Heavy snow in Nanchu caused a national disaster, bringing much relief to Dawei.
The Crown Prince Yuan Zhao’s mood had been excellent for several days in a row.
However, Nangong Zheng couldn’t cheer up because he received news that Zhou Gu and Ye Guixue, joining forces, had wiped out the biggest trump card the Nangong Family had left in Nanchu. He didn’t dare to tell this to Yuan Zhao because he had kept it a secret that the Nangong Family still had a hundred thousand soldiers in Nanchu.
Nangong Yun sighed dejectedly, "It seems our hopes for revenge are to be put on hold for now."
Nangong Zheng pursed his lips, "Second Great-Uncle, do you think grandfather was wrong? The Nangong Family needn’t have competed for control over Nanchu. We were above thousands and only beneath one. Yet now, we have fallen to this state."
Nangong Yun said, "Who could have foreseen..."
He sighed deeply, feeling powerless, "Even if it was a mistake, what can be done about it now? Things have already come to this point."
He looked at Nangong Zheng, "Fortunately, you are highly regarded by the Crown Prince. Otherwise, the Nangong Family would have been truly ruined."
Nangong Zheng was silent for a moment before letting out a long breath, "Let’s just take one step at a time!"
This brightest and most talented youth of the Nangong Family, merely fifteen years old, had not yet grown up but was already shouldering the heavy responsibility of his clan, with no one to guide him forward and no path to retreat to.
Nanchu was busy with national disaster relief. The casualty and damage reports sent to the Imperial Court required months of busy work by both the civil and military officials before the relief efforts were properly handled.
Time flew, and before long, it was December, approaching the nuptial date of Su Rong and Zhou Gu.
The Grand Princess Shengan and the Lady of the Duke sighed, "With only half a month left before the wedding, Gu has yet to return. I just hope it doesn’t delay the wedding. And we’ve had no news for a month now, which is really worrying."
The Lady of the Duke was also anxious, "Perhaps he’s already on his way back. With half a month left, even if starting now from the southern three states, he should still make it back to the Royal Capital on time."
The Grand Princess Shengan had no other option, "We can only hope for his quick return."
She also hadn’t expected that, having been in Nanchu for a month and a half, she still hadn’t seen her grandson.
Su Rong had been waiting for a month without a letter from Zhou Gu, and she was not doing well. She called Fen Ling over, "I’ve released two Flying Hawks, and still, there has been no news. Send someone out right now."
Fen Ling also felt this was unusual. Now that the snow had stopped, even if the Flying Hawks were late, there should have been some news by now. He nodded, "Sister, don’t worry. I’ll dispatch someone immediately. They’ll ride fast horses to bring back news as quickly as possible."
Su Rong nodded, wishing she could go herself if she was not otherwise occupied.
So, Fen Ling sent people to the southern three states.
Su Rong continued waiting for news, which took another five days. There were just ten days left until her wedding with Zhou Gu.
Fen Ling arrived with two letters, "Sister, the Hidden Guard relayed a message—that they’ve made contact with Fang Yue. They say Brother-in-Law is fine. The reason for the delay in news is that Brother-in-Law and Second Young Master Ye took separate paths to help with the disaster relief. The southern three states have treacherous terrain with many mountains, gorges, and deep village valleys. Due to the heavy snow, everything was blanketed in white, causing the two Flying Hawks to lose their way. Our Hidden Guards found the birds mid-journey with Brother-in-Law’s letters."
Su Rong accepted the letters and opened them to find brief messages from Zhou Gu, stating that due to severe snow disasters in the southern three states, he was postponing his return but was safe and well. He asked not to worry about him and assured that he would definitely return before the wedding.
After reading, Su Rong breathed a sigh of relief, folded the letters, and handed them to Fen Ling, "Deliver these to the Zhou Residence in person so The Old Duke and the others can be at ease too."
Fen Ling nodded and left immediately with the letters.
Calculating the days, Su Rong thought there were only ten days left. Zhou Gu should already be on his way back, so she didn’t need to worry any longer and went straight back to the inner hall to rest.
In the Duke of Protectorate Residence, after receiving the letters, the Grand Princess Shengan was so overjoyed she nearly wept, "Thank heavens, we finally have news. With such a cold and snowy season, the lack of news was truly unnerving."
The Old Duke of Protectorate glanced at his wife, mumbling, "Indeed, love skips a generation. You fret day and night for that little rascal. I went to battle at my age, and you never seemed this concerned over a letter from me."
The Grand Princess Shengan didn’t hear clearly, "What did you say?"
The Old Duke of Protectorate turned his face away, "Said nothing."
The Grand Princess Shengan chided with a smile, "You old thing, don’t think I didn’t hear you, squabbling with the younger generation at your age."
The Old Duke of Protectorate had nothing to say.
She had assumed that according to the letter, Zhou Gu would return very soon, but unexpectedly, this waiting stretched on for another seven days.
That night, Su Rong had already extinguished the lamp and lay down when suddenly she heard a series of footsteps outside. The footsteps were light and hurried. She concentrated for a moment and, in the next breath, someone was already at her door.
The voice of Nanny Zhao rang out, full of surprise, "Fourth Young Master?"
"Mmm, it’s me," Zhou Gu’s footsteps paused as he lowered his voice, "Nanny, there’s no need to worry about me. Just go to sleep."
After he spoke, he pushed open the room door, entering with extremely light steps.
By then, Su Rong had gotten down from the bed and walked over to the table to light the lamp.
The room was instantly illuminated. Zhou Gu passed through the antechamber to the doorway of the inner room. Between the beaded curtains and green screens, he caught sight of Su Rong standing by the table; he wanted to rush over but paused just as he lifted his foot. He removed his cloak, threw it on the nearby clothes rack, then looked at Su Rong and asked, "Did I wake you?"
Su Rong approached in three steps—two at a time—and hugged him tightly, "No, I wasn’t asleep yet. I heard you coming back. I recognize your footsteps."
His stride was always brisk, embodying his unique youthful vigor.
Zhou Gu extended a hand to push her away, "I’m all cold."
Having said that, he pushed Su Rong away forcefully.
Su Rong stared at him with wide eyes, shocked, "You actually pushed me away."
Zhou Gu stopped, smiled helplessly, and grasped her hand, "We will have our Great Wedding in three days, won’t we? I’m chilled to the bone, afraid that you’ll catch a cold from me. Go lie down in bed, I’m going to take a bath."
He leaned down to kiss her cheek, his lips cold, and withdrew immediately, "I didn’t mean to wake you, but Nanny Zhao’s ears are too sharp. Be a good girl."
With that, he turned and left to bathe, taking the cold with him.
Su Rong: "..." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
She stood there, both annoyed and amused, wondering whether he had become more considerate or more composed after the trip.
The hall was carpeted and warmed with hot dragon charcoal, making the chill he brought back from his travels all the more evident.
She turned and went back to bed, lying down to wait for him.
Zhou Gu didn’t take long to bathe and soon returned in his nightclothes. He brought with him a warmth as he climbed into bed, lifted the covers, and lay on top of Su Rong, wrapping his arms around her without a word, and he lowered his head to kiss her deeply.
Su Rong let out a soft grunt and pinched him, her voice intermittent, "I thought you didn’t miss me."
Zhou Gu’s voice was husky, "I did."
He missed her by day, he missed her by night, wishing he had the ability to be everywhere at once to finish matters swiftly, traveling day and night, hastening home under the stars and moon.
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