My Stepmother is Soft and Charming

Chapter 21 Gossip

 Although there was news coming in from time to time saying that everything was fine with the two elders, she was always worried about him.

“It would be great if I could stay at my parents’ house for a few more days, and I could be filial to my parents for two days.”

 Her words were filled with sadness, but she also knew that this was impossible.

 When a married woman goes back to her parents' home, it usually happens when something big happens. But as soon as her husband comes back, she goes to her parents' home for a short stay. It's strange that people outside don't think much about it.

“Forget it, let’s not talk about it. If we have this little free time, we might as well think about daddy’s birthday gift this year.”

 October 28th.

 It’s only been a few days.

 When Du Jingyi mentioned this, Yingying and Lizhu also put down what they were doing and came over.

"I think the young lady might as well give you eighteen piglets made of pure gold. The master will definitely like it."

　　It was Li Zhu who suggested this, and Cherry beside him couldn't help but smile.

“Li Zhu, how many years have you been using this idea and you still haven’t given up?”

“What I said is true! It’s just that the young lady didn’t follow her instructions. Otherwise, the master would definitely be happy.”

Hearing what she said, Du Jingyi and Yingtao also laughed out loud, which diluted a lot of the sadness and sadness they had just felt.

The master and the servants were chattering about the birthday gift for a long time.

The days passed peacefully, just like before.

 The next day, the sky was bright and clear with clouds and shadows.

Du Jingyi got up early, and his genius was a little brighter, so he called Yingying and Lizhu to wait on him.

Since I am going back home today, I naturally have to dress more festively.

 Not to mention other things, the most important thing is the one that complements the skin color.

 Let the parents of the Du family feel at ease and feel that their daughter will not be wronged when she marries into the Duke's palace.

So, I put it on specially, with a red floral placket on a white ground and a pleated skirt. It looked like wintersweet with snow and frost in winter, showing agility.

Li Zhu also carefully decorated her hair with some beads, adding a lot of wealth and aura.

 Looking left and right at the diamond-shaped bronze mirror, Du Jingyi said after feeling that it looked good.

 “Go and see if the general is up? If he is, invite him over for breakfast.”

"yes."

 It was rare for Li Zhu to hear the young lady actively inviting the general to come in, so naturally she was more excited and hurried out to the study.

 After a while, Shang Ji was invited over.

Du Jingyi was slightly startled when he saw that he was wearing a sapphire satin round-neck robe.

I have to say that after dressing up like this, he doesn't look like a 30-year-old general. He looks more like those weak-headed young men in Sui'an City.

 She took a step forward, followed the rules, and said to Shang Ji.

 “I have met the general.”

 “Well, get up.”

 “Thank you, General.”

 “Sit down, we’ve eaten earlier and we’ll go out earlier.”

"good."

 The two of them were sitting side by side on a rosewood Eight Immortals table outside the dormitory.

 After a while, the maids filed in and brought today's breakfast.

 There are shredded chicken noodles, crystal steamed dumplings, cooking cakes, and a small bowl of jasper soup.

 Among them, the jade soup was prepared according to Du Jingyi's preference. As for the others, you can tell just by looking at the portion that they were prepared for Shang Ji.

Neither the couple opened their mouths while eating, but tasted the food carefully.

Shang Ji had to admit that the cooking skills of the cooks in this small kitchen were getting better and better.　　　　It is just an ordinary cooking cake, but the ones made here are much more exquisite and delicious than those made in the military camp.

So, after quickly using up three of them, he said to Aunt Dou who was standing next to her.

“Has the cook changed? I remember she wasn’t that good at cooking before.”

 Mother Dou smiled, immediately looked at Du Jingyi aside, and explained.

“The person in charge of the small kitchen now is Dan Ruo, who is the dowry maid brought by the young lady from her natal family. Her skills are indeed much better than those of the original cooks in our house.”

When Shang Ji heard this, he said "oh".

No wonder, just looking at the furnishings in this room, you can see that his wife is someone who enjoys herself.

Therefore, it is not surprising that we brought this excellent cook.

So, he raised his voice and said to Du Jingyi.

“When I get to the General’s Mansion, I will ask someone to expand the kitchen, and find a few more modest cooks to learn from me. The table will look better in the future.”

 “Yes, I know.”

Even so, Du Jingyi still ventriloquised.

Danruo's craftsmanship was developed by traveling with the Du family and integrating the tastes of many places. It is not so easy to learn.

However, Shang Ji’s reminder is reasonable.

 After moving to a new home and sorting out all the affairs in the house, it is inevitable to invite people back to the dinner table to make it lively.

 So she had to prepare first and find a few capable women to accompany her to the housekeeper.

After eating, the couple went out together.

 The chariots and horses at the entrance are not those from the Duke's palace, but the general's chariots and horses given by the emperor.

 Four horses with shiny coats stood neatly in front of the cart, and the frame of the cart was spacious enough to seat seven or eight people.

Although Du Jingyi has seen a lot of the world, he was still a little surprised when he saw this majestic and high-spirited chariot and horse.

 However, this surprise passed in a flash and quickly disappeared from her eyes.

After the couple got on the carriage and sat down, Shang Ji said something to the outside.

 “Let’s go.”

 “Yes, General.”

 On both sides of the carriage and horses stood the four maids brought by Du Jingyi and Mama Cai.

Their faces are surprisingly good, and they all smile brightly.

 And behind the chariot and horse driver was a group of Shang Ji's personal guards, about twenty people.

Behind them were the carriages carrying the door-returning ceremony. There were twenty vehicles in a long line.

Such a grand ceremony marched all the way from Shang Guogong's mansion to the door of Du's house.

Many people who didn't know what was going on gathered around to watch, and some who had a good memory began to whisper.

“Zizhi, let me tell you, this Miss Du family is lucky. Otherwise, the young man has been married four times, so she is so lucky to have returned home!”

"Who says it's not the case? Now she is the young lady of the Duke's mansion and the general's wife. Look at this kind of ostentation. What's the point of not giving her a lot of face? It seems that this young lady is very favored!"

"Hahaha, why are you jealous? Do you want to use some money to send your daughter to the Duke's mansion to be a good concubine? I don't know, you can also get some good things."

 “Bah, bah, bah, you’re just a little girl.”

A few people were gossiping, and their voices were not too loud.

But Shang Ji has been in the army for so many years, so his ears are naturally extraordinary.

When he heard these words, he frowned slightly. He closed his eyes to rest, but soon opened his eyes.

 But seeing the calm look on the lady sitting next to him, he relaxed.

 Although his reputation as a wife-suppressant was spread by Mrs. Wei, he did not have much confidence in his heart. Therefore, Shang Ji was not stingy in giving her the best he could within his ability.

 (End of this chapter)