Chapter 67: Farewell Family Banquet
On the afternoon of the day Liu Yiyi was sent away, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion seemed to have lost a trace of its restless, turbulent air, presenting an unusual calm. But beneath this calm, an even heavier sorrow of parting surged.
Everyone in the manor knew that the Duke would be setting off for war at dawn the next day. The farewell banquet was held at dinner time. The flower hall was brightly lit, and the dishes were more sumptuous than usual, but no one had an appetite.
Gu Yangui went to the military camp on the outskirts of the capital in the afternoon to make final arrangements, and returned home as dusk fell. He changed out of his military uniform and into a dark-colored casual robe, which made his cold and stern features stand out even more, and his figure was as upright as a pine tree. When he stepped into the flower hall, everyone who was already waiting there stood up.
The old matriarch sat in the main seat, her expression revealing undisguised weariness and worry. Su Wanrou stood beside her, dressed in a lotus-colored dress embroidered with lotus scrolls, her hair adorned only with a plain silver hairpin, exuding elegance and dignity. Upon seeing Gu Yangui, she forced a gentle smile, stepped forward, and took the cloak he had taken off.
"My husband is back."
"Hmm." Gu Yangui's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, noticing the faint dark circles under her eyes, knowing she must have been working hard these past few days, and a pang of sadness welled up in his heart. He turned to the old matriarch and bowed, "Grandmother."
"It's good that you're back. Please sit down." The old lady's voice was a little hoarse as she gestured to the seat to her left. Gu Yangui sat down as instructed, and Su Wanrou quietly sat beside him.
Little Gu Mingxuan, led by his wet nurse, bowed respectfully, called out "Father," and then climbed onto the specially made high chair next to Su Wanrou. The child seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere, unlike his usual lively self. He looked at his father with his big eyes, then at his mother, and quietly tugged at Su Wanrou's sleeve with his little hand.
Besides them, only a few elderly ladies who lived a life of leisure in the mansion and did not participate in any affairs, as well as the steward Gu Zhong and several prominent stewards standing by. Although the matter of Liu Yiyi had been suppressed, its influence remained, making this family banquet, which should have been warm and cozy, even more so.
"Everyone, pick up your chopsticks. We're family, no need for formalities," the old lady said, taking the lead in picking up her chopsticks. However, she only managed to pick up one piece of bamboo shoot in front of her before losing her appetite.
Gu Yangui silently raised his wine cup and toasted the old lady: "Your unfilial grandson will be going to the northern border. I will trouble you to take care of the whole household."
The old lady's eyes reddened, but she forced back her tears, drank the wine in her cup, and said in a choked voice, "You are out there... swords and spears have no eyes, so you must be careful in everything you do. At home... Wanrou and I are here, so you don't need to worry."
"Yes." Gu Yangui replied, poured another glass of wine, and turned to Su Wanrou.
Su Wanrou quickly picked up her wine glass, which contained a mild fruit wine. Their eyes met, and though they had a thousand words to say, they didn't know where to begin.
"I entrust my family and Mingxuan to you." Gu Yangui's voice was low and solemn, carrying a sense of entrustment.
Su Wanrou felt a pang of sadness and almost burst into tears. She blinked hard, forcing back the tears, and tried to make her voice sound steady and firm: "Husband, rest assured, I will take good care of my grandmother, raise Mingxuan well, and manage the affairs of the manor well, and wait for your triumphant return."
The wine glasses clinked lightly, producing a crisp sound. Gu Yangui downed his wine in one gulp, and Su Wanrou followed suit. The fruit wine was sweet, but it left a slightly bitter aftertaste.
What followed was a long silence. Only the occasional clinking of bowls and chopsticks added to the oppressive atmosphere in the room. The delicacies laid out before them tasted like cardboard.
Gu Mingxuan looked at this and then at that, and finally couldn't help but ask Su Wanrou in a low voice, "Mother, is Father leaving tomorrow? Will he be gone for a long time?"
The child's innocent voice broke the silence and touched the softest and most painful spot in everyone's heart.
Su Wanrou put down her chopsticks, picked up Mingxuan and placed him on her lap, explaining softly, "Yes, Father is going to a very far place to fight bad guys and protect our country. Xuan'er, be good, eat well and study hard, so that Father can rest easy."
Mingxuan seemed to understand but not quite, but when he heard "protecting the country," his little face lit up with admiration. He turned to Gu Yangui and said in a childish but unusually serious voice, "Father, don't worry, go and fight the bad guys! Xuan'er will protect Mother and Great-Grandmother! Xuan'er has grown up!"
The child's innocent yet courageous words warmed the hearts of the adults present, bringing a bittersweet feeling. Gu Yangui's stern expression softened; he reached out and gently patted his son's head, softly replying, "Okay."
This was a rare display of affection from him towards Mingxuan, who immediately became happy and a smile appeared on his little face.
Looking at this "family of three," the old matriarch was filled with mixed emotions. She thought of Liu Yiyi, who had been sent away, and then looked at the composed and dignified Su Wanrou. Suddenly, she felt that perhaps Yan Gui marrying this young second wife wasn't such a bad thing. At least, she could support the family, keep order, and was genuinely devoted to Mingxuan.
"Wanrou," the old lady began, her tone more gentle and reliant than ever before, "with Yan Gui gone, this family depends on you and this old woman. If anything happens outside, just make the decisions; you don't have to report to me about everything. This old woman trusts you."
These words were tantamount to handing over the reins of the household to Su Wanrou completely and openly, representing the greatest recognition of her abilities.
Moved, Su Wanrou picked up Mingxuan and bowed deeply to the old lady, saying, "Granddaughter-in-law will certainly live up to Grandmother's trust."
As Gu Yangui watched this scene, the last trace of concern he had for the inner quarters of the house was released. He knew that Su Wanrou might be young, but her resilience and wisdom were enough to protect this family after he was gone.
This solemn farewell dinner eventually drew to a close amidst a warm atmosphere of mutual trust and support.
After the meal, Gu Zhong led the stewards forward to toast Gu Yangui, wishing him "a resounding victory and an early triumphant return." Gu Yangui drank each toast, then gave Gu Zhong and the others a few words of advice, essentially instructing them to wholeheartedly assist his wife.
As night deepened, the old lady, feeling exhausted, was helped back to rest by Granny Fang. Su Wanrou also coaxed Mingxuan, who had started rubbing his eyes, and had his wet nurse take him back to sleep.
"Father, Mother, goodnight." Mingxuan bowed obediently and took his leave. When he reached the door, he couldn't help but run back, hug Gu Yangui's leg, bury his face in his robe and rub against him before reluctantly leaving.
In the flower hall, only Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou remained in the end.
The candlelight flickered, illuminating the two silent figures. With parting imminent, the sorrow and reluctance that had been deliberately suppressed surged forth like a tide.
Su Wanrou walked to Gu Yangui's side and said softly, "Husband, we have to get up early tomorrow, go back and rest. As for the luggage... I have already packed it all, just check it one more time."
Gu Yangui didn't move, but simply looked up at her. Under the lamplight, her slender figure appeared exceptionally thin, as if a gust of wind could blow her over. Yet, it was this frail body that would shoulder the heavy burden of the entire Duke's mansion after he left.
He suddenly reached out and grasped her slightly cool fingertips.
Su Wanrou trembled slightly, but did not pull away, letting him hold her hand. His palm was large and warm, with the thin calluses unique to martial artists, yet it gave her an incomparably reassuring strength.
"Walk with me for a bit." Gu Yangui stood up, still not letting go of her hand.
"Okay," Su Wanrou replied softly.
The couple walked hand in hand silently out of the flower hall, along the covered corridor, and slowly made their way to the backyard. There was no moon tonight, only the lanterns hanging under the corridor casting a dim yellow glow, lengthening and overlapping their shadows.
They walked in silence, without speaking. The night breeze, carrying the coolness of early summer, ruffled Su Wanrou's skirt and hair. She felt the warmth from his palms and listened to the steady breathing of the person beside her, wishing only that this road could be longer, much longer.
Walking through the garden where they first met, where jasmine buds have now formed, walking through the courtyard where Mingxuan took his first steps, walking through the flower hall where they usually ate and talked... every plant, every brick and tile in the mansion is now tinged with the colors of parting.
Finally, we arrived at the gate of Guirenju.
Gu Yangui stopped and turned to face Su Wanrou. He raised his hand and gently brushed away a strand of hair that had been ruffled by the wind from her cheek, his movements so tender they were almost precious.
"Let's go inside, it's chilly outside," he said in a low voice.
Su Wanrou looked up at him. In the darkness, his eyes were as deep as a starry sea, churning with emotions she couldn't see but could sense. A thousand words stuck in her throat, finally turning into only one sentence: "Husband... take care."
"Mmm," Gu Yangui responded, gently stroking her cheek with his fingers. "You too."
He watched her turn and walk step by step into the courtyard, her figure disappearing inside. He stood there for a long time, until the candlelight in the inner room of Guiren Residence lit up, illuminating the slender, busy figure on the window paper, before slowly turning around and walking towards the study.
Tonight, he needs some time alone. And she knows that giving him space is better than keeping him company right now.
That night, many people in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion were sleepless. The old matriarch was chanting sutras in the Buddhist hall, Su Wanrou was checking her luggage one last time under the lamp, Gu Yangui was deep in thought in his study looking at the map of the territory, and even little Mingxuan was murmuring "Father" in his sleep.
The farewell banquet ended, but the parting songs had only just begun.
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