After the departure of the supposed protagonist of today the courtyard which was a moment ago was drowned in wailing and crying now shrouded a deadly silence . Shang Qilang, taken aback by a subtle glance from her mother , wasted no time in retreating from the unfolding drama that is done by these so called elders . Meanwhile, Madam Wei and Shang Yukuan, ever the dutiful kin in everyone’s eyes , assisted the elderly, though their efforts were met with ingratitude as always . The Fifth Old Man, in particular, spewed venomous words towards them , his coarse upbringing by actions was evident despite his newfound finery in his later age .
“Look at that evil one!” he yelled , “He wants to destroy everyone around him, How dare he said that he wants to send us to guard the mausoleum? Bah! We’ll see who dares to do it in this mansion !” He continued, his anger now escalating, “His current wife is already his fourth one ,let’s see how long she will last .This ungrateful son of your’s is tend to be a calamity to the dear to him .I think the death of your wife along with her natal family and your oldest son is also related to this star of calamity .
Shang Yukuan, in normal days has a very mild nature but listeneing to this utter garbage his patience was now wearing thin, so he atlast retorted, “How can my son be the ‘star of Heavenly Evil’?Fifth Uncle , your words are beyond being unpleasant! No wonder Liulang avoids you every time ; it’s clear you’re badmouthing him all the time !” than with a cold snort, he stormed off to his study, leaving the Fifth Old Man to stew in his own words utterly frustrated.
The Fifth Old Man, though aware of his harshness, refused to back down in front of his younger family members and servants. He defiantly challenged the retreating figure , “What’s wrong to what I say ? Isn’t that what everyone’s speculating ? Otherwise, why would you have married the Du family’s daughter if not because of her strong fate ? By denying it who would you think you can fool .Your son was the shizi and an esteemed general of Daxiang dynasty how can a merchants daughter be his legitemate wife if not for these unforseen circumstances .
Madam Wei,standing aside found herself hard to contain her laugh as she was feeling extremely pleased by the Fifth Old Man’s tirade, so to continue the source of her joy she just halfheartedly offered insincere pleas to remaain calm, while subtly fanning the flames to made him more agitated . The Fifth Old Man, emboldened by her encouragement , continued his tirade, even weaving in the tragic tale of the Gu family’s demise, implying it was all due to Shang Ji’s “tough character.” Which garnerd a sudden outburst of whispers rippled through the gathered crowd.
But their debaucherous rant was short-lived as Luo Yuan returned with his troops, and as he heard the vile accusations agianst his master . His eyes immediately turned icy “Gag them all , tie them up, and send them to guard the tomb right now !” he commanded showing no mercy to anyone present .
The guards with there years of experience in the battelfeid were , swift and merciless in their actions , as they quickly overpowered the struggling occupants of the Third and Fifth household . Their cries and protests were futile against the overwhelming might of disciplined soldiers.
The Third and Fifth Elders were seized and carried off, their protests now falling on deaf ears. , leaving their families bereft and silent, too shocked to even resist this brutal behaviour .
“Her merchant family, still new to prestige, had only a few ancestral tablets of their own. The Shang family’s ancestral hall, in contrast, held many — not due to age-old lineage, but the sheer number of relatives and the quiet presence of those who had passed in recent years. The first row held the Old Duke and his wife; the second contains , the memorial tablet of Current Duke’s first wife which is also the birh mother of Shang Ji ; the third row contain the tablet of , Shang Ji’s Eldest brother ; and finally in the last row has , the tablets of Shang Ji’s first three wives: Shang Xu, Shang Jing, and Shang Wang. Scattered among them were also tablets for the departed sons and daughters-in-law of the Third and Fifth household and as these tablets stand there silently alongside each other as they gave a silent support over which incense wafted gently.
Du Jingyi had only ever entered this ancestral hall during family New Year’s Eve worship before . While it once felt gloomy, now, with Shang Ji’s calming presence beside her, it felt almost nostalgic as she was greeting all these family mebers in person.
She knelt before her mother-in-law Gu shi’s tablet, and accept a cup of tea from Yingying. Shang Ji also knelt beside her. With an unvawerring sincerity, Du Jingyi spoke, “Daughter-in-law Du offers tea to Mother.”
Shang Ji, touched by her respectful but intimate demeanor, turned to the tablet, and with a hint of sadness on his face.”Mother,” he murmured softly, “if you can hear me , you can be rest assured now that your son is back safe and sound , and no one will ever dare to bully our Gu family again.” He then faced his elder brother’s tablet, and his voice now hardening with a newfound resolve . “Brother, rest in peace. As long as I am here, my sister-in-law and nephew will not be wronged again in this mansion .”
During all of his words Du Jingyi remained silent , listening to her husband speak to his departed mother and elder brother in sorrow . Their deaths occured before her marriage which meant she knew very little of these two people and there seemingly early departure , as her mother told her before in the intricate world of noble households, some inquiries were best left unmade as it is best for the person’s own safety . Still she quietly guard Shang Ji while listeneing in contemplation until the incense had burned low.
Shang Ji as in awaken from a trance then spoke, with a hint of apology in his tone, “I’m sorry, I was so lost in my own thoughts that I forgot you were still kneeling beside me .”
Du Jingyi hearing his appology smiled gently. “This is my first time serving tea to my mother-in-law. It doesn’t matter if I kneeled for a while.”
“It’s been hard for you ,” Shang Ji acknowledged, reaching out to help her stand , only to find her maids already rushed towards her to assist. So he withdrew his hand as if nothing happened , his expression as always remain unperturbed. “Let’s go back and meet my sister-in-law and the others. I should have introduced you to them three years ago.”
“Yes ,” Du Jingyi replied.
As they walked in silence towards Dongyuan the scene looked unusaually harmonious . Maybe because the gossiping servants, deterred by the earlier scene or the solemnity of the ancestral hall, were nowhere to be seen around the hall .
Upon entering the gates of Xitang Courtyard, familiar faces appeared before them . Shang Ji addressed Butler He and Aunt Dou, who guarded the Dongyuan entrance and said , “You two have worked hard these past few years. Once this is all settled, we’ll move to the General’s Mansion and live a good life there.”
Butler He and Aunt Dou, as the loyal retainers left by Madam . Gu, had faithfully guarded Dongyuan, ensuring its tranquility amidst the external turmoil. Their efforts had shielded the widowed Lady Liu in Fuqiu Courtyard and the Eighth Lady, Shang Xue, in Hanyi Courtyard from the machinations of the Third and Fifth household in his three years of absence . Now hearing Shanji’s acknoledgment they’ve nowovercome with joy and relief, so they tearfully replied, ” Us old slaves, we’ll listen to the General’s arrangements.”
“Good ,” Shang Ji affirmed, so the couple continued their walk towards Xitang Courtyard in the heart of Dongyuan. Where Lady Liu, his nephew Shang Zhiping, and the Eighth Young Lady, Shang Xue, awaited them. As the couple approached, Shang Xue, Madam Gu’s youngest daughter, was the first to stand and greet them.