Chapter 134: Eager to Return Home
Before the dust on the official road had completely settled, Gu Yangui had already taken the lead, leaving the victorious main force far behind. The dust on his dark iron armor was still fresh, and the bandages wrapped around his shoulders and arms were faintly stained with blood, but he seemed to feel no pain. He simply kept urging his warhorse on, regarding the direction of the capital as his only way home.
"Lord Duke! Your injury..." The lieutenant rode up and caught up, his face full of worry.
"It's alright!" Gu Yangui didn't turn around, his voice slightly broken by the oncoming wind, but with a resolute force, "The capital is just around the corner. You all proceed slowly according to the rules. I will go first!"
He couldn't wait any longer. Not even a moment longer.
The desperate situation of being besieged at Luoying Gorge, the panic of running out of supplies, the tragic deaths of his personal guards one by one… those images still haunted him in the quiet of the night. But what chilled him even more was the whispered message Mo Yu left behind as he desperately delivered the battle report: “Upon hearing that Master was trapped, Madam was overcome with anxiety and fears it may have harmed the fetus…”
Fetal malfunction!
When he left home, his beloved daughter was only recently pregnant and already quite frail. He couldn't imagine the terror and despair she must have felt when she heard the news of his impending doom. In the past few months, he had received very few letters from home, and those that came were always good news, only telling him to focus on his campaign. The more they did this, the stronger his unease became.
His beloved wife, his seemingly delicate yet incredibly stubborn wife, how is she? The baby… is the baby safe? Is it a boy or a girl?
Guilt gnawed at his heart like poisonous ants, day and night. He had promised to protect her for life, yet when she needed him most, he left her to face the storms alone, and she might even be put in danger because of him.
The warhorse seemed to sense its master's anxiety, its hooves off the ground, galloping even faster. The wind whistled in his ears, but it couldn't drown out the pounding of his heart. He remembered the night before he left home, when she nestled in his arms, terrified, yet forcing herself to say, "I'll stay home and wait for you to come back." The tears that glistened in her eyes then now felt like needles piercing his heart.
He recalled their first encounter during the spring hunt, when she rushed into his arms like a startled fawn; he remembered her timidly calling him "husband" on their wedding night; he remembered her gradual efforts to get closer to Mingxuan, to manage the household affairs, and to grow from an innocent girl into a duchess he could entrust with the administration of the state...
His darling, his wife.
"Faster!" he roared, cracking his whip. His warhorse neighed, and its speed increased even further. The trees lining the official road rushed past, and the majestic outline of the capital city became clearly visible.
At the city gate, officials from the Ministry of Rites and a large crowd of people, having already received the news, were already waiting. Cheers and the faint sounds of gongs and drums could be heard, but Gu Yangui paid no attention. His gaze swept past the crowd, fixed intently on the familiar long street leading to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Closer, even closer.
The vermilion gates of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion were wide open. Uncle Fu, along with all the servants of the mansion, dressed in brand-new clothes, knelt in front of the gate, their faces beaming with excitement and joy.
"Welcome back in triumph, Your Excellency!"
Gu Yangui abruptly pulled on the reins, and the warhorse reared up, letting out a loud neigh. He didn't even have time for the horse to come to a complete stop before he dismounted. The movement aggravated the wound on his arm, and a sharp pain shot through him, causing him to furrow his brow, but he did not stop walking.
"Where is Madam?" His voice was hoarse as his gaze swept anxiously across the crowd, but he couldn't find the figure he longed for. According to protocol, as the mistress of the house, she should be here to greet him.
Uncle Fu hurriedly stepped forward, his voice choked with emotion: "My lord, Madam... she just gave birth to your son a few days ago. It was a premature birth, and both mother and child are resting. They are unable to get out of bed to greet you. Please forgive them!"
A baby boy was born! Premature birth!
These words struck Gu Yangui's heart like a heavy hammer! Sure enough... something had happened!
His face paled instantly, and he no longer cared about etiquette or rules. He didn't even have time to ask if it was a boy or a girl, or if the child was safe and sound. He strode quickly toward the inner courtyard. His armor clanged, and his steps were so fast they seemed to carry the wind, leaving all the servants who wanted to come forward to offer their congratulations behind.
As he walked through the familiar corridors, the closer he got to the main courtyard, the faster his heart pounded. The faint smell of medicine and mugwort in the air amplified his panic to its peak.
Finally, they arrived at the main house. Granny Zhou and Qingdai, their eyes red-rimmed, were waiting outside. Upon seeing him, they immediately knelt down: "Your Highness!"
Gu Yangui's hand trembled slightly as he pressed it against the door. He took a deep breath and suddenly pushed the door open.
The light in the inner room was soft, and the smell of medicine was stronger. His gaze immediately locked onto the canopy bed. The layers of curtains were drawn back with golden hooks, and the person he missed day and night was sitting against the headboard, covered with a brocade quilt. Her face was so pale that it was almost transparent, her chin was pointed, and she was so thin that she looked as if a gust of wind could blow her away.
In her arms lay a tiny baby, wrapped in a bright red swaddle.
Hearing the door open, Su Wanrou looked up. The moment their eyes met, time seemed to stand still.
She looked at his travel-worn figure, still in his armor, at his noticeably thinner face bearing scars, at the overflowing guilt, worry, and intense longing in his eyes, and all the fear, grievances, strength, and anticipation of the past few days... all her emotions surged like a flood, instantly overwhelming her defenses.
Tears welled up unexpectedly, yet she tried to force a smile, her lips trembling, and softly called out:
"My husband...you're back."
This call, as gentle as a feather brushing against the heart, instantly brought tears to the eyes of the Duke of Zhenguo, who remained unmoved even in the face of thousands of troops.
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