Chapter 1 Autumn Rain Falls

When Du Jingyi woke up, it was the season of autumn rain.

She heard some intermittent footsteps outside, as if someone was moving something. Then her personal maid, Ying Tao, deliberately lowered her voice and instructed the others.

"Madam is still resting, so be quiet and careful not to disturb her."

"Yes."

The voices replying varied in pitch, indicating that there were quite a few people outside.

Ying Tao directed the people outside to arrange the items they had just brought before quietly entering the main room.

She had intended to add a thin blanket for her mistress, but unexpectedly woke up Du Jingyi.

She was leaning on the southern side of the kang, with her elbow resting on the mahogany table in front of her, where a thick account book was placed, densely filled with records.

Hearing the movement, Du Jingyi grumbled and slowly opened her eyes.

Seeing this, Ying Tao approached with a hint of apology.

"Did the noise outside disturb Madam? I will ask them to stop."

Du Jingyi waved her hand.

Her slender and fair arm swayed slightly, showing no signs of anger. Instead, her arm felt a bit numb from resting on it, and she furrowed her brows as she moved her wrist.

Ying Tao immediately approached and gently massaged her for a while.

Perhaps because she had just woken up from a nap, there was a slight blush on Du Jingyi's face, making her skin appear even more delicate and fair.

She looked like a pampered beauty since childhood, with a hint of innocence, but being in the grand mansion of the Duke's residence seemed to have brought some melancholy to her.

The autumn rain outside was not heavy, just drizzling.

Even the ground had not yet become wet, giving off a stuffy warmth.

They say a light autumn rain is fleeting.

This was the third autumn rain Du Jingyi had experienced in the Duke's residence.

It was not much different from previous years, but after this autumn rain, it also meant the end of the hot summer days.

"No matter, it's time to wake up."

After saying this, she pointed outside and curiously asked, "What's going on outside? Why are there so many people?"

Seeing that Du Jingyi did not blame anyone, Ying Tao explained.

"Lady Wei sent someone to deliver some items. She said that in two days, the Grand General will be home, so there are many things to be rearranged and replaced."

"She is quite thoughtful."

Ever since the news of the victory in Chezhou spread to Suian City, the entire Duke's residence had been celebrating.

Not only the people of Suian City, but everyone in Daxing knew that the Duke's residence was about to welcome a powerful Grand General.

After three years of fierce battles with the enemy state of Jin, he had recaptured thirteen border cities, leading a formidable army of four hundred thousand soldiers to defeat the seventy thousand fierce Jin soldiers.

Finally, he received an imperial edict and, on behalf of the current emperor, signed the "Ceyan Alliance" with Jin, ensuring peace on the border for a hundred years and prosperity for the people.

Such military achievements were unprecedented in the history of Daxing.

Naturally, the Duke's residence was going to celebrate in a grand manner.

In theory, as the "official" wife of the Grand General, it would be most appropriate for her to handle these matters.

Unfortunately, since the Grand General left three years ago without even lifting the red veil, she had become a dispensable figure in the Duke's residence.

No one knew if he would return safely.

Either Du Jingyi was the newlywed widow of the Duke's residence, or she was the envy of the entire Daxing as the wife of the Grand General.

Unfortunately, she did not fit into either category.

The marriage into the Duke's residence was an unexpected turn of events.

Du Jingyi came from a merchant family, pampered and raised in comfort. Her family only had an older sister who was already married, and they had planned to find a son-in-law to continue the family line.

But unexpectedly, due to a mishap that revealed her auspicious birth date, she caught the attention of the Duke and Duchess of the Duke's residence.

They personally came to propose, causing a sensation throughout Suian City.

They couldn't refuse such an opportunity, as it was a stroke of immense fortune for their family.

To be able to marry into the Duke's residence was a sign of great prosperity.

So, amidst the envy and jealousy of everyone, she entered the Duke's residence in a grand wedding procession.

She thought this was the beginning of her new life, but she never expected the dream to end so quickly.

With the departure of the young Duke, her position in the household diminished day by day.

At first, she faced some challenges from her uncles, aunts, and sisters-in-law, but gradually, even their hostility faded.

Thus, everyone said that the Xitang Courtyard in the East Garden was a place of no importance, and naturally, she became irrelevant.

As a daughter-in-law, apart from paying respects to the Duke and Duchess at Yunjin Courtyard on the first and fifteenth of every month, she had little interaction with the large household of the Duke's residence.

Even during the family banquets, she rarely spoke.

Du Jingyi's expression was calm, as if this had nothing to do with her. After closing the account book, she instructed Ying Tao.

"Go ahead and rearrange, but make sure to guard the storeroom, the main house, and the study. They are not allowed to move things around haphazardly."

"Madam, rest assured, Dou Mama and Cai Mama are both keeping a close eye on her, and won't let them do anything reckless."

As they were talking, they heard a light and nimble footstep approaching. It was the maid Li Zhu, younger than Ying Tao, but also with a delicate and pleasant appearance.

"Madam, have some pear water, it will moisten your lungs and heart."

Du Jingyi took the celadon porcelain bowl and gently stirred it, revealing the tender flesh of the pear.

It was warm and moist, with a gentle sweetness, just as she liked it.

"Danru's culinary skills have improved, it tastes even sweeter than the ones bought outside."

Li Zhu smiled and explained, "Master sent some fragrant tangerines, and Danru added a bit to enhance the flavor."

"No wonder, father is considerate."

Her mood, which had been fine, suddenly became a bit low, with a hint of helplessness.

"When I was at home, I used to help father with the autumn harvest at this time of year. It was much more carefree than now. Since entering the Duke's residence, I can count the number of times I've been out on one hand, it's quite boring."

Du Jingyi vented her dissatisfaction with a rosy pout, while Ying Tao comforted her.