Exclusively for the Marchioness – CH 015

Chapter 15

When Du Lingjing arrived, the physician had administered acupuncture, and her younger sister, Du Runqing, had already woken up.

Du Zhiqi hurriedly asked the physician what had happened, and the physician then took the young lady’s pulse.

Du Lingjing glanced at Du Runqing. Seeing her second sister’s pale and unsteady complexion and the physician saying it was a cold, adding, “Young Lady, you are so young, yet you worry too much. Excessive worry easily attracts evil spirits into the body, and you might not be able to withstand it.”

These words made Du Runqing’s face even worse. Du Zhiqi first asked the physician to prescribe a medicine, then turned to his daughter.

“I think the physician is right. It’s also my fault for being away on official business all year round, unable to take care of everything at home. From now on, borrow two capable stewards from the Gu family to help you share the burden. Do not ask about anything else, and try to think less.”

He assumed that the household chores had overwhelmed his daughter, and Du Runqing lowered her head and said hoarsely, “Yes.”

After saying this, he went out to speak with the physician, leaving only the two sisters and their respective maids in the room.

Du Lingjing asked her younger sister a few questions about how she was feeling, while Qiu-Lin could not help but glance around the room a few times.

This was the east wing of the main courtyard, the very residence Du Lingjing had lived in with her father in the capital.

She noticed that the large pieces of furniture had all been left behind—specially crafted by the eldest master for his daughter, made from fine materials, and perfectly suited to the second young lady’s age. However, the details had been completely changed.

Her own young lady was quiet and reserved, so she used more plain porcelain cups and goblets, but the second young lady, clearly more suited to her delicate age, used more famille rose porcelain with floral and bird patterns.

“They are quite beautiful,” Qiu-Lin muttered to herself.

Before she could say anything, the second young lady spoke.

“This was originally your room, Sister. I took it without permission and changed it up. Please do not mind, Sister.”

Her voice was nasal, almost tearful. “Sister’s wedding day is coming soon. I should not be doing this, but I am ill now and afraid I will not be able to manage anything. I will ruin your happy occasion and disgrace…” She paused slightly, “…the Marquis’s dignity.”

Du Lingjing looked over and heard her lower her head and say, “I cannot help you, Sister. Mother also needs to rest. I will take her to move out tomorrow to a mansion in the suburbs of the capital for a while. Please do not blame me, Sister.”

She kept her head down as she spoke, avoiding Du Lingjing’s gaze. Du Lingjing noticed her eyes were red, her under-eyes bluish, and her voice hoarse and nasal, as if she were holding back tears.

Du Lingjing did not immediately reply, glancing at her sister several times before speaking softly.

“Second Sister has indeed overthought things. This marriage is not my wish, and Marquis Lu is not my true love. If it were up to me, it would be better not to hold the ceremony. So, whether or not we can maintain a festive atmosphere is unimportant. Second Sister, please do not dwell on it.”

As she spoke, her sister looked up at her. Du Lingjing spoke the truth and let her look.

After a long while, Du Runqing suddenly snapped out of her daze and quickly lowered her head again.

“Sister is right.”

Seeing that her eldest sister indeed showed no joy, she only told her to take good care of herself before leaving with Qiu-Lin.

However, as soon as Du Lingjing and her servant left, the maid Rui-Xue could not help but speak up.

“The eldest young lady is really strange. She does not even want the second wife of the third-ranking scholar, and she has no interest in marrying the Marquis. This… does the eldest young lady really only have Master Jiang in her heart? Master Jiang has been dead for three years.”

Rui-Xue was incredulous, and Du Runqing was also stunned, unable to speak for a moment.

But Rui-Xue asked her again, “Then, Young Lady, are we really going to leave the capital and give the side room to the eldest young lady?”

Before Du Runqing could reply, a maid came to deliver a message, saying that Nanny Guan, who served Old Lady Wan, had arrived. “Old Lady Wan heard that the young lady had a high fever and fainted this morning, and she is very distressed. She wants to take the young lady to the Gu residence for a few days.”

…

At the Gu Mansion in Chengqing District.

Old Lady Wan instructed her servants to prepare the side rooms in her courtyard. “The young lady is approaching marriageable age; she can no longer use her old belongings. Replace them all with the best new ones from the storeroom. A change in environment shapes a person’s character; she deserves some dignity and respect.”

Gu Yangsi, however, paid no heed to his niece’s feelings.

“Mother, why bother with all that? The wedding date is set for the sixth of next month,” he said, puzzled. “Does Marquis Lu really want to marry Du Lingjing? Does he really fancy her?”

Old Lady Wan snorted. “Perhaps not.”

She looked at her son. “You’ve seen Scholar Shao’s current situation.”

She explained that Shao Boju was suspected of murder, causing a city-wide uproar. What was originally a trivial matter had escalated into a major incident, with the Marquis of Yongding’s family and Prince Hui’s faction launching a coordinated attack on Scholar Shao, accusing him of wrongdoing. Although he was only a newly appointed scholar, the accusation that even princes were subject to the same laws as commoners caught Prince Yong’s faction completely off guard.

Some officials in the court, who already considered themselves loyal ministers and did not want to participate in the factional struggle, also opposed Scholar Shao’s unwavering support for Prince Yong in winning over civil officials. This incident caused many previously wavering officials to change their allegiance.

“At this time, if Marquis Lu were to comply with the Emperor’s wishes and marry the daughter of the upright Du family as his wife and be willing to cultivate good relations with civil officials, would that not win over a group of civil officials to Prince Hui’s side? Even if he could not win over them all, these civil officials would have a more favorable view of the Marquis of Yongding’s family.”

Old Lady Wan said, “The Du family may have fallen on hard times, but seizing this opportunity, a daughter of the Du family is truly more suitable than a noblewoman.”

She patiently explained to her son, Gu Yangsi, but he still frowned.

“But for our family, it’s not beneficial at all.”

He said that little did anyone know that the marriage alliance between the Shao family and the Du family was originally arranged by Old Lady Wan. “The Shao family has lost the Emperor’s favor, and we’ve been implicated. These days, hardly anyone comes to our door.”

He had originally hoped that outsiders would come to him for favors, and he could receive some benefits.

Now that the people were gone, the benefits had naturally vanished.

Initially, the Gu family and Old Lady Wan did not side with either of the two princes in court. Whether they were imperial relatives or nobles, civil officials or local gentry, she could help them arrange marriages, ensuring the Gu family’s position would be secure no matter which prince inherited the throne.

However, because of Old Lady Wan’s imperial lineage, she had closer ties with nobles, so when the Shao family offered their help this time, she agreed after a moment’s thought. If she could help the Shao family with the marriage alliance, she would truly have both sides firmly on her side.

Unexpectedly, things went terribly wrong, and the Gu family found themselves entangled with the Shao family, facing a cold shoulder.

At this moment, Gu Yangsi could not help but complain about his mother.

“Mother, really! I’ve always seen you handle things with the utmost care. How could you have offended Du Lingjing this time? Now that she’s the Lady of Lu, she will definitely show us no mercy in front of the Marquis. We are truly tied to the Shao family now.”

He was deeply resentful. “Mother’s actions have really dragged me down!”

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival marriage decree, Old Lady Wan had assured her son that nothing would go wrong, but after the decree, everything changed.

Gu Yangsi grew irritable. A maid came to refill his tea, her hand trembling as she approached him. He immediately glared at her, nearly causing the maid to drop the teapot.

Old Lady Wan quickly dismissed the young maid and then instructed her daughter-in-law, Lady Liang, “Gongrong, go and refill his tea.”

Lady Liang hurried over to comfort her husband. Seeing that her son had calmed down, Old Lady Wan spoke gently.

“Although things are not as your mother initially thought, there might still be a way to salvage the situation. If we can be on good terms with the Marquis’s Mansion, we will not be afraid of being tied to the Shao family.”

Gu Yangsi raised an eyebrow. “Mother, are you confused? How could Du Lingjing possibly want us to be on good terms with the Marquis’s Mansion? She’s not Qing’er.”

Old Lady Wan did not mind her son’s impolite words and instead laughed.

“Of course, she’s not Qing’er, but the Marquis’s wife does not necessarily have to be her.”

Gu Yangsi was taken aback.

Just then, a servant came to announce that Nanny Guan had brought the young lady to the gate.

Old Lady Wan had Lady Liang personally go and welcome Du Runqing inside.

Du Runqing dared not trouble her aunt, but Old Lady Wan simply invited her to sit down, first inquiring about her health, then reviewing the physician’s prescription. Seeing that she was still somewhat weak, she personally escorted her to the side room.

Du Runqing was surprised to find the side room had been altered, with everything now expensive and exquisite.

Just as she was about to say something, she saw her maternal grandmother dismiss everyone, leaving only the two of them in the room.

Du Runqing was somewhat at a loss, but then she heard her maternal grandmother speak to her with a smile.

“Your coming-of-age ceremony is on the twenty-ninth day. Rest well here with your maternal grandmother these next few days, and on that day, your maternal grandmother will give you a grand celebration.”

With her sister’s marriage to the Marquis in the air, Du Runqing had almost forgotten about her own coming-of-age ceremony.

She lowered her head and said, “Forget it, Grandmother; do not worry about me. I will just wear a hairpin at home.”

“How can that be? After your coming-of-age ceremony, you will be a young woman ready to marry. How can you be so hasty?”

Old Lady Wan disapproved, but Du Runqing had no intention of marrying. Her head drooped even lower. “I do not want to get married…”

But as soon as she said this, she saw Old Lady Wan raise an eyebrow.

“You’ve only lived with your eldest sister for a few days; how come you are already acting like her, so unconventional?”

Her tone was quite serious, and Du Runqing immediately shut her mouth.

She saw her grandmother looking at her sternly. “How have I always taught you? Being a woman is the most difficult thing in the world. If you are not clever, it’s even harder. Tell me, how should one be a clever woman?”

She asked, and Du Runqing dared not refuse, quickly replying.

“Yes, yes, be virtuous, gentle, and obedient, and go with the flow.”

Seeing her answer, Old Lady Wan’s eyes showed a hint of satisfaction.

“Exactly. This world is a man’s world. What we can do is rely on men, cleverly assess the situation, and live our lives well.”

She said slowly, “Like your eldest sister, who became arrogant after reading a few books, disregarding others, and acting recklessly, that’s the worst thing.”

Old Lady Wan sighed as she said this.

“Actually, the fault is not entirely hers; it’s her name itself that’s wrong. A woman comes into this world to bring prosperity to her family and harmony to her household, but her father gave her such a name.”

^{泠泠七弦上，静听松风寒。línglíng qī xián shàng, jìng tīng sōng fēnghán.}
Melodious sound on seven strings ascending;
Cold wind through the pines quietly listening.

Lingjing.

“Listen to that name! Solitary and quiet—is that a name a woman should have? If she wants a peaceful and happy life in her later years, in my opinion, she should change her name first.”

Du Runqing suddenly remembered that after her aunt, Lady Liang, entered the family, her maternal grandmother changed her name.

She could not remember her aunt’s original given name, but her grandmother had given her the characters “Gong” ^(Respectful) and “Rong,” ^(Tolerant) so her aunt was simply called Lady Liang Gongrong.

Later, her grandmother felt that her name sounded rather masculine, lacking gentleness and joy, but she had not had time to change it.

Now, she dared not speak, only hearing her grandmother say, “A name has the greatest influence on a person’s entire life. Her name is truly wrong; she will not have a good life from now on.”

Du Runqing was somewhat confused.

“But my sister is going to marry the Marquis; how could she have a bad life?”

She said this in a hoarse voice, but her grandmother laughed, her gaze fixed on her face.

“If Grandmother’s guess is correct, this is the root of your illness, is it not? Marquis Lu, he is the one you cannot forget, is he not?”

Du Runqing froze. Her mind, already clouded by a high fever, went blank.

Grandmother…how did she know?

She became dazed, but the image of her first encounter with the Marquis flashed through her mind.

It was last year, when she had just arrived in the capital. Her mother had suddenly fallen ill, and two nearby physicians had tried acupuncture, but neither could calm her down. Her grandmother and aunt had gone out of the capital to worship Buddha, and in desperation, she had no choice but to take her father’s invitation and personally travel to the west of the city to seek out a renowned physician specializing in hysteria.

Unexpectedly, her road was blocked by a group of high-ranking officials and nobles. In her panic, she sent her servant to plead with the nobles to make way.

Standing in the middle of the road was none other than Lu Shenru, the Marquis of Yongding.

At that time, upon hearing the name of this Marquis, she was startled. Unexpectedly, upon hearing her purpose, the Marquis looked towards her carriage.

“So it’s the Du family’s carriage,” he said, then addressed the group of officials accompanying him, “Please give me face and let the Du family’s carriage go first.”

She was taken aback, and before she could react, the assembled dignitaries had already made way for her.

As the carriage passed through the crowd, she could not help but glance at the Marquis.

That day, he wore a dark blue brocade robe with subtle patterns. He stood with his hands behind his back by the street, his figure extremely tall and imposing. He looked over the crowd at her, gave a faint smile, and nodded to her.

Her heart skipped a beat.

After hurriedly fetching a physician and having a servant take him home, she returned to the place she had just been.

The man had already entered a nearby restaurant with a group of officials, leaving only two guards at the door.

She stepped forward, clutching a handkerchief, “Du Runqing has come to thank the Marquis.”

Upon hearing this, the guards went upstairs, returning only briefly.

It was not surprising that the Marquis had not seen her, she heard the guards say.

“The Marquis said that since everyone was blocking the street today, they should give way. There’s no need for your gratitude, Young Lady.”

She bowed her head in response, thinking that was all the Marquis said, but the guard spoke again.

“The Marquis also instructed that the Du family of Qingzhou is a family of scholars and officials, a family of impeccable character. If you ever encounter difficulties in the future, Young Lady, just come to the Marquis’s Mansion for help; the Marquis’s Mansion will certainly assist you.”

Those words went beyond mere politeness, and she was quite surprised.

Two months later, when she was buying medicine for her mother, a rare medicinal herb was in short supply. She went to several shops, but they all said they were out of stock and it would take several months to get it.

Fearing that delaying her mother’s treatment would worsen her condition, she was anxious and inexplicably thought of the Marquis’s words. Logically, she should not have taken it seriously, but inexplicably, she felt that the Marquis was someone she could rely on.

She sent a note to the Marquis’s Mansion, and to her utter surprise, the medicinal herbs, which were supposed to take over a month to arrive, were delivered to the Du family’s door the very next day!

Seeing that her thoughts could no longer be hidden from her grandmother, she simply told her everything.

“…Not only did the herbs arrive, but the Marquis’s Mansion even advanced the money.”

Although Old Lady Wan had guessed her granddaughter’s intentions, she had not expected this.

Her expression softened. “Then you did not follow proper etiquette and thank the Marquis?”

“How could I dare to be impolite? I came in person. It’s just that at the beginning of the year, war broke out at the border, and the Marquis was out of the capital and did not see me.” She gently clenched her fist. “But when I tried to return the money to the Marquis’s Mansion, the steward said that the Marquis had instructed that the Du family did not need to repay it and that I should not worry about it.”

As the young girl spoke, a blush rose on her previously sickly face.

Old Lady Wan could not help but smile, her eyes filled with even more affection as she looked at her granddaughter.

“So, the Marquis and Qing’er were destined to be together. What a wonderful thing!”

The little girl’s heart skipped a beat, but then, as if remembering something, she suddenly felt an emptiness in her heart, a hollowness that made her throat dry.

“But the Marquis… is already my sister’s husband.”

Her grandmother raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? What did your eldest sister say about this marriage?”

Du Runqing did not quite understand her grandmother’s meaning, but remembering her eldest sister’s words that morning, she had already repeated them to her grandmother.

Old Lady Wan laughed upon hearing this. “Look at you; your eldest sister does not approve.”

“But even so, the imperial decree has ordained the marriage, and my eldest sister will definitely marry the Marquis.”

But these words only made her grandmother laugh even harder.

“Who said that? That document submitted to the Imperial Clan Court was written under my guidance. If I remember correctly, it did not list Du Zhili’s only daughter, but your grandfather Du Yijing’s granddaughter.”

Old Lady Wan had left this as a possible avenue, hoping for a chance to marry her granddaughter to the third-ranked scholar, Shao Boju.

Who knew that Shao Boju would not be chosen, and instead, the Marquis of Yongding was selected!

She looked at her granddaughter, Du Runqing.

“Your grandfather has more than one granddaughter, and you, my child, will be of marriageable age after the twenty-ninth day of this month, right? Is that not a coincidence? It perfectly aligns with the imperial decree of marriage.”

The room fell silent after she finished speaking.

Du Runqing could only hear her own heart pounding like a drum.