“Then, the General should wear that dark landscape round-neck robe, and for me, please fetch the fairy skirt with pink and green embroidery on the white background,” Du Jingyi instructed.
“Yes, I understand,” Yingtao affirmed, then promptly delivered the requested robe to Shang Ji.
Shang Ji, preferring to dress himself, stepped behind the screen. By the time Yingtao had located Du Jingyi’s fairy skirt, he was already fully attired. The ink landscape painting on the robe was masterfully executed, the fabric soft and delicate, yet it lent a commanding stiffness that broadened his chest, making him appear both imposing and magnificent. His long hair, still unbound, cascaded down his back, lending him a subtly different aura from his usual resolute general’s demeanor. Lu Jiu’s craftsmanship, he mused, was truly exceptional; the robe fit perfectly, neither too loose nor too tight. Shang Ji looked himself over, sensing the undeniable expense of the fabric. After all, little in this household, particularly what belonged to his wife, was anything but the finest.
A quiet chuckle escaped him. As he turned to speak, he found Du Jingyi utterly transformed. The flowing fairy skirt was complemented by a cloud bun, adorned with two exquisite gilt vase flower hairpins featuring hollow butterfly flowers. Her lips, a vibrant red against her fair skin, curved into a gentle smile that made Shang Ji’s heart skip a beat. If not for the two “obtrusive” maids present, he would have indulged in a tender moment with his wife. But the journey ahead demanded restraint.
He cleared his throat twice, then instructed Yingtao , “Send breakfast here, and inform Butler He to prepare the carriage and horses.”
“Yes,” she replied.
The couple, having eaten a satisfying breakfast, departed through the Dongyuan gate, heading directly for the Du family residence. The early morning streets buzzed with activity, filled with the constant cries of vendors. The tempting aroma of wontons from a nearby stall wafted towards Du Jingyi. Even though she had just eaten, the scent was undeniably alluring. Shang Ji glanced sideways, catching his wife’s expression, then pulled back the curtain of the carriage to peer outside. A cloth flag bearing the characters “Liu Ji Wonton” fluttered high above. An elderly couple, agile and kind-faced, worked diligently at the stall. So, this was her preference? When a person held a place in one’s heart, their likes and dislikes naturally followed. The timing, however, was not right. Otherwise, he would have gladly shared a small bowl with his wife.
Soon, the carriage carried Shang Ji and Du Jingyi away from the bustling street. Not long after, it halted at the entrance of the Du family home. News of their return had reached the Du household much earlier. Consequently, Madam Du, her husband, and Du Jingxiang stood at the door, their faces alight with joyous welcome. This reunion was far different from their last, shedding the sadness of separation for the sheer delight of being together again.
“Father, Mother, Sister, Brother-in-law… why are you all out here?” Du Jingyi exclaimed.
“Simply to welcome you two,” Master Du replied with a warm smile. His face, naturally cheerful, now bore several new crinkles of delight at his eldest daughter’s homecoming, making him appear even more benevolent and endearing. Du Jingyi, for some inexplicable reason, felt an overwhelming desire to act like a pampered child upon seeing her family. Disregarding her husband’s presence, she shed all formality, taking two quick steps to embrace both Master Du and Madam Du, repeating how much she had missed them.
Shang Ji, meanwhile, observed proper etiquette, offering a slight bow with clasped hands. “Your son-in-law greets his father-in-law and mother-in-law.” He then nodded to Du Jingxiang and his wife, calling out, “Sister, Brother-in-law,” after Du Jingyi. Du Jingxiang and He Shilin, feeling unworthy of Shang Ji’s deference, quickly returned the bow. “Brother-in-law, you are too kind,” they said.
Madam Du was overjoyed. Her fondness for her second son-in-law, Shang Ji, grew with each passing day. Just his prompt return with her daughter, twice now, was enough to make Madam Du feel immensely valued. In their high-ranking circles, a daughter running so frequently to her parents’ home without criticism was a rare occurrence. Yet, as she discreetly observed, her daughter and son-in-law seemed much closer this time. While perhaps not as overtly sweet as her eldest daughter and her husband, it was a vast improvement from their initial return. She feigned a casual glance at Momo Cai , who nodded subtly in affirmation. Madam Du’s smile deepened. A harmonious marriage, after all, was built on intimacy. After more than three years of worry, she finally felt a genuine peace of mind.
“Let’s go inside quickly,” she urged Du Jingyi and Shang Ji. “Breakfast is ready and waiting for you to join us.” Although both had already eaten, in such a warm atmosphere, no one would refuse. So, with smiles, they followed Madam Du and the others through the door, heading towards Mingse Courtyard.
It was the first time the Du family had gathered so completely, and aside from Shang Ji, a slight tension lingered among Du Jingxiang and his wife at the table. The dishes laid out were all favorites of Du Jingyi and Du Jingxiang. He Shilin, not a picky eater, simply mirrored his wife’s choices. Thus, everyone’s attention centered on Shang Ji.
Master Du immediately explained, “I wasn’t sure what my second son-in-law prefers, so I asked the chef to prepare a variety of dishes. Please try them all and see which you like best. We can then prepare them more often in the future.”
“Thank you, Father-in-law, for your thoughtfulness,” Shang Ji replied. He picked up his chopsticks. As soon as he made his move, everyone watched to see which dish he would choose first. For some reason, Du Jingyi anticipated he would reach for the soup dumplings in front of him. And indeed, he did. Du Jingyi smiled knowingly. Though Shang Ji bore the Shang surname, he had essentially been raised in the Gu family. In a truly prestigious family like the Gus, rules permeated every action. Even if Shang Ji were a picky eater, he wouldn’t carelessly move his chopsticks in such a situation. He would naturally begin with the dish placed directly before him. He tasted it briefly, then swallowed. His unpretentious way of eating was something Du Jingyi had long noticed. Watching him sample everything, Du Jingyi still admired his appetite. He never disappointed. Those who didn’t know better would assume the two of them had genuinely arrived without breakfast.
After he had tasted everything, Master Du immediately inquired, “Which do you prefer?”
Shang Ji, without hesitation, pointed to two dishes and replied.