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CHAPTER 10 - IMPERIAL GIFT
Afterward, everyone knelt respectfully.
Liu Gonggong unfolded the imperial decree and proclaimed in a loud voice, "By the grace of the heavens, the Emperor decrees: General-in-Chief Shang Ji, for leading troops to repel enemies and secure the border, is an exemplary figure in the new dynasty. He is hereby rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold, three thousand acres of fertile land, and a mansion for the General-in-Chief's residence. Select an auspicious day for relocation. This is decreed."
"Long live His Majesty, long live, long live forever!"
Upon hearing this, General Shang Ji and his wife, Du Jingyi, sincerely knelt down to express their gratitude.
However, the others remained stunned in their places.
Bestowing a mansion and suggesting an auspicious day for relocation – did this mean General Shang Ji was to separate and establish his own household?
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Various thoughts crossed the minds of the onlookers.
The members of the third and fifth branches considered it straightforwardly. If General Shang Ji left, would the Duke's residence revert to its former desolation? They had enjoyed the liveliness that came with it—was that it?
Naturally, they were displeased.
On the other hand, Lady Wei secretly felt a bit pleased. If General Shang Ji indeed moved out, the position of the young lord would remain, and her son, the fourth son of the Shang family, would have a chance.
After all, she had secured her position a few years ago, and with General Shang Ji leaving, her fourth son could rightfully become the legitimate heir.
'Being the fourth is certainly a step up from being the sixth.'
Initially, they couldn't resist General Shang Ji because he was the legitimate son of the original wife, Lady Gu, and had the backing of the Gu family's old lady. As a result, the position of the young lord fell on the sixth son, Shang Ji, after the legitimate eldest son of Lady Gu, Shang Dalar, passed away.
If it were her own son ascending to the position, then the Duke's residence would need a thorough cleansing. The relatives who were kept around, originally meant to unsettle the future young lord, Shang Ji, would have to be dealt with. The relatives whom the grandfather and father had taken care of, the young lord found distasteful and was unwilling to tolerate.
It wasn't her concern as a stepmother, but she still had to complain a bit in public and private, playing the role of a challenging stepmother.
After calculating in her mind, she maintained a serene and pleasant expression, like a Bodhisattva.
Liu Gonggong was the chief eunuch by the Emperor's side, having seen all sorts of situations. It was difficult to read Lady Wei immediately, but the relatives from the third and fifth branches clearly understood her intentions and looked down on her.
Despite their disdain, they respectfully handed the golden imperial decree made of bright yellow silk to General Shang Ji. Then, Liu Gonggong courteously assisted the couple and said with a smile, "The imperial decree has been delivered. I shall return to report. Before leaving the palace, the Empress sent instructions to take good care of Madam and to visit the palace together with the General on a later date."
Upon hearing this unexpected news, Du Jingyi was surprised. She never expected to catch the attention of the Empress. It seemed that her husband's rise to fame as a prominent general elevated her status as well.
Facing Liu Gonggong's courtesy, Du Jingyi responded with equal politeness.
"Please tell Your Ladyship to rest assured. I will take good care of my health and visit the Empress soon."
Lady Wei, standing in the same row, had an unpleasant expression. After all, she was the one who initially said that her daughter-in-law should not enter the palace due to illness. Now, with Liu Gonggong saying these words, it was like publicly slapping her face.
However, she still had to maintain a facade.
She spoke with an attempt to ingratiate, "Liu Gonggong, rest assured. My daughter-in-law's illness was just a lingering ailment from missing the sixth son. Now that the sixth son has returned, her heartache will naturally be resolved."
Her words were more of a hindrance than help. Du Jingyi glanced meaningfully at Lady Wei, her mouth curving into an inscrutable smile.
Missing her husband causing an illness?
Lady Wei was adept at spinning tales. Why didn't she claim to suffer from lovesickness-induced delusions?
It was truly a joke.
Shang Ji, hearing this, felt extremely displeased. But considering Liu Gonggong's presence, he refrained from an immediate outburst. Instead, he turned to Du Jingyi and said, "Lady, your concern has been known to me through the letters. You've worked hard holding down the fort for these three years. Since His Majesty has decreed that we move to the General's residence, take this time to rest. The affairs of the household will be managed by Lady Wei."
"I will heed the General's words."
Du Jingyi's humble attitude impressed Liu Gonggong, an outsider. Despite being from a merchant family, he had a good sense of propriety. Seeing the powerful stance of General Shang and predicting that the young lady would be favored in the future, he thought it best to be more courteous.
So, he gave a little smile to Du Jingyi.
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Shang Ji's words left Lady Wei somewhat bewildered. What did he mean by this? Wasn't she always the one in control of the household affairs? How did it turn into Du Jingyi, her daughter-in-law, being portrayed as the one tirelessly supporting the family for the past three years? It seemed like Shang Ji was giving all the peace and dignity of the Marquisate over the past three years to Du Jingyi, while Lady Wei ended up empty-handed.
Before she could argue her case, Shang Ji waved his hand, putting an end to the discussion.
"Father, let's accompany Liu Gonggong out."
"Alright, alright."
Duke Shang was a man without much initiative. Hearing his son's words, he naturally complied.
Liu Gonggong expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, General."
Afterward, Shang Ji solemnly placed the imperial edict into Du Jingyi's hands, gesturing politely as he escorted Liu Gonggong out. Duke Shang followed along, smiling beside his son.
Once they left, the people who had been kneeling on the ground approached. Eldest sister-in-law, Mrs. Liu, wary of the crowd, pulled her son and little sister-in-law away, looking vigilant. Their expressions were not pleasant.
On the other hand, Du Jingyi, like a small figure in the middle, was quickly surrounded.
After many years, the Shang family once again received an imperial edict. Who wouldn't feel excited at the sight of it?
Of course, this was also Du Jingyi's first time seeing an imperial edict. Both the color and the craftsmanship exuded luxury and precision.
Indeed, it's an item from the palace, extraordinary at first glance.
And the first to approach her were the third and fifth elders. Their eyes gleamed upon seeing the imperial edict, and they eagerly reached out to touch it.
However, Du Jingyi subtly moved it away without hurriedness.
With a polite smile on her face, she said, "Items bestowed by the emperor should be handled with care."
Upon hearing this, the two elders nodded enthusiastically. At this moment, they were undoubtedly on the same side as Du Jingyi. Naturally, they wanted to set aside the recent unpleasantness.
Leaving aside other matters, just considering the ten thousand taels of imperial gold, even if a little were leaked to them, it would cover the expenses of their large family for quite some time.
Thinking of this, the attitude of the third elder was genuinely courteous this time.
"Lady Shang, later you must open our eyes. With ten thousand taels of gold, it might take a dozen people just to lift the box it's packed in."
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