Chapter 61: Urgent Report from the Border
Before the joy and celebration brought by the return visit had completely dissipated in the capital's elite circles, a tense and somber atmosphere, like a cold front quietly moving south from the north, quickly enveloped the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and gradually spread to the entire court.
It was late autumn, and fallen leaves were fluttering in the air. That afternoon, Su Wanrou was accompanying Mingxuan in the warm pavilion, practicing calligraphy. The child held a small brush, writing each stroke with utmost care. Sunlight streamed through the glass windows, filling the room with warmth; a scene of serene beauty.
Suddenly, a series of hurried and heavy footsteps broke the silence as they approached. Even before the maid could announce his arrival, Steward Gu Zhong appeared at the entrance to the warm pavilion, his expression grave, his voice unusually tense: "Madam, there's an urgent report from the palace! The Duke has been summoned to the palace!"
Su Wanrou's heart sank, and her hand gripping the teacup tightened instinctively. Gu Yangui, as the head of the military, would never be summoned to the palace so urgently outside of court hours unless it was a matter of national importance. Forcing herself to remain calm, she put down the teacup and nodded to Gu Zhong: "I understand. Do you know what it is?"
Gu Zhong lowered his voice and said only four words: "Northern border, urgent dispatch."
The Northern Border! Su Wanrou's heart leaped into her throat. That was where Gu Yangui had fought valiantly for many years, and it was also the front line bordering the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Northern Di. An urgent dispatch meant that the military situation was extremely urgent and could not be delayed.
Mingxuan also sensed the unusual atmosphere. He put down his pen and timidly tugged at Su Wanrou's sleeve: "Mother, has something happened to Father?"
Su Wanrou quickly composed herself, put on a gentle smile, and gently patted his head: "Xuan'er, don't be afraid, Father has gone to the palace to discuss important national affairs. Come, let's continue writing." She comforted the child on the surface, but her heart was in turmoil. She instructed Yunbin to stay with Mingxuan, and then got up and left.
The atmosphere in the mansion was noticeably different. Servants hurried about, exchanging uneasy glances, and even the thrushes hanging under the eaves seemed to sense something and stopped chirping. A sense of impending doom hung in the air.
Su Wanrou went directly to wait near the study in the front yard. She knew that Gu Yangui would definitely come here first when he returned from the palace.
two
This wait lasted for two hours. From the sun beginning to set until the lanterns were lit.
Su Wanrou sat in the outer room of the study, listening to the dripping of the water clock, feeling that every moment was incredibly long. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind: Why was the Northern Di invading the border at this time? How large was the scale of the war? Would Gu Yangui… personally lead the expedition again? The thought of the merciless swords on the battlefield made her heart clench. That worry and fear were a hundred times stronger than any undercurrents or schemes within the mansion.
Finally, at the end of the Xu hour, familiar, steady footsteps came from outside, but the footsteps sounded more hurried and heavy than usual.
Su Wanrou immediately stood up.
Gu Yangui strode in, still wearing the court robes he wore when he entered the palace. His brows betrayed his weariness, but even more so, they held a cold sharpness and solemnity, like a drawn sword, its cold light piercing. Behind him followed several trusted generals and advisors, all with solemn expressions.
Seeing Su Wanrou waiting, Gu Yangui paused slightly and said to the people behind him, "You all go to the side hall and wait. Make preparations as agreed earlier."
"Yes, Your Excellency!" The group acknowledged the order and departed.
Only the couple remained in the study. Gu Yangui walked behind the desk, rubbed his temples, and then looked at Su Wanrou: "Why aren't you resting yet?"
Su Wanrou stepped forward and poured him a cup of hot tea, her voice trembling slightly without her even realizing it: "Husband, how is the situation in the Northern Border?"
Gu Yangui took the teacup but did not drink it. His deep gaze was fixed on the dark night outside the window, and his tone was low: "The internal strife in the Northern Di royal court has just ended. To establish his authority, the new Khan Wuzhu has gathered 80,000 iron cavalry and launched a surprise attack on the three towns surrounding Yunzhou. The defending general died for his country, and the people... suffered heavy casualties."
Despite being mentally prepared, Su Wanrou still gasped when she heard the words "80,000 iron cavalry," "the defending general's martyrdom," and "heavy casualties." Yunzhou was a crucial town in the north; if it fell, the Northern Di cavalry could easily advance and threaten the heartland of the Central Plains. The situation was far more dire than she had imagined.
"Then... what is the court's decision?" She heard her voice sound a little dry.
Gu Yangui turned around, his gaze falling on her small face filled with worry. After a moment of silence, he said, "His Majesty is furious. He advocates war. The selection of the commander-in-chief will be discussed at tomorrow's grand court assembly."
Although he didn't say it explicitly, Su Wanrou already understood. The Northern Di were coming on strong, and the border was in dire need of help. Among all the military generals in the court, who was more suitable to lead the expedition than the Duke of Zhenguo, who had made outstanding military achievements? His earlier instruction to his subordinates to "make preparations first" already spoke volumes.
A wave of immense panic and reluctance instantly gripped Su Wanrou's heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat felt blocked. Could she say, "My husband, don't go"? It was his responsibility, his mission, a matter of national survival. She couldn't, and she shouldn't.
In the end, all the words she wanted to say were reduced to a choked-up admonition: "Swords have no eyes... Husband, you must be careful in everything you do."
Gu Yangui looked at his wife, who was struggling to hold back her tears. She was so petite and young, and should have been enjoying carefree days in her maiden home. But because she married him, she had to bear this worry and separation much sooner. A complex mix of emotions welled up in his heart: guilt, reluctance, and an indescribable sense of longing.
He reached out and, for the first time in the outer study, gently pulled her into his arms. His embrace carried the coolness of the autumn night, yet it felt exceptionally firm.
"Don't be afraid," his deep voice sounded above her head, "I'll be back as soon as possible."
three
That night, the study in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was brightly lit until dawn.
Gu Yangui and his generals and staff discussed matters throughout the night, including troop deployment plans, the preparation of supplies and provisions, and the analysis of the terrain and enemy situation in the north... Countless military matters required urgent decisions. Su Wanrou did not return to her room, but instead stayed in the small warm pavilion next door, personally preparing late-night snacks and ginseng tea with her maids, delivering them to the study room time and time again, but never going in to disturb them.
All she could do was stay with him through the long night, letting him know that there was a lamp burning for him in the mansion.
In the middle of the night, the old lady's maid, Fang Mama, also came and delivered the old lady's words, telling the Duke to take good care of his health, and that everything at home was taken care of by her and his wife, so there was no need to worry.
As dawn broke, the generals and their staff gradually departed, each with dark circles under their eyes, but sharp gazes filled with the grim atmosphere of impending battle.
Gu Yangui quickly washed up, changed into his court robes, and prepared to enter the palace to attend the grand court assembly that would determine his fate.
Su Wanrou draped a thick, dark cloak over him and carefully tied the straps. Her movements were slow and gentle, as if she wanted to prolong this brief moment of tenderness.
"I'm going." Gu Yangui looked at the faint dark circles under her eyes, knowing that she hadn't slept all night either, and felt a warmth in his heart. "I'll leave the affairs of the manor to you. As for Mingxuan and Grandmother, appease them for now, and we'll talk about it after the court meeting has a result."
"Yes." Su Wanrou nodded emphatically, forcing a smile. "Xuan'er, Grandmother, and I will wait for my husband to return."
Gu Yangui gazed at her intently, as if trying to etch her image into his heart, then resolutely turned and strode away. In the dim morning light, his tall figure seemed to bear an immense burden, yet remained as steadfast as a mountain.
Su Wanrou stood under the eaves, watching his figure disappear outside the mansion gate until he was completely out of sight, before allowing tears to silently stream down her face. She knew that from this moment on, half of her heart would be tied to the distant northern border, experiencing the flames of war alongside him.
Four
After Gu Yangui left, Su Wanrou forced herself to stay calm. She knew she couldn't afford to lose her composure at this moment. She was the mistress of the Duke's mansion, and her husband was fighting for the country at the front; she had to protect this home for him.
She first went to pay her respects to the old lady and then explained the situation tactfully. The old lady, having weathered many storms, remained calm despite her worries, simply twirling her prayer beads and saying, "He is a military general; protecting the country is his duty. Those of us who stay at home should put his mind at ease. You will have to take good care of everyone in the household."
After leaving Shou'an Hall, Su Wanrou went to Mingxuan's courtyard. The child had already woken up and was being dressed by the wet nurse. Upon seeing Su Wanrou, the child immediately rushed over: "Mother! Will Father teach me swordsmanship today?"
Su Wanrou felt a pang of sadness, squatted down, hugged the child in her arms, and said softly, "Xuan'er, your father has some very important national affairs to attend to recently, so I may not be able to teach you swordsmanship for the time being."
Mingxuan's face immediately fell, and he muttered, "Father is always so busy..."
Su Wanrou gently stroked his hair: "Father did this to protect us, to protect many, many children like Xuan'er in the Great Zhou Dynasty, so that they can study, practice calligraphy, and play in peace. Xuan'er is a man, so you must understand and support your father, okay?"
Mingxuan seemed to understand but not quite, but seeing his mother's gentle yet firm gaze, he nodded: "Yes, Xuan'er is a good boy. Then when Father is done with his work, we'll have him make it up to you!"
"Okay, I'll make sure Father finishes his work once he's done with it," Su Wanrou promised, though she felt a sense of uncertainty, wondering when this "busy" period would end.
After calming the family, Su Wanrou immediately summoned the steward, Gu Zhong, and the stewards of the inner and outer courtyards. Her expression was calm, but her tone carried an undeniable authority: "The military situation in the Northern Border is urgent, and the Duke must be very busy with official duties these days. All matters in the manor must be handled with extra care, and everyone must perform their duties without any mistakes. Anyone who is negligent or causes trouble will be severely punished. The expenses of the manor must also be carefully monitored, and everything must be done with the utmost care."
Seeing that the lady, though young, was organized, calm, and composed, even more so than usual, everyone was taken aback and respectfully agreed, not daring to be careless in the slightest.
After arranging the affairs of the manor, Su Wanrou returned to her room, but she couldn't fall asleep. She walked to the window, looked at the gray sky outside, and her heart was filled with fear of the unknown and deep concern for her husband.
The urgent report from the border not only shattered the peace of the capital but also completely changed her newly settled life. For the first time, she truly felt the immense worry and anticipation hidden behind the glory of being a military general's wife.
The shadow of war had quietly descended. All she could do was pray and do everything in her power to protect her home and wait for his return.
End of Chapter 61
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