As he entered the room, he found her exactly as relaxed as he’d left her. Thinking she was trying to distract herself from hunger, he frowned slightly and spoke.
“You don’t have to wait for me in the future. If you’re hungry, just eat.”
Du Jingyi was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected such a direct statement from the formidable general. Quickly regaining her composure, she offered a polite excuse.
“The general is at home—how could I dine without you?”
But before she could say more, Shang Ji waved a dismissive hand and replied bluntly,
“I come from a military background. There aren’t so many rules around me. You don’t need to be so formal with me.”
Hearing this, Du Jingyi relaxed slightly and smiled.
“My mother’s family are merchants, so we weren’t raised with too many rules either. But I was afraid the Duke’s mansion would be much stricter, so I even took etiquette lessons from a teaching momo before the wedding. I was worried I’d make a fool of myself in front of my in-laws.”
Shang Ji’s understanding deepened at her words. On the battlefield, his status allowed him to disregard many formalities. But for a woman managing the inner household, those very formalities often defined her worth. Every word and action had to be weighed carefully.
Lost in thought, he turned to Aunt Dou.
“In two days, I’ll visit the Gu family and invite Nanny Qin over to give Madam some proper guidance.”
Du Jingyi had only meant to make a polite comment—she never imagined the general would take her words so literally and try to “solve her problem” right away.
Nanny Qin? Who exactly was this person?
Noticing her confusion, Grandma Dou quickly explained,
“Don’t worry, young madam. Nanny Qin comes from a family of scholars and is well-versed in managing household affairs. With her guidance, things will become much easier for you.”
Du Jingyi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It felt like she’d accidentally acquired a tutor. But the matter was already decided, so she feigned surprise and replied,
“In that case, thank you very much, General. I’ll make sure to learn well from Nanny Qin.”
“Hmm.” Shang Ji’s voice was a little stiff, but there was a gentleness to it. After a pause, he added awkwardly,
“If things get… unpleasant in the back house—or if anyone makes things hard for you—just come find me. Don’t deal with it alone. I’ll stand up for you.”
This single sentence carried far more weight than his earlier permission to eat. It wasn’t just concern—it was a declaration of support. Without his backing, someone of her status would have little authority in the Duke’s household. For a moment, Du Jingyi was uncertain how to respond. Did he truly mean to take her side in everything?
Noticing her silence and thoughtful expression, Shang Ji assumed she had some reservations. So, he added,
“The key to the General’s Mansion hasn’t been delivered yet. Once it arrives, I’ll ask Luo Yuan to bring it to you. Then you can find someone to choose an auspicious date for us to move there.”
Move out of the Duke’s mansion? Really?
She recalled the commotion earlier that morning from the third and fifth households when Shang Ji merely suggested transferring the emperor’s reward to the General’s Mansion. If they really intended to move out, those people certainly wouldn’t take it lightly. After some thought, she cautiously asked,
“General… will it only be the people from our courtyard moving, or…?”
Holding her breath, she waited for his answer.
“Everyone from the Dongyuan Courtyard will move together,” Shang Ji replied plainly.
Du Jingyi understood immediately. Everyone in Dongyuan had been under the late Madam Gu’s care, so it made sense they would follow Shang Ji. But sister-in-law Liu, her son Shang Zhiping, and the eighth daughter Xue Niang—all moving with them? Was that truly appropriate?
Based on her observations over the past three years in the Duke’s Mansion, Madam Wei, the current matriarch, was not someone easy to deal with. It was hard to believe she would allow such a large group to leave without protest. Wouldn’t outsiders gossip? Wouldn’t they say the family was mistreating the late wife’s children and her people?
Though the Daxing Dynasty was short-lived, its founding emperor had been a man of strict discipline. As a result, many marriage laws had been revised over the years. The very act of promoting a concubine to the status of the Duke’s wife had already drawn whispers, suggesting that the Duke’s mansion had disregarded imperial regulations. If another scandal were to erupt—especially concerning the expulsion of the former wife’s children and dowry servants from the household—Du Jingyi feared that Madam Wei’s entire family might never again be able to hold their heads high in the capital. And so, she believed this matter would be difficult to proceed with.
She had words of caution on the tip of her tongue, ready to dissuade him from acting rashly. But then, she caught sight of her husband’s expression—calm, confident, resolute. He looked every bit the commander, poised to lead his troops into battle and crush the enemy with unwavering force. The strength in him at that moment was unmistakable, and it made her understand something clearly: any attempt at persuasion would fall on deaf ears. He was determined to free his loved ones from the clutches of those predatory relatives. Surely, the troublesome people within her own courtyard would be no match for him either.
Feeling reassured, she lowered her gaze respectfully and said, “I’ll do as you say. Once I get the key to the General’s Mansion, I’ll find some reliable masons to inspect the property. My sister-in-law has her son, Ping’er, with her, so she’ll definitely need a spacious yard. It would be best to set aside a separate study area for him. And as for our little sister’s boudoir, we should choose carefully. If her room is surrounded by a rockery and pond, her heart will feel more at ease and her mind more refreshed.”
Her words were although simple but it was filled with consideration so Shang Ji nodded slightly in acknowlegment , clearly satisfied with her arrangements and the gaze he directed at Du Jingyi grew more focused. Ever since seeing her last night, he had formed a favorable impression of her. She didn’t seem like the type to seek concessions from others. As for her other qualities, he had yet to discover them—but thinking about the long years they would spend together, he felt no impatience or boredom.
His thoughts than drifted to the three “passed wives” enshrined in the ancestral hall—women who had died of illness—and a faint sense of helplessness washed over him. But then he looked at his current wife: her rosy cheeks, her light steps. She seemed strong and healthy. But , they still need to find a reliable physician to reside in the General’s Mansion—just in case. While these thoughts churned in his mind, his face remained composed and steady, like a mountain.
Before long, the small kitchen delivered their meal: contain four meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a pot of soup—all in generous portions. Du Jingyi raised her eyebrows and glanced at Danruo, who had brought the food. Her expression clearly asked: There are only two of us—do we really need this much?
Danruo simply smiled and said nothing.
Moments later, Du Jingyi realized just how wise Danruo had been. She hadn’t felt particularly hungry and ate less than usual. But Shang Ji? He devoured everything. Not a grain of rice nor a drop of soup remained; he made the dishes so clean it was as if food had never been served at all. Had she not eaten a bit in advance, the amount would’ve been perfect for him alone. She couldn’t help but admire her husband’s appetite. After all, soldiers who march and fight on the battlefield must eat like bears to keep up their strength.
But more than his appetite, Du Jingyi admired his dining manners. She had assumed that someone who’d spent so many years in a military camp—especially with such a hearty appetite—would eat rather crudely. Yet Shang Ji followed all the rules precisely. His movements were proper, his pace measured. Nothing about his eating felt rough or vulgar.
She suddenly recalled the Nanny Qin he had mentioned earlier. Could it be that this nanny had also taught him these manners? For the first time, Du Jingyi found herself genuinely curious about this mysterious Mama Qin.