Exclusively for the Marchioness – CH 031

Chapter 31

The next day, Du Lingjing did not leave.

Jiang Fengchuan’s injuries had not healed for some reason; instead, he developed a high fever that morning. When Du Lingjing arrived, she saw him pale-faced. The medicine the physician had given him the night before seemed to have failed to stop the bleeding. He lay on the bed with his eyes closed, his life hanging by a thread.

Her heart tightened.

When Third Young Master brought Sixth Young Master home years ago, everyone knew his intentions. Third Young Master’s health was unstable, a chronic illness since childhood. He feared he would not live long, and no one could take his place in caring for his parents, only causing them grief. Sixth Young Master, on the other hand, was an abandoned child of the clan. If Third Young Master died, Sixth Young Master could take his place in caring for his parents.

Therefore, after Third Young Master left, the clan arranged for Sixth Young Master to be adopted by his parents.

If it were not for the rumor of succession marriage by the younger brother, the Jiang family might not have been willing to send him away to study, wandering aimlessly without a fixed abode.

He suddenly developed a high fever and was almost unconscious. Du Lingjing could no longer leave and could only speak to the man behind her.

“Please, Lord Marquis, return to the capital first. In a couple of days, when Sixth Young Master Jiang’s injuries have healed somewhat, I will return. Is that alright, Lord Marquis?”

Her words were so polite, just like yesterday when she had asked him to save someone, yet she had to formally bow to him to request it…

Lu Shenru did not respond immediately, but then Chong-An stepped forward to report.

“Lord Marquis, news has arrived from the capital that the advisors of the Earl of Rongchang’s household wish to see you, seemingly on urgent business. There are also two military matters directly from Ningxia that require your decision.”

He was burdened with many matters and could not remain in Guilin Tower any longer, and Jiang Fengchuan’s injuries were quite severe, making him immobile.

Lu Shenru looked at his wife; clearly, this Sixth Young Master Jiang was very important to her, at least to her, and she would take him very seriously.

The man lowered his eyes but could not help asking again.

“Really not coming with me?”

Du Lingjing knew she had promised him yesterday to return to the capital with him, but today she was making excuses, all because of the Jiang family. But in this situation, even if it were not for Third Young Master, but simply for the generations of neighborly friendship between the Jiang and Du families, she could not simply walk away.

She could only find another excuse.

“There are still some trivial matters to take care of at Guilin Tower, so I will stay for a couple more days.”

She pursed her lips. This excuse was not very good, but what could Lu Shenru say now? He took her hand and allowed her to see him to the door, only releasing her after he mounted his horse.

“Then do not tire yourself out too much.”

She nodded.

He glanced at her silently, then rode away.

As soon as he left, Du Lingjing returned to the room filled with the smell of medicine.

The physician, having just administered acupuncture to Jiang Fengchuan, emerged, wiping sweat from his brow. He bowed to the madam and, hearing her inquire about his condition, replied, “Sixth Young Master Jiang’s injuries are not actually fatal, but for some reason, the healing is incredibly slow. With injuries like that, he must have rested in bed all night; why is he still bleeding today?”

The physician could not explain it either, telling Du Lingjing, “Madam, please do not worry. I will observe him for two more days.”

Du Lingjing thanked him and asked Qiu-Lin to give him an additional consultation fee, which the physician refused, saying, “Madam, you are too kind; the Marquis’s Mansion has already paid.”

But the Marquis’s Mansion was not hers, and she smiled. “This is mine; please take good care of him.”

After much refusal, Qiu-Lin finally placed the consultation fee in the physician’s hand.

Du Lingjing then stepped into the room. As she lifted the curtain and entered, she saw the person on the bed already dressed and walking towards her.

“The physician said you should rest.”

Only the two of them were in the room. Du Lingjing spoke to him, but he did not respond. Instead, he put on a long robe of light green with bamboo leaves embroidered on the cuffs, his body slightly bent, and gathered up another long robe of bamboo green stained with blood.

These were the two colors Third Young Master most often wore in his lifetime. Du Lingjing’s gaze fell on the two garments, and she could not help but pause for a moment.

She saw that the injured man had worn thinner, blood-stained clothes and then took out a silver sash from his bundle, which he usually wore around his waist.

Unlike the powerful ministers and nobles who walked the court, their waists cinched tightly with a brocade belt, he only used this long sash, loosely tied in a knot at his waist, leaving half of the sash hanging to one side.

Third Young Master had said that he mostly stayed in his study at home or in her Mian Tower and did not receive guests, so there was no need to dress too formally. But the more important reason was that he said he was thin due to years of illness, and tightening the sash around his waist made him look even more like a withered branch.

She disliked his explanation and forbade him to say it again, but she still followed his wishes and tied seven or eight sashes around his waist.

This silver cloud-patterned sash was also her own handiwork.

How many years had it been since she had seen this sash tied around Third Young Master’s waist?

Now, with the sash loosely tied around the person before her, Du Lingjing felt a lump in her throat. She saw that the person before her was wearing a light green robe tied with a silver sash, clearly too weak to straighten his back, yet still walked to the tea table, picked up a pot of tea, and poured her a cup.

“I am not thirsty…” she said.

He seemed not to hear her, merely glancing back at her before taking a plate of tea and snacks from the side and slowly warming them on a small tea stove.

Every movement was just like years ago, when she noticed Third Young Master had not come to Mian Tower every two days and guessed he must be unwell again. Otherwise, if he had any energy, he would have come despite the wind and rain. If she did not come, he would go to her.

When it was cold, he did not want her to come to him, but seeing that she insisted, he would sigh, refusing Uncle Hui’s help or her help, brewing her a cup of hot tea, warming the cooled snacks, and gently placing them in front of her.

Finally, he would pour a hot water bottle and hand it to her, softly instructing, “Do not burn yourself…”

Every scene before her seemed to replay itself, overlapping little by little with those she repeatedly recalled but could never obtain.

Sure enough, the person before her also took out a hand warmer, warming her hands, slowly walking to her side, and placing it in her palm. Du Lingjing’s tears fell in a single, soft plop.

The young man pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, looked down at her, and slowly reached out to wipe the tear that had slid down her cheek.

But the next moment, she abruptly turned her face away.

The young man’s hand paused, and she looked up at him intently.

“What are you doing?”

He did not speak, but Du Lingjing called out to him directly.

“Sixth Brother, sit down.”

Her tone held an unusual sharpness.

Only then did the young man withdraw his hand from wiping her tears and turn to sit at the table.

He did not speak; his severely injured face was pale, and having just been “scolded,” his expression now held a certain pitifulness.

This appearance, so similar and striking, was enough to soften one’s heart.

But the person before her was not the same as before. Du Lingjing frowned and remained silent, but he finally spoke, asking a question.

“Why did not you go back with Marquis Lu, Sister-in-law?”

His question made Du Lingjing frown even more.

His injuries were not too serious. He had said there was no medicine available when he was being chased, which was understandable, but last night the physician had clearly applied medicine carefully. Why was he still bleeding so badly this morning, even developing a fever?

She had noticed him moving around constantly, seemingly oblivious to his injuries or the pain they caused, and he even tried to mimic every movement…

No wonder his injuries were so bad.

She did not want to waste time with small talk and cut to the chase.

“Is it because of yesterday?”

Because of yesterday, she had not listened to his doubts and had directly told Lu Shenru about the rescue.

She asked directly, and he finally stopped beating around the bush.

“Yes. We scholars find it difficult to trust Marquis Lu’s reputation.” He looked at her. “In my eyes, he is less trustworthy than one ten-thousandth of my third brother.”

If the first statement reflected the consensus of everyone, especially the genuine doubts of scholars like Master Liao, who had a grudge against Lu Shenru, then Du Lingjing knew the second statement was deliberately meant for her, just as his every word and action had been for her to see.

A heavy medicinal odor lingered in the room.

When Third Young Master was alive, upon hearing of an impending visit, he would always open the doors and windows, even on the coldest days, to disperse the medicinal odor as much as possible.

But now, the medicinal odor was firmly contained within the room.

He was reminding her that he had kept his word from years ago.

She whispered, “I am indeed married. I have a husband.”

A decree forced her into marriage, and despite her best efforts, she could not avoid it. She married Lu Shenru, the Marquis of Yongding, and their relationship was both nominal and consensual…

“But this matter has nothing to do with whether he and I are husband and wife.”

She bluntly explained that Shao Boju had tried to use Old Lady Wan and her uncle to force her into marriage.

“At the time, I spread the news that Shao Boju might be involved in the persecution of the Hu siblings, and overnight the whole capital knew about it, all thanks to the Marquis’s influence. But back then, my relationship with him was not what it is now; our schemes were merely aligned in interests.”

She recounted the matter in detail, then looked at Jiang Fengchuan.

“It’s the same this time. The Shao family already has considerable power, and now they have produced Shao Boju, a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations, who enjoys great favor with the Emperor. Would he want to see Shao Boju become even more powerful?”

Jiang Fengchuan, who had been traveling extensively, only had a vague understanding of the situation with Shao Boju in the capital. Hearing her words, he nodded inwardly but did not show it on his face.

“But it’s hard to say. He was happy to see Shao Boju embroiled in trouble back then, but now he might have other benefits. Can you be sure that your current husband will not put the Flicking Faction at a disadvantage?”

Du Lingjing listened to his words and remained silent for a moment.

He changed his form of address.

“Marquis Lu might have other benefits that could make him reconsider.”

But at this moment, she felt that he did not; he was only saving people. But could she really guarantee that? Her voice lowered a few decibels, and she spoke the truth.

“The Marquis of Yongding’s residence has its own stance, and Marquis Lu has his own considerations. What we can do is, when our interests align with his, ask for his help through intermediaries.”

She said, “If we are asking him, then of course we must show our sincerity. But if he later gains other benefits, I know the importance of that.”

She had been married to him for nearly two months, but two months ago they were strangers. How much affection could there be? They each had their own stances and affairs, but her affairs were not Lu Shenru’s affairs. The affection of those two months was not worth asking for his repeated help, especially when their interests no longer aligned or even conflicted.

“He has already done everything he could. At that point, it will be our own business.”

She naturally would not trouble him any further. She would make a clean break and find a solution herself. If by then, if they had not been rescued, or if they were in an even worse situation… She had no one to turn to, and even if she had to personally went into the mountains to find someone to rescue them, she would not abandon them.

“Since everyone trusts me, I will not stand idly by. Do not worry.”

After saying this, she noticed that the young man sitting across the table was finally acting a little more “well-behaved,” no longer misbehaving, but his thinner face and pale complexion, along with his features, did indeed resemble Third Young Master somewhat…

Du Lingjing could not help but look at him a few more times before asking.

“Do you understand now? Can you properly recover from your injuries?”

Seeing him nod, she breathed a sigh of relief and casually asked him about the others’ condition.

Jiang Fengchuan’s words were not good. “Brother Hu’s injuries are the most severe; Shao Wuxing’s arrow almost pierced his arm.”

Du Lingjing gasped, hearing him say that fortunately, the place where everyone had hidden was quite well concealed. “They’ve been hiding safely for some days, and their injuries are relatively stable. It’s just that Lady Hu is constantly worried about her children at home; I’ve seen her quietly shedding tears several times.”

Du Lingjing lowered her eyes. Thankfully, the children had not been taken away; otherwise, what would Tingjun have done?

“And Master Liao, he’s so thin I hardly recognize him.”

Du Lingjing thought she had misheard. Master Liao used to be so plump; now he was so thin he was unrecognizable. She was eager to see everyone, but Chong-Ping had only dispatched men yesterday. They were hiding in the border area between Zhending and Baoding; there was not a chance to rescue them so quickly.

Even though Du Lingjing was not a Buddhist, she could not help but murmur a Buddhist prayer at this moment. Hopefully nothing went wrong and we could get them out of there…

Just as he was speaking, Du Lingjing looked up again and saw that Sixth Young Master’s wound was bleeding again.

She quickly told him not to sit anymore. “Go back to bed and lie down. Do not bother the people at the Marquis’s Mansion if you need anything. I will have Chang-Pu look after you.”

Uncle Hui must have been left with the Flicking Faction members; it would be convenient for Chang-Pu to look after him.

She finished speaking and got up to leave, but then a voice came from behind her.

“Sister-in-law.”

She turned around and heard Sixth Young Master only say one thing this time.

“It’s getting colder. Do not walk around outside for too long; be careful not to catch a cold.”

“I know,” Du Lingjing replied softly and went out the door.

Once she left, only Jiang Fengchuan remained in the room. He did not immediately return to bed. Blood slowly seeped from his wound. He took a bamboo puppet from a box on the table.

“Brother, what do you think of what Sister-in-law said?”

The bamboo puppet could not speak. He took a few bamboo leaves from an embroidered pouch beside him. He scattered them on the table, tilting his head to look at the hexagram formed by the scattered leaves.

“Oh, the Qian hexagram,” Jiang Fengchuan murmured. “It seems Brother still cares for her; he listens to whatever she says.” In that case, he only said, “I hope it’s as she says.”

*

Below Guilin Tower.

Du Lingjing walked to the tower entrance but did not go in. Instead, she walked around the tower towards the back.

She remembered seeing a small bamboo grove in a corner.

But as she walked, the north wind froze her skirt, and she realized that the bamboo grove was not in the courtyard of Guilin Tower but outside the back gate. She stepped out.

It was just a small area, but as she entered, the fresh scent of bamboo seemed to keep out the chill, settling in her hair, between her fingers, and on her clothes. The fragrance of bamboo leaves felt like an embrace…

Du Lingjing involuntarily closed her eyes.

Just then, someone passed by and glanced at her. “Is my wife crying?”

Du Lingjing paused, noticing the basket of incense in the person’s hand. The person pointed ahead.

“There’s a small temple ahead. If my wife is thinking of someone, why not go to the temple and speak to the gods? They will relay your message.” He then explained, “I am going to send some money and a few words to my deceased mother. Would my wife like to go?”

Du Lingjing wiped the remaining water droplets from her face.

“Yes.”

*

In the capital city.

Separated by a wall, the Marquis was handling affairs in his study, while his advisor, Master Yu, met with the advisors of the Earl of Rongchang’s household on his behalf.

The advisors of the Earl of Rongchang’s household looked deeply troubled.

“…The two young masters have indeed acted rather recklessly, committing such a bloody act. Our lady is at a loss for what to do, and the Earl has led his troops out to war. Sending a message would inevitably disturb his peace of mind, but ignoring it completely, who knows what might happen? We in our household are truly at our wits’ end; otherwise, we would not be bothering the Marquis. We can only ask the Marquis’s household, out of consideration for our two families’ marriage, to help us find them.”

The advisor said helping to find them was easy: “It’s just that it’s hard to say when we will be able to find them. But the Earl of Rongchang is leading troops in battle, and we cannot neglect important military matters, so let’s not tell him.”

The advisor from the Earl of Rongchang’s household repeatedly agreed, “As long as the Marquis is willing to help, we will do anything.”

After he finished speaking, he was about to went and pay his respects to Lu Shenru, but the advisor replied on his behalf, “The Marquis is busy; let’s find them first.”

The advisor from the Earl of Rongchang’s household had no choice but to bow outside the study and leave.

The advisor then went to Lu Shenru’s study and mentioned the matter of the Earl of Rongchang’s household to him. “They say the two young masters killed someone, and the family, fearing retaliation, went into hiding. The madam, worried about trouble, has come seeking help…”

The advisor, Master Yu, explained the whole story. The man merely nodded, paying no further attention.

He saw the man’s subordinates first flip through several memorials sent from the palace, glance at them, and then toss them aside. The man rested his chin on his hand and turned his head to look out the window.

Outside the window, a few slender bamboo stalks were growing.

The man’s lips pressed slightly together. Master Yu, unsure of the Marquis’s intentions, replied that several people were waiting to see him outside.

However, before he finished speaking, he suddenly heard the man say, “They are gone.”

After saying this, he saw the Marquis straighten up and call for someone to bring his horse. “I am going out for a bit.”

*

Du Lingjing unknowingly spent the entire day in the small temple.

The abbot, seeing that she had stayed for so long, even asked if she wanted some vegetarian food. Du Lingjing thanked him but shook her head.

As dusk settled, the people offering incense had all left, and even the tall incense sticks in the burner had burned down to their last wisps. The young novice monk began sweeping the courtyard, and she rose to leave.

The surroundings grew dark, but fortunately, Guilin Tower stood tall and imposing. She could simply follow its shadow back; the bamboo grove was the place.

However, she had not gone far, not even reaching the bamboo grove, when she saw a tall, imposing figure standing on the dimly lit path bathed in the setting sun.

He was walking towards her, his gaze fixed on her face.

He stopped, and Du Lingjing was startled.

“My Lord?”

Why was he here?

Du Lingjing felt a little lost. She had spent the entire day in the small temple behind her, and the scent of incense still lingered on her. She instinctively wanted to brush off her clothes, but that would be too obvious.

The man also noticed her red eyes, her red nose, and her usually soft lips were dry.

The mountains concealed the last rays of the setting sun, leaving only a wisp of red glow drifting silently on the horizon.

He paused for a moment, then spoke softly to her again. He did not mention anything else; he only asked her one question.

“Want to ride a horse?”