“That will be for the later time ,” Shang Ji interjected suddenly, “I haven’t made it clear to my sister-in-law yet.”
Du Jingyi’s eyebrows arched, and she tried to turn, but Shang Ji’s chin rested firmly on her shoulder, preventing her movement. It was surprising to find even a formidable general like Shang Ji who is , almost thirty years old , could sometimes hesitate to explain himself. A faint smile touched Du Jingyi’s lips, but she said nothing more.
They talked and whispered, and the night softened into slumber. Du Jingyi awoke the next morning to a numb arm, a testament to having slept in Shang Ji’s embrace the whole night .
The crisp air of late autumn made early rising easier than in the depths of winter. The household bustled with activity as servants moved about, and the streets outside were already alive with the sounds of the city.
At a Liu Ji Wonton stall, two figures sat, their luxurious attire hinting at their formidable status. The kindly Mr. and Mrs. Liu, ever smiling, served two steaming bowls of wontons to them . The wontons were delicate, with thin skins and small fillings—a departure from the usual hearty fare. Du Jingyi, her eyes alight with anticipation, eagerly picked up her chopsticks. The first bite confirmed it: the familiar, nostalgic taste she remembered.
“These wontons must be eaten fresh,” she mused aloud, “otherwise, they lose their flavor when taken away.” She turned to Shang Ji. “Husband, please try some; they’re delicious.”
Shang Ji, however, didn’t reach for his chopsticks. He looked at Du Jingyi intently, then spoke. “In my family, everyone used to call me Shaoyu. If you wish, you may do the same.”
Shaoyu? Shang Shaoyu?
Seeing Du Jingyi’s silence, Shang Ji clarified, “My grandfather gave this name to me, hoping I would lead a life free of worries, with fewer trials and anxieties.”
Ah, I see.
A smile blossomed on Du Jingyi’s face, vibrant as a spring flower, imbued with a touching vitality. “He must love you very much.”
“Mm.” When Shang Ji spoke of his maternal grandfather’s family, a rare tenderness softened his demeanor. Du Jingyi could see that his affection for the Gu family surpassed, by hundreds of times, any sentiment he held for the Shang family . After all, that was where he truly found his home.
Shang Ji finally took a bite of a wonton. It was indeed delicious. Its taste, As Du Jingyi stated, was so exquisite that even Danruo’s culinary skills would struggle to evoke such longing from her. He continued to eat with relish. After three bowls, Shang Ji was full. Du Jingyi initially thought her husband had an immense appetite, but then she glanced at Luo Yuan at another table, five empty bowls stacked before him, and realized that a man’s capacity for food was, perhaps, quite natural. Yingying, observing Luo Yuan’s heroic consumption, couldn’t help but furrow her brow with a hint of sour amusement.
With their appetites sated, it was time to find something to do. With Shang Ji finally free from the confines of the Duke’s Mansion for a few days, they decided not to return home immediately, opting instead for a leisurely stroll through the city streets. In Cezhou, Shang Ji often walked about in his free time, observing the rhythm of urban life and the people’s yearning for stability, which fueled his resolve to defend his territory. His steps naturally slowed as these thoughts crossed his mind.
Du Jingyi, however, harbored no such lofty contemplations when she went shopping. Her gaze swept over the goods, assessing what was popular, looking for opportunities to engage or invest. In short, the word “making money” was never far from her thoughts.
The couple meandered through the streets, accompanied only by Luo Yuan and their maids, Yingying and Lizhu. Their small entourage did not draw much attention. Others simply assumed they were a wealthy couple out enjoying the day. Sui’an City, after all, was the capital of the Daxing Dynasty; one could casually bump into princes and nobles at any turn of this city . It was quite common here .
As they wandered, what truly surprised Shang Ji was Du Jingyi’s discerning eye. Whether it was jade, treasures, rouge and cosmetics, fine wines and delicacies, silks, tea, porcelain, or even imported goods, she seemed to have a comprehensive understanding of them all. She spoke of their origins, raw materials, craftsmanship, and even their market prices with astonishing clarity. Such an ability deeply impressed Shang Ji. He attributed it to the Du family’s immense wealth and Du Jingyi’s inherent cleverness, assuming her exposure had simply made her more knowledgeable than the average person. He remained unaware, however, that 60% of these very shops were owned by Du Jingyi herself, or maintained close business ties with the Du family. For her, discussing these details was as effortless as everyday conversation.
Their stroll than led them to the entrance of a restaurant. “This is Zuixian Tower,” Shang Ji remarked, “the largest restaurant in the city. Has Madam dined here before?”
Du Jingyi paused, wondering if she should reveal that the Du family held a significant share in this establishment, practically making it her own. Before she could speak, a sharp-eyed boy from within quickly summoned the shopkeeper.
Shopkeeper Zeng, a man of considerable girth, exuded an aura of jovial prosperity—the perfect demeanor for his trade. Upon seeing Du Jingyi, he immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply. “The humble one greets the Young Mistress.” His tone was respectful, his words clear. Then, his gaze shifted to Shang Ji.
Before Du Jingyi could utter a word, Shopkeeper Zeng bowed once more. “I have seen the General.”
Luo Yuan, standing nearby, appeared slightly bewildered. They had never set foot in this establishment, so how could the shopkeeper possibly recognize them? Shopkeeper Zeng, possessing a keen eye, immediately sensed Luo Yuan’s confusion and explained with a smile. “When the General returned to the city in triumph, I, too, went to witness the spectacle. Though you were not in armor, I distinctly remember your face and bearing.”
That day, countless people had thronged the streets to welcome the triumphant general, yet today, no one else had recognized them. This attested to Shopkeeper Zeng’s extraordinary perceptiveness and nimble mind. Du Jingyi was highly pleased with his performance, recognizing why the restaurant flourished under his management, yielding hundreds of thousands of taels in dividends each year. This particular restaurant, in fact, was merely one of several that formed part of Du Jingyi’s dowry. Shang Ji, therefore, remained utterly oblivious to the true extent of the wealth possessed by the seemingly harmless woman beside him.
Shopkeeper Zeng personally led them to a private pavilion on the third floor, a secluded space not open to the general public. The view from there was unparalleled, and comfortable compartments offered a place for rest. From the window, one could survey half of Sui’an City, its scattered rooftops and bustling populace spread out below.