Exclusively for the Marchioness – CH 032

Chapter 32

The sun was setting, casting long shadows of trees, branches, and houses across the mountains; night was approaching.

Du Lingjing could not ride a horse, let alone ride one in the dark. She shook her head and replied, “I’ve only ridden a donkey once; I am afraid I cannot run a horse.”

This made the man chuckle. He said that would be even easier. “Just sit there.”

As he spoke, a guard led forward a tall, gleaming black horse from the Western Regions.

The horse was extremely tall; Du Lingjing even had to crane her neck to see it. She looked the horse up and down. It was completely black, without a single blemish, its coat gleaming, and its physique strong and majestic. Was this his mount, Xuanpo, the Akhal-Teke horse, a tribute from a foreign land bestowed upon him by the late Emperor? But the horse was so tall that Du Lingjing could not even mount it, let alone run.

She frowned and looked up at the horse’s face. This magnificent Akhal-Teke steed snorted at her in a friendly manner. The man beside her chuckled again, and in the next instant, she was lifted in his arms. Although she was not short for a woman, she was like a slender willow branch in his embrace. When the dizziness subsided, Du Lingjing found herself sitting on Xuanpo’s back. The man leaped onto the horse, and in the blink of an eye, he was behind her, holding the reins and encircling her in his arms.

Seeing that she had never ridden a horse before and did not know what to do with her hands, Lu Shenru simply released the reins himself, encircling her waist and letting her hold onto his arms. But her clothes and sleeves were wet. The man looked down at her reddened eyes and immediately took off his cloak and wrapped it around her. Then, with a gentle spur, Xuanpo galloped off.

Du Lingjing had never ridden such a tall horse before. As the horse galloped out of the woods and into the open area halfway up the mountain, she looked down and saw the entire mountain path spread out before her. Twilight was falling, and lights were beginning to twinkle at the foot of the mountain. She could not help but slowly look around from her horse.

The horse galloped faster and faster. Even though it was such a tall Western horse and galloping at night, it was a bit bumpy, but she remained firmly seated, naturally leaning against the person behind her.

He then asked, “Are you scared?”

Du Lingjing shook her head. “Not really… It’s just so fast, like riding the wind.”

This was a unique experience, one she had never had in the library.

But then she heard the man behind her say, “It can go even faster.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the horse leaped forward, crossing the stream, and the moment its forelegs touched the ground, it practically took flight. The wind whipped her cloak around her, and for a few moments, she thought she was going to be thrown off the horse along with it. But it did not happen. He held her tightly; his arms were strong and powerful, and she did not sway an inch.

But after all this riding, Du Lingjing had no idea where they had gone. The night grew deeper, and she looked around in the distance.

The person behind her asked, “What is Quan Quan looking for?”

Du Lingjing had to reply, “I cannot see Guilin Tower anymore. Is it getting further and further away?”

As soon as she spoke, he laughed again. “Not at all. It’s getting closer and closer.”

Getting closer and closer?

Until she could vaguely see the towering city walls ahead.

And he smiled, “Going home.”

In a short while, the horse had galloped to the Fucheng Gate of the capital. Just as the city gates were about to close, the drawbridge across the moat was slowly rising. But as soon as the man’s horse reached the gate, the general guarding the gate recognized him immediately and shouted.

The drawbridge, halfway up, was hastily lowered.

The general guarding the city ran out specially, saying, “Please, Your Lordship.”

The man nodded with a smile and then addressed the soldiers.

“Thank you all for your trouble; I appreciate it.”

The crowd replied that there was no need for such formalities, Lord Marquis. The man rode his horse through Fucheng Gate back into the capital.

From Fucheng Gate Street, he passed Baita Temple, the Emperor’s Temple, and Guangji Temple, eventually arriving at Jiqing Ward.

When Du Lingjing emerged from the small mountain temple, she never imagined she would be standing before the gates of the Marquis of Yongding’s residence that evening. No wonder this man had been smiling all the way…

For some reason, the wind from her nighttime journey had scattered her daytime thoughts. Her clothes were long dry, and she stood somewhat dazedly before the gate for a couple of breaths.

Just then, her stomach suddenly growled.

“…”

The growl was quite loud; even the gatekeeper nearby glanced at her, then quickly looked away, afraid of embarrassing his mistress. Du Lingjing was already embarrassed.

But someone grasped her hand. “I am hungry too. Let’s eat in the outer courtyard. You can try the cooking of some of the chefs there.”

He said half of the chefs in the outer courtyard were specially transferred from the Northwest.

“Northwest cuisine is strong-flavored. I do not know if you will like it.”

Du Lingjing had eaten Northwest food before. She said, “I went to Xi’an once. Although it was only once, the food was quite to my liking.”

The man glanced at her upon hearing this. It was during the third year of Yin You’s reign when she inexplicably intruded into his territory.

“Is that so?” he said, instructing the cooks to prepare food, and personally poured her a cup of hot tea. “Did you find Xi’an interesting, my wife?”

He saw her nod. “It’s quite different from Qingzhou and the capital.”

As she spoke, she picked up her teacup, took a sip, and, as if remembering something, unusually added to the conversation. Lu Shenru heard her say softly, “Back then, everything in Xi’an was new and exciting. I looked around so much, and… I was laughed at by passersby.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the man chuckled softly.

She did not know what he was laughing at, only saying, “It’s true,” she tried to recall, “That passerby seemed to be a young gentleman… I must have been embarrassed.”

The man poured himself a cup of tea.

She did remember the passerby in Xi’an, a young gentleman. If she had known that the young gentleman was now her husband, she wondered how she would have reacted. The thought only flashed through his mind; Lu Shenru simply smiled and said nothing more.

Soon, the chefs from the outer courtyard brought out their signature dishes.

Indeed, it was a table full of Northwest cuisine, naturally mixed with some Beijing and Shandong dishes that she was used to.

She inexplicably ate quite a lot at this meal, to the point that Du Lingjing felt a little full. He was happy to serve her food, encouraging her to eat more. Until Du Lingjing could no longer eat, he ordered someone to boil water for her so she could quietly soak in it.

Du Lingjing had indeed intended to do so, and upon hearing him mention it, she could not help but ask.

“Will Your Lordship also bathe?”

She realized the ambiguity in her question as soon as it left her mouth.

He also sensed the ambiguity, his gaze falling on her.

Du Lingjing’s ears burned; she wanted to explain, but the man spoke first.

His voice was low, half-smiling.

“Tomorrow, how about it?”

…

The next day, when Du Lingjing woke up, he had already gone to court and, for some unknown reason, had not returned by noon.

But Du Lingjing found her uncle, Du Zhiqi, in the front courtyard’s flower hall.

Du Zhiqi came with two matters. One was about the Du family’s residence in Chengqing District. He had moved out in the past few days, vacating the house and delivering the land deed to Du Lingjing.

Du Lingjing had been preoccupied with the missing people and had not heard about this until Du Zhiqi said, “The Marquis wants to expand this residence further and has already bought the neighboring house to the east. It seems the Marquis is quite interested in you.”

So it was his idea… Du Lingjing did not know why he had considered this, but she had indeed been reluctant to give up the old residence in Chengqing District; after all, it was where she had lived with her father for many years.

Unexpectedly, he had gotten it back for her.

From her grandfather’s one section to her father’s two sections and now to his, it had become three sections. Du Lingjing was stunned for a moment. A mansion was not an ordinary item, especially one in the capital; it cost a considerable sum…

Since her uncle still wanted to give it to her, she accepted it. It seemed the Marquis’s reputation had intimidated her uncle. Du Lingjing did not know what to say. Having accepted the land deed, her uncle brought up another matter.

“Regarding my appointment to a post, the Marquis’s intention is for us, uncle and niece, to handle it as we see fit. Of course, I cannot just stay idle at home all the time.”

A post? Du Lingjing had not heard the Marquis mention this before. However, given his power, her uncle would not dare lie about it, so she asked.

“What post does Uncle want to fill, sir?”

Du Zhiqi was only a junior scholar, less qualified than a proper Jinshi, and his experience was mediocre. He had not even managed to become a high-ranking official in a remote prefecture.

Du Zhiqi’s original purpose in coming to the capital was to find someone—whether it was his mother-in-law, Old Lady Wan, or some old friends—who could help him get promoted. Unexpectedly, Shao Boju approached him, offering him a fifth-rank or even fourth-rank official position in the capital, provided he married his niece to the Shao family. However, this matter was fraught with twists and turns and ultimately fell through.

Later, he had a falling out with his niece, who then married into the Marquis of Yongding’s household, married to Lu Shenru. He was truly terrified, only wanting to return to where he came from; leaving the capital as soon as possible was the most important thing.

However, a few days ago, the Marquis visited, and everyone felt that he, as the uncle, had some influence with the Marquis, so his household suddenly became lively. People fawned over him, asking what official position he wanted and whether he wanted to stay in the capital—that was simply a matter of the Marquis’s word.

His mind could not help but start working on his own ideas, but fortunately, the Marquis did not completely rule it out, only telling him to discuss it with Jing-niang. He looked at his niece, a deep sigh escaping his lips.

“Even if the family has separated, I am still your uncle. You’ve married into the Marquis’s household; having a powerful maternal family will not do you any harm, and the Marquis will value you more.”

He then revealed his plans, which he had been pondering at home.

“Previously, the Shao family promised me the position of Vice Minister of Rites, and later they said that with my qualifications, I could also handle the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.”

Both were fifth-rank officials in the capital, and he was already overjoyed to have both offered to him. But the Shao family’s abilities were still insufficient compared to Marquis Lu’s. Would it not be a waste for him to pursue the Marquis’s path and also secure another fifth-rank official position?

He said bluntly, “I’ve heard that the position of Director in the Office of Transmission is vacant, and the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is also retiring. Why not choose one of those?”

Two high-ranking officials of the fourth rank, dressed in scarlet robes. Du Lingjing looked at her uncle’s smug expression and was speechless for a moment.

No wonder that when her father was alive, although he felt guilty for not being able to promote her uncle as much as possible, he let him wander around outside while promoting those old acquaintances of the opposing faction instead.

It turned out that what people feared most was not stupidity, but being completely unaware of their own stupidity, yet believing they only lacked the opportunity to be promoted by a powerful figure!

Du Lingjing did not know what that marquis had said to him.

But in this capital, in this court, there were so many clever people. Shao Boju was intelligent enough to rise through the ranks of the Shao family, suppressed by the system, through his success in the imperial examinations. Yet, he still managed to slip into a predicament he could not escape. The Marquis, at his age and wielding considerable power, was far from foolish.

It was laughable that her uncle still wanted a fourth-rank official position in the capital. She could not help but laugh.

Du Lingjing simply said, “Uncle, please go back first. I will consider it.”

Seeing her smile, Du Zhiqi assumed the matter was settled and nodded in satisfaction, preparing to leave. Before departing, he gave his niece some instructions.

“The Marquis values ​​your background and favors you. You should know when to yield and not become arrogant because of this favor.”

These words were indeed true.

After he left, Du Lingjing went to the Du Mansion in Chengqing Ward.

Du Zhiqi’s entire household had been emptied, but thankfully, he had left behind her and her father’s old belongings.

Du Lingjing looked at the west wing. Uncle Wen had summoned the old servants from the mansion to restore it to its original state. However, in addition, many other things had been added.

Du Lingjing asked, and a servant replied, “It was the Son-in-law’s order.”

“Who?” Du Lingjing was taken aback. She saw an old cook from the kitchen also come to help with the tidying up. “The Son-in-law said that empty houses tend to age faster, so he ordered the Marquis’s Mansion to buy several cartloads of things to fill the house.”

Du Lingjing asked a few more questions and realized that this was all Lu Shenru’s idea, but all the servants in the entire Du family mansion, including the dozen or so her uncle had left behind, addressed him as “Son-in-law.”

Uncle Wen, seeing her confusion, came forward and explained with a smile.

“It’s the Marquis’s intention. He wants everyone to address him as ‘Son-in-law.'”

Du Lingjing was taken aback, then laughed and cried at the same time. “Calling him ‘Marquis’ is a sign of prestige, but calling him ‘Son-in-law’ is just ridiculous!”

He probably just said it casually in a good mood, but the Du family took it seriously!

She could not help but recall her uncle’s words, “The Marquis values ​​your background and favors you. You should know your place and not become arrogant because of his favor.”

Nine out of ten of her uncle’s words were unpleasant to hear, but perhaps there was one that made some sense.

She said, “Let’s change it back. Stop fooling around.”

After she spoke, everyone naturally changed their address. But less than a quarter of an hour later, when Lu Shenru heard that his wife was there, he came from outside and heard everyone in the Du household, including Wen Bo, calling him “Marquis” again.

He raised an eyebrow. “Why is that?”

Wen Bo explained patiently that it was his young lady’s idea, and Du Lingjing happened to be passing by.

She saw him and quickly stepped forward to greet him, but he stopped her before she could.

Seeing him staring at her, she continued Wen Bo’s unfinished sentence.

“The servants in the mansion are disrespectful; changing their titles so casually might damage the Marquis’s reputation.”

After she finished speaking, for some reason, the entire mansion fell silent. The man’s handsome brows furrowed slightly, his gaze fixed solely on her face.

“What do I need a reputation for with you?”

Du Lingjing was once again speechless at his question. Several times, his sudden questions had left her unable to answer.

Wen Bo and the others withdrew, leaving only the two of them by the wall.

He wanted her answer.

Du Lingjing paused. “Lord Marquis… sounds better than Son-in-law, does it not?”

The man smiled, looking at her helplessly.

“I do not think so. I think ‘Son-in-law’ sounds better. Unless,” he looked over, “unless my wife does not consider me your husband.”

Husband…

Du Lingjing did not speak. Lu Shenru simply called Wen Bo and the others back. He spoke to Wen Bo and the others, but, from the corner of his eye, his gaze drifted to her face.

“I am the son-in-law of the Du family, so of course the Du family should call me Son-in-law.”

He looked at her even more closely. “Even if the whole capital called me Son-in-law, I would still think it’s good.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone below chuckled softly. The man’s eyes lit up with a smile.

Everyone found it hard to imagine that if what he said was true, then everyone in the capital—from teahouse owners to guards, from court officials to noble consorts—would call him “Son-in-law,” and he would happily respond.

It was as if they desperately wanted to remind everyone that the Marquis was the young lady’s husband. What would that look like?

The crowd could not stop laughing, and some even boldly greeted him directly, “Greetings to the Son-in-law!”

He smiled and said, “A generous reward awaits.”

More and more people came to greet the “Son-in-law.”

Du Lingjing: “…”

Her mind was a mess. What was he talking about? Even Du Lingjing could not help but chuckle.

The man whispered in her ear, “What about when Quan Quan calls me?”

Should she try changing her address? Call him “husband”?

But Du Lingjing’s eyes widened.

“Should I call him ‘Son-in-law’ too?”

The words tumbled out of her mouth, and everyone burst into laughter.

The man helplessly closed his eyes.

Never mind, he would wait and see.

…

In Marquis of Yongding’s Residence, that evening.

Du Lingjing tidied the books on the table in her room when the nanny entered carrying a box.

She instructed a maid to clean the remaining incense from the burner and lit a new, lighter-scented incense. The new incense was very faint, with only a slight sweetness of jasmine.

The nanny, seeing the lady glance at her, explained. “It’s the Marquis’s idea. He said the previous incense was too strong, and the lady did not like it, so he changed it to a lighter one.”

Du Lingjing blinked in surprise. She had not really liked the previous incense, but she would not mention it. But she seemed to have pinched her nose a few times. Had he noticed? He always seemed to be able to read her mind, but she could not understand him. Du Lingjing did not know how he noticed such details, but looking at the new incense…

So, the incense was for her?

Seeing her lost in thought, the old woman assumed she was pondering something else and chuckled softly. “Do not worry, Madam; the new incense may be a little weaker, but its effects are the same.”

As soon as she finished speaking, before the new jasmine scent had even fully swirled, Du Lingjing already felt a little hot.

…

In the inner chamber late at night, the gauze curtains trailed on the floor.

Du Lingjing was completely soaked with sweat, like shrouded in damp gauze. Her dark hair clung wetly to her cheeks, especially her flushed, hot cheeks.

His arms were stronger than when they had ridden together that night; her slender arms were less than a third of the way up, and her aching waist could barely fit in his palm. She shook her head repeatedly, wanting to tell him it was too late, but he gently touched her deepest point, pressing firmly, filling her completely, causing her shrouded in damp gauze to tremble uncontrollably, dripping with fine sweat.

He seemed to have finally found her, and after a few more caresses, she was completely powerless, only able to let him hold her in his hands…

How long had passed, the entire canopy bed seemingly drenched by a sweltering summer rain, before he finally let out a muffled groan?

He gently brushed the wet hair clinging to her face and carried her to the bathing room.

She closed her eyes wearily but heard him say something.

“You are too thin. You need to eat properly. You cannot skip meals.”

His voice was sharp, and Du Lingjing was being “scolded.”

“I know.”

Her voice was a little hoarse as she softly replied, revealing a hint of “obedient grievance.”

Lu Shenru’s eyes flickered slightly, and the corners of his lips could not help but gently curve upwards. But his gaze could not help but fall on her body again, and he paused, almost turning back. But considering it was her first and second time, he could only force himself to carry her to the bathing room.

*

At noon, he specially returned home from the outer room to have lunch with her.

Du Lingjing looked at the table full of food. She did not have much of an appetite, but remembering his words from the previous night, she forced herself to eat.

He ate very little himself but kept serving her food.

He said, “There should be news from Chong-Ping today, but if the person’s condition is not good, they might not be able to be brought back. It will take at least three to five days.”

Du Lingjing thought that was probably true. However, just as they finished eating, Chong-An suddenly arrived.

He stepped forward and bowed, saying that news had indeed come from Chong-Ping. However, the news was that Chong-Ping had not found anyone there!

Chong-Ping had searched the surrounding area, but there was no trace of them. He could only send someone back by fast horse to ask Sixth Young Master if the location was correct.

After Chong-An finished speaking, Jiang Fengchuan quickly approached from behind him.

The man did not speak for a moment, and Du Lingjing, surprised, could not help but ask Sixth Young Master what had happened.

Jiang Fengchuan shook his head.

“It’s definitely that place. They’ve been hiding near the secret passage under the dilapidated temple in the forest for a long time; it’s very well hidden.”

He said he had not found it at first either, only vaguely sensing someone nearby, but Shao Wuxing’s men discovered him and chased him. He barely escaped but was injured and was rescued by Hu Tingjun’s husband.

He said the location was correct. “Perhaps that guard Chong-Ping went to the wrong place.”

Chong-An, however, said that was impossible: “My brother is cautious and meticulous; he searched back and forth for several days and indeed found only a knotted rope there.”

It was Chong-Ping who brought it. Du Lingjing looked at it and heard Lu Shenru ask her, “Do you recognize it?”

Du Lingjing was not entirely sure but said, “It does resemble the kind of knotting Tingjun likes to make…”

Upon hearing this, Chong-An immediately glanced at Jiang Fengchuan. “My brother did not come to the wrong place, did he?”

He inexplicably disliked this Sixth Young Master of the Jiang family. He always felt this man was strange, and the way he looked at the Marquis and his wife was odd, too. Chong-An could not help but say, “It’s not just the place; it’s not just that place. There’s something else I have not mentioned…”

As soon as he muttered this, Jiang Fengchuan burst out laughing.

“Suspect me?” His handsome eyes were filled with sarcasm. “You accuse me of concealing something, but I suspect that they have already been found, but for some reason, they’ve hidden them, and then lied to us, saying they have not been found?”

After saying this, his gaze swept over Lu Shenru.

The man remained silent, his expression indifferent.

Du Lingjing paused for a moment, then called out to Jiang Fengchuan.

“Sixth Brother, watch your words!”