Chapter 47

Chapter 47

The New Year's palace banquet was set in the Western Garden beside Taiye Lake, on the west side of the imperial city.

The Yongding Marquisate's estate was located in the Jiqing Ward outside the Xi'an Gate on the western side of the imperial city, separated merely by the city moat.

While others might have to circle half the city to attend, Du Lingjing, walking with the Marquis, merely had to step outside their gates and arrived directly at the palace entrance.

Thus, he was in no hurry. He mentioned to her that the Taiye Lake had frozen over, and arriving early would just mean braving the icy winds.

"You've just recovered from an illness. If you catch another chill, it'll be miserable. Let's wait until everyone else has arrived before we go."

As promised, he sent someone to check and only had Qiu Lin wrap her in a heavy cloak when they heard that the Dowager of Grand Secretary Dou's household, already frail with advanced age, had arrived trembling. Then, he escorted her to the imperial city.

Du Lingjing had been here before, but back then, she was just a young girl in her early teens, accompanying her father to a palace banquet. As a child, only other girls her age noticed her.

This time, however, was different. The moment she and the Marquis arrived outside the banquet hall by the Taiye Lake, eyes from around the lakeside one by one turned their way.

This was the first banquet Marchioness Lu had attended since marrying the Marquis.

While the Marchioness had received invitations before, it was only natural for her first appearance at such a grand event as the New Year's palace banquet.

Yet, precisely because she had never attended any other gatherings, many in the capital had never seen this Marchioness who had suddenly arrived from Qingzhou and, through an unexpected imperial decree, married the most prominent and powerful nobleman in the capital—Marquis Lu.

Now, everyone studied her intently. She wore an amber cloak lined with snow fox fur, with an autumn-colored high-collared jacket adorned in delicate gold-thread embroidery. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but under sunlight, the dark floral patterns gleamed faintly, like the glistening ice on Taiye Lake under the sun.

Beneath the jacket, she wore a tea-colored skirt, lending dignity to her elegance.

Her long, delicate brows and lightly veiling lashes framed serene eyes. Her every movement was precise and graceful, exuding a profound scholar's refinement.

She was the most prominent Marchioness Lu in the capital, the only daughter of Grand Secretary Du, who had risen to prominence under the late emperor, and was respected in scholarly circles—qualities many noblewomen of distinguished lineage lacked.

Now, everyone surreptitiously observed her every move, though she remained composed. Seeing the women gathered in the western garden, separate from the men, and noticing someone approaching the Marquis to exchange greetings, she whispered briefly to him before turning toward the western side.

Yet, the moment she took a step, the Marquis turned back.

He gestured for the approaching guest to wait and turned to give his Marchioness a few instructions.

Some overheard Marquis Lu's voice—deep and slightly rough, as usual. Unlike other men who might instruct their brides on proper conduct, he first pointed to the frozen lake, warning her not to venture onto the ice. He then mentioned that the stretch beneath the willow trees by the shore was especially windswept and advised her to avoid it, suggesting instead a walk through the plum orchard on the other side.

She nodded to each point, but the Marquis appeared loath to let her leave. Softly, he added, "If anything troubles you, have someone fetch me. I'll be on the other side."

"I understand," she finally replied.

The man then called to her maid, "Qiu Lin, look after your lady well."

"Yes."

Only then was she able to turn away. The Marquis watched her leave before returning to his conversation.

Those who witnessed the exchange between Marquis Lu and his Marchioness couldn't help but muse.

Du Lingjing hadn't gone far when the Jing'an heir's wife approached with several young noblewomen to speak with her.

The old Marquis of Jing'an had been lifelong friends, if quarrelsome ones, of the late Marquis Lu. Despite their bickering, the two families had always supported each other, maintaining a close bond.

Du Lingjing heard monthly household reports mentioning the Jing'an Marquis's family. However, even the heir's wife belonged to her aunts' generation, while the younger noblewomen were closer to her age.

With the Jing'an Marquis's family leading the way, other noblewomen from families aligned with the Yongding Marquisate gradually stepped forward to greet Marchioness Lu.

While Du Lingjing remained composed, Qiu Lin beside her was in a state of nervous vigilance.

So many ladies, madams, and young misses—from this family and that household—she struggled to keep track, sweating nervously for fear of mixing them up.

Only when the crowd finally dispersed, and Du Lingjing, having circled through the plum orchard, was ushered into the banquet hall, did Qiu Lin finally relax.

"My lady, I think I only remembered half of them."

With so many people, remembering even half was commendable.

Du Lingjing reassured her, "Don't worry. I remember them all."

Qiu Lin exhaled deeply, suddenly recalling that her mistress had read countless books and retained everything—how could a roomful of people daunt her?

Seated in the banquet hall were the aged dowagers and matriarchs of various households.

Though Du Lingjing was neither elderly nor highly ranked by seniority, the Marquis's status was so exalted that palace attendants led her directly to the foremost seats, just below the imperial family, directly facing the Dowager of Grand Secretary Dou's household.

Even Du Lingjing couldn't help flushing slightly under the collective gaze.

Just then, someone strode into the hall from the eastern side.

The moment he entered, his gaze found her across the room, and he smiled faintly at her.

For some reason, Du Lingjing felt as though he had noticed her nervousness—the light perspiration on her skin.

Was he laughing at her?

She shot him a silent glance, only for his smile to deepen as he, too, was escorted forward. She turned away, ignoring him.

As the hour grew late, the hall gradually filled with guests awaiting the arrival of the Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Consort.

Madam Wan had spent recent days worrying that the Emperor might exclude her from the New Year's banquet. But in the end, in deference to her late sister Consort Wan, he permitted her attendance.

Relieved, Madam Wan had been at ease for days. Yet now, seated in an inconspicuous spot with few approaching her, she watched as the Du girl entered and was escorted to the front, directly opposite the Dou family's Dowager.

For a moment, Madam Wan was dazed—then she remembered: this was no longer that orphaned Du girl, but Marchioness Lu of the Marquis of Yongding.

A storm of emotions welled up inside her, but she held her tongue, silently studying the Marchioness's back for a long while.

Another nearly missed the banquet.

With the Earl of Rongchang's household embroiled in a murder case, Yang Jinyu's mother, the Countess of Rongchang, was naturally not invited. Fortunately, married daughters were not implicated. Though her mother-in-law had no desire to bring her, as the wife of the Wei Ducal Mansion's heir, propriety demanded her presence.

The Wei Ducal Mansion and the Marquis of Yongding's household were not close. In fact, since its founding, the once-glorious ducal mansion had declined, now overshadowed by the Marquis's rising power.

Yet, with the Marquis's influence, the Wei family's younger generation could only rely on his favor to earn military merits and restore their standing.

Initially, the Wei Ducal Mansion had hoped to marry their heir to the Lu family's eldest daughter, Lu Huairu.

But Lu Huairu's destiny, foretold by multiple monks and diviners, was to become Empress. Back then, several of the late Emperor's younger princes had sought her hand—how could the Wei family compete? They had no choice but to settle for Yang Jinyu.

They had married her, counting on the long-standing friendship between the Earl of Rongchang's family and the Marquis of Yongding's household to secure the Lu family's favor.

Yet when her two younger brothers faced trouble, the Lu family had turned away.

Since then, her in-laws' attitudes had shifted entirely. Even her husband hadn't visited her chambers in half a month...

The mere thought tightened Yang Jinyu's chest.

She silently observed the Marchioness Lu who had seated at the head of the hall.

However, as Du Lingjing grew accustomed to the numerous gazes directed at her, she gradually adjusted to the attention. Soon, the Emperor entered the banquet hall accompanied by the Empress, the Imperial Noble Consort, and other imperial concubines.

Du Lingjing observed that the Imperial Noble Consort appeared unchanged from several months prior, with little variation.

The Emperor, on the other hand, appeared somewhat unwell—pallid and listless—having reportedly fallen ill after being exposed to the sickness spread by court officials a few days earlier.

As for the Empress, this was Du Lingjing’s first time seeing her. It was said that the death of the Crown Prince had left her so grief-stricken that she nearly followed him in death. Since then, her health had never fully recovered, and she seldom appeared in public—only three times a year at most. This year, she had only been seen twice: once during her own birthday celebration and now at this palace banquet.

Her relationship with the Imperial Noble Consort was evidently tense. While the Imperial Noble Consort maintained proper decorum, the Empress wouldn’t even look at her.

Du Lingjing thought privately that the Lu faction and Prince Hui’s supporters were likely waiting for the Empress to pass away. Only then could the Imperial Noble Consort become Empress, and Prince Hui would become the unquestioned legitimate heir to the throne.

However, the Emperor seemed to hold lingering affection for the Empress as his first wife, always ensuring imperial physicians carefully tended to her health. Even now, while he himself was unwell, he still instructed attendants to place a warming brazier at the Empress’s feet for warmth.

Yet the Empress remained unresponsive. Shortly after the banquet reached its midpoint, she took her leave on account of poor health, having already received the festive greetings from the attendees.

The Emperor sighed.

As the Imperial Noble Consort’s sister-in-law, Du Lingjing remained cautious and reserved, keeping her eyes and thoughts to herself.

After a while, the Emperor gave a festive toast, encouraging harmony between ruler and subjects, before also stepping away briefly.

With the highest-ranking figures gone, the atmosphere below gradually became more animated.

The Imperial Noble Consort spoke briefly with Du Lingjing before temporarily leaving as well. Others then approached to make conversation, and though Du Lingjing summoned her energy to converse for a while, she eventually grew weary.

Just as she sipped tea to compose herself, she felt familiar eyes on her.

She looked up and locked eyes with him.

From afar, he mouthed to her, *"Tired? Go change and rest for a while."*

Though his voice did not carry, she could always read his lips.

*"Alright,"* she replied.

His expression softened, and he gave a slight nod, urging her to take her leave.

Taking advantage of the moment when no one else approached, she turned and made her way toward the guest quarters reserved for attendees to change attire.

Many other ladies, familiar with one another, had already retired to the side chambers of these courtyards for private conversation. If Du Lingjing could find an empty room in a quiet courtyard, she might even take a short nap before returning to the banquet refreshed.

Yet she had hardly left the banquet hall when someone stopped her on the path.

It was the wife of the Duke of Wei’s heir—Miss Yang, Yang Jinyu.

Upon seeing her, Du Lingjing merely nodded without speaking, signaling she had no desire for further conversation.

But Miss Yang did not retreat. Instead, she took a step forward.

*"Marchioness, please stay a moment. Jinyu has something to discuss with you."*

Her tone was deferential, unlike the irritation and disdain she had displayed during their chance encounter on the street the other day.

The drastic shift in attitude was so apparent that even Qiu Lin noticed, warningly tugged her sleeve.

Du Lingjing understood the situation well—and knew the Marquis would not want her to engage with Miss Yang.

*"Today is a palace banquet,"* she replied. *"Whatever matter the heir’s wife wishes to discuss can wait until later."*

*"Later"* effectively meant *"never."*

Yang Jinyu, irritated by the dismissal, watched as Du Lingjing tried to step past her and the attendant behind her. She shifted to block her way completely.

*"Marchioness, this matter is urgent. It cannot wait."*

She was determined not to let Du Lingjing leave. With a silent sigh, Du Lingjing relented.

*"Then speak, heir’s wife."*

Yang Jinyu scanned her calm expression, disconcerted by the lack of impatience or anger despite her forceful obstruction. Still, she pressed on.

*"The Marchioness must already know why I’ve come. I’ve heard that the Marquis is currently supporting the Remonstrating Ministers behind you, securing their reinstatement to court. While we understand the Marquis is working to advance Prince Hui, since he has recruited the entire Fu faction associated with you, should he not also consider those of us who have long stood by him? My two younger brothers face execution."*

Though she framed it as a plea to save her brothers, the underlying implication was clear—Lu Shenru was focused solely on recruiting the Fu Party, prioritizing them over old allies to strengthen his faction.

Du Lingjing was aware of his efforts to reintegrate the Fu Party into court.

If he needed capable officials, why would he overlook such allies?

Did Miss Yang truly believe she would interfere with his decisions?

She met Yang Jinyu’s gaze. *"I’m afraid I have no influence over your brothers’ case. The heir’s wife should seek assistance elsewhere."*

But Yang Jinyu persisted. *"How could the Marchioness lack influence? The Marquis values you so highly—he went so far as to personally petition the Emperor directly for your marriage. Would he not value your words?"*

The plum blossom path was deserted, save for the wind sweeping in from the lake, rustling the half-bloomed buds on the branches.

Qiu Lin, listening nearby, was stunned.

Was Miss Yang suggesting that the Emperor’s decree for the Marquis and her mistress’s marriage was not incidental—nor the Emperor’s own design—but something the Marquis had deliberately sought?

Yet that was not how the Marquis had explained it to her mistress.

Her expression tightened as she glanced furtively at Du Lingjing.

Du Lingjing, however, remained silent, simply regarding Miss Yang.

Yang Jinyu’s unease deepened. In truth, she had no concrete knowledge of how the marriage had come about—she could hardly interrogate the Emperor or the Prince of Yan.

But if this Marchioness Lu believed the Marquis had intentionally pursued her, the implications would shift.

Hadn’t she still been attached to that provincial scholar, Jiang, and reluctant to marry?

Steeling herself, Yang Jinyu locked eyes with Du Lingjing.

*"I don’t know if the Marchioness is aware of this, but the Marquis had remained unmarried for years, never showing interest in any woman. There was no rumor in the capital this year of his intent to wed—until he suddenly married you."*

*"Naturally, the Marchioness is wise and accomplished, but more crucially, you are Grand Secretary Du’s daughter. Even after his passing, the Remonstrating Ministers still hold the Du family in esteem..."*

Yang Jinyu, heedless of the need for caution even within the imperial palace grounds, pressed on.

*"The Marquis sought to rally the Fu Party to his side, but they distrusted him. After the incident with Shao Boju, the Marquis immediately recognized an opportunity. By marrying you and then rescuing the Fu Party members under the guise of being the Du family’s son-in-law, he could secure their loyalty."*

She quickly added, *"Do not misunderstand, Marchioness—I am not saying the Marquis wed you solely to recruit the Remonstrating Ministers. What I mean is that you are indispensable to him. If the Marquis does not intervene in my brothers’ case, they are doomed. And you are the only one who can sway him!"*

With that, she prepared to bow deeply. *"I beg the Marchioness to speak favorably on their behalf!"*

Du Lingjing quickly caught her, and Qiu Lin hurried forward to help her up.

Miss Yang indeed fulfilled every courtesy of seeking favor, having her attendant matron bring forth a small box.

When opened, the box was overflowing with Dongzhu pearls.

"Please accept this, My Lady."

Of course, Du Lingjing refused. She had just protested the excessive formality when she noticed several more figures approaching along the path—unfortunately, it was the Dowager of Grand Secretary Dou’s household, accompanied by an entourage of scholar-officials' ladies.

With Grand Secretary Dou doggedly investigating the case against the Earl of Rongchang’s household, being overheard by them would only make things worse.

Du Lingjing immediately shoved the box of pearls back. Yang Jinyu, too, dared not speak further in front of the Dou family’s women. Having had her say, she made no further attempt to stop Du Lingjing as she prepared to leave.

The two parted ways.

Yang Jinyu and her attendant matron walked until they reached a secluded spot before stopping.

The matron was so nervous her palms were clammy with sweat. She whispered, "Madam, do you think Marchioness Lu will believe what you said—that the Marquis petitioned for the Emperor’s decree to compel the marriage for the sake of the Fu Party?"

Yang Jinyu wasn’t sure either.

She had mulled this over for days. Back then, it was obvious to all in the capital that the Marchioness had been unwilling to marry. If she learned that the Marquis had forcibly wed her to rally the Remonstrating Ministers, she would surely clash with him.

But her preparations had been rushed, and she hadn’t yet managed to produce any plausible "evidence."

"She probably doesn’t believe me now, but if I can plant the seed of doubt first and later provide some proof, she should be convinced."

Yet this would take time, and while the Emperor might delay judgment in observance of the New Year, once the festivities ended, things would take a bad turn.

Anxious and unsettled, Yang Jinyu glanced from afar at Marchioness Lu’s face.

The wind sweeping across the Taiye Lake carried chill mist toward the pavilions and towers along the shore.

It was strong enough to make the leafless willows shiver bleakly in the breeze.

Qiu Lin’s heart was still racing after Miss Yang’s sudden claim that the Marquis had sought the Emperor’s decree to forcibly marry her mistress.

"Do you think it’s true, Marchioness?"

Miss Yang had spoken without proof. Though shocking at first, upon reflection, it seemed unlikely.

Yet when Qiu Lin voiced the question, her mistress replied calmly,

"I suspect it’s likely true—that the Marquis did beseech the Emperor for the marriage decree."

Qiu Lin drew a sharp breath, but her lady’s expression remained serene. The icy wind lifted the loose strands of hair at her forehead as she let her lashes fall.

Du Lingjing spoke softly, "That would explain much."

It explained why, after Shao Boju was suspected of murder and the Emperor clearly no longer wished to arrange a marriage for him, she—who should have been irrelevant—was suddenly issued an imperial decree to wed the Marquis.

It explained why he had set the wedding for the following month, rushing to bring her into his household and insisting on both name and reality in their union.

It explained why he had thrown open Guilin Tower's gates to collect books for her, making such a show that all knew of it.

It also explained why, when she had sought not to trouble him and taken her own people to Baoding, he had followed in haste—and grown angry over it...

And then, he had pulled out all stops to rescue the officials, escort them back to the capital, and prepare to employ them.

Shao Boju’s case became irrelevant. What truly mattered was ensuring the Fu Party served him.

For this goal, he had gone to the Emperor to marry her. Whether she was willing or not was irrelevant—bringing her home, using her as a bridge to forge ties with the Fu Party, was his true aim.

So many things she hadn’t understood now suddenly made sense.

Du Lingjing lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. "It must have tried his patience, indulging me again and again..."

Even going so far as to suggest they honor Third Son together.

"The Marquis has been extraordinarily patient."

Her voice was soft, and Qiu Lin’s heart lurched anxiously.

Instinctively, she felt the Marquis might not be as her mistress believed—but she couldn't find the words.

*

Yang Jinyu had circled to a spot not far from the willows by the lake. Staring intently at Du Lingjing’s face, she heard her attendant matron murmur,

"Madam, doesn’t the Marchioness seem... troubled?"

Indeed, she did. Yang Jinyu saw it too.

She watched as the bare willow branches brushed against Marchioness Lu’s sleeves. The wind was so strong—hadn’t the Marquis warned her earlier not to linger by the willows? Yet there she stood, head slightly bowed, her expression detached.

Yang Jinyu froze, then perked up. "She believes it?"

The matron thought the same. "It seems the Marchioness does! Madam, do you think she’ll confront the Marquis right at the palace banquet?"

Yang Jinyu’s pulse quickened. A public scene at the banquet seemed excessive, but if the Du woman truly caused a scene, the Marquis would surely become disenchanted with her—and the Fu Party—and remember the former allegiances with the noble military families.

Just then, a group descended from the high terrace. At the forefront was none other than Lu Shenru, the Marquis of Yongding.

Yang Jinyu spotted him instantly—and so did Marchioness Lu, who stood not far from the lakeside. Miss Yang’s heart hammered so hard she thought it might leap from her chest.

Would Du Lingjing storm right up and make a scene?

Her gaze locked onto Du Lingjing.

By the lake, Du Lingjing also turned and noticed the man passing nearby. But he was surrounded by people speaking to him and didn’t see her.

Qiu Lin’s heart tightened. Would her mistress seek him out immediately and demand an explanation?

She, too, watched her lady closely—only to see her cast a silent glance at the Marquis before turning away, showing no intention of confronting him.

Miss Yang, still observing from the shadows, was stunned.

"She believes it, doesn’t she? Why isn’t she reacting?"

She had hoped Marchioness Lu would make a scene—or at least give some reaction. But the woman by the lake remained strangely composed, her lips even turning up slightly in the faintest hint of a smile.

Once the Marquis had passed, she quietly followed him back to the feast pavilion.

Miss Yang felt a pang of frustration.

How... how was it that this Marchioness Lu upset her calculations at every turn?

*

Du Lingjing returned to her seat in the feast pavilion.

The hall was only half-full. Silently, she filled her cup with blossom-infused wine and drank in solitude.

Not far away, Marquis Lu was also exchanging toasts with others.

She quietly observed his commanding stature, standing out prominently among the crowd like a crane among hens or a towering peak rising from the ground.

She poured herself another cup of wine.

It wasn’t that she readily believed Miss Yang’s words, but rather—if this couldn’t explain it, then what could? She could never puzzle it out.

Aside from the books in Yimian Tower, which he clearly had no use for, all she had left was what remained of her father’s network.

If he hadn’t married her for those connections, if someone had told her that long before the imperial marriage decree during the Mid-Autumn Festival, long before she was still in Qingzhou, he had already decided to marry her—

Then step by step, lured her to the capital, sought the imperial decree for marriage, used Shao Boju’s proposal as a smokescreen, claimed he was compelled, and after marriage, revealed nothing, performing as the perfect husband until now—

That would be the most terrifying possibility.

After all, she had nothing. If he had meticulously planned every move without revealing a single flaw, what grand scheme could he be pursuing?

Compared to that horrifying and unfathomable scenario, Miss Yang’s explanation seemed far more plausible.

She lifted her wine cup and once again gazed at the tall and imposing figure of Marquis Lu among the crowd.

At only twenty-five, he had already firmly grasped the vast Yongding Army, secured his footing, dared to support the young prince, shouldering the responsibilities of both the Yongding Army and his sister and nephew in the court, while managing the factions gathered around him and outmaneuvering senior ministers like Grand Secretary Dou.

She had seen firsthand just how busy he was.

She was but a stepping stone for him to rally the Fu Party members, yet he had executed it flawlessly, even taking the time to patiently humor her.

He had done it all too well—so well that even she had briefly entertained the thought that, even if it wasn’t love at first sight as he claimed, perhaps he truly held some true regard for her.

But clearly, she had been mistaken.

How could a noble and powerful minister like Marquis Lu, who occupied the highest echelons of power, ever be entangled in sentimental entanglements?

The hall was thinly attended, emanating a quiet austerity.

She drank down another small cup of wine.

Perhaps noticing she had poured herself a few extra cups, a palace attendant brought her a fresh pot and poured the wine into her cup before offering it to her.

As soon as the wine was handed over, Du Lingjing caught the pungent aroma of green bamboo and fresh leaves.

Bamboo-leaf wine?

She inhaled deeply, drawing in the familiar scent of bamboo leaves in the wine, the aroma rushing straight into her nose. She threw back her head and drained the cup in one go.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted back to the man on the eastern side of the hall.

This was how it should be.

A powerful minister ought to be like this—ruthless in execution, exploiting every advantage.

As for sentimental matters...

In this world, aside from Sanlang, how could there possibly be anyone else who would give their undivided heart to her?