Chapter 2 The General Returns
"There are many rules in the Duke's Mansion, so we have to be more reserved. But when the general comes back, he will definitely bring the young lady back to the mansion to pay respect to the master. Then we can go out together. The young lady will wait and see."
When talking about this great general, Du Jingyi's face did not show any longing for her husband to return, but rather a bit of reluctance.
After all, who would miss a husband who left in a hurry after saying "Cezhou is in danger" on the wedding night without ever seeing her face?
So he lifted the soft quilt covering his body and prepared to get up.
Yingtao hurried forward to help her put on her thin Shu brocade shoes, and then helped her sit down on the kang.
Outside the bright window, the lingering autumn rain is still falling.
Du Jingyi stood up and walked to the corridor, stretched out his hand to catch a few drops, which were cool, but not as cold as winter rain.
Compared with spring, summer and winter, Du Jingyi likes autumn the most, not for any other reason, but because autumn is the time of harvest.
The fruits are fragrant and the crops are abundant.
The most important thing is that the dowry in her hands will usher in a new wave of growth due to the autumn harvest.
Merchants value profit the most.
In this regard, she lives up to her reputation.
Therefore, what others see as fallen leaves and northern geese flying south is, to her, the flourishing of "planting a grain of millet in spring and harvesting ten thousand seeds in autumn."
Du Jingyi smiled with curved eyebrows and then said.
"Let's go to the backyard and see what we have for dinner today."
After saying that, the master and his two servants went along the corridor to the backyard.
Although being her nominal husband caused her some embarrassment, it also brought her some benefits.
For example, the Xitang Courtyard where they lived.
The place is large and well located, with a small garden between the front and back yards.
Therefore, during the three years when he did not have to deal with the people from the Duke's Mansion, Xitang Courtyard was carefully redecorated by Du Jingyi, and it looked brand new.
Although she came from a merchant family, she had good taste.
I lived in Jinling City with my parents for several years when I was young, so I have absorbed a lot of the elegance and charm of the people in the south of the Yangtze River. Therefore, I am quite adept at decorating this Xitang Courtyard.
The entire Xitang Courtyard is divided into two courtyards, front and back.
There are three main rooms, two side rooms on the left and right, and a row of back rooms at the back for servants and old women. Behind the main house is the backyard, with a small martial arts training ground and a garden.
In the past, the garden was full of weeds and flowers, which were not interesting at all, so Du Jingyi made drastic changes to it.
Famous species of trees and flowers from the south of the Yangtze River were brought in from outside, and people had some rockery and stone platforms built at different heights.
Not only did they dig a pond, they also filled it with pebbles.
There are water lilies floating on the pond, and dozens of golden koi fish are raised in it. Some are the size of a palm, while others are as long as an arm, but each one looks very lively, adding a sense of agility to the garden.
The martial arts training ground was once used by her "nominal husband".
Although he was not at home, Du Jingyi did not move.
Therefore, apart from the daily sweeping by someone, it looks old and out of place with the small garden.
After walking around the martial arts training ground, we came to an open space with a canopy and various old items.
Du Jingyi thought it was not a good look, so he asked housekeeper He to find a few capable servants and maids to turn the land into a vegetable plot, planting seasonal vegetables in clumps.
Not far away is the small kitchen of Xitangyuan.
Therefore, their yard can be said to have achieved self-sufficiency in vegetables.
It is tightly surrounded by a fence, and if you don't happen to walk here, you won't notice it.
After walking along the corridor for a few times, the master and his two servants arrived at the vegetable garden.
Dan Ruo, who was busy in the small kitchen preparing food for Du Jingyi, saw them, wiped the water off her hands, and walked out.
There is a faint smell of earth in the air after the rain.
There were some raindrops on the leaves, which looked more and more tender and juicy. Du Jingyi pointed at the hanging eggplants and said.
"That's it!"
"Yes, Madam."
The one who answered was Dan Ruo, who had a round face and a slightly plump figure, but his eyes and eyebrows revealed a harmonious temperament, and it was obvious that he was a kind-hearted person.
When she married from the Du family, she brought four maids and a mother with her.
Yingtao, Lizhu, Danruo and Luju, the first two were mainly responsible for serving in her inner room, Danruo was in charge of the small kitchen, and as for Luju, she was in charge of the needlework in the entire yard.
Now she is leading people to the embroidery room, working to make a new batch of winter clothes for the entire Xitang courtyard.
Madam Cai, who was brought from her mother's family, became a good assistant to Madam Dou, the head of the courtyard.
There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!
Now, he was staring at the people sent by Mrs. Wei to deliver things in the front yard, not letting them go for a moment.
Du Jingyi had just come up with some ideas about today's dinner and was talking to Danruo when he saw Mother Cai, who was supposed to be guarding the front yard, running over in a hurry with a look of joy on her face.
"Young Madam, Young Madam... The General is back..."
Du Jingyi was a little surprised when he heard this. Didn't they say it would take two days? How could it be so fast? But now was not the time to delay, so he gave the order.
"Don't prepare dinner. We'll probably have it at Yunjin Courtyard. Danruo, please stew some tonic to clear the lungs and replenish qi. The general must have been exhausted after riding back all the way. His throat must be very dry."
"Yes, Madam, rest assured, I will definitely get it done!"
After explaining this, Du Jingyi quickly returned to the main house.
After a simple tidying up, he walked out of the gate of Xitang Courtyard.
…
Outside the west city gate.
With flags flying, the 400,000 Tiger Guards who came to support Cezhou set out on the journey back to the capital two months ago.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers traveled thousands of miles and finally arrived at Sui'an City in early September.
The prince and the civil and military officials who had been waiting at the city gate were also filled with excitement.
When you see the army in the distance marching in an orderly and powerful manner, you can't help but feel your blood boiling.
The Daxing Dynasty had only been in existence for a few decades, so naturally there were powerful enemies outside and chaos within. Therefore, military generals with outstanding military achievements like Shang Ji had a very high status.
Both the paternal family, the Shang family, and the maternal family, the Gu family, were founding ministers who followed their ancestors to conquer the world, and that is why they have gained this family honor.
He is now the Daxing God of War who is even better than his master.
Wherever the sword points, it is invincible.
Sitting astride the warhorse Mo Feng, one could see that its entire body was shining brightly, like an inky brocade coming against the wind.
Shang Ji, dressed in military armor, stared ahead with a determined gaze. The heavy armor wrapped his strong body tightly, adding a bit of majesty.
Sharp eyebrows and cold expression.
Even if you don't say a word, people will feel pressured.
When Prime Minister Guo, who was standing next to the prince, saw this scene, he burst into tears and said while pinching his beard.
(End of this chapter)