Chapter 9: Receiving the Imperial Edict

As he increasingly resembled the old marshal, General Gu, in appearance, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sorrow.

"Very well, I've been waiting for a long time for you to serve the new bride tea on behalf of your father."

With a loving look, he gazed at Du Jingyi.

He didn't really care much about the family background. The fact that she hadn't been seriously ill in the three years since she entered the household and had quelled the rumors of her son's "harsh treatment of his wife" was enough to satisfy Duke Shangguo.

So when Du Jingyi knelt and said, "Father, please have some tea," he readily accepted.

Then he thought for a moment and said, "Today's events were sudden, but the customary gift for you is indispensable. Later, I will have someone send it to Xitang Court. I hope you and your husband will live in peace and joy in the future, and grow old together."

His gentle smile reminded Du Jingyi of her father at home, so she responded with a graceful smile, saying, "Thank you, Father."

After serving the tea to her father, the next cup naturally went to her mother-in-law.

Madam Wei had already sat up straight, waiting.

Unfortunately, Du Jingyi stood up and positioned herself half a step behind Shang Ji, showing no intention of kneeling again.

Madam Wei's smile froze on her face as Shang Ji, with no emotion, said, "Mother has passed away for many years. Let Du pay her respects to her mother's tablet with this cup of tea. Later, my son will take her to the ancestral hall."

At this, everyone's expressions changed in an instant.

Even the three old ladies, who had received many favors from Madam Wei, were now willing to offend Shang Ji.

One of them, with a straightforward nature, said, "Why not show respect to Madam Wei? After all, she is the rightful lady of the house in the Duke's residence."

At this, Duke Shangguo's expression also became complicated.

Frowning at his resolute son in front of him, he seemed to feel that something was not right.

But seeing his son's disdainful attitude, Duke Shangguo finally sighed and compromised, saying, "Alright, remember to offer incense to your mother and elder brother, so that they know you are now a married woman and can be happy in the afterlife."

"Okay."

At this point, Madam Wei, even though she looked displeased, had to retract her words and put on a virtuous appearance, saying with a smile, "Yes, I've been waiting for this cup of tea for many years. The ones I used to drink... I won't mention them. They were all people of little fortune. But you, you are a prosperous one."

After saying this, she took off a well-preserved jade bracelet from her hand and handed it to the maid beside her.

The maid, holding the jade bracelet, came to Du Jingyi and respectfully handed it over.

"Although this gift is a bit late, it is a token of my goodwill. Please accept it."

If Shang Ji despised her, she would despise Du Jingyi.

Her words and tone were full of regret, but they clearly conveyed to Du Jingyi that she was just a stepmother, no different from herself.

Although Du Jingyi inwardly sneered, her composure and gracefulness only increased on the surface.

Just as she was about to reach out, she heard hurried footsteps outside.

Housekeeper He ran in, his eyebrows raised in delight, and said loudly, "Master, someone from the palace has arrived, saying they have an imperial decree to announce."

As soon as this was heard, the whole hall became lively.

Without thinking, it was clear that the imperial gift for Shang Ji had arrived.

When Duke Shangguo was still alive, he had received several imperial rewards for his outstanding military achievements.

At that time, the entire Duke's residence was filled with joy and pride.

Although most of the money went into the public account, the pockets of the third and fifth branches of the family also swelled.

Unfortunately, after Shang Yukuang inherited the title of Duke, such good fortune ceased.

Because he was neither talented in literature nor skilled in martial arts, he only held a nominal position in the court.

If it weren't for the protection of his title as Duke, he might have become a forgotten figure in the city long ago.

But now things were different. With Shang Ji's power, the Duke's residence was about to become prominent in the imperial court once again.

Naturally, everyone was ecstatic.

The thought of having a glimmer of hope in their constrained lives made them all extremely excited.

Duke Shangguo was the first to stand up, straightening his clothes, and then looked at Shang Ji with a somewhat excited expression, saying with satisfaction, "Let's go and receive the imperial decree."

"Okay."

Following him was Madam Wei.

She had been worried about her family's finances, and now, if she received a sum of money from the court, it would alleviate many of her urgent needs.

So she was genuinely happy.

The members of the third and fifth branches in the main hall also perked up, as if the imperial decree was being awarded to them, and eagerly followed suit.

Especially the three old gentlemen, who moved faster than anyone else.

If one didn't know the details, they might not realize that these two elderly men, who usually complained about their legs and needed expensive medicinal herbs, were in their eighties.

On the other hand, Du Jingyi and the children of the Gu family lagged behind.

An elder sister-in-law, a nephew, and an unmarried younger sister-in-law.

Their eyes showed both happiness for Shang Ji and worry.

Such sudden prosperity would surely lead to some trouble.

Du Jingyi had little interaction with them in the past, but since they all lived in the eastern courtyard, she couldn't avoid them. So she stepped forward and said, "Sister-in-law, please."

For Liu, who had been a widow for ten years, this was like a dream from another world.

After a brief pause, she opened her mouth and said, "Sister-in-law, no need to be so polite."

Then, she pulled her son close and glanced at her younger sister-in-law before leaving the room with Du Jingyi.

When they arrived at the main courtyard, it was already crowded with people. Leading the group were Duke Shang and Shang Ji, accompanied by Lady Wei and her offspring.

The four elders from the third and fifth branches were kneeling neatly behind Duke Shang and his son, leaving no room for Du Jingyi and Lady Gu, who were from the main branch of the Duke's household.

When Shang Ji turned around, he saw his wife, his widowed sister-in-law, his young nephew, and his younger sister, and then glanced at the unpleasant people behind them.

He immediately instructed Luo Yuan, "Go and bring my sister-in-law and Lady Gu up here."

"Yes, sir."

Luo Yuan took large strides and quickly reached the group, then made a respectful gesture to invite them forward.

Du Jingyi remained composed, but his elder sister-in-law, Mrs. Liu, and the other two seemed a bit uneasy. They hadn't encountered such a situation in a long time and were unsure whether they should step forward.

Seeing this, Du Jingyi whispered softly in Mrs. Liu's ear, "The general has said that the elder sister-in-law is like a mother. Don't worry, let's go."