“Especially Master Du thinks so in his heart .As she can made everyone smile regardless of the situation.If she wants.!”
“Hmph, you stinky girl, going against your father every day! Just wait until you return to the Duke’s Mansion; then we’ll see if you dare to show off in front of your young master!”
Du Jingyi’s eyes curved like crescent moons as she retorted instantly, “Don’t worry, Dad. I have a dowry worth tens of thousands. If things don’t go as planned, I’ll find ways to retreat from there. Besides, you wouldn’t truly abandon your daughter, would you?”
Madam. Du, long accustomed to the playful banter between father and daughter, simply shook her head with a helpless yet loving smile. It was odd, she mused, how both daughters were raised the same way—yet the elder was surprisingly well-behaved, while the younger, Du Jingyi, was cunning and delightfully rebellious.
He Shilin, Du Jingyi’s brother-in-law, seemed a little uncomfortable with her spirited behavior. He glanced at his wife, Du Jingxiang, who returned his look with an expression of shared helplessness, whispering, “I’ll talk to you later when we get back.”
“Understood,” He Shilin murmured, a silent thought forming in his mind: a temperament like his wife’s would surely be easier. He wondered if his brother-in-law in the Duke’s mansion could tolerate Du Jingyi’s vibrant quirks.
With Master Du and Du Jingyi present, the family’s mood was always lively. Amidst their laughter and chatter, dinner arrived. The entire family finally gathered for a joyful reunion meal. For a fleeting moment, Du Jingyi considered that a true reunion would naturally include her husband, Shang Ji. But then, a second thought occured : it was better if he didn’t come. His presence would only make the whole family nervous and uncomfortable, spoiling the meal’s simple joy.
At the dinner table, Du Jingyi was surrounded by her favorite people, with her beloved dishes laid out before her. Here, she shed all her guard, transforming from the dignified, solemn young lady of the Duke’s Mansion into the free-spirited little girl of the Du family. Her smiles, in this moment, came truly from her heart.
As the night grew deeper the moon shone brightly , and stars were few in between its light. A gentle breeze swept through the leaves , bringing with it the cool touch of night. The streets, bustling with life just hours before, now seemed eerily empty. Sui’an City observed a strict curfew; ordinary folk dared not venture out after dark, unless it was for a special festival like the Lantern Festival, or a Chinese Valentine’s Day, the Mid-Autumn Festival, or the week-long celebrationof new year’s.
The rhythmic clatter of horse hooves and the rolling of wheels over bluestones echoed, starkly clear in the quiet night. As a group of figures moved through the hushed streets, their passage unchallenged by the curfew soldiers, who bowed respectfully as they passed. The leader was Shang Ji, riding on the horseback, on his way to collect Du Jingyi and return his home. As he rode, he listened to Luo Yuan’s report on the many happenings occured since he had left Cezhou.
Since the signing of the “Ceyan Alliance,” Cezhou’s people had lived in peace and contentment. Though it hadn’t yet reclaimed its former bustling commerce, at least the shadow of war no longer loomed over there lives. Shang Ji felt that with a few more days, Cezhou would surely recover its past glory. Sui’an City, with its tranquility and comfort, couldn’t compare to Cezhou. For him, Cezhou was where his heart truly resided. He planned that once everything in Sui’an City was settled, he would request an imperial order to return to Cezhou to guard the border . As so many of his memories and past responsibilities remained there.
The moonlight illuminated the smooth road ahead of him , casting shifting patterns of light and shadow. For some reason, Shang Ji found his thoughts drifting to his young wife, Du Jingyi. Their first meeting, too, had been under such a beautiful moon. Lost in thought, his horse arrived at the Du family’s gate. With a soft “hush,” the horse halted, a testament to the rigorous discipline of the army.
Gazing at the brightly lit Du residence, Shang Ji was momentarily reminded of the warmth of his own home, long ago. But the nascent warmth in his eyes was quickly swallowed by the night. This lively scene, he felt, wasn’t suited for him now.
“Knock on the door,” he commanded, his voice tinged with a familiar coolness.
“Yes, General,” Luo Yuan responded, stepping forward immediately to tap on the door. His strength was evident, and with a few sharp knocks, the door swung open.
Seeing Shang Ji, the young gatekeeper scurried out, announcing, “Welcome second Son-in-law ! He said, please come inside.”
“Hmm,” Shang Ji replied, dismounting and tossing the reins to Luo Yuan. “Wait here. I’ll go in and fetch my wife.”
“Yes, General.”
Under the moon, the young gatekeeper observed the twenty or so guardsmen behind Shang ji . Each stood as straight and unmoving as a pine tree, their expressions grave. A shiver of fear ran through him, and he retreated to his hut, lying down to continue his watch.
As Shang Ji stepped inside, servants greeted him respectfully along his path. Though he had only been there once before, his memory was keen. Soon, he arrived before Minser Courtyard from where faint laughter and chatter still drifted . At this, Shang Ji’s solemn demeanor softened slightly, and he walked straight in.
The guard in the courtyard, seeing him, bowed low and immediately announced, “Master, Madam, the Second son-in-law is here!”
The family, engrossed in lively tales of the past, fell silent at the announcement. Master and Madam. Du rose from there seats , calling out, “Please, come quickly.”
No sooner had they spoken than Shang Ji entered. His already tall and imposing figure, now illuminated by the moonlight, seemed almost divine, radiating an aura of inviolability. Master and Madam Du, who had felt a slight resistance towards their son-in-law earlier that morning, now stood a little straighter. This was the first time Du Jingxiang and He Shilin had met their brother-in-law, and they truly hadn’t expected him to be quite so “tall and strong.”
Shang Ji’s eyes swept the room as he entered. Noticing two additional figures, his gaze remained undisturbed. He had learned a little about the Du family’s affairs in recent days; the woman before him must be Du Jingyi’s elder sister, married for several years. It was somewhat unusual to bring her husband back to her parents’ home while heavily pregnant. But Shang Ji was not one to dwell for idle talk. He clasped his fists and addressed Master and Madam Du, “This son-in-law greets his father-in-law and mother-in-law.”
“Ah, my second son-in-law has come at a good time,” Madam Du interjected. “My eldest daughter is married far away but today she and her husband visit here to see us.”
At Madam Du’s introduction, Shang Ji turned slightly and offered a respectable bow , “I’ve met my sister, I’ve met my brother-in-law.”
As from the mercahnt’s background the highest official Du Jingxiang and He Shilin had ever encountered was the Prefect of Pingzhou, a civil servant in his late thirties. This was their first time meeting a Hussar General, and one so young. A certain reserve in their deameanor was understandable.
He Shilin cupped his hands in return, saying, “You’re too kind, General.” Du Jingxiang, beside him, also gave a slight curtsy, though her usual relaxed demeanor had clearly vanished.