Chapter 89: The Swaying Willow Leaves
With the imperial edict issued, speed was of the essence in warfare. The entire war machine of the Great Zhou Dynasty began to operate efficiently and intensely, revolving around the war in the northern border.
The Privy Council's troop mobilization orders, the Ministry of War's allocation of military equipment, and the Ministry of Revenue's distribution of provisions—a series of directives pumped from the heart of the capital like blood, flowing northward. Upon receiving these orders, the elite troops of the capital's military camps and various garrisons immediately set off, converging like streams towards the northern border.
On the official roads outside the capital, banners fluttered and carriages rumbled day and night. Armored soldiers marched in formation, and convoys carrying provisions and supplies stretched endlessly. The sounds of hooves, footsteps, and wheels mingled together, shattering the tranquility of late autumn and weighing heavily on the hearts of every citizen of the capital who watched them depart. A complex mix of excitement, anxiety, and sorrow filled the air.
Amidst this tense atmosphere, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion remained unusually calm. Su Wanrou was busier than usual, knowing full well that with the army about to depart, even if Gu Yangui could find time to return home, it would only be for a short stay. She wanted to take care of everything perfectly, ensuring he wouldn't have to worry about household matters at all.
She personally supervised the servants as they inspected, aired, and packed all of Gu Yangui's clothing, from light riding attire to heavy winter cloaks. Medicinal herbs and tonics were also prepared in abundance, especially over-the-counter medicines for treating wounds and colds, which were neatly categorized and accompanied by detailed instructions. Every piece of luggage carried her silent concern and instructions.
That afternoon, Su Wanrou was carefully checking the list when she heard familiar, steady footsteps outside the door. Her heart skipped a beat, and she put down the list and hurried to the door.
Gu Yangui walked in, looking travel-worn, still dressed in his usual black casual clothes, but the weariness between his brows was hard to hide. However, his eyes were sharper and deeper than when he left the capital, as if they held the power of a thousand armies. He had obviously rushed back directly from the northern border, and without even changing out of his court robes, he was about to enter the palace immediately to meet the emperor, report the military situation in detail, and receive his formal appointment as general.
"Husband." Su Wanrou stepped forward and took off his slightly chilly cloak, her voice trembling with barely perceptible sobs.
Gu Yangui grasped her hand, his palm rough yet warm. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment, scrutinizing her closely. "I'm back. How is everything at the manor? How are you and Mingxuan?"
"All is well, my husband, please rest assured." Su Wanrou led him inside and served him hot tea. "My husband, you must be tired from your journey. Would you like to take a bath and change your clothes first, and have some refreshments before entering the palace?"
“No need.” Gu Yangui took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. “His Majesty is still waiting in the palace. I’ll go back to my residence to change into my court robes and then leave. I’ll come back later…” He spoke the last sentence a little slower, with a hint of promise.
Su Wanrou nodded, said no more, and immediately ordered the servants to prepare hot water and the Duke's court robes. She knew that time was of the essence, and any delay due to sentimentality would be inappropriate.
Gu Yangui bathed and changed clothes very quickly. When he put on the elaborate court robes symbolizing a first-rank duke and an appointed marshal, and wore a seven-beam crown, his entire aura changed, becoming imposing and intimidating, making people dare not look him in the eye.
"I'm going," he said to Su Wanrou, who had come out to see him off, standing in the courtyard.
"Mm." Su Wanrou looked up at him, a thousand words stuck in her chest, but in the end, she could only say, "Mingxuan and I will wait for our husband to come back."
Gu Yangui looked at her deeply, his gaze complex, filled with concern, entrustment, and perhaps even a hint of unspeakable guilt. He ultimately said nothing, only raising his hand to gently stroke her hair, a touch so delicate it seemed incongruous with his somber court attire. Then, he turned and strode away, his back view resolute and unwavering.
Su Wanrou stood there until his figure disappeared behind the screen wall before slowly raising her hand to stroke the strands of hair he had just touched, where the warmth of his fingertips seemed to still linger.
Gu Yangui did not return home until the palace gates were locked. A lengthy imperial meeting had clearly taken place in the palace, finalizing the details of the expedition. When he returned home, his face bore a lingering weariness, but his eyes remained clear.
Mingxuan had already gone to bed, and the couple had dinner in the warm pavilion. The meal was unusually quiet; both of them tacitly avoided discussing the war, only briefly recounting some amusing anecdotes about Mingxuan and the trivial matters of the household. But an invisible, heavy sorrow of parting permeated the air.
After the meal, Gu Yangui did not go to his study as usual, but said to Su Wanrou, "Come with me for a walk in the courtyard."
The autumn night was cool, and the moonlight, like a ribbon, shone coldly on the courtyard. The two walked side by side on the pebbly path, the moonlight casting long shadows of them.
“Jiaojiao,” Gu Yangui stopped and turned to face her, his voice sounding particularly deep in the quiet night, “After I leave, everything in the manor is entrusted to you.”
"Don't worry, my husband, I understand," Su Wanrou replied softly.
"If there are rumors or gossip outside, or if anyone takes the opportunity to cause trouble, ignore them and keep the house closed. If there are any difficult matters, you can consult with the Duchess of England, or wait for a letter I send back home." He explained carefully, showing his thoughtful consideration. "Take good care of Mingxuan's upbringing. I am very relieved that this child is close to you."
“I will take good care of Mingxuan and protect this family.” Su Wanrou raised her head, her eyes clear and firm in the moonlight. “My husband is on the front lines, so he only needs to focus on the war and doesn’t need to worry about the rear. Although I am weak, I know what responsibility is.”
Gu Yangui gazed at her. The woman before him, though still petite, seemed to have quietly grown the strength to support herself over the past few months. A complex mix of emotions welled up within him—pride, heartache, and a deep reluctance to part. He reached out and tightly enveloped her slightly cool hand in his warm palm.
"Wait for me to come back," he whispered, those four simple words carrying immense weight.
"Okay." She nodded and squeezed his hand in return.
---
The following day was the day the army swore an oath and set off for battle.
Before dawn, the imperial drill grounds in the southern suburbs of the capital were already packed with people. Banners blotted out the sun, armor gleamed, and tens of thousands of elite soldiers stood in neat square formations, utterly silent, their air thick with a chilling aura of battle. On the reviewing stand, His Majesty the Emperor would personally bestow wine to send off the northern expeditionary army.
According to etiquette, noblewomen of official rank were required to go to a designated area to pray for and send off the soldiers going to war. Su Wanrou, dressed in the formal attire befitting a duchess, arrived early in a carriage at the decorated pavilion beside the training ground. Many noblewomen had already gathered there, each dressed solemnly, but their expressions varied: some were filled with pride, some tried to remain calm, and some covered their faces and wept.
Su Wanrou's appearance attracted many glances. Her excessively youthful beauty contrasted sharply with the noble attire she wore, befitting her high social status. Many ladies stepped forward to pay their respects, their words mostly flattering the Duke for his imperial favor and wishing him a triumphant return, but their eyes held a mixture of scrutiny and pity—so young, yet destined to live alone in an empty chamber, bearing the weight of a vast mansion, her future uncertain.
Su Wanrou maintained a polite yet aloof smile, returning each greeting with impeccable manners. However, her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the distant command platform, searching for that familiar figure.
At the auspicious hour, cannons roared and drums and music filled the air. His Majesty the Emperor ascended the command platform and personally presented the tiger tally, symbolizing the commander's seal, and the emperor's sword to Gu Yangui, who stood solemnly in full armor.
The distance was too great for Su Wanrou to see the expression on his face. She could only see his tall, straight back, which seemed to be edged with gold in the morning light, majestic as a mountain, and awe-inspiring.
"Drink up!" The emperor bestowed imperial wine upon the emperor.
Gu Yangui knelt on one knee, received the cup with both hands, raised it above his head, and then tilted his head back to drink it all in one gulp. Below the stage, thousands of soldiers raised their cups in unison, their roars shaking the heavens and earth: "Sweep away the barbarians, protect our Great Zhou! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty!"
The roar was so powerful it seemed tangible, assaulting everyone's eardrums and pounding into Su Wanrou's heart. She watched her husband, surrounded by a vast army, ascend the platform to be appointed general, full of vigor and pride. This was his stage, his responsibility and his glory. A surge of shared pride welled up within her, temporarily overshadowing her sorrow at parting.
After the oath-taking ceremony, the army officially set off. The vanguard moved first, like a black dragon, slowly creeping forward.
The noblewomen were allowed to escort her to the pavilion. Surrounded by servants, Su Wanrou arrived at the pavilion ten miles south of the city. The pavilion was already packed with people seeing her off, and the sounds of weeping, farewells, and blessings filled the air.
As the commander-in-chief, Gu Yangui needed to lead the troops from the front and could not linger. He rode his magnificent black steed, Wuyun Gaixue, under the protection of his personal guards, to the long pavilion. The families of the generals came forward one after another to bid their final farewells to their loved ones.
Gu Yangui's gaze swept over the crowd and landed precisely on Su Wanrou. He rode his horse slowly closer.
Su Wanrou took a pre-prepared bundle from the maid beside her, stepped forward, and looked up at him. A thousand words were on her mind, yet she didn't know where to begin. She handed him the bundle, which contained clothes, medicine, and a peace charm she had personally prepared over the past few days, as well as something she had hastily made the night before.
"My lord, please be careful in everything." In the end, all the worries, reluctance, and exhortations were reduced to this simplest sentence.
Gu Yangui looked at her intently, took the bundle, and gently pressed his fingertips against the back of her hand. The touch was fleeting, yet carried a burning heat.
"Take care," he whispered, his voice hoarse. Then, he abruptly turned his horse around, showing no more hesitation, and ordered in a deep voice, "Let's go!"
The horses neighed and galloped away, leaving a trail of dust in their wake. The imperial guards followed closely behind, kicking up clouds of dust.
Su Wanrou stood there, watching the receding figure and the "Gu" banner fluttering in the autumn wind, until the team became a black line and finally disappeared into the horizon.
As the autumn wind swept by, the willow branches along the roadside turned yellow and withered, swaying weakly in the wind as if bidding a reluctant farewell. A tear finally slid down Su Wanrou's cheek, but she quickly raised her hand to wipe it away and straightened her back.
“Madam, it’s getting windy, let’s go back to the manor.” Qingdai stepped forward and draped a cloak over her shoulders.
"Mmm." Su Wanrou glanced one last time in the direction her husband had disappeared, then turned and boarded the carriage. The carriage isolated her from the outside world, and also from her vulnerability.
She knew that from this moment on, she was no longer a "delicate girl" who needed to be protected under someone's wings, but the mistress of the Zhenguo Duke's mansion who was truly responsible for upholding its honor.
The carriage started moving, heading towards the capital. Outside, the willows swayed gently, and the eyes of those parting were filled with tears. Inside, Su Wanrou closed her eyes, concealing all her emotions. When she opened them again, her gaze was calm and resolute.
The road ahead is long, and the return date is uncertain. But she believes that no matter how long it takes, she will stay with this family and wait for him to come back.
Just as withered willow branches will sprout new green leaves again when the spring breeze blows next year.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com