Seeing his son entering with such a valor in the room a tremor of emotion flickered in Duke of Shang’s eyes . Yet he did’nt say any word of appreciation. As a father, he had always lacked the courage to address his younger son directly. He suppressed his complicated feelings about his son in his heart , and manage to say “You’er here” with a subtly excited smile ,because even though the bond between father and son is weak but the achivement that his son aquired for their elder branch is undeniable ” Shang Ji merely nodded in return of his gesture , and grunted in acknowledgment along wtih a calped fist bow. “I hope Father’s health was well in absence.” He offered not a glance to anyone else when speaking , his cold demeanor unsettling everyone present in the room, though however discontent they felt nobody dare to deamean him under their so called elderly authoritty. As they all know in their hearts that the person before them wasn’t merely a Shizi of Duke’s mansion but was the God of War, of Daxing, who had now earned the Emperor’s favor,and heralded as the General of Cavalry at such a young age all with his own merit . They all knew this, perhaps better than any other person in the country .
The current matriarch of the Duke’s mansion, which was also the step-mother of Shang Ji , Madam. Wei, was a year younger than Duke of Shang but due to years of meticulous pampering as a Madam of a nobel household appeared even more youthful then her actual age , a testament to her vast and sole hold on the Duke’s household . That is why For someone over fifty, she showed no signs of aging—almost as if wrinkles are also dared not offend her.. Now draped in a dark red tapestry embroidered with Ruyi patterns, she exuded an elegant grace. Her face, which seem gentle and benevolent, resembled a Bodhisattva, with kindness and serene wisdom.
Unlike her husband, Du Jingyi lacked the luxury of a general’s detachment from social formalities. She was, after all, a woman navigating the treacherously refined world of the inner courtyard. Though an unspoken rivalry simmered between her and Madam. Wei in normal days , appearances especially infront of others remained impeccably civil. With a composed smile, she offered a graceful half-curtsy and addressed both Duke Shang and his wife.
“This daughter-in-law, Du Shi Jingyi, greets her father-in-law and Madam. Wei.”
Not once since entering the household had she referred to Madam. Wei as “mother-in-law,” following her sister-in-law Liu’s advice to the letter. At her words, Shang Ji’s expression subtly softened, though a flicker of mockery gleamed in his eyes as they lingered on Madam. Wei.
Madam Wei, a concubine who had ascended to the position of a wife , was no simple woman either . The deliberate omission of “mother-in-law” didn’t faze her one bit . Instead, she responded with practiced kindness, “Oh !my good daughter-in-law there is no need for such formalites between the family .”
“Thank you, Madam. Wei for your kindness .” The exchange between them, though brief, was laced with unspoken tension which can be discerning to any seasoned eye . Yet, Du Jingyi was not the main target today, so Madam. Wei reserved to settle this account with Du Jingyi at another time.
In the next breath, Madam. Wei offered an explanation to the people present in the room, “I thought it would take two more days for Liulang to reach Sui’an City, so the preparation for his arrival was were still ongoing at home. Unexpectedly, we received the imperial edict yesterday about him entering the city . So the master and I rushed to the palace for the banquet and to welcome and cleanse him of dust of war . And it was too late when we returned yesterday , so I couldn’t inform the elders and relatives of his arrival.” She cast an apologetic glance at the elders beside her. At her performance which were seemingly filled of guilt towards there elders , the third and fifth branch’s elders , who had initially slumped due to the neglect they felt from ShangJi, instantly straightened their backs once they got this apologetic explanation from Madam Wei .
Seated to the left of the Duke and his wife were the Third and Fifth Grandfathers, long-time fixtures of the Duke’s Mansion along with their respective households. One was gaunt, with the hollow austerity of a Taoist chasing immortality; the other was rotund, bloated like a well-fed pig resigned to its fate. Both men had passed seventy, but age had done little to soften the calculating gleam in their eyes—if anything, it had only sharpened it.
At their sides sat their wives: the Third Old Lady, round-faced and matronly in appearance, and the Fifth Old Lady, all edges and angles, her thin frame and hawk-like features betraying a sharp mind and sharper tongue. Compassion, if ever present, had long since packed its bags and left theri branches .
Shang Ji’s gaze immediately fell upon the Third Old Lady, her golden hairpin casting a glaring light, impossible to ignore. She was the one who had made the rude remarks about DuJingyi earlier, and now under Shang Ji’s chilling stare, she involuntarily recoiled, appearing even fatter and more foolish than her original state . The back she had just straightened now sagged in fear .
It was the Third Old Man who broke this Ominous silence with a strained chuckle. “The whole family cannot speak the same language and we all cannot be present everywhere . Liulang has received such a great blessing; naturally, he must go to the palace to pay homage to the Emperor first. We old bones aren’t to be prioritized at all ; today will be the same also .” Though his words sounded polite, Du Jingyi detected the veiled insult, a subtle jab implying her husband lacked proper etiquette. He was criticizing Shang Ji for not visiting the elders in the Beiyuan courtyard last night and for keeping them waiting for so long in Yunjin Courtyard. The deliberate emphasis on “old bones” was a clear attempt to label Shang Ji as disrespectful and unfilial a crime from which an even an Emperor can’t be pardoned . Du Jingyi scorned these parasitic figures who thrived on others’ blood in her heart , yet she remained calm and appear humble beside her husband as she knew it is of no use to argue with these shameless people.
However, the Third Old Man’s maneuver completely missed its mark with Shang Ji, who without lifting his eyes said . “If my third uncle feels that he is not being taken seriously by the desendants of this household , i recommend you to keep vigil for my grandfather in the ancestral hall from now on . After all, what you talk about every day is how my grandfather regards you as the treasure in his palm. Even now that you are old, yoou expect everyone should still treat you like the baby and coax you everyday.” These words, sharper than anything the Third Old Lady had uttered, struck the Third Old Man squarely in his sore spot , his face now contorting in a grimace as his attempt to appear a considerate elder in front of ShangJi’s rebuttal backfired . Seeing her husband publicly shamed and to that by a younger generation, the Third Old Lady bristled, about to unleash a tirade to “teach the younger generation effectively .”
But Shang Ji spoke first, cutting her off before she even start her alleged teachings . He turned to Duke Shang and declared, “The military situation was urgent that day, and this son left the city in a hurry. I could niether complete the second day’s tea ceremony nor return home with my bride. So today, I had specially brought my wife to serve tea to my father as a courtesy that is been neglected by me in the past due to the circumstances.” His words were few, but their meaning was clear: though their marriage remained unconsummated, they had been a couple for three years. While deep affection might be absent as of now , mutual respect and courtesy were not. Giving face to Du Jingyi was, in turn, giving face to himself. Having spoken, he subtly gestured to his attendants.
Hearing ShangJi’s declaration Du Jingyi became momentarily stunned , then she straightened her posture. From somewhere, her maid Ying Tao appeared with a red lacquer tray, holding two steaming cups of tea. Madam Wei’s face flushed slightly with pleasure. Shang Ji had rarely given her serious attention at home, but now, with a daughter-in-law, he was finally acknowledging proper decorum. The thought of receiving this tea, from the wife of this seemingly esteemd General the tea that is stricly reserved for the official mother-in-law , filled her with a profound sense of importance as it is once in a lifetime opportunity in which ShangJi her proudest stepson would humble himself infront of her all for his new wife . But It wasn’t just about gaining more attention from Shang Ji, her stepson that made her estatic , but the thought of solidifying her own position within the Duke’s Mansion. Her lips curved upwards in a wide grin.On the other hand the Duke of Shang, was visibly surprised by his son’s actions.