“Don’t people in the Fifth Branch love money?” Du Jingyi mused to herself. “In that case, no one who has touched the money will escape.” She was eager to see how many in the Fifth Branch were so consumed by greed that they would disregard their own lives. But such thoughts were best left unsaid right now, especially with her timid sister present, who might be distressed. So, she exchanged a knowing glance with her parents, and the conversation shifted.
It was now late September, neither too cold nor too warm. The family decided it would be a good idea to find a nearby place to enjoy a few days before Du Jingxiang gave birth. Madam Du then turned to Du Jingyi. “In a few days, can you spare a day from the Duke’s Mansion and accompany us to Pingliang Temple?”
Du Jingyi was surprised. Her mother wasn’t typically one for burning incense or worshipping Buddha. “What’s wrong?” she asked, curious.
Madam Du calmly explained, “Pingliang Temple is commissioning a golden statue. All the prominent merchants in Sui’an City have been requested by the court to donate money. How could we not go? Our family, your Uncle Han’s family, and about twenty other households are participating. I thought since we’ve already paid, we should naturally seek the Bodhisattva’s blessings. Your sister is expecting, and you have to move – these are all significant events.”
Du Jingyi couldn’t help but chuckle. “How can Mother believe in such things?”
“Believe it or not, the money has been paid,” Madam Du replied, a hint of pragmatism in her voice. “And the road to Pingliang Temple is smooth. It would be pleasant to take you to see the scenery, the autumn maples blazing like fire right now , wouldn’t it?”
Du Jingxiang’s eyes lit up. She had always loved outings, both before and after her marriage. But her advanced pregnancy had confined her to the back house. Now, with such a perfect opportunity, she was eager to seize it. She pleaded with her sister, Du Jingyi, in a sweet voice, “Good sister, let’s go together. I won’t be in Sui’an City much longer. It would be wonderful for us sisters to spend time together again, especially to go out.”
Du Jingyi was swayed by her sister’s plea. “Okay,” she conceded, “I’ll discuss it with the General when I return. The moving arrangements are almost settled, so there shouldn shouldn’t be a problem.” Du Jingxiang smiled, her eyebrows arching in delight.
As they spoke, Master Du, who had been smiling moments before, narrowed his eyes and fell silent, a thoughtful look on his face. The Du family knew this expression well; he was deep in thought. They didn’t disturb him. After a while, Master Du let out a cold snort, his eyes glinting with a fox-like cunning. He warned Du Jingyi, “Father recalls there was a girl from the duke’s family who married into the Jia family, the rice merchants, correct?”
Du Jingyi was momentarily surprised by the sudden shift in topic but quickly answered, “Yes, the sixth girl of the Third Branch.”
Master Du nodded, his conviction growing stronger. “I was wondering why your Uncle Han was so displeased. It turns out this is the reason.” His words left Du Jingyi, Du Jingxiang, and even Madam Du bewildered.
“What’s wrong? How is this related to Brother Han?” Madam Du inquired. Her mention of “Brother Han” referred to Han Cheng, a prominent figure among Sui’an City’s wealthy merchants, whose family had amassed considerable property over generations. Their close ties with the Du family stemmed from a shared philanthropic spirit; Han Cheng and Master Du often collaborated on charitable endeavors. As the saying goes, “bosom friends come together once in a lifetime,” a sentiment that perfectly described Master Du and Master Han. During the Zeping Township flood, their generous donations of money and supplies were astounding. It was this shared benevolence that solidified their bond, making their families increasingly close. Had it not been for the early engagements of all the Han family sons, the Du sisters might even have married into their household. If that had happened, the merchants of Sui’an City would truly have bowed before them.
Seeing the confusion on his wife and daughters’ faces, Master Du quickly recounted the events of the past few days. “A few days ago, your Uncle Han mentioned he was going to Jingwangzhou to secure rice and grain supplies. He was thoroughly prepared, but the Jia family intercepted him on the way. Based on their abilities alone, the Jia family would never have been able to compete with Master Han , but since they’ve always primarily dealt in rice and grain, I didn’t think much of it at the time.”
Madam Du was aware of this incident but was puzzled why her husband was bringing it up now. She settled back, listening intently.
“Later, your Uncle Han invited me for a drink,” Master Du continued, “and he told me he had investigated thoroughly. The bidding results had already been determined internally. The Jia family, he said, had burned incense to someone powerful, somehow getting involved with people from Prince Min’s Palace. Wangzhou is originally under King Min’s jurisdiction, so it’s reasonable that they would win the bid by default.” For merchants like them, operating without powerful backing often meant little profit. Aside from Du Jingxiang, who had always been shielded from worldly affairs, the other three Du family members were keenly aware of this reality.
“So, Father, you think the Jia family is somehow connected to the Duke’s Palace?” Du Jingyi asked.
“It’s not impossible,” Master Du mused.
“It doesn’t seem likely to me,” Madam Du countered, her voice pointed. “Tangtang’s father-in-law is merely a Puppet duke . Even if he wanted to help, Prince Min’s Palace wouldn’t show him any respect, let alone Madam Wei. Look at how she carried herself when she came to propose marriage for the General. She’s clearly a powerful woman. Why would she stoop to helping the Third branch in such a way? Wouldn’t that only encourage their arrogance and diminish her own prestige?” Madam Du’s reasoning was sharp; she clearly disagreed with Master Du’s suspicion. Since ancient times, it had been difficult for a successor to truly take hold. Especially in a place like the Duke’s palace, where unruly relatives with too much power lingered, and the legitimate bloodlines of the original wife remained. Therefore, Madam Du did not believe that Madam . Wei would sincerely assist these people. She would more likely be observing the spectacle from the sidelines.
Du Jingyi, however, fell silent for a moment after hearing her father’s words. Suddenly, another possibility dawned on her. “Father, Mother, could it be that we’ve misunderstood? It might not necessarily be that someone from the Jia family has climbed onto the high branches of Prince Min’s Palace. It could also be that the Jia family possesses something that Prince Min’s Palace desires. Isn’t it possible to reach a consensus that way?”
Hearing their daughter’s words, Master Du and Madam Du couldn’t help but ponder this new angle. Indeed. Things in the business world were often complex and unpredictable. Sometimes one played the leading role, and sometimes the other.