Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Wild Dream
"Ai Ye, come in and answer the question."
Du Lingjing's voice was heard from the room, and the maid Ai Ye quickly responded and went in.
Yesterday, Du Lingjing asked Ai Ye to inquire in Beijing why Lu Shenru had not married at the age of twenty-five. Unexpectedly, before Ai Ye could get back the answer, he came to visit today.
Du Lingjing asked directly.
This is the most unusual thing about the marquis. If she can find out the truth, perhaps she can find a chance for him.
Ai Ye replied.
"My lady, there are many people in the capital who are curious about this matter. Whenever the Marquis of Yongding is mentioned, apart from the fact that he controls a large army, supports King Hui, and competes with the civil officials, this is the only thing he talks about. However, after asking around, I found that the stories are different."
Du Lingjing nodded and motioned for her to speak.
Ai Ye said, "The most popular version is that Marquis Lu has been waiting for someone. They first said that he was waiting for the daughter of the uncle of the emperor."
The current emperor's biological mother died early, and before he ascended the throne, his uncle and his wife took good care of him. When the emperor ascended the throne, he conferred the title of Xinyun Earl on his uncle and promoted him to the commander of the Jinyiwei, and conferred the title of Baoguo Lady on his uncle's wife.
The prince's uncle and his wife have two sons and one daughter. This daughter is the only daughter of the Xinyun Marquis's Mansion. She is only fourteen years old this year and will not reach the age of marriage until the beginning of the next spring.
With the honor and favor of the Xinyun Marquis' Mansion, it is not excessive for Marquis Lu to wait any longer, not to mention that Madam Baoguo's surname is Lu, and she is from the Lu family of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion. Although she is a side branch, she can be regarded as Marquis Lu's aunt.
This marriage is the most favored by the public, so it is understandable that the Marquis has waited for so many years.
This year, many people are betting that the emperor will grant the marriage to the marquis and marry the emperor's uncle's daughter, and the wedding will take place after the beginning of next spring.
But when the imperial decree came down, all these gamblers lost all their money in the gambling house.
Ai Ye said, "The rumors that the Marquis is waiting for the prince's daughter have mostly been dispelled."
She glanced at the girl sitting on the table and said, "Now, those who are talking about this might as well say that the Marquis has been waiting for many years, and there are actually many people waiting for the girl."
Du Lingjing frowned.
“That’s nonsense.”
Ai Ye quickly changed to another rumor, "Besides that, the most talked about is the rumor about the Tatar princess. Some say that the Marquis was once married to a Tatar princess, and some say that it was a predestined marriage between a noble lady from the tribe, but he could not marry her because of their different status. But some say that the Tatar noble lady drifted to the streets of the capital, and was a former singer in Bingzhu Tower. Bingzhu Tower is not far from Jiqingfang of the Marquis's mansion, and the Marquis happened to be a frequent visitor."
Du Lingjing frowned when she heard this, "That's all?"
Ai Ye said, "Actually there is another explanation."
She was a little embarrassed to say it, but still said, "It is said that the Marquis was injured in a battle at the border before, and has not been able to marry for a long time. I am afraid it is because... ...he is inhumane."
Before Du Lingjing could finish her words or do anything, Qiu Lin beside her widened his eyes.
"Really?!"
Then he turned to the girl and said, "If that's the case, it's not impossible to take the exam..."
Du Lingjing glanced at her.
Ai Ye also said, "Not many people say this. Everyone thinks that the Marquis looks so heroic and powerful, so it is unlikely that he will fail."
Indeed. Du Lingjing thought of the appearance of the Marquis. The rumors were always outrageous, just like the rumor that he was actually waiting for her, which was totally unbelievable.
But Ai Ye was a little at a loss for words, and Qiu Lin urged her, so she said:
"Rather than saying that the Marquis is not good enough and therefore did not marry, I think another explanation is more credible."
"What is it?" Du Lingjing asked.
Ai Ye said, "They said that the Marquis grew up on the frontier battlefield since he was young, and he is like a tiger and a wolf. Ordinary women may not be able to bear him. The Marquis knows this very well, so he has never married a noble lady."
"Ah?" Qiu Lin couldn't help but be surprised.
Du Lingjing didn't know what to do, so she frowned and listened to Ai Ye.
"Take the singer from Bingzhu Tower for example. She was of Tatar origin. She left Bingzhu Tower a few years ago and no one knows where she is. Some people say that she has entered the Marquis's harem. Others cannot do it, but the Marquis only favors her. It is said that in the past few years, she has given birth to three sons and two daughters for him."
Qiu Lin was speechless.
Du Lingjing pressed her sore eyes and remained silent.
"Is there no reliable explanation?"
Ai Ye shook his head, but after thinking about it, he still said something.
"In fact, I think the most credible thing is that the Marquis has high standards and ordinary people are not worthy of his eyes, which is why he has not married yet."
Du Lingjing closed her eyes.
She didn't think she was any different from ordinary people to win his favor. But maybe he had other considerations for marrying into the Du family.
After hearing these messy rumors, my mind is in a mess.
Du Lingjing sat back at her desk and revised her book, but for some reason, her mind was always filled with strange rumors about Lord Lu, which annoyed her greatly.
After two days of studying, she finally felt the surroundings quiet down. However, she still didn't know how to deal with the matter of the imperial decree granting marriage. Today was August 26th, and there were only ten days left until the sixth day of next month, which he had scheduled.
Thinking of this, she could not read the book in her hand any more. But Ruan Gonglai came and gave her a message.
"Young lady, the Queen Mother sent a message from the palace maid, asking you to go to the Pillow Moon Tower."
Du Lingjing changed her clothes and went there.
However, when she arrived at the private room of Zhenyue Tower, she only saw Nanny Pu who was beside Concubine Jiang.
"Mammy, the Concubine Dowager didn't come?" Du Lingjing was slightly stunned.
Madam Pu shook her head and said, "The queen went to Hongluo Temple to practice meditation. Before she left, she asked me to pass on a few words to the young lady."
When she and Sanlang were still in the capital, the late emperor had just passed away and the empress went to Hongluo Temple to practice asceticism. She and Sanlang visited the empress in Hongluo Temple many times. The empress asked Nanny Pu to prepare vegetarian meals for them.
If it weren't for her this time, Her Majesty probably wouldn't have returned to Beijing.
Du Lingjing calmed down and asked, "What instructions does the queen have?"
Nanny Park glanced at her and saw that the girl had grown much taller than when she was young. Although she was gentle and quiet back then, her eyes were like a mountain spring sparkling in the sunlight. But now, her eyelids were half closed, like a mountain spring without the sunlight, flowing silently and slowly in the thick fog.
Nanny Park couldn't help but look loving.
"The Queen asked me to tell you," she paused, "not to miss the Third Master too much."
Just one sentence, like sand blowing past her eyes, made Du Lingjing burst into tears.
The private room was so quiet that it couldn't be any quieter. Qiu Lin covered her mouth and nose, and Nanny Pu's eyes were red.
She said, "The queen didn't come to tell you in person because she was afraid of seeing you cry."
However, before she finished her words, Du Lingjing raised her head.
"But Mammy, what can I do to stop thinking about him?"
Her voice was so choked that it was hard to listen. Even though Nanny Park had seen many storms in the palace, she couldn't help but have tears in her eyes at this moment.
"That's the second sentence the Queen asked me to tell the girl."
Du Lingjing looked over and said, "Madame Pu."
"The Queen said that the girl is still young. This world is not only about loving fathers and filial daughters, childhood sweethearts, and not only about mountains of books and oceans of learning, ancient and modern articles. The Queen said that the girl's character and talent are both higher than ordinary people, and perhaps she should have a higher and broader life, so that her life will not be in vain."
Du Lingjing was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head.
"... ...I'm afraid your Majesty thinks too highly of me."
Since her father and Saburo passed away, she just wanted to spend the rest of her life quietly in Mianlou.
There was no need for height or width. In the library, she could often feel that they were with her, which made her feel less lonely and unbearable. This was already a rare blessing.
Nowadays, perhaps even this is not possible.
She lowered her head and fell silent.
Madam Park sighed, "Your Majesty has a third sentence."
"... Madam, please speak. Jingniang is listening."
Nanny Pu looked at the girl in front of her who was as depressed as the night rain.
"The queen said that it is difficult to disobey the imperial decree. But Lord Lu may not be a good match for the girl."
As soon as the words fell, Du Lingjing was stunned in surprise.
"A good match?"
She couldn't help but shake her head, "No, Jingniang doesn't think so."
She shook her head again and again and stopped talking, but tears fell as she shook her head gently.
Madam Park sighed heavily, "You are a stubborn child..."
But after Madam Pu conveyed these three words from Concubine Jiang, she was about to leave.
She also had to get to Hongluo Temple to reply before dark.
Du Lingjing couldn't stay any longer, so she could only get up and see Nanny Park off.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they walked out of the private room and turned into the stairwell, they ran into someone.
"Madame Park."
"My Lord?"
Nanny Pu saw Lu Shenru and walked forward to bow to him.
Lu Shenru hurriedly helped her to get rid of the formalities, and his eyes fell on the girl behind the nanny.
Her eyes were red.
Just cried.
The man pursed his lips.
Nanny Pu was about to leave, so she said goodbye immediately upon seeing this, and then turned back to stop Du Lingjing, "Miss, you don't have to see me off."
After the nanny finished speaking, she took the little palace maid down the stairs.
However, Du Lingjing did not want to stay, especially not in front of him for long. She bowed to him silently and was about to leave.
But he stood on the wooden ladder below her, without moving, just looking up at her.
It’s the Zhenyue Tower again, and this stairwell again.
If the last time was a coincidence, then this time... Du Lingjing paused. He wouldn't let Concubine Jiang and Nanny Park act as lobbyists for him, right?
As she thought so, she looked over. As soon as their eyes met, Lu Shenru realized that she had misunderstood, so he explained.
"I just happened to be passing by."
He was indeed passing by and had an appointment with an official from Shaanxi Province today. However, when he entered the room just now, he did hear the guard mention that she happened to be in the Zhenyue Tower.
The man knew that he couldn't explain it clearly, and at least she would suspect that he was following him, so he could only let her stare at him.
But she looked away.
Du Lingjing couldn't imagine how this marquis, who had been very dissatisfied with Zhenyue Tower before, could happen to pass by Zhenyue Tower by chance?
She turned her head away and stopped looking at him, but nodded perfunctorily to him, responding to his explanation.
But she said, "My Lord, please do as you please. But Du Lingjing still needs to go to Chongjiaofang to buy a few books for my husband, so she won't delay your important work."
After she finished speaking, she leaned against the wall and motioned for the marquis to go upstairs first.
If he went upstairs, she could naturally go downstairs, otherwise he would have been blocking the stairs below her.
How could a man not know what she meant?
Her tone was polite and considerate, but "house husband"...
She really knew how to say things that he liked to hear.
Lu Shenru couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth and smiled.
He ignored her and said something else to her.
"The Marquis' Mansion has already made 90% of the preparations for my wedding with my wife, please rest assured."
These words caused Du Lingjing to turn around and look over.
The stairwell was so quiet that only two people were standing on the stairs, one on top and the other on the bottom, and the sound of their inexplicable breathing.
Lu Shenru raised his head and let her look at him, and also looked into her eyes.
His eyes were red, and his straight white nose was also dark red, with some residual water marks on his cheeks.
Why are you crying for that person again?
But Du Lingjing couldn't help but think of that day in the study when he insisted on tying his betrothal gift around her waist.
Is this considered a good match?
Their breaths intertwined, and she seemed to faintly smell the irresistible scent on him.
She no longer wanted to get close to him.
She turned her head back immediately, and seeing that he would not let her go, she raised her foot to go downstairs.
She decided to go downstairs, but he hadn't moved away yet, and the distance between them suddenly became extremely close.
Lu Shenru couldn't help but raise his hand and hold her wrist.
The hot palm suddenly burned her.
Du Ling lowered his voice, "My Lord."
The man knew what she meant.
He was helpless, "...Okay."
He sighed softly, gently let go of her hand, moved aside to let her in, and his eyes followed her down faster and faster until she finally disappeared at the entrance of the corridor.
But she didn't even turn around.
*
Chongjiaofang is at the northernmost end of Chongwenmenli Street. Du Lingjing was just making an excuse and had no intention of making a special trip there, so she went home after leaving Zhenyue Tower.
A rain seemed to be brewing in the capital city in the evening. Before the rain fell, the sky was heavy and stuffy.
Qiu Lin asked someone to bring out the fan, "Could it be that Qiu Lao Hu has returned tonight?"
The room was stuffy and Du Lingjing was in a mess. She put down her pen after writing a few pages. Qiu Lin helped her wash up, then blew out the light and went to bed early.
I don’t know if it was because of the stuffiness, but I didn’t sleep well that night.
Du Lingjing had several dreams in a daze. The rumbling sound of thunder filled her ears. Her dreams changed several times, and suddenly she dreamed of a tall house with carved beams and painted rafters.
She didn't know where she was, but when she turned to look at the room under the corridor, she saw the marquis at a glance.
The man was only wearing a shirt and trousers. He stood with his back to the light, and the firelight made his wet back rise and fall.
He turned half his body to the side, and his clothes were half open, revealing most of his collarbone as sharp as a knife. Du Lingjing was surprised and didn't know where he was. He saw a woman with Tatar looks wearing a cool and nude Hu clothing appear in front of him.
She couldn't help but think of this woman's identity -
The Tatar singer who gave birth to three sons and two daughters for him?
At this moment, the singer had given birth to a child for him, and her figure was still graceful. She moved close to the man, gently stroked his neck with bulging veins along his collarbone, and touched his cheek.
The man smiled at her, then he suddenly picked up the woman, turned around and put her on the high table behind him.
The lights suddenly lit up and then dimmed in an instant. The clothes were half-removed, and the silk satin was dragging on the ground. He held the singer's ankle and acted as seductively as possible... ...
Du Lingjing was shocked and turned to leave, but the man suddenly turned around and looked at her through the window.
The next moment, the world around her started to spin. When she opened her eyes again, she saw that under the lights, the person being held and sitting on the high platform was no longer the Tatar singer.
The man had bare arms, and his hot palms were clasped around her waist on one side and locked around her wrists on the other.
The person whose clothes have been stripped off has become her!
The man lowered his head and his eyes captured hers. Du Lingjing was stunned for a moment and suddenly woke up from her dream.
It was already daybreak, but the rain had not yet fallen. The sky was grey and there was not a trace of wind.
She was sweating all over. She sat up and looked down, only to find that her thin shirt had been pushed down and half-slipped off her shoulders at some point.
Suddenly remembering the absurd dream she had just had, she quickly pulled up her clothes to cover her shoulders, then opened the curtain and called Qiulin.
"Qiulin, pour me a cup of herbal tea."
Qiu Lin responded and went there quickly.
Du Lingjing drank the tea in one gulp and felt her soul calm down a little.
"Why are you sweating, girl? What did you dream about?" Qiu Lin wrung out a handkerchief to wipe her body.
The dream just now, and the marquis in the dream... Du Lingjing had never had such a terrifying and strange dream.
"No," she shook her head, "nothing."
But there were only nine days left until her wedding.
Ai Ye suddenly ran in.
"What's going on?" Qiu Lin asked.
Ai Ye said, "The second young lady had a high fever in the evening and fainted in the morning. The second master hurriedly called a doctor."
Du Lingjing raised her eyebrows.
My second sister has always been in good health, so why did she suddenly have a high fever and fall into a coma?
She got up and changed her clothes.
"Go and have a look."
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