Chapter 385 — Wrathful Looks

It was he who had chosen Dou Ming back then, breaking off his betrothal to Dou Zhiwei; and now he took Dou Ming to task on the grounds that she was a child of illicit union.

What on earth did he want?

Only after marrying did he realize that the beauty in his arms was loveliest when painted in a portrait — and so he regretted having given up Dou Yan? Or had he learned that half of the Western Dou estate stood in Dou Yan's name, and, coveting the wealth, wished to revive the old matter of those years?

Did he never stop to consider whether he even had the ability to stir up such waves?

In low spirits, Song Yan changed into the brilliant-blue Hangzhou silk robe he wore every day; his jade-fair face looked somewhat overcast.

Ganlu was badly startled. "Young Master," she said quickly, "I will go fetch the madam at once."

She assumed he was vexed that Dou Yan and Chen Yanzhou had been closeted together in the small study.

"No need," Song Yan said with a frown. "The madam is speaking with Old Master Chen. Do not disturb her."

Was there really no need?

Ganlu answered respectfully and withdrew, but inwardly she remained torn.

Song Yan waved her away, and sitting alone by the kang table, he stroked his chin and sank into thought.

Ganlu decided she would still say a word to the madam.

Learning that Song Yan had already returned, Chen Yanzhou naturally could not linger in the small study any longer.

He went with Dou Chuqi to see Song Yan and took his leave with a smile.

Song Yan courteously saw him out to the gate.

Dou Yan had already heard from Ganlu that Song Yan was out of sorts. Seeing him come back, she smiled and hooked her arm through his, then tilted her head to study him. "What happened today? Your face is rather overcast, as if it means to rain."

Song Yan could not help laughing. "Do not let those maids make a storm out of a breeze. I am only a little tired and did not feel like talking." Then he reached out to touch her belly and said softly, "Has the child been good today?"

"The child has been very good!" Once the first three months of her pregnancy had passed, Dou Yan could eat and sleep well, and had even grown plump. "Gao Xing's wife has her orders from my aunt. Every day she makes me walk three turns about the courtyard. By now I know exactly how many trees stand behind our back garden."

Song Yan laughed. "Gao Xing's wife does her duty well. She deserves a reward!"

Dou Yan giggled and asked him, "And what did you do today?"

"Nothing at all," Song Yan said. "Gu Yu went into the palace to pay his respects to the Empress, and the three of us, he and I and Gao Yuanhua, sat over tea the whole afternoon. Then Dong Qi arrived and invited us to sup at the Drunken Immortal Tower. Gao Yuanhua thought we would meet nothing but acquaintances there and did not want to go, so Dong Qi proposed the Li family's private kitchen in the Beichan Temple Lane. Gu Yu would not have that either; he said the Li place was no match for a new establishment outside Chaoyang Gate called the Ten Thousand Springs Tower. Gao Yuanhua thought it too far. We stood there half the day and could not settle on anything, and then the Emperor summoned Gao Yuanhua for questioning. Gu Yu and I could not be bothered to keep Dong Qi company, so we all went our separate ways."

Dou Yan asked in surprise, "Why did Gu Yu not come back with you?"

Song Yan said, "He rode in my carriage as far as our gate, but one of his own household servants stopped him there, saying his fourth brother was poorly and the Earl of Yunyang wanted him home at once to look in on him."

Gu Yu had three younger half-brothers; the fourth son was only three this year and had been sickly ever since he was born.

Dou Yan said, "Shall we send a physician to have a look?"

"I have already sent someone along with him. If the boy takes a turn for the worse, word will be sent back."

Dou Yan then asked about Gu Yu's marriage. "Is it still not settled who the girl will be?"

Song Yan said, "Gu Yu went into the palace today precisely to sound out the Empress. But who would have thought she would say that so long as Gu Yu liked the girl, her birth did not matter. That is what he was telling me in the carriage. From what he said, it seems the Earl of Yunyang means to betroth him to the eleventh young lady of the Earl of Yong'en's house, and he is none too pleased with the match." He shook his head as he spoke. "He had hoped to borrow the Empress's authority; he never imagined she would answer in that vein."

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Brothers and sisters, here is today's first update.

The second update will be a little later, ~~~~(_

ps: Today is the last day for doubled pink votes. I beg all you sisters and brothers for your pink-vote support...