Chapter 69 Chapter 69
Beijing, Huanghuafang Gu Mansion.
Since the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, the Gu Mansion has been deserted. The people who used to come in and out seemed to have been swept away by the autumn wind, and not a single figure was seen.
It was a rare occasion that someone came to visit today, but unfortunately he was sent out shortly after entering the house.
The visitor was locked outside the main gate of Gu Mansion.
Inside the mansion, in Madam Wan’s Rong Yu Hall, she asked the girl in front of her.
"Why are Qing'er's eyebrows downcast? Could it be that you really want to go back to the Du family with your eldest sister's people?"
The people who had just entered the room and were kicked out again happened to be Ruan Gong and Wen Bo.
The two of them received Du Lingjing's order and came to pick up the second wife and the second girl to live back in Chengqingfang, but Madam Wan disagreed and Du Runqing didn't want to go back either.
That house was no longer their second branch's. The Marquis personally asked for it back for my sister, and my father had no choice but to give it to her. The Marquis also expanded the east road for my sister. What was she going to do with that?
When his grandmother asked this question, Du Runqing tried his best to raise his drooping brows.
She said she had no intention of returning to the Du family, "Qing'er just didn't expect that they would come to pick me up."
The elder sister had indeed sent someone to tell her that she could go back anytime she wanted, but she ignored it. Unexpectedly, the elder sister actually sent someone to pick her up.
Does the elder sister really want to take mother and her back to live?
Du Runqing's thoughts became complicated, but as soon as these thoughts came to her mind, they were suppressed by a few words from her grandmother, Madam Wan.
"If your eldest sister really wants to come and pick up mother and you, then she should come in person."
Madam Wan said that Du Runqing's mother was Du Lingjing's aunt. "If she wants to bring back her bedridden aunt, shouldn't she come in person? How can she just send two servants? Not to mention that she can't leave the mansion."
Du Runqing was stunned by what her grandmother said, and Madam Wan raised her hand and beckoned her to come forward.
Du Runqing obediently sat next to her. Old Madam Wan looked down at her granddaughter. She looked so much like her daughter when she was young. It was a pity that her daughter married into the Du family. She had thought that Du Zhili was a capable man, and Du Zhiqi would not be bad either.
Unexpectedly, the second son Du Zhiqi was completely confused, and even Du Zhili did not support him. After his daughter got married, she did not enjoy any wealth and glory, but instead had an accident and contracted this hysteria.
She sighed and touched her granddaughter's shoulder.
"Your mother fell off the bed a few days ago and hit her head. She is in even worse condition. Will she need a steady supply of those precious medicinal herbs? Grandmother loves your mother and you, but you have also seen the situation at your uncle's house."
My uncle, Master Gu Yangsi, was beaten by Marquis Lu and nearly lost his life. He spent a lot of money and managed to save his life, but he became lame in one leg and ruined his reputation. No one asked him to do anything for them, and he lost most of his income.
The Gu family can only live on their old property, and now they have to raise their daughter who is seriously ill.
"How can you do that with the money your father left behind?"
Madam Wan said this and pinched her granddaughter's shoulder.
"So Qing'er, you have to get married as soon as possible. Only if you marry into a family that doesn't have to worry about money, you can support your mother in return."
On the contrary, "If you can't marry into a rich family as soon as possible, once your mother dies, not only will there be no one to protect you, but your marriage will also have to be postponed for three years. By then you will be no longer a child, and without a mother, your father will be useless. What good marriage will be waiting for you? Your life will be ruined. That's what your grandmother taught you. The most important thing for a woman in this world is to marry into a rich family where they don't have to worry about food and clothing."
It is common knowledge in the world that as long as people have enough money, they can solve 99% of the troubles around them.
Du Runqing didn't dare to refute.
Seeing that she was "obedient", Madam Wan continued.
"Grandma is old, and who knows how many years she can live. This time, I have found the best marriage for you with my utmost effort."
Wei Jue, the eldest son of the emperor's aunt Lady Baoguo and the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Who wouldn't want to marry a young and high-ranking commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? He is the only one below the Marquis.
But Du Runqing still felt that there was something wrong with this matter.
Commander Wei did not want to get married, but his mother was eager to arrange a marriage for him.
She looked a little puzzled, and then she heard her great aunt say.
"You have also met Commander Wei. Not only is he a handsome man, but he also has a calm and gentle personality. He is completely different from the Jinyiwei in the rumors. He may still be reluctant to let go of his ex, but as long as you marry him, he will not treat you unfairly. As for whether this matter can be accomplished..."
Madam Wan was also a little worried at first, but these days she saw that Madam Baoguo could no longer bear it.
Princess Nianjia is returning to the capital, and it is unknown when she will be able to leave. Wei Jue's marriage has been delayed year after year, and it would become strange if it is delayed any further.
There are rumors in the capital that Commander Wei is incompetent, but because he is a member of the Imperial Guard, no one dares to speak out. But if he still doesn't get married in a few years, it will be unreasonable.
So Mrs. Baoguo was worried about her son, and according to Mrs. Wan's own idea -
This time, Wei Cong, the son of the Duke of Zhongqing, was seriously injured, but he survived. What if he went to the battlefield again and died there? Princess Nianjia was childless and became a widow. It was possible that she would end up with Wei Jue again.
By then, the dignified Earl of Xinyun and the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would have no choice but to marry a widow.
Anyway, Madam Baoguo was eager to find a wife for Wei Jue, but she couldn't get Wei Jue's approval. Since this matter couldn't be done with the usual wedding ceremony, she could only think of some unusual methods.
How could a real noble lady from a high-class family be willing to take other paths? But Qing'er was different. After all, her status was lower than that of a noble lady from the capital. But fortunately, she was a member of the Du family, and Wei Jue admired the Du family the most.
As for the method of making it happen, she had mentioned it to Mrs. Baoguo through the mouth of the abbot of the temple outside Beijing a few days ago. Mrs. Baoguo didn't know it was her idea, so she turned back and asked her if it was okay through the mouth of the abbot.
After all, this method is a bit secretive.
But as long as it can be accomplished, it doesn't matter if it's a little embarrassing, just don't let outsiders know about it.
But Old Madam Wan did not tell her granddaughter immediately, for she was afraid that she would not agree since she had studied in the Du family.
At this moment, he only said, "Grandma has a plan in mind. Just follow her instructions and you will not make any mistakes."
Du Runqing inexplicably felt that these words sounded familiar, as if her grandmother had said something similar when she asked her to swap marriages with her eldest sister and marry the Marquis.
But the plan never came to fruition, instead rumors could not be suppressed, and the whole city laughed at him...
However, she and her mother lived in her maternal home and had to rely on her grandmother and uncle for everything.
Otherwise, what could she, an unmarried girl, do? Would she also stir up trouble?
Listening to your grandmother and getting married may not be a bad thing.
Du Runqing lowered her head, "Granddaughter understands."
Madam Wan also told her to take good care of her mother, and advised her not to think too much, let alone think about returning to live in the Du family.
"After all, your elder sister is not sincere and will not consider your mother and you."
After saying that, Madam Wan raised her hand and let her go.
As soon as she left, Gu Yangsi limped in impatiently.
"Mom, please don't let Qingniang go back. Marry her off quickly. Don't let anything else happen!"
Madam Wan wanted to regain her reputation as the matchmaker of the capital, and Gu Yangsi also wanted to restore his own reputation. More importantly, every time he saw his lame leg, he hated Lu Shenru, the Marquis of Yongding.
At that time, he asked the Jinyiwei to transfer him, and he was almost beaten to death in the Jinyiwei.
If tomorrow, Jinyiwei commander Wei Jue becomes his nephew's son-in-law, would Lu Shenru dare to use Jinyiwei to beat him again?
Maybe it's the other way around... If one day, he could see Lu Shenru die in front of him, that would be great!
Gu Yangsi's heart was filled with hatred, but now he could only urge Madam Wan.
"Mom, you must get it done this time, otherwise..."
He couldn't say what to do otherwise, but when he said this, Madam Wan's face turned pale and she hurried forward to coax him.
"Mother will definitely get things done for you, so don't get angry and hurt yourself. Mother has a plan for this matter, and once it's done, there will never be any variables like last time."
We must make this matter a done deal in one fell swoop, without any possibility of change.
Wei Jue must marry Run Qing.
*
Jiqingfang, the Mansion of Marquis Yongding.
Ruan Gong approached and reported to Du Lingjing about his fruitless return. He said that Madam Wan would not let them go, the Second Miss was silent, and the Second Madam had been taking medicine and staying in bed, and had no wishes of her own.
Changpu had also inquired about the affairs of the Gu family.
"I heard that the Second Madam was fine when she entered the Gu Mansion, but after entering the Gu Mansion, her madness became worse and her convulsions became more frequent. She also fell off the bed and hit her head. It doesn't seem like a good sign."
Du Lingjing pursed her lips and pondered, while Qiu Lin muttered something.
"This is strange. He was fine outside, but his condition worsened after he went to the Gu family. People who know that the Gu family is the second lady's family, but those who don't know might think it's a den of wolves and tigers, which scared the second lady."
Qiu Lin finished muttering, and seeing Du Lingjing still frowning, he added, "The second young lady refuses to come back, what can Madam do? After all, the family is divided."
really.
It was her decision to divide the family, and it would be bad to turn around and forcibly interfere in the affairs of the second house. And her second uncle was even less reliable.
Du Lingjing was afraid that if something really happened, the reputation of the entire Qingzhou Du family would be affected, so she could only let Ruan Gong and Changpu continue to keep an eye on it.
"It depends on what they want to do."
She put her mind back to Guilin Tower. Feng Xiang was not affected by the failure in the exam, and now he has compiled a set of essays for this year's exam.
He was much more enthusiastic about managing the library and seal society than studying for the imperial examinations. He delivered the draft manuscript to the marquis's mansion yesterday.
With his help in managing Guilin Building, Du Lingjing was able to get twice the result with half the effort. However, that person was always unfriendly to him and didn't even think about who was saved money or even increased income by establishing Guilin Building.
At this moment, Du Lingjing had read the Selected Contemporary Essays sent by Feng Xiang, and seeing that there was almost no problem with it, he instructed Ruan Gong to invite Manager Zhao to prepare for printing and distribution. He wanted to take advantage of the fact that before the palace examination, scholars were still gathering in and outside the capital to sell the Selected Contemporary Essays of this year's imperial examination.
Firstly, it would give some return to Guilin Tower. Secondly, after the palace examination, these scholars would leave Beijing and return to their hometowns. They could also bring these successful essays back to their hometowns, so that scholars from all over the country could read them.
As soon as she felt tired, Qiu Lin came over to remind her, "Madam, you should rest your eyes. How about you go and check on Guard An? I see Guard An can get out of bed and walk around, but he still has to use crutches, which is not easy."
When she mentioned Chong'an who was seriously injured, Du Lingjing stood up, asked where Chong'an was walking in the backyard, and went over to find him, and indeed, saw him limping and trying to walk.
Originally, Chong'an was very agile. Although he was young, there were not many people in the mansion who had a better martial arts aptitude than him, and he was proud of it.
This time he was seriously injured and couldn't even walk. Du Lingjing looked at the young man with his head down from afar and couldn't help but go forward and call him.
"Do you need to stay in bed for a few more days? I heard from Guard Ping that your injuries are still recoverable, so there's no need to worry too much."
Chong'an hurriedly bowed to her, but she refused. Hearing her consolation, the young man quickly put away the sad look on his face.
"Madam, you are absolutely right! I am indeed a little anxious because it is too stuffy lying in bed..."
He said quickly, "But this is what we should do. We must protect the Marquis even if our bodies are torn to pieces. We must not let him get hurt!"
Chongping said this that day, and Chongan said it again today.
Du Ling was silent for a moment, thinking of the marquis.
The Yongding Army bestowed on him incomparable privileges, and he also stood at the forefront of the storms for the Yongding Army.
This is different from the relationship between my father and the Party. It is more closely intertwined and more closely connected...
It turned out that there was such a relationship in the world, which she had never read about in Mianlou before.
Du Lingjing raised her head and scanned the entire Yongding Marquis Mansion, as if she could see the thousands and thousands of northwestern soldiers surrounding the mansion.
As soon as my thoughts started to fly, I was called back by Acorus's voice.
Changpu ran up to her and Chong'an with a giggle, and said when she saw Chong'an was still leaning on a crutch.
"Guard An, you have to give me a lot of money this time!"
Ever since Changpu came into the mansion, Chong'an had been "cheated" of money by him more than once. This time, when he heard the word "money", he immediately became alert.
"I'm in this state, and you still want to cheat me out of my money? Am I some kind of sucker?!"
Du Lingjing also stared at Changpu to see what strange thing he was doing next.
But Changpu turned around and asked someone to push a wooden cart, and he pushed the cart directly behind Chong'an.
"This is the latest wheelbarrow made by the craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry. It is not available on the market. I got it with great difficulty. Guard An, please sit down and try it out. I guarantee it will be very easy to use!"
It turned out to be a wheelbarrow, which relieved Chong'an's boredom from being bedridden.
Du Lingjing smiled secretly, thinking that Changpu had been "conscienceless" towards Chong'an for once.
Unexpectedly, Chong'an refused to sit, "How flexible can a wheelbarrow be? I'd rather practice walking!"
He said, looking at Acorus again, "Besides, you don't know how much money you're going to ask me for!"
He was very cautious, but Changpu didn't force him. Instead, he sat on it by himself, adjusted the handlebars left and right, and started to move the wheelbarrow forward with a whoosh.
Not to mention Chong'an, even Du Lingjing was stunned, "It does look very clever."
This time Chong'an was somewhat tempted. Seeing Changpu walking around again, he felt that it was much more convenient than walking with crutches, so he couldn't help but say.
"Then let me try?"
Chang Pu laughed and gave the wheelbarrow to him. As soon as Chong An sat on it, he didn't want to get off.
"It really works..." But he was alert again, "How much do you want to ask me for?"
Acorus Lian said, "Not much, not much, just doubled."
"Double the price?!" Chong'an almost jumped off the wheelbarrow, "You are too ruthless! I might as well go out and buy it myself!"
Unexpectedly, Acorus had already calculated it and said with a smile that it was impossible for him to buy it.
"This is a sample. I got it with great difficulty. Even if Guard An goes to buy it now, it is not available. You have to wait at least half a month. But in half a month, you will be almost healed. Why do you still need a wheelbarrow?"
If Chong'an wants to use it, he can only buy it from Changpu at double the price.
Chong'an was so angry that his hair was about to explode.
Du Lingjing couldn't help but step forward and say that she had bought it and Chong'an didn't need to spend any money, so she could just give it to Chong'an as a gift.
Before she could say anything, Ai Ye shook his head at her.
Du Lingjing blinked and heard Chong'an asking Changpu how much it cost. Changpu stretched out five fingers.
"Fifty taels?! You must have increased the price tenfold?!" Chong'an's eyes were as wide as an ox's.
Acorus quickly told him not to worry, "It's five taels!"
"Five taels..."
Chong'an was stunned, and the next moment he threw the purse to Changpu.
"I've given you the money, so don't regret it!"
After saying this, the money and goods were settled, and he got on the cart and went to another place.
Acorus giggled behind him, "Guard An, remember to take care of my business next time!"
Chong'an snorted from a distance, "Black-hearted merchant!"
But Du Lingjing looked at Changpu with a smile and said, "Is it really that cheap?"
Chang Pu blinked his eyes, "Actually, I bought it for fifteen taels. I usually make a lot of money with Guard An, so I should give him some back, right? This way, I can continue to make money from him next time."
Du Lingjing smiled and thought that he should work with Manager Zhao in the future, as he was full of business acumen.
She turned around and asked Qiulin to give Changpu thirty taels of silver.
Acorus almost jumped up, "Madam, you will definitely make a lot of money in Guilin Tower this year!"
Du Lingjing borrowed his good words, and her mood was lifted by his disturbance.
She suddenly remembered that when she first married into the Marquis's Mansion, Chong'an had fought with the arrogant goose by the lake. At that time, Qiulin had speculated with her whether the Marquis's concubines, such as Tatar singers, might live in the backyard of the Marquis's Mansion.
But these words were accidentally heard by someone, who personally stepped forward to refute the rumor.
"I have no concubines, no maids, and no Tartar princesses or singing girls who have borne me children."
He said, "You are all I have."
... ...
Du Lingjing turned around and sat in the pavilion by the lake. The lake was rippling with green waves, and white geese were swimming in groups, looking rare and docile.
If, as he said, he fell in love with her three years ago, then his mansion was empty. Did he have to wait for her for three years?
But if it was not three years ago, but earlier, then how long had he been waiting for her?
Lu Weishi's thoughts were like a needle falling into the lake, no, falling into the bottom of the sea.
It's really elusive.
Du Lingjing held her chin with her hand and leaned sideways on the railing of the pavilion by the lake, the gentle breeze caressing her cheek.
Suddenly, two screams were heard from the other side of the lake.
She turned her head and saw Changpu pushing Chong'an's cart at full speed. Suddenly, they couldn't stop at the lake. The two of them screamed and fell into the lake with a splash.
The goose, which was rarely docile in the lake, immediately flew up in an angry manner.
Countless white goose feathers fell on the surface of the lake, were flapped by the two men, and flowed into their mouths along the water.
Changpu and Chong'an had a mouthful of goose feathers.
Du Lingjing couldn't help but laughed softly.
The guards and servants in the mansion who came rushing over after hearing the noise were standing by the lake, laughing so hard that they were bent over.
Unfortunately, Chong'an was injured and difficult to rescue, so Chongping came in person...
The sunlight makes the lake look like it is covered with golden sand, sparkling and bright.
Everyone was rescued and Du Lingjing was still smiling.
Someone hugged her from behind, "What are you laughing at?"
It’s Lu Weishi.
Du Lingjing turned her head and glanced at him briefly, then immediately stopped smiling.
"Oh, you stop smiling as soon as you see me." The man hummed in her ear.
Du Lingjing stood up and glanced at him out of the corner of her eye again.
Since they are husband and wife, what can't they talk about?
She didn't want to pay any more attention to him, so the man stood up with her.
The two had just taken a few steps when they saw Chongping.
The man looked at Chongping and raised his eyebrows, "Why are you all wet?"
Chongping was soaked in water and looked embarrassed.
How could he tell the Marquis that his unruly brother did not recover from his injuries but fell into the lake?
Chongping couldn't say anything, but Du Lingjing thought of how Chongping had personally rescued the two people just now, and couldn't help but smile.
Marquis Lu was slightly startled, and looked down at his wife's raised eyebrows and smiling eyes.
"It seems that something big happened in the mansion while I was away."
He called her in a low voice.
"Madam, please come to Yuanxiu Pavilion and talk to me."
... ...
Yuanxiu Pavilion, Du Lingjing was brought here by him again.
An aide invited him to the hall to talk. Du Ling sat quietly in front of his desk and felt angry, but he saw a piece of paper on his desk with a picture of what looked like a Tatar tribe drawn on it.
He just walked in. "This is what the spy left behind. Has the lady seen it?"
Du Lingjing had never seen or read a similar description in a book, so she shook her head.
He didn't expect that she had seen it, so he briefly told her about the capture of three spies that day.
"The Tatars and the Han people can work together, and the Yongding Army has been unable to catch them for more than ten years. I don't know who they are."
Du Lingjing thought of the four groups of people who came to the mountain house a few days ago.
She had no idea, but couldn't help but think of what her father said before he returned to Beijing to resume his post.
My father said that this world, which seems to be as stable as a mountain, is actually precarious and could change overnight.
He said that he might not be able to save the country, "but I must do something to save it until the world is at peace."
She couldn't stop her father and could only watch him leave without hesitation.
The man went out again, and Du Ling silently looked at the pattern left by the spy for a long time.
... ...
In the tent at night, he piled up pillows high and placed them under her waist.
She refused to lie down to meet him and turned away, but he insisted on holding her on a high pillow and pressing her tightly into his arms.
The brocade pillow was wet, and he still held her arm repeatedly, his voice hoarse again.
"Quanquan, please give me a daughter."
Du Lingjing's head was confused and sweat was dripping from her neck.
He wants a daughter again, he wants everything!
She gritted her teeth and said, "My Lord, you should go to bed early and ask Zhou Gong for it in your dreams!"
However, as soon as she opened her mouth, he immediately pressed down so that there was no space between them. The overlapping and dense flesh was hot and wet, and the inner space was propped up high, stretching her instep to the point of trembling with tension.
She could no longer resist, and was so angry that her reserved scholarly attitude was ruined, and she wanted to bite someone.
But he bit her ear first.
"I only want you to..."
In the bathroom late at night.
He helped her wash, held her and sat on the bamboo bed, then bent down and rubbed her nose.
The moonlight shone on the flooded floor, and he gently squeezed her waist.
"Quanquan, please make peace with me?"
The moonlight reflected into his eyes from the water on the floor. The ends of his hair were wet, and even his handsome eyebrows and deep eyes became soft and moist.
Du Lingjing raised her head and stared at his eyes. Looking at his moist eyes and eyebrows, she had a different feeling.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she still glanced at him, pushed him away and got off the bamboo bed.
If he really wants everything, there is nothing in this world that Marquis Lu doesn't want.
But, he always seems to be able to get it?
She was curious, had Lu Weishi never been unable to get what he wanted?
The moonlight flowed in the bathroom. From the corner of her eye, she secretly saw him sighing and rubbing his temples with both hands.
She blinked.
*
A few days later, it was the day of the flower banquet held at Prince Yan's Mansion outside the capital.
Du Lingjing got the news early in the morning that Madam Baoguo, Madam Wan and Du Runqing would also go together. The Prince of Yan's Mansion had invited old officials and new nobles in the capital, and even Jiang Fengchuan was among the invited guests.
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