Chapter 126: Shocking News of Danger
The peaceful days, like the calm before the storm, were eventually shattered.
One afternoon in mid-April, the sky was overcast and the heat was stifling. Su Wanrou had just taken her medicine to prevent miscarriage and was leaning against a soft couch by the window, holding a book of poems, but she couldn't concentrate on reading a single word. That inexplicable feeling of palpitation in her heart was resurfacing again.
Suddenly, an unusual commotion erupted from the outer courtyard, accompanied by hurried footsteps and hushed gasps. Su Wanrou's heart skipped a beat, and the book slipped from her hands and fell to the ground.
"Qingdai, what's going on outside?" she asked, raising her voice with a tension she herself was unaware of.
Qingdai walked in quickly, her face pale, and tried to remain calm, saying, "Madam, please don't worry. Perhaps something has happened in the front yard. I'll go and take a look."
Not long after Qingdai left, Granny Zhou rushed in, almost stumbling. Her face was ashen, her lips trembled, and she clutched a letter tightly in her hand. Before she could even speak, tears were already streaming down her face.
"Madam! Madam! Something terrible has happened!" Granny Zhou's voice was choked with sobs and filled with despair.
Su Wanrou's heart sank to the bottom. She sat up abruptly, and the baby in her womb seemed to sense the immense unease, jerking violently. She clutched her abdomen, took a deep breath, and forced herself to remain calm: "Granny, tell me slowly, what happened?"
Granny Zhou handed over the letter, her hands trembling so much she could barely hold it: "It's...it's a message that Uncle Fu just received, secretly sent from a high-ranking official in the Ministry of War...saying...it's an urgent military report from the northern border...the Duke...he believed the enemy's feigned surrender and personally led a small team out of the city to meet them, but they were ambushed by the Rongdi in Luoying Gorge and are trapped there, their fate...their fate is unknown!"
"Did they fall for a feigned surrender? Were they ambushed and trapped? Are they still alive or dead?"
Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking Su Wanrou's heart. Her vision went black, her body swayed, and she almost fainted.
"Madam!" Granny Zhou and Qingdai, who had just returned, rushed forward to support her.
Su Wanrou gripped the edge of the bed tightly, her nails almost digging into the wood, barely managing to stay upright. Her face was deathly pale, her chest heaving violently, as if an invisible hand was choking her, making it impossible for her to breathe.
How could this be? Yan Gui is always cautious in his military campaigns; how could he so easily fall for a feigned surrender? Luoying Gorge... that's a deadly place!
"Is the news...is the news true?" She heard her own voice trembling, so weak that it was almost inaudible.
"Uncle Fu has verified it; the Ministry of War did indeed receive this military report. Now... now the news has probably spread..." Granny Zhou sobbed uncontrollably, "Madam, you must hold on! You still have the young master; you can't fall!"
The news had spread… Su Wanrou felt a chill run through her. She could almost imagine the undercurrents swirling in the capital right now. Those demons and monsters who had been suppressed would probably resurface immediately. Those who were jealous of the Duke's mansion and at odds with Yan Gui were probably secretly gloating!
"Where is Uncle Fu?" she asked, forcing herself to speak.
"Uncle Fu... Uncle Fu is so anxious that he wants to see several officials who are on good terms with the Duke to find out more detailed information and see if he can ask the court to send troops to rescue him immediately..." Granny Zhou said, wiping away her tears.
Rescue? The imperial court? Su Wanrou's heart grew even colder. If someone were deliberately trying to frame her, the first thing they would think about in court wouldn't be how to rescue her, but rather how to solidify the charge of "underestimating the enemy and suffering heavy losses"! That secret letter she had Mo Yu intercept, intended to shift the blame for the defeat onto Yan Gui, now clung to her heart like a venomous snake.
This is a vicious cycle, a deadly trap! An ambush at the front lines, and then a coup at court! The goal is to put Gu Yangui to death!
Overwhelmed by fear and rage, she felt a surge of anger. She hated the backstabbers, the powerful who treated soldiers' lives like dirt, and most of all, her own powerlessness! Far away in the capital, what could she do for her husband besides wait and pray?
The baby in her womb seemed to sense her mother's extreme emotional fluctuations, moving more violently and even causing a dull ache. Su Wanrou groaned and clutched her stomach.
"Madam! What's wrong?" Qingdai and Granny Zhou were terrified.
"N-nothing...it's nothing..." Cold sweat beaded on Su Wanrou's forehead. She bit her lower lip tightly until the taste of blood filled her mouth. The sharp pain cleared her chaotic thoughts a little.
No, she can't lose her composure, and she absolutely can't fall!
Yan Gui's fate is now uncertain, she's surrounded, and there are wolves and tigers lurking in the court, ready to strike. If she falls first, this family will truly be finished! What will happen to Mingxuan? What will happen to the unborn child? What will happen to the Duke's family's century-old legacy?
She must calm down! She absolutely must!
She recalled the night before Gu Yangui left, when he held her hand and said, "I'm entrusting the manor... and you, to you." At that moment, his eyes held unwavering trust.
She cannot betray this trust.
Su Wanrou took another deep breath, trying to calm her churning blood and the discomfort in her abdomen. She raised her eyes, and although her face was still pale, her gaze had regained a resolute determination.
"Granny, Qingdai, listen to me." Her voice was still somewhat weak, but it carried an undeniable strength. "First, immediately seal off the news and strictly forbid the servants in the manor from discussing this matter. Anyone who dares to speak out will be beaten to death with sticks! We must not allow ourselves to lose our composure!"
"Secondly, Qingdai, go and keep an eye on Mingxuan. Tell him I'm not feeling well and that he doesn't need to come to pay his respects today. He should focus on his studies and not let him hear any rumors."
"Third, Granny, go to the front yard and wait for Uncle Fu. As soon as he returns, immediately invite him to see me. Also, have Mo Yu come to see me, and be quick!"
When Zhou Mama and Qingdai saw that the Madam was able to calm down so quickly and give orders in a clear and organized manner in the face of such shocking news, they felt as if they had found a pillar of support. Their panicked hearts were calmed down a little, and they quickly responded and left.
Silence returned to the warm chamber, broken only by Su Wanrou's heavy breathing. She leaned back slowly against the pillows, one hand tightly protecting her abdomen, the other trembling as she picked up the letter that brought the devastating news and read it again.
"Believing intelligence too easily...ambushed and trapped...fate unknown..."
Every word was like a poisoned needle, piercing her and leaving her riddled with wounds. But she knew this was not the time for grief. Tears would solve nothing; she had to take action.
Yan Gui, whether the news is true or false, no matter where you are now, whether you are alive or dead, you must hold on. I am at home, and I will never let anyone destroy everything you care about. I will protect this home and wait for you to come back.
If you really... really encounter misfortune...
A hint of ruthless determination flashed in Su Wanrou's eyes.
Then I will do everything in my power to make those who harmed you pay a thousandfold price!
At this moment, the pampered wife who needed to be cherished was gone. In her place was a mother and wife who could transform into a demon to protect her husband and family. The storm had truly arrived.
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