Perhaps he could not sincerely love her, but he was a humble gentleman who would take good care of his wife and remain faithful to her.
He would not take concubines or forcefully pursue an heir. He only wished to use the rest of his life ridden with guilt to make amends to the girl who he did not choose out of love, but rather due to his relatives and friends.
"Since we have already set foot in it, the Dou family, despite being neutral for hundreds of years, has never been afraid of anyone," Madam Dou picked up where he left off. "Dou Weiming admires you and so do I, that is enough."
Admire what?
Admire becoming a son-in-law.
Xu Mo sighed and cupped his hands in response, "Madam, rest assured, I will remember everything and never forget for the rest of my life."
This was a promise to treat the Dou family's daughter well.
Dou Weiming smiled even more happily. Jiang Sheng was confused while the Dou Young Lady gripped her handkerchief tightly, finally showing some emotional fluctuations in her eyes.
It was not happiness or resistance, but hesitation.
Seizing the brief moment of silence, she finally spoke up, "The Dou family supports you not only because of my father's admiration, but also because we prefer the legitimacy of the Crown Prince's lineage and do not wish for illegitimate children to bring chaos to court."
With those words, the Dou family's intentions shifted from trying to find a son-in-law to supporting the Crown Prince.
Dou Weiming was shocked and turned to look at her several times.
But the Dou Young Lady did not respond, only bowed her head demurely.
When the atmosphere in the living room stagnated for a while, fortunately a maid announced, "The Master has returned and is waiting for Master Xu in the study."
Only then did Madam Dou stand up and apologized profusely, "Well then, Little Xu, please follow the maid to the study."
Her gaze fell on the round-faced Jiang Sheng and she kindly said, "Let Miss Jiang play with us in the backyard."
Being able to wait in the study was clearly about discussing court affairs, possibly related to the prince.
Xu Mo could only get up and patted his sister on the head, "Be good and follow Madam. Wait for brother here."
Seeing Jiang Sheng nod vigorously, he was relieved to bid them goodbye and headed to the Dou family study.
Dou Weiming should have found out that Jiang Sheng loved snacks and happily told the servants to bring cakes and delicacies.
The Dou Young Lady stood up, "Mother, let me personally select them."
Jiang Sheng could clearly feel Dou Weiming’s bewilderment, but she still nodded in agreement.
What were this mother and daughter trying to imply?
She was puzzled in her heart. As she peeked out the window, she indeed discovered something amiss.
After the Dou Young Lady left the living room, she did not go to the kitchen at all. Instead, she quickly stopped Xu Mo and said something to him calmly.
The wind had died down but with the snow, she could only vaguely hear snippets float over occasionally.
"Master Xu." The Dou Young Lady addressed him calmly. Her slender figure did not cower even as she looked up at him. "I have stopped you because I have something to say."
Xu Mo pressed his lips together. "I'm only a minor sixth-rank official. Miss, feel free to address me by my name."
"Then I'll call you Master Xu," the Dou Young Lady lowered her eyelashes. "My father admires you greatly and my mother paved the way for you in the inner palace. We are both clearly aware they intend to find you a wife. As the Dou family is too powerful, it would be unwise to form marriage alliances with prestigious families. Hence, they set their sights on a rising star without backing."
Without backing meant no family to support him, making it seem like he would have to rely on the Dou family as a son-in-law.
A rising star avoided expanding their influence, while making a bet on his potential, equivalent to gambling on the future.
Moreover, behind Xu Mo stood the Crown Prince.
If the Dou family truly tied down this top scholar, it would be hard to predict who would benefit more in the future.
"But that would be too unfair to you," the Dou Young Lady's words shocked him. "Whether the Dou family helps you or the Fifth Prince, it is ultimately for our own benefit. I will advise my parents to stop seeking a son-in-law. I also hope Master Xu does not take our previous arrangements to heart."
Having said her piece, she bowed slightly and took her leave, leaving Xu Mo dumbfounded as he tried to make sense of what had happened.
He wanted to ask why the Dou Young Lady, who had intentionally sought him out before, now rejected him instead.
But he understood without needing to ask. What the Dou Young Lady wanted was a man who truly loved her, not a respectful husband.
Stopping him now was her way of explaining while preserving her dignity.
As the rain and snow died down, Lord Dou still awaited him in the study. Xu Mo did not linger for long, only gaining more respect for the young lady.
Upon arriving at the study, Dou Weiming had clearly been informed about what happened. His usually stern brows now carried hints of melancholy. "My daughter is all grown up now and starting to have her own ideas."
On closer look, he seemed more gratified than upset. "Since she has put it that way, we'll put aside the matter of seeking a son-in-law for now. Let's discuss the current court situation instead."
Without mentioning a son-in-law, they had to proceed based on interests.
The Dou family could support the Fifth Prince, but they had to be certain they were backing the legitimate successor, the future Son of Heaven.
"My lord, please be assured that my younger brother is fit to be a wise monarch," Xu Mo bowed deeply and slowly elaborated....
He talked about how the Fang family was straddling two boats, how the Eldest Prince was incompetent, how the Ju family would monopolize power as in-laws, and how the Fang family was trying to control imperial power.
No matter which prince took the throne, they would be unable to shake off the prestigious families' control over imperial power.
"Aren't you worried that in the future, the Dou and Jiang families will control court politics and marginalize imperial power?" Dou Weiming asked, still smiling.
While others would have been shocked by those words, Xu Mo remained unflustered. "You care for the common people and have the court’s best interests at heart."
"Countless predecessors have proven with history that absolute imperial power is unsuitable, but so is unchecked prestigious family power. To truly care for the common people, what is needed is an upright and incorrupt emperor combined with loyal ministers to advise him."
In other words, no one should become too powerful. Instead, they should check and balance each other, each possessing the right to speak.
If the emperor was incompetent, the prestigious families could play a role.
And if the prestigious families were not upright, the emperor could also replace them.
Even if the Dou and Jiang families became very powerful in the future, as long as the family heads were sensible and family rules were strict, they could still be sharp blades in the emperor’s hands.
Caring for the common people was the greatest good and what those at the pinnacle of power should aspire towards.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Dou Weiming exclaimed three 'excellents' in approval. "Not in vain are you admired by so many family heads. Master Xu will surely attain the highest ministerial position, surely care for the people of the world, and surely leave his name in history."
"I promise you that even without a son-in-law arrangement, I am willing to lead the Dou family to choose a ruler."
"If maintaining neutrality cannot bring about a cleaner court, then what of picking sides early and contending for imperial power?"
"After all, it is all for the sake of the world!"
Those who care with a loving heart do not cling to conventions.
They only look at results.
"What plans do you have next then?" Dou Weiming finally regained his composure and asked with a smile.
Xu Mo clasped his fists tightly again. "Spread rumors!"
Spread rumors about the emperor's illness, spread rumors in Fengjing.
With talk of corruption in the imperial examinations already raging, countless examination candidates were clamoring for justice. He wanted to take this chance to throw the Fang family into disarray. He wanted the prince backing him to step forward. He wanted the fisherman to benefit when the snipe and clam grapple.
He wanted to pull Fang Yuan down from his horse!
He wanted all of Wang Yuyao's hopes of wealth and prestige to be dashed!
He wanted to avenge his friend!
He wanted to restore fairness and integrity to the imperial examinations!
