Chapter 496 — Capture

Dou Huaide was stunned, and only after a good while did he recover himself. "A reward, a reward!" he cried excitedly.

Gao Sheng was delighted as well. He sealed a large red packet and gave it to the doctor, then went off cheerfully to thank Dou Huaiying.

Dou Yan had fainted and frightened Yuan Heng badly, so Dou Huaiying carried him off to the small study and brought out all the trinkets he collected to amuse the boy. When he heard that Dou Yan's pulse had revealed a pregnancy, he stamped his foot and said, "She's a grown woman now—how can she be so careless? If anything were to go wrong, what would we do?" He hastily ordered Gao Sheng, "Go open the storehouse at once. I remember we still have a dozen catties of blood swiftlet's nest at home—bring it all out for Shouyuan to build up her health."

Gao Sheng withdrew with a chuckle.

Beaming with joy, Dou Huaiying carried Yuan Heng to the reception room.

The relatives of the household all learned the news and came one after another to congratulate Song Yan and Dou Yan.

Yuan Heng did not understand what had happened; seeing that his mother was safe, he stretched out his hands and clamored for her to hold him.

Song Yan took Yuan Heng and smiled. "Mother isn't feeling well. Isn't it fine for Father to hold you?"

The scene of his mother collapsing still lingered in Yuan Heng's mind. He looked at his mother, then at his father, wearing an expression that plainly wished to have both fish and bear's paw at once, which set the Sixth Madam and the others laughing.

Dou Yan found her son amusing, and spreading her arms she said, "I'm perfectly all right—let Yuan Heng stay here with me!"

But Song Yan insisted on carrying Yuan Heng away, leaving the reception room to the ladies. He and his son went out to the study.

Another lively scene unfolded in the study.

Dou Bingheng proposed that they all go to the small flower hall for a couple more cups.

Dou Huaiying responded with enthusiasm.

The company moved to the small flower hall, where cups were passed back and forth and three more tables were set.

Song Yan found an opportunity to drink a cup with Dou Yan, then gestured casually toward Wu Shan. "What exactly is your family's relationship with him? I'd like to know how to treat him."

Dou Yan had drunk a fair amount today, and with a flushed face he said, "A family friendship—he studied in our clan school since childhood. He's a good man, only the elders of his household are somewhat old-fashioned, and these past few years we've gradually drifted a little apart."

Song Yan narrowed his eyes, and after returning home he had Chen He make inquiries about Wu Shan's movements in Zhengding.

Though no one spoke much of the events of those years, they could not be hidden from the attentive.

The Wu family had actually looked down on Dou Yan for her firm and unyielding temperament!

Song Yan was indignant. Yet when he was with Dou Yan, he could not help saying, "I hear Wu Shan married his cousin, and the two of them get on quite well. A few days ago they had a plump baby boy, and the hundred-day celebration is coming up soon. Tell me, should we send a gift along with the others?"

Dou Yan had no wish to deal with the Wu family—or, to put it more precisely, she did not want any further dealings with Lady Ji. She thought it over and smiled. "I think we'd best let it be. It's enough for Twelfth Brother to send a gift. The Wu and Dou families are old friends, but they are not old friends of the Song family."

There was nothing unusual in her expression.

Song Yan was reassured, and in the end decided to follow Dou Huaide in sending a congratulatory gift. As for Wu Shan, Dou Yan would be resting her pregnancy these days and naturally could not go running about, so he need only accompany her each time she returned to her maiden home.

Thinking of this, he took up his brush in the study with considerable relish and began practicing large characters.

But scarcely had he written two characters when Ji Yong came to call on Dou Yan.

Song Yan's brows knitted slightly. "What has he come for?"

Wu Yi's mouth had gone dry. "I do not know," he said softly. "The moment he arrived he drove out all the servants attending the mistress, saying he had urgent business to discuss with her..."

Song Yan had always held Dou Yan in high regard, and Dou Yan had qualities that set him apart; thus the maids and menservants of the household treated Dou Yan exactly as they treated Song Ji.

They dared not eavesdrop on Song Yan's conversations, nor on Dou Yan's either.

Song Ke grumbled inwardly.

Whenever Ji Yong came, was it not always over some urgent matter?

Yet try as he might, he could never see what was so urgent about these so-called urgent matters.

Only after he had filled a whole page did he set down his brush, wash his hands, change his clothes, and make his way to the principal chambers.

Just as Wu Yi had said, the maids and old women of the principal chambers all stood in the middle of the courtyard; the door curtain hung still, and the whole courtyard was silent as death.

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Brothers and sisters, here is today's update.

o(n_n)o~