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CHAPTER 7 - PAYING RESPECTS TO THE ELDER
As soon as the couple entered the courtyard, they heard the voice of an elderly woman from the main hall. The voice sounded somewhat arrogant and crude.
"If you ask me, it's the sixth son's wife who's blessed. It's been three years since she entered, and I haven't seen you giving her any instructions. Look at how long we've all been waiting; she's nowhere to be seen. If this gets out, I'm afraid people outside will laugh at our Duke's mansion for having no manners!"
This was followed by a cold snort. Without even looking, Du Jingyi knew it was the sharp-tongued Third Lady speaking. She had been domineering in the mansion for many years and loved to vent her frustrations on the younger generation, making them "respect" her more.
Unfortunately, since Du Jingyi married into the Duke's mansion, she rarely left Xī Táng courtyard. She had no chance to assert her dominance elsewhere.
Therefore, the timing was deliberately chosen to speak in front of Shang Ji and Du Jingyi. The purpose was twofold: to undermine Shang Ji's dignity and to remind Du Jingyi to be more tactful.
A faint smile still lingered on Du Jingyi's face, but her eyes were as indifferent as her husband Shang Ji's. Those who knew that the couple had come to pay respects to their elders understood the situation, while others might have mistaken it for a visit to the ancestral hall to offer incense.
The two stood still in the courtyard, remaining silent. Another woman's voice could be heard from inside. It sounded gentle and soft.
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"Third Aunt, don't be angry. She's still a child. When she entered our Duke's mansion, she had just turned eighteen. Take it easy, and she'll learn with time."
"No wonder people outside say you're patient. I can see clearly that you're just easy to bully."
"We're all family; where does this overnight grudge come from?"
The conversation was full of sarcasm, deliberately for the hearing of Shang Ji and Du Jingyi. Perhaps more specifically, it was meant for Du Jingyi, the newly favored wife, to hear, being beside the highly esteemed General.
Du Jingyi found it hard to believe that no one in the courtyard had reported their arrival. Everyone inside was making these remarks as if she was unaware of the customs.
She had no positive impressions of the people in this mansion. They sought small advantages from her while consistently making snide comments.
Although she had heard such remarks before, she never took them to heart. As someone seasoned in the business world for many years, she adhered to a principle: anything solvable with money wasn't worth her attention.
However, Shang Ji, who hadn't been home for three years, didn't share the same sentiment. He hadn't forgotten the faces of these relatives who had a lot to say back when his mother and sister-in-law were in charge.
They used to complain about this and that when his mother and sister-in-law were in control.
They spoke harshly, readily using the notion of the eldest brother as a father figure to justify their complaints and demands for care from the younger brother.
The problem was that their eldest brother had been resting in peace for many years. If they were truly filial, why didn't they move to attend to his grave?
So, upon hearing this, Shang Ji knew it was intended for him. The purpose was quite simple: they wanted him to misunderstand his unfamiliar wife a bit more.
In fact, Shang Ji had gained some understanding when Du Jingyi didn't appear at the palace banquet yesterday. Today, listening to these words further confirmed his thoughts. He didn't even need to ask to know that his young wife wasn't having an easy time in the mansion.
Turning his face towards Du Jingyi, he asked with concern, "Did you miss the palace banquet yesterday because you weren't feeling well?"
"What does the general think?" Du Jingyi threw the question back without any fear of offending.
This response prompted Shang Ji to take a closer look at her. He initially thought his wife might be someone who accepted things as they came. Unexpectedly, she was someone who wouldn't tolerate any grievances.
Suddenly recalling the scene in the backyard this morning, where his modest and simple martial arts training ground sharply contrasted with the carefully crafted gardens around, Shang Ji gained some insights. In front of him was a woman who won't allow herself to be wronged.
That's good.
After all, whether it was him personally or his wife, they were not to be controlled by others! With this, a faint smile crawled over Shang Ji's lips, and he called out, "Luo Yuan."
He only called the name, and the close attendant Luo Yuan was quite astute. He immediately cleared his throat and shouted inside, "Commander of the Cavalry, the General's wife is here."
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Compared to his insignificant status as a minor noble, Shang Ji naturally preferred his self-earned position as a general. Furthermore, being the Commander of the Cavalry, he held the rank of a second-tier official. Considering his age, which was less than thirty, it was like a remarkable talent descending from the heavens.
Hearing this resonant announcement, those "distinguished ladies" from the Duke's mansion, who were still somewhat arrogant, collectively made a disapproving sound. Their faces showed a hint of embarrassment and awkward laughter, especially the old fellows among them.
Without any official rank or educational background, they should have stood up to greet General Shang Ji and his wife properly. However, considering themselves as elders, they shamelessly sat in their circle of chairs, waiting for the couple to enter.
Once Shang Ji and his wife entered the main hall of Yunjin Courtyard, they took a quick glance and confirmed their expectations. It was indeed crowded with people, a vast and bustling assembly, sitting and standing. The large main hall seemed almost insufficient to accommodate them all.
It was easy to see why.
In the third household, there were four generations totaling seventeen individuals, and in the fifth household, there were four generations totaling nineteen individuals. It seemed they had crowded out the three generations of the Duke's mansion.
Shang Ji immediately noticed his widowed sister-in-law and the young nephews tucked away in the corners. Clearly, they were once the most crucial figures wielding power in this family. However, they were now marginalized to such an extent.
Thinking about this, Shang Ji's temper flared up considerably. His originally indifferent face now carried a touch of murderous intent.
Despite his altered expression, the relatives present were immersed in the excitement of their illustrious ancestry and completely oblivious to Shang Ji's demeanor. Or perhaps, whenever Shang Ji faced them, he always wore this expression. Everyone had grown accustomed to it.
Standing beside him, Du Jingyi felt various gazes directed at them—envy, admiration, resentment, and, of course, happiness. Regardless of the sentiment, she remained unperturbed, calmly facing forward.
At the head of the assembly was the current Duke, Shang Yukuan. Aged over fifty, he appeared slightly portly. His temperament was gentle, not quite fitting the image of a military man, more resembling a scholar. There was a subtle literary air about him, though not overly pronounced.
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