His heart also ached as he watched Shang Ji , becoming more and more like his former father-in-law, Marshal Gu, in his demeanor .
“Well, I’ve been waiting for a long time for this tea,” he declared happily , his gaze also softening as he looked at Du Jingyi. He genuinely didn’t care much for her family status. Her good health over the three years since she entered the household had silenced the whispers about his son’s widespread reputation “being a ctastrophy for his spouse .” Duke Shang was clearly pleased with Du Jingyi. So, when Du Jingyi knelt and offered him tea by saying , “Father , have some tea,” he readily accepted it with a wide grin .
He also added, “It’s quite an unexpected event today, but I must give you a meeting gift. I’ll send someone to Xitang Courtyard later with it . I hope you and your husband will be safe and happy in the future and grow old together.” His gentle smile reminded Du Jingyi of her own father, and she responded him with a graceful, gentle smile. “Thank you, father-in-law.”
With the father-in-law being served, the next cup would naturally be for the mother-in-law. Madam Wei who sat primly, eagerly awaite for her turn. However, Du Jingyi simply rose after offering the tea to her father-in-law and stood half a step behind Shang Ji, showing no intention of kneeling again. Madam Wei’s smile faltered as she heard Shang Ji’s dispassionate voice next . “My mother passed away many years ago. So it’s best for my wife to offer this cup of tea to her mother’s tablet. This son will take her to the ancestral hall later.”
His words instantly changed everyone’s expressions. The three old ladies, who usually benefited greatly from Madam Wei, now, fueled by old and new grudges, were no longer afraid of offending Shang Ji. And on of them even spoke with a stern face, “How can you be so disrespectful to Madam Wei? No matter what, she is the legitimate head lady in the mansion and also your mother by law .”
Duke Shang’s expression grew complicated hearing the retort . He frowned, looking at his son, whose face was etched in a resolute line, sensing something was amiss. But seeing his son’s slightly pursed lips and dismissive attitude, Duke Shang finally sighed in compromise. “Alright, remember to put incense sticks for your mother and eldest brother, so they can know you have a family now, and they can also be happy.”
“Mm,” Shang Ji replied.
At this comment , Madam Wei, despite her displeasure, had no choice but to retract her stance . She then feigned virtue and said with a smile, “That’s right, sister has been waiting for this cup of mother-in-law’s tea for many years. The ones she drank in the past… not to mention them, were all unlucky people, but you are from a prosperous family.” She removed a fine jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Mama Jiao. Holding the bracelet, Grandma Jiao approached Du Jingyi, offering it respectfully to her . “Although this greeting gift comes a little late, it is still from my heart, so please accept it.”
Shang Ji made her disgusted , and she, in turn, made DuJingyi disgusted . Her words, though seemingly regretful, were a stark reminder to Du Jingyi: “Don’t think that your noble status makes you anything more than a step-mother like myself.” Du Jingyi sneered inwardly understanding the jab , yet her expression remained perfectly composed.
Just as she was about to reach out, hurried footsteps sounded outside. And when Steward He burst in, his face beaming, announcing loudly, “Sir, someone from the palace is here, saying they want to announce an imperial edict!”
Hearing this the hall erupted in excitement. Everyone knew instantly that this must be an imperial reward for Shang Ji. In previous years, when the old Duke of Shang was alive, he had received numerous imperial awards for his military achievements. The entire Duke’s mansion had basked in glory then; though much of the money went to public accounts, the pockets of the third household and fidth household family members also grew considerably. It was a pity that since Shang Yukuan inherited the Duke’s position, such good fortune had ceased. He was neither skilled in writing nor military, merely holding a sinecure in court due to his ancestor’s glory . Without the protection of his prestigious ducal title, the Duke’s mansion might have faded into oblivion in Sui’an City.
But now, with Shang Ji’s influence, it seemed the entire Duke’s mansion would once again become prominent in the imperial court. They were naturally overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear at the thought of their former prosperity returning.
Grand Duke Shang Yukuan was the first to rise after the arrival of this news , straightening his clothes. He looked at Shang Ji with a mixture of excitement and pride. “Let’s go and receive the imperial edict.”
“Yes ,” Shang Ji replied curtely .
Madam Wei followed closely behind them . Her family was facing financial difficulties, and this sum of money, once in the treasury, would solve many urgent needs for her natal family . So, her happiness was genuine. Everyone from the third and fifth household in the main hall also perked up, as if the imperial edict had been personally bestowed upon them, and they exited with equal enthusiasm. Especially the older generation ; they walked faster than anyone else. To an outsider, one wouldn’t know that these were the men who complained daily about their infirmities and relied on precious medicinal herbs to sustain .
In contrast, Du Jingyi and her direct in-laws lagged behind. which consist of One widowed sister-in-law with a nephew belong to late big brother Shang , and an unmarried sister-in-law. Their eyes held a mixture of happiness for Shang Ji and a touch of worry. Such overwhelming wealth often came with complications. Du Jingyi hadn’t had much contact with them before, but they all resided in the same mansion , making it difficult to avoid the eventual meetup . So, she stepped forward and offerd a way, “Sister-in-law, please.”
Liu shi , who had been widowed for ten years, felt as if she were in a different world upon hearing these respectful words. She was stunned for a moment before responding, “Thank you Yung madam ” After that, she pulled her son beside her, glanced at her sister-in-law again, and walked out of the house with Du Jingyi.
By the time they arrived at the main courtyard, a crowd had already gathered around the palace eunuch . The leaders were naturally Duke Shang and Shang Ji. Beside the father and son stood Madam Wei and her own children . As for the four “old people ” from the third and fifth household , they knelt neatly behind Duke Shang and his son. Du Jingyi and Mrs. Gu’s direct descendants, however, had been relegated to a lesser position within the Duke’s mansion.
Shang Ji looked back and saw his wife, with his widowed sister-in-law,and his young nephew, and his sister. He then glanced at the irritating people behind him. He immediately instructed his aid Luo Yuan, “Go and invite my sister-in-law and madam up her .”
“Yes.” Luo Yuan hearing the order took long strides towards the end , reaching the group in few steps, and then made a respectful gesture of invitation to the front . Du Jingyi remained calm hearing the words , but the three, including sister-in-law Liu, were a little embarrassed. They hadn’t experienced such a situation in a long time and were unsure whether they should accept this offer or not . Seeing their hesitation, Du Jingyi whispered in sister-in-law Liu’s ear, “The general said that he honored you like his own mother, so don’t worry about anything else , sister-in-law, and let’s just go to the front .” to recive the glory with the general.