Chapter 57

Chapter 57

The bedchamber was dim. The person lying on the inner side of the bed had turned her back. Lu Shenru gazed at her silently for a long moment, his thoughts drifting back to that year at Mian Tower.

This moment mirrored that one.

Outside Mian Tower that day, the air was hot and heavy, the treetops utterly still. Relentless cicada chirps grated on their ears.

The sky outside had completely darkened. She hadn’t come upstairs, only instructing Qiu Lin to fetch all her usual scholar's implements. She waited downstairs, intending to leave as soon as she had her things.

But he intercepted her at the moon gate in the backyard.

The courtyard was deserted at night, and he couldn’t risk exposure, lest he bring trouble to the Du family.

He could only hide in the shadows of the corner.

His wounds, not yet healed, throbbed faintly from the hasty movement.

"Could the young lady spare me a few words?"

No matter what happened afterward, he owed it to her to speak his mind.

Yet she refused to even glance at him, her face turned away. She stood silvered by moonlight, separated by worlds from his shadowed corner.

"I care not to know who you are, nor what you have to say to me."

Her voice was low, icy.

"All I know is that we should never meet again."

With that, she turned decisively and walked away through the moon gate, leaving him without a chance to utter a single word in return...

Years had passed in the blink of an eye. The cold moonlight outside the bed-curtain now was no different from the moonlight that had fallen upon her that night.

Lu Shenru closed his eyes silently, lying still, unsure whether he had fallen asleep or not.

After some time, she suddenly turned over and sat up.

The man awoke instantly.

With the underfloor heating on, the room had grown somewhat dry.

She wanted water, sitting up hazy with slumber.

Without a word, Lu Shenru got out of bed, poured her a cup, and handed it to her.

Bleary-eyed, she took it and sipped half the cup.

Seeing she didn’t want more, he took the cup from her hand.

Still muddled with sleep, she sat on the inner side of the bed, moonlight spilling onto the floor and reflecting softly on her profile.

For a moment, it was no different from the many days since their marriage, as if the chasm between them had never existed.

Before he realized, Lu Shenru reached out and took her hand.

Her fingers were warm and slightly clammy from the bedding, delicate and soft in his grasp.

But the next instant, she startled alert.

Her eyes snapped open, meeting his, and she immediately withdrew her hand from his hold.

Moonlight turned to ice on the stone floor.

She turned her back to him again, ignoring him entirely.

Lu Shenru closed his eyes as well, saying nothing, pressing his lips together as he lay back down.

...

The next day, before dawn, the man rose early as usual, preparing for morning court.

He glanced back at his wife still asleep in bed and, not wishing to disturb her, changed his clothes and stepped outside.

Chong Ping was waiting for him and approached first to report two matters.

The man listened, nodded, and gave a few instructions before recalling something.

"The metropolitan examination is over," he said, his expression darkening as he thought of Jiang Sixth Master. "It’s time to drive certain people out of the capital."

He continued, "As for the Jiang family in the future—"

But before he could finish, the door was suddenly flung open.

She stood at the threshold, clad only in a thin underrobe, her hair loose over her shoulders, her eyes lifting to meet his.

"What are you going to do to the Jiang family?!"

The night wind still carried the sharp chill of winter, yet there she stood, barely dressed.

Chong Ping startled, quickly lowering his gaze and turning away.

Lu Shenru’s eyes, however, seared into her.

"Go back inside."

But from the corner of his eye, Chong Ping saw the lady remain unmoving, refusing to retreat, silently locking eyes with the marquis.

The night wind in the courtyard seemed to howl violently in that instant. Chong Ping could almost feel the marquis’s oppressive aura bearing down.

He wanted to say something to mediate, but the man had already cast off his cloak, wrapped it around his wife, and carried her straight back into the room.

The warmth inside was swiftly replaced by the cold draft from the open door.

"What did I say?!" Lu Shenru bit out each word as he addressed his wife.

Du Lingjing’s lashes trembled. "Harm not the Jiang family."

Eight words, driven like nails into the man’s ears.

His gaze pinned her in place, his voice low and hoarse with barely restrained emotion.

"The Jiang family is as precious to you as your own eyes. How dare I lay a finger on them?!"

The retort hung suspended. Their eyes locked, and the room fell into a grave silence.

Outside the window, Chong Ping couldn’t help but interject urgently.

"My liege! My lady..."

In the room, Du Lingjing's eyes welled up.

Lu Shenru stood up abruptly and turned to leave.

...

For two consecutive days, the spring blossoms gradually unfurled across the capital, yet the marquis's estate remained frozen in the depths of winter.

On this day, when Lu Shenru returned from outside, he spotted Shopkeeper Zhao.

Shopkeeper Zhao had brought a stack of books and a bundle of letters for Ruan Gong, evidently having just come from the Returning Woods Tower.

Confined to the estate, she could only have Shopkeeper Zhao visit every other day.

At the moment, Shopkeeper Zhao was speaking to Ruan Gong.

"The metropolitan examination is over, but the results won’t be announced for another month or so. The exam candidates have already started gathering at the Returning Woods Tower."

He spoke of these scholars and mentioned how many had long wished to meet the owner of the book tower. Some had purchased the Du compilation of model essays, which had proven useful in the exam.

"They wish to thank the lady in person. Others raise prices for books, yet she not only refrains from doing so but even lowers them. Impoverished scholars all praise the Du family. But since the lady doesn’t go to the Returning Woods Tower, they refuse to come to the marquis’s estate either."

They were grateful to the Du family, not to the Marquis of Yongding’s household, for civil and military officials had always been at odds. Lu Shenru’s reputation among scholars was particularly poor, and even his rescue of the Fu Party had done little to quickly change their opinion of him.

The scholars counted it lucky if they didn’t outright condemn him as a scheming courtier—naturally, they wouldn’t visit his estate.

What they lamented most was how the Emperor could have given the Du daughter to him in marriage.

Shopkeeper Zhao had no choice but to suggest that those who wished to express their gratitude could write letters, which he would then deliver to the lady at the marquis’s estate.

Now, Shopkeeper Zhao handed a thick stack of letters to Ruan Gong and took the opportunity to ask,

"How is my lady?"

Ruan Gong gave no direct answer, only saying,

"The lady hardly speaks from morning till night these days. She passes most days in the western wing, editing texts, never venturing out into the main courtyard."

Shopkeeper Zhao heaved a long sigh.

Lu Shenru stood behind the wall, the shadows of the trees making his dark brocade robes appear even darker. His gaze pierced through the layers of courtyard walls, lingering distantly on the main courtyard.

But the next moment, the man turned and called to Chong'an, "Come here."

Chong'an hurried forward. "Your command, my lord?"

*

---

Main Courtyard, Western Wing

Ai Ye brought in tea and snacks, noticing that the lady had spent another half-day editing texts. Restricted to the estate, her progress was swift, but her eyes had been reddened lately.

Unable to hold back, Ai Ye said, "My lady, why not take a stroll? Perhaps to the Book-Washing Pavilion? The view from there is wide and open—it would soothe your eyes."

The Book-Washing Pavilion was a fine spot, especially in spring when the flowers bloomed, providing beautiful views both inside and outside the estate.

But Du Lingjing shook her head, showing no interest.

Ai Ye opened her mouth to persuade her again when Qiu Lin returned.

As soon as she entered, she said, "My lady, you'll never guess who's come!"

Du Lingjing looked up.

Since the marquis forbade her from leaving and few outsiders could enter, who else could it be but Shopkeeper Zhao?

To her surprise, Qiu Lin announced, "My lady, Princess Nianjia is here!"

"Nianjia?"

Du Lingjing rose to her feet. She hadn’t responded to Nianjia’s summons—she hadn’t known what to say. Now she asked,

"Where is Nianjia?"

Qiu Lin had only just received the news.

The princess might have been invited by the marquis. Qiu Lin replied, "The princess has arrived at the outer courtyard, but a message came that she will come to see you shortly!"

...

Outer Courtyard

Lu Shenru asked after Wei Cong’s recent condition.

Princess Nianjia had returned to the capital with her husband, the Heir Apparent of Count Zhongqing, Wei Cong, to recuperate.

Lu Shenru had previously visited the Earl Zhongqing’s residence to see Wei Cong.

His surface wounds were not too severe, but his internal damage was said to be severe, prompting their swift return to the capital.

Yet, in their brief exchange, Lu Shenru sensed there was another reason behind Wei Cong’s return.

However, with many visitors at the time, their conversation had been cut short.

Wei Cong was a taciturn and steady man. Seeing that he was in no hurry, Lu Shenru decided to wait patiently.

Now, he asked Princess Nianjia a few questions about Wei Cong’s condition.

The princess was strikingly beautiful, dripping with jewels that accentuated her royal bearing. Every gesture exuded the dignity of an imperial princess, demanding respect from all.

Were it not for her long-standing friendship with Jing, few would believe the two were so close.

Princess Nianjia briefly described her husband’s condition before changing the subject.

"Why hasn't Jing come to welcome me? And why hasn’t she responded to my summons to Prince Yu's estate?"

These were difficult questions to answer.

Lu Shenru only said, "The marquis’s estate serves just as well."

Nianjia gave him a look—he was being deliberately evasive. She snorted lightly.

How peculiar.

How could someone as gentle and serene as Jing have been married off to him?

If only Third Brother Jiang's health hadn't failed. Still, with Jing in the capital rather than Qingzhou, they now had more opportunities to meet.

Lu Shenru instructed Chong'an to take her through.

Upon hearing the news, Du Lingjing changed her attire and was now heading toward the courtyard gate. She had barely taken a few steps when she caught sight of the approaching figure.

The visitor wore a willow-yellow jacket embroidered with gold thread, her hair adorned with hairpins that swayed, their sparkle mirrored the sunlight, lifting the mood just by looking at her.

"Jing!"

"Princess..."

It had been so long since they last met. The moment they saw each other, they grabbed each other’s hands, skipping formalities.

The princess, usually so poised, upon seeing her childhood friend, clutched her hand, refusing to release it.

"It’s wonderful that you’re in the capital too! You have no idea how bored I’ve been these past few years in Xi’an!"

Her dramatics were such that Du Lingjing couldn’t help but laugh. The maids beside them also covered their mouths to hide laughter.

NianJia, realizing how overly excited she sounded, cleared her throat, embarrassed.

"Indeed, these past few years, I have been overseeing welfare inspections in Shaanxi Province on behalf of His Majesty and Her Majesty in the palace."

She tried to regain some of her royal composure, attempting to recover her regal air as an imperial princess.

Du Lingjing found it even more amusing but played along.

"As you say, Princess."

She then led her toward the main courtyard.

However, a steward approached and said, "Madam, the Marquis has ordered the Mingqin Pavilion by the lake in the rear garden to be prepared. Would you and Her Highness care to enjoy tea and the scenery there?"

The Mingqin Pavilion stood by the water’s edge, and at this time of year, the spring breeze was delightful, making it the perfect spot to admire the view.

But Du Lingjing had no desire to oblige him.

NianJia, unaware of the underlying tension, simply said, "I’ve rarely visited the Marquis of Yongding’s residence. Now that you’re the mistress of the household, take me for a tour!"

Du Lingjing would never claim to be its mistress—she was more like a prisoner.

Yet, she couldn’t bear to dampen NianJia’s enthusiasm, so she finally stepped out of the main courtyard with her and headed toward the rear garden.

But they hadn't gone far from the main courtyard when they spotted a man standing beneath a tree at the crossroads ahead.

He wasn’t standing in the bright sunlight but lurked in the shadows beneath the tree. His gaze, half-lowered, swept past the others and fixed silently on her.

Du Lingjing hesitated but then averted her eyes.

The man remained silent, so it was NianJia who spoke first.

"Oh? Marquis Lu, too busy for anyone, actually has time to join us for tea in the rear garden?"

Du Lingjing felt his gaze brush across her face from afar.

His voice was unusually quiet.

"I won’t be joining. Your Highness, please enjoy yourselves."

Though he was responding to NianJia, his eyes kept drifting back to the woman beside her. NianJia blinked.

Something’s off between them...

But the man soon turned and walked away, and they made their way to the prepared Mingqin Pavilion.

The windows were open, and the spring air wafted with blossoms inside.

"Jing, doesn’t this remind you of our days in the palace?"

Du Lingjing poured tea herself and handed her a cup.

She nodded. "Back then, the late Empress Dowager and Imperial Dowager Consort would also take us to the waterside for tea and scenery."

Memories surged forth, and NianJia immediately launched into a torrent of stories, recounting their past adventures in the palace as if they had happened yesterday.

Du Lingjing’s thoughts got swept up in nostalgia. The capital back then seemed entirely different from the city before her now.

NianJia had always been this chatty, but back then, Du Lingjing recalled, every other sentence out of her mouth would inevitably mention Wei Jue.

Though she had only met Wei Jue a handful of times, thanks to NianJia, she knew him well by proxy, the current Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Yet now, as NianJia reminisced about their days in the palace, she spoke at length—but not once did she mention Wei Jue.

It was as if the person she had once been closest to had never existed in her life.

Du Lingjing felt an indescribable pang of melancholy.

Back then, everyone had assumed NianJia would marry him—even the late Empress Dowager had playfully nudged her about it, while Imperial Dowager Consort Jiang had not objected.

But when they grew up and reached the time to marry, Du Lingjing, far away in Qingzhou, heard that NianJia had instead married Wei Jue’s cousin, the Heir Apparent of Count Zhongqing, Wei Cong.

It wasn’t an imperial decree forced upon them—both families had agreed and together petitioned the Emperor for the union.

Some said that since Wei Jue was the Emperor’s cousin on his mother’s side and NianJia his niece, the gap in rank after the Emperor’s ascension made the match unsuitable.

Others claimed that Wei Jue’s family, originally a branch of the Earl Zhongqing’s household, had risen in status when his father was enfeoffed as Count of Xin Yun after the Emperor’s enthronement. His mother, Lady Protector, allegedly disdained NianJia, a fatherless girl with no connections, deeming her no help to Wei Jue’s future career.

There were even rumors that NianJia had been torn between the two Wei brothers, and Wei Jue had simply cut ties.

The truth, Du Lingjing still didn’t know.

All she knew was that Wei Jue remained unmarried to this day, much to his mother’s frustration, Lady Protector.

NianJia didn’t mention Wei Jue at all—instead, she spoke of her current husband, Wei Cong.

The heir had long been stationed at the northwestern frontier, first in the even more remote Shaanxi Regional Military Commission, then transferred to Ningxia by Lu Shenru due to the Yang family’s incident involving the Earl of Rongchang.

"The heir was truly badly wounded this time. When I saw him lying there with his eyes closed, I thought I was about to become a widow!"

They had been married for three years without children.

Du Lingjing chided her for speaking so carelessly, but NianJia paid no mind.

"Thankfully, he pulled through alive! This return to the capital for recuperation is a good chance to have the imperial physicians give him proper care."

She sulked.

"It’s all Lu Shenru’s fault! The heir was doing just fine in Gansu. When the Yang family’s incident happened, the Earl of Rongchang should’ve stepped up. Instead, he had to transfer the heir to Ningxia! Before he could even get his bearings, the Tatars ambushed him—what sheer bad luck!"

She made no effort to hide her anger with Lu Shenru.

Du Lingjing couldn't help but sigh softly upon hearing this.

NianJia, however, said, "Jing, why are you sighing? What Lu Shenru did has nothing to do with you."

As she spoke, she suddenly asked, "What? Do you actually care about him?"

Recalling the strange dynamic between the two, NianJia blinked inquisitively.

But Du Lingjing shook her head.

Seeing her reluctance to elaborate, NianJia remarked,

"I suppose so. You’ve only been married for half a year. Even after three years with the heir apparent, I’m not that familiar with him either."

She mentioned that while Wei Cong was stationed at the border in Gansu, their married home was set up in Xi’an city.

She said, "The high-ranking families in Xi'an are insufferably boring. They fawn over me one moment and fear I'll look down on them the next, making interactions extremely uncomfortable. And none of the people from the Qin Manor's crowd can I get along with. It was novel at first, but later, I got so bored I wanted to go to Gansu."

Du Lingjing asked her, "Why didn’t you go to Gansu to find the heir apparent?"

"Because that place is terrifying with its sandstorms, and the Tatars are causing trouble. I didn’t want to deal with all that sand, and he didn’t say anything about it either."

Yet in three years of marriage, they had met only a handful of times. Still, NianJia didn’t seem to hold any dissatisfaction toward her husband.

NianJia merely complained about having climbed every mountain in Shaanxi out of boredom. "It was so dull! Now I’m finally back in the capital!"

She asked Du Lingjing, "Have you met any old friends since returning to the capital?"

Du Lingjing smiled and nodded, mentioning the Hu siblings. NianJia had also heard about Shao Boju’s situation and tutted. "That title of his was more curse than blessing—it just wrecked his future."

Du Lingjing felt the same. She mentioned catching up with some old friends from the Fu Party, whom NianJia didn’t recognize. But after a glance at her, Du Lingjing added,

"Commander Wei also returned to the capital after the New Year. Hearing of my marriage, he sent four Song Dynasty rare books as a lavish wedding gift."

Wei Jue had just returned to the capital as well. With both NianJia and him in the city, their paths were bound to cross eventually.

At this mention, Du Lingjing noticed a subtle tremor in NianJia’s eyes.

The normally vivacious princess now visibly dimmed, her tone light but devoid of her earlier excitement as she said flatly,

"Oh. I haven’t heard anything about him in years."