Chapter 152 A Dream in the Garden
Chapter 152 A Dream in the Garden
In July, the capital city was sweltering with heat, the bluestone pavement seemingly melting under the scorching sun. Although the Zhenguo Duke's mansion was shaded by green trees and had running water, it was still no match for the oppressive heat of the dog days of summer. Seeing that Gu Mingzhu (Mo'er) had lost her appetite due to the heat and her face had become thinner, Gu Yangui made a decision: the whole family would go to a villa at the foot of Lishan Mountain in the suburbs of the capital to escape the heat.
This villa was built during the lifetime of the old Duke. Nestled against the mountain and beside the water, surrounded by lush trees, it was much cooler than the city. The children were overjoyed at the news. Although Mingxuan had developed the composure of a young prince, he was still a boy at heart, full of anticipation for the fun of the mountains and fields. Gu Sheng was so excited that he couldn't sleep well for several nights, constantly asking his brother if there were squirrels or rabbits in the mountains.
On the day of departure, just as dawn broke, three carriages carrying their masters and necessary servants slowly drove out of the city gates. Mo'er, held in her wet nurse's arms, peered curiously through the gauze curtain at the rapidly receding fields, babbling and pointing at the blurry mountain silhouettes in the distance. Su Wanrou, leaning against a soft pillow, looked at Gu Yangui, who was resting with his eyes closed beside her, and softly asked, "I heard that the villa isn't far from the royal hunting grounds?"
Gu Yangui opened his eyes, a barely perceptible smile flashing across them: "Yes, it's located on the southern slope of Mount Li, separated from the hunting grounds by only one mountain ridge." He paused, then added casually, "The hunting grounds are closed in the summer, and the vegetation is lush, making the scenery quite different from the spring hunt. If the weather is good then, you can take the children there to relax."
Su Wanrou had no suspicions and took it as a normal travel plan. She smiled and nodded, "That would be great. Mingxuan and Sheng'er will definitely like it."
After a half-day drive, we arrived at the villa. Just as Gu Yangui had said, a refreshing breeze greeted us as soon as we entered the mountain gate. The villa was nestled among towering ancient trees, with white walls and black tiles, simple and unadorned, yet exquisite in every detail. A mountain spring was channeled into the courtyard, and a pond was dug in the ground. Lotus flowers bloomed gracefully in the pond, koi carp frolicked, and a waterwheel creaked and turned, creating wisps of steam that dispelled the summer's restlessness.
After settling in, the days became long and pleasant. The children were like birds released from their cages. Mingxuan led Gu Sheng to identify flowers and plants on the hillside, and to catch fish and shrimp by the stream, their laughter echoing throughout the valley. Mo'er also seemed to particularly enjoy the cool, humid air here; her appetite increased, and her little face regained its rosy glow. Every day, Su Wanrou watched the children playing before her eyes, listening to the mountain breeze and birdsong, and felt an unprecedented peace and contentment in her heart.
After staying for seven or eight days, on a clear and sunny morning, Gu Yangui suggested, "The weather is so nice today, why don't we go for a walk over to the hunting grounds? I've already had someone make arrangements, so it won't be a problem."
Upon hearing this, Mingxuan and Gu Sheng cheered immediately. Su Wanrou, seeing the children's expectant eyes, smiled and agreed. Thus, the family of five, accompanied only by a few personal guards and servants, rode docile horses (Mo'er rode alongside her wet nurse in her arms) along the mountain path, leisurely heading towards the hunting grounds.
The summer hunting grounds were a stark contrast to the fluttering banners and bustling activity of the spring hunt. As far as the eye could see, lush green grass stretched to the horizon, merging seamlessly with the distant mountains. Wildflowers, purple, yellow, and white, dotted the grass like scattered stars. Tall trees cast dense shade, cicadas chirped tirelessly in the branches, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of sunshine, grass, and earth. Occasionally, a startled rabbit would leap from the grass and disappear swiftly into the distance, eliciting an excited shout from Gu Sheng.
"It's so quiet here...it's refreshing." Su Wanrou reined in her horse, took a deep breath, and felt all the pent-up emotions in her chest dissipate.
Gu Yangui rode closer to her, his gaze sweeping across the vast grassland as if searching for something. He pointed in a direction, his tone calm and even: "That place is slightly higher, with a better view. Let's rest there."
The group rode slowly to a gentle slope. Several tall oak trees on the slope had lush foliage, creating a natural shade. The servants spread out a felt rug and laid out the snacks and tea they had brought. The children chased and played on the grass, and Mo'er struggled to get down, wobbling as she tried to reach the swaying foxtail grass.
Su Wanrou sat down on the felt rug, took the warm tea Gu Yangui handed her, and casually glanced around. Suddenly, she felt that this place looked familiar. The shape of those oak trees, the slightly sunken meadow at the foot of the slope... The floodgates of memory were suddenly flung open, and the thrilling scene from that spring afternoon five years ago flooded into her mind without warning.
This is it!
The route the chestnut horse galloped wildly in fright, the direction Gu Yangui rode diagonally towards, the figure of him leaping onto the horse's back with his black robes fluttering, the palpitations and panic in my heart when he pulled me into his strong arms... every detail was as clear as if it were yesterday.
Her cheeks involuntarily flushed slightly, her heart beat a little faster, and she subconsciously turned to look at the man beside her.
Gu Yangui was gazing down the slope, his profile softened by the dappled shadows of the trees, his eyes distant, clearly lost in memories. He seemed to sense her gaze, turned around, and their eyes met, a knowing and gentle smile playing in his deep eyes.
"You remember now?" he asked softly, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible tenderness.
Su Wanrou nodded somewhat embarrassedly, giving him a reproachful look: "So that's what you were planning...you brought me here on purpose?"
Gu Yangui chuckled softly, readily admitting, "Yes. I wanted to see what summer is like here without all that hustle and bustle." He paused, his gaze returning to the meadow, his tone tinged with emotion, "That day, I was extremely impatient with that kind of occasion and just wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. Until I saw that startled horse charging towards you..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Su Wanrou understood the unspoken words he wanted to say. That moment changed the course of their lives.
“I was terrified at the time,” Su Wanrou said, looking at the grassy field as if she could still see the chaotic scene. “My mind went blank, and all I knew was to hold onto your clothes tightly. You said to me, ‘It’s okay,’ in a low voice, but it strangely calmed me down.”
Gu Yangui reached out and gently covered her hand resting on her knee. His palm was warm and dry. "I still remember the way you looked up at me. Your eyes were like those of a frightened fawn, teary-eyed, yet so clear that they reflected your image."
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light in his eyes. Looking into his eyes, Su Wanrou seemed to see again the version of herself from years ago, afraid yet still drawn to him. Time had passed, and the initial panic had transformed into the sweetest memory in her heart.
"Father, Mother, what are you looking at?" Mingxuan asked curiously, leading Gu Sheng, who was covered in sweat from playing, over. Gu Sheng, imitating his brother, stared at his parents with wide, round eyes.
Su Wanrou and Gu Yangui exchanged a smile, tacitly refraining from pointing it out. Gu Yangui pulled his youngest son to his side, wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, and changed the subject: "Tired from playing? Have some water and some snacks."
The family had a simple lunch under the shade of a tree. After the meal, the children, having regained their energy, began exploring the neighborhood again. Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou sat side by side on a rug, watching the children's joyful figures and enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
“Sometimes I think about it, fate is really amazing.” Su Wanrou gently rested her head on Gu Yangui’s shoulder and whispered, “If it weren’t for that horse being startled that day, if it weren’t for you coming to the rescue, we might have been the young lady of the Yongchang Marquis’s Mansion and the Duke of Zhenguo, and we would never have crossed paths.”
Gu Yangui put his arm around her shoulder to make her more comfortable: "Perhaps, this is fate. That arrow hit more than just the bullseye." He was referring to the archery competition he was conducting during the spring hunt, which was interrupted by a startled horse.
Upon hearing this, Su Wanrou blushed, but her heart was sweeter than honey. She thought back on these years, from the awkwardness and trepidation of her early marriage to their current mutual understanding and commitment, from the cautiousness with Mingxuan to the deep bond between mother and son, and now with Sheng'er and Mo'er... Although there have been difficulties along the way, there has been more warmth and happiness from being cherished by him and relied upon by the children.
“Yan Gui,” she called softly, “thank you.” Thank you for saving me back then, thank you for proposing to me later, thank you for all the tolerance and love you’ve given me over the years.
Gu Yangui understood her unfinished words, his arms tightened slightly, his chin gently brushing against the top of her head, his voice low and firm: "Nonsense. I should be thanking you. You've made this Duke's mansion feel like a home again."
As the sun set, the sky was filled with a magnificent sunset, bathing the grassland in a warm golden-red hue. It was time to go back. Gu Yangui helped Su Wanrou to her feet and called to the children who were still reluctant to leave.
On the way back, Su Wanrou couldn't help but look back frequently. The hunting grounds in the twilight were quiet and peaceful, overlapping with the noisy spring afternoon in her memory, forming a complete picture of life. The starting point where the horse was startled and encountered danger had now become a place where they looked back with happiness.
Gu Yangui rode alongside her, seemingly seeing through her thoughts, and said gently, "If you like it, come again next summer."
Su Wanrou smiled and nodded vigorously: "Okay."
A mountain breeze caressed her face, carrying the coolness of a summer evening and the fragrance of fresh grass. Children's laughter echoed ahead, and Mo'er babbled in her wet nurse's arms, imitating birdsong. Su Wanrou looked at the strong back of the man beside her, and at the three lively and adorable children before her, her heart filled with a vast and peaceful happiness.
A dream within a garden—a dream of past thrills, a startling realization that the affection has only deepened with time. Returning to the familiar place, the fear has vanished, replaced by tranquility and enduring love. Perhaps this is fate's best arrangement.
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