Chapter 118: The Anchor of My Heart
Gu Yangui's steps faltered almost imperceptibly the moment he saw her. The winter sun shone through the eaves, casting a soft halo around her, but it only made her face appear even paler. Her almond-shaped eyes, which had always been full of affection, were now quietly gazing at him, as if they already knew everything.
The taut string in his heart was gently plucked by her quiet gaze, causing it to hum. He strode forward, instinctively wanting to take her slightly cool hand, wanting to ask her in his usual calm tone why she was standing in the wind, but the words caught in his throat and wouldn't come out. Under her gaze, any deliberate attempt to conceal anything seemed futile.
"My husband is back." Su Wanrou spoke first, her voice soft and slightly hoarse. She slightly curved her lips, trying to give him a reassuring smile, but it was ultimately somewhat forced. "I've heard about what happened in the court."
Gu Yangui's heart sank. He finally reached out and tightly enveloped her icy fingers, trying to transfer his warmth to them, and led her into the warm room. "It's windy outside, why did you come out? Your health is important." His voice was lower than usual, with a barely perceptible tension.
"I'm fine." Su Wanrou obediently followed him into the warm and inviting flower hall, dismissing everyone else and leaving only Qingdai waiting outside. The charcoal brazier in the flower hall was burning brightly, and on the table was her small basket for sewing, containing a half-finished jacket that Mingxuan would wear for the New Year. Everything looked so peaceful and warm, completely different from the smoke and fire she had just experienced in the palace.
Gu Yangui helped her sit down, then stood before her, his tall figure casting a shadow over her. He looked down at her lowered eyelashes, their slight trembling like the wings of a startled butterfly, brushing against his heart. He spoke with difficulty, bracing himself for her possible tears, fear, or even bewildered questions: "Wanrou, about the Northern Border..."
"When will you set off, my husband?" Su Wanrou raised her head, interrupting him, and looked at him with clear eyes, directly asking the most crucial question.
Gu Yangui's Adam's apple bobbed. Meeting her overly calm gaze, he couldn't utter a single word of his prepared speech. He remained silent for a moment before truthfully replying, "The troops must be mustered within three days, and at the latest... before the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. They must depart."
The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year. It should be a day for family reunions, offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God, and cleaning the house. Su Wanrou's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an icy hand, her nails digging into her palm, bringing a slight stinging pain that helped her maintain her outward composure.
Within three days. So hastily. She could even imagine the scene of the Ministry of War and the capital's military camps, a scene of frantic preparation and tense preparation. And her husband was at the very center of that scene.
Looking at the unyielding gravity on his brow, at the deep worry in his eyes that he dared not even show too much of, she suddenly understood everything. His inner struggle and torment were no less than hers. He was the Duke of Zhenguo, the pillar of the Great Zhou, but he was also her husband, the father of the child in her womb. The heavy burden of the nation and the longing for his wife and child weighed on him like two mountains, making it almost impossible for him to breathe, yet he could not show it in front of her, and had to think of how to comfort her.
A surge of emotions—a mixture of heartache, reluctance, and resolve—rushed into Su Wanrou's heart. She couldn't become a burden to him, nor could she let him embark on his journey with worries and guilt.
She took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound steady and firm: "Husband, go ahead."
Gu Yangui was stunned, staring at her in disbelief. He had anticipated all her reactions, but this was the one he had never expected.
Su Wanrou stood up, walked to him, and looked up at him. His image was reflected in her clear eyes, which held no tears, only a comforting tenderness and support. She reached out and gently smoothed his slightly furrowed brow, her movements gentle yet carrying a strange strength.
“I am your wife, the lady of the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion.” She said clearly, word by word, “I know you bear the weight of the nation on your shoulders, and I know that the soldiers and people of the Northern Frontier are fighting a bloody battle, waiting for you to save them from their suffering. My husband is a great hero, protecting our country is your responsibility and your glory. I… my child and I are proud of you.”
Her voice trembled slightly, but was unusually firm: "I'll take care of everything at home. I'll take good care of myself, Mingxuan, and this family, and wait for your triumphant return."
Gu Yangui felt his chest fill with a scalding emotion, surging and almost bursting out of his throat. He suddenly reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms, with such force that it seemed he wanted to meld her into his very bones. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, which carried the faint scent of jasmine, greedily inhaling her scent, the one that brought him peace and made him yearn for her.
This embrace contained no lust, only endless gratitude, deep love, and indescribable heartache. His gentle, his charming girl, when he thought she needed protection the most, used her slender yet resilient shoulders to provide him with the most secure support, becoming the strongest anchor in his adrift heart.
"Wanrou..." he called her name hoarsely, a thousand words stuck in his chest, finally turning into a heavy promise, "Wait for me to come back. I will definitely come back safely."
"Mmm." Su Wanrou nodded gently in his arms, tears finally streaming down her face, soaking the hem of his court robe, but her voice was filled with laughter, "My child and I are waiting for you. Husband, remember, no matter how far away you are, there will always be a light on for you at home."
At this moment, no more words are needed. All the worries, reluctance, and fears are understood and comforted in this silent embrace. He went to his battlefield, and she guarded their home. They were husband and wife, and each other's strongest support.
After a long while, Gu Yangui finally loosened his grip on her, gently wiping away the tears on her face with his fingertips. His eyes regained their usual sharpness and calmness, but a more intense flame burned deep within them. For her, for their unborn child, for their family, he had to win, he had to come back alive.
"Come on, let's get some snacks." He took her hand, his tone regaining its usual composure, "There are some things I need to tell you."
Over the next two days, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion appeared calm on the surface, but was intricately bustling with activity. During the day, Gu Yangui went to the palace to discuss matters, inspect troops, and deploy strategies. In the evenings, he returned home to spend time with Su Wanrou, meticulously explaining to her the mansion's defenses, interpersonal relationships, and even the contact methods for some hidden forces. He no longer saw her as a delicate flower needing complete protection, but as a true partner to whom he could entrust his back.
Su Wanrou listened attentively, trying to remember every detail. She knew that this was the greatest reassurance he could give her.
The 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month, the eve of the expedition.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com