Then, a warm smile graced Madam Du’s lips as she addressed her daughter and son-in-law. “This is your first time at home, so let Tangtang show you around. Your father and I have some matters to attend to, but we’ll all dine together later.” Her words subtly implied their intention to shield Shang Ji and Du Jingyi from the impending family drama.Although Du Jingyi’s heart sank with worry, but she knew better than to question her mother’s directives. With a respectful bow, she replied, “Mom, don’t worry, your daughter will take care of everything.”
“Good.” With that, the Master Du and his wife rose from there seats , departing Mingse Courtyard and heading straight for Mao Diexuan Courtyard .
For many years, the Du family’s gate had not witnessed such a spectacle. Carriages, each bearing the distinctive “Du” emblem, lined the water’s edge, signaling their arrival. Yet, the true purpose of their visit remained a mystery to outsiders: was it a simple family call or a calculated act of coercion?
The Du family, though prosperous merchants, were a rare breed—Confucian merchants. Master and Madam Du had built their empire from the ground up. With keen business acumen and seizing opportunities during the shift of two dynasties, their ventures spanned numerous industries. In essence, if it promised profit, they pursued it. Yet, their hearts remained steadfastly rooted in benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. Building bridges, paving roads, and offering aid to the less fortunate were common acts of charity for them. Beyond that, they had even established a large schoolroom in their back house, inviting a respected scholar to teach. Anyone within their household, from the seasoned housekeepers to the youngest children of the servants , was encouraged to learn and develop new skills. Thus, the entire estate exuded an air of elegant refinement rather than the ostentatious display of a nouveau riche family.
At this very moment, however, the atmosphere within Mao Diexuan was anything but refined. Distant relatives, close kin, those with tenuous connections, and even those with none at all had converged. A facade of righteousness plastered every face. The clan elders, particularly the uncles, bristled with indignant fury. An unwitting observer might have concluded that the Master Du and his wife had done something wrong and these relatives had arrived to punish them.
Suddenly, the heavy thud of a yellow pearwood stick striking the ground resonated through the vast hall. A voice boomed, “What about the young master of the Duke’s Mansion? Since he is coming back to see you, why don’t you call us? Isn’t this bullying others?” The speaker was the eldest of the elders, Master Du’s second uncle , his white beard bristling with righteous indignation, a picture of profound concern. Seated beside him was Seventh uncle Du another Du family elder, who appeared calmer than the second unlce , his eyes was closed and his long beard swaying gently with an occasional breeze.
As Master Du entered, a palpable wave of hostility greeted them from all directions. The most overt source was the robust young man standing behind Second unlce Du He possessed handsome features, yet his eyebrows display no hint of integrity, only the raw avarice of one who desired what he could not possess.
Master Du, always amiable like a smiling Buddha , addressed the gathering of uncles, cousins, and nephews with a benevolent smile. “Hey, everyone is here today. Second uncle, seventh uncle, what brings you two here? And with so many people? Could it be that you’re afraid my wife and I, being of humble standing, might be bullied by the Duke’s Mansion? Are you here to support me?” His words, seemingly complimentary, were in truth a subtle jab. The assembled relatives were no fools; they understood his veiled sarcasm, yet none dared to retort.
Second uncle Du who was singled out, flushed crimson. He let out a cold snort and fell silent. How could their status as commoners compare to a family that had founded a nation with such immense merit? Furthermore, Shang Ji was a highly favored general. With such a powerful son-in-law as their shield, the Du Family Patriarch and his wife were virtually unassailable, and the relatives’ earlier arrogance was now seemed less aggressive after this seemingly harmless jab .
Master Du, not even bothering to continue in conversation, walked directly into the hall withhis wife and took their seats at the head of the room. Observing the collective embarrassment and silence of the relatives, Madam Du gave an instruction. “Cui’an, the tea has cooled. Please serve fresh tea to the uncles.”
“Yes, madam .” At Mrs. Du’s command, the servants in Mao Diexuan politely brought out steaming cups of fresh tea. Several individuals, whose earlier pronouncements had left their mouths parched, nearly scalded themselves with the hot beverage. They set down their teacups with a sarcastic clatter, feigning ignorance of their hosts’ subtle dismissal. Continuing to sit with an air of entrenched entitlement, they resumed their pronouncements.
We are here today simply because Jingyi is coming home. You see there are no men at home to support you if you ever being bullied by the Duke’s Mansion , so as a relatives we felt anxious.But you and your wife aren’t nervous at all.” It was Second Uncle Du again, his white hair and beard adding to his appearance of aged wisdom as he questioned loudly.
Yet, the Du family couple had navigated far greater storms in the mercantile world. Why would they fear these relatives? Madam Du calmly met her second uncle’s gaze, a half-smile playing on her lips. “Uncles and relatives, there’s no need to worry. My husband and I are still young. We may not have sons, and both of our daughters are married, but our grandchildren aren’t born yet. At worst, we’ll discuss it with Jingxiang and his wife. Once a grandchild is born we can enter him into Du family’s genealogy, how could anyone say there’s no one to support the family in the future ?”
“Now that the our son-in-law is back, wouldn’t it be a joke if he knew that his wife’s family was making such a fuss over the family property? Don’t you think so, second uncle? Seventh uncle?” Though she addressed the two elders, her gaze settled on the young man behind them with , a chilling disdain in her eyes.
Du Jingxian, caught under Madam Du’s piercing stare, opened his mouth to speak but found himself speechless, unable to formulate a coherent response. He knew all too well about his infamous cousin-in-law, a man who, in his younger days, had used a street stick to brutally punish a powerful and wealthy family, leaving them a bloody mess. If he ever dared to cause trouble in the future, he would have to think long and hard about the consequences. With a slight tug at the sleeve of the old man beside him, he lowered his head, unwilling to concede.
Fourth uncel Du , naturally displeased to see his son intimidated, pushed that frustration aside. This was not the time for such trivialities; they needed to get to the main point! “What my nephew’s wife said is wrong. Since ancient times, where has it been said that the son of a married woman enters the mother’s family tree? Isn’t this a joke for outsiders to say that our Du family has no one to inherit the buisness ?My son Jingxian has grown up with his two sisters Jingxiang and Jingyi since he was a child. When you grow up together , it formed a type of affection that is unparalleled to others.”