Exclusively for the Marchioness – CH 049

Chapter 49

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, she returned to Chengqing District.

Her uncle brought Zhanming, which was considered a visit to her maternal home. Her second sister, Du Runqing, did not appear, but her uncle, Du Zhiqi, secretly inquired about the official position Du Lingjing had arranged for him.

“I’ve heard that the Marquis intends to give important positions to those members of the ‘Flicking Faction.’ As your uncle, I am naturally closer to them than to outsiders. What do you think, Jing-niang?”

After spring, the Ministry of Revenue would begin adjusting officials across the country; it’s the perfect time to select vacancies.

Upon arriving in the capital, Du Zhiqi also made efforts to cultivate relationships with the members of the ‘Flicking Faction.’ Initially, when his brother died and the ‘Flicking Faction’ was in decline, some people came to him, but at that time, he was in dire straits himself and had not maintained contact with them.

Now that Jing-niang had married the Marquis, with the Marquis as her backer, he did not need to worry much and could even assume important positions alongside the ‘Flicking Faction.’

He still cherished the position that Shao Boju had promised him.

“Did Jing-niang speak with the Marquis? What did the Marquis think?”

Du Lingjing could not help but ask, “Uncle, are you still thinking about Shao Boju? Do you know he’s in prison now?”

Du Zhiqi certainly knew, “But I heard the Emperor sent word that he might be let go.”

Shao Boju committed such a serious crime and was to be let go; perhaps he could be reinstated in a few years. All he wanted was to return to the capital to take up his post; why could he not?

The uncle and niece were talking in the hall when someone came looking for Lu Shenru, and he went out briefly.

Before they finished speaking, Chong-An came to invite Du Lingjing to the study.

When Du Lingjing arrived, she saw that his eyes were slightly complicated.

“What happened?” she asked.

The man was silent for a moment, then sighed, his voice slightly deep.

“Shao Boju has committed suicide.”

The study fell silent. Du Lingjing stood there stunned for a long time, unable to recover.

The Emperor had already intended to spare this third-place scholar; even if he could not regain his former favor, at least his life would be spared. But after the message of leniency arrived, he still took his own life.

Was it that he would rather die than submit to his uncle Shao Zun, or was he already too ashamed to leave prison and face his former brothers, or was it that a man once steeped in power and prestige could no longer live a hopeless existence?

In her father’s old study, Du Lingjing saw that the Marquis had also been silent for a while.

He did not mention Shao Boju again, only sighing, “His Majesty has always been fair to all. Now that Shao Boju is dead, those two from the Earl of Rongchang’s household are probably doomed and perhaps will face other fates.” He turned and said, “I am going back.”

A single move could affect the whole situation; the political turmoil in the court never ceased. Du Lingjing quickly nodded and let him go.

As soon as he left, Du Zhiqi came to inquire. Du Lingjing, remembering that he had just said Shao Boju would be alright, immediately told him the news. As soon as she finished speaking, she saw her uncle’s face turn pale with surprise.

“Why?” he murmured.

Du Lingjing did not speak immediately, only looking at her father’s empty study. Her father’s old belongings had been moved or lost in the repeated relocations, leaving only a few boxes of old books and paintings. Without her personal intervention, they could not be restored to their original state. Even she was now married, and the study was even less tended to. The traces left by her father were slowly and irrevocably fading away.

Du Lingjing’s voice was low.

“My father once rose to the position of Grand Secretary and implemented his new policies throughout the land, yet ultimately perished in a flash flood; the uncles and elders of the Flicking Faction rose and fell with him, some not even living to see the Marquis’s appointment, passing away alongside him; Shao Boju survived awaiting his sentence, and the Emperor relented to spare his life, but he committed suicide…”

“And the Marquis,” she looked at her uncle, “does Uncle really think the Marquis married me because of an imperial decree?” She said no, “It was to consolidate the Flicking Faction so that he could gain a stronger foothold in the power struggle with Grand Secretary Dou.”

Upon hearing this, Du Zhiqi looked over in shock.

“It was the Marquis who requested the imperial decree for the marriage…”

Du Lingjing gave a helpless laugh.

“Whether it’s Father, the uncles of the Flicking Faction, Shao Boju, or the Marquis, to be frank, which one of them is not more strategic and far-sighted than Uncle? Does Uncle really think the officialdom in the capital is so easy to navigate?”

If he had truly married her to Shao Boju back then, the Du family would be finished along with Shao Boju now. But that was impossible, because the imperial decree for the marriage was actually obtained by the Marquis.

In the dead of winter, Du Zhiqi broke out in a cold sweat. In places he could not understand at all, things were layered upon layer, but he could only see the top layer.

“Then… I still have to be an official, right?”

Du Lingjing said, “Uncle’s previous official position is vacant. I think Uncle is tired of being in the capital, so why not go back to where you came from?”

Go back to where he came from? Du Zhiqi felt like he was hit by a rolling boulder. He had originally wanted to secure a better position and leave that remote place, but after much wandering, he would return.

He looked at his niece, now a Marchioness, and for a moment, he saw in her anguish his elder brother, who had once been a Grand Secretary. Neither of them believed he was capable of such a great responsibility…

His back slumped. “But your aunt is still ill, and your sister is in the capital. What will we do?”

“Uncle, do not worry. If I am in the capital, I will naturally take care of her.”

Du Lingjing said this and said no more. Her uncle was truly incapable of handling a great responsibility. Leaving early and no longer being used by others might at least save her from this predicament.

After speaking, Du Lingjing did not wish to linger, but instead of returning to the Marquis’s Mansion, she went to see Hu Tinglan. When she saw Hu Tinglan, she felt as if he had been submerged in icy deep water, his body slumped, wet and heavy.

Clearly, he already knew about Shao Boju’s suicide. Old friends and sworn brothers, separated for many years, still alive, were now separated by death.

Du Lingjing did not know what to say, but she heard Hu Tinglan say, “I wonder if this was fate, or if, from the day he was selected as the third-ranked scholar, he irrevocably embarked on a path of no return.”

Du Lingjing was stunned for a moment. It seemed even Shao Boju himself had said that his talent was far inferior to Hu Tinglan’s. But her Elder Brother Hu only achieved an ordinary rank in the imperial examination, while Shao Boju was specially selected by the Emperor to be the third-ranked scholar.

Perhaps fate truly changed completely at that moment.

Du Lingjing remained silent with her elder brother for a long time. Hu Tinglan, not wanting to reveal much in front of others, only said to her, “You went back to your parents’ home today, yet you came all this way to see me. You should go back early.”

He was about to see her off, but Du Lingjing shook her head. She suddenly asked, “Are you not going to tell me about Master Liao, Brother?”

The Marquis was heavily promoting his associates, and Master Liao was the most talented and capable, yet he was devoted to Prince Yong. Du Lingjing could guess half of what was going on.

She directly asked Hu Tinglan, “What exactly is Master Liao’s situation, and what are his thoughts? Brother, please tell me frankly.”

She understood perfectly well, and she had already spoken to this extent.

Hu Tinglan could not hide it from her any longer and told her that the Marquis intended to heavily rely on Master Liao, even hoping to elevate him to the ranks of cabinet ministers as soon as possible.

“But he cannot change his mind. Master Liao still believes that Prince Hui is too young, and frankly, the Marquis and the Noble Consort, as Prince Hui’s maternal family, are too powerful. They are not a good choice for the Crown Prince,” he said. “Master Liao feels that Prince Hui is even inferior to the neglected Third Prince, Prince Cheng.”

“He is truly unable to serve the Marquis, and he fears that the Marquis will take his anger out on other members of the Flicking Faction, especially you. He is currently hesitant and at a loss, and it seems he may have to return to his hometown permanently.”

He finished speaking and looked at Du Lingjing.

The room was somewhat dim, and the charcoal fire in the brazier was almost extinguished.

Du Lingjing slowly sat up. “I understand. This matter is probably not unique to Master Liao. Perhaps I should speak to the Marquis myself.”

Indeed, there were other members of the Flicking Faction in similar situations.

Hu Tinglan asked her, “Is it appropriate for you to speak for them?”

Du Lingjing felt that perhaps no one was more suitable than her. After all, she was a bridge carefully paved by the Marquis, connecting him to the Flicking Faction.

She smiled. “Though my voice carries little weight, I must give it a try.”

…

That day, she returned to the Marquis’s Mansion. Passing through the outer courtyard, she overheard some of the Marquis’s advisors discussing the Flicking Faction, but the Marquis himself was not there.

She waited for him in the main courtyard, but he had business that evening and returned too late. Afraid of disturbing her, he stayed overnight in the outer courtyard.

The next day, Du Lingjing got up early and ate breakfast. Seeing that he had not returned, she thought for a moment and went outside. She walked to the outer courtyard and realized she was not the first to come seeking an audience. It was still early, but a few people had already gathered in the outer courtyard, all waiting to see the Marquis.

Neither Chong-Ping nor Chong-An was present. A young steward was in the outer courtyard today. He ordered servants to bring tea and told everyone to sit and wait patiently. “The Marquis is very busy; please do not be impatient. Sit down, have some tea, and wait patiently.”

In the past, when Du Lingjing lived with her father in Chengqing District, people would come looking for him, and Wen Bo would arrange for them to wait in the outer courtyard. But there were never this many people.

Du Lingjing overheard someone muttering that he had come five times since before the New Year, “I’ve waited for the Marquis every time, but he never showed up. Please, young man, inform him this time.”

As this person said this, another said he had come yesterday. “The Marquis accompanied his wife to her parents’ home. I waited until late afternoon, but did not see him. I arrived before dawn today, and I also ask that you inform him!”

Several others also said they had waited a long time. Qiu-Lin, listening nearby, remarked, “The Marquis is too busy. If it were me, with so many people wanting to see me every day, I’d be driven mad.”

Du Lingjing found her comment amusing and chuckled softly. But as soon as she chuckled, the young steward noticed her.

The steward hurriedly came out to greet her. “Madam, what brings you here? The Marquis is discussing matters with his advisors in the hall. Would you like me to announce your arrival?”

Du Lingjing had intended for him to announce her arrival, but hearing that he was discussing matters with his advisors and seeing so many people waiting outside, she said there was no rush, “It’s nothing urgent; I will wait a while.”

The steward, of course, could not let her wait in the outer hall like an outsider, so he led her into the courtyard of the Marquis’s study.

However, just as Du Lingjing entered, she heard an advisor pass by.

“…These Flicking Faction members are such a nuisance. They are all so stubborn and insolent. The Marquis first saved them, then offered them high positions. Anyone else would be overjoyed, but these guys are still eyeing Prince Yong? Especially Liao Xu; the Marquis has really given him too much face.”

“Who says otherwise? I do see why these Flicking Faction members behind the Madam have been dismissed and ostracized from the court. I guess Grand Secretary Du is the same way; that’s why the current Emperor did not want to give him important positions…”

Speaking of Flicking Factions was one thing, but Grand Secretary Du was the Madam’s father.

The steward, seeing that the two advisors were not paying attention to the Madam but that she had heard everything they said, turned pale. He was extremely nervous, wishing he could cover the mouths of the two advisors, but just then, other advisors passed by, also talking about the Flicking Faction members. Fortunately, one of these advisors spotted the Madam and quickly pulled the others to shut up.

Everyone exchanged awkward glances and fell silent. The steward was unsure whether to welcome Du Lingjing inside or not, unsure of what to do.

Du Lingjing understood immediately.

The courtyard gate was where the Marquis’s staff spoke freely, not for outsiders to hear. Outsiders were all waiting in the outer hall; they could hear everything inside. She was, after all, an outsider…

She turned around and said to the steward, “I will wait outside too.”

The steward, who had been thinking about what might happen if he actually led the lady inside, breathed a sigh of relief when she mentioned waiting outside.

“Madam wishes to see the Marquis; I can go and inform him immediately.”

But in the outer hall, Du Lingjing listened intently as the discussion reached a crucial point, his deep voice occasionally punctuating the conversation with questions.

She said there was no need. “It’s not too late to talk after the Marquis is finished with his work.”

The steward then escorted her outside and had a screen erected. Du Lingjing, along with the others who had been waiting for him for several days, slowly sipped tea and waited. However, this wait lasted from dawn until past noon. Du Lingjing went through three bowls of tea, but he still did not seem to have a moment’s rest.

Everyone in the hall was also waiting there. Some could not wait any longer and left, saying they would come another day.

Du Lingjing did not have anything else to do; she just wanted to have a proper talk with him about the Flicking Faction. She wanted to tell him that even if he had planned for a long time and his marriage to her was only to bring the Flicking Faction officials under his control, there was no need to rush.

Things should be done slowly and deliberately for things to turn out well.

She waited a while longer, thinking he was probably almost finished. However, she was surprised to see so many people waiting in the hall, some pacing anxiously. She wondered if he would even see her first.

Should she go eat first and then wait for him?

Just then, Ruan Gong suddenly approached, his steps hurried. He said that Brother Hu had sent word that Master Liao had “set off today, leaving the capital to return to his hometown in Sichuan.”

Du Lingjing was startled.

She thought that with the New Year not over yet, he would wait for at least a few more days before leaving. She had not expected him to leave so soon, seemingly reluctantly.

Sichuan was not like Qingzhou; the mountains were high and the rivers long. When would he return? She needed to clear things up first. Du Lingjing immediately got up, told Ruan Gong to quickly prepare the carriage, and rushed after him without even changing her clothes.

…

Lu Shenru had not had a moment’s rest all morning. Now, catching his breath, he had just ordered the meal to be served when the steward from the outer hall approached.

He asked if anyone else wanted to see him. “Who are they, and why? Get to the important points.”

The people in the outer hall had been waiting for so long; no one was unimportant. However, there was one person who said she was not in a hurry and could wait. But the steward said, “If Your Lordship has some free time, perhaps you could see the Madam?”

Lu Shenru was taken aback, thinking he had misheard.

“Who did you say?”

The steward quickly replied, “The Madam. She’s been waiting in the hall since morning, for three hours now. Would Your Lordship like to see her first?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the man’s sharp eyes widened. The atmosphere in the study instantly became tense, a chilling aura filling the room.

“You dare keep Madam waiting outside for three hours?!”

The steward paused, then knelt with a thud. Chong-Ping, who had just returned from outside, gasped upon hearing the steward’s words.

The man’s face turned ashen, and he strode out, heading straight for the hall.

“Quan Quan…”

But upon reaching the hall, he stepped behind the screen, only to find an empty teacup behind it; Madam was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is Madam?!” he asked.

The steward in the hall did not know when Madam had left either.

Lu Shenru assumed she had returned to the main courtyard and turned to go to the inner courtyard, but fortunately, a servant came forward to report that Madam had received an urgent message.

“Reporting to the Marquis, Madam hastily prepared her carriage and left.”

*

The news of Shao Boju’s suicide tormented Yang Jinyu all night yesterday.

She had initially thought the same as everyone else: she was overjoyed to hear that the Emperor might show mercy and forgive her. But then Shao Boju committed suicide. With Shao Boju dead, the Emperor, now impartial, could no longer spare her two younger brothers.

Her mother, the Lady of Rongchang, had fainted again.

Perhaps before the first month of the lunar calendar, the Emperor would punish her two younger brothers.

Right now, besides the Marquis and the Noble Consort, no one could save them. Yang Jinyu felt she was going mad; her husband had not even come to her courtyard for New Year’s Eve. She could only think of a solution herself. What other options did she have?

She had tried to sow discord between Marchioness Lu and the Marquis, hoping to make her quarrel with the Marquis, but Marchioness Lu was as calm as still water; whatever was poured in, it silently flowed away.

So, instead of trying to get through to her, she might as well directly sow discord between the Marquis and the Flicking Faction.

Yang Jinyu could not think of a solution until someone reported that Liao Xu, the Flicking Faction member most at odds with the Marquis, had left the capital and returned to his hometown. A thought suddenly occurred to her. Liao Xu had clearly left out of desperation due to the Marquis’s power. If something happened to him on his forced departure, would the Flicking Faction turn against the Marquis and become estranged from him?

Thinking of this, she immediately summoned men and headed out of the capital.

*

Du Lingjing was delayed for a few moments.

Outside the capital, she encountered Master Zhang, who ran a bookstore in the outer city. Master Zhang, also because of the Flicking Faction being hunted by Shao Boju, had gone into hiding. He still maintained contact with the Flicking Faction members, and, being under Shao Boju’s watchful eye, he had simply fled to the countryside for several months, only returning before the New Year.

Du Lingjing had not yet had a chance to meet him in person, but Ruan Gong delivered New Year’s gifts to Master Zhang on her behalf. She also discussed with Master Zhang, who ran a bookstore in the capital, the matter of how the eight Song Dynasty books that had led her to the capital had suddenly appeared.

Master Zhang, hearing Ruan Gong’s words, also found it somewhat strange. “The capital region certainly has all sorts of learned people, but to find eight precious Song Dynasty editions in succession is truly rare.”

He said he would keep an eye out for Du Lingjing, and seeing her passing by his door, he spoke up. “Where is Jing-niang going? I’ve made some progress regarding those eight Song Dynasty editions.”

Du Lingjing had almost forgotten about it, but that was not her purpose in coming. She quickly thanked him and then asked. “Did Master Zhang see Master Liao? Which city gate did Master Liao leave the capital through?”

Unfortunately, Liao Xu had indeed come to Master Zhang’s bookstore before leaving to say goodbye. He said that with this departure, he would return to his hometown to care for his elderly mother, completely retiring to the countryside, and would no longer teach in Baoding. He did not know if he would ever see his old friends again.

Master Liao, feeling melancholic, drank a cup of tea at the bookstore and left through the You’an Gate of the outer city. Du Lingjing, having no time to linger, decided to visit Master Zhang another day to inquire about the eight Song Dynasty editions that had led her to the capital. She then headed towards You’an Gate.

She inquired as she went, figuring Master Liao could not have gone too far. Just as she passed a tea stall, Ruan Gong approached and asked a question. Du Lingjing heard someone at the stall exclaim, “Eh! This is interesting. A skinny old gentleman has left, yet so many people are chasing after him. Someone just asked me about him a quarter of an hour ago.”

This made Ruan Gong pause, and Du Lingjing raised an eyebrow. Ruan Gong immediately handed over money, urging the man to say a few more words. The man laughed, saying that even more people had chased after them.

“There was another carriage, but it had no identification, so we do not know who it belonged to. But they had quite a few men with them, all of whom looked like martial arts experts, and they were also chasing after that old gentleman.”

He pointed in a direction, but Du Lingjing’s eyelids twitched rapidly twice.