Chapter 61

Chapter 61

For any banquet, even a palace feast, he was invariably the last to arrive.

Today was no exception. Du Lingjing wore a plain, honey-colored *beizi* embroidered with orchids and silver-threaded pearl hair ornaments. After dressing, she sat by the window, leisurely reading for a while. Only when it was truly late did Grand Steward Zong send someone to relay the message:

"The Marquis bids the Marchioness to depart."

As Du Lingjing approached the carriage, she saw him standing beside it with hands clasped behind him, issuing instructions to someone.

Whether palace banquet or private gathering, he made others wait for him. But when it came to outings, he would always arrive several breaths early by the carriage, never making her wait.

Du Lingjing walked over. The moment her footsteps neared, he stopped speaking and turned to look at her.

His expression darkened almost instantly when he noticed she wasn’t wearing the coral hair ornaments he had sent her that morning.

Ignoring him, Du Lingjing went straight toward the carriage—this was her long-awaited outing.

Yet as she walked forward, he approached as well.

Normally, Qiu Lin or Ruan Gong would assist her into the carriage. But this time, before she could lift her foot, he offered his hand.

Tall and straight as a pine tree, he stood beside the carriage, waiting to assist her—no presence could have been more reassuring.

But Du Lingjing pointedly ignored his outstretched hand, pretending no one was there to help. She turned slightly, grasping the carriage frame to pull herself up.

The moment she bypassed him and climbed in on her own, she felt the man beside her tense.

All stood frozen. Only Chong Ping hurried forward.

Fearing the Marchioness might stumble and the Marquis’ patience might snap, he had no choice but to step in and assist her into the carriage himself.

Du Lingjing held no ill will toward Chong Ping. On the contrary, she often sympathized with his difficult position serving the Marquis with such caution.

When Chong Ping offered his hand, she obligingly accepted his assistance and stepped into the carriage.

Du Lingjing gave it no further thought, and Chong Ping dared not show any extra expression or movement.

But Chong An, standing nearby, held his breath in apprehension for his brother—

The Marquis’ expression was stormy, his gaze fixed on his brother’s wrist, where the Marchioness had briefly rested her hand.

Would his brother escape punishment for this?!

Chong Ping felt a chill of apprehension, but he had no choice but to gently remind, "Marquis, it’s getting late. Please mount up."

Marquis Lu’s eyes darkened further. With one last glance at the carriage, he finally swung into the saddle.

……

Du Lingjing, however, remained cheerful throughout the journey.

The day before, her elder brother Du Jicang had visited Clarification Lane. Uncle Wen had sent word that Brother Jicang was in high spirits—his examination essay had gone well. After the test, he discussed his answers with others and found his approach aligned perfectly with the chief examiner’s expectations.

He rewrote his essay and asked Mr. Liao, Lord Hong, and Hu Tinglan to review it. All three agreed that with such a composition, Du Jicang was certain to rank in the metropolitan examination.

With such confidence, though the results wouldn’t be announced for days, Brother Jicang couldn’t help but glow with pride.

If he succeeded, the Du family would no longer be led by her uncle Du Zhiqi, a mere *tongjinshi* (a third-tier graduate), but by a proper *jinshi* (a first-tier scholar), ushering in a new era for the family.

Moreover, Du Jicang’s ability to assess situations far surpassed her uncle’s.

However, Du Jicang had also spoken of Jiang Fengchuan’s prospects to Uncle Wen.

Sixth Brother’s essay took an unconventional approach, starkly different from Brother Jicang’s balanced and steady style. Yet his unique insights might still secure him a high ranking.

Regardless, the final results wouldn’t be known until the metropolitan examination rankings were posted later in the month.

As the carriage rumbled toward the Jing’an Marquis’ residence, they arrived to find most guests had already entered. Yet the household had kept attendants waiting specifically for Marquis Lu’s tardy arrival.

After brief greetings, he glanced at Du Lingjing, who ignored him and was escorted by attendants inside.

He quickly caught up, walking just behind her as they went to greet the Marchioness of Jing’an, the honoree.

The elderly lady sat regally on a specially crafted rosewood armchair. When she saw the couple arrive together, she smiled and acknowledged them with a nod.

Given her age, seniority, and the long-standing friendship between the Zhou and Lu families, she regarded Lu Shenru like a grandson, her eyes crinkling with warmth as she looked at him.

For once, Lu Shenru shed his usual arrogance, showing uncharacteristic humility and perfect decorum before her—so much so that Du Lingjing couldn’t resist glancing at him in surprise.

He had long prepared a birthday gift, which Chong Ping personally presented. The Marchioness accepted it with a smile and had her daughter-in-law present a return gift—not to him, but with a pair of pristine white jade bangles presented to Du Lingjing.

Though the bracelets couldn’t compare in value to Marquis Lu’s gift, a member of the Zhou family explained:

"These bracelets were part of our Dowager’s dowry when she married. By gifting them to the Marchioness today, their meaning requires no explanation—Marquis and Marchioness surely understand."

The Marquis and Marchioness of Jing’an had been married since youth, weathering life’s trials together into their seventies. These bracelets, worn on her wedding day, carried a meaning far beyond material worth.

Before Du Lingjing could speak, the Marquis beside her softened entirely. He spoke first:

"Thank you for this kindness."

Then he bowed deeply.

Du Lingjing hurriedly followed with her own thanks as the Marchioness’ daughter-in-law personally slipped the jade bracelets onto her wrists.

Her wrists were fair and delicate, carrying a hint of scholarly scent. Now adorned with the white jade, her entire presence seemed ethereal.

The elderly birthday celebrant smiled and nodded approvingly.

"It seems these bracelets were always meant for you."

As the Dowager spoke, the guests echoed sentiments of lifelong companionship—words many had uttered before.

Du Lingjing could feel someone’s gaze fixed on her.

She didn’t need to look to know who it was. Still, she acknowledged that this precious and fitting gift had come in exchange for his extravagant birthday offering.

Not wishing to quarrel with him today, Du Lingjing soon excused herself from the hall and went to find NianJia.

But she hadn’t gone far when she unexpectedly encountered someone she hadn’t seen in years.

The few times Du Lingjing had glimpsed him in the palace, he had always worn robes of silver-white, moon-white, or jade hue, cinched at the waist with a white jade belt—his noble bearing infused with scholarly refinement, his entire aura pure and unblemished.

NianJia loved it most when he wore such light-colored embroidered robes, so he always wore them when visiting the palace to show her.

Once, NianJia even suddenly asked her, "Jing, do you think, with my terrible needlework, I could ever make Wei Jue a properly fitted silver-white robe?"

She adored seeing him in that silver color, but at the time, her needlework couldn't even produce a straight line for her own handkerchief.

As a palace-raised princess, the sole pearl left in this world by Prince Yu, why would she ever need to do needlework herself? Thus, her skills were not just unrefined—it was a struggle to complete anything properly at all.

Du Lingjing could only console her, "There’s no hurry. Wait a few years."

But years later, NianJia and Wei Jue parted ways, never to interact again, and that whimsical silver-white robe NianJia had imagined likely faded into distant memory.

Now, the man stood beneath the shade of a tree by the wall, clad in a simple, unpatterned dark blue robe fastened with a plain black sash. His back was turned to Du Lingjing, some distance ahead, the shadows of the tree enveloping his figure.

A little girl, about four or five years old, looked up to ask him for directions.

Clearly unaware of who he was, she called him informally.

"Uncle, have you seen my mother?"

The man was tall, while the girl was tiny, struggling to see him. He crouched down.

"What does your mother look like?" His voice was soft.

The girl quickly described her mother, but it seemed he hadn’t seen anyone matching her description. He hesitated.

Just then, a woman’s voice called out, searching.

The girl immediately responded, and the woman hurried over, chiding her for running off. "You gave me such a scare!"

As she spoke, she looked at the man beside the child. With just one look, the girl’s mother inhaled sharply.

"Commander?!"

The Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—Wei Jue.

The woman’s face changed the moment she saw him. Wei Jue straightened up, and she seemed to realize her reaction was too obvious, not daring to look at him again. "Thank you, Commander, for looking after my daughter. We’ll be going now."

Without even waiting for her daughter to thank Wei Jue, she pulled her daughter away swiftly.

They passed not far from Du Lingjing, who barely caught the woman whisper,

"That’s the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Haven’t I taught you to keep your distance from the Embroidered Uniform Guard…?"

The woman hurried away with her daughter.

But Du Lingjing didn’t turn to leave. Her eyes remained fixed on Wei Jue, who noticed and turned to look at her.

"My lady?"

He paused briefly, then gave her a polite nod.

"It’s been many years."

Indeed, Du Lingjing hadn’t seen him in a decade.

She stepped forward and exchanged greetings.

Wei Jue’s face had matured considerably since the past. Among military men, his looks were unusually refined.

His eyebrows were long, their ends slightly drooping, and his eyes were calm, the corners also slightly downturned. His complexion was fair.

In her memories, Du Lingjing always pictured him standing in the sunlight, holding a book, his fair skin glowing.

Now, he stood tall beneath the shade of the tree, his pale complexion seeming faintly cold.

Even so, it was hard to match his appearance with the dreaded Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Still, Du Lingjing wasn’t afraid of him—both because of their past acquaintance, and because his mother, Lady Protector, was from the Lu family, making him and the marquis cousins.

At the moment, Du Lingjing remembered the four Song dynasty texts he had collected for her upon returning from Fujian.

She mentioned the gift. "The Commander’s gift was exceedingly generous. I hadn't yet had the opportunity to reciprocate."

Gathering four Song-era texts in such a short time was not only costly but likely quite difficult.

Considering the news of her marriage to the marquis had only just reached Fujian, and he had prepared the gift while returning to the capital—all within a few months—obtaining four such rare texts couldn’t have been easy.

When she brought it up, Wei Jue gave her a slight smile and shook his head.

"It was nothing. Please accept them without worry."

Du Lingjing thanked him.

The biggest topic between them was NianJia. Without her, they would never have met.

But now, NianJia was also within the Jing’an Marquis’s estate, and neither Wei Jue nor Du Lingjing mentioned her even once.

His attitude was, unexpectedly, in silent agreement with NianJia’s…

Du Lingjing could only bring up her father instead.

Back then, NianJia had said Wei Jue respected no teacher more than her father, Grand Secretary Du.

He respected him deeply but, aware of his own noble military background, never dared show his "crude" writings to her father.

So NianJia simply stole them from his book bag and gave them to Du Lingjing, who took them home for her father to review.

Her father, of course, paid no mind to such distinctions. He carefully commented on all four or five essays Wei Jue had written, marking his comments alongside.

Later, Du Lingjing heard from NianJia that Wei Jue, upon receiving her father’s feedback, had at first been too nervous to look. But when he saw not a single word of disdain, he was so thrilled he couldn’t sleep that night. The next day, while on duty in the palace, he nearly bumped his head against a doorframe—something NianJia had laughed about for ages…

Now, when Du Lingjing mentioned her father, she noticed Wei Jue’s expression change slightly, as if recalling those old memories. He said nothing more, only offering her a gentle smile.

"My lady, please go inside. I shall go to the outer courtyard to find the marquis."

With that, he bowed and took his leave.

He stepped out of the tree’s shadow, his figure briefly illuminated by sunlight before disappearing into shade once more.

Perhaps this was the fate of a man who became the feared Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

For some reason, Du Lingjing felt he had turned into a shadow himself.

She continued onward and soon found NianJia’s maid, who informed her that the princess had been called away by other noblewomen—several princesses and princess-consorts of the imperial clan. Unfamiliar with them, Du Lingjing waited nearby, waiting for NianJia’s return.

But as she descended a covered corridor, she encountered a group of young girls whispering and giggling as they approached.

She glanced down at them, and they, too, looked up and saw her.

The group of young girls paused upon seeing her, their gazes involuntarily taking her in, but then, as if remembering something, they made way and offered proper bows.

Marquis Lu of Yongding had delayed his marriage for a long time, and this was the Marchioness he had waited so long to bring home.

"Marchioness Lu."

Marchioness Lu gestured for them to rise without formalities.

Yet they couldn’t help but notice the pair of crystal-clear white jade bracelets on her wrists.

They had already heard about what happened earlier in the birthday hall.

Though Marquis Lu and his wife made a late entrance, the venerable birthday honoree, Marchioness of Jing'an, had gifted her own bridal white jade bracelets directly to Marchioness Lu and even had the wife of the heir help fasten them onto her wrists.

When the Emperor first decreed the marriage, no one had high hopes for this daughter of the fading scholar-official Du clan, especially since she had just arrived in the capital from Qingzhou.

But now, standing on the stone steps of the covered walkway, her understated elegance carried unmistakable nobility, and the Marchioness of Jing'an's milky jade bracelets made her wrists gleam like new snow.

And one must not forget—looming behind her stood none other than Marquis Lu himself.

Her husband was the Marquis of Yongding, Lu Shenru.

Not a soul dared slight Marchioness Lu now.

At that moment, someone else approached from the side and caught sight of Du Lingjing’s white jade bracelets before even stepping into the area.

It was Second Young Lady Du Runqing, who had come with her Grandmother.

She looked up at her Elder Sister, sunlight caught the fan of dark lashes beneath her arched brows, her eyes shimmering like the sun-dappled waves of Taiye Pond.

Du Runqing stood transfixed for a moment until a companion discreetly nudged her.

The others, of course, paid their proper respects to Marchioness Lu.

But Du Runqing’s status was slightly different. Though her pedigree ranked below these capital-bred noblewomen, protocol now required her to step forward and offer an additional greeting.

"Elder Sister."

Du Lingjing hadn’t expected her to be here either and nodded, signaling for her to rise.

While the sisters conversed, the others withdrew.

Only the two sisters remained beneath the winding corridor.

Shortly after the New Year festivities, Du Lingjing had Ruan Gong urge her uncle, Du Zhiqi, to leave the capital and return to his remote post.

She didn’t want him carelessly entangled in the capital’s treacherous political undercurrents, lest he bring ruin upon the entire Du lineage.

And as usual, her uncle left alone, abandoning his wife and daughter to the capital.

Du Lingjing had instructed Steward Wen to look after them but hadn’t heard any updates about Du Runqing and her mother since.

Now, she asked Du Runqing, "How has Aunt-mother been lately? Still living at the estate outside the capital?"

At the question, Du Runqing couldn’t help but glance at her again.

Her Elder Sister, now married to a marquis and in a position of great prestige, still remembered the residence in Clarification Lane. Not long after her marriage, she had reclaimed it from her father’s hands.

Deprived of Clarification Lane to live in, she and her mother had no choice but to move to the estate outside the capital.

But how could a rural estate compare to a residence in the capital? And it was so far from the city that each journey to the capital became an ordeal.

Moreover, her Elder Sister had driven her father away and, just like her uncle, withheld even the slightest patronage.

It would have taken just a word in front of the marquis, yet she wouldn’t even say that much for her father.

After he left, life outside the capital became even harder for her and her mother.

In the end, it was her Grandmother who took pity and, with her uncle magnanimously overlooking past discord, brought them back to the capital.

Her Grandmother had told her, "All the Du family members from Qingzhou are now gathered around your Elder Sister. She won’t look after you, so stay with your Grandmother. I’ll secure you a prestigious marriage, securing your permanent place in the capital, as a high-ranking lady of noble standing…"

When Du Lingjing asked, she noticed her younger sister’s frosty demeanor.

"Mother is fine. I’m staying with Grandmother now, so no concern of yours, Elder Sister."

Her attitude even drew a frown from Qiu Lin.

Du Lingjing refused to dignify a mere girl's petulance, but she hadn’t expected that after the matter of swapped brides, Madam Wan had never sent anyone to care for Du Runqing—so why had she suddenly brought her back to the Gu residence now?

Madam Wan’s conduct struck her as frequently improper, and Du Runqing staying with her… Du Lingjing thought for a moment before saying, "If you find it inconvenient, you and Aunt-mother can move back to Clarification Lane."

All three sections of Clarification Lane were empty now. The Du family wasn’t without residences—no Du daughter should linger at her mother's family home.

But as soon as she spoke, her younger sister’s tone grew icier.

"I appreciate Elder Sister’s kindness, but no need."

With that, she offered a perfunctory bow before leaving.

Du Lingjing watched her disappear through the arched doorway and heard Qiu Lin sigh.

"It seems Madam Wan has filled Second Young Lady’s ears with grievances about us. Well, with the household division settled anyway, let them do as they please."

Indeed, what could Du Lingjing do? As long as her younger sister didn’t do anything unseemly, if she chooses her grandmother's company, what else could be done?

With a faint shake of her head, she turned to leave.

...

Rui Xue scurried after Du Runqing and, seeing no one around, couldn’t help but say, "Young Lady, might you have been… somewhat discourteous to Elder Young Lady?"

At the question, her mistress replied, "She’s Marchioness Lu now."

Shouldn’t that warrant even more courtesy?

But Rui Xue saw the despondent expression in her mistress’s eyes and knew she probably still carried a torch for the marquis.

Not daring to press further, she then heard her mistress murmur, "I rely on Grandmother now, and she treats me well. Even if I were more courteous to Elder Sister, would she ever care for me like Grandmother does?"

She answered her own question. "I doubt it."

As the words fell, a servant from Madam Wan appeared.

"Cousin, the Dowager requests your immediate presence. She wants you to fix your attire and hair to greet an important noble guest."

Du Runqing dared not delay. She quickly had Rui Xue inspect her dress and hair, then hurried after the servant girl.

Her grandmother was having tea with a guest in a small courtyard. Passing through the garden and entering the room, she lifted the curtain to glance at the head of the room.

There sat a noblewoman around fifty years of age.

Adorned with twin-phoenix gold hairpins and clad in resplendent robes, she seemed to glow even in the dimly lit chamber.

Upon Du Runqing's entry, the woman looked her over carefully.

Her heart racing slightly, Du Runqing looked to her grandmother, who said sharply,

"Why stand there dazed? Come forward and greet Lady Protector."

Lady Protector—the emperor's aunt-in-law.

Mother of Wei Jue, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

And Wei Jue, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was still unmarried to this day.

Du Runqing instantly understood her grandmother's plan.

But would this actually work?

*

In the gardens of Jing'an Marquisate, Du Lingjing waited long for Nianjia's arrival. After making small talk with several ladies met at palace banquets, she finally got word from Nianjia, inviting her to the waterside pavilion ahead.

Guided toward the pavilion through flower-lined paths, Du Lingjing observed half of high society gathered at the marquisate—groups of guests conversing everywhere.

Presently, she overheard mentions of Princess Nianjia and her fiancé, Wei Cong.

Evidently, the young ladies and married ladies found Wei Cong far more intriguing than Nianjia.

"Never seen Crown Prince Wei myself. They say he makes the Tatars flee in terror on the frontier—does he have that hulking, barrel-chested general's bearing?"

"Not quite bear-backed," someone interjected, "but truly impressive. I once witnessed his heroism in battle—no ordinary man. With the Zhongqing earldom awaiting him and countless military feats, his future authority will only magnify. A future regional power in the making."

As they speculated about Wei Cong's future grandeur, others noted Wei Jue of the same Wei clan.

"The Wei family produces nothing but exceptional men, especially the Commander. So favored by His Majesty—appointed Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard at twenty-three, overseeing all imperial arrests and penal affairs. Just back from Fujian, he reported directly to the palace, earning generous gifts. What merit pleased the Emperor's favor so? No common achievement, surely."

Du Lingjing's left ear absorbed praises of Wei Cong, her right those of Wei Jue.

With these two scions, the Wei clan stood peerless at court.

Yet before she could locate Nianjia, figures abruptly blocked her path at a fork in the garden.

The very men the crowd extolled—General Wei and Commander Wei—now appeared right in front of her.

A hush fell. Du Lingjing sensed countless eyes behind her converging on the figures ahead.

One bore wounds yet undiminished majesty; the other stood tall with quiet intensity.

But now the Wei brothers flanked a central figure.

He wore dark blue silk embroidered with endless interconnected patterns, a dark jade belt at his waist from which hung an obsidian pendant gleaming under sunlight.

Standing between the Wei brothers, his height matched theirs, yet his presence eclipsed both entirely.

Gradually, all gazes shifted to him.

But his aloof face remained impassive as he lowered his eyes to study Du Lingjing. Du Lingjing: "..."