Shang Ji’s sharp question proved his astuteness, seeing through the facade that others merely worried over. Now, understanding that Du Jingyi had indeed tampered with the money, Yingtao felt a new level of respect for her second master, a respect that went beyond mere formality. She lowered her voice, confirming, “This slave has put something on the silver. It’s just that it’s hard to explain to the General yet, but please believe that our Young Lady can handle the matter properly.” Yingtao’s words were meant to secure Du Jingyi’s authority in the inner household. She believed the Young Lady’s intentions were good, but unchecked generosity might not serve her well in the long run.
Shang Ji, no fool himself, caught the underlying meaning. He turned to Luo Yuan. “Go and invite Butler He and Mama Dou to the study. I have something to say to them.”
“Yes, General.” Luo Yuan departed Xitang Courtyard with long strides, leaving only Shang Ji and Yingtao. An awkward silence settled between them. Yingtao, not one to overstep her boundaries, felt uncomfortable being alone with the General. Shang Ji noticed her discomfort, and a flicker of satisfaction shone in his eyes. “Take good care of the Young Lady. When she wakes up , send someone to call me Iam in the study.”
“Yes, General.” Shang Ji then left Xitang Courtyard, making a detour to Fuqiu Courtyard. Though Yingtao hadn’t explicitly stated it, Shang Ji understood the implication. Thinking of his nephew, Shang Zhiping, Shang Ji felt a pang of worry, fearing Du Jingyi might become as timid him . He needed a brief chat with his sister-in-law.
Yingtao exhaled, patting her chest. In her years of service, she had encountered many people, but the General always instilled an unknown fear, not the fear of wrongdoing, but a deep-seated awe. It was the lingering aura of countless battles, though he usually kept it in check, it subtly emanated from him. When angry, he was more intimidating than any temple deity. Turning to glance at the still-quiet main room, Yingtao resumed embroidering her handkerchief on the porch.
In Fuqiu Courtyard, Sister-in-law Liu was teaching her son calligraphy. Seeing Shang Ji stride in, she immediately understood his purpose. “Ping’er, greet your Sixth Uncle.”
“Hello, Uncle Six.”
“Mm.” Shang Ji softened his fierce demeanor for Shang Zhiping. Though his expression remained stern, his concern for his nephew was evident. “Are you practicing calligraphy?”
“Yes.” Shang Zhiping’s voice was barely a whisper, still intimidated by his uncle. He lowered his head submissively, avoiding Shang Ji’s gaze. Madam Liu’s heart ached at the sight. She sighed slightly, patiently saying, “Ping’er, please go out and rest. I need to speak with your Sixth Uncle.”
“Mother…” Shang Zhiping’s eyes pleaded, but he couldn’t vocalize his reluctance to leave. Sister-in-law Liu offered a gentle smile. “Go on, it will be alright.” Shang Zhiping nodded hesitantly, then bowed his head and left the main room. Watching him leave, Shang Ji felt a familiar frustration, a sense of disappointment that his nephew lacked the desired spirit. Yet, given past events, he had no room to argue.
Sister-in-law Liu, wanting to distract her brother-in-law from staring at her son, changed the subject. “Now that we know the Fifth House is causing trouble, do you have any solution for your wife?”
“Mm.”
“Oh, it’s my fault for not discussing this properly with her. She’s young and doesn’t worry much, so she thinks things are simple. In the future, I will deal with the Third and Fifth Houses. You just talk to her and ask her to pay more attention on moving to General’s house .” Sister-in-law Liu’s words confirmed Shang Ji’s suspicions. This was indeed what Maid Yingtao had implied. Shang Ji pondered for a moment, then spoke plainly. “Sister-in-law, I don’t think She is easy to bully . Since she is confident in dealing with it this time, let her be . If you keep protecting her like this, she won’t grow up.”
Though he seemed to be speaking about Du Jingyi, his words also carried his worries about Shang Zhiping. He had intended to discuss this for a while, and the conversation had finally opened the door. It touched a raw nerve within Sister-in-law Liu. Her eyes suddenly sharpened, and she glared at her brother-in-law with an almost unreasonable tone. “What is this? Is my Sixth Brother here to teach me how to be a good person now?”
“Sister-in-law, you misunderstood.”
“Misunderstood? It’s simply ridiculous! My sister-in-law didn’t ask anything clearly, then rushed to send one hundred taels of silver to the Fifth House. Seeing money come so easily, will those people let it go in the future? Dongyuan has finally had these few years of peace; is it all going to be ruined in her hands like this?” Sister-in-law Liu’s words poured out, urgent and sharp. Her intention wasn’t to blame Du Jingyi; she was merely speaking in a moment of frustration, her thoughts spilling out unfiltered. Even as she said it, she knew it was inappropriate. But for so many years, she had gritted her teeth and stubbornly protected them all. Her gaze at Shang Ji was filled with wariness and anger.
Shang Ji, in turn, felt his own anger rise. He was a general, accustomed to giving orders outside, not being controlled by the women in his home. And if he looked closely, this whole situation stemmed from Sister-in-law Liu’s excessive protectiveness. He refused to yield. His voice was cold, his face stern. “Sister-in-law, let me ask you: you are able to deal with people from the Third and Fifth Houses, but what will be the result? Will everyone in Dongyuan have to stay here all their lives and not go out? Will everyone have to compromise and avoid them? Will everyone have to rely on you to protect them?”
“You!” Sister-in-law Liu was instantly enraged by Shang Ji’s questions. “Okay, okay, what did your eldest brother and mother-in-law tell you when they left? Now that you have become a general praised by everyone, do you want to bring this authority to your home?”
“Sister-in-law! When have I ever shown authority at home? If I were really that kind of person, I wouldn’t have allowed you to teach Ping’er like this. Look at him! If my eldest brother were still here, he would feel so distressed!” When Shang Zhiping was young, he had been clever, cute, and lively. Everyone who saw him praised him as a gift from heaven. But what was he now? Even the servants in the mansion were bolder than him, let alone the grandchildren of Madam. Wei next door.