Upon hearing this, even the usually optimistic Xing Zhao’s expression darkened, let alone Madam Xing.
He sighed deeply before continuing,
“It’s still the same… the entire household keeps to vegetarian meals, reciting Buddhist scriptures all day. The Gu family is so silent you can hardly even hear a sound. I’ve tried to persuade them many times, but it’s been useless…”
He paused, then added,
“Eldest Aunt’s health no longer seems as it once was. She doesn’t outwardly grieve like some of the sisters-in-law, but the more she bottles it inside, the more worried I become.”
At these words, Shang Ji’s face grew heavy with sorrow.
He remembered his time in the Gu household at Jinling [ancient capital of the Ming Dynasty, modern-day Nanjing], when the courtyards were filled with laughter and life.
But ever since the men of the Gu family had sacrificed their lives for the country, nothing had been the same as before .
Shang Ji clenched his fists; his entire frame now radiated grief.
Du Jingyi felt his sorrow, but for a moment she could find no words of comfort.
After a long silence, Shang Ji finally spoke.
“Once the General’s Mansion is fully renovated, I will invite Grandmother and the others to live here with us.”
At least their presence would bring a measure of comfort to them.
Hearing this, Madam Xing gave a faint, bitter smile and shook her head.
“You know your Aunt’s temperament. How could she ever be willing to leave Jinling City and move into your General’s Mansion?”
She spoke nothing but the truth.
Jinling was the Gu family’s ancestral home, the very place where the men of their family had once lived and left their traces.
To ask them to abandon all that and leave Jinling was nothing short of a dream.
“Grandmother may not wish to remain here long-term,” Du Jingyi interjected gently, “but if it is for Eighth Sister’s coming-of-age ceremony [ji li – a traditional hairpin ceremony marking a noble girl’s entry into womanhood], perhaps we can persuade Grandmother and the aunts to stay for a little while.”
Shang Ji looked at her, thinking this was indeed a wise suggestion.
Madam Xing also nodded slowly.
“Then let us write a letter and see. Perhaps your Aunt and the sisters-in-law will be willing to come north for such an occasion.”
At this, Xueniang [younger sister of the East Garden household, beloved granddaughter of the Gu matriarch] eagerly volunteered.
“I’ll write the letter. Grandmother has always cherished me—if it is my request, she will certainly come.”
Indeed, after the passing of Madam Gu, the old matriarch had poured all the motherly love she had once given her daughter onto this granddaughter.
If Xueniang were to write, perhaps it truly could move her.
Even so, the journey northward was long and wearisome; no one could yet say whether the elders could endure it.
Thus Xing Zhao quickly added,
“If Grandmother agrees to come, I will go myself to escort them. I am familiar with both regions, and I can guarantee to bring them safely here within a month.”
As Shang Ji could not easily leave Sui’an City due to official duties, Xing Zhao’s words eased his dilemma.
Du Jingyi glanced between Xing Zhao and Shang Zhiping [young nephew from the East Garden branch], and silently sighed at fate’s arrangements.
Just a few days ago they had been troubled over whom to entrust Shang ziping’s travel comapanion role —and now, fortune had brought someone to their door.
Still, this matter had so far only been discussed privately between husband and wife. They had yet to formally raise it with their eldest sister-in-law.
There was no need to hurry. The letter must first be sent, and then they would wait for a reply.
After this matter was settled, Shang Ji finally turned to ask Madam Xing about her purpose in traveling north.
He had held back earlier because there were too many people around, but now that only family remained, he naturally wished to know.
“Aunt, what pressing affairs call you to the north this time?”
Unexpectedly, Madam Xing, like her son Xing Zhao, only gave a light laugh and deflected.
“Oh, it is merely some family matters to be handled—nothing serious. If there truly were trouble, I would naturally come to you. Do not worry yourself.”
Seeing her also avoid the question, Shang Ji’s heart sank.
Even among close kin, secrecy often meant one of two things: either matters involving the royal court, or private family concerns that must not be spoken lightly.
Shang Ji understood this, and Du Jingyi also read between the lines.
Madam Liu [eldest sister-in-law of the East Garden household] was no fool either; she grasped seventy or eighty percent of the hidden meaning.
Only Shang Zhiping and Xueniang remained carefree, laughing at Xing Zhao’s jokes.
They had not heard such laughter for a long time.
Yet as Shang Ji and Du Jingyi watched Madam Xing, they saw within her smiling eyes a deep, unspoken heaviness—like the calm that precedes a storm.
As the autumn branches shed their last leaves, the weather in Sui’an City grew steadily colder.
Once the bustle of the Duke’s Mansion had faded, life in the East Garden’s Xitang Courtyard returned to daily trifles.
It was time to prepare winter wardrobes: exchanging lighter robes for lined winter dresses and warm cloaks.
Even the servants required new coats for this season.
Following the custom, each servant was given two new padded coats every winter.
They were crafted by the skilled embroiderers of Lu Ju-dai [a renowned embroidery workshop of Suzhou, known for its fine but practical work].
Though the designs were plain, the material was of excellent quality, thickly padded with cotton so that they were both warm and light—perfect for work in the cold.
Now, rows of these new garments were neatly arranged along the corridor, ready for distribution.
The usually quiet courtyard bustled with low chatter.
But the moment Du Jingyi stepped out, the servants instantly fell silent and lined up in proper order.
Seeing this, Du Jingyi felt gratified.
This was the discipline a noble household should maintain.
If the East Garden servants had turned into whispering gossips like those in the outer courtyards, they would have become a disgrace.
Thinking thus, she silently praised Steward He and Mama Dou [chief housekeeper and senior matron of the East Garden] for their strict management.
With such order, the future General’s Mansion would surely enjoy peace.
Smiling, she addressed the gathered servants:
“Today we distribute the winter coats. The rules remain as before—two sets for each. Once we move into the General’s Mansion, there will be further arrangements. You have all served the East Garden faithfully for many years, trusted by both the General and myself. I hope you will continue to uphold your original dedication and diligence.”
As she raised her hand, the maid Yingtao stepped forward to assist Lu Ju.
One distributed the garments, the other recorded each servant’s receipt with a fingerprint.
The atmosphere was orderly and harmonious.
But besides the coats, each servant also received a small purse.
It seemed ordinary enough, yet felt surprisingly heavy.
The servants exchanged puzzled glances.
At that moment, Mama Cai [second stewardess of the East Garden] stepped forward with a smile.
“This purse is a small token from the Young Madam. Since our household will soon be relocating, she asks for your understanding.”
The servants’ faces lit up at once.
The weight alone told them this was no mere copper coin.
Some secretly opened their purses and peeked inside.
Sure enough—golden melon seeds [small gold ingots shaped like melon seeds, a common form of portable currency in the Ming and Qing periods].
Counting carefully, they found the amount equaled half a year’s wages.
Such generosity naturally stirred great joy among the servants.
Du Jingyi understood well that loyalty could not survive on empty stomachs.
True loyalty required financial security as well , so that one could serve wholeheartedly.
After everyone had received their dues, they all bowed deeply to thank their young mistress.
Following such a mistress, their future was certain to be prosperous.
Eager now for the move to the General’s Mansion, their spirits rose high.
Seeing this, Du Jingyi smiled and dismissed them with a wave of her hand.
The courtyard returned to its ordered calm.