Exclusively for the Marchioness – CH 004

Chapter 4

“…Rumors of the marriage alliance between the Shao family and the Du family have been circulating in the capital, but the Second Master has kept it from us, waiting for the Mid-Autumn Festival decree from the palace in ten days.”

After Ruan Gong finished speaking, Qiu-Lin’s hands clenched tightly.

“Has the Second Master lost his mind? When the young lady was managing the family affairs in Qingzhou, she always remembered the Second Master, sending him large sums of money. When he received the money, he never asked about the young lady’s affairs. Now that the Shao family has come to the door, he has not even asked and has already arranged the engagement for the young lady!…”

Qiu-Lin’s indignant voice was illuminated by the swaying lantern, melting into the thin moonlight.

Du Lingjing looked up at the moon, a rare glimpse through the clouds, its shadow merging with the undulating Yanshan Mountains—a beauty unique to the capital, unlike anything found in Qingzhou.

She had spent eight years in the capital with her father, practically growing up there.

Initially, when she returned to her ancestral home in Qingzhou to observe mourning for her grandfather, she always longed for this childhood paradise, wondering when she could return.

But gradually, through the official records, letters from old friends, and her father’s words, she heard that many people had come and gone in the capital.

The new policies her father had implemented during his tenure as Grand Secretary had been shelved and silently crumbled after he departed from the capital. Those who knew them in the capital were gone, and even those few who remained were no longer the same.

The capital no longer seemed to be the place she once knew.

After her father’s mourning period ended, he was to return to the capital to resume his duties.

After much thought, she said to her father, “Father, your new policies back then have fizzled out. It seems the new Emperor does not value them or even approve of them. In that case, returning to the capital might not be as fulfilling as it was under the late Emperor. In my opinion, Grandfather’s decision to resign and return to his hometown to pursue scholarship might have been the best choice.”

Hearing this, her father did not sigh; instead, he laughed.

“My daughter is truly frank. You’ve already made your own judgment. You must be feeling frustrated and unfulfilled?”

She did not need to hide anything from her father.

“Father, do you not think so too?”

She was not overly pessimistic; what she said was true. Her father smiled and nodded.

“My child is right. The current Emperor certainly does not approve of my reforms from back then. But do scholars who are well-versed in literature and become officials merely seek the Emperor’s favor? I believe that the course of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for the tall and lofty, nor does it perish for the fierce and brutal. The purpose of studying and becoming an official is precisely those four lines from the Song dynasty.”

Those four lines.

To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to secure life for the people, to carry on the lost teachings of the sages, and to bring peace to all generations.

Du Lingjing remained silent.

Father was right. Scholars did seek those four lines, but without the Emperor’s favor, how could one achieve them?

Father patted her shoulder.

“Even if you are not appreciated, you still have to do it. Even if it cannot be implemented, you still have to push it. Even if nine out of ten results are as you guess, is there still not that one in ten?”

Father was always like this, daring to defy the world.

She could only pack her father’s belongings. He told her to stay in their hometown and continue managing Mian Tower, saying, “My daughter prefers quiet; it’s fine if you do not go to the capital.” With that, he set off alone on the road back to the capital.

However, she never imagined that her father would perish on the way, before even reaching the capital…

She never thought of that city again.

Who would go to this place of power struggles and disputes, except for those who were already happy to immerse themselves in it, and people like Father, who were biased towards the tiger’s den?

She collected eight Song Dynasty books along the way and arrived at the city gates. She was about to stop, but unexpectedly, she heard about her “great joyous occasion” in ten days.

Strangely, she felt as if an unseen hand had grabbed her, compelling her to enter the capital…

“Miss? Why are you daydreaming, Miss? The Second Master is about to send you off to remarry!” Qiu-Lin’s anger flared.

Ruan Gong said the matter was not settled yet, “but if the Second Master sends the name card to the Imperial Clan Court soon, things will get complicated.”

Both servants looked at her.

Du Lingjing’s eyelids lowered, then slowly rose again.

“Then let’s go to the capital.”

*

They entered the city through the Chaoyang Gate in the east. The capital awoke in the morning light, the lingering rain of the previous day making the streets busier.

Du Lingjing and her party entered the city just as the gates opened. Having just turned from Chaoyang Gate Street onto Chongwen Gate Street, they encountered a crowd surrounding an official in a scarlet court robe.

He stood aloof in the crowd, seemingly having just finished court. The crowd bowed and greeted him, then quietly inquired about the day’s events.

The man’s voice was deep, his words muffled by the crowd.

Du Lingjing’s gaze swept only briefly across the edge of the carriage window before she instructed the coachman, Chang-Pu, to avoid the dignitaries, detour to Dengshi Road, and then turn into the alleys of Chengqing District.

As the carriage changed course, someone by the roadside remarked with a puzzled expression, “Why is that Marquis heading east this morning after court? That’s quite unusual.”

The speaker did not specify which Marquis, and the carriage did not stop turning.

Amidst the growing commotion on the road, a man in a crimson court robe embroidered with unicorns spoke a few words, then excused himself from the crowd and mounted his horse.

His gaze swept across the alley entrance, finally settling lightly on the carriage’s billowing curtain.

*

At Chengqing District, in the Du Mansion.

Du Zhiqi retrieved the name card he had written the previous night from his outer study. He had pondered for a long time last night before writing this card to be sent to the Imperial Clan Court.

After breakfast, he took his name card and prepared to leave. Du Runqing came to see him to the door.

Unexpectedly, before the servant could even knock, the old gatekeeper, trembling, hurried out and opened the door ahead of time.

This old gatekeeper had been guarding the Du family mansion in Chengqing District since the Old Master was an official. He had witnessed the Eldest Master, Du Zhili, rise from an ordinary official to a Grand Secretary in just a few years. After the Eldest Master returned to their hometown to observe mourning, the Du family in Chengqing District remained without anyone for many years until last year, when the Second Madam came to the capital to recuperate from an injury, and people moved back in.

The old gatekeeper was getting on in years. Last time, when Du Zhiqi returned home, he knocked on the door for a long time without the gatekeeper hearing him. Du Zhiqi was displeased, and Du Runqing said that the old gatekeeper was deaf and blind, and that once this joyous occasion was over and there were spare hands, he would be sent to the country estate.

But today, for some reason, before the father and daughter could even approach, the old gatekeeper hurriedly opened the door.

But the old gatekeeper did not turn around to invite the Second Master. Instead, he leaned on the creaking old gate and stepped outside.

His aged voice was unusually urgent.

“Miss? Is it you who’s back?”

Du Runqing was startled by the call of “Miss” as she was inside the gate.

But the next moment, a clear, melodious voice came from outside, and someone stepped forward to support the elderly gatekeeper.

“Uncle Wen, it’s me; I am back.”

The gate creaked open, and the person stood before it. She wore a bamboo-moon-colored cloak, the morning breeze making her ribbons flutter like butterflies. She supported Old Uncle Wen, whose hand trembled as he grasped hers.

“Miss…you’ve finally returned to the capital!”

Du Lingjing’s eyes welled up with tears at this call.

When she left the capital, Uncle Wen was still able to help her carry her trunk to the carriage, telling her that she would return with her father after the mourning period ended. “Miss, you have not left the capital for many years. How will you adjust?” he asked.

Nine years had passed in a flash. Uncle Wen had aged so much that he could no longer straighten his hunched back, and her father had long since passed away.

She gently wiped her eyes, helped the agitated Uncle Wen to his feet, and led him towards the grand gate of the mansion. She glanced up and saw the person standing inside.

She had long, delicate eyebrows and clear, watery eyes. She looked up at them.

“Uncle, Second Sister, how have you been all these years?”

Du Zhiqi and his daughter, Du Runqing, froze.

Du Zhiqi did not look directly at his niece, his hands behind his back, avoiding her gaze. Du Runqing, however, secretly glanced at this unfamiliar Elder Sister.

The eldest sister, tall and slender, stood on the rain-washed flagstones, a dark blue jacket and a moon-white skirt beneath a bamboo-moon-colored cloak. She seemed to have stepped out of the clouds and water, pure and untouched, with only a faint fragrance of books wafting from her sleeves.

Du Runqing stared at her for a moment until Du Lingjing stepped forward to greet Du Zhiqi, then she quickly returned the greeting to her elder sister.

Ruan Gong and Qiu-Lin brought over the festival gifts. No one mentioned anything else. Du Runqing hurriedly ordered tea to be served and personally led Du Lingjing to the hall.

No one knew this mansion better than Du Lingjing. She did not need anyone to guide her. Looking at her younger sister, whom she had not seen for many years, she had grown from a tiny little girl into a graceful young woman with a long face, possessing the bright and intelligent features of the Gu family members.

“Second Sister has grown much taller, her looks have blossomed, and her bearing is even more outstanding.”

Du Lingjing praised her, but Du Runqing felt a tightness in her chest, unsure how to respond.

Then Du Lingjing said, “Second Sister, there’s no need to lead the way. I have some matters I’d like to discuss with Uncle in his study first.”

She finished speaking and looked steadily at Du Zhiqi.

If the father and daughter had harbored any lingering hope just moments before, it had all vanished.

Du Runqing looked at her father with a tense expression, while Du Zhiqi spoke with a grim face.

“Then let’s go to the study.”

…

The spacious study had its windows open, the aroma of books wafting out, leaving only a faint silence.

Du Lingjing did not beat around the bush and spoke directly.

“I heard that Uncle has arranged a noble marriage for me, and I appreciate it. But a man of such high standing as the third-ranked scholar, what kind of noblewoman could he not marry? I wonder why he suddenly wants to marry into the Du family?”

Du Zhiqi, seeing that his niece was indeed unwilling, suppressed his annoyance.

“There are many noble ladies in the capital, but the Shao family is seeking a second wife, while the Du family is of suitable social standing, and you are the right age for him. Is this not a good match?”

Shao Boju was twenty-four years old this year, exactly one year older than her, which was indeed a suitable age. However, for high-ranking officials and nobles, a ten- or twenty-year age difference was common in their second marriages; age was not a major issue.

Du Lingjing, seeing that her uncle was changing the subject, knew that he still did not want to, or could not, get away with it.

She smiled and shook her head. “I do not think it’s a good match. I am already engaged to Qianyun. With the engagement settled, how could anyone else be a suitable match? My second sister is almost of marriageable age; why does Uncle not arrange for her to be engaged to the Shao family?”

These words irritated Du Zhiqi, and he could not suppress his anger any longer.

He had mentioned this to the Shao family, but they only wanted the Grand Secretary’s only daughter. If his Runqing was capable, why would he need to rely on his niece?

His expression was very unpleasant, and he did not want to beat around the bush with his niece any longer.

“Your father is, after all, a Grand Secretary. The Shao family has their reasons for arranging your marriage.”

He turned his face away, hoping his niece would understand and stop pressing him.

However, his niece asked again, “But Uncle, have you not considered what the Shao family is trying to do by using Father’s name?”

“What are they trying to do?” Du Zhiqi was even more annoyed. “You studied with your father for many years; how can you not understand this?”

He said, “Shao Boju is the cousin of Prince Yong. Prince Yong is the eldest, and for him to become the Crown Prince, he needs the full support of the court officials, especially the civil officials. Although he now has the assistance of Grand Secretary Dou, he’s aiming for even greater things. By marrying you, those who previously followed the Du family will now be by Prince Yong’s side.”

He finished speaking in one breath and glared at his niece.

“If you cannot even understand this, why would you not obediently follow my arrangements? I certainly will not harm you!”

Du Zhiqi’s words stunned Ruan Gong and Qiu-Lin, who were waiting in the courtyard. Qiu-Lin clenched her fists, and Ruan Gong was ready to burst into the study at any moment.

Inside the study, Du Lingjing’s expression remained calm.

She first picked up the teapot and refilled Du Zhiqi’s teacup, then poured half a cup for herself, took a small sip, and set it down.

After setting it down, she spoke slowly and deliberately, but her words caused Du Zhiqi’s hand holding the teacup to tremble.

“Uncle, since you understand that the Shao family wants to further empower Prince Yong, have you considered how many supporters Father has left after six years? The Du family can only offer Prince Yong a slight push; in terms of merit in supporting the Emperor, we cannot compare to figures like Grand Secretary Dou. Yet, by forming a marriage alliance, the Du family is betting their entire fortune and even the fate of their clan on Prince Yong.”

She paused slightly, glancing at her uncle.

“If Prince Yong fails to ascend the throne and Prince Hui, the son of the Noble Consort, becomes the Crown Prince, what will become of my uncle? What will become of the Du family?”

The current Emperor was not in good health. He established a Crown Prince not long after his ascension, choosing the Empress’s eldest son, who was both legitimate and the eldest son, enjoying the support of the entire court. However, the Crown Prince suddenly died of illness in the fifth year of the Yin You era.

After the Crown Prince, the Emperor had three more princes: Prince Yong, the second son, born of Consort Shao; Prince Cheng, the third son, born of Consort Liang; and Prince Hui, the young fourth son, born of the Noble Consort.

Logically, the eldest Second Prince was the best candidate for Crown Prince. However, Consort Shao died young, and the Emperor favored Noble Consort Lu, who came from the Marquis of Yongding’s family.

The Empress, however, suffered a severe blow after the Crown Prince’s death and had been bedridden for many years. No one knew whether the Emperor would appoint Noble Consort Lu as Empress should the Empress pass away.

If the Noble Consort were to become Empress, Prince Hui would no longer be merely the Fourth Prince but the Emperor’s only legitimate son, making him the undisputed choice for Crown Prince.

The civil officials mostly supported Prince Yong, led by Grand Secretary Dou, while the military generals favored Prince Hui, crowding around the Marquis of Yongding’s residence. As the Emperor’s health deteriorated, the previously covert struggle between the two factions gradually became open.

The Du family, far removed from the center of power, would be immune to interference, regardless of whether Prince Yong or Prince Hui ascended the throne. In fact, the new Emperor, seeking to win over court officials, might even offer the Du family another hope.

Du Ling silently observed her uncle.

Why did Du Zhiqi not share these concerns?

But after his elder brother’s death, the once-reformed government fell apart, and he, like the reforms, was abandoned in a remote area outside the capital.

When his elder brother was alive, he had not done his best to help him get promoted; after his brother’s death, he was neglected and unable to rise in the ranks.

This time, the Shao family had offered him a way out; how could he not seize it?

As for the future… Du Zhiqi steeled his resolve. “Having chosen the path of following the dragon, whatever the outcome, I, as the head of the family, will bear the responsibility.”

“Then, Uncle, in choosing this path for the entire Du family, did you discuss it with the rest of the Du family?”

Besides Du Zhiqi, the Du family of Qingzhou had several other scholars who had passed the imperial examinations and might even soon produce another Jinshi. However, to keep it a secret from his niece, Du Zhiqi had not revealed a single word to his ancestral home in Qingzhou.

Besides him, no one else knew anything.

Du Lingjing’s voice was slow and gentle, but like a pair of scissors, it pierced Du Zhiqi’s most vulnerable spot.

He stood up abruptly, sweeping the teacup beside him away. The teacup shattered on the ground, and Du Zhiqi’s face turned pale and red.

“In this Du family, who’s in charge—me or you, Du Lingjing?!”

The room was deathly silent. In the courtyard, Ruan Gong almost rushed in.

Du Lingjing’s gaze stopped him by looking out the window.

The study was quiet. The layout had not changed much, but Du Lingjing noticed that her father’s study was completely different from before.

The tall stack of documents on the desk, where her father had always complained, was gone. The recliner under the window, where he sometimes lay awake all night worrying about the new policies, was gone. The books he loved so much had been moved to the edge of the bookshelf, and even the porcelain jar with his paintings had been moved to the corner.

Not to mention, the round, plump, low table and stools her father had specially made for her when she was little, when he personally taught her her early education.

Back then, her father was not a high-ranking official yet, and he still had leisure time. Whenever he saw her write decent characters, he could not help but excitedly lift her high in his arms, exclaiming, “My Jing-niang is so cultured!”

But she did not understand then, only reminding her father, “Father, I am all grown up now; you cannot hold me that high anymore.”

Her father laughed heartily. “You are only seven! How can you be grown up? Even at seventeen, you will still be my little Jing-niang!”

But her father could not have imagined that when she was seventeen, she would no longer have a father, never again…

Du Lingjing’s gaze swept over every brick and tile of the study; the more she looked, the less she could find any trace of her father’s past.

Her father walked away.

She suddenly felt that this was for the best. She did not want her father to see his only younger brother and his daughter arguing heatedly in his former study.

If Father saw this, he would be heartbroken…

The study was quiet, a gentle breeze drifting in from the window, carrying a faint scent of books.

Du Lingjing suppressed the bitterness welling up in her heart; her eyes lowered slightly.

“This niece has no intention of overstepping her bounds.”

She softened her tone, and Du Zhiqi, not wanting to truly escalate the situation, sat down accommodatingly.

Du Lingjing pondered for a moment, then spoke again.

“This niece truly does not wish to marry anyone other than Third Young Master, but this sudden marriage proposal from the Shao family, wanting to finalize the matter before Mid-Autumn Festival without any warning, even if it’s to help Prince Yong, is far too hasty. Such haste makes this niece suspect that there might be some ulterior motive we are unaware of.”

These words made Du Zhiqi raise his eyes.

T/N:
尧 (Yáo) – tall and lofty
桀 (Jié) – fierce and brutal
“为天地立心，为生民立命，为往圣继绝学，为万世开太平” (To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to secure life for the people, to carry on the lost teachings of the sages, and to bring peace to all generations) is a famous quote by the Northern Song philosopher Zhang Zai (张载)