The last time mother and daughter had shared such a tender moment was a year ago.
“I used to fear you wouldn’t marry in your life because of our relatives , and I feared you’d face hardship if you ever did get married ,” Madam Du confessed, her voice soft. “Today, after observing your husband closely, your father and I feel very much relieved. Aside from everything else, his clear affection for you is enough. It’s good that we don’t have any sectarian views.”
Madam. Du had never harbored grand ambitions for her son-in-law. All she truly desired was a man of noble character, a peaceful family life, a degree of self-motivation, and the capacity to care for his wife. Unlike other families who sought to marry their daughters into the highest echelons of nobility, the Du family had been compelled into this alliance with the Duke of Shang’s Mansion due to circumstances beyond their control. But now, witnessing the harmonious relationship between the couple, Madam Du’s mind began to churn with new thoughts.
After waving everyone out, Madam Du leaned in closer to DuJingyi, her voice now hushed. “It’s been a few days since your husband returned. Have you… consummated your marriage yet?”
The word “consummation” brought a faint blush to Du Jingyi’s cheeks. She simply hummed in acknowledgement, saying nothing more. Madam Du sighed, then spoke with newfound gravity. “Iam fortunate that i met your father in this life. Even though I haven’t given him a son to carry on the family incense, he never once considered divorcing me, taking concubines, or remarrying. But we are merchants, and our affairs often have many turning points. Your husband, however, is different. He is both the Shizi of the Duke’s mansion and the head of the General’s mansion.”
“Look, I don’t know how many people envy him after his return this time. While you are his wife now , but you are the fouth one also , and your family background you know it better than me … so If you don’t have a son to protect you, my dear, I fear you will face a difficult future in the general’s mansion.”
Du Jingyi listened intently to her mother’s heartfelt words. As for the consummation of the marriage, she wasn’t actively resisting it; she merely felt a touch of awkwardness. Had it been immediately after the wedding, it would have been natural. But three years of separation had made the prospect of a man sharing her bed and meals suddenly feel…unfamiliar. Yet, her mother’s counsel was not without reason. Du Jingyi never harbored the illusion that her husband would never take concubines. She was already mentally prepared for the inevitable battles among wives and concubines in the back house. Since she understood the future awaiting her, she wouldn’t simply stand by and wait for the “jackals, tigers, and leopards” to tear her apart. She calmed herself, thinking quietly, and when she looked up at her mother again, a plan had already formed in her mind.
“Don’t worry, Mother, your daughter knows what to do.”
“That’s good. Remember this above all: there are many disputes in the Duke’s mansion. You cannot allow anyone to exploit loopholes and never let a concubine gave birth to an eldest son, otherwise, there will be endless troubles for you .” Madam. Du’s face was stern. Du Jingyi, at the age of eighteen , understood the profound meaning behind her words. She nodded, her own expression now equally serious.
After settling this weighty matter, mother and daughter relaxed, shifting the conversation to lighter topics, such as the relatives who had left in despair.
“Mother, today is my homecoming day , and they still caused a fuss. I’m afraid the trouble will only grow in the future. Have you come up with any good ideas to deal with them?”
At this, Madam Du’s serene demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold snort. “Don’t worry. In the past, their schemes were merely unseemly tricks. Now, your father and I have already set the trap and are waiting for them to exploit it. With our young son-in-law backing us, are we still afraid that Du Jingxian and the others won’t cause trouble for themselves?” Her words were laced with cunning, and she felt no shame. In the cutthroat world of commerce, she was no benevolent Bodhisattva. She would help those capable and worthy of assistance. But for the shameless and undeserving, like these relatives, she would gladly sink their boat to cross the river herself. To hope to survive by stepping on her family’s bones was simply outrageous.
Seeing that her mother had a plan, Du Jingyi said no more. After all, she had witnessed her parents’ shrewd tactics in the marketplace, so she knew these troublesome relatives would not enjoy many good days ahead. As they spoke, Master Du’s excited voice rang from outside.
“Madam, Tangtang, come out and see who’s here?” His words bubbled with excitement, piquing the curiosity of both mother and daughter.
“What’s happened, dear?” Madam Du opened the door and gasped. Du Jingyi, however, cried out in pure joy, “Sister!”
She then fully registered the sight. Standing in the courtyard was Du Jingxiang, the Du family’s eldest daughter, who had been married for four years. She had returned with her husband, looking a little travel-worn but well. Her belly was noticeably rounded, clearly at least six months pregnant. Du Jingxiang wore a smoky green gauze dress with a loose plain skirt underneath, her figure much fuller than before. It was evident she was living a good life in the He family.
“Xiangxiang…”
“Mother…”
Madam Du burst into tears. The sight of her daughter, traveling so far with a bulging belly, filled her with overwhelming distress. Du Jingxiang, seeing her mother cry, also wept uncontrollably. “Your daughter is unfilial, and returned late.”
Her husband, He Shilin, stood by, looking worried. But he knew how much his wife longed for her family, so he offered no words of comfort, simply standing in silent support. The reunion of mother and eldest daughter was far more tearful than Du Jingyi’s earlier homecoming. Du Jingyi herself felt a pang of emotion, but seeing her father’s comforting gaze, she walked over to him.
“Alright, today is a good day. Both my daughters are back. We must have a wonderful reunion dinner.” Master Du happily ordered Uncle Liu. “Go, prepare the eldest and second young ladies’ favorite foods, and serve them all together later.”
“Yes,” Uncle Liu replied, hurrying off.
As Uncle Liu departed, Du Jingxiang and Madam. Du composed themselves, each wiping tears from their eyes with handkerchiefs. Madam Du glanced at her eldest son-in-law, a touch of embarrassment on her face. “Auntie’s behaviour must be embarissing.”I made my son-in-law laugh.
He Shilin lived up to his name. His face was elegant and refined, his entire demeanor possessing a scholarly air without being pedantic. He was clearly a man pursuing an official career. Seeing Madam. Du address him, he immediately replied respectfully, “My mother-in-law is too kind. Xiang Niang misses you and my father-in-law dearly when she is away from home. Now that she has seen you today, she naturally has to express herself more.” He then turned to Du Jingxiang, speaking to comfort her. “Xiang Niang, don’t be too sad. Be careful, lest the child in your belly also feels your sorrow.”