Chapter 32 Chapter 32 Son-in-law

As the sun sets, the shadows of the trees, branches and houses merge into one, and night is approaching.

Du Lingjing couldn't race horses, let alone race horses in the dark.

She shook her head and replied to him.

"I've only ridden a donkey once, so I'm afraid I can't ride a horse."

This caused the man to chuckle, and he said that was easier.

"Just sit there."

As he was speaking, a guard came forward, leading a tall, shiny black horse from the Western Regions.

The horse was so tall that Du Lingjing even had to raise her head to look at it.

She looked the horse up and down. It was completely black without a trace of other colors, its fur was shiny, and its body was agile and majestic.

Is it his mount Xuanbo, or the Ferghana horse that was presented as tribute to him by the former emperor?

But the horse was so tall that Du Lingjing couldn't even get on it, let alone run.

She frowned and looked up at the horse's face. Such a mighty Arabian horse snorted at her in a friendly manner.

The man next to her laughed again, and the next moment, she was suddenly picked up by him. Her figure was not short among women, but she was just like a slender willow branch in his arms. When the dizziness around her settled, Du Lingjing found that she was already sitting on Xuanbo.

The man jumped on the horse, and in the blink of an eye, he sat behind her, holding the reins and holding her in his arms.

Seeing that she had indeed never ridden a horse, Lu Shenru didn't know where to put her hands, so he simply loosened the reins with one hand, put his arm around her waist, and let her hold her hands on his arms.

But her collar and sleeves were wet. The man looked down at her red eyes, then untied his cloak and wrapped her up.

Then, he gently squeezed his feet and Xuanbo started running.

Du Lingjing had never ridden a horse so high before. When the horse ran out of the woods and ran to the open area on the mountainside, she looked down and saw the entire mountain forest path. It was dusk and lights were being lit one after another at the foot of the mountain.

She couldn't help but look around slowly on horseback.

The horse ran faster and faster. But such a tall Western horse, running fast at night, although it was a bit bumpy, she sat firmly on the horse, and naturally leaned on the arms of the person behind her.

He just asked at this time, "Are you scared?"

Du Lingjing shook her head. "Not really... it's just very fast, like walking on the wind."

This was also a special experience, one she had never had in the library before.

But I heard the man behind me say, "It can be even faster."

As soon as he finished speaking, the horse suddenly jumped forward, crossed the stream, and the moment its front hooves touched the ground, it almost flew up.

The wind made the cloak around her whistle, and for a few moments, she thought she was going to fly off the horse along with the cloak.

But none of that happened. He held her tightly, his arms were strong and firm, and she didn't waver at all.

But after running all the way, Du Lingjing had no idea where she was going.

As the night grew darker, she looked around.

The person behind her asked her, "What are you looking for, Quanquan?"

Du Lingjing couldn't help but say, "I can't see Guilin Tower anymore. Is it getting farther and farther away?"

As soon as she spoke, he laughed again.

"No. It's getting closer and closer."

Getting closer and closer?

Until she saw a towering city wall in the distance ahead.

And he smiled and said, "Go home."

But in a moment, the horse had rushed to the Fucheng Gate of the capital.

Just as the time had come to close the city gates, the drawbridge over the moat was slowly rising.

But as soon as the man's horse reached the city gate, the commander guarding the gate saw that it was him and shouted.

The half-raised suspension bridge was hastily lowered.

The general guarding the city came out specially and said, "My Lord, please."

The man nodded with a smile and spoke to the soldiers.

"Thank you all for your help. I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Lu."

Everyone told him that his lord did not need to be polite, and the man rode his horse through Fucheng Gate and returned to the capital.

From Fuchengmen Street, passing Baita Temple, Diwang Temple, and Guangji Temple, you will arrive at Jiqingfang.

When Du Lingjing came out of the small temple in the mountains, she never thought that she would be standing in front of the gate of Yongding Marquis' Mansion at night.

No wonder this guy kept laughing on the road...

Somehow, the night wind blew away all her thoughts from the daytime. Her clothes had dried long ago. She stood in front of the door for two breaths in a daze.

But her stomach suddenly growled.

"... ..."

She shouted so loudly that even the doorman nearby couldn't help but look at her, but he quickly looked away for fear of embarrassing the lady.

Du Lingjing was already embarrassed.

But someone held her hand and said, "I'm hungry too. Let's eat in the outer courtyard. It's a good opportunity for you to try the cooking skills of the chefs in the outer courtyard."

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

"Northwestern cuisine has a strong flavor. I wonder if you can get used to it."

Du Lingjing had eaten Northwestern food before. She said, "I've been to Xi'an Prefecture once. Although it was only once, the food was quite tasty."

The man glanced at her when he heard that.

It was during the third year of Yin You’s reign that she broke into his territory for no reason.

"Really?" he asked, ordering the stove to cook, and personally poured her a cup of hot tea, "Madam, do you think Xi'an is interesting?"

He saw her nod, "It is quite different from Qingzhou and the capital."

As she spoke, she picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. She seemed to remember something and spoke to him a few more words, which was rare.

Lu Shenru heard her whisper, "At that time, I found everything in Xi'an new and exciting. I looked left and right and was even laughed at by... passers-by."

After the words fell, the man couldn't help but laugh.

She didn't know what he was laughing at, so she just said, "It's true," she tried to recall, "The one passing by seemed to be a young man... ...It's embarrassing anyway."

The man poured himself a cup of tea.

She remembered the passerby in Xi'an city, a young man.

If she knew that the young man passing by at that time was her current husband, I wonder how she would react.

The thoughts only flashed through his mind, and Lu Shenru just smiled without saying much.

From time to time, the chefs from the outer courtyard brought up their specialties.

It was indeed a table full of Northwestern dishes, naturally mixed with some of the Beijing and Shandong cuisine that she was used to eating.

For some reason, Du Lingjing ate a lot during this meal, so much so that she felt a little full.

On the contrary, he was happy to pick up some food for her so that she could eat more.

Until Du Lingjing really couldn't eat anymore, he asked someone to boil water for her so that she could soak in peace.

Du Lingjing did have the same idea, and when she heard him mention it, she couldn't help but ask.

"Does the Marquis bathe as well?"

I realized there was ambiguity in what I said.

He also heard the ambiguity and his eyes fell on her.

Du Lingjing felt a burning sensation in her ears and wanted to explain, but she heard the man speak before her.

He spoke in a low voice, half smiling.

"How about tomorrow?"

... ...

When Du Lingjing woke up the next day, he had already gone to court, but he was held up by something and had not returned until noon.

But Du Lingjing met her uncle Du Zhiqi in the flower hall in the front yard.

Du Zhiqi came here for two things. One was the Du family's mansion in Chengqingfang. He had moved out in the past few days. The mansion was vacated and the title deed was also sent to Du Lingjing.

Du Lingjing had been thinking about the missing people these days and had not heard about this matter at all until Du Zhiqi said, "The Marquis wants to expand this house and has already bought the neighboring house on the east side. I think the Marquis is quite interested in you."

So that was his idea... Du Lingjing didn't know why he would think about this, but she was indeed reluctant to give up the old house in Chengqingfang at that time. After all, that was where she had lived with her father for many years.

Unexpectedly, that person got it back for her.

From his grandfather's one path, to his father's two paths, and now to him, it has become three paths.

Du Lingjing was stunned for a while. A house is not an ordinary thing, especially a house in Beijing, which costs a lot of money...

Since her uncle was still going to give it to her, she accepted it. I guess the reputation of the marquis intimidated her uncle.

Du Lingjing didn't know what to say. She took the land deed, but her uncle brought up another matter.

"The Marquis wants us to take care of my vacancy. Of course, I can't just sit around at home all the time."

Filling a vacancy? Du Lingjing had never heard the marquis mention this matter.

But with his power, her uncle wouldn't dare lie about it, she asked.

"What vacancy does uncle want to fill?"

Du Zhiqi was only a Jinshi graduate, which was inferior to a real Jinshi. His qualifications were also mediocre. Previously, he had not been able to become an official in a remote prefecture.

Du Zhiqi originally came to Beijing to find someone, whether it was his mother-in-law, Madam Wan, or some old friends, who could help him get promoted. Unexpectedly, Shao Boju came to him and said that he could give him a fifth-rank or even fourth-rank official position in Beijing as long as he married his niece to the Shao family.

But this matter was full of twists and turns and finally failed.

Later, he had a falling out with his niece, who then married Lu Shenru in the Yongding Marquis's mansion. He was really scared, and just wanted to go back to where he came from, and leave Beijing as soon as possible.

However, the Marquis came to visit a few days ago, and the others felt that his uncle had some face in front of the Marquis, and the house suddenly became lively. Everyone flattered him and asked him what kind of official position he wanted to take. If he wanted to stay in Beijing, wasn't it just a matter of a word from the Marquis?

He couldn't help but become active in his thoughts, and luckily the Marquis didn't say anything final about the matter, but only asked him to discuss it with Jingniang.

He looked at his niece and sighed.

"Even if the family is divided, I am still your uncle after all. You married into the Marquis's mansion with a high status, so it won't hurt you if your family is more powerful, and the Marquis will also value you more."

Having said this, he told us what he had thought of at home.

"Shao promised me the position of Langzhong of the Ministry of Rites before, and then said that with my qualifications, I could also take on the position of Secretary of the Dali Temple."

Both of them were fifth-rank officials in Beijing. He was very happy to have the two of them agree at that time.

But Shao's ability is still not enough to compare with Marquis Lu. If he follows the Marquis's path, wouldn't it be a waste to seek a fifth-rank official position?

He simply said, "I heard that the position of Tongzhengsi is vacant, and the Shaoqing of Taichang Temple is also going to retire and return home. Why not choose one of these two?"

Two high-ranking officials of the fourth rank wearing red robes.

Du Lingjing looked at her uncle's smug look and was speechless for a moment.

No wonder when her father was alive, although he felt guilty for not doing his best to promote her uncle, he still let him hang around outside and instead promoted those old people who had rebelled against the party.

It turns out that what people fear the most is not stupidity, but being unaware of their own stupidity, but thinking that they just lack an opportunity for someone to help them!

Du Lingjing didn't know what the marquis had said to him.

But there are so many smart people in the capital and the court. Shao Boju was smart enough to get out of the oppression of the Shao family and rely on his career, but he still put himself in a disadvantageous situation by mistake and could not get out of it no matter what; and the marquis was so old and held great power, which was not stupid at all.

It’s ridiculous that her uncle still wants to be a fourth-rank official in Beijing.

She couldn't help but laugh.

Du Lingjing just said, "Uncle, please go back first. I will think about it."

When Du Zhiqi saw her smile, he thought the matter was settled. He nodded with satisfaction and prepared to leave, but before leaving he gave his niece some instructions.

"The Marquis values your background and favors you. You should also know when to advance and when to retreat, and not become arrogant because of your favor."

That's quite true.

After he left, Du Lingjing went to the Du family residence in Chengqingfang.

Du Zhiqi's room was emptied of all its belongings, but fortunately she and her father's old belongings were left behind.

Du Lingjing looked at her west wing. Wen Bo called in old people from the mansion to help her restore it to its original state. But in addition to that, he also bought a lot of other things.

Du Lingjing went to ask, and heard the servant say, "It was the son-in-law who ordered it."

Who? Du Lingjing was stunned, and saw that one of the old cooks in the kitchen also came to help clean up, "My son-in-law said that the house would become old if it was left vacant, so he ordered the people in the Marquis' Mansion to buy several carts of things and fill up the house."

Du Lingjing asked a few more questions and found that these were all Lu Shenru's ideas. However, there were more than a dozen servants in the entire Du family mansion left by her uncle, and they all called him "son-in-law".

Seeing that she was confused, Wen Bo came up to her and explained to her with a smile.

"It was the Marquis's idea. He asked everyone to call him Guye."

Du Lingjing was stunned for a moment, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Calling you Marquis is prestigious, but what's the meaning of calling you son-in-law?"

He was probably just in a good mood at the moment and said it casually, but did the Du family take it seriously?

She couldn't help but think of what her uncle had said, "The Marquis values your background and favors you. You should also know when to advance and when to retreat, and not be arrogant because of your favor."

Nine out of ten of what my uncle says are unpleasant to listen to, but there is one thing that makes some sense.

She said, "Let's change it back and stop messing around."

After she spoke, everyone changed their tone. But less than two quarters of an hour later, when Lu Shenru heard that his wife was here, he also came in from outside and heard that everyone in the Du Mansion, including Wen Bo, called him "Marquis" again.

He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, "Why is that?"

Wen Bo explained to him carefully that it was his daughter's idea. Du Lingjing happened to pass by.

When she saw him, she hurried forward to greet him, but he held her back in advance.

Seeing that he kept looking at her, she continued what Wenbo had not finished saying.

"The servants in the mansion are unruly. If I change their names at will, I'm afraid it will damage the reputation of the Marquis."

After she finished speaking, somehow the whole mansion fell silent.

The man frowned slightly, his eyes fixed only on her face.

"What do I need fame for when I'm here with you?"

Du Lingjing was again at a loss for words when asked by him.

It seemed that several times, his sudden questions left her at a loss for words to answer.

Wen Bo and everyone else retreated, leaving only him and her under the wall by the roadside.

He wanted her answer.

Du Lingjing paused.

"The Marquis always sounds better than the son-in-law, right?"

The man smiled and looked at her helplessly.

"I don't think so. I think son-in-law sounds better. Unless," he looked over, "unless, my lady doesn't consider me your husband."

Husband...

Du Lingjing didn't say anything, so Lu Shenru simply called Wenbo and the others back. He talked to Wenbo and the others, but his eyes glanced at her face from the corner of his eyes.

"I am the son-in-law of the Du family, so of course the Du family should call me uncle."

He looked at her more and more, "Even if the whole city calls me uncle, I'm fine with it."

As soon as the words were spoken, someone below chuckled, and the man's eyes were filled with smiles when he heard the sound.

It was hard for everyone to imagine that, if what he said was true, all the teahouse owners, guards, officials in the court, and even the imperial concubines in the palace would call him "son-in-law" when they saw him, and he would happily respond.

It’s as if he wanted to remind everyone that the Marquis is the girl’s husband, so... what would the situation be?

Everyone couldn't stop laughing, and some even said to him boldly, "Greetings to the son-in-law!"

He smiled and said, "There will be a huge reward."

Then more and more people came to greet their "son-in-law".

Du Lingjing: "..."

Her mind was in a mess.

What on earth is he talking about? Even Du Lingjing couldn't help but laugh.

The man whispered in her ear, "What about Quanquan calling me?"

Did she try to change her tone and call him husband?

But Du Lingjing opened her eyes wide.

"Should I also call you uncle?"

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone burst into laughter.

The man closed his eyes helplessly.

Forget it, let’s wait a little longer.

... ...

Yongding Marquis Mansion, evening.

Du Lingjing was tidying up the books on the table in the room when the nanny came in carrying a box.

She asked the maid to clean up the remaining incense in the incense burner and lit another piece of incense with a lighter scent.

The scent of the new fragrance is very light, with only a slight sweetness of jasmine.

When the nanny saw the lady looking at her, she explained to her.

"It was the Marquis' idea. He said the previous spices were too strong and Madam didn't like them, so he changed them to lighter ones this time."

Du Lingjing blinked unexpectedly.

She really didn't like the scent before, but she wouldn't mention it. But she seemed to have pinched her nose a few times? Did he notice it?

He always seemed to be able to see through her mind, but she couldn't see through him.

Du Lingjing didn't know why he paid so much attention, but she looked at the new fragrance.

So, the incense was lit for her?

Seeing her stunned, the nanny thought she was thinking about something and smiled softly.

"Don't worry, Madam. Although the new fragrance is a little lighter, its effect is the same."

As soon as she finished speaking, the new jasmine scent hadn't yet fully lingered, but Du Lingjing already felt a little hot.

... ...

In the inner room late at night, the gauze curtains drag on the ground.

The sweat on Du Lingjing's body completely soaked her whole body, like a piece of wet gauze. Her black hair stuck to her cheeks and her flushed and hot cheeks.

His arms were stronger than when he galloped that night. Her thin arms were less than a third of his, and her sore waist was only in his palm. She kept shaking her head, wanting to tell him no, but he gently touched her deepest part, pushing it tight, and when it was full and swollen, it made her wet gauze tremble uncontrollably, dripping with sweat.

He seemed to have finally determined the position, and after a few more strokes of comfort, she was completely exhausted and could only let him hold her in his hands...

I don't know how much time passed, but the whole tent seemed to be drenched by the hot summer rain, and he finally groaned.

He gently brushed away the wet hair that was stuck to her face and carried her to the bathroom.

She closed her eyes tiredly, but heard him say something.

"You are too thin. You need to eat well. You can't miss a meal here and there."

His voice was straight, and Du Lingjing was actually being "scolded".

"knew."

Her voice was a little hoarse, and she responded to him softly, revealing a bit of "well-behaved grievance".

Lu Shenru's eyes trembled slightly, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but curl up gently.

But his eyes could not help but fall on her body again, and he paused, almost turning back. But thinking that it was her first or second time, he could only force himself to carry her to the bathroom.

*

At noon, he came home from outside to have lunch with her.

Du Lingjing looked at the table full of food. Actually, she didn't have much appetite, but she couldn't help but think of what he said last night, so she could only try hard to move her chopsticks.

It didn't matter what he ate himself, he just kept serving her food.

He said, "There should be news from Chongping today, but if the person is in a bad condition, we may not be able to bring him back. It will take at least three to five days."

Du Ling calmly said that this should be the case.

However, just as the two finished their meal, Chong'an suddenly came.

He stepped forward and saluted, saying that Chongping had indeed sent news.

However, the news was that Chongping didn't find anyone there!

Chongping searched the area everywhere but found no one. He could only send someone to come back quickly to ask Liu Lang if the location was wrong.

After Chong'an finished his reply, Jiang Fengchuan walked quickly towards him from behind.

The man didn't say anything for a while, but Du Lingjing was surprised and couldn't help asking Liu Lang what was going on.

Jiang Fengchuan shook his head.

"That's right. They hid for a long time near the secret passage under the ruined temple in the forest. It's a very hidden place."

He said that he didn't find it at first, but he vaguely felt that there seemed to be someone nearby. Unexpectedly, he was discovered and chased by Shao Wuxing's men. He finally got away, but was injured. He was rescued by Hu Tingjun's husband.

He said the location was correct, "Maybe the Chongping guard went to the wrong place."

Chong'an said that this was impossible, "My brother is very careful and meticulous. He searched back and forth for several days and indeed found a knot there."

Chongping had someone bring it here. Du Lingjing looked over and heard Lu Shenru ask her, "Do you know him?"

Du Lingjing couldn't be sure, but said, "It does look like the kind of knots that Tingjun likes to make..."

Chong'an glanced at Jiang Fengchuan immediately after hearing this, "My brother didn't find the wrong place, did he?"

For some reason, he just didn't like the Sixth Master of the Jiang Family. He always felt that this man was weird, and the way he looked at the Marquis and his wife was also strange.

Chong'an couldn't help but say, "It's a different place, not just that place, there are other places that I haven't mentioned yet..."

As soon as he muttered this, Jiang Fengchuan laughed out loud.

"Do you doubt me?" His handsome eyes were full of sarcasm. "You think I'm hiding something, but I have to doubt it. Has the person been found? But for some reason, they hid him and lied to us that they didn't find him?"

After he said this, his eyes swept over Lu Shenru.

The man looked indifferent and speechless.

Du Lingjing was stunned for a moment, then called Jiang Fengchuan.

"Rokuro, be careful what you say!"