Chapter 2: The General Returns

"In the Duke's mansion, there are many rules, so one naturally has to be more restrained. However, when the general returns, he will definitely bring the young madam back to the mansion to meet the old master. Then, they can leave together. Young madam, just wait and see."

When mentioning the general, Du Jingyi's face did not show any longing for her husband's return. Instead, there was a hint of reluctance.

After all, how could she have any longing for a husband who hastily left on their wedding night with just a brief mention of "danger in Cezhou," without even meeting her?

So, she lifted the soft brocade quilt covering her and prepared to get up.

Cherry hurried forward to help her put on her thin Shu brocade shoes, and then assisted her 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. They were cool, but not as biting as winter rain.

Compared to spring, summer, and winter, Du Jingyi liked autumn the most, simply because it was the time of harvest.

The fruits and grains were fragrant and abundant.

Most importantly, her dowry would see a new increase with the autumn harvest.

In a merchant family, profit was paramount.

In this regard, she did not disappoint.

So, what others saw as falling leaves and migrating geese, to her, was the vigorous growth of "sow one grain in spring, harvest ten thousand in autumn."

Du Jingyi smiled and said, "Let's go to the backyard and see what we'll be eating today."

With that, the three of them, mistress and servants, walked along the covered corridor to the backyard.

Although her so-called husband had caused her some embarrassment, he had also brought some benefits, such as the Xitang Courtyard where they lived.

The place was spacious, well-located, and had a small garden between the front and back courtyards.

During the three years when she didn't have to deal with the people from the Duke's mansion, Du Jingyi had meticulously redecorated the Xitang Courtyard, giving it a completely new look.

Although she came from a merchant family, her taste was not ordinary.

She had spent several years in Jinling City with her parents during her childhood, and had absorbed a lot of the elegance and charm of the Jiangnan region. Therefore, when she redecorated the Xitang Courtyard, she was quite adept at it.

The entire Xitang Courtyard was divided into front and back courtyards.

There were three main rooms, two side rooms on each side, and a row of servant quarters and maidservants' rooms at the back. Behind the main rooms was the backyard, which had a small martial arts training ground and a garden.

The front garden used to be filled with weeds and wildflowers, lacking any aesthetic appeal, so Du Jingyi had it completely renovated.

She had imported famous trees and flowers from Jiangnan and had some artificial hills and stone platforms built.

A pond was dug, and it was paved with pebbles.

Water lilies floated on the pond, and there were dozens of golden carp inside, some the size of a palm and others as long as an arm, but each one looked lively, adding a sense of vitality to the garden.

The martial arts training ground had been used by her "so-called husband."

Although he was not at home, Du Jingyi had not touched it.

So, apart from regular cleaning, it looked somewhat out of place in the otherwise renovated courtyard.

After bypassing the training ground, they arrived at a space that had originally been covered with a rain shelter and used to store various old items.

Du Jingyi found it unsightly, so she had some nimble servants and maids come and turn it into a vegetable garden, planting seasonal vegetables in neat rows.

The Xitang Courtyard also managed to be self-sufficient in vegetables.

It was surrounded by a dense fence, so if one didn't happen to walk there, they wouldn't notice it.

After a few turns along the corridor, the mistress and her servants arrived at the vegetable garden.

Danruo, who had been busy in the small kitchen preparing food for Du Jingyi, saw them and wiped her hands before coming out.

In the post-rain air, there was a faint smell of earth.

The raindrops had moistened the leaves, making them look even more tender and delicate. Du Jingyi pointed to the hanging eggplants and said, "Let's take those!"

"Yes, young madam."

The one who answered was Danruo, with a round face and a slightly plump figure, but with a cheerful disposition, clearly a sincere person.

When she married into the Du family, she brought along four maids and a mother.

Cherry and Lijiu mainly served her in the inner chambers, while Danruo managed the small kitchen. As for Lujv, she was in charge of all the needlework in the courtyard.

Now, she was leading a group of people in the embroidery room, making a new batch of winter clothes for the Xitang Courtyard.

The maid brought from her natal family, Mama Cai, had become a great help to the steward, Mrs. Dou, in managing the affairs of the courtyard.

At the moment, she was keeping a close eye on the people sent by Lady Wei to deliver things, not letting them out of her sight for a moment.

Just as Du Jingyi was starting to think about tonight's dinner, she saw Mama Cai, who was supposed to be watching the front courtyard, running over with a joyful expression on her face.

"Young madam, the general has returned..."

Du Jingyi was somewhat surprised. Wasn't it supposed to be another two days?

But now was not the time to delay, so she instructed, "There's no need to prepare dinner. They will probably dine at Yunjin Courtyard. Danruo, make a nourishing lung-clearing tonic. The general must be parched after riding back all the way."

"Yes, young madam, I will take care of it!"

After giving these instructions, Du Jingyi quickly returned to the main house.

After a simple tidying up, she stepped out of the Xitang Courtyard's main gate.

...

Outside the West City Gate.

The flags fluttered as the 400,000 elite Tiger Army, who had rushed to aid the city of Chezhou, began their triumphant return journey two months ago.

After traveling thousands of miles, the soldiers finally arrived at Suian City in early September.

The Crown Prince and the civil and military officials, who had been eagerly waiting at the city gate, were filled with excitement.

As they watched the mighty army marching in the distance, their blood boiled with fervor.

Since the founding of the dynasty just a few decades ago, there have been strong enemies and internal turmoil. Therefore, warriors like Shang Ji, who have achieved great military feats, hold high positions.

Both the Shang and Gu families, from which Shang Ji descended, were loyal ministers who helped their ancestors conquer the world, earning the family great honor.

Shang Ji, the current war god of Daxing, has surpassed his predecessors in prowess.

Wherever his sword points, he is invincible.

Mounted on his warhorse, Mo Feng, its glossy black coat glistened in the wind like black satin.

Clad in armor, Shang Ji's resolute gaze was fixed ahead. His sturdy figure was tightly wrapped in heavy armor, exuding a fierce aura.

His sharp brows and stern expression were enough to make people feel the pressure, even without a word spoken.

Seeing this scene beside the Crown Prince, Prime Minister Guo, with tears streaming down his face, grasped his beard and said.