The young girl , known as Xueniang , she was barely fourteen years old and that is why still residing in the sheltered world of her boudoir, moved towards them with sudden desperation and launched herself into Shang Ji’s embrace, sobbing so pitifully as if she wants to convey all the injustice she suffered in all these yeas to her only older brother “Sixth brother !” she said , her voice choked with tears. “I thought i would never see you again!”I was so scared .Please promise me you won’t do it again . promise me you will always be with me ,you are my only relative left in this world brother please don’t leave me behind.Although in her heart Xueniang knows that as a reverend general it was impossible for Shang Ji to abandon his duty still at this moment she just wants to act spoil in front of her brother .
Watching this tender scene, Sister-in-law Liu felt a sudden rush of emotion but she dabbed her tears at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, her face now held a sincerity and calm far greater than it had just moments before in Yunjin Courtyard as she now in between her real family . Du Jingyi stood silently to the side, understanding that this was not her place to speak. Yet, as her gaze met Sister-in-law Liu’s, a shared question flickered between them. Still some words, however, were best left unspoken in Shang Ji’s presence, so both women kept their thoughts to themselves. and choose to bask the in this warm reunion.
Shang Ji gently but continusly patted his sister’s back through her childish rant giving her the silent comfort she longed for . Although since the tender age of ten, he had been with his mternal grandfather’s family in the military camp, spending over a decade locked in the brutal dance of war, surrounded by swords, and halberds stll a cold person like him who honned his skills beteen life and death also has a soft corner for his loved ones . Moments of peace like this for him were rare an he found himself baffeled inside as how to proceed in this situation other than a silent comfort . And so, despite the deep love he held for his much younger sister, he found himself without words at this time . He could only offer her his broad shoulders, which can like a silent shield against the world’s harshness.
“Regardless of his inner hesitation, he chose to offer a few comforting words. His voice softened as he spoke.
‘Don’t worry, little sister. I’ll be staying for a longer while this time. I still have to find you a suitable groom. And don’t be afraid—I won’t leave until you’re married. I must personally escort you to your sedan chair.’”
Xue Niang, the eighth young lady of the Duke household, was fourteen this year. She had lost her mother at a young age, yet she found a mother’s care in the presence of her sister-in-law, Madam Liu, who had lovingly nurtured her over the years, ensuring she never lacked motherly affection.
She was proficient in all the feminine arts expected of a noble young lady. As she grew older, her sister-in-law had even begun selecting suitable grooms for her in private.
But now, hearing her sixth brother speak about her marriage, Xue Niang’s face immediately flushed crimson. She buried her head deeper into his embrace, a muffled whisper escaping her lips.
“Sixth Brother, why are you teasing me? I won’t talk to you anymore.”
Her words were accompanied by a flurry of light punches to his chest, soft and playful.
The sight of such a coquettish, spoiled girl brought a wave of memories to Du Jingyi. Before her marriage, she too had acted like a child with her own father. Now, they hadn’t seen each other in so long. It truly was a fleeting world. Unconsciously, a soft chuckle escaped her lips .
The sound drew the immediate attention of both Shang Ji and Xue Niang towards her . Du Jingyi looked back at the siblings, and with a touch of embarrassment on her face, she was about to explain herself. But then, Xue Niang approached her, her face bright like early spring, and she spoke to Du Jingyi in an excited manner.
“Sixth sister-in-law is so powerful! She made second sister-in-law so frustrated that her face turned red from anger. It was so satisfying to watch!”
The hatred for her extended family was unmistakable in her words; she was truly Shang Ji’s own sister as she was equally blunt as her older brother.
“Haha, the eighth sister is making fun of me. I am not that strong,” Du Jingyi replied modestly and carefully. She wasn’t particularly close to her elder sister-in-law Liu or this eighth sister Xue Niang, and some matters were better left undiscussed in their relationship. In this grand mansion, all she wished for was a peaceful, stable life, free from any kind of trouble. So, she did not accept Xue Niang’s words of encouragement or take a side in this situation.
Yet, Xue Niang, whether truly ignorant or doing it on purpose, took Du Jingyi’s arm intimately. “Second sister-in-law is truly the most annoying person of themj all . She always mocks elder sister-in-law subtly and I am so foolish that I can never find the words to retort her. Now that I’ve seen how powerful sixth you are , I must learn from you. Your sharp tongue is a true skill.” She then clenched her fist and waved it several times in the air. “Next time, if she dares to bully my sister-in-law without restraint, I will scold her to death!”
Her fierce, almost vengeful expression gave Sister-in-law Liu a headache, but also a hidden sense of relief. After all, this was the child she had raised with her own hands , and to see her so fiercely protective towards her brought a rush of happiness. Still, she wondered why this seemingly meek lady was intrested in these verbal quarrels. So, she spoke with a stern face. “Xue Niang , do not be presumptuous.”She was still your Elder you can’t talk about her like this .You are soon to be maried how can you survive in you’er in-laws house with your fiery temper .
Du Jingyi at that moment noticed something peculiar at this moment . While Xue Niang merely mumbled in response to the scolding, Shang Zhiping, standing beside his mother, was visibly trembling . A profound fear also etched itself onto his face. Though Du Jingyi kept her expression neutral, a disturbing thought bloomed in her heart. How could the eldest grandson of the dignified Duke of the country be so faint-hearted? A mere woman’s rebuke had startled him so much .
Not only Du Jingyi, but Shang Ji too, witnessed this, his brow instantly furrowed. The way he stood also become sharper , as he clasped his hands behind his back, he unconsciously radiated a chilling aura accoustomed to a war general. Shang Zhiping, nearly thirteen, must have felt the weight of their gazes, so he lowered his head even more , his hands also clutching the sides of his clothes, he was a picture of nervous terror. Seeing this, Sister-in-law Liu swiftly pulled him behind her. Her son, nearly a head taller than her, became a child mentally in that instant , hiding behind his mother, as seeking refuge. Shang Ji’s anger surged even more, his heart aching for his nephew, and he opened and close his mouth unable to speak.
But then, Du Jingyi quietly tugged at his sleeve, taking over the conversation on his behalf. Her face held a kinder expression, but her words were directed at Sister-in-law Liu. “The general mentioned last night that he would bring me back to my natal family tomorrow, but I’m unsure how to prepare the gifts for it . My sister-in-law has been here for a long time, and she is the most trusted person for us. I was hoping my sister-in-law could help me prepare a gift list.”
With these words, she deftly steered the conversation away with this awkward stalemate , relieving the silence that had settled over Sister-in-law Liu and her nephew, Shang Zhiping. Hearing the topic shift to something unrelated to him, Shang Zhiping visibly relaxed. Sister-in-law Liu, immensely grateful for her help , met Du Jingyi’s gaze with appreciation. Then, without pretense, she began to advise. “Send one of your maids to my courtyard , and I will give some pointers .”
“In that case, thank you very much for your help , sister-in-law.” Du Jingyi’s polite demeanor was matched equally by Sister-in-law Liu’s straightforwardness, devoid of any elder’s fuss. Yet, the atmosphere remained somewhat strained. Sister-in-law Liu,now eager to depart, spoke again. “Xue Niang still needs to return to her needlework class , and Ping’er still hasn’t finished his calligraphy. So, I’ll take them back first. Now that sixth brother is back, you both can live happily together.”
“Sister-in-law…” Shang Ji began, wanting to say more, but Sister-in-law Liu cut him off, gently pulling the two children away. Xue Niang seemed a little reluctant, but Shang Zhiping never once raised his head against the departure . Watching him so meek , Shang Ji’s eyes burned with both fury and sorrow.
Once he and Du Jingyi were the only ones left in the room, he broke a red brocade vase with his fist , which was adorned with intricate branches and flowers. The porcelain shattered with a violent crack, scattering sharp pieces across the floor. The sudden sound startled Yingying and Lizhu, who had been waiting by Du Jingyi’s side. Du Jingyi though frowned, understands her husband’s rage. But having been his wife for only a day, she found it hard to offer much comfort. Her earlier tug on his sleeve had merely been an instinctive reaction of pity for Sister-in-law Liu, who was protecting her son. She knew all too well the difficulties a widowed woman faced in the inner chambers, especially one burdened with an “eye-catching” eldest grandson.