round table in the west hall. Dou Wenchang's two sons, Dou Jichang's two sons and Dou Bochang's daughter were served by a large group of maids and old women. They were laughing and playing in the flower hall, and the children's cheerful laughter was everywhere.

Seeing Dou Shiying, Song Mo and Dou Zhao come in, Dou Shishu and others stopped talking, and the old women hurriedly took the children aside.

The flower hall suddenly became quiet.

Everyone's eyes fell on Song Mo.

Song Mo smiled calmly and followed Dou Shiying to meet Dou Shishu and Dou Shiheng.

Wei Tingyu, who was standing aside, looked at Dou Zhao, who was dressed elegantly and brightly, with a somewhat heated look in his eyes.

Dou Zhao had no intention of saying anything more to Wei Tingyu. He followed Song Mo with his head lowered and saluted Dou Shishu and Dou Shiheng.

Wei Tingyu touched his head, looking embarrassed.

I don't know when Dou Ming came over.

She pulled Wei Tingyu's sleeve and smiled quietly, "What are you looking at, Lord?" She glanced at Dou Zhao, who didn't even look at them, but her eyes stayed on Song Mo.

This is the prince of the Duke of England?

He actually looks so... stunning!

Dou Zhao is one year older than him!

Would he...look down upon Dou Zhao?

Dou Ming could not hide his surprise and shock, and looked towards Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao stood quietly behind Song Mo, with a calmness and reserve that did not match his age.

Dou Ming's eyes flickered slightly when she saw Song Mo bowing to her husband and calling him "Pei Jin" with a smile.

No honorifics!