Exclusively for the Marchioness – CH 014

Chapter 14

“Ai-Ye, come in and report.”

Du Lingjing’s voice came from inside the room, and the maid, Ai-Ye, quickly responded and entered.

Yesterday, Du Lingjing had asked Ai-Ye to inquire in the capital why Lu Shenru was still unmarried at twenty-five. Unexpectedly, before Ai-Ye could find out anything, he had come to her door today.

Du Lingjing asked him directly.

This was the most unusual aspect of that Marquis; if the truth could be uncovered, it might offer her a sliver of opportunity.

Ai-Ye reported.

“Reporting to Miss, many in the capital are curious about this matter. Whenever the Marquis of Yongding is mentioned, besides what they say about his powerful army, his support of Prince Hui, and his ability to rival the civil officials, that’s all that’s said. However, after inquiring around, the accounts differ.”

Du Lingjing nodded, signaling her to continue.

Ai-Ye said, “The most common version is that Marquis Lu has been waiting for someone. They initially said he was waiting for the daughter of the Imperial Uncle.”

The current Emperor’s birth mother died early, and before his ascension to the throne, the Imperial Uncle and his wife took good care of him. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he bestowed upon the Imperial Uncle the title of Earl of Xinyun and appointed him Commander of the Jinyiwei, and also specially conferred upon the Imperial Uncle’s wife the title of Lady Baoguo.

The late Emperor’s brother-in-law and his wife had two sons and a daughter. This daughter was the only daughter of the Earl of Xinyun, only fourteen years old this year, and would not turn fifteen until next spring.

Given the Earl of Xinyun’s household’s favor, it would not be unreasonable for Marquis Lu to wait so long, especially since Lady Baoguo’s surname was Lu, and she came from the Lu clan of the Marquis of Yongding’s household. Although from a collateral branch, she was still Marquis Lu’s aunt.

This marriage was the most favored by the people, and the Marquis’s long wait was understandable.

This year, many people bet on the imperial decree bestowing the marriage upon the Marquis to the Emperor’s uncle’s daughter, with the wedding taking place immediately after next spring.

But when the imperial decree was issued, all these gamblers lost everything in the gambling dens.

Ai-Ye said, “The rumor that the Marquis is waiting for the Imperial Uncle’s daughter has mostly dissipated.”

She glanced at the young woman seated. “These days, it’s more accurate to say that the Marquis has been waiting for many years, but actually, many people say he was waiting for our young lady.”

Du Lingjing frowned.

“Nonsense.”

Ai-Ye quickly changed the subject, “Besides that, the most talked-about rumor is about the Tatar princess. Some say the Marquis was once married to a Tatar princess; others say it was a noblewoman from a tribe, preordained but unable to marry due to their different social statuses. But some say that the Tatar noblewoman drifted down to the capital and became a former courtesan of the Bingzhu Pavilion, which is not far from the Marquis’s Mansion in Jiqing Ward, and the Marquis was a frequent customer.”

Du Lingjing frowned upon hearing this. “That’s all?”

Ai-Ye said, “Actually, there’s another version.”

She hesitated to speak but still said, “Some say the Marquis was wounded in battle at the border and could not marry for a long time, probably because… he’s impotent.”

Before she could finish, before Du Lingjing could react, Qiu-Lin beside her widened her eyes in surprise.

“Really?!”

Turning to the young woman, she said, “If that’s the case, it’s not impossible to take the exam…”

Du Lingjing glanced at her.

Ai-Ye added, “Not many people say that. Everyone says the Marquis looks so heroic and imposing, it’s unlikely he’s incapable.”

Indeed. Du Lingjing recalled the Marquis’s appearance; rumors were always outrageous, just like the rumor that he was actually waiting for her—completely unbelievable.

However, Ai-Ye hesitated to speak. Qiu-Lin urged her, and she finally said, “Rather than saying the Marquis is not capable enough to be unmarried, I think another explanation is more credible.”

“What is it?” Du Lingjing asked.

Ai-Ye said, “They say the Marquis grew up on the frontier battlefields, like a tiger and a wolf, and ordinary women might…not be able to withstand him. The Marquis knows this well, which is why he has not married a noblewoman.”

“Ah?” Qiu-Lin could not help but exclaim in surprise.

Du Lingjing, unsure how to react, frowned as she listened to Ai-Ye’s words.

“Take the courtesan from Bingzhu Pavilion. That courtesan is of Tatar origin. She left Bingzhu Pavilion a few years ago, and her whereabouts are unknown. Some say she has entered the Marquis’s harem. No one else can do it; the Marquis favors her alone, and it is said that in the past few years, she has given birth to three sons and two daughters for him.”

Qiu-Lin was speechless.

Du Lingjing pressed her eyes, which were stinging with tears, and remained silent for a moment.

“Is there no reliable explanation?”

Ai-Ye shook her head, but after thinking for a moment, she still spoke.

“Actually, this servant thinks the most credible explanation is that the Marquis is extremely picky, and ordinary people cannot catch his eye, which is why he has not yet married.”

Du Lingjing closed her eyes.

She did not think she was anything special to have gained his favor. But perhaps the marriage alliance with the Du family had other considerations on his part. Hearing these absurd rumors made her head spin.

Du Lingjing returned to her desk to continue writing, but inexplicably, the strange rumors about Marquis Lu kept swirling in her mind, causing her considerable annoyance.

After two days of writing, she finally felt a sense of peace, but the matter of the imperial decree for marriage remained unresolved. Today was the twenty-sixth day of the eighth month, only ten days until the sixth day of next month, the date he had set.

Thinking of this, she could not concentrate on her writing. But Ruan Gong came to deliver a message.

“Miss, the Consort Dowager has sent a maid to request your presence at Zhenyue Tower.”

Du Lingjing changed her clothes and went.

However, upon arriving at the private room of Zhenyue Tower, she only found Nanny Pu, who served the Consort Dowager Jiang.

“Nanny, the Consort Dowager has not come?” Du Lingjing was slightly taken aback.

Nanny Pu shook her head. “Her Imperial Highness went to Hongluo Temple for quiet contemplation. Before leaving, she instructed me to convey a few words to you, Miss.”

When she and Third Young Master were still in the capital, shortly after the late Emperor’s death, Her Imperial Highness went to Hongluo Temple for quiet contemplation. She and Third Young Master visited Her Imperial Highness there many times, and Her Imperial Highness had Nanny Pu personally prepare vegetarian meals for them.

If it were not for her matter this time, Her Imperial Highness probably would not have returned to the capital.

Du Lingjing composed herself. “What are Her Imperial Highness’s instructions?”

Nanny Pu glanced at her. She noticed that the young lady had grown much taller than before, but back then, though she was refined and quiet, her eyes were like a mountain spring under the sunlight, shimmering. Now, however, her eyelids were half-closed, and the mountain spring, devoid of sunlight, flowed silently and slowly in the thick mist.

Nanny Pu could not help but show affection in her eyes.

“Her Imperial Highness asked me to tell you, Miss,” she paused slightly, “not to miss Third Master too much.”

Just those words, like a gust of wind sweeping past her eyes, and Du Lingjing’s tears instantly streamed down her face.

The private room was utterly silent. Qiu-Lin covered her mouth and nose, and Nanny Pu’s eyes also reddened.

She said, “Her Imperial Highness did not come to personally instruct you, Miss, because she was afraid of seeing you cry.”

However, before she finished speaking, Du Lingjing looked up.

“But Nanny, how can I stop thinking about him?”

Her voice was choked with sobs, almost unbearable to hear. Even Nanny Pu, who had seen countless storms in the palace, could not help but feel her eyes welling up with tears.

“That’s the second thing Her Imperial Highness asked me to tell you, Miss,” Nanny Pu said, looking at Du Lingjing.

“Her Imperial Highness said that you are still young, and this world is not only about filial piety and childhood sweethearts, nor is it solely about vast amounts of knowledge and ancient and modern literature. Her Imperial Highness said that you, Young Lady, possess a talent and character superior to ordinary people, and perhaps you are destined for a more fulfilling life, so that your existence will not have been in vain.”

Du Lingjing paused, stunned, and then lowered her head.

“…Her Imperial Highness probably overestimates me.”

Since her father and Third Young Master passed away, she only wanted to spend the rest of her life quietly in Mian Tower.

She did not need anything grand or fulfilling; in the study, she often felt their presence beside her, which made her less lonely and life less unbearable—that was already a rare privilege.

Now, perhaps even that was no longer possible.

She lowered her head and fell silent.

Nanny Pu sighed, “Her Imperial Highness has a third instruction.”

“…Please speak, Nanny; Jing-niang is listening.”

Nanny Pu looked at the girl before her, her face as dejected as a night rain.

“Her Imperial Highness says that the imperial decree cannot be disobeyed. But Marquis Lu might not be an unsuitable match for you, Miss.”

Upon hearing this, Du Lingjing was taken aback.

“A suitable match?” She shook her head involuntarily. “No, Jing-niang does not think so.”

She shook her head again and again, saying nothing more, tears falling with each gentle shake.

Nanny Pu sighed heavily. “You child, your temper is so stubborn…”

But after conveying these three instructions from Consort Dowager Jiang, Nanny Pu was about to leave.

She still needed to go to Hongluo Temple before dark to report back.

Du Lingjing could not linger and could only get up to see Nanny Pu off.

Unexpectedly, as they left the private room and turned onto the stairwell, they ran into someone.

“Nanny Pu.”

“Lord Marquis?”

Nanny Pu saw Lu Shenru and stepped forward to bow to him.

Lu Shenru quickly helped her out of the formality, his gaze falling on the young woman behind the nanny.

Her eyes were red.

She had just been crying.

The man pursed his lips.

Nanny Pu was in a hurry and, seeing this, immediately took her leave, then turned back to stop Du Lingjing, “Miss, there’s no need to see me off.”

After speaking, the nanny, led by the young maid, went down the stairs.

Du Lingjing, however, did not wish to stay, especially not in his presence. She silently bowed to him and was about to leave as well.

But he stood on the wooden steps below her, motionless, only looking up at her.

It was Zhenyue Tower again, and this same stairwell again.

If the last time was a coincidence, then this time… Du Lingjing paused. Would he really have Consort Dowager Jiang and Nanny Pu act as intermediaries for him?

Thinking this, she glanced over, and as soon as their eyes met, Lu Shenru understood her misunderstanding.

He explained, “I just happened to be passing by.”

He was indeed passing by. He had an appointment with an official from the Shaanxi Military Command today, but when he entered just now, he had heard the guards mention that she happened to be in Zhenyue Tower.

The man knew he could not explain himself; at the very least, she would suspect he was following him. He could only let her scrutinize him.

But she withdrew her gaze.

Du Lingjing could not imagine how this Marquis, who had previously been so dissatisfied with Zhenyue Tower, could have just happened to be passing by it.

She turned her head away from him, nodding perfunctorily in response to his explanation.

But she spoke up, “Please proceed, Your Lordship. However, Du Lingjing still needs to buy a few books for my husband at Chongjiao Bookstore, so I will not delay Your Lordship’s business.”

After she finished speaking, she leaned against the wall, gesturing for the Marquis to go upstairs first.

Once he went upstairs, she could naturally go downstairs; otherwise, he would have been blocking her way on the steps below.

How could a man not understand her meaning?

Her tone was impeccably polite, but “my husband”…

She really knew how to say things he did not want to hear.

Lu Shenru could not help but smile.

He ignored her comment and said something else to her.

“The Marquis’s Mansion has completed ninety percent of the preparations for the wedding with my wife, so please rest assured, my wife.”

These words made Du Lingjing turn her head to look at him.

The stairwell was so quiet that only the two people standing on and off the stairs could be heard breathing softly.

Lu Shenru looked at her, his gaze meeting hers.

Her eyes were red, even her straight, white nose was faintly flushed, and there were still traces of tears on her cheeks.

Why was she crying for that man again?

But Du Lingjing could not help but think of the day he insisted on tying his betrothal gift to her waist in the study.

Was this a suitable match?

Their breaths mingled, and she seemed to faintly smell his irresistible scent.

She did not want to get any closer to him.

She immediately turned her head away, seeing that he would not give way to her, and turned to go downstairs.

She was determined to go downstairs, but before he could move aside, the distance between them suddenly closed dramatically.

Lu Shenru could not help but raise his hand and grasp her wrist.

His burning palm suddenly scalded her.

Du Lingjing lowered her voice, “My Lord.”

The man understood her meaning.

He sighed helplessly, “…Alright.”

He sighed softly, gently releasing her hand, stepping aside to let her pass, his gaze following her as she descended faster and faster until she disappeared into the stairwell.

But she did not turn back.

*

Chongjiao District was at the northernmost end of Chongwen Gate Street. Du Lingjing had only used this as an excuse and had no intention of going there specifically. She went home as soon as she left Zhenyue Tower.

The capital seemed to be brewing a rainstorm that evening. Before the rain fell, the air was heavy and oppressive.

Qiu-Lin had someone bring out a fan. “Could it be that the autumn heat has returned tonight?”

The room was stuffy and hot. Du Lingjing’s mind was in turmoil. She wrote a few pages before putting down her pen. Qiu-Lin helped her wash up, then blew out the lamp and went to bed early.

Perhaps it was the oppressive heat, but she slept restlessly that night.

Du Lingjing had several hazy dreams, the rumbling of thunder filling her ears. Her dreams shifted several times, until suddenly she saw a grand, ornately decorated mansion.

She did not know where she was, but turning to look at the room under the covered corridor, she immediately saw the Marquis.

The man wore only a light undergarment, standing with his back to the lamplight, the firelight casting shimmering shadows on his damp back.

He turned halfway to the side, his robe half-open, revealing most of his sharp collarbone. Du Lingjing was startled, unsure of where she was, when a Tatar-looking woman dressed in revealing, scantily clad clothing appeared before her.

The woman’s identity flashed through her mind—

The Tatar singer who had borne him three sons and two daughters?

The songstress, who had borne him a child, still possessed a captivating figure. She approached the man, gently tracing the veins of his neck along his collarbone, then caressing his cheek.

The man chuckled, looking down at her. Suddenly, he swept her up in his arms, turning and placing her on a high platform behind him.

The lamplight flickered and dimmed again in an instant. Her clothes were half-undone, her silk robes trailing on the ground. He grasped the songstress’s ankle, indulging in the most alluring acts…

Du Lingjing was startled and turned to leave, but the man suddenly turned, his gaze fixed on her through the window.

The next instant, the world spun around her. When she opened her eyes again, she saw that the person sitting on the platform under the lamplight was no longer the Tatar songstress.

The bare-armed man had one burning palm around her waist and the other locked around her wrist.

The person whose clothes had been removed was now her!

The man lowered his head, his gaze capturing her eyes. Du Lingjing froze, abruptly waking from her dream.

It was already dawn, but the rain had not started yet. The sky was a hazy gray, and not a breath of wind stirred.

She was covered in sweat. Sitting up, she looked down and noticed that her thin robe had been pulled down, half-fallen from her shoulders.

Suddenly remembering her absurd dream, she quickly pulled her robe up to cover her shoulders and then lifted the curtain to call Qiu-Lin.

“Qiu-Lin, get me a cup of cool tea.”

Qiu-Lin responded and hurried off.

Du Lingjing drank the tea in one gulp, feeling a little calmer.

“Why are you sweating so much, Miss? What did you dream about?” Qiu-Lin wrung out a handkerchief to wipe her body.

That dream, and the marquis in it… Du Lingjing had never had such a terrifying dream before.

“No,” she shook her head, “it’s nothing.”

But there were only nine days left until their wedding.

Ai-Ye suddenly rushed in.

“What’s wrong?” Qiu-Lin asked.

Ai-Ye said, “Second Young Lady had a high fever last night and fainted this morning. Second Master rushed to fetch a physician.”

Du Lingjing raised an eyebrow.

Her second sister had always been quite healthy; how could she suddenly have a high fever and faint?

She got up and changed her clothes.

“Let’s go and see her.”