Several hundred li east of the Imperial Capital lay another grand metropolis: the Eastern Capital! This was rather in keeping with the ancient tradition of Huaxia's feudal eras, where twin capitals often stood. Merely hearing its name, however, Wei Tingyu felt a faint premonition stirring in his heart: great events were likely to unfold within this Eastern Capital!
As the carriage of the Jining Marquisate rolled through the towering city gates of the Eastern Capital, both ladies eagerly lifted the window curtains, their gazes sweeping over the sights outside. Wei Tingyu's eyes, naturally, were not idle either. He was surprised to find that the splendor and bustle of this Eastern Capital were in no way inferior to those of the Imperial Capital! Indeed, perhaps due to its distance from the heart of political power, commerce here enjoyed a greater degree of freedom and exuberance, resulting in a remarkably flourishing trade.
Moreover, being an ancient capital left behind by a former dynasty, the architecture within the Eastern Capital bore distinct stylistic differences from that of the Imperial Capital. Pedestrians hurried along the streets, their attire even retaining certain customs of the preceding era.
Tang Dynasty style! Wei Tingyu mused with a slight quirk of his lips. So, this truly is an integrated world of historical television dramas! Well, that's alright by me. It certainly makes things more interesting!
"Impressive! It truly lives up to the name of Eastern Capital!" Observing the teeming, bustling crowds before him, Wei Tingyu couldn't help but utter a word of commendation.
"My Lord Marquis, have you never visited the Eastern Capital before?" Dou Zhao let the window curtain fall back into place and turned to ask Wei Tingyu directly.
"Never before," Wei Tingyu replied with a smile. In the past, he thought, these young lords and heirs of ducal and marquis households would, at most, venture into the immediate suburbs of the Imperial Capital for their 'travels and scenic excursions.' How could they possibly journey hundreds of li to a place like the Eastern Capital?
Upon hearing Wei Tingyu's admission, Dou Zhao and Miao Ansu exchanged a look, a spark of delighted excitement igniting in their eyes. It seemed that, in at least one aspect, they had finally surpassed their Lord Marquis: they had visited far more places than he! Both having been involved in commerce from a young age, they had, of course, frequented a major economic hub like the Eastern Capital on numerous occasions.
"If you've never been, it matters not! This concubine shall accompany My Lord Marquis on a thorough tour of the city, so you may experience its local customs and traditions, so distinct from those of the Imperial Capital!" Zhao Zhangru, who was riding alongside the carriage, promptly chimed in. Though outside, her sharp little ears were diligently tuned to every sound from within.
Dou Zhao's grandmother's estate was situated in the outskirts of the Eastern Capital. Having completed their inspection there, they were now taking a detour to explore the city itself.
"The beauties of this Eastern Capital are entirely different from those in the Imperial Capital!" Miao Ansu remarked at this point, her eyes glinting mischievously as she spoke in a low voice. "I fear My Lord Marquis will have his eyes so dazzled that he'll end up adding a few more 'sisters' to our shared household!"
"The Marquis's Manor is certainly spacious enough; it's not as if we cannot afford to support them!" Dou Zhao, nowadays, was rather unconcerned about the matter of her husband taking more concubines. After all, with her deeply beloved Marquis and her closest confidantes constantly by her side, she truly desired nothing more. And, of course, her Lord Marquis was also wonderfully supportive of her most cherished pursuit: commerce!
To be honest, this left her with little energy to manage the intricate affairs of the Marquis's Manor. Miao Ansu was much like herself, with a passion for business; she too would likely not be able to oversee many of the household matters. As for Zhao Zhangru, she was inherently unsuited to be a matriarch. If she were put in charge of housekeeping, it would undoubtedly lead to utter chaos and turn the rear court into a pandemonium! Therefore, if Wei Tingyu were indeed to take more concubines, Dou Zhao felt it would be best to find a well-educated and capable woman who could manage the rear court and assist her. Of course, with Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru currently by her side, she harbored no fear of being overshadowed or undermined by any newcomer...
"Why is it, my dear wife, that every time you open your mouth these days, it is to suggest finding more concubines for your husband?" Wei Tingyu was rather perplexed by Dou Zhao's words. Could it be that this woman harbors no genuine affection for me in her heart? If that's the case, then I might truly have cause for jealousy! Besides, he mused, my Jining Marquis's Manor is not a place just anyone can casually enter! At the very minimum, they would have to be prominent female protagonists from major film and television dramas, or at least their exceptionally brilliant supporting female characters...
Just as Wei Tingyu was lost in these thoughts, Zhao Zhangru's excited shouts came from outside the carriage.
"Madam! Susu!" Her voice had become quite shrill with exhilaration. "Fuyun Guan is just up ahead!"
"That's right! Fuyun Guan!" Upon hearing this, Dou Zhao and Miao Ansu, who had been comfortably leaning against Wei Tingyu, abruptly straightened up, their expressions mirroring Zhao Zhangru's excitement.
"The last time we visited was three whole years ago! We can finally fulfill our vows!" Miao Ansu exclaimed, clapping her hands together with genuine delight.
"Mm!" Dou Zhao nodded enthusiastically. "Excellent! Apart from fulfilling our old vows, we can also offer new prayers to the Three Pure Ones..." She trailed off, casting a somewhat bashful glance at Wei Tingyu. Miao Ansu, however, instantly understood her meaning, and her own small face turned a becoming shade of crimson.
"Fuyun Guan?" Wei Tingyu blinked upon hearing the name. This Taoist temple... why did it sound vaguely familiar? He felt as if he had heard of it somewhere before. However, he had watched an overwhelming number of historical dramas, filled with countless temples and monasteries; pinpointing which specific show might have featured it... he couldn't quite recall at the moment.
"My Lord Marquis, you may not be aware, but this Fuyun Guan is an exceptionally renowned Taoist temple here in the Eastern Capital! It's said to be incredibly efficacious!" Zhao Zhangru explained from outside. "The last time, the three of us came here together and prayed in the temple, wishing that we would never be separated, and as a result..."
Zhao Zhangru didn't complete her sentence, but Wei Tingyu understood perfectly. So, these three young women attributed their simultaneous entry into his Marquis's Manor to the divine protection of the Three Pure Ones at Fuyun Guan! Strictly speaking, their belief wasn't entirely unfounded, for their wish had indeed been granted!
One had to understand that for women of this era, no matter how close their childhood bonds, the desire to remain together for a lifetime was an exceedingly difficult dream to realize. After all, once married, they would be scattered to different households, often separated by vast distances, potentially never to meet again in their entire lives! Yet, these three women had been fortunate enough to enter his Marquis's Manor together, ensuring they could indeed remain by each other's sides for all their days. Considering this, Fuyun Guan did seem to possess a certain mystique!
...
"O, Three Pure Ones on High! Bless the Jining Marquisate with generations of wealth and prosperity, may its lineage flourish long and far!"
"O, Three Pure Ones on High! Bless the Lord Marquis with a smooth and successful official career, may his grand ambitions be realized!"
"O, Three Pure Ones on High! Bless Grandmother with robust health and a life of a hundred years!"
Watching the three women kneeling in a neat row before the statues of the Three Pure Ones, their piety evident, Wei Tingyu felt a genuine warmth spread through his heart. He had to admit, these three wives of his were truly kind-hearted and understanding young women. He could not, under any circumstances, betray their sincere devotion and affection!
"O, Three Pure Ones on High! Please bestow your blessings for..." For their subsequent prayers, however, the three women fell silent, merely murmuring their pleas inwardly. This certainly piqued Wei Tingyu's curiosity. Observing their initially solemn expressions now tinged with a faint blush on their cheeks, he could roughly guess their intent.
They are likely praying for children, he surmised. After all, for women of ancient times who had truly given their hearts, the greatest aspiration was often to conceive a child swiftly, thereby solidifying their position within the family and strengthening the bond with their husband. But is praying to the Three Pure Ones truly effective for such matters? Wei Tingyu mused with amusement. With the time spent doing this, wouldn't it be more productive to... entreat Marquis Me to pay a few more visits to your chambers? Wouldn't that be more potent than any divine intervention?
Naturally, Wei Tingyu and his retinue also drew the occasional curious glances from other worshippers. Nearly everyone who entered would cast surprised looks in their direction, often lingering for an extra few seconds before departing. After all, this party of four distinguished individuals consisted of a strikingly handsome man and three exceptionally beautiful women! The sight of the three ladies kneeling side-by-side in prayer was particularly captivating. Moreover, their attire was in the fashion of the Imperial Capital. While not entirely uncommon in the Eastern Capital, the simultaneous appearance of three such noble ladies from the capital was a spectacle most had never witnessed.
And Wei Tingyu, the man accompanying them, became the focal point for the eyes of nearly every male worshipper present. These gazes were a mixture of envy, jealousy, and, of course, a measure of simmering resentment! After all, the high coiffures adorning the heads of Dou Zhao, Miao Ansu, and Zhao Zhangru clearly indicated their status as married women. And Wei Tingyu, being the sole male in their immediate company, was unmistakably their common husband! How could such a situation not incite bitter jealousy in the hearts of other men?
"Zhao'er! Susu! Ru'er!" Wei Tingyu, of course, paid no heed to these stares. Seeing that the three ladies had been kneeling for a considerable time, he stepped forward, intending to quietly bid them rise and depart.
However, before he could utter a word, Dou Zhao interrupted him.
"My Lord Marquis! When paying homage to deities and Daoist patriarchs, sincerity is of utmost importance! We intend to kneel here for a full shichen (two hours)! We entreat My Lord to perhaps take a stroll outside first."
Having spoken, Dou Zhao did not even turn her head to look at Wei Tingyu, but rather resumed her devout prayers with closed eyes.
A glance at Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru revealed them to be equally absorbed in their pious devotion. It was evident that the three women's declaration of wanting to fulfill their vows was not mere lip service; they were genuinely sincere! As for the proclivity of women in this era to seek divine blessings and worship deities, Wei Tingyu was certainly not so uncharitable as to forcibly pull them up and deliver a lecture on materialistic philosophy. He simply decided to let them find their own peace and contentment in their faith.
...
However, just as Wei Tingyu, genuinely feeling a bit bored, turned to wander outside, he suddenly saw three female figures entering through the main doorway. A servant girl and an elderly woman (a laomazi) were to be expected, but the woman walking between them made Wei Tingyu freeze on the spot.
She was attired in an elegant white Tang-style ceremonial dress. A faint, serene smile graced her smooth, oval-shaped cheeks, and her lightly powdered face possessed an ethereal, transcendent beauty! A high-piled coiffure added a touch of mature allure and grace befitting a young matron. Moreover, her gait was gentle and swaying as she slowly advanced, supported by the maid and the old woman, the hairpins and ornaments in her coiffure remaining perfectly steady despite her movement, showcasing her extraordinary poise and deportment!
This... this is He Weifang?!!!
Wei Tingyu nearly reached up to rub his eyes, wanting to ensure he wasn't seeing things! He confirmed it—he was not mistaken!!!
To think that being dragged to the Eastern Capital by his wife and concubines for a tour had actually yielded such a dividend! Hadn't the second great female protagonist just made her appearance?!
At that moment, He Weifang, who was just stepping inside, also sensed an intense, burning gaze fixed upon her. Her eyes flickered sideways instinctively, and her line of sight met Wei Tingyu's directly.
A man from the Imperial Capital? He Weifang was momentarily startled, and a ripple of displeasure went through her heart at his stare. Not knowing what Wei Tingyu was truly thinking, she assumed he was like any other man, instantly captivated by her beauty, thus exhibiting such an "uncouth eating posture" (a metaphor for a lecherous or greedy gaze).
However, in the very next second, she sensed something was amiss. She took in Wei Tingyu's attire, clearly that of a young nobleman from the Imperial Capital, and the sight of the three women kneeling devoutly in prayer behind him. Combining these factors, the intelligent He Weifang swiftly deduced that this young lord was likely some high-ranking dignitary from the Imperial Capital, visiting the Eastern Capital with three of his female family members. Yet, even with this understanding, Wei Tingyu's unwavering stare had already left an impression of him being somewhat profligate and unrestrained in He Weifang's mind!
Never mind that your three female companions are present; I am a married woman, yet you still fix your gaze upon me so directly?! What sort of nefarious designs are you harboring? Do you think I wouldn't discern them?!
However, since he was a noble scion, he would presumably not stoop to harassing a respectable woman within the sacred confines of Fuyun Guan. Moreover, he had three female companions currently engaged in prayer beside him. With this thought, He Weifang chose to pointedly ignore Wei Tingyu's gaze, lifting her head high like a proud swan as she gracefully proceeded, with the laomazi's assistance, to a prayer cushion further ahead. This position happened to be just to the right of Dou Zhao and the other two.
"Young Madam, you must remember this!" The laomazi, after assisting He Weifang to the cushion, did not immediately depart. Instead, she spoke in a tone that was less like a suggestion and more like a stern command: "You are to kneel for five full shichen (ten hours)! Pray with utmost sincerity! Burn incense and engage in quiet supplication! You are not to rise before the allotted time is complete!"
The moment the laomazi uttered these words, everyone present was stunned! Not only Wei Tingyu, but even Dou Zhao and the other two ladies involuntarily opened their eyes and turned to look at this newly arrived female worshipper. They saw He Weifang force a smile onto her otherwise impassive face and give a slight nod, though she offered no verbal reply. In the current atmosphere, anyone could perceive that this woman was indeed being compelled against her will!
This display of reluctant compliance only seemed to make the laomazi beside her even more smug! Her gaze upon He Weifang's face was now tinged with undisguised disdain and contempt!
Witnessing this scene, a blaze of indignation surged within the hearts of Dou Zhao and her two companions! Being happily married themselves, they found it particularly intolerable to see a daughter-in-law being so blatantly coerced and mistreated by her husband's family! To kneel for five full shichen? Was that not tantamount to a death sentence?! Wasn't this the husband's family overtly bullying their daughter-in-law?! And even a mere servant of the household dared to show such open contempt for her! Those few short sentences were enough for them to imagine the kind of abuse this "elder sister" must endure from her in-laws on a daily basis, the kind of life she led!
Zhao Zhangru, upon seeing this, could barely contain her fury. She was on the verge of leaping up to deliver a few resounding slaps to that old crone and teach her a harsh lesson. However, before Zhao Zhangru could spring into action, Dou Zhao's hand shot out and grasped her wrist, instantly quelling her explosive anger.
"Ultimately, it is their family's private matter; it's not appropriate for us to interfere," Dou Zhao murmured softly to Zhao Zhangru. Sighing inwardly, she then closed her eyes and resumed her prayers.
Zhao Zhangru, despite her fiery temper, also managed to cool her head. After all, this was the Eastern Capital, not the Imperial Capital! As the saying goes, "a mighty dragon cannot easily suppress a local snake." If she were to act so rashly and strike a servant of a prominent local family within Fuyun Guan, it would undoubtedly cause trouble for their Lord Marquis. With this sobering thought, Zhao Zhangru also angrily squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to spare another glance for that detestable old woman. However, her flushed cheeks clearly betrayed that her inner state was no longer as tranquil as before!
He Weifang offered a slight bow to the statues of the Three Pure Ones before her and then knelt respectfully on the cushion.
"The appointed time has arrived! You may begin!" The laomazi, seeing He Weifang so obedient and pliable, let out a sinister little chuckle. She then took two steps closer and addressed her again: "This old servant will keep watch outside the temple hall. Please rest assured, Young Madam!"
The moment these words left her mouth, Dou Zhao and the other two ladies once again rolled their eyes heavenward in their hearts! She is your family's Young Madam, not a common criminal! Does she truly require someone to stand guard outside? By forcing her to pray in such a manner, do you genuinely believe the Three Pure Ones will lend an ear? And even if they did, would they truly bestow their blessings upon a family such as yours?
"Divine Immortals on High! Mudan has come to trouble you once more!" After the laomazi had departed, He Weifang respectfully kowtowed before the statues of the Three Pure Ones. Then, with heartfelt sincerity, she began to pray: "May my earnest devotion move the Heavens above! I pray that you bless my mother, may she find eternal rest in the netherworld, forever free from the torment of illness and suffering!"
When He Weifang uttered these words, even Wei Tingyu couldn't help but be moved.
What a truly lovely and pitiable sight! he thought. Her husband and in-laws are utterly blind fools! Such an exquisite beauty! Such a kind and gentle disposition! Yet, in their eyes, simply because she hails from a merchant family, they hold her in utter contempt! So much so that, despite being married for a year, the couple has never even consummated their union! Well, perhaps that's for the best! Since you, her brain-dead husband, do not know how to cherish such a treasure, then allow me to gladly accept her!
A profound, meaningful smile played upon Wei Tingyu's lips as he turned and strode purposefully out of the Fuyun Guan's main hall.
Upon hearing He Weifang's prayer, Dou Zhao's eyes snapped open, and she turned her head with a shocked expression. This "elder sister" appeared to be a year or two older than herself, but to think she had endured a similar tragedy?! Her mother had passed away! And had suffered greatly from illness before her death! The only difference was that she, Dou Zhao, had married into the Marquis's Manor and received the profound love and affection of her Lord Marquis! But this elder sister... her plight was far more pitiable than her own! To be bullied by her in-laws to such an extent, yet be utterly powerless to resist!