His wife truly no longer loves him.
Du Yu didn't know how to persuade Zhen Shu, so when she was about to leave, he asked again, "Then what can I do to make you fall in love with me again?"
Instead of getting angry, Zhen Shu laughed and glanced at Du Yu, saying, "Did I ever love you?"
Du Yu said, "Yes, you even bowed to heaven and earth with me, and..."
Zhenshu said, "Yes, I slept with you, but that doesn't mean I love you or want to marry you."
Du Yu was heartbroken, feeling as if the sky above him was about to collapse. He stood there panting for a long time, and when he came to his senses, Zhen Shu was nowhere to be seen. He walked forward dejectedly, and ended up standing against the wall opposite the mounting shop, staring blankly at the counter.
Zhenshu didn't ask the apprentices for help; instead, she fiercely carried the door panels over and installed them one by one. Seeing her carrying such heavy panels, Du Yu rushed over to help, but Zhenshu glared at him, preventing him from approaching. Standing before her, he asked again, "Is the person you love Yu Yichen?"
"Who told you that?" Zhenshu suddenly became angry and slammed the door panel onto Du Yu.
Du Yu hurriedly steadied himself against the door and stammered, "I've only heard about it."
Zhen Shu sneered, "I didn't expect you to be not only a liar, a robber, and a thief, but also a gossip who loves to pry into such low-class things."
Hearing that she seemed even angrier than before, Du Yu quickly tried to appease her, saying, "I don't believe it. He's a eunuch, why would you want to marry him?"
Zhenshu became even angrier upon hearing this: "What's wrong with eunuchs? Aren't eunuchs human beings?"
Du Yu went into the shop and helped her close the last door panel, plunging the shop into darkness. Zhen Shu was right behind him, her chest heaving slightly with anger. Du Yu had thought countless times of that night in the thatched hut in the woods, the two of them embracing on the bed, but this time was different, because she was standing right behind him; he could hear her breathing and hear every tremor of her body. He turned around with difficulty and mumbled incoherently, "They're people, but only those lonely palace maids would think of marrying them, just to find something to play with."
This is indeed the case. Eunuchs and palace maids secretly formed marriages, which was strictly forbidden by palace rules, but it was repeatedly prohibited but still occurred.
The more he said that, the more she felt sorry for Yu Yichen. Seeing the young, strong, and energetic Du Yu, she felt even more pity for that thin, destitute man. Zhen Shu was extremely sad. Leaning against the door, she shook her head and said, "What you heard is probably still a rumor from a year ago. I am going to get married, but that person is not him."
After speaking, she went from the inner room to the courtyard and then to the kitchen. Du Yu followed her in and saw a fish head and a fish body hanging in the courtyard, which looked almost dried. He asked Granny Wang, "Is this for air-drying fish?"
Seeing that the man was unfamiliar, Madam Wang glanced at Zhen Shu in the kitchen before saying, "The young shopkeeper threw it away to feed the stray dogs on the way. I felt it was a pity, so I picked it up and pickled it. I'll give it to the beggar outside the door another day."
Du Yu felt a chill run down his spine. He saw Zhen Shu chopping firewood with an axe under the stove in the kitchen. Some branches, as thick as a wrist, snapped in two when she stepped on them. He gently knocked on the door and said, "I'll come again tomorrow."
Zhenshu raised her axe, gritted her teeth, and chopped at a log, saying, "Get lost!"
Du Yu groped his way out of the small building, stood on the door and looked up for a long time. He then laughed for a long time, recalling how Zhen Shu had been panting behind him. Finally, he shook his head and hummed a little tune as he went back to Tianfu.
From then on, he continued to squat outside the mounting shop every day, which even annoyed Zhao He. The apprentices were even worse; one would throw a basin of water at him, and another would keep sweeping dirt off him with a brush. But Du Yu was not one to be easily defeated. When water was thrown at him, he would only cover his face with his clothes, and when dirt was swept at him, he would simply lift his feet and continue to squat in the corner.
That day, he noticed that Zhenshu hadn't come out for a long time, and he couldn't find her anywhere near the small door. He wondered what she was doing inside and didn't dare to go in rashly. He was squatting down with his head down, feeling sullen, when Huang Zijing ran over and said, "Eldest brother, your father sent someone to Yingtian Prefecture to look for you."
Du Yu frowned and asked, "What does he want with me?"
Huang Zijing said, "It's a message from Prefect Wang, saying it's extremely urgent and you need to go to the palace immediately."
Du Yu straightened up, patted the dirt off his face, and instructed Huang Zijing, "Yesterday, Miss Song spent the whole day shopping, but today she hasn't made a sound at home. I'm afraid she's trying to avoid me and might leave. Please keep watch for me, and if she tries to leave, please remember to tell me."
Huang Zijing agreed and took over from Du Yu, squatting by the wall to keep watch.
Du Yu took the horse Huang Zijing had brought, mounted it, and headed alone towards the palace. Upon reaching the Donghua Gate, he saw his father, Duke Du Wu, standing there in his official robes and turban, surrounded by a group of military officers. Du Yu stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Father."
The military officers behind Du Wu also clasped their hands in salute. Du Yu looked around and saw his father, Du Wu, looking at him with disdain: "Why are your clothes so dirty? Doesn't Yingtian Prefecture have any laundry servants?"
Du Yu dusted himself off, kicking up a cloud of dust. Du Wu frowned and waited until the dust settled before saying, "Do you know what to do when we enter the palace later?"
Du Yu shook his head: "I don't know."
The military officers stopped and waited behind them. Du Wu turned and led Du Yu into the Donghua Gate, the two walking side by side. Du Wu continued, "The situation is still not ideal. Although the ministers have argued against it many times, he is only willing to give you the title of Deputy Inspector. You will still have to work under Yu Yichen. Yu Yichen is ruthless and vicious. You must not only hinder him, but also do your job well so that I can help you get a higher position in the future. Do you understand?"
Du Yu asked, "How did you persuade the emperor?"
Du Wu sneered: "No need to persuade them. As long as I don't send troops, they will naturally obey me."
Du Yu stopped and stared at Du Wu, saying, "Father, although you hold military power, it would be dishonorable to use it to coerce the monarch of this country when the enemy launches an attack."
Du Wu stared at Du Yu and asked, enunciating each word clearly, "Then what should I do? Kill the Yi enemies and then come back to be killed by that eunuch Yu Yichen?"
Du Yu also stared intently at Du Wu, pointing sharply at the blue bricks on the ground and saying slowly and deliberately, "To invite external enemies to quell internal troubles is the most foolish thing in the world. You are one, and so is Yu Yichen."
The father and son were so stubborn that they couldn't be separated. The few eunuchs following behind them were a little scared and shook off Fu Chen, saying, "Governor, Young Master Du, His Majesty has been waiting for a long time."
People say that the student surpasses the teacher. Between father and son, it was Du Wu who first withdrew his gaze, flicked his sleeves, and walked ahead, while Du Yu followed with a swing of his arms. The two entered the west hall of the Chui Gong Hall, where the emperor sat behind a small table on the west side, with Yu Yichen holding a whisk and standing beside him in a red-robed, black-trimmed eunuch's robe.
After the eunuch outside announced the order, Du Wu and Du Yu knelt down at the same time and shouted loudly, "May Your Majesty be well!"
Yu Yichen said, "Rise."
The two then stood up. Emperor Li Xuzhe, who was the same age as Yu Yichen, now looked prematurely aged with drooping eye bags and thinning hair. He personally rose and offered Du Wu a seat, then beckoned Du Yu over, and said gently, "Last time you were new to the place, so I didn't ask too many questions in person. Are you getting used to living in the capital?"
Du Yu nodded and said, "I'm used to it."
Li Xuzhe looked up at Yu Yichen and smiled, "You are still young, but I am old."
They were not far apart in age and often met in the palace when they were young. However, Li Xuzhe always had Yu Yichen with him, while Du Yu followed behind Prince Ping, Li Xucheng, like a dog's tail.
☆、100
Li Xuzhe tapped the table, glanced at Yu Yichen, and then said with a wry smile, "Ever since you returned to the capital to serve the emperor, I have wanted to reward you with a good position. However, the censors always use the old stories to silence me, and I have no choice. Now Yichen is short of a deputy inspector, and I have weighed various factors and suppressed everyone to put you in this position. You must do your best to work with him."
Du Yu knelt down and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Li Xuzhe gestured for Du Yu to get up, then asked Du Wu, "Where is the Jiedushi's army now?"
Du Wu stood up and bowed, saying, "The reinforcements will arrive in Datong Prefecture tomorrow."
Li Xuzhe glanced at Yu Yichen subconsciously before saying, "That's good."
Du Yu looked around the room. He hadn't been here for about five or six years. Back then, Emperor Chengfeng was sitting behind this desk. It was the same table and the same chair. Although the gold and silver dragons were adorned with dancing claws, they were quite old. Some of the dents and scratches were clearly visible. Even the carpet and curtains seemed to have never been replaced.
Li Xuzhe's reign as emperor was actually quite frustrating. His father was a wise ruler, and the ministers he employed were all shrewd and capable. Once he ascended the throne, even the slightest misstep was seen as unbecoming of a wise ruler; even changing the blankets was a luxury and a waste. To avoid being criticized by those old fogies, he had to be a good son, but an obedient son was certainly not a good emperor. Perhaps he wanted to rebel, but he had no one of his own in the court and could only turn to a crippled eunuch for help, for the eunuch was his childhood friend and perhaps the only person in the entire Dali Kingdom he could truly rely on.
Thinking of this, Du Yu smiled slightly: Poor emperor.
He suddenly remembered that Huang Zijing had said that Song Zhenshu was clamoring to marry Yu Yichen, a fact known to everyone in the capital. So he glanced sideways at Yu Yichen again. What he saw almost made him faint with anger.
It turns out that Yu Yichen and Li Xuzhe are the same age, both over twenty-seven years old now, while he is a year younger than Prince Ping, Li Xucheng, who is only twenty-three. Yu Yichen is four years older than him, yet he still looks as handsome as a young boy, while he himself looks older.
Furthermore, Yu Yichen possesses a beautiful face and red lips, a slender figure, and despite being physically disabled, his appearance and demeanor surpass even the most stunning women. Such a beauty would likely inspire admiration in both men and women. If Song Zhenshu were to fall in love with him because of his looks, it would be understandable.
Seeing his son Du Yu's eyes darting around before finally settling on Yu Yichen and staring at him adoringly, almost drooling, Du Wu gave a heavy snort. Only then did Du Yu snap out of his daze. Du Wu assumed that Du Yu, like some other ministers with peculiar tastes, had fallen for Yu Yichen. He glared at Du Yu fiercely before leading Du Yu to bow and say, "We take our leave."
This time, Yu Yichen personally escorted him out of the Chuigong Hall, stopping on the steps and bowing, saying, "Please take care, Duke!"
The father and son continued walking towards Donghua Gate, Du Wu with his hands behind his back in front, and Du Yu with his shoulders down behind. Suddenly, Du Wu turned around and asked, "Why haven't you gone home yet?"
Du Yu said, "Yingtian Prefecture has public housing, which is very convenient to live in."
Du Wu snorted heavily again and asked, "When is your wedding date with Miss Mingluan set? You need to tell me the exact date before I can send someone to make the arrangements."
Du Yu said, "I told Dou Mingluan a few days ago that our marriage is off."
Du Wu was so angry he was practically fuming. He said incredulously, "What? It's over? Although the Marquis of Beishun's mansion has suffered a calamity, Mingluan is a good girl who has waited for you for three years. How can you abandon her and choose someone else?"
Du Yu said, "I have been married before, and my wife is now in the capital. How can I abandon my wife and marry again?"
Du Wu sneered, "The poor woman you married in Liangzhou? Don't even think about it."
Fearing that Du Wu would not agree, Du Yu deliberately fabricated Zhen Shu's background, saying that she was the daughter of a wealthy family in Liangzhou. However, Liangzhou was a harsh and cold place, so there were no wealthy families there. Therefore, Du Wu still regarded her as a girl from a poor family.
Du Wu frowned for a long time before saying, "Didn't you say that woman was dead? How come you're saying she's in the capital?"
Du Yu recalled Zhen Shu's furious appearance, and of course dared not tell his father Du Wu the truth that he had tricked and raped Song Gongzheng's granddaughter. He racked his brains to make up a lie: "Who knew that she had escaped from the Tartars and ended up in the capital, where she happened to run into me."
Du Wu knew his son had been lying since childhood, so he didn't completely believe him. He glanced at him coldly and said, "As long as I'm alive, Miss Mingluan will be my daughter-in-law. I will not acknowledge any other woman."
Yan strode out.
Du Yu caught up with her in a few steps and said, "Why don't we let Heng'er marry her? People say that marrying a woman three years older is like marrying a gold brick, and Miss Mingluan is older than Heng'er..."
He calculated for a moment and then said softly, "Thirteen years old."
Du Heng is Yang's youngest son, born in place of Du Wu, and is five years old this year.
Fearing he would be driven to his death by anger if he continued walking with his eldest son, Du Wu left through the Donghua Gate without a word, leading his entourage of generals away. Du Yu, upon exiting the Donghua Gate, saw his skinny horse being led by a young eunuch. He thanked the eunuch and, pulling on the reins, continued towards the East Market.
When Huang Zijing saw him arrive, he gestured from afar and said, "The mounter just went out to hire a carriage, and Miss Zhenshu went out later to buy things, mostly snacks, pastries, and other miscellaneous items. It looks like she's going on a long trip."
It was already late, so it was unlikely she had gone out today. Du Yu felt anxious and flustered. After thinking for a while, he said, "She certainly didn't go out tonight. The city gates will be closed after dark; where could she go? I'm afraid she's planning to open the city gates at dawn tomorrow and sneak away before we arrive. What should we do?"
Huang Zijing said, "How about we stay here and keep watch tonight?"
Du Yu sighed and shook his head, saying, "I have to report to the Inspectorate first thing tomorrow morning. Yu Yichen is keeping an eye on me."
Huang Zijing said, "How about I keep an eye on her here for you? If she wants to leave, I'll send someone to inform you?"
Du Yu patted Huang Zijing on the shoulder and said, "My wife is definitely not leaving tonight. Let's find a place to have some drinks and get a good night's sleep. I'll trouble you to keep watch for me tomorrow morning. I'll come to relieve you as soon as I finish reporting to the Censorate. If she wants to leave, you must send someone to inform me quickly, no matter when or where."
Huang Zijing nodded in agreement, and the two walked away arm in arm.
Zhen Shu was on the second floor of the mounting shop, arranging things to bring to Zhen Yuan with Zhen Yi. Zhen Yi tiptoed and watched Du Yu leave before saying, "Second sister, that official has left."
For some reason, Zhenshu felt as if a mountain had been lifted from her shoulders upon hearing these words. She also glanced out the window and, seeing that Du Yu was indeed not by the opposite wall, let out a long sigh and sat down in a chair, too exhausted to utter a single word. Zhenyi asked curiously, "He was dressed in a ceremonial robe and looked like a government official, but he acted like a rogue. If he really intended to marry Second Sister, he should have asked a matchmaker to propose."
Zhenshu stood up and patted Zhenyi on the forehead, saying, "You're right. You're gradually becoming the most upright one in our family. That's good. At least it sets a good example for the second branch of the Song family."
Zhenyi snorted, "You all talk like you're so despicable. If you know you're wrong, why did you insist on marrying that eunuch in the first place?"
Zhenshu is increasingly afraid of people mentioning the word "eunuch," as if Yu Yichen won't be hurt as long as people don't mention it. She was stunned for a long time before muttering to herself, "I just had a fit of madness."
Zhenyi sat down next to Zhenshu and sighed like a lovesick girl, "But he is indeed handsome enough to make my heart flutter. If only he were a marquis or a prince."
Her biggest wish when she was a child was to marry a handsome and charming young prince who was fifteen or sixteen years old. But now she has taken a fancy to a young apprentice who works at a counter.
Zhao He booked a carriage and went upstairs. He saw that Zhen Shu and Zhen Yi had already packed and arranged the bundles, which they carried down to the shop themselves. Only then did he ask Zhen Shu, "What time will we leave tomorrow morning?"
Zhenshu said, "The earlier the better. At what time do the city gates open?"
Zhao He said, "The city gates will open at dawn, but that's too early. The hired driver will probably not arrive until daybreak."
Seeing Zhenshu frown, he knew she wanted to get rid of the minor official outside, so he advised her again: "He hasn't done anything wrong, he's just guarding there. He'll leave when the novelty wears off. If you deliberately avoid him like this, he'll only find it more interesting and won't let go. I understand the feelings of young men better than you do, so don't worry about it anymore."
Zhenshu nodded and smiled, and she and Zhenyi went back to the small building in the backyard to sleep.
The next morning, Du Yu got up early and paced anxiously around the room. He saw Prefect Wang personally carrying the Deputy Inspector's official robes, gold fish belt, and sword, accompanied by Mr. Wei and several yamen runners. Prefect Wang had been severely beaten by him last time, and one of his eyes was still bruised. However, although his wife was ill, she was fierce, and her brothers were all shrewish husbands. So, apart from Mr. Wei, everyone assumed that he had been beaten by his wife and brothers.
He presented the official robes to Du Yu and said with a forced smile, "Inspector Du, Inspector Yu sent a message last night, asking you to report to the Censorate this morning. He will come to you immediately after court to discuss official business."
Yu Yichen is the Grand Eunuch, and he is required to attend the Emperor's morning court sessions.
Du Yu hastily put on his official robes and said, "Just call me Deputy Inspector. Inspector is Yu Yichen. If you keep calling him that, I'm afraid you'll lose your job."
Prefect Wang hurriedly replied, "It's just a private matter. In my heart, Young Master Du is the Inspector."