Exclusively for the Marchioness – CH 019

Chapter 19

“How could this be? How could the Marquis do this?!”

The little girl could not comprehend how the gentle Marquis could personally order her uncle to be beaten to death!

She turned to leave. “I am going to the Marquis’s Mansion to find him! He told me I could come to him with anything. I’ll beg him to release my uncle…”

She was truly about to go when Du Zhiqi quickly stopped his daughter.

“You cannot go! The Marquis will not see you!”

“Why? The Marquis was not like this before…” The little girl still could not believe it.

Du Zhiqi did not know how to explain to his daughter that the sisters’ arranged marriage had ignited the Marquis Lu’s wrath, which had now extended to the Gu family.

He looked at his daughter’s red, tear-filled eyes and sighed angrily. “The Marquis… he only wants your sister!”

The little girl froze on the spot.

*

The Du family of Chengqing District soon received the news, and the entire mansion fell silent.

Even the wind had died down, leaving only the heavy chill of approaching late autumn.

The Northern Garrison of the Jinyiwei had not released Gu Yangsi; instead, they had tortured him on charges of treason, leaving him nearly dead.

The implication was clear.

The servant, Chang-Pu, did not know whether to laugh or cry. Amidst the silence of the entire mansion, especially his young mistress, he sought out Ruan Gong.

“If the Marquis really insists on marrying the young lady, I will give her all the money I won. Would that make her feel better?”

Ruan Gong kicked him. “Do not make things worse.”

Just then, the gatekeeper, Wen Bo, sent a servant to announce that someone had suddenly arrived to see the Eldest Young Lady.

Ruan Gong hurried over to inquire but was startled upon seeing the person.

“You are… the Chief Steward Zong of the Marquis of Yongding’s residence?”

Ruan Gong had once seen this old Chief Steward from afar in the capital when he was still a servant.

This was the Chief Steward of the Marquis of Yongding’s residence. Countless people from both inside and outside the capital sought his services; his rarity rivaled that of the Marquis himself.

Ruan Gong’s mind was buzzing. What was the Chief Steward of the Marquis’s Mansion doing here in person?

Unexpectedly, this Chief Steward seemed kind and approachable, even addressing him directly.

“Are you Steward Ruan? I’ve come specifically on the Marquis’s orders; I have something for the young lady.”

The implication was clear: it would be best to do this in front of the young lady. However, Ruan Gong had sent Chang-Pu, but Du Lingjing had not come.

But the Chief Steward was not angry. He still smiled and had someone bring the item forward.

The box containing the item was not large. Steward Zong had it opened, and Ruan Gong glanced at it, then paused, stunned.

“This is…”

“The Marquis heard that the courtyard where the young lady’s dowry was kept had been pillaged, and fearing that the wedding dress for her wedding day would not be ready in time, he had the Marquis’s Mansion rush to make one overnight, which I specially sent to deliver to the young lady.”

He said, “The young lady can wear this wedding dress to her sedan chair.”

It was indeed a wedding dress.

Ruan Gong accepted it, and the Chief Steward did not linger. He quickly took the wedding dress from the Marquis’s Mansion to the west courtyard, where Qiu-Lin took it and examined it.

However she looked at it, it did not seem like it had been rushed overnight. It used a lot of material, the stitches were fine, and the patterns were intricate; it would take at least a month or two to make, perhaps even half a year.

But saying this now was pointless.

The important thing was that because the sister being married off was switched, the wedding dress originally prepared by the second branch for the Eldest Young Lady had been altered to fit the Second Young Lady.

It was easy to cut the dress smaller, but it could not be altered to a larger size.

The young lady had no desire to marry and therefore no interest in the matter, yet the Marquis’s Mansion still sent over her wedding dress.

Qiu-Lin gently presented the wedding dress to the young lady.

Du Lingjing looked at it, her eyes dazzled by its vibrant color—gold-trimmed and adorned with pearls.

For some reason, she smiled.

Was he going to make her wear the wedding dress he had given her and marry him?

He… he insisted she marry him.

*

At Huanghua Lane, in the Gu Mansion.

Lady Liang’s tears flowed uncontrollably. The household had spent a great deal of money bribing the Imperial Guards, but they refused to release her husband. They had sent messengers to the Marquis’s Mansion, but they had not even seen the Marquis, let alone the Chief Steward.

Lady Liang did not know what to do, looking at her mother-in-law, who had just woken up, “Mother…”

Old Lady Wan, however, was fully awake. She called for Nanny Guan to change her clothes.

“I must go to the palace. The Emperor is most benevolent; he will not stand idly by.”

The Gu family submitted a token to the palace, and Old Lady Wan immediately rushed to the palace gates. She would enter as soon as the palace granted permission.

She dared not wait. Any longer, and her son might die.

However, an hour passed, and the palace still had not granted permission. She frantically sent money to inquire inside, and after a long while, she finally received a message:

“The Emperor is tired today. Old Madam, please go back.”

The Emperor did not see her.

Old Lady Wan broke out in a cold sweat, her legs giving way beneath her. Right there at the palace gate, in front of the crowd of onlookers, her legs buckled, and she collapsed.

“Oh! Old Lady Wan is not in the palace. She’s about to faint!”

The whispers around her were deafening.

She only wanted to know what to do.

Could it be that her only son was really going to die in the Imperial Guard prison?! Would Marquis Lu really kill someone over something like this?

How could this be?! Had she made a mistake?!

*

At Jiqing Ward.

Chief Steward Zong had just returned to the Marquis’s Mansion. Everything was as usual, except that, unlike the festive atmosphere of the previous two days, the atmosphere had become much more somber. Everyone was working in hushed tones, not daring to make the slightest noise.

Chief Steward Zong went to the study in the outer courtyard to report.

The man was standing by the window with his hands behind his back. Chief Steward Zong stepped forward and bowed before turning to ask a question.

“Has the wedding dress been delivered? Has she accepted it?”

Chief Steward Zong repeatedly said yes. He then asked, “And what did she… say?”

Chief Steward Zong glanced at the Marquis upon hearing this.

“The young lady did not come out to meet me.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Marquis’s eyes darkened again. The man remained silent, a subtle hint of gloom on his face.

Chief Steward Zong sighed inwardly and could only say,

“But the young lady did not refuse the dress. The Du family currently does not have a wedding dress for the young lady, so she will certainly wear the one prepared by the Marquis’s Mansion to marry you.”

Only after he said this did the atmosphere ease slightly.

Chong-Ping suddenly came to report.

“My Lord, the Noble Consort requests your presence.”

*

In the Forbidden City, in the Yuxing Palace.

Lu Shenru had just arrived when he immediately noticed the small figure standing among the pine branches at the corner of the connecting corridor.

Although only eight years old and already living in his own palace, he was slightly thinner than the other children. Now, with the autumn wind blowing through the pines, he appeared even more frail.

Lu Shenru’s gaze softened. “Your Highness,” he called out.

It was Prince Hui.

But whether his voice was carried away by the wind or something else, the young prince had not heard it.

Lu Shenru had no choice but to walk over, stopping right behind him to examine him closely.

“Does Your Highness wish to play the flute?”

The young prince was holding a bamboo flute. Hearing Lu Shenru’s question, he quickly turned around.

“Uncle.”

The uncle and nephew greeted each other, a hint of shyness appearing on the young Prince Hui’s fair face.

“It looks interesting, but I cannot play it. My mother says Uncle is skilled at the flute and loves to play it loudly on horseback in the northwest winds and sand.”

He looked up at Lu Shenru, his eyes wide.

Lu Shenru’s eyes showed affection, and he reached out to touch his shoulder.

“Your Highness wants to learn the flute? That’s easy. I will teach you another day.”

The little prince nodded obediently, then, remembering something, quickly added, “Mother is waiting for Uncle in the hall.”

Lu Shenru spoke a few more words to him before turning and going into the main hall.

The Noble Consort Lu Huairu was sitting in the hall. Seeing her younger brother arrive, she waited for him to bow and sit down before saying, “Go and release Gu Yangsi.”

Only the two siblings were in the hall. Lu Shenru picked up his teacup and began to drink.

He only drank his tea, remaining silent.

The main hall was quiet, a gentle breeze from the window causing the gauze curtains to flutter slowly.

The Noble Consort at the head of the table sighed.

“His Majesty summoned me today to sample the pastries made by the newly arrived imperial chef from Jiangnan,” she said. “His Majesty said that the late Emperor’s Consort Wan was from Jiangnan and was an excellent pastry maker. The late Emperor loved them, and even His Majesty himself had enjoyed them a few times before.”

As she spoke, she glanced at her younger brother, who was sipping tea below.

“Why do you think His Majesty suddenly mentioned Consort Wan to me?”

The Emperor’s birth mother had died early, and Consort Wan had no children. Naturally, she wanted the Emperor to be her son, but for some reason, the late Emperor had not agreed.

Because of this, Consort Wan had taken good care of the Emperor during her lifetime.

Lu Huairu saw that her brother had finally put down his teacup before speaking.

“Although the Emperor ignored the matter of the Du sisters’ exchange, he specifically summoned you to speak of it. This is to save face for Old Lady Wan.”

She said, “If even the Emperor is so considerate, what about you and me?”

As she spoke, she saw her younger brother put down his teacup and close his eyes, seemingly resting.

She could not help but call his name.

“Weishi…”

Lu Shenru’s courtesy name.

Only after she finished speaking did the man open his eyes.

“If it were not for this, Gu Yangsi would have been dead long ago. It’s one thing for the Old Lady Wan to call herself the Matchmaker in the Capital, but to dare to casually arrange marriages for me…”

He could not help but chuckle.

Lu Huairu, sitting at the head of the table, rubbed her temples.

In recent years, the Emperor had been happy to arrange marriages for the sons of civil and military officials, and Old Lady Wan had just catered to his tastes, gaining her some face.

She could have easily set up other people’s marriages, but she had to drag her own brother into it.

Of all people to mess with, she had to provoke him.

Lu Huairu glanced at her brother a couple more times out of the corner of her eye.

She said softly, “Old Lady Wan did go a bit too far. But it takes two to tango. Ultimately, it’s the Eldest Young Lady of the Du family who’s still hung up on her former betrothed. You should not have forced her…”

Before she could finish, her brother interrupted her.

“Your Imperial Highness, please watch your words.”

The hall was empty and silent, save for the gauze curtains by the window fluttering in the wind.

The siblings exchanged a glance, then turned away, remaining silent.

Lu Huairu took a sip of tea and could not help but mutter.

“And you will not even let people talk…”

Although her voice was soft, Marquis Lu, with his excellent hearing, still heard it.

“What does Your Imperial Highness want to say?”

He turned and looked directly at the person on the throne. “My marriage to her is perfectly legitimate.”

These words silenced the hall once more.

The man’s lips tightened, and the Noble Consort remained silent.

After a long pause, Lu Huairu spoke first.

“Should I add to her dowry?”

The man immediately approached her.

“Yes,” he said. “The Du family is short-handed, and the second branch of the family has been incompetent. I request Your Imperial Highness to personally select a maid from the palace to add to her dowry and help with her hair and makeup.”

Lu Huairu blinked a few times at her brother, then nodded.

“Understood.”

The siblings had not gotten along very well that day, so Lu Shenru rose.

He bowed to the Noble Consort at the head of the table.

“The auspicious day is the day after tomorrow, so I will not linger any longer.”

He said, “May Your Imperial Highness share in my joy.”

With that, he left the palace. The Noble Consort watched her departing brother and sighed softly.

*

The next morning, the Imperial Guards finally released him.

Gu Yangsi’s breath was so weak, as if he might die at any moment. Old Lady Wan trembled as she looked at her son.

“How dare Lu Shenru?! What right does he have?!”

The Gu family steward, who did not want to come out, wished he could cover the old lady’s mouth.

The steward’s voice was extremely low. “Old Madam, please stop talking. The Eldest Master has indeed been found out by the Jinyiwei to have had dealings with Tatar generals several times!”

They exchanged goods a few times, even military items.

However, the quantities were very small, just enough to make a little money.

Old Lady Wan almost choked again. She could not care less about anything else; she was only afraid that her only son would die.

Du Runqing, seeing her uncle covered in blood and wounds, was still somewhat incredulous.

Was this really at the Marquis’s behest?

Du Zhiqi, seeing his brother-in-law return, did not want to stay at the Gu family’s house any longer and quickly pulled his daughter away.

The father and daughter had just returned home when they heard that people from the palace had arrived.

“Who are they?” Du Zhiqi was startled.

The servant hurriedly introduced her as a palace maid sent by the Noble Consort “to help our Eldest Young Lady with her dowry and hair.”

Du Runqing, standing nearby, was taken aback.

Du Zhiqi, however, thought of something else.

“What about the wedding dress?” The wedding dress at home had been altered for Qing’er, so Jing-niang could not wear it anymore.

But the servant replied, “The Marquis’s Mansion anticipated this. Yesterday, the Chief Steward personally came to deliver the wedding dress to the Eldest Young Lady.”

Du Zhiqi was stunned.

Du Runqing was completely dumbfounded.

So, the Marquis really only wanted to marry her sister.

He had even prepared the wedding dress for her sister.

…

In the West Courtyard.

A glance revealed a multitude of wedding ceremonial items, so numerous that it made one’s eyes ache.

The Du family did not have that many things; most of them were sent over the past two days by the Marquis’s Mansion. For some reason, Du Lingjing felt that everything carried his scent, clinging to her like an inescapable presence.

She truly did not understand why he insisted on marrying her.

Was it because he held such a high position that what was unattainable seemed most alluring?

Thinking this, she suddenly understood.

It seemed that this was true for powerful officials and nobles throughout history.

How could the fawning and obsequious Marquis Lu be an exception?

Du Lingjing secretly shook her head.

Qiu-Lin, however, was counting down the remaining hours, almost in tears.

“If you marry like this, will the Marquis… torment you, Miss?”

Du Lingjing smiled. “There’s nothing I can do about it.”

She had been so disrespectful to the Marquis and had tried to deceive him through a marriage exchange; now that he had discovered everything, how could things be peaceful?

Qiu-Lin’s eyes reddened with worry.

“Will he force you to consummate the marriage tomorrow night, on our wedding day?”

Like the legendary Tatar songstress, forced to spend the night receiving his “favor” and bear him a child as soon as possible?

Thinking this, Qiu-Lin tightened her grip on Du Lingjing’s hand.

“Miss, can we still run away?”

Du Lingjing looked at the things scattered throughout the courtyard, the maids from the palace, and the guards patrolling outside.

She slowly shook her head. “I am afraid we cannot run away anytime soon.”

“Then what should we do?”

The chill of late autumn seeped from the cracks in the wall and floor, making Du Lingjing’s shoulders feel cold. She pursed her lips.

“We can only take it one step at a time.”

*

At Jiqing Ward, in the Marquis of Yongding’s Residence.

Lu Shenru stood in the bridal chamber watching the old maids make his bed and could not help but say something.

“Nannies, please make the bed thicker. I am used to sleeping on a firm mattress, but she… do not let it upset her.”

This remark unexpectedly drew laughter from the nannies.

“Do not worry, Your Lordship; even if the lady is delicate, she can sleep on this bed.”

Everyone laughed, making the Marquis’s face flush.

Fortunately, a nanny shooed him away. “Your Lordship, leave it to us. Go and change into your wedding attire.”

The man hurried off.

Soon, he was dressed in his wedding attire, a red silk shawl draped over his shoulders, a coral hair ornament adorning his thick, black hair, the room’s lights making him glow.

Outside, the sky began to brighten. Chong-An quickly ran to the door and called out.

“Your Lordship, the auspicious hour has arrived!”

The man’s eyes lit up beneath his handsome brows, and he strode out into the newly opened sunlight.

Not only the Lu family’s Jiqing Ward and the Du family’s Chengqing Ward, but the entire inner city of the capital was packed with people.

Marquis of Yongding, Marquis Lu, was marrying his wife today!