Exclusively for the Marchioness – CH 044

Chapter 44

“In a few days, is it not the anniversary of Jiang Jieyuan’s death? Let’s go to pay our respects together.”

Du Lingjing, unsure what to do with the bamboo leaf in her hand, looked up in surprise upon hearing his words.

He walked over, his dark eyes unfathomable. Du Lingjing was slightly taken aback.

“If you do not mind, I can go by myself that day.”

She was already very grateful that he had brought it up and put it so clearly; she did not really need him to accompany her to pay respects to Third Young Master.

Third Young Master was, after all, someone unrelated to him, and their relationship was rather complicated because of what had happened before.

But he looked at her and chuckled, “It seems Quan Quan thinks I am joking.”

Du Lingjing did think so, but he said no, “I’ve already arranged the place for the worship. Jiqing Ward is closest to Guangji Temple; have the abbot reserve half a day for us.”

Guangji Temple was an ancient temple from a previous era, destroyed in war and rebuilt on its original site at the end of the late Emperor’s reign. The late Emperor valued such ancient temples highly, considering Guangji Temple almost a royal temple, with very flourishing incense offerings, and the abbot was a highly virtuous monk.

She had not expected him to have already made arrangements, even taking up half a day at Guangji Temple. She stood there, speechless, staring blankly at the person before her.

His initial attitude towards Third Young Master had not seemed this way. At their first meeting, his words implied that the previous person was gone, and she should forget them. Those words made her uncomfortable, especially since she did not want to marry, nor did she want to marry him, and she had repeatedly addressed Third Young Master as “my husband” in his presence. She harbored a secret rebellion against him, as if Third Young Master had not truly left, yet he had forced her into marriage.

But his attitude changed. Instead of being angry, he gently apologized and comforted her.

She sensed he still cared to some extent and did not want to mention Third Young Master’s death anniversary to him, but he had taken the initiative to speak.

Most of the time, she did not know what he was thinking, but he always seemed to see through her thoughts.

“My Lord, you really do not need to…”

You did not need to be so lenient.

Du Lingjing wanted to finish her sentence, but he interrupted her with a smile halfway through.

“It’s not strange for your current husband to pay respects to your former fiancé. On the contrary, if I forbid you from going or avoid mentioning it, it would seem that our marriage is illegitimate, would it not?”

Du Lingjing had not expected him to have considered so much. She looked at him with increasing surprise. The man’s expression was serious, his brows relaxed, and his gaze fell on her, allowing her to observe him.

Indeed, he and she married three years after Third Young Master’s death. Even if she had married Third Young Master back then and observed twenty-seven months of mourning for him, that period would have ended.

Besides, she was not married then, and he had only met her in the last six months. He married her based on an imperial decree.

Du Lingjing thought to herself, “Who would dare say his marriage was illegitimate?”

She had to say, “My Lord, you are overthinking things.”

He did not say anything for a moment, only slightly pursing his lips, his gaze shifting to her palm. In her palm lay the bamboo leaf she had just picked.

He did not mention the bamboo leaf but instead said, “When we go to Guangji Temple to pay respects to Jiang Jieyuan, we should at least have one of his belongings.”

That was true. Third Young Master was far away in Qingzhou; there was not even a cenotaph for him in the capital.

But the bamboo leaf was not enough to be his keepsake.

However, because she had left Qingzhou in a hurry, she had not considered staying in the capital and had even married, so she had not brought anything of Third Young Master with her, except for that lamp.

Thinking of the lamp, he casually mentioned it. “Does Madam think the lamp is suitable?”

Du Lingjing thought for a moment, “If that lamp is repaired, then it’s fine; we can find another one.”

That lamp had been with her for a long time…

The man nodded upon hearing this, but immediately called Chong-An over. He asked directly, “Is Madam’s lamp repaired?”

Chong-An blinked a few times upon hearing the sudden question.

Originally, finding a lamp maker from Xi’an would only take half a month, but the Marquis had privately instructed him that there was no rush. Since the Marquis said there was no rush, he delayed for a few days. With the twelfth lunar month approaching, someone from Xi’an was going to deliver things to the Marquis’s Mansion, so he mentioned the lamp maker. The lamp maker should be arriving soon.

To be honest, it would only take a few more days to repair it.

But at this moment, he looked at the Marquis and secretly blinked.

He replied, “No, I have not found a suitable craftsman yet. I am afraid we will have to wait until after the New Year.”

After Chong-An answered, Lu Shenru looked at his wife.

Would they really be willing to part with it? Offering this lamp as a keepsake to Guangji Temple would take a whole year.

But the lamp was already broken.

Du Lingjing also knew the lamp was out of order. Although she did not know why it had suddenly stopped working, keeping it would not be of any use.

She lowered her eyes. “Then forget it; there’s no need to find someone to repair it. Just keep this lamp in the temple.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the man’s eyes softened completely.

Chong-An accepted the order and left. Lu Shenru stepped forward and took his wife’s hand.

He said that it was rare to have some free time to stroll in the back garden. “Judging from the sky, it looks like it’s going to snow. How about we have a banquet at the Shushi Pavilion tonight?”

This winter had been very dry, and only today had the first snowfall appeared in the capital. The first snow of the year fell in the capital, and he planned to hold a banquet at the Shushi Pavilion, the highest point in his mansion, to enjoy the snow.

Du Lingjing found him amusing again; those bookish literati probably did not understand such refined pastimes as he did.

Lu Shenru saw her chuckle softly, but she also quietly placed the bamboo leaf in her hand on the window lattice outside the room. A gentle breeze swept by, and the bamboo leaf immediately flew up and into the wind. Below her long eyebrows, her eyes shone quietly, as if filled with snowflakes.

Lu Shenru held her hand tightly in his.

She asked him, “Is Your Lordship not afraid that you will hold a banquet at the Shushi Pavilion, only to find that the first snow of the year has not fallen?”

Would that not be a wasted effort?

The man laughed. “Does my wife really think I am waiting for the first snow in the capital?”

It was her…

She paused, a blush creeping onto her face, then looked away from his intense gaze.

“Oh, so it seems Your Lordship is waiting for a bountiful harvest, a peaceful and prosperous year. Truly worthy of the title.”

But as soon as she finished speaking, the man laughed out loud.

He said, “It is my wife who is always concerned about the peace and prosperity of the nation. Even without merit or hard work, she has certainly put in the effort.”

Her lips parted slightly, her soft lips seemingly surprised that he was flattering her, mocking her for only offering pleasant words, and considering her meddling as meritorious service.

The man chuckled even more.

She was far more naive than those old men who openly and subtly mocked him in court every day. But the dazed look on her face, fading as she recalled the man before her, vanished. Unable to argue with him, she turned and walked away.

He did not stop her, but as soon as she took a step, a glistening white fluff drifted in the wind and landed on her nose.

She looked at the first snow of the capital on her nose, then turned to look at him.

“It’s really snowing?”

The man smiled.

“Does my wife still have any doubts about the banquet at the Shushi Pavilion?”

He asked, seeing her purse her lips and look up. “The Marquis always gets what he desires.”

These words startled Lu Shenru. He looked into her eyes.

If that were truly the case, then it was a blessing from heaven.

…

That evening, at the Marquis of Yongding’s residence, the pavilions and towers were covered in a blanket of white snow. In this beautiful snowy setting, Marquis Lu personally led his wife to the banquet.

The first snow fell for two days, blanketing the capital and changing the color of the city walls and vermilion gates. From afar, the majestic and imposing imperial city appeared more gentle, as if draped in a soft, snowy coat.

Two days later, when the snow stopped, it was the third anniversary of the deceased’s death.

At Hongluo Temple, Jiang Fengchuan changed into plain clothes and, along with Dowager Consort Jiang, went to the hall to pay respects to the departed. However, before leaving the guest courtyard, he received a message from a young novice monk.

The novice monk said that Guangji Temple was also paying respects to Jiang Jieyuan today, “It’s Marchioness Lu who’s going; Guangji Temple is closed this morning.”

Marchioness Lu.

Jiang Fengchuan naturally disliked this address but said nothing. It was good enough that she had not forgotten it was the anniversary of his third brother’s death.

He called Uncle Hui over, saying he had previously inquired about a Song Dynasty book for her. “I’ve already paid for it; the book will arrive tomorrow. Uncle Hui, please take it to her along with the two jars of spring water the abbot gave me earlier. Does she not like using spring water for tea?”

This time, he did not cause any trouble, only delivering the book and water. Uncle Hui, seeing that he was much more serious and no longer bothering the girl, repeatedly said good things.

“If Sixth Young Master can maintain a normal relationship with Madam, Third Young Master’s spirit in heaven will surely be very pleased.”

Jiang Fengchuan gave a light hum. As long as she remembered Third Brother and did not forget the old one for the new, he was naturally willing to maintain a good relationship with her. However, thinking that Guangji Temple had been closed to her for half a day, he could not help but ask the young novice a question.

“It seems Marchioness Lu is quite favored by the abbot of Guangji Temple? He even personally welcomed her behind closed doors.”

The young novice monk readily agreed, “I heard Marquis Lu is also going.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fengchuan was slightly surprised.

“Did I hear that right? He’s going too?”

The young novice monk confirmed it. Seeing Jiang Fengchuan’s expression, Uncle Hui quickly dismissed the young novice monk. He said, “It’s a good thing that the Marquis does not care about the past between the Madam and the Third Young Master.”

Jiang Fengchuan snorted, “Is he really that magnanimous? Perhaps he’s just using this as a tactic to win people over?”

Uncle Hui did not know what to say. Fortunately, Nanny Pu sent someone to invite him, and the Sixth Young Master did not say anything more, pursing his lips as he went to the ancestral hall.

*

At the Marquis of Yongding’s Residence.

Just as everyone was about to leave for Guangji Temple, Chong-An came over, speaking softly beside the Marquis.

“The Heir Apparent of the Duke of Wei wishes to see you.”

Du Lingjing also heard this but saw the man raise his hand, “No.”

Chong-An added, “The Heir Apparent’s wife came once before, but the Marquis was not home then.”

Du Lingjing knew this, but the Heir Apparent’s wife was not looking for her, so Chong-An told her to come another day. She could not help but say to the man beside her, “Perhaps the Madam of the Heir Apparent has urgent business. I will go to Guangji Temple myself; Your Lordship does not need to accompany me.”

Lu Shenru insisted on accompanying her. “Did we not agree to go together?”

He said that the Madam of the Heir Apparent of the Duke of Wei was none other than the eldest daughter of the Yang family of the Earl of Rongchang’s Mansion. “What could she possibly want? Nothing more than asking me to plead with the Emperor again, to spare the lives of her two brothers who have committed murder.”

Currently, Shao Boju’s crimes were unavoidable, and the Shao family had also been implicated. Grand Secretary Dou and Prince Yong’s faction were also involved, so naturally, they would not let the Marquis of Yongding’s Mansion off the hook. They were relentlessly pursuing the matter of the Yang family of the Earl of Rongchang’s Mansion, demanding that the Emperor severely punish the two brothers of the eldest daughter of the Yang family.

“They are so persistent; what good would it do even if I pleaded with the Emperor? Besides, a life for a life is a matter of course,” he said. “Right now, it’s good enough that we’ve managed to keep the Earl of Rongchang’s mansion afloat. Lady Yang wants too much; it’s really inconvenient for me to see her.”

Du Lingjing understood.

He had chosen the Flicking Faction, thus abandoning the two young masters of the Yang family. Du Lingjing could not speak on this matter. Seeing that he had already made up his mind, she did not say anything more.

The two left the mansion for Guangji Temple.

A small Buddhist ceremony was held for Jiang Zhuxiu at Guangji Temple, and Du Lingjing prayed within it.

She looked at the lamp that would not light no matter what she did, and suddenly felt that Third Young Master seemed to be getting farther and farther away from her. A sense of panic rose in her heart; she wanted to grasp something but could not, just like that unlit lamp.

Du Lingjing lingered before the belongings for a long time until someone approached her and grasped her shoulder. Only then did she slowly rise. She saw him also accept three sticks of incense, bow, and place them in the incense burner. Seeing this, Du Lingjing felt she could not linger any longer. She turned and glanced twice at the lamp temporarily kept at Guangji Temple, then turned away with him.

The abbot spoke a few Buddhist words, naturally expressing the sentiment that the deceased was gone and the living should find peace. The abbot of Guangji Temple was on good terms with the abbot of Hongluo Temple, who said that Guangji Temple was located within the city, “If it’s for holding a grand ceremony for the top scholar, Hongluo Temple would be more convenient.”

Du Lingjing had this in mind, but she wondered if holding the ceremony at Hongluo Temple would disturb the Dowager Consort’s peace.

The man, however, had no such concerns. He directly addressed the abbot of Guangji Temple, saying, “I would like to request that you two abbots arrange a grand Water and Land Dharma Assembly at Hongluo Temple on behalf of the top scholar. Everything should be done in its most magnificent form before the New Year. I, Lu, will provide the incense offerings.”

He immediately proposed a grand Water and Land Dharma Assembly. After a brief explanation, the abbot of Guangji Temple responded with “Amitabha.”

Du Lingjing could not help but whisper, “Having two abbots preside over this Water and Land Dharma Assembly at Hongluo Temple, would that not be too extravagant?”

He said it was fine, “The third anniversary of the top scholar’s death is not an ordinary commemoration; it should be done this way.”

Du Lingjing then said, “I will still pay for the incense offerings…”

Before she could finish, the man frowned and looked at her. “What do you mean by this, my wife?”

“I mean, I mean…” Under his fixed gaze, she stammered for a long time without uttering a word.

He spoke directly, “I have also read Jiang Qianyun’s essays, written by the provincial top scholar. His writing is brilliant and enlightening. May I offer this token of my respect? My wife, you forbid it?”

Du Lingjing had not expected him to have read Third Young Master’s essays; he always did things she did not expect.

But could she still refuse?

She said, “No, it’s not forbidden…”

The man said, “Then my wife need not worry.”

The two followed the abbot of Guangji Temple for a short while, listened to some Buddhist teachings, and sampled some of the temple’s vegetarian dishes before leaving. Just as they were about to leave, Chong-An came to report something.

“My Lord, the wife of the Duke of Wei’s heir still wishes to see you and is waiting outside the temple.”

Du Lingjing noticed his brow furrow, but still did not respond.

He still refused to see her, saying, “Go and tell her directly. I’ve done my best, but there’s still more I cannot do.”

This was already a serious crime of murder to cover up a crime, and now that Grand Secretary Dou and his associates had implicated them, the only way to save both of them unscathed was for the Emperor to show mercy and spare both Shao Boju and the young masters of the Yang family.

He refused to see her, only returning to his residence with his wife.

Outside the temple, the wife of the Duke of Wei’s heir, the eldest daughter of the Yang family of the Earl of Rongchang’s mansion, heard Chong-An’s words but said nothing more. She watched silently as the Marquis’s carriage, carrying the Marquis and his new wife, departed.

The maidservant called to her, “Madam, let’s go back too.”

She snorted, “Go back for what? To wait for my two younger brothers to be beheaded?”

As she spoke, tears of resentment streamed down her face.

“My father and elder brother served the Lu family’s Yongding Army for many years. Now, Marquis Lu has married a new wife, favoring her family of civil officials, and discarding us, his in-laws and old friends… What about all these years of contributing to the Lu family’s efforts in supporting the crown prince?”

She continued, “Prince Hui has not even entered the Eastern Palace yet. Marquis Lu is already ‘impartial’ to us old associates. Has the Marquis changed? Has he changed after marrying a new wife? I’d like to see what kind of person his new wife is, with such methods to win over the Marquis…”

The maidservant quickly told her to stop.

“Madam, please stop! How can you discuss such matters so casually? It would be terrible if others heard!”

The maidservant quickly changed the subject. “This old servant just heard that the Earl’s wife fainted again today. Why not go back to your family home to see her?”

Upon hearing that her mother had fainted again, Lady Yang was alarmed and immediately ordered the carriage to be turned around and head towards the Earl of Rongchang’s residence.

*

At Hongluo Temple.

The news that the Lu family of the Marquis of Yongding’s residence was going to hold a Water and Land Dharma Assembly for Jiang Jieyuan quickly spread.

Dowager Consort Jiang was taken aback when she inquired, “Inviting two abbots to co-host is really too extravagant.”

But this was organized by the Lu family using donations; could she possibly stop them?

The Dowager Consort did not say anything, but the matter reached the ears of Jiang Fengchuan, who was preparing for the imperial examinations in the guest quarters. The young man had just finished writing his essays for the afternoon and was now looking through his elder brother’s notes from previous years, prepared for the spring imperial examinations.

It was a thick volume of essays; if he had just come to the capital to take the exams, with his talent as the top scholar in his province, he would have been guaranteed to pass. He might even have topped the imperial examination and then become the top scholar in the palace examination—a triple honor!

But he had not even made it out of Qingzhou.

Jiang Fengchuan had only flipped through two pages of the notes when he heard about this.

“A joint Water and Land Dharma Assembly organized by the two abbots?”

The young novice monk said yes, “The top scholar will surely be safely on his way to the Western Paradise.”

The young novice monk, unaware of the situation, spoke these words and glanced uneasily at Sixth Young Master.

Sixth Young Master indeed said in a low voice. “Only by sending the deceased far away can the living forget?”

He said, “Is Marquis Lu in such a hurry? Could there be some hidden shady dealings behind this imperial decree-ordered marriage?

T/N:
Water and Land Dharma Assembly (Shuilu Fahui) is a Chinese Buddhist ceremony typically performed with the aim of facilitating the nourishment and ultimate liberation of all sentient beings in saṃsāra. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuilu_Fahui