Chapter 4: First Encounter

It seems that he felt unsatisfied, so he simply poured another cup.

Unfortunately, this tea was not a sobering potion, drinking it would be of no use. His head was still heavy and drowsy, so he leaned against the sitting kang under the bright window and closed his eyes to catch up on sleep.

Seeing this, the housekeeper He immediately whispered, "Let's go, the young madam will take care of him here."

Luo Yuan frowned, seemingly worried about whether the young madam could take care of the general.

But the housekeeper He didn't allow him to delay any longer, he pulled his sleeve and hurriedly walked outside.

Helplessly, Luo Yuan could only follow the housekeeper He and hastily left the room.

He was holding the armor in his hand and could only head straight to the study. There was a designated place for the armor, so it couldn't be placed randomly.

When Du Jingyi returned to the main room from the side room, she frowned as soon as she entered.

The room should have had a faint lotus fragrance, but at this moment, there was a strong smell of alcohol.

It wasn't strong, but to Du Jingyi, who had been pampered, it was overwhelming.

Without thinking, she knew that her victorious husband had returned from the palace banquet.

She took a handkerchief and covered her nose and mouth, walked through the main hall to the bedroom separated by a Suzhou embroidery screen, and saw this scene.

A "strange" man was lying unceremoniously in her favorite seat.

Looking at the tea cup on the table, it had also deviated from its original position, and he was sleeping soundly.

The moonlight outside the window gently sprinkled on him, softening his imposing and formidable appearance, adding a bit of laziness and comfort that only the privileged young gentlemen in the city had.

It had to be said that her husband did have a good appearance.

Slender phoenix eyes, high nose bridge, thin lips like a blade, and a sturdy figure.

Just as Du Jingyi was troubled about how to wake him up, she saw the man, who had been closing his eyes, suddenly open them.

As soon as he opened his eyes, a sense of unquestionable oppression emanated from his deep gaze.

Du Jingyi had never directly faced her husband, and after being swept by his fierce and wolf-like gaze, she took a few steps back in panic.

This scene happened to fall into the eyes of Shang Ji.

He was also slightly surprised.

He thought that the woman Wei had begged for him was probably a "stubborn" and unremarkable woman, but unexpectedly, she looked like a fairy under the moonlight.

If outsiders saw this, they would probably be infatuated, but unfortunately, Shang Ji had spent many years in the military and was not easily swayed by emotions.

So he sat up and took a few breaths, then asked in a calm tone, "Are you Lady Du?"

This sentence brought Du Jingyi back to reality.

What did a good appearance matter?

His question didn't seem like that of a lady of the house, but more like that of a subordinate in the military. So Du Jingyi suppressed her surprise and panic.

She straightened her crimson robe, clasped her hands in front of her abdomen, and bowed, saying, "This humble woman, Du, greets the general."

"Ah."

After Shang Ji sat up and casually stretched his muscles, he still had some alcohol in his system. He pinched the acupoint between his thumb and forefinger, then spoke, "Three years ago, I had to leave home due to urgent military affairs, and I made the Emperor give me a lot of jewelry and clothes to compensate. They will be delivered tomorrow as a token of my apology."

He said this to ease the awkwardness between them.

However, Du Jingyi didn't even raise an eyelid and replied emotionlessly, "I thank Your Majesty and the general."

Her two maids behind her also bowed and said, "This servant, Cherry (Lizhu), greets the general."

"Ah, you may rise."

He was used to the rough men in the military, so he was somewhat uncomfortable hearing such soft words. He coughed twice and asked, "Where is the study?"

"It's in the room on the right."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ji got up from the bed.

Cherry and Lizhu intended to help him put on his boots, but he waved them off. He was used to taking care of himself in the military and didn't need maids to serve him.

After putting on his boots, he said, "I drank today and I'm afraid of bothering you, so I'll go to the study to sleep."

Du Jingyi's expression showed a hint of surprise. She hadn't expected him to say that, but after a moment of hesitation, she replied politely, "Alright, I will have the sobering potion sent to the study."

"Ah."

After saying this, he left with large strides, but his steps didn't resemble those of a drunken person.

It was only after his figure disappeared into the darkness that Du Jingyi seemed to realize that he had left.

"Madam, why didn't you let the general stay in the main room?" Lizhu asked.

She was usually quick-witted and straightforward, but she said this for Du Jingyi's own good.

After all, her mistress had been married to the Duke's mansion for three years, but she was still only the nominal young madam.

The gossipy women in the outer courtyard often made fun of her for this, and Lizhu had heard it several times.

But if she stubbornly argued with others, she would always end up at a disadvantage.

At present, if she could let the general stay in the main room, it would be a clear slap in the face to those gossipy women, so she said this.

Unfortunately, Du Jingyi showed no intention of keeping her husband in the main room. After he left, she calmly said, "Bring out the moonlight incense and light it to dispel the smell in the room."

"Yes, young madam."

After catching a familiar scent, Du Jingyi's mind finally settled down. There was an indescribable feeling towards this husband whom she had just met.

Although they were nominally husband and wife, they had never spent more than half an hour together.

If he really stayed tonight, she didn't know how to "serve" him.

For some reason, the memory of his eyes when he just woke up was still fresh in her mind, like the leader of a wolf pack staring at its prey.

Although it was fleeting, Du Jingyi saw the fierceness and determination in his eyes.

It's no wonder. Without some real skills, how could he take control of the thirteen cities at the border?

Sigh...

Lying on the rosewood bed inlaid with ivory begonia flowers, she couldn't fall asleep for a long time. She didn't know how to face this familiar yet unfamiliar husband tomorrow.

She tossed and turned until the early hours of the morning before finally falling asleep.

Unfortunately, early the next morning, Du Jingyi was awakened by the deliberately loud voices outside, feeling somewhat annoyed as she furrowed her brows.

All the maids, old women, and servants serving in the Xitang Courtyard were diligent and never talkative, all because of the strict management of the housekeeper and Mrs. Dou.

In the three years she had been with them, there had never been such a commotion so early in the morning.