Chapter 69

Chapter 69

The capital, Gu Residence in Huanghua Ward.

Since last year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, the Gu Residence’s gates had grown desolate; the once constant stream of visitors, like autumn leaves, seemed to have been swept clean by the autumn wind, leaving not a single soul in sight.

Today, rare visitors arrived at the door, but unfortunately, they were escorted out soon after entering. The guests were shut outside the gates of the Gu Residence.

Inside the mansion, in Madam Wan’s Rongyu Hall, she questioned the young girl before her.

“Qing’er, why are your eyes downcast? Could it be that you truly wish to return to the Du family with your elder sister’s people?”

The ones who had just been turned away at the door were none other than Ruan Gong and Uncle Wen. The two had come under Du Lingjing’s orders to fetch the Second Madam and Second Young Lady back to live in Chengqing Ward, but Madam Wan refused, and Du Runqing had no desire to return either.

That residence no longer belonged to their Second Branch. The Marquis had personally reclaimed it for his sister, compelling their father to surrender it without protest. Not only that, but the Marquis had also expanded the eastern compound for his sister. What reason did she have to go back?

Now, as her grandmother questioned her, Du Runqing made an effort to raise her downcast eyes.

She said she had no intention of returning to the Du family. “Qing’er simply didn’t expect them to come for me.”

Her elder sister had indeed sent word, saying she could return anytime she wished, but she had ignored it. She hadn’t imagined her elder sister would actually send someone to fetch her.

Could it be that her elder sister truly wanted to take her mother and her back to live there?

Du Runqing’s thoughts became entangled, but no sooner had they arisen than they were suppressed by a few words from her grandmother, Madam Wan.

“If your elder sister were truly sincere in fetching your mother and you, she ought to come herself.”

Madam Wan said that Du Runqing’s mother was Du Lingjing’s aunt by marriage. “To take back her own bedridden aunt by marriage, shouldn’t she come in person? What kind of gesture is it to merely send two servants? Don’t tell me she can’t leave the Marquis’s residence.”

Du Runqing was temporarily stunned by her grandmother’s words. Madam Wan beckoned her closer.

Obediently, Du Runqing sat beside her. Madam Wan gazed down at her granddaughter—so reminiscent of her own daughter in youth. It was a pity her daughter had married into the Du family. She had once thought Du Zhili was a capable man, and Du Zhiqi wouldn’t be far behind.

Yet Du Zhiqi, the second son, proved to be completely inept. That alone would have been bearable, but even Du Zhili refused to lend a hand. Her daughter had married into the family without enjoying any luxury, only to meet with misfortune and sink into madness and delusions.

With a sigh, she patted her granddaughter’s shoulder.

“Your mother fell from her bed the other day and hit her head, worsening her condition. Every day now, she requires costly medicines endlessly. Your grandmother naturally loves your mother, and loves you too, but you’ve seen the state of your uncle’s household.”

Her uncle, Master Gu—Gu Yangsi—had been beaten half to death by Marquis Lu. Money was spent like water to save his life, but he was left with a crippled leg and a ruined reputation. No one sought his services anymore, cutting off most of his income.

The Gu family now relied solely on their remaining assets to survive, all while supporting their increasingly ill daughter.

“How could the money your father left possibly be enough?”

As she spoke, Madam Wan squeezed her granddaughter’s shoulder.

“So, Qing’er, you must marry as soon as possible. Only by wedding into a family free from financial concerns can you secure the means to care for your mother.”

Conversely, “If you fail to marry into a noble household soon, once your mother is gone, not only will you have no one to protect you, but your marriage prospects will also be delayed for three years. By then, you’ll be older, without a mother, and with an ineffectual father—what good match could you hope for? Your life would be ruined. Haven’t I taught you? In this world, a woman’s most crucial task is to marry into a wealthy family where she’ll never want for food or clothing.”

With enough money, one could solve ninety-nine percent of troubles—this was common wisdom.

Du Runqing dared not argue.

Seeing her “obedience,” Madam Wan continued.

“Your grandmother is also growing old. Who knows how many years I have left? This match I’ve found for you is the very best I could secure with all my remaining strength.”

The eldest son of Lady Protector, the imperial brother-in-law's wife—Commander Wei of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wei Jue.

Who wouldn’t want to marry a young and high-ranking commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Below the Marquis, he was the most desirable match in the capital.

Yet Du Runqing still felt something was amiss in all this.

Commander Wei had no desire to marry, yet his mother was desperate to arrange a match for him.

A shadow of doubt crossed her face, and her grandmother said.

“You’ve seen Commander Wei for yourself—not only is he handsome, but his temperament is composed and refined, nothing like the rumors about the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Perhaps his heart remains with another, but once you marry him, he will treat you well. As for whether this can be accomplished…?”

Madam Wan had initially been troubled, but these past few days, she had noticed Lady Protector’s mounting impatience.

Princess Nianjia had returned to the capital, and no one knew when she would leave. Wei Jue’s marriage had been delayed year after year—if this continued, it would become scandalous.

Already, rumors spread in the capital that Commander Wei was incapable of marital relations. Only fear of his position in the Embroidered Uniform Guard kept people from speaking openly. But if years passed without him taking a wife, it would become inexcusable.

Thus, Lady Protector fretted over her son, and in Madam Wan’s own estimation—

This time, the Heir Apparent of Count Zhongqing, Wei Cong, had barely survived a severe injury on the battlefield. But what if he went to war again and died there? Princess Nianjia, childless, would become a widow. Who was to say she wouldn’t eventually circle back around and reunite with Wei Jue?

By then, the illustrious Count of Xin Yun and Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be forced to marry a widow.

In any case, Lady Protector was eager to secure a wife for Wei Jue, but without his consent, the usual marriage arrangements were impossible. Extraordinary measures would be necessary.

No respectable noblewoman would agree to such underhanded tactics—but Qing’er was different. Her status was slightly beneath that of the capital’s elite young ladies. Still, she was a Du, and Wei Jue held the Du family in the highest esteem.

As for the method to achieve this, Madam Wan had already suggested it to Lady Protector through the abbot of the temple outside the capital a few days prior. Lady Protector, unaware it was Madam Wan’s idea, had relayed it back through the abbot to ask if it was feasible.

Admittedly, the plan was rather underhanded.

But if it succeeded, a little disgrace was a small price to pay—so long as outsiders never found out.

However, Madam Wan did not immediately reveal this to her granddaughter, fearing that her Du family upbringing might make her refuse.

For now, she simply said, “Your grandmother has everything planned out. Just follow my instructions, and nothing will go wrong.”

Du Runqing found these words strangely familiar. It seemed her grandmother had said something similar when urging her to switch marriages with her elder sister and marry the Marquis.

That plan had ended in disaster, unleashing a storm of gossip that had became the laughingstock of the capital…

Yet she and her mother now lived under her grandmother’s roof, reliant on her and her uncle’s support.

What else could an unmarried daughter like her do? Turn the world upside down?

Obeying her grandmother and marrying might not be such a bad thing.

Du Runqing lowered her head. “This granddaughter understands.”

Madam Wan instructed her again to take good care of her mother, reassured her not to dwell on things, and especially not to think of returning to the Du residence.

“After all, your elder sister lacks genuine intent and has no regard for your mother’s and your welfare.”

With that, Madam Wan dismissed her with a wave of her hand.

The moment she left, Gu Yangsi limped in impatiently.

"Mother, don't let Qingniang go back—get her married off fast before anything changes again!" he growled.

Madam Wan wanted to restore her reputation as the capital's matchmaker, while Gu Yangsi also sought to rehabilitate his own name. More importantly, every time he saw his crippled leg, he seethed with hatred for Lu Shenru, the Marquis of Yongding.

Back then, he had the Embroidered Uniform Guard transfer him over, almost beat him to death right in their headquarters.

But if tomorrow, Wei Jue married into their family, would Lu Shenru still dare to use the Guard against him?

Perhaps the tables would turn... If only one day, he could see that Lu Shenru dead before his eyes!

Filled with resentment, Gu Yangsi could only badger Madam Wan.

"Mother, you must make sure this succeeds this time, or else..."

He couldn't articulate what "or else" might entail, but Madam Wan's face turned pale at his words, and she quickly stepped forward to soothe him.

"I will make it happen for you, don’t upset yourself and harm your health. I've got this figured out—once it’s set in motion, there will be no repeat of last time’s mess."

This had to be settled decisively, leaving no room for change.

Wei Jue must marry Runqing.

*

---

Yongding Marquis Estate, Jiqing Ward.

Ruan Gong approached to report his failed errand to Du Lingjing. He explained that Madam Wan refused to release her, the second daughter remained silent, and the second madam was drugged and bedridden, incapable of voicing her own will.

Chang Pu had also gathered information about the Gu family.

"They say the second madam was still well when she first entered the Gu residence, but afterward, her madness worsened inexplicably—her fits became more frequent, she fell from the bed, and hit her head again. Not a good sign."

Du Lingjing pursed her lips thoughtfully, while Qiu Lin muttered, "How strange," she snapped. "She was fine outside, yet her condition worsened in the Gu household. To those who don’t know, it might seem like the Gus are some lion's den, frightening the second madam out of her wits."

After her remark, seeing Du Lingjing still frowning, Qiu Lin added, "If the second daughter refuses to return, what can you do, my lady? The families are already separated."

True.

The separation had been her decision—forcing her way back into the second branch’s affairs now would be improper. And her second uncle was completely useless.

Du Lingjing only feared that if something truly scandalous happened, the entire Du clan of Qingzhou would suffer the disgrace. For now, she could only instruct Ruan Gong and Chang Pu to keep tabs on them.

"See what they’re really up to."

Then she turned her attention back to the Guilin Pavilion. Feng Xiang, as expected, remained unaffected by his failed examination and had already compiled a selection of exemplary essays from this year’s metropolitan examination.

He managed the bookstore and printing house with far more enthusiasm than he ever had for studying for the exams. Just yesterday, he had sent a draft to the marquis’ estate.

With his help, Du Lingjing found every aspect of running the Guilin Pavilion ran twice as smoothly. Yet, a certain someone still always gave him the cold shoulder—never considering for whom the pavilion had been established, saving money and even generating income.

Now, after reviewing Feng Xiang’s selection of essays and finding almost no issues, Du Lingjing instructed Ruan Gong to send for Shopkeeper Zhao for printing and distribution. Before the palace exams were over, while scholars still gathered in and around the capital, they would sell this year’s top examination essays.

First, to recoup the pavilion’s costs. Second, after the palace examination, when the scholars dispersed to their hometowns, they could carry these essays with them, spreading them across the regions for all ambitious students to read.

When her eyes started tiring, Qiu Lin came to remind her, "My lady, you should rest your eyes. Why not visit Guard An? I saw him able to walk again, though still on crutches—he's having a hard time."

Mention of the severely injured Chong'an made Du Lingjing get up. Hearing he was moving about the rear courtyard, she went to find him and indeed saw him struggling determinedly along.

Chong'an was remarkably agile. Though young, there were truly few in the entire mansion with higher martial prowess than him, and he prided himself on it.

Now, badly injured and unable to walk, Du Lingjing watched from afar as the young man stood with his head down. She couldn’t help but approach and call out to him.

"Shouldn’t you rest in bed a little longer? I heard from Guard Ping that your injuries will heal, so there’s no need to rush."

Chong'an hurriedly bowed to her, but she stopped him. Hearing her words of comfort, the young man quickly brightened up.

"Madam is absolutely right! I was indeed too impatient. It’s just that being stuck in bed is driving me crazy..."

He then hastily added, "But this is our duty—even if it kills us, we must ensure the Marquis’s safety. We cannot let the Marquis be harmed!"

These were the same words Guard Chong Ping had spoken that day, now echoed by Chong'an.

Du Lingjing went quiet, her thoughts drifting to the Marquis.

The Yongding Army gave him unmatched privileges, and in return, he faced every danger head-on for them.

This was different from the relationship between her father and the Fu Party—more intricate, more tightly interwoven, more like family...

So this was the kind of bond that existed in the world, one she had never read about in the Mianlou.

Du Lingjing lifted her gaze, sweeping it across the entirety of the Marquis of Yongding’s residence, as if seeing beyond its walls the countless soldiers of the northwest, gathered outside.

Her thoughts had just taken flight when Chang Pu’s voice called her back.

Chang Pu skipped over to her and Chong'an, and upon seeing Chong'an still leaning on his crutch, she said,

"Guard An, you owe me big time this time!"

Since Chang Pu had entered the mansion, Chong'an had been "conned" out of money by her more than once. The moment he heard the word "money," he immediately grew wary.

"I’m already like this, and you still want to cheat me out of money? Do I look like a sucker?!"

Du Lingjing also stared at Chang Pu, curious about what mischief she was up to now.

But Chang Pu turned and had someone push over a wooden rolling chair, which she rolled right up behind Chong'an.

"This is the latest rolling chair made by the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works—it’s one-of-a-kind! I went through a lot of trouble to get it. Come on, Guard An, sit down and try it. Trust me, it’s smooth!"

A rolling chair—this would indeed relieve Chong'an’s boredom from being bedridden.

Du Lingjing smirked to herself, thinking Chang Pu had finally shown Chong'an a bit of "conscience."

To her surprise, Chong'an refused to sit. "What’s so great about a chair? I’d rather practice walking!"

He then eyed Chang Pu suspiciously. "Besides, who knows how much you’ll charge me for it?"

He was thoroughly on guard, but Chang Pu didn’t press him. Instead, she sat on it herself, adjusted the handles, and with a whoosh, wheeled herself around effortlessly.

Not just Chong'an—even Du Lingjing was impressed. "It does look quite nimble."

Now Chong'an was tempted. Watching Chang Pu glide around another lap, far more effortlessly than he could with his crutch, he finally said,

"Fine, let me try?"

Chang Pu grinned and handed over the chair to him. The moment Chong'an sat down, he didn’t want to get up again.

"It’s... it’s actually really handy..." But he remained wary. "How much are you going to charge me?"

Chang Pu quickly said it wasn't much, "Just double the price."

"Double?!" Chong'an nearly jumped off the wheeled chair. "You're too heartless! I might as well buy one myself outside!"

But Chang Pu had already anticipated this and laughed, saying he wouldn’t be able to find one.

"This is a sample I managed to get. Even if Guard An goes out to buy one now, there won’t be any ready-made ones. You’d have to wait at least half a month—but by then, you’d almost be healed. What would you need a wheeled chair for?"

If Chong'an wanted to use it, he had no choice but to pay double to Chang Pu.

Chong'an was fuming, his hair near-standing on end.

Du Lingjing was about to step forward and say she’d buy it, sparing Chong'an the expense, and simply gift it to him.

Before she could speak, Ai Ye shook her head at her.

Du Lingjing blinked as Chong'an asked Chang Pu exactly how much it cost. Chang Pu held up five fingers.

"Fifty taels?! Did you jack up the price tenfold?!" Chong'an’s eyes bulged like a bull’s.

Chang Pu hurriedly told him not to panic. "It’s five taels!"

"Five taels..."

Chong'an paused briefly, then immediately flung his money pouch to Chang Pu.

"Here’s the money—no refunds!"

With that, the deal was done, and he wheeled himself away on the chair.

Chang Pu chuckled behind him, "Guard An, remember to support my business next time!"

Chong'an snorted from afar, "Scheming merchant!"

But Du Lingjing gave Chang Pu a knowing look. "Really that cheap?"

Chang Pu blinked innocently. "Well, I actually bought it for fifteen silver taels. Since I’ve made quite a bit off Guard An before, I figured I should give him a little discount, right? That way, I can keep making money off him later."

Du Lingjing laughed. Maybe she should send him to work with Shopkeeper Zhao—his mind was sharp for business.

She turned and told Qiu Lin to give Chang Pu thirty taels of silver.

Chang Pu nearly jumped for joy. "Madam, you’ll surely make a fortune at Returning Forest Tower this year!"

Du Lingjing accepted his good wishes, her mood lifting from the commotion.

Suddenly, she remembered when she first married into the marquis’s household. Chong'an had been right by this lake, battling an aggressive goose. Back then, Qiu Lin had whispered to her, wondering if the marquis’s rear courtyard housed concubines—perhaps a Tatar dancer or the like.

But someone had overheard and personally stepped forward to debunk the rumor.

"I have no concubines, no bedmates, and certainly no Tatar princess or songstress who’s borne me a child."

He had said, "I have only you."

...

Du Lingjing turned and sat in the lakeside pavilion. The green waves rippled, and the usually temperamental white geese swam peacefully in flocks across the water.

If what he said was true—that he had set his heart on her three years ago—then had his estate remained empty, waiting for her all that time?

But if it wasn’t three years ago, but even earlier… just how long had he been waiting for her?

Lu Weishi’s thoughts were like a needle lost in this lake—no, the ocean’s abyss.

Truly unfathomable.

Du Lingjing propped her chin on her hand, leaning against the pavilion railing as a breeze caressed her cheeks.

Suddenly, two shrieks came from across the lake.

She turned to see Chang Pu pushing Chong'an’s wheeled chair at a reckless sprint, only to careen toward the shore. With a splash, both of them tumbled into the water.

The usually docile geese instantly exploded into agitation, flapping wildly.

Countless white feathers rained onto the lake’s surface, swirling into their mouths stuffed with feathers as they thrashed wildly.

Chang Pu and Chong'an ended up with mouths stuffed with feathers.

Du Lingjing couldn’t help it—she let out a soft laugh.

The guards and servants who rushed over at the commotion stood by the shore, bent over laughing.

Unfortunately, Chong'an was injured and couldn’t be easily rescued. In the end, Chong Ping had to intervene himself...

Sunlight turned the lake to molten gold, shimmering brilliantly.

Once everyone was pulled to safety, Du Lingjing was still laughing.

Someone embraced her from behind. "What amuses you?"

It was Lu Weishi.

Du Lingjing glanced at him briefly, her smile vanishing.

"Oh, so you stop laughing the moment you see me," the man murmured in her ear.

She stood, shooting him a sidelong glance.

Since they were husband and wife, what couldn’t she say to him?

She ignored him, but the man rose with her.

After just a few steps, they encountered Chong Ping.

The man raised a brow at Chong Ping’s soaked through state. "How’d you get so wet?"

Chong Ping, soaked through, looked flustered.

How could he admit to the marquis that his reckless brother, instead of resting properly, had fallen into the lake?

Chong Ping couldn’t explain, but Du Lingjing, recalling how Chong Ping had personally fished the two out earlier, couldn’t help smiling again.

Marquis Lu hesitated, gazing down at his wife’s arched brows and sparkling eyes.

"It seems something big happened while I was away."

He said softly.

"Join me in Yuanxiu Pavilion, my dear, and enlighten me."

...

At the Far Ridge Pavilion, Du Lingjing found herself brought there by him again.

An aide summoned him to the hall for a discussion. Du Lingjing sat fuming at his desk, only to notice a piece of paper placed on it, depicting what appeared to be a Tatar clan’s emblem.

He walked in just then. "A spy left this. Have you seen this before, love?"

Du Lingjing had not, nor had she read any similar descriptions in books, so she shook her head.

He hadn’t expected her to recognize it either and summed up the day they captured three spies.

"Tatars and Han Chinese working together—yet the Yongding Army couldn’t catch them for over a decade. Who’s behind them?"

Du Lingjing recalled the four groups of people who had come to the villa that day.

She had no clues but couldn’t help remembering her father’s words before he returned to the capital to resume his post.

Her father had said that this seemingly stable world was, in truth, "on shaky ground, possibly collapsing overnight."

He admitted he might not be able to save the country, "but I must still do something, try to steady it until peace is restored."

She couldn’t stop her father’s departure and could only watch as he marched off without looking back.

He went out again, leaving Du Lingjing silently staring at the spy’s pattern for a long time.

...

In the tent at night, he stacked pillows high and placed them beneath her waist.

She wouldn’t comply, wriggling to escape, but he insisted on pinning her atop the pillows, crushing her against his embrace.

The silk pillow dampened as he gripped her arms, his voice hoarse.

"Have my daughter, Quan Quan."

Du Lingjing’s head swam, sweat trickling down her neck.

He wanted a daughter—he wanted everything!

She gritted her teeth. "Marquis Lu should sleep early and ask the dream spirits!"

Yet as soon as the words left her lips, he eliminated the space between them entirely, the heat and dampness overwhelming, lifting her until her toes curled taut with tension.

Overwhelmed and furious enough to abandon proper manners, she wanted to bite him.

But he bit her ear first.

"I only ask you, Quan Quan..."

Later, in the bathhouse.

He washed her, then carried her to sit on the bamboo bed, brushing his nose to hers.

Moonlight spilled across the water-covered floor as he gently squeezed her waist.

"Quan Quan, forgive me?"

The reflection of moonlight in the water softened his damp hair, brows, and deep eyes.

Du Lingjing, locked in his gaze, felt something unfamiliar as she studied his damp face.

Her pulse skipped slightly, but she still glanced at him, pushed him away, and slipped off the bamboo bed.

Of course—he wanted it all; there was nothing Marquis Lu did not desire.

And somehow, he always seemed to get it?

She couldn’t help but wonder—had Lu Weishi ever begged in vain for something?

Moonlight shifted in the bathhouse as she caught him heaving a sigh, massaging his temples repeatedly from the corner of her eye.

She blinked.

*

A few days later, it was the day of the flower banquet at the Prince of Yanzhou’s estate outside the capital.

Du Lingjing received the news early that Lady Baoguo, Lady Wan, and Du Runqing were also going. The Prince of Yanzhou’s estate had invited all the established officials and rising nobles in the capital, including Jiang Fengchuan.