Chapter 5: Banishment

Inside the inner residence of the Duke of Lai’s mansion, the widow of Du Ruhui, Old Madam Cui—who had just been promoted to the status of a bereaved wife—sat upright. Beside her sat an empty hu-chair, which had once been Du Ruhui’s seat. Du Gou, who had already inherited the title and become the new Duke of Lai, and Du He, the betrothed husband of Princess Chengyang, stood behind Old Madam Cui, looking for all the world like a pair of fierce guardian deities.

*This fellow Du Gou, wasn't he supposed to be guarding Old Du’s tomb at Duling?* Du Rui couldn't help but mutter to himself. It seemed that the moment they had arrived in Chang'an, Du Gou had whipped his horse and rushed back to follow them.

Seeing this formation, Du Rui’s heart trembled slightly. He seemed to have a premonition of what was coming, but he quickly composed himself, bowed, and said, "Mother!"

Because the Cui woman was the legal wife, even though Du Rui was not her biological son, he still had to address her as mother. If Du Rui’s biological mother, the Lady-in-Waiting Cao, were still alive, Du Rui would only be able to call her "Auntie."

Today, Old Madam Cui was uncharacteristically generous and kind toward Du Rui. She reached out a hand in a gesture of support and said, "Ruier, there is no need for such formalities!"

Du Rui bowed again, stood with his head lowered, and asked, "I do not know why Mother has summoned me today!?"

Old Madam Cui replied, "I have indeed summoned you today for an important matter. Your father passed away early, and I fear this Duke of Lai’s mansion is not what it once was. Although the Emperor has shown us great favor, I doubt many of your father’s old friends and acquaintances still remember his merits. Although you are not my own flesh and blood, your biological mother passed away early. Since you call me mother, it is only natural that I, as your mother, should make some plans for you!"

Hearing this, Du Rui’s heart skipped a beat. *The main event is here!* he thought.

Old Madam Cui continued, "Your father died young, and having been bedridden in recent years, he was lax in your upbringing. Your eldest brother has already inherited the title of Duke of Lai, and while your second brother is mischievous, he has his own path. Only you are young and inexperienced, so I, as your mother, must make arrangements."

Listening to this, Du Rui realized that this vast Duke of Lai’s mansion could no longer accommodate him. Power was on their side; what could a ten-year-old illegitimate son say? Could he even resist?

"I leave it entirely to Mother’s decision!"

Seeing that Du Rui was so sensible, Old Madam Cui was naturally very satisfied. She nodded and said, "Since that is the case, I shall speak plainly. Since your father is no longer with us and left no specific instructions for you, and since the Duke of Lai’s title has passed to your eldest brother, it would be inconvenient for you and your sister to continue living here. Furthermore, the Emperor has already granted a decree of 'retaining office during mourning.' Once your eldest brother finishes his three months of mourning, he must follow the Emperor’s orders. As for your second brother’s marriage to Princess Chengyang, the Emperor’s intention is that it cannot be delayed any longer. Thus, the heavy responsibility of mourning for your father naturally falls upon you. Ruier! You are young and restless; mourning for your father is not only your duty but will also help you settle your temperament. So, it is decided! Your father once had an old residence from when he served as a Shizhong; I think you and your sister should move there!"

Upon hearing this, Du Rui couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile. Du Ruhui had only just been buried, and this jealous, wicked woman was already thinking of driving away his illegitimate son. And that excuse about his "restless temperament"—it was far too far-fetched. It was likely that not only he and his sister, but also Du Ruhui’s other three concubines and their children—Du Yunfu, Du Zhuozhuo, and Du Yunxi—would not escape the same fate. Still, it was fortunate that they would at least be allocated an old house, so he wouldn't be left without a roof over his head immediately after transmigrating.

With this thought, Du Rui bowed deeply to Old Madam Cui once more. This time, it was sincere; although the Cui woman was unkind to drive them out, she hadn't gone too far.

"I accept the order. Thank you, Mother!"

The Cui woman hadn't expected Du Rui to be so understanding and sensible. She couldn't help but laugh, "Since that is so, I will not keep you. As for wealth, I will not treat you unfairly. Although you are an illegitimate son and dividing the family is against tradition, you are one of only three sons your father had, so I cannot be too stingy. Thus! Since you are mourning for your father in place of your two brothers, I will take the liberty of authorizing a payment of one thousand strings of cash from the treasury for you. Gou'er! Do you have any objections!?"

Although Du Gou looked completely unwilling, since the de facto head of the Duke of Lai’s mansion, the Cui woman, had spoken, he could not object. He could only reply, "I follow Mother’s instructions entirely!"

"Good!" the Cui woman said happily. "Ruier! Since your eldest brother has agreed, I think you should leave today! You and Xiaolian can pack up; there is no need to report back to me! But remember, even if you are living separately, you must not tarnish your father’s name while outside. Do you hear me clearly?"

Hearing this, Du Rui felt bitter. One thousand strings of cash to send him away? He had originally hoped to use the banner of the Duke of Lai’s mansion to live as a playboy and enjoy a life of leisure. Who would have thought he would be kicked out of the house so soon? It was a pity that the current Du Rui didn't have the slightest ability to resist; he could only bow like a parrot.

"I will strictly follow Mother’s teachings!"

"Very well! In that case, you may go!" The Cui woman had already begun to shoo him away.

Given Du Rui’s current status, he naturally couldn't negotiate with the Cui woman. After all, she hadn't forced him to leave with nothing. Although it was heartless to drive out an illegitimate son just after Du Ruhui’s death, under the current social system, Du Rui had no reason to complain about such an arrangement.

"I take my leave!"

As soon as Du Rui left, Du He couldn't help but jump out. Looking at the Cui woman with dissatisfaction, he said, "Mother! Why be so polite to that bastard? In my opinion, we should have just kicked him out! Why give him the old residence?"

The Cui woman no longer wore her kind expression; her face turned gloomy. "Do you think I didn't want to? But that Du Rui is the son of that bitch, the Lady-in-Waiting Cao, and she came from the palace. The current Emperor bestowed her upon your father years ago. Who knows when the Emperor might recall this? If we go too far, we would offend the dignity of the Imperial family, and secondly, outsiders would say we cannot tolerate others. If they stir up trouble before the Emperor, it is you two brothers who will suffer. Banishing him from the mansion is enough to keep him out of sight and out of mind. Whether he lives or dies in the future will have nothing to do with our Duke of Lai’s mansion. Isn't that better?"

Du He had nothing more to say, though he remained unwilling and gritted his teeth. Du Gou, standing to the side, said, "Mother is thoughtful. Second brother, don't dwell on this. It’s just an old house and a thousand strings of cash; consider it charity. Why be so unwilling?"

Du He snorted, "It’s just too good for that bastard. But Mother, what about those bitches—the Ma woman, the Ji woman, and the Bai woman—and the bastards they bore?"

The Cui woman sneered, "They won't get off so easily. We’ll just throw them all out!"

Even Du Gou felt a chill down his spine at the Cui woman’s cold words.

Du Rui returned from the Cui woman’s quarters to his own residence, which was barely better than the servants' quarters. His younger sister, Xiaolian, was playing in the room. At her young age, she did not yet understand the malice of the world.

Seeing Du Rui return, Xiaolian giggled and rushed over, grabbing his hand. "Third Brother! Come and play with me!"

Looking at Xiaolian’s joyful expression, it was clear that Du Ruhui’s death meant nothing to this little girl. Old Du had probably long forgotten he even had such an illegitimate daughter!

Du Rui held Xiaolian’s hand, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart. This biological sister was likely his only attachment in this world.

"Xiaolian, we are going to move out and live elsewhere. Do you think that’s good?"

Xiaolian looked confused; it was clear her little head couldn't grasp what Du Rui meant. She tilted her head and asked, "Third Brother, why are we moving out!?"

Du Rui felt a pang of bitterness. After inheriting the original Du Rui’s memories, he realized that the original Du Rui had actually felt a deep attachment to this cold, heartless Duke of Lai’s mansion.

"Father has passed away, and there is no place for us here anymore. Mother wants you and Third Brother to move out and live elsewhere!"

Xiaolian twisted her hair with her finger and asked, "If we move out, does that mean Xiaolian won't have to be beaten by Second Sister anymore?"

Hearing this, Du Rui was suddenly filled with rage. Although the original Du Rui knew that his own sister was treated as nothing more than a servant girl in the eyes of the second young lady, Du Yunxian—scolded at the slightest provocation and beaten for minor mistakes—the original Du Rui had been timid and dared not speak out. But the current Du Rui was different. Recalling this, his anger soared, and he wished he could find that hateful Cui woman and her sons right now and strike them down.

Seeing Du Rui’s expression suddenly change, Xiaolian retreated in terror, trembling with her hands behind her back.

Seeing this, Du Rui hurriedly suppressed his anger, forced a smile, and pulled Xiaolian into his arms. He said firmly, "Don't worry, Xiaolian. From now on, with Third Brother here, no one will ever dare to bully you again!"

Hearing this, Xiaolian cheered, "Really!? Then Xiaolian will move out and live with Third Brother!"

As the two siblings were talking, a knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it?"

"It is your old servant, Du Zhong."