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CHAPTER 2 - THE RETURN OF THE GENERAL
"In the Duke's residence, there are many rules to follow. Naturally, one must be restrained. However, when the general returns, he will bring the young madam to pay respects to the old master. At that time, they can go out together. Young madam, please be patient and wait."
Mentioning the esteemed general, Du Jingyi's face showed no signs of longing for her husband's return.
Instead, there was a hint of reluctance.
After all, who would have affection for a husband who hastily left on their wedding night, uttering only the words, "Danger in Cezhou," without even a proper farewell?
For a husband she hadn't even met, what kind of yearning could there be?
So, she lifted the soft brocade cover draped over her and decided to get up.
Cherry hurriedly stepped forward to help her put on the thin Shu brocade shoes, then assisted her in getting off the kang.
Outside the bright window, the lingering autumn rain continued to fall.
Du Jingyi got up and walked to the corridor, reaching out to catch a few drops.
Cool, but not as piercingly cold as winter rain.
Compared to the four seasons of spring, summer, winter, Du Jingyi favored autumn the most.
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Not for any other reason, just because autumn is the season of harvest.
Fragrance of melons and fruits, abundant harvest of grains.
The most important thing was, her dowry, in her hands, would usher in a new wave of growth with the autumn harvest.
In merchant families, profit is of utmost importance.
On this point, she did live up to her reputation.
Therefore, what others saw as falling leaves and migrating geese in autumn, she viewed as a time of prosperity.
For her, it was a thriving "sow one grain in spring, harvest ten thousand seeds in autumn."
Du Jingyi smiled with a curve in her eyes and then said,
"Let's go see what's on the menu in the backyard today."
With that, the mistress and her two servants followed the sheltered corridor towards the backyard.
Her so-called husband, though causing her embarrassment to some extent, also brought about some benefits.
For example, the residence they occupied, known as Xitang Courtyard.
It was spacious, well-located, with a small garden in between the front and back courtyards.
Thus, in these three years of not having to deal with the people from the Duke's residence, Du Jingyi meticulously rearranged Xitang Courtyard.
It could be described as completely renewed.
Though she was born into a merchant family, her taste was not ordinary.
During her childhood, she spent several years in Jinling City with her parents.
So, she absorbed a lot of the refined elegance and charm of the Jiangnan region unconsciously.
Therefore, when it came to arranging Xitang Courtyard, she found it quite effortless.
The entire Xitang Courtyard was divided into front and back courtyards.
The main house had three rooms, with two side chambers on each side.
Behind, there was a row of rooms for servants and maids.
Behind the main house was the backyard.
There was a small martial arts training ground and a garden.
The previous garden was filled with weeds and miscellaneous flowers, lacking any aesthetic appeal.
So, Du Jingyi boldly made significant changes.
Bringing in renowned trees and flowers from Jiangnan, they constructed artificial hills and stone platforms of varying heights.
Not only did they dig a pond, but it was also paved with cobblestones.
Above the pond floated water lilies, and dozens of golden carp swam inside.
Some were palm-sized, while others were of varying lengths, resembling arms.
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But each one seemed lively, adding a sense of vitality to the garden.
The martial arts training ground was once used by her so-called "husband."
Although he was not at home, Du Jingyi hadn't touched it.
So, besides regular maintenance, it looked somewhat mismatched with the small garden.
Passing by the training ground, they reached an area that was originally a space with a rain shelter.
It had various odds and ends scattered around.
Du Jingyi found it unsightly, so she had the steward find a few nimble servants to tidy up the place.
It was all transformed into a vegetable garden.
In neat rows, they planted seasonal vegetables.
Not far away was Xitang Courtyard's small kitchen.
Therefore, their courtyard could be considered self-sufficient in vegetables.
Enclosed tightly with fences, if one didn't happen to walk to this spot, they might not notice.
Following the covered corridor and making a few turns, the mistress and her two servants arrived at the vegetable garden.
Dan, who had been busy in the small kitchen preparing food for Du Jingyi, saw them.
She wiped her hands and walked straight out.
In the post-rain air, a faint scent of soil lingered.
The raindrops on the vegetable leaves made them appear even more tender.
Du Jingyi pointed to the hanging eggplants and said,
"That one."
"Yes, young madam," Dan replied.
With a round face and a slightly plump figure, but exuding a cheerful demeanor, Dan appeared to be a straightforward person.
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When she married into the Shang family, she brought four maids and an aunty with her.
Cherry, Li Zhu, Dan Ruo, and Lu Ju.
The first two were mainly responsible for attending to her in the inner chambers.
Dan Ruo supervised the small kitchen.
As for Lu Ju, she managed all the needlework in the entire courtyard.
Currently, she had brought people to the embroidery room, working on a new batch of winter clothes for Xitang Courtyard.
Meanwhile, the nanny Cai, who came from her maiden family, had become a helpful assistant to the steward Dou Momo in managing the affairs of the courtyard.
Now, in the front courtyard, she kept a close eye on those sent by Lady Wei to deliver things.
She didn't miss a moment.
Du Jingyi had just gotten of some ideas about tonight's dinner and was discussing it with Dan Ruo when Cai, who was supposed to be guarding the front courtyard, hurriedly ran over.
There was a lot of joy on her face.
"Young madam, young madam... the general is back..."
Du Jingyi was surprised at the news. Wasn't it supposed to take two more days?
Why so soon?
However, it wasn't a time to delay, so she instructed,
"No need to prepare dinner. He probably wants to dine at Yunjin Courtyard. Dan Ruo, stew something to nourish the lungs and boost energy. The general must be tired from the journey, and his throat might be very dry."
"Yes, young madam, rest assured, this servant will take care of it!"
After giving these instructions, Du Jingyi quickly returned to the main house.
After a simple tidy-up, she stepped out of the gate of Xitang Courtyard.
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...
Outside the West City Gate,
Banners fluttered as the 400,000 elite Tiger and Leopard troops, who had rushed to aid Cezhou two months ago, began their triumphant return to the capital.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers traversed thousands of miles.
Finally, in early September, they successfully reached Suian City.
The Crown Prince and the civil and military officials who had been waiting early at the city gate were filled with excitement.
Seeing the well-organized and powerful army advancing from a distance, it couldn't help but stir their blood.
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Since the founding of the dynasty a few decades ago, there were external threats and internal turmoil.
Thus, esteemed military figures like General Shang Ji held a high position.
Whether from the paternal Shang clan or the maternal Gu clan, both were descendants of the founding ministers who helped establish the dynasty.
This lineage earned them immense family glory.
Now, Shang Ji was a distinguished war god, surpassing even his predecessors.
His sword pointed wherever he went, leaving nothing in its wake.
Mounted on the horse named "Ink Wind," its glossy black coat shone like ink-colored silk in the wind.
Shang Ji, clad in full armor, gazed steadfastly ahead.
The sturdy armor tightly encased his robust figure, exuding a ferocious aura.
Sharp eyebrows and eyes, a stern expression.
Even in silence, he conveyed a palpable sense of pressure.
Seeing this scene, beside the Crown Prince, Prime Minister Guo couldn't hold back tears, gripping his beard as he spoke.
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