Chapter 109: The Emperor and Empress's Comfort
Su Wanrou slept very soundly, but also very restlessly.
Her dreams were filled with terrifying images of a carriage lurching out of control and overturning, as well as Gu Yangui's bloodshot, bulging eyes as he lunged at her. She trembled in her sleep, and each time she was about to cry out, a warm, dry hand would grasp hers in time, and a deep, familiar voice would whisper in her ear: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
The voice was like a stabilizing force, calming her nightmare. In her dazed state, she felt someone gently wiping the cold sweat from her forehead and changing the handkerchief warmed by body heat, the movements careful and filled with tenderness.
When she woke up again, only a dim horn lamp was lit in the inner room, and it was already pitch black outside the window. She moved, her whole body aching as if it were falling apart, and a dull ache was coming from her temple.
"Awake?" Gu Yangui's voice immediately came from the bedside.
Su Wanrou turned her head and saw that he was still wearing that tattered and bloodstained riding outfit. He had simply cleaned the dirt off his face, and his left arm was in a splint and bandage, hanging in front of his chest. He was sitting on the chair by the bed, his figure casting a long shadow under the light. His face showed undisguised exhaustion, but his gaze towards her was clear and focused, indicating that he had been watching over her all along.
"Husband..." Su Wanrou began to speak, only to find her throat was terribly dry and hoarse.
Gu Yangui immediately stood up, poured a glass of warm water with his uninjured right hand, carefully helped her up, and held the glass to her lips. The water was at the perfect temperature. Su Wanrou drank a few sips from his hand before feeling some relief in her throat.
"What time is it? How long have I been asleep? Your arm..." She asked a series of questions, her gaze falling worriedly on his left arm, which was in a sling.
"It's almost the end of the Xu hour. You've slept for nearly three hours." Gu Yangui put down his water cup, his tone calm. "My arm is fine, just dislocated. The imperial physician has set it, and it'll be fine after a few days of rest. But you, the imperial physician said you were frightened and need to rest well. Is there anything else that's bothering you?"
Su Wanrou shook her head and leaned back on the soft pillow: "I just feel a little sore and my head is spinning, but otherwise I'm fine." Looking at his haggard face and the bloodshot eyes, she said with heartache, "Husband, have you been staying here all this time? You're injured too, you should go and rest."
"I'm fine." Gu Yangui raised his hand and gently stroked her uninjured cheek with his fingertips, his gaze calm. "I can only feel at ease when I see you."
Simple words, yet they contained profound emotions. Su Wanrou felt a warmth in her heart and took his hand, saying, "I'm really alright now."
Just then, Qingdai's hushed voice came from outside the door: "Lord Duke, has the Madam woken up? Eunuch Gao from the Imperial Household Department and Granny Sun from the Empress's side have arrived. They say they have come to visit the Madam on the orders of His Majesty and the Empress, and have brought gifts."
Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou exchanged a glance. The Emperor and Empress's reaction was faster and more serious than expected.
"Please wait a moment, Eunuch Gao and Granny Sun. Madam will be here shortly," Gu Yangui replied in a deep voice. He then instructed the maids waiting outside, "Help Madam change and wash. Be quiet."
Although Su Wanrou needed to rest, the Emperor and Empress sent their trusted eunuchs and female officials to receive her, representing the dignity of the imperial family. It was absolutely forbidden for her to receive them while she was bedridden; this was both a matter of etiquette and respect.
With the help of Qingdai and another head maid, Su Wanrou carefully got up. Apart from aches and pains all over her body and dizziness, she felt fine. She changed into a simple lotus-colored casual dress, tied her long hair up simply, and wore a jade hairpin. Her face was bare of makeup, and the bruises and swelling on her forehead were more noticeable, which only made her look more pitiful and endearing.
Gu Yangui helped her and slowly walked to the outer main hall.
Eunuch Gao and Granny Sun had been waiting respectfully. Upon seeing Gu Yangui helping Su Wanrou out, the two quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.
"This servant greets the Duke and his wife. His Majesty and the Empress were very concerned when they heard that the Lady had been frightened, and specially ordered this servant to come and visit her." Eunuch Gao smiled broadly, his tone respectful yet concerned.
Granny Sun stepped forward, carefully examining Su Wanrou's face, her eyes revealing just the right amount of pity: "Her Majesty was extremely anxious in the palace, saying that Madam had suffered greatly. Fortunately, thanks to Buddha's blessing, Madam and the young master are both safe and sound."
With Gu Yangui's help, Su Wanrou bowed slightly and said, "I am grateful for Your Majesty's and Her Majesty's concern, and for Eunuch Gao and Granny Sun's errands. I am fine, just some minor injuries and a bit of a fright. I will be fine after a few days of rest. It is truly my fault for disturbing Your Majesty and Her Majesty."
Her tone was soft, her posture extremely humble, and her words and actions were impeccable.
"Madam, what are you saying!" Eunuch Gao hurriedly said, "His Majesty and the Empress are furious about this accident. His Majesty has already ordered a thorough investigation and will surely give the Duke and Madam an explanation."
Having said that, he gave a wink to the young eunuch behind him. The eunuch immediately presented a brocade box. Eunuch Gao opened it himself, and inside was a fine old ginseng root, complete with its roots and stem, clearly a tribute treasured by the palace.
"His Majesty has bestowed upon you a century-old ginseng root to replenish your energy and calm your mind," said Eunuch Gao.
Immediately afterwards, Granny Sun gestured to the palace maids behind her to bring out several exquisite boxes.
"Her Majesty has bestowed upon you a bushel of pearls from the East Sea to calm your nerves; ten bolts of tribute satin to make new clothes for you; and also some bird's nest and donkey-hide gelatin to soothe your mind and nourish your body." Granny Sun showed them off one by one, her smile gentle. "Her Majesty has specifically instructed that you must rest and recuperate peacefully, and not worry about anything. Everything will be taken care of by His Majesty and Her Majesty."
These gifts were not only valuable, but also represented the Emperor and Empress's clear attitude—their respect and appeasement for the Duchess of Zhenguo, as well as their extreme dissatisfaction with the incident.
Su Wanrou looked grateful and, at Gu Yangui's prompting, bowed slightly again: "This concubine kowtows to thank Your Majesty and Your Highness for your grace. The reward is so generous that this concubine is deeply grateful."
Gu Yangui finally spoke, his voice steady but carrying a hint of coldness: "Your Majesty, I thank Your Majesty and Your Highness for your grace. I trouble the eunuch and the nanny to inform Your Majesty and Your Highness that my wife needs to rest for some time, and I fear I will not be able to attend to the follow-up matters of the winter hunt. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Eunuch Gao hurriedly smiled and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. His Majesty has already given an imperial edict, instructing Your Excellency to take care of your wife with peace of mind, and that other matters will be handled by others." He paused, lowered his voice slightly, and continued, "His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation of all personnel and carriages at the horse farm, and those responsible for dereliction of duty have been detained pending trial. His Majesty instructed me to convey a message to Your Excellency, 'Rest assured, my dear minister, I will not tolerate such petty individuals who would disturb the family of the pillar of the nation.'"
The phrase "pillar of the nation" carries immense weight. It is both an affirmation of Gu Yangui's status by the emperor and a reassurance and promise to him.
Gu Yangui's eyes flickered slightly, and he bowed, saying, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."
After seeing off Eunuch Gao and Granny Sun, Su Wanrou breathed a sigh of relief as she looked at the table laden with precious gifts. With the Emperor and Empress's attitude, at least on the surface, no one would dare to deliberately cause trouble or spread rumors detrimental to her.
"Are you tired? Go back and lie down." Gu Yangui helped her up, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Lying back in bed, Su Wanrou couldn't fall asleep. She watched Gu Yangui instruct people to register the rewards and put them into the treasury, and then handle several urgent official matters. Although he tried his best to hide it, she could still see the solemnity and suppressed anger between his brows.
“My lord,” she called softly, “Will His Majesty… truly investigate this thoroughly?”
Gu Yangui walked to the bedside and sat down, holding her hand, his eyes filled with a chilling light: "His Majesty will naturally investigate. But some people have overreached and are hiding too deeply."
He paused, looking into his wife's clear eyes, and decided not to hide it from her: "The horse that pulled the carriage today was not startled by accident, but was given a drug that would cause mania beforehand. There are also slight saw marks on the broken part of the carriage shaft."
Su Wanrou gasped. Although she had suspected it was tampered with, hearing the concrete evidence still sent a chill down her spine: "Who... would do such a vicious thing?"
"No conclusion has been reached yet." Gu Yangui gently stroked her hair, his tone softening. "It could be someone in the court who disagrees with me, or it could be those parasites on the border whose livelihood I have cut off, or it could be... some underhanded scheme in the inner quarters that are after the child in your womb. Don't worry, no matter who it involves, I will never let them go."
His voice was calm, yet carried a chilling determination.
Su Wanrou nestled into his arms, feeling his steady heartbeat, and the fear in her heart was gradually replaced by a firm strength. She knew that her husband had the ability to protect her and their child. And what she had to do was to recover as soon as possible, not to become a burden to him, and to become someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him and face the storms together.
"Yes, I believe you," she said softly, closing her eyes. "Husband, you should rest too; you don't look well."
Looking at her trusting and dependent expression, Gu Yangui felt his violent anger subside somewhat. He blew out the lamp, lay down beside her fully clothed, and carefully pulled her into his arms, avoiding her injuries.
"Sleep now, I'll watch over you," he whispered in her ear.
Outside the window, the north wind howled, and snow fell silently. Inside, a couple who had survived a life-or-death ordeal slept in each other's arms, their breaths mingling, becoming the warmest comfort in this cold night.
The Emperor and Empress's words of comfort were merely an gesture of reassurance, but the real storms and struggles might have only just begun. However, as long as the couple were of one mind, they had nothing to fear.
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