He did not refuse her touch, so Shen Wangshu stayed close to him and looked up as she asked, “I’ve just arrived at the Duke’s residence. Could you tell me about the household?”
She actually knew the general situation of the Duke’s residence quite well. The person of highest status was the venerable old matriarch. She had borne two sons. The eldest inherited the dukedom and now headed the main branch of the family. The younger son had guarded the frontier and, due to an accident a few years ago, both husband and wife died on the battlefield, leaving behind only the brothers Chen Ting and Chen Hao.
Strangely enough, Chen Ting was twenty-eight this year, while the little one, Chen Hao, was only six. The age gap was so large that Chen Ting could practically have fathered his younger brother himself.
Although an elder brother was like a father, Chen Ting had followed his parents to the battlefield in his teens and rarely returned to the Duke’s residence. The Xuanji Courtyard had long stood empty. Chen Hao had basically been raised at the side of the main branch’s aunt.
Now that the elder brother had taken a wife, the younger brother would naturally return to the Xuanji Courtyard to be raised there.
As for the main branch currently in charge of the Duke’s residence—the Duke of Rong and the Duchess—there were quite a few children under them. However, the duchess had only one legitimate daughter, named Chen Zhi, who was seventeen this year. The children born to the various concubines, legitimate or otherwise, totaled seven or eight.
Chen Ting thought for a moment and told her about the elders’ temperaments. “Grandmother is advanced in years and prefers quiet. From time to time she goes to the Stone Sutra Temple for meditation and enjoys studying Buddhist scriptures. Aunt is straightforward and strong-willed. Uncle is gentle and fond of smiling, with a very good temper—he rarely gets angry.”
Shen Wangshu had a general understanding at once. When Chen Ting said the duchess was straightforward and strong-willed, it meant she might not speak pleasantly. The Duke of Rong loved to smile and was not easily angered, but when he did get angry, it would not be easy to deal with—likely a smiling tiger.
Still, one could only know for sure after contact. The Duke’s residence seemed to have only these three main figures at the top, but she would likely have many dealings with them in the future.
There was also the second branch’s only son, born to the couple in middle age. She did not know his temperament yet, but judging from the gossip Taohong had heard, he was a mischievous little tyrant who would also be raised by her side in the future.
Before long, they arrived at Jingsi Hall.
In front of the hall, Chen Ting took the initiative to grasp Shen Wangshu’s hand. The cold metal of his armor brushed against her palm. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes before she quickly lowered them, obediently letting him lead her inside.
The old matriarch sat in the seat of honor, dressed in plain brocade. Her silver hair was neatly arranged, and her aged eyes were bright and profound, showing none of the cloudiness of old age. Seeing the couple enter hand in hand, a trace of affection appeared in her gaze.
Below her sat a middle-aged couple who must be the main branch. Beside the richly dressed duchess, adorned with jeweled hairpins and kingfisher ornaments, stood a handsome young boy with fair skin and lively black eyes darting around. When he saw Chen Ting enter, he happily ran over. “Big Brother!”
Chen Ting stopped the rash boy with a look. “Address people properly.”
Chen Hao obediently looked at Shen Wangshu. “Sister-in-law.”
Shen Wangshu smiled and nodded at him, then followed Chen Ting to greet the old matriarch. “Greetings to Grandmother.”
The old matriarch smiled at her grandson and granddaughter-in-law. “Good, good child. Come closer and let Grandmother take a proper look at you.”
The original owner of the body had been a proper young lady from the capital. Her temperament was gentle and her manners impeccable, with nothing to criticize. Her clear, autumn-water eyes were pure and well-behaved, and the old matriarch took a liking to her at first glance.
Shen Wangshu herself had grown up dealing with a crowd of aunts and relatives, so she handled elders with ease. She generously let the old matriarch look her over, and with a few sweet words, made her laugh with delight.
After greeting the old matriarch, they could not neglect the two elders of the main branch. It was their first meeting, and everyone remained fairly cordial. Although Shen Wangshu heard the duchess—who smiled without warmth—privately sneering about Chen Ting storming out the night before, she did not voice it aloud, leaving Shen Wangshu some dignity.
Outwardly silent, inwardly disdainful.
“A girl from a small household really doesn’t understand the rules. On the very first night of marriage she angered her husband—how does she expect to establish herself in this Duke’s residence?”
“She’s only got a bit of looks… Her manners are passable, but her background is still far too low.”
“Hao will be raised by her from now on. With such a soft temperament, how will she keep that little demon in check? She’ll probably end up crying and sending him back.”
“Sigh, why couldn’t Hao be my own? I’ve kept him by my side for so long—sending him away now, I actually feel a bit reluctant.”
The duchess’s thoughts filled the room. Indeed, she lived up to Chen Ting’s description of being “straightforward.” If the two had not entered hand in hand earlier, her contempt would probably have been spoken aloud.
Fortunately, Shen Wangshu had no parents-in-law in the second branch. Presumably, she would not have too much interaction with the main branch on ordinary days. As long as she pleased the old matriarch, it would be fine.
With Chen Ting’s standing, Shen Wangshu respectfully served tea to the elders and received a pile of jeweled ornaments in return. The atmosphere was fairly harmonious.
Afterward, the main branch couple left first. The old matriarch kept them for breakfast, and since Chen Hao would be returning to the Xuanji Courtyard, he stayed as well.
“How long will you stay before returning to the military camp this time?” the old matriarch asked.
Moyun City was the largest city in the north of the Great Zhou. Further north lay several small border towns along the frontier, where the Zhen State General’s army was stationed. In peacetime, Chen Ting returned to the Duke’s residence; once war broke out, he could assemble and depart at the fastest speed.
In recent years, the continent had been unstable. The old emperor was debauched, natural disasters were frequent, and the Great Zhou no longer possessed its former strength. The Northern Barbarians and nomadic tribes were stirring, while other great powers lay in wait, ready to take advantage once the Great Zhou weakened…
Chen Ting’s last return had been half a year ago. The old matriarch pitied her grandson for wasting his youth in endless battles. Even after learning that the Xiahou residence had secretly swapped the bride, her helplessness outweighed her anger. She could see clearly the ill intentions behind the emperor’s repeated marriage decrees. Now, she only hoped her grandson would not end his days alone.
If there were someone close at his side to anchor him—no matter her background or origin—someone who could keep him thinking of home and no longer rushing to the battlefield with a readiness to die, the old matriarch would be at ease.
Chen Ting replied, “The Northern Barbarians were just driven back and lost two cities in succession. There shouldn’t be much movement in the near future. I’ve left Chen Wei there to keep watch and report immediately if anything happens. Grandmother, please rest assured.”
The old matriarch smiled. “What is there for Grandmother to worry about? It’s just that you’ve only just married, and before you’ve even spent a few warm days with Niannian, you’re already about to leave again.”
Chen Ting thought of how he had left her alone in the bridal chamber the night before and did not know how to answer. Turning his head, he saw the beauty’s cheeks flush pink as she said shyly, “Grandmother, my husband’s duties are more important.”
Chen Ting felt vexed. She had rejected him so decisively last night—how had she managed today to put on an air as if there were something improper between them?