The autumn wind is cool and the yellow leaves are falling.
The evening mist in the sky reflected the towering walls of the Shen Mansion, revealing a sense of desolation.
Shen Yuhan rode over on horseback, the sound of horse hooves falling on the bluestone ground and echoing in the empty courtyard.
Fang Qingyue was in the pavilion in the inner courtyard, concentrating on trimming the orchid on the table.
The faint orchid fragrance drifts with the autumn wind, adding a touch of elegance to the cool atmosphere.
But her mind was not as calm as it appeared.
While she was lost in thought, she heard familiar footsteps.
She was slightly startled, and when she looked up, it was indeed Shen Yuhan.
The autumn wind gently blew his cloak, making a rustling sound.
The angular face looked solemn under the reflection of the setting sun.
"Qingyue." Shen Yuhan walked closer. Although his tone was gentle, it contained a certain firmness that could not be refused.
His gaze lingered on Fang Qingyue's face, with a hint of concern in his eyes.
Fang Qingyue lowered her eyes slightly, placed the trimmed orchid back on the table, and asked calmly, "My Lord, what brings you here today?"
When Shen Yuhan heard her cold address, his heart tightened slightly and the smile on his lips froze slightly.
Since Fang Qingyue was demoted to a concubine by the emperor, the two have not broken up publicly.
But Shen Yuhan was well aware of her guard against him.
Despite this, he still couldn't let her go.
Coming here today is the most pressing concern he can't let go of before leaving.
He walked over and sat opposite Fang Qingyue, his eyes falling on the orchid in her hand.
His tone was a little softer: "I will be leaving for battle tomorrow. The military situation is urgent and I cannot delay."
Fang Qingyue's heart trembled slightly when she heard this.
His fingers brushed lightly over the orchid's leaves, but he still didn't look up.
She knew that Shen Yuhan would go to war. The news had been circulating in the court for the past few days, and she had known about it for a long time.
"My Lord is a pillar of the court. Going to the border is a matter of great importance, defending the country and quelling border troubles."
Her tone was calm, and she seemed reluctant to say more.
Shen Yuhan was well aware of the coldness in her words and sighed inwardly.
Fang Qingyue has always been so smart. She never reveals too many emotions, and will never easily reveal her inner anxiety.
He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a rare warmth: "This time, I will lead my troops to attack the enemy's food supply route. It will be extremely dangerous."
"The Emperor has granted my request. When I return victorious, I will marry you."
This sentence was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing some ripples.
Fang Qingyue finally raised her eyes and met Shen Yuhan's gaze.
There was no surprise in his eyes, only worry.
A trace of struggle flashed across Fang Qingyue's eyes, but was immediately suppressed by reason.
She whispered, "My Lord, you have me in your heart. I am grateful, but I am only the daughter of a guilty subject."
"Being able to accompany the Marquis is already a blessing, why bother asking for the position of wife?"
Her voice was soft, and her tone was filled with complex emotions that were difficult to describe.
The current situation is turbulent and the border is in crisis. Fang Qingyue understands that this trip is dangerous and Shen Yuhan may not be able to return easily.
Shen Yuhan looked at her expression and felt a slight pain in his heart.
But he had made up his mind and would never allow her to be looked down upon by anyone again.
"Qingyue, you don't have to worry about anything else."
His tone was firm, but there was a hint of tenderness in his eyes. "When I return safely, everything will be as you wish."
Fang Qingyue looked at him in silence.
She had a thousand words in her heart, but in the end, she only sighed softly: "If you truly cherish me, my Lord, then let me go to the border with you."
"If the war proves difficult, I am willing to share your worries."
When Fang Qingyue said this, her voice was not loud, but it was firm.
She didn't want to sit in the Shen Mansion and worry about his safety every day.
Since he was in danger, she was willing to go with him, if only to do her bit to help him when he needed it most.
Shen Yuhan was slightly startled, then shook his head and said, "This can't be done. The border is extremely dangerous, and I'm going on a surprise attack, so I can't bring anyone else with me."
"You stay in the mansion and wait for me to come back."
Fang Qingyue stared at Shen Yuhan. She knew that he had made up his mind and could not change it.
Her fingers curled slightly in her long sleeves, and she finally gave up.
"Take care, my lord." She finally said in a low voice, with a hint of helplessness in her tone that was hard to conceal.
An autumn breeze blew by, blowing up the fallen leaves on the ground.
Shen Yuhan jumped on his horse and rode away. The sound of horse hooves gradually faded away and disappeared outside the high walls of the Shen Mansion.
Cheng Qingyuan stood quietly in a remote corner, gazing into the distance.
The sound of Shen Yuhan's departing horse's hooves had not yet completely dissipated, but the atmosphere in the courtyard was already as quiet as water.
Cheng Qingyuan's heart was in turmoil.
Ever since he heard the news that Shen Yuhan was going to go to war, he has been deeply confused.
Although Shen Yuhan is a pillar of the court, the situation on the border is extremely dangerous. Why would he choose to take the risk and go there?
What's more, with his contributions, he can completely use this as an excuse to shirk responsibility.
His doubts gradually turned into some vague feelings as Shen Yuhan left.
He lowered his head slightly, and the fragments of his interactions with Fang Qingyue these days echoed in his mind.
"Why is the Marquis so persistent?" he muttered to himself, frowning slightly.
Just as he was lost in thought, Fang Qingyue walked slowly towards him.
She was still wearing simple and elegant clothes, her face was calm, but her eyes were deep.
She stood under the old tree in the yard, looking at Cheng Qingyuan from afar, as if she could see through everything in his heart.
"Qingyue." Cheng Qingyuan didn't know how to start for a moment, and there was a hint of confusion in his tone.
Fang Qingyue smiled slightly and said calmly, "Mr. Cheng, the wind is strong, why don't we go inside and talk."
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