My Stepmother is Soft and Charming
Chapter 21: gossip
Though comforting words about her parents' well-being reached Du Jingyi from time to time, a knot of worry remained stubbornly in her heart. "If only I could stay a few more days at my parents’ house," she sighed , as these words heavy with a quiet sorrow left her mouth, "to truly be filial for a couple of days." She knew, deep down, such a wish was impossible. A married woman's extended return to her birth home usually signaled grave matters. For her to go back so soon after her husband's return would surely invite whispers and raised eyebrows from the outside world.
"Forget it," she finally declared, pushing aside the melancholy. "Let's not dwell on it. We should focus on Father’s birthday gift this year instead." October 28th was only a few days away from now. [Read More Here]
At the mention of the upcoming date, Yingying and Lizhu, her ever-present maids, immediately set aside their tasks and came closer, their faces alight with anticipation.
"I think the young lady might as well give him eighteen piglets made of pure gold," Lizhu suggested with an earnestness that made Yingtao, standing nearby, struggle to suppress a smile. "The master will definitely like it!"
"Lizhu," Yingtao teased, "how many years have you been pushing that idea? And you still haven't given up yet?"
"What I said is true!" Lizhu insisted, undeterred. "It's just that the young lady hasn't followed my instructions. Otherwise, the master would absolutely be happy!" Hearing her unwavering conviction, Du Jingyi and Yingtao burst into laughter, the sound light and genuine, diluting the earlier sadness that had clung to the air. The mistress and her servants, their spirits lifted, chattered on for a long time about the perfect birthday present, the simple joy of their conversation momentarily overshadowing any lingering anxieties. And so, the day passed, peacefully, as they always had.
The next morning, the sky was a canvas of bright, clear blue, dotted with soft, drifting clouds. Du Jingyi rose early as the gentle light of dawn just beginning to brighten her chamber. She summoned Yingying and Lizhu to attend to her. Since she was returning to her parents' home today, her attire had to convey a distinct sense of festivity and prosperity. More than anything, she needed to choose something that would complement her skin tone, ensuring that her Du family parents upon her return feel at ease, and renew their confidence once again that their daughter was not suffering any hardships after marrying into the Duke's mansion.
With careful consideration, she donned a striking ensemble: a red floral placket set against a crisp white background, paired with a flowing pleated skirt. It evoked the image of wintersweet adorned with snow and frost in winter, exuding a graceful agility. Lizhu, with meticulous care, decorated Du Jingyi's hair with an array of beads, adding a touch of opulent wealth and an undeniable aura of nobility. Looking left and right at her reflection in the diamond-shaped bronze mirror, Du Jingyi felt a sense of satisfaction.
"Go and see if the General is up," she instructed, her voice calm and clear. "If he is, invite him over for breakfast."
"Yes," Lizhu replied, a rare flutter of excitement in her chest. It wasn't often the young lady proactively invited the General. She hurried out towards the study with an eager step.
A short while later, Shang Ji was ushered in. Du Jingyi felt a slight start of surprise when she saw him. He was dressed in a sapphire satin round-neck robe. She had to admit, styled this way, he barely resembled the formidable thirty-year-old general. Instead, he looked more akin to the delicate, scholarly young men who frequented Sui'an City. She took a step forward, maintaining the strict etiquette of her status.
"I have met the General," she curtsied, her voice even.
"Hmmm, get up."
"Thank you, General."
"Sit down," he instructed, his tone brisk but not unkind. "We've eaten earlier, and we'll go out earlier."
"Good."
The two of them settled side by side at a rosewood Eight Immortals table that had been placed in the main room of the courtyard. Soon after, the maids entered the room , each bearing a dish for breakfast. There were shredded chicken noodles, crystal steamed dumplings, sweet pastries, and a small bowl of jasper soup for each of them. The jasper soup "Jasper soup—so named for its jade-colored broth made from stewed snow fungus and fresh bok choy—was always her favorite." and , was prepared exactly to her liking. As for the other dishes, their generous portions clearly indicated they were intended for Shang Ji.
What would be considered an ordinary pan-fried flat cake elsewhere, here had been elevated into something remarkable—each bite crisp on the outside, soft within, and bursting with rich, layered flavor.
"Has the cook changed?" he inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "I remember she wasn't that good at cooking before."
Momo Dou smiled, her gaze flicking towards Du Jingyi. "The person in charge of the small kitchen now is Dan Ruo, who is the dowry maid brought by the young lady from her natal family. Her skills are indeed much better than those of the original cooks in our house."
Shang Ji uttered a soft "oh." It made perfect sense. Just looking at the elegant furnishings of this room, one could tell his wife was a woman who appreciated the finer things in life. Therefore, it wasn't surprising that she would bring such an excellent cook with her. He raised his voice slightly, addressing Du Jingyi.
"When we get to the General's Mansion," he stated, "I will ask someone to expand the kitchen, and find a few more modest cooks to learn from her. The food on the table will look better in the future."
“Thank you, I had that in mind." Du Jingyi responded, though inwardly she had her doubts. Dan Ruo's craftsmanship was the result of years of travel with the Du family, absorbing the tastes and techniques of many regions. Such skill was not easily learned. However, Shang Ji’s reminder was practical.[Read More Here]
After moving to a new home and settling all the household affairs, it would be inevitable to host guests and entertain them. So, she would indeed need to prepare by finding a few capable women to assist her with managing the household.
After breakfast when the couple stepped out together. A truly magnificent sight awaited them. The carraige and horses waiting at the entrance were not from the Duke's mansion, but the General's own regal conveyances, a gift bestowed by the Emperor himself. Four powerful horses with shiny coats stood perfectly aligned before the carriage, their immense frames exuding strength and discipline. The carriage itself was remarkably spacious, easily capable of seating seven or eight people. Even Du Jingyi, who had witnessed much of the world's grandeur, felt a flicker of surprise at the sheer majesty and high-spirited presence of this chariot and its horses. Yet, this surprise was fleeting, quickly fading from her eyes.
Once the couple had boarded the carriage and settled inside, Shang Ji gave a simple command to the servants. "Let's go."
"Yes, General," came the immediate reply.
On both sides of the carriage, the four maids brought by Du Jingyi, along with Mama Cai, stood attentively. Their faces were surprisingly cheerful, all of them beaming with bright smiles as they are also returning there home . Behind the carriage rode a formidable escort: a group of Shang Ji's personal guards, numbering about twenty strong men. And trailing behind them were the carriages carrying the returning ceremony's gifts—a staggering twenty vehicles in a long, impressive line.
Such a grand procession moved majestically from Duke Shang's mansion all the way to the very door of the Du family's house. Many who didn't understand the full significance of the spectacle gathered to watch, their curiosity piqued. Some, with better memories or sharper tongues, began to whisper amongst themselves.
"Zizhi, let me tell you, this Miss Du family is truly lucky!" one woman muttered to another. "Otherwise, the young man has been married four times, but other than her no one survives, that is why she have to returned home with such fanfare!"
"It's not the only case?" her companion agreed, nodding vigorously. "Now she is the young lady of the Duke's mansion and the general's wife. Look at this kind of ostentation! What's the point of not giving her a lot of face? It seems that this young lady is very favored!"
"Hahaha, why are you jealous?" a third woman chuckled, nudging her friend. "Do you want to use some money to send your daughter to the Duke's mansion to be a good concubine? I don't know, you can also get some good things."
"Bah, bah, bah, do you want girl killed !" the first woman retorted, playfully swatting her arm.
A few people continued to gossip along side the road , their voices not particularly loud. But Shang Ji, having spent so many years in the army, possessed an extraordinary sense of hearing. When he caught snippets of their words, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He had closed his eyes moments before, seeking a brief rest, but now his eyes snapped open. Yet, seeing the utterly calm and unperturbed look on the face of the lady sitting next to him, he felt a strange sense of relief, a loosening of the tension in his shoulders. Though his reputation as a "wife -killer " was largely a fabrication spread by Madam Wei, a sliver of self-doubt had always lingered within him. Therefore, Shang Ji had not been stingy, ensuring he offered her the very best he could within his power.
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