Chapter 68: Nighttime Talk and Entrustment
At the end of the Xu hour, Gui Ren resided in his inner chamber.
The candlelight illuminated the neatly arranged yet somewhat empty room. Several heavy trunks were piled in the corner, containing military uniforms, everyday clothes, medicines, dry rations, and other items that Su Wanrou had personally packed and repeatedly checked.
Su Wanrou was bending down, stuffing the last few boxes of carefully prepared wound medicine and cold-dispelling ointment into a small, easily accessible bag. Her movements were meticulous and slow, as if she wanted to carefully sew every bit of her concern into these trivial items.
Yunbin and Yuebai stood quietly to one side, their eyes slightly red, but they dared not utter a sound to disturb them. The room was so quiet that only the occasional crackling of candle flames could be heard, along with the faint sound of the heavy footsteps of the night patrol soldiers outside the window—these footsteps, much more frequent than usual, constantly reminded everyone that parting was imminent.
"You can all go and rest." Su Wanrou straightened up, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue. "You don't need to keep watch tonight."
“Madam…” Yunbin began with concern.
"Go ahead," Su Wanrou turned around and gave them a reassuring smile. "We need to get up early tomorrow to see you off, so make sure you're well-rested."
Knowing her intentions, the two maids could only curtsy and quietly retreat, gently closing the door behind them.
The room fell completely silent. Su Wanrou walked to the window, pushed open the hinged shutter halfway, and a cool night breeze rushed in, dispelling the oppressive atmosphere. She looked towards the study, where the light was still on, like the only star in the darkness. She knew he was still there. Perhaps he was handling the final military affairs, or perhaps, like her, he simply needed some time alone to process this heavy sorrow of separation.
She didn't disturb them. She just stood there quietly, letting her thoughts drift away. From their first encounter on the hunting grounds, to the bewilderment at the imperial decree of marriage, the awkwardness on their wedding night, from estrangement to intimacy with Mingxuan, and now, as he is about to embark on a distant expedition, solemnly entrusting this family and her to her hands... In just a few short months, it felt as if half a lifetime had passed.
The footsteps approached from afar, steady and familiar, exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
Su Wanrou's heart skipped a beat. She quickly closed the window, tidied her hair and clothes, and turned to face the door.
The door was pushed open, and Gu Yangui's tall figure appeared in the doorway. He had changed out of his dark-colored casual clothes and was now wearing a dark-colored nightgown with subtle patterns, over which he wore a long robe of the same color. His dark hair was not tied up and was casually draped over his shoulders. He looked less cold and dignified than usual and more relaxed at home, but he could not hide the fierce aura that had been tempered on the battlefield between his brows.
He closed the door behind him, his gaze falling on Su Wanrou. She stood in the brightest candlelight, her lotus-colored dress making her skin appear as white as snow, her figure slender, as if she would break if bent with a single force. Yet, it was these seemingly fragile shoulders that, from tomorrow onward, would support him and uphold this vast Duke's mansion.
"Husband." Su Wanrou stepped forward, took the outer robe he had casually taken off, and hung it on the pear wood rack beside him. It was slightly cool to the touch, carrying the dampness of the night dew. "Would you like some calming tea? It's been kept warm on the stove."
"No need." Gu Yangui walked to the table and sat down, poured himself a glass of warm water, and drank it all in one gulp. His gaze swept over the trunks in the corner, finally settling on Su Wanrou's face. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, everything is packed according to what you usually use, my husband." Su Wanrou sat down on the embroidered stool next to him and picked up the small bag on the table. "These are the medicines I carry with me: wound medicine, hemostatic powder, medicine to dispel cold, and medicine to prevent miasma. They all have labels with instructions on how to use them. There are also a few pairs of thick socks and soft-soled shoes. It's hard to travel, my husband, please remember to change them."
Her voice was soft and gentle, rambling on and on, carrying the most genuine concern of an ordinary wife for her husband who was traveling far away. Gu Yangui listened quietly, without the slightest impatience. He looked at her lowered eyes, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows under her eyelids, and her slender, white fingers holding her luggage, which were unusually steady.
He suddenly reached out and placed his hand on the back of her hand, which was resting on her luggage.
Su Wanrou's voice stopped abruptly, her fingertips trembled slightly, but she did not pull them back.
His warm, dry palms, with their calloused roughness, caressed her delicate skin, possessing a strange, soothing power.
"Wanrou." He called her name, his voice low and clear in the quiet night.
Su Wanrou looked up and met his deep eyes. They were no longer calm and still as usual, but were churning with complex emotions: concern, instructions, reluctance, and a hint of vulnerability she had never seen before.
"After I'm gone, this family will be in your hands." He looked at her, speaking each word slowly and heavily.
Su Wanrou's heart tightened, and she nodded vigorously: "Husband, don't worry, I will take good care of Grandmother, take good care of Mingxuan, and manage everything in the mansion, and wait for you to come back."
"Grandmother is getting old and can't handle any stress. You can make your own decisions about household matters. If you encounter any difficulties, consult with Gu Zhong; he is loyal and reliable. If you have any social engagements outside, decline them if you can; don't force yourself. Everything is for your safety and the well-being of the household." He gave detailed instructions, leaving no stone unturned, a stark contrast to his usual concise style.
“I understand.” Su Wanrou wrote it down carefully.
Gu Yangui paused, his gaze growing even more profound, and he tightened his grip on her hand: "Mingxuan is the most important thing."
Su Wanrou met his gaze without flinching: "Mingxuan is my child. I will treat him as my own, protect him, and teach him to succeed."
“No,” Gu Yangui shook his head, his voice carrying a heavy sense of entrustment, “I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, protecting Mingxuan is the top priority. Even if… even if it means sacrificing the interests of the Duke’s Mansion, or even… sacrificing other things.”
Su Wanrou was deeply shocked, her pupils contracting slightly. She had never heard Gu Yangui entrust something with such a solemn tone, even carrying a hint of "any means necessary." This was not merely a father's care for his son, but more like... a steadfast adherence to a certain promise, even tinged with an unspeakable worry.
Could it be... that the situation in the North is more dangerous than the rumors suggest? Or is there some unforeseen event in the capital that will affect Mingxuan?
She dared not think too deeply about it, but the undeniable solemnity in Gu Yangui's eyes made her instantly understand the weight of this promise. Perhaps, this was the most important instruction he would give tonight.
Without the slightest hesitation, she grasped his large hand in return, her gaze clear and resolute, and said, as if making a vow, word by word, "I promise my husband. As long as Su Wanrou has a breath left, I will protect Mingxuan and keep him safe. As long as he is here, I am here."
The last four words were spoken with resounding force.
Gu Yangui gazed deeply at her, as if trying to etch the unwavering determination in her eyes and brows into his very heart. After a long while, his tightly pursed lips relaxed slightly, as if a tremendous burden had been lifted, and he let out a long, silent sigh of relief.
"Okay." He said only this one word, yet it seemed to contain a thousand words. He tightened his grip on her hand.
The candle flame crackled and burst into a bright flame.
Silence fell again in the room, but it was no longer the oppressive silence of before; instead, it was a quietude of mutual understanding and entrustment of life to each other. A bond called "husband and wife united in heart" became stronger than ever before on the eve of their parting.
Outside the window, the sound of a clapper at midnight could be heard.
Su Wanrou gently withdrew her hand and stood up: "It's getting late, my husband has to get up early tomorrow, so please rest."
Gu Yangui also stood up, but instead of immediately going to the bed, he walked up to her, stretched out his arms, and gently embraced her.
Su Wanrou stiffened for a moment, then softened, pressing her cheek against his firm, warm chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, her nose filled with his cool, refreshing scent, mixed with a faint fragrance of ink. It was a familiar, comforting scent to her.
His embrace wasn't tight, but it carried a sense of preciousness. He didn't say any sweet words, just held her quietly, as if trying to convey strength and courage to her through this embrace, and also to draw warmth and care from her.
"Wait for me to come back," he whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe.
"Mmm." Su Wanrou closed her eyes and nodded vigorously, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes. "Mingxuan, my grandmother, and I will wait for my husband's triumphant return."
After a long while, he slowly released her, his fingertips gently brushing against the corner of her eye, touching a trace of cool water.
"Go to sleep," he whispered, blowing out most of the candles on the table, leaving only a dim floor lamp in the corner.
The curtains fell, blocking out the faint light from outside. The two lay side by side on the large bed, a small distance between them, yet they could clearly feel each other's presence and breath.
Neither of them spoke again, and they both knew that the other was not asleep.
This night was destined to be long. But because of each other's company and that heavy trust, the sorrow of parting seemed to be diluted a little, replaced by a courage and determination to face the unknown future together.
The night was deep and all was silent. Only inside Guiren Residence, two hearts beat in unison, anticipating tomorrow's separation.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com