The carriage moved steadily through the cobblestone path, its lacquered wheels gliding beneath the afternoon sun. Inside, Du Jingyi and Shang Ji sat side by side, their shadows gently swaying with the motion.
“The Empress gave you this jade ruyi?” Shang Ji asked, his tone carrying a trace of surprise.
(A ruyi is a ceremonial scepter symbolizing good fortune and imperial favor.)
“Yes,” Du Jingyi replied softly. “She said it was a gift.”
“You’re fortunate indeed,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “This jade ruyi was originally bestowed upon Her Majesty by the Empress Dowager the year she was canonized. It carries an auspicious meaning.”
(The Empress Dowager — the Emperor’s mother — holds the highest rank among the women of the inner palace.)
Du Jingyi’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Then… is it proper for her to give it to me?”
“Do not worry,” Shang Ji reassured with a faint smile. “If the Empress has given it, it is within reason. Just treat it with respect when you return.”
Du Jingyi nodded. Even if Shang Ji hadn’t reminded her, she would still have placed the ruyi on the rosewood altar table in her main hall — a symbol of Heaven’s grace and imperial benevolence.
“By the way,” she said after a pause, “the Empress also mentioned that the imperial edict to canonize me as a Noble Lady [a title one rank below the secondary consorts of the Emperor’s kin] will be delivered before the New Year. General, isn’t that… a little too much?”
Shang Ji’s brows lifted in mild surprise, then curved with a faint smile.
“I had originally planned to wait until my grandmother entered the palace to pay her respects to the Empress and have her request an annual favor for you. I did not expect Her Majesty to act so swiftly. This is a blessing — it will spare you from Madam Wei’s endless gossip about your status.”
He then added with quiet disdain, “How could she — a concubine who rose by chance to become Mistress of the house — ever compare with you?”
After a moment, he grew solemn, his tone carrying a rare tenderness.
“If I had known I would one day meet you, I would never have allowed my name to be tarnished in past years, nor filled my residence with women brought in for formality’s sake. In my heart, Jingyi, you have always been my rightful wife — my first and only.”
Du Jingyi had never considered such things significant, yet hearing the gravity in his voice made her heart tremble.
She composed herself, answering carefully, “I understand the General’s intentions. The Empress likely feels the same — that’s why she has shown me such kindness. But rest assured, I am not the type to grow jealous or quarrel with those before me. Besides, if the General hadn’t once been deemed unlucky in marriage, I could hardly have married into the Duke’s Mansion with my humble family background.”
It was the truth. Sometimes Heaven arranged fates in ways the human heart could not foresee.
Shang Ji gazed at her quietly, and realizing that she truly bore no hidden resentment, his chest eased.
“As long as I live,” he murmured, “I will never let you suffer grievance.”
Du Jingyi smiled faintly. “Yes.”
Their conversation continued pleasantly, and time passed swiftly.
Before long, the carriage slowed and stopped before the gates of the Du residence.
Du Jingyi blinked in surprise — she had assumed they would first return to the Duke’s Mansion and visit her family later in the afternoon. To arrive directly now was unexpected but delightful.
“The dishes your father prepares are far better than what we’ve had lately,” Shang Ji said with an easy grin. “I sent a messenger ahead to tell them we’d dine there. But don’t worry — I also told him to remind your sister to eat first. She’s with child, after all; she can’t afford to go hungry.”
His thoughtfulness warmed Du Jingyi’s heart. She looked at him with a teasing smile.
“General, shall I tell you what I think? My parents and sister will surely be waiting patiently, but my brother-in-law must be the anxious one — probably urging her to eat while keeping her company with food in hand.”
Shang Ji chuckled, glancing at his wife’s bright expression. He had no doubt her guess was correct.
“Then let’s not keep them waiting,” he said, stepping out first.
“Alright,” she answered, taking his hand as they entered together through the gate of the Du residence.
As expected, Du Jingyi’s words had been true.
Inside the Mingse Courtyard [the Du family’s main reception courtyard], everyone had gathered eagerly. Her brother-in-law, He Shilin, held a plate of pastries, coaxing the pregnant Du Jingxiang to eat a little more.
“Here they come — finally!” cried Master Du, his face breaking into a broad smile as he hurried forward to greet them.
Du Jingyi’s steps were light, her usual composure softened by genuine joy. Each return home seemed to ease something in her heart.
Seeing her expression, Shang Ji felt a pang of nostalgia. It reminded him of the carefree days of his youth spent at his grandfather’s estate, surrounded by warmth and laughter — a memory that briefly drew him silent.
“This daughter came home late today. Father, are you hungry?” Du Jingyi asked playfully.
Master Du chuckled. “No, no, we’ve just begun the meal. We knew you’d be home for dinner — how could we eat without you? Isn’t that right, son-in-law?”
The elder’s good-natured words pulled Shang Ji back from his thoughts. He offered a courteous smile and replied, “The Empress and Madam Guo found much to speak of, so our stay in the palace was longer than expected. Forgive us for keeping Father and Mother waiting.”
“The palace?” Madam Du repeated, startled. She and her husband had assumed their daughter came from the Duke’s Mansion, not directly from the imperial palace itself. Anxiety flickered across her face as she hurried closer.
“The Empress didn’t make things difficult for you, did she?”
Du Jingyi smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Mother. Aunt Xing was also present there , and Her Majesty only asked a few simple questions. She was quite kind.”
The matter of a canonization was grave; she would not speak carelessly of it until the imperial edict arrived.
Madam Du studied her daughter’s face and, finding no sign of unease, finally breathed in relief. Still, she thought to herself — given her son-in-law’s growing favor and military merit, he would likely be summoned to the palace often. If she fretted every time, she’d never know peace. The thought eased her heart.
“That’s good, that’s good,” she said softly. “Her Majesty’s virtue is known among the people. I was worrying for nothing.”
Shang Ji added with calm courtesy, “When my mother was alive, she and the Empress were old acquaintances. Her Majesty only wished to reminisce about family matters today. Please don’t be concerned, Mother-in-law.”
Madam Du nodded quickly. “Of course, of course. No need to worry.”
Before long, Du Jingxiang came forward, her rounded belly preceding her. She took Du Jingyi’s arm with the same closeness they’d shared since childhood. Her husband, He Shilin, could only watch with a helpless smile as the sisters fell into easy chatter.
“Come,” Du Jingxiang said brightly, “Mother just received sausages from Pingzhou. I’ve been craving them for months! There aren’t many, so I can’t spare you any today — but when Mother visits Sui’an City, I’ll have her make more. You can bring some back to your household then.”
Du Jingyi laughed. “Since when did you start liking sausages? Weren’t you always complaining about the smoky taste?”
“I don’t know,” Du Jingxiang said with a sheepish grin, patting her belly. “Perhaps it’s the baby’s craving. I’ve been eating things I never liked before.”
Du Jingyi chuckled, reaching out to touch her sister’s stomach gently. “Then she’s a blessed little one — easier to please than her mother.”
“Tangtang~” Du Jingxiang whined sweetly, tugging at her sister’s sleeve like a spoiled child. Her coquettish tone made even Madam Du smile.
Du Jingyi’s eyes softened with affection. She had always doted on her sister, and seeing her glowing and full of life filled her with both joy and the faintest envy. Her fingers lingered for a moment on that rounded belly — a wish she dared not voice aloud.
Although she had not taken the tonics that Aunt Dou once suggested, she had also never sought to prevent pregnancy.
Perhaps, she thought quietly, Heaven simply had its own timing.