Exclusively for the Marchioness – CH 005

Chapter 5

These words made Du Zhiqi pause abruptly.

From the time Scholar Shao sent someone to probe his intentions until today, less than a month had passed. In a few days, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Du Zhiqi’s heart skipped a beat as he heard Du Lingjing speak again.

“If Scholar Shao only wants the Du family’s help, I am not afraid. What I am afraid of is that he’s currently fighting with Prince Hui’s faction, or perhaps it involves some secret matter that requires him to use the remaining name of the Du family to fill the gap.”

Du Zhiqi’s forehead was beaded with cold sweat.

What was left of the Du family? Just this little bit of reputation.

He had been serving as an official outside the capital and had only been back for less than half a year. There were many things he could not see clearly. However, he could still discern that the power struggle between Prince Yong’s faction and Prince Hui’s faction was intensifying. The visible signs were numerous, not to mention the unseen ones.

Prince Hui was young and perhaps did not understand, and the Noble Consort, residing deep within the palace, could not easily intervene. But was Marquis of Yongding, Lu Shenru, someone to be trifled with?

Du Zhiqi suddenly realized he might have underestimated the situation. His legs felt weak, and he slowly sat down, gripping the back of the chair.

Seeing this, Du Lingjing rose and formally bowed to her uncle.

“This marriage to the Shao family is something I, your niece, do not wish for. This matter also harbors hidden flaws. I urge you, Uncle, to reconsider.” She bowed respectfully, and as she rose, she saw that Du Zhiqi was no longer impatient or annoyed.

Instead, as if belatedly realizing something, he wiped the sweat from his brow and whispered, “I understand.”

Du Lingjing did not disturb his thoughts any further and left the study.

Qiu-Lin and Ruan Gong quickly stepped forward. Seeing the young lady nod slightly, both of them took a deep breath to calm themselves.

Du Runqing stood to the side, watching the three walk away, then brought tea to the study door.

She announced her presence and entered, seeing Du Zhiqi sitting in a round-backed chair, one hand supporting his forehead, two fingers pinching his temple, silent.

She asked uncertainly, “Father, about my eldest sister’s marriage to the Shao family…”

She was interrupted before she could finish.

“Alright, do not mention this again.” Du Runqing was startled and about to say something, but saw her father gesture for her to leave.

She had no choice but to put down the tea tray and retreat, hearing her father let out a long sigh, as if he were releasing all the hope he had painstakingly gathered.

It seemed her eldest sister had persuaded their father to reject the marriage proposal.

Just yesterday, her father was full of confidence; today, he was dejected.

Du Runqing did not know what her eldest sister had said, but as she left the study, she saw the coachman from Qingzhou bring in the carriage, and her eldest sister’s head maid was directing people to take the luggage inside.

Du Runqing then realized she had not arranged accommodations for her eldest sister.

Last year, her mother had come to the capital to recuperate from an injury. Finding the main courtyard perfectly comfortable, they moved in. Since she was the one caring for her mother, her mother stayed in the main house, while she stayed in the east wing.

The east wing was simple yet exquisite; she had fallen in love with it at first sight. However, it seemed to be the very place her eldest sister had lived for many years when she was in the capital.

Du Runqing’s heart tightened at this thought.

Would her eldest sister ask her to vacate the east wing? After all, the transformation of their grandfather’s small house into the spacious mansion it had become was thanks to her uncle’s efforts.

However, she saw that the servants carrying the luggage had all gone to the west courtyard.

The eldest sister had not returned to the main courtyard; she had gone directly to the side courtyard in the west wing.

Du Runqing felt slightly embarrassed, but then she saw her eldest sister, dressed in different clothes, walk over from behind the moon gate connecting the two courtyards.

“Second Sister, I’ve come to see Aunt.”

Du Runqing quickly composed herself and led her over.

Last year, when Du Lingjing’s aunt went up the mountain to worship Buddha, her carriage had an accident. It plunged off a cliff, killing the coachman and the two maids accompanying her. Only the Second Madam survived, having been cushioned by one of the maids.

Now, Du Lingjing saw the Second Madam lying quietly in the bedchamber, lifeless, silent, motionless, and with her eyes tightly closed.

“Mother needs a lot of rest. She’s often unconscious after taking medicine, only waking up for two or three hours a day. Please do not blame her, Sister.”

Du Lingjing naturally did not blame her. Instead, she said to Du Runqing, “You manage the household and take care of Auntie; it must be very hard for you.”

Du Runqing lowered her head and shook it. “It’s what I should do.”

The two sisters exchanged a few more words, but given their age difference and lack of prior interaction, Du Lingjing, seeing that her sister did not want to talk much in front of her, had Qiu-Lin leave a box of medicinal herbs for Lady Gu and left without disturbing her further.

…

For the next three days, the Du Mansion was as quiet as if nothing had happened.

Du Lingjing lived alone in the western wing of the courtyard. She remembered her father saying when he bought it, “When your uncle becomes an official in the capital, this place will be his residence. The courtyard will be spacious enough for his large family.”

However, her uncle never became an official. Instead, it was after she arrived in the capital that she moved into this western wing.

Qiu-Lin lifted the curtain and entered, whispering something to her.

“This servant noticed that the Second Master did not go out. He went into his study early this morning and has not come out, just like the previous two days.”

Today was the tenth of the eighth lunar month, five days before the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet and the imperial decree for their marriage.

Today was also the last day for the Imperial Clan Court to receive name cards. After today, the cards would be sent to the palace, and it would be too late to go to the Imperial Clan Court.

Qiu-Lin wished she could keep her eyes fixed on the Second Master from the moment she opened them until the sun set behind the western mountains.

“Did no one come looking for Uncle today?” Du Lingjing turned a page of her book, sunlight casting bamboo shadows on the pages.

Qiu-Lin had said that two fellow graduates had come to invite Du Zhiqi for drinks, “but the Second Master was not in the mood, so they left.”

The name cards sent to the Imperial Clan Court could not be delivered by someone else; a mistake could cause trouble. The Second Master had not gone out, so it was impossible for the name cards to be sent out.

Qiu-Lin had also sent her maid, Ai-Ye, to keep a close watch near the study, but she heard the young lady ask another question.

“Did no one from the Shao family come looking for Uncle either?”

This question made Qiu-Lin’s expression serious.

She said no, “We really have not seen a trace of them.”

As she spoke, she moved closer to Du Lingjing. “Do you not find it strange, Miss? It’s not that you do not know that Scholar Shao; he suddenly decided to marry you, so why did he not send someone to sound out your opinion first, instead of coming to the Second Master’s place?”

Yes, that was indeed strange. Du Lingjing closed the book in her hand.

She knew Shao Boju; they had met a few times in the capital.

When her father was in the capital, he had taken good care of the two children of his former colleague, Hu Shibo. His younger sister, Hu Tingjun, was the same age as her, and they were very close; even after she returned to Qingzhou, they continued to correspond. Her older brother, Hu Tinglan, was Shao Boju’s classmate and close friend for many years, sharing both joys and sorrows.

She knew Shao Boju through the Hu siblings. Was it not strange that Shao Boju suddenly proposed marriage, bypassing the Hu siblings’ connections and wanting to be engaged directly through her uncle?

Moreover, Hu Tingjun had not mentioned this matter in her letter to her two months ago.

She had written another letter to Tingjun yesterday. The Hu family lived in Cangzhou; a round trip by fast horse would take two days.

…

It was past noon, and there was no other movement from the mansion. With each inch the sun dipped below the horizon, the chances of Second Master Du submitting her name card to the Imperial Clan Court diminished.

In the front courtyard, Du Zhiqi had his men unearth the old registers of the household and listlessly perused them in his study.

Servants were preparing the altar for the Mid-Autumn Festival moon-worship ceremony, temporarily setting it up behind a tree in a corner of the inner courtyard.

Du Runqing met with the people returning from the Gu family. She had sent gifts to her maternal grandmother and uncle at noon, and they had just returned. After asking a few questions, she went back to the main house to care for her mother, the Second Madam…

The entire Du household was so quiet that even the sparrows dared not chirp, burying their heads in their wings as if dozing.

Qiu-Lin watched the sun grow ever more slanted westward, feeling a secret sense of relief.

As long as Second Master Du had not submitted her name card, the young lady’s marriage was no longer under the control of the palace. They would not have to meddle in the capital’s affairs, and they could return to Qingzhou in a few days.

She said to Du Lingjing, “Miss, you mentioned earlier that you collected eight ancient books in one go, traveling all the way from Qingzhou to the gates of the capital. It seems like someone deliberately led us here, which is quite strange. But if we had not come to the capital, would we not have been kept in the dark?”

Du Lingjing smiled but did not speak. Qiu-Lin was about to say something when suddenly a commotion broke out in the main courtyard—

Screams and shouts rang out, followed by a flurry of footsteps, then cries and sharp shouts.

Du Lingjing raised an eyebrow. Qiu-Lin quickly asked what had happened, and a maidservant came to report.

“The Second Madam just came out of her room, and since no one was watching her, she fell down the stone steps and hit her head, bleeding!”

Du Lingjing quickly changed her clothes and went to the main courtyard.

The atmosphere in the main courtyard was tense, like the calm before a storm. None of the maids or servants dared to utter a sound. Du Lingjing quickly stepped forward, and a maid lifted the curtain for her.

Du Runqing sat before Lady Gu’s bedside, holding a white handkerchief, seemingly intending to wipe the blood from her mother’s forehead. Lady Gu’s sunken cheeks were covered in blood, her eyes darting around in terror.

Du Runqing whispered “Mother” and tried to wipe the blood from Lady Gu’s face with the handkerchief. However, as soon as she approached, Lady Gu suddenly grabbed her collar and screamed.

“Who are you?! What do you want?!”

Qiu-Lin, standing beside Du Lingjing, was startled and immediately tugged at her young lady’s sleeve. Du Lingjing stood still but saw her second sister, Du Runqing, standing before the bed, her eyes reddened. Ignoring the Second Madam’s struggle, she instead reached out and hugged her.

“Mother, it’s me, Qing’er! Do you not recognize me again? Your head is bleeding; I wiped the blood and bandaged it…”

The Second Madam looked dazed, muttering something unintelligible. After a long while, she looked at her daughter. “Are you Qing’er?”

After saying this, she collapsed. Du Runqing tried to call her again, but she suddenly fell onto the pillow, her eyes closed, and she fainted.

“Mother!”

“Madam!”

A mess formed around the bed.

Qiu-Lin tightly gripped Du Lingjing’s sleeve. “Miss, what…?”

“Quickly, go and fetch Uncle.”

Her aunt’s condition was worse than she had expected.

Du Lingjing finished speaking solemnly, just as Du Zhiqi’s voice reached the door.

She stepped forward to greet him, but Du Zhiqi paid her no attention, only asking what had happened to the Second Madam.

The maids stammered, saying they did not know why they had not been in their rooms. After the Second Madam had woken up, she got out of bed and walked to the door.

She could not recognize anyone. Seeing the servants in the courtyard, she asked in surprise, “Who are you all?” Then, seeing a servant rushing to help her, she shouted, “Do not come any closer!” In her panic, she fell down the stone steps, hitting her forehead on a flowerpot.

Upon hearing this, Du Zhiqi, his face ashen, sternly reprimanded her. The maids scattered in fright. Du Lingjing saw Du Runqing holding her mother’s hand, crying.

Finally, Du Zhiqi called to her, “Qing’er, do not cry. Father will send someone to fetch a physician.”

He turned to order someone to fetch a physician from the nearest clinic, but Du Runqing called for him instead.

“Father, do you not think Mother’s illness is getting worse? Could you…could you please summon an imperial physician to examine her more carefully?”

Given Du Zhiqi’s official rank, how could he possibly summon an imperial physician so quickly?

However, Du Runqing’s maternal grandmother, the Old Lady Wan of the Gu family, regularly consulted with imperial physicians.

Du Zhiqi agreed and immediately ordered someone to go to the Gu residence, “Tell her that Madam is injured, and ask the Old Lady to send an invitation to summon an imperial physician!”

…

In less than a quarter of an hour, the imperial physician arrived, but just as he entered, another guest arrived outside.

Du Zhiqi was greatly surprised upon hearing this. While straightening his clothes, he hurriedly went to greet the guest.

The newcomer had a full head of white hair and an elegant demeanor, but her face was pale, her lips tightly pressed together. She was being helped in quickly.

Du Lingjing was secretly surprised to see the newcomer.

“Mother-in-law, what brings you here?!” the uncle exclaimed.

It was none other than the Old Madam of the Gu family, Lady Gu’s mother, Old Lady Wan.

However, Old Lady Wan seemed not to hear Du Zhiqi’s words, completely ignoring him, and only continuing to walk inside. Only when she saw the imperial physician did her ashen face soften, and she anxiously asked him, “My daughter’s hysteria is getting worse and worse! What will become of her?”

The imperial physician’s eyes narrowed. “Old Madam, please do not worry. Let me examine her carefully first.”

The diagnosis could not be delayed, so Old Lady Wan repeatedly thanked him and asked him to go ahead.

The courtyard was quiet for a moment. Du Runqing came out of the room and went forward to greet her maternal grandmother. Old Lady Wan embraced her. At this embrace, tears streamed down the little girl’s face as she clung tightly to her grandmother’s chest.

Du Lingjing stepped forward to greet her. Old Lady Wan glanced at her, her eyes barely moving beneath her white hair.

“Oh, so the Eldest Young Lady has come to the capital too.”

Du Lingjing replied yes, bowing respectfully and standing to the side.

At this moment, Du Zhiqi stepped forward again and explained the situation to his mother-in-law. Old Lady Wan finally acknowledged him, giving a slight response without saying more.

Du Lingjing saw her uncle trembling with fear until the imperial physician finished his examination and came out of the room.

Everyone hurriedly asked what had happened, but the imperial physician said, “Please do not panic. The lady only injured her forehead; it’s nothing serious. As for the hysteria, judging from her pulse, it does not seem to be getting worse. Today’s events were most likely an accident.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the imperial physician’s words. The physician then prescribed a new formula for the Second Madam, which Du Runqing carefully tucked away. Du Zhiqi respectfully presented the consultation fee, and Old Lady Wan also exchanged pleasantries.

As they spoke, it grew late, and the imperial physician took his leave.

Old Lady Wan did not linger, but her expression remained unchanged throughout. She preferred to speak more with Du Runqing than with Du Zhiqi.

Du Lingjing saw her uncle looking extremely embarrassed.

Her uncle quickly stepped forward as Old Lady Wan was about to leave, saying, “This time it was truly your son-in-law’s fault. I will escort you home.”

Old Lady Wan did not want him to see her off. Du Zhiqi, however, dared not linger and followed closely behind.

He escorted her to the front courtyard, while the younger generation remained in the inner courtyard.

Du Runqing then had someone fetch the medicine and brew the imperial physician’s new prescription. But after the maid brought the medicine, she was still worried and turned to Du Lingjing.

“Elder Sister, could you please watch over Mother for me? I will go and brew the medicine myself.”

Her eyes were red and bloodshot. Du Lingjing sighed softly and nodded slowly.

“Do not worry, I will take care of Aunt.”

“Thank you, Elder Sister.”

Du Runqing bowed to her and left.

Du Lingjing sat on the edge of the bed and glanced at the Second Madam. She thought of how her aunt used to be so concerned with appearances, never allowing herself to appear disheveled, but now she did not care about that at all.

If it were not for the Gu family and Old Lady Wan being in the capital, the Second Madam might not even be alive.

Qiu-Lin had not thought of that. She only sighed, “Old Lady Wan is indeed a respectable person even in the palace. She really dares to give the Second Master a hard time.”

After Qiu-Lin finished speaking, she saw the young lady suddenly stop.

Before she could even ask a question, her maid, Ai-Ye, rushed in.

“Miss, Second Master went to see Old Lady Wan off, and he has not returned yet after a quarter of an hour.”

Before she finished speaking, Qiu-Lin saw her young lady abruptly stand up.

She immediately called to Ruan Gong, “Go to the Imperial Clan Court at once!”

She had not seen her young lady with such a tense and solemn expression in a long time, but Ruan Gong returned, kneeling on the ground with a thud.

“Miss, I was a step too late. Old Lady Wan’s carriage personally took Second Master to the Imperial Clan Court. When I arrived, Second Master had already submitted your name card…!”