Chapter 85: The Stirrings of the Traveling Star
The late autumn morning light shone through the window lattice, casting dappled patterns on the floor. After breakfast, Gu Yangui did not go directly to his study to handle official business as usual, but instead took Su Wanrou's hand.
"The weather is lovely today, come with me for a walk in the garden."
Su Wanrou was somewhat surprised, but still obediently agreed, her hand in his grasp tightening slightly, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curving upwards. Since returning from her homecoming, her husband seemed to be paying more and more attention to these small, everyday moments together.
Xiao Mingxuan didn't have to go to school today, and he was already having a great time chasing fallen leaves in the yard. When he saw his parents come out, he immediately rushed over like a little firecracker and hugged Gu Yangui's leg.
"Father! Mother! Look, doesn't this leaf look like a big hand?" He held up a large sycamore leaf and waved it excitedly.
Gu Yangui bent down and easily lifted his son over his head, letting him sit astride his broad shoulders. Mingxuan exclaimed in surprise at first, then laughed happily, his little hands tightly hugging his father's head.
"Hold on tight." Gu Yangui held his son on his shoulder with one hand, while his other hand naturally held Su Wanrou's hand.
The Duke's mansion garden in autumn has a unique charm. Chrysanthemums are in full bloom, the osmanthus is fragrant, and the ginkgo leaves are golden, all set against the clear blue sky, creating a serene and beautiful scene. The three of them strolled slowly. Mingxuan chattered away on his father's shoulder, uttering childlike witty remarks. Gu Yangui occasionally chimed in, while Su Wanrou quietly accompanied him. Her gaze swept over her husband's resolute profile and her son's joyful smile, and her heart was filled with a warm and throbbing emotion.
This was the happiness she had never dared to hope for. If only time could stand still at this moment.
Upon reaching the lakeside pavilion, Gu Yangui put Mingxuan down, and the little guy immediately ran to the railing to watch the koi swimming in the water. Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou stood side by side, gazing at the shimmering lake surface.
“The Emperor’s birthday is in a few days, and there will surely be celebrations in the palace,” Gu Yangui said in a deep and steady voice. “You need to prepare your court attire in advance, and come with me at that time.”
"Yes, I've got it." Su Wanrou nodded. This was her first time participating in the Emperor's Birthday Celebration as the Duchess, a grand event second only to the New Year's Grand Court Assembly, and she couldn't afford to be careless in the slightest.
"No need to be nervous, just follow the routine." Gu Yangui seemed to see through her thoughts, turned his head to look at her, and said with a gentle gaze, "Her Majesty the Empress mentioned to me before that she thought you were calm and composed, and asked you to talk to her more often."
This was a great honor. Su Wanrou felt a warmth in her heart and said softly, "Yes, I understand, and I will certainly not bring shame to my husband."
Gu Yangui frowned almost imperceptibly: "Husband and wife are one, how can there be any shame in it?" He paused, then softened his tone, "You're doing very well now."
As they were talking, they suddenly saw the butler, Gu Zhong, walking hurriedly along the corridor, his expression carrying a hint of seriousness that was hard to detect. Gu Yangui's gaze sharpened instantly. He patted Su Wanrou's hand and said in a low voice, "Take Mingxuan back and get something to eat."
Su Wanrou's heart sank slightly, but she showed no sign of it on her face. She simply nodded obediently, called Mingxuan, and led the child, who kept turning back to look at her, away from the waterside pavilion. In the instant she turned around, she caught a glimpse of Gu Zhong walking up to Gu Yangui, bowing and handing him a letter with a feather tucked inside.
That's... a military report? Su Wanrou's fingers tightened unconsciously. Has something happened at the border again?
---
The atmosphere in the study was somber.
Gu Yangui unfolded the letter, quickly scanning its contents, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. The letter, delivered by his trusted lieutenant with urgent communication, reported that the Rong and Di tribes in the northern border had been making frequent unusual movements recently. Several tribes seemed poised to unite, constantly harassing border outposts. Although they hadn't launched a large-scale invasion, their intentions were treacherous. Even more worrying was that a veteran general in the army had recently fallen from his horse and was seriously injured, making it unlikely he could continue guarding the border.
"Is the news true?" Gu Yangui placed the letter over the candle flame, watching it slowly burn to ashes.
Gu Zhong bowed and said, "It is confirmed. The messenger was Vice General Zhao's personal guard. He said that Vice General Zhao was worried that the news might be leaked through the Ministry of War's postal service, causing unnecessary panic, so he specially sent him back to the capital to report in secret."
Gu Yangui stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the fading autumn colors in the courtyard, remaining silent for a long time. The northern border had been peaceful for less than three years, and those restless forces could no longer contain themselves. A wounded veteran general and a leaderless army were major military blunders. And now, in the court… He recalled the growing voices of several civil officials advocating “appeasement” and his gaze darkened.
"Prepare the horses." He turned around, his tone regaining its usual calm and decisiveness. "I need to enter the palace immediately to meet the Emperor."
---
Su Wanrou sat by the window, a book in her hand, but she couldn't concentrate on reading a single word. Mingxuan was playing with tangrams with his wet nurse beside him, occasionally looking up and calling her "Mother" in a clear voice, but she only responded absentmindedly.
She was restless. Ever since she saw the letter with the feather inlay, an inexplicable anxiety had been weighing on her. She recalled the enigmatic expression on her husband's face the night before her return home, when he mentioned the situation in the north. Could it be…?
After an unknown amount of time, familiar footsteps sounded outside the window. Su Wanrou immediately got up to greet them and saw Gu Yangui stepping into the courtyard. His expression was normal, even calmer than before he went to the study, but Su Wanrou keenly caught a lingering chill in the depths of his eyes.
"Husband." She stepped forward and took the cloak he had taken off.
"Mmm." Gu Yangui responded, glancing at Mingxuan who had run over after hearing the commotion, and reached out to ruffle his hair. "Did you have fun?"
"I'm so happy! Father, I've pieced together a goose!" Mingxuan proudly held up the tangram puzzle in his hand.
Gu Yangui looked at it cooperatively and praised, "Not bad." Then he said to Su Wanrou, "Let the wet nurse take Mingxuan to take a nap. You come with me."
Su Wanrou's heart tightened again. After giving the wet nurse a few instructions, she followed Gu Yangui into the inner room.
Gu Yangui sat down on the couch by the window and gestured to the seat beside him. Su Wanrou sat down as instructed and waited quietly. She knew he must have something important to tell her.
A moment of silence fell over the room, broken only by the rustling of leaves falling in the wind outside the window. Gu Yangui pondered, seemingly considering how to begin.
“Wanrou,” he finally looked up at her, his voice low and steady, “there are some military matters in the Northern Border that may require me to handle personally.”
Despite having a premonition, Su Wanrou's heart still sank when she heard it with her own ears. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her fingertips turning slightly white, and tried to make her voice sound calm: "Is the situation... very serious? How long will it take?"
"The situation is not critical yet, but we must take precautions." Gu Yangui spoke succinctly, without going into details about the military situation. This was in accordance with protocol, and also because he did not want her to worry too much. "The return date is uncertain. It could be as short as a month or two, or as long as... perhaps until next spring."
Next spring…that's at least three or four months. Su Wanrou lowered her eyelashes, concealing the reluctance and worry that instantly welled up in her eyes. The border is bitterly cold, and swords have no eyes; even if he is a peerless martial artist and a brilliant strategist, how could she not worry about him?
But she knew all too well that he was the Duke of Zhenguo of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and it was his responsibility to protect the territory. She could not, and should not, use romantic feelings to bind him.
When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with tenderness and support: "The affairs of the country are of utmost importance, my husband need not worry about the family. I will take good care of everything in the manor and will also take good care of Mingxuan."
Her understanding softened Gu Yangui's heart, mixed with a touch of bitterness. He reached out and took her slightly cool hand in his palm; the warm, dry touch instantly soothed Su Wanrou's unease.
"With the Emperor's birthday approaching, you should attend the palace celebrations as usual. Everything is done according to precedent. If you encounter any difficulties, you can submit a petition to the Empress and request an audience. I have already entrusted this to you." He carefully instructed, "You can discuss matters of the household with Gu Zhong. He is loyal and reliable. You also need to take good care of Mingxuan's studies."
"I understand." Su Wanrou nodded and wrote everything down.
“Furthermore,” Gu Yangui looked at her with a deep gaze, “while I am away from the capital, you should try to stay at home as little as possible and avoid contact with the outside world unless absolutely necessary. If any unfamiliar people send you invitations, just refuse them. If you encounter any difficult situations, you can seek help from the Prince of An’s son. He and I have been friends since childhood and he is trustworthy.”
This explanation went far beyond ordinary family matters, carrying a sense of foresight and caution. Su Wanrou was not an innocent, sheltered young woman; she immediately sensed something unusual. Was there some turmoil in the court...?
She didn't press further, but solemnly replied, "My lord, rest assured, I have remembered. I will guard the house carefully and wait patiently for your return."
Her intelligence and composure brought Gu Yangui great comfort. He gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips and said softly, "I'm sorry you had to go through all this."
Su Wanrou shook her head, a gentle smile spreading across her eyes: "I'm not wronged. It's my blessing to marry you and manage the household for you. I only hope that you have a safe journey and return home soon."
She spoke the last four words very softly, yet they carried immense weight.
Gu Yangui's heart stirred, and he reached out to pull her into his arms. Su Wanrou obediently leaned against his firm chest, listening to his strong and steady heartbeat, her nose filled with his cool and familiar scent, and her eyes slightly warmed.
The parting came so suddenly.
---
In the following days, everything seemed normal on the surface at the Duke's mansion, but preparations were quietly underway for the master's departure. Su Wanrou personally led the maids to pack Gu Yangui's luggage. The border region was bitterly cold, so she carefully checked his fur coat, cloak, hand warmer, and other items, and secretly added some calming and purifying herbs to his usual sachet.
Gu Yangui became unusually busy, frequently going in and out of the palace and the Ministry of War, often returning late at night. Even when he returned home, he mostly discussed matters with his advisors in his study. Su Wanrou never disturbed him, only instructing the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack, which she personally delivered to the door of the study, handing it to the gatekeeper before leaving.
That evening, after dinner, Gu Yangui returned to his room early, which was unusual for him. Mingxuan had already been taken to bed by the wet nurse, leaving only the couple in the inner room. By candlelight, Su Wanrou was mending the cuffs of an old undergarment for him, her expression focused and gentle.
Gu Yangui walked over, sat down beside her, and watched her quietly for a moment before suddenly saying, "There's no need to do all this. There are plenty of embroiderers in the manor."
Su Wanrou raised her head and smiled gently: "They do it because of their own intentions, and I do it because of mine. Perhaps it will keep my husband warmer."
Gu Yangui said nothing more, only gazing at her with deep eyes. The beauty under the lamplight possessed a unique charm. The gentleness in her eyes and the delicacy in her movements were like a warm current, quietly softening his heart, hardened by matters of state.
"Wanrou," he called to her.
"Hmm?" Su Wanrou stopped her needlework and looked up at him.
“When I return,” Gu Yangui’s voice was low and slow, “let’s have a child.”
Su Wanrou was taken aback at first, then two blushes quickly rose to her cheeks, spreading all the way to her ears. She lowered her head shyly, her voice barely audible: "...I will do whatever my husband says."
Gu Yangui chuckled softly, reached out and lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. The candlelight danced in her clear eyes, casting his shadow. He leaned down and placed a solemn and tender kiss on her smooth forehead.
"Wait for me to come back."
---
The departure date was set three days before the Emperor's birthday.
Before dawn, carriages and horses were already lined up in front of the Duke's mansion. The guards stood silently, exuding a chilling aura of killing intent.
Gu Yangui, clad in black armor, stood before the steps, his imposing figure radiating an aura of authority. He patted Mingxuan's head one last time, and the little boy seemed to sense the weight of parting, his lips trembling as he struggled to hold back his tears, only managing to choke out, "Father, come back soon."
"Listen to your mother at home," Gu Yangui said in a deep voice.
“Yes!” Mingxuan nodded emphatically.
Gu Yangui's gaze finally settled on Su Wanrou. She was dressed in formal attire befitting a duchess, dignified and composed, only her slightly reddened eyes betraying her suppressed emotions.
A thousand words stuck in my throat, ultimately condensed into just one sentence: "I'm leaving."
Su Wanrou stepped forward and handed him the bundle she had been carrying, which contained clothes and several pairs of shoes and socks she had worked day and night to make. She looked up at him and tried to give him a reassuring smile: "Take care, my husband."
Gu Yangui gazed at her intently, as if trying to etch her image into his heart. Then, he turned swiftly, mounted his horse, and completed the action in one fluid motion.
"Set off!"
At a command, the horses' hooves shattered the morning's tranquility, and the procession, like a black torrent, galloped toward the city gate, raising clouds of dust.
Su Wanrou, holding Mingxuan's hand, stood in front of the mansion gate, watching his receding figure until it completely disappeared at the end of the long street. The cold autumn wind whipped up her skirt, bringing a biting chill.
In the sky, a flock of migrating geese flew by, emitting mournful cries, and flapped their wings to fly towards the distant horizon.
The messenger has set out, the stars are shifting. This parting is uncertain, the road ahead unknown. All she can do is protect this home and wait for her beloved's early return.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com