Chapter 22 Du Family Residence
So the carriage drove smoothly to the door of the Du family.
When Cherry outside called out, "Madam, we are home."
Then Du Jingyi woke up from his light sleep.
I have to say that this imperial carriage is very comfortable to sit in, without any bumps at all.
She was able to fall asleep even while sitting, which shows her ability.
The first person she saw when she opened her eyes was her husband Shang Ji. He was tall and seemed a little cramped in this spacious carriage.
Perhaps it would be more appropriate for him to ride a horse.
Just as I was thinking about it, I heard him speak in a low voice.
"Ma'am, let me help you get out of the car."
Du Jingyi was stunned for a second, but quickly nodded and agreed.
This was the first time that the couple appeared together in public, and even if it was just a show, they had to let outsiders see that they were a happy couple.
Therefore, Du Jingyi did not refuse.
Her hands were slender and white, and they looked particularly delicate and charming in Shang Ji's large and thick palms.
When Du Jingyi accidentally touched the thick calluses on his hands, her face turned slightly red.
I have never felt this way in the eighteen years since I was born.
I can’t really say what it is, it just feels weird.
Shang Ji, however, looked calm, with more peace in his eyes.
After getting off the carriage and standing still, Du Jingyi didn't have time to react to the next step.
He saw his father and mother, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, standing at the door of the Du family's house, which made Du Jingyi's tears sore.
She withdrew her hand that had just been placed on Shang Ji's palm, immediately lifted her skirt and ran over, pretending to kneel in front of the two elders of the Du family.
Her eyes suddenly became red, and even her voice sounded tearful.
"My daughter is unfilial and has not been home for a long time. I hope father and mother will forgive me."
When the Du couple saw their daughter, they threw all the rules and etiquette out of their minds.
He hurried forward and helped her up.
There were some tears in the eyes of the two elders, but they couldn't cry because they were still at the doorstep.
After taking a few deep breaths, I finally suppressed the joy and longing for each other after a long separation.
Especially Mr. Du, who loves his daughter dearly.
The eldest daughter married far away and has not returned yet. Although the youngest daughter married nearby, they seldom see each other because of the many rules in the Duke's Mansion.
As a result, the huge Du residence seemed a bit empty even with only him and his wife.
When he saw Du Jingyi at this moment, he called out to him.
"Tangtang, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
“Daddy…”
Tangtang, could it be the Tang in Begonia? No wonder she likes Begonia so much, it turns out that this is the origin.
Shang Ji, who was standing aside, thought so.
The father and daughter were busy expressing their longing for each other, but Mrs. Du was quick-eyed enough to notice Shang Ji who was traveling with them.
After wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, she gave a proper smile and said to Shang Ji who was standing as firm as a pine tree.
"I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Master. Come in, please."
The Du family are all businessmen, and they cannot be compared with the young master of the Duke's Mansion who holds power.
If it is a formal occasion, the couple would have to bow and kneel when they meet their daughter and son-in-law's family.
But today we are fulfilling the return visit etiquette from three years ago, so just treat her with family etiquette.
When Shang Ji saw Mrs. Du's invitation, he didn't take it lightly. He clasped his fists and spoke in a deep voice.
"Thank you, father-in-law and mother-in-law, please."
The family members were wiping their tears, or grinning, but they finally entered the Du residence.
When he stepped here and looked around, Shang Ji finally understood why the back garden of Xitang Courtyard was so exquisitely maintained.
At a glance, the Du residence does not look like an ordinary merchant's house. Instead, it has many garden furnishings with a Jiangnan style.
The pavilions and terraces are of different heights, and the winding corridors change the scenery as you move forward.
Before entering the main hall of the courtyard, there is a bright pond in the middle, with many imposing rockery made of yellow stones built inside.
The water in the pool flows in twists and turns, showing its vitality.
Looking around, there are towering ancient trees and floating fragrance.
Mingseyuan, where the Du couple lived, is hidden among the mountains and waters.
There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!
Go all the way through the hall and around the corridor.
When the few of them walked into the main house of Mingse Courtyard, Zhuixin Hall, all the servants stood in the courtyard in an orderly manner, waiting to be saluted.
When they saw the host and guests coming in, they all bowed and greeted them.
"I (the servant) greet the second young lady and the second uncle."
Since you have entered the Du family, you naturally have to follow the rules of the Du family.
Shang Ji didn't care much about these titles, so when he heard the servants of the Du family calling him the second brother-in-law, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Mrs. Du, who was standing next to her, had sharp eyes and noticed the detail at a glance, and she felt a lot more at ease.
When they married off their daughters, they felt helpless but also desperate.
I originally thought that maybe there would be a sudden turn of events.
Who knew that things would change unexpectedly? On the wedding night, the son-in-law went to help Cezhou and was gone for three years.
A good girl had to stay alone in her room for three years for no apparent reason. Any parent would feel heartbroken.
They had thought about going to the Duke's Mansion to divorce the marriage.
But this one, which has no origin and no fault, always sounds three points shorter when it opens.
They cannot let outsiders use this as a handle to ruin their daughter's reputation, otherwise they will lose more than they gain.
That’s why it has been delayed until now.
Fortunately, her son-in-law returned safely. She watched from secret and saw that he was still concerned about her daughter. Mrs. Du finally felt relieved.
He said with a smile that was even more enthusiastic than before.
"A few months ago, I heard that my son-in-law had won a victory and was preparing to return to the court. I was thinking about when we would have time to go to your house to congratulate you, but I never thought that you would send a message saying that you would return home. Look, the house has been cleaned thoroughly, and even today's dishes are made by the chef that the master specially asked to come from Jinling City. My son-in-law will try it later to see if he likes it?"
Speaking of Mrs. Du, she grew up following her father from door to door in the streets doing business. Later, she married Mr. Du, and did not live a life in the backyard taking care of her husband and children.
Instead, she accompanied her husband during the change of dynasties and won one business after another, which made the Du family's business more and more prosperous.
Therefore, it can be said that everyone in the Du family has the utmost respect for their own wife.
Of course, this also includes Mr. Du himself.
Otherwise, he would not have been known as a childless man, neither taking a concubine nor adopting an adopted daughter. Instead, he raised his two daughters with love and care, treating them like treasures.
After hearing this, Du Jingyi hadn't spoken yet, but Shang Ji answered first.
"You're too polite, mother-in-law. My grandfather's family is from Jinling City, so I also like the food there."
His words made the Du couple take a breath.
"That's good. That's good."
(End of this chapter)