It was destined to be a busy new year.
The heavy snow continued to sweep Fengjing on the second day of the new year, covering the streets cleared by the government workers of Fengting Mansion. The unmelted snow was piling up higher and higher, deep enough to bury a person.
Xu Mo stood in front of the stove, peering out from behind the cotton curtain with a frown. “The amount of snow in Fengjing this year is exceptionally high, making it very difficult for Second Brother to return given the weather outside. I wonder when he’ll be back.”
There was also Jiang Si who had entered the Imperial Medical Office with Jiang Wu. He had no idea what their situation was like either.
Even the visit he had planned seemed questionable whether it should proceed as intended given the weather. When one was delayed by snow, time waits for no one.
His fingers fluttered as he let the curtain fall back in place. Just then, a noise came from outside, followed by the main gate bursting open. Jiang Sheng trundled in wearing a thickly padded cotton coat. There was still soot on the tip of her nose from the pot and her hands were pitch black. Yet her attitude was as reverent as if she were holding gold and silver. “Big brother, this is for you!”
When Xu Mo took a closer look, he realized they were freshly baked sweet potatoes.
“Roasted to perfection by the ashes under the pot. Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside.” She pulled out a handkerchief with her elbow and carefully wrapped up the sweet potato. “Big brothers aren’t around, but we still have to be happy!”
When it came to outlook on life, no one could compare to little Jiang Sheng.
Xu Mo smiled wryly as he deftly accepted the baked sweet potato, peeled off the skin to reveal the piping hot flesh inside, and took a sweet, soft bite.
His heart suddenly steadied.
Second Brother had been wandering north and south for a few years now. Running into heavy snow, he definitely wouldn’t foolishly stand still, and would have likely found shelter to wait out the snowstorm before coming back.
Although Jiang Si was timid and cowardly, he was also stubborn and tenacious. He was determined to enter the Imperial Medical Office no matter what, and had an outstanding aptitude for medicine. Most importantly, he was willing to work hard. Even in the treacherous confines of the imperial city, with Jiang Wu watching over him, he would be able turn danger into safety.
It was just that with weather this snowy, it wasn’t well suited for paying visits.
But when he thought about his plans going forwards, Jiang Si and Jiang Wu’s efforts, the currently raging imperial examination fraud case in Fengjing, and Wang Yuyao still in hiding at the Fang household, Xu Mo’s expression shifted from hesitant to determined. He finished off the last sweet potato bite, elegantly wiped his mouth clean with a handkerchief, got up to put on his cloak, and stepped out to face the storm.
“Big brother...” came a grievanced voice. “You ate it all?”
Xu Mo looked back in surprise to discover that Jiang Sheng seemed to have only roasted the one sweet potato.
He had wrongly assumed there were many more, and had neatly finished it off in line with his policy of not wasting food.
“I haven’t even tried it yet,” Jiang Sheng pouted, blinking innocently as Xu Mo’s scalp tingled. “You finished my sweet potato. Now you have to take me with you out. You can’t leave me home alone.”
He immediately realized this chubby girl was playing tricks on him.
First, she had deliberately brought over the solo sweet potato without clarifying, then made muttering sounds watching him eat every last bite, and finally used it as justification to request going out together.
He really hadn’t expected that not only was Jiang Si becoming more crafty, but his little sister was also learning how to set traps.
Xu Mo gave a wry laugh. Understanding she was feeling lonely by herself, he fell silent in thought before nodding his head. “Alright.”
Then together it was.
The wind and snow outside still raged. The siblings put on thick cloaks to shield themselves and wore bamboo hats before trudging through nearly ankle-deep snow.
Behind them were Jiang San and Jiang Si carrying gifts while treading all kinds of messy tracks with their feet.
There was also Zhang Xianglian seeing them off with Master Chef from the doorway, combining into a simple yet magical picture.
It wasn’t far from their small second courtyard to the Dou household.
With heavy wind and snow, taking a carriage was also unfitting. After a couple hours of walking, the group finally stood at the Dous’ front entrance.
As a prominent household in Fengjing, the Dous had no lack of servants or manpower to swiftly clear snow. The bluestone slab ground had only a thin layer of freshly fallen snow left.
Jiang San stepped forwards to rap on the door. Soon a Dou household attendant poked his head out in query, “Who is it?”
“Court Gentleman Calligrapher Xu Mo come calling,” Xu Mo spoke evenly.
He had assumed the attendant would go back to report their arrival, but unexpectedly, the attendant promptly pulled the main door open and respectfully said, “Greetings Esteemed Xu. Our master said for any gentleman from the Hanlin Academy, there is no need to announce. Please come directly in.”
That was already a certain degree of favoritism shown.
Xu Mo felt gratitude in his heart, though his emotions grew increasingly complex. He silently followed into the residence.
With the Dous matching the Jiangs in standing and status, their yards and corridors were extremely similar with newly fallen snow on the bluestone pavement and potted trees and plants all neat and tidy. Any tracks left by pedestrians would be swiftly cleaned away.
Reaching the guest reception hall, coals had already been lit for warmth. Handmaidens were stationed at the entrance to receive cloaks and hats while servants carried away their gifts and gave Jiang San and Jiang Si a place to rest their feet after the long walk over.
Masters had their own guest reception etiquette while servants had duties to fulfill as well. As expected of a distinguished Fengjing household.
Xu Mo had just sat down and took a couple sips of hot tea to drive off the chill when he heard the head handmaiden come to report, “Greetings Esteemed Xu. Our master has stepped out to take tea with Esteemed Qi and chat, so only our mistress and young miss are home. We have already sent someone to fetch the master back. Our mistress will also be here shortly, please wait a moment.”
The Esteemed Qi she spoke of was likely the Minister of Rites.
If the men of the household were unwilling to meet the ladies alone, this would be the time to take their leave.
But Xu Mo simply smiled and nodded, cupping his hands deferentially. “Please convey my thanks to the young miss.”
He was handsome with the looks of an immortal tree of jade. His overly polite manner even made the handmaiden a little embarrassed. She gracefully took her leave after completing the formalities.
Not long after, Madam Dou entered alongside the young miss of the Dou household.
Xu Mo and Jiang Sheng both rose to exchange greetings, not forgetting to convey thanks. “Your student is eternally grateful for Teacher Mother’s assistance. Such grand kindness is difficult to repay.”
As Teacher Dou Wei from Anshui Prefecture’s student, he could naturally call Madam Dou teacher mother.
“No need for such courtesy. I had heard of you before but hadn’t seen you until today. At first sight, I realize my husband had good reason for his abundant praise. The top scholar is indeed a dragon or phoenix among men,” Madam Dou’s eyes shone brightly and she regarded him with increasing fondness.
On the other hand, the young miss of the prominent Dou clan who was standing by remained calm and composed throughout without interjecting or reacting.
She showed no awkwardness over a failed match, nor a young maiden’s bashful joy. Her tranquility seemed rather unnatural.
“As Teacher Mother knows, my younger paternal half-brother is indeed living in the imperial city. Calling him out is also meant to send someone off on their last journey.” Since the Dous were already aware of the details, there was no more point to concealment. Xu Mo readily laid all his cards on the table. “Involving the esteemed Dou clan with imperial power struggles however was thoughtless of your student.”
Though he spoke so, the Dous were no fools and surely understood the significance of assisting the Fifth Prince, also indicating their willingness to muddy waters.
Xu Mo knew the Dous stood aloof, seeking neither power nor influence, let alone render outstanding service to earn the sovereign’s favor.
What they sought was nothing less than a match to an outstanding, exceptional top scholar son-in-law.
Just like how Madam Dou was sizing him up this very moment with the eyes of a potential mother-in-law, liking him more and more the longer she looked.
While Jiang Sheng was his blood-bound tie to the Jiang clan, then he could only use marriage alliances to bind the Dous.
With two prominent households fully supporting the insubstantial Fifth Prince, they would then have the strength to prop him up.
In the past, Xu Mo would have disdained resorting to such means and looked forward to peaceful times for the country, anticipating tranquil waters and calm rivers.
But now, whether out of gratitude or for binding allies, the instant he sought aid from the Dous, he was willing to sacrifice ties of marriage.
