Chapter 137: The Title is Set
As dawn broke, dappled light filtered through the delicate window frames, casting shadows on the bluestone-paved floor. Inside the main courtyard, the lingering scent of herbs mingled with the delicate fragrance of jasmine, creating a tranquil and warm atmosphere.
Su Wanrou was still fast asleep, her body exhausted from childbirth, making her sleep exceptionally soundly. Her long eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyes, and although her face still bore the pallor of postpartum, the fear and worry of the past few days were gone from her brows, replaced by a completely relaxed and peaceful expression.
Gu Yangui had already gotten up, moving very quietly, afraid of waking the person beside him. He stood by the window dressed in a dark-colored casual robe, his posture still as upright as a pine tree. But if you looked closely, you could see that what had settled between his brows was not only his usual coldness and majesty, but also a deep sense of having experienced life and death, as well as an unyielding tenderness and lingering fear when he looked towards the bed.
Without disturbing anyone, he personally wrung out a warm handkerchief, went to the bedside, and gently wiped the fine beads of sweat from Wanrou's forehead. His fingertips brushed against her warm cheek, and the real touch finally put his heart, which had been hanging in suspense for months, back on track. His darling, his child, were safe and sound. This brought him far greater satisfaction and relief than any city he had recaptured on the border or any victory he had won.
After quietly watching over her by the bedside for a while, until he was sure she was still sleeping soundly, Gu Yangui turned around and quietly left the inner room.
Outside, Steward Gu Zhong was already waiting respectfully. His eyes were dark and swollen, clearly indicating he hadn't slept well for the past few days, but his spirits were extremely high. "Your Highness, breakfast is ready. Shall we eat it in the outer room, or…?"
"Send it to the study." Gu Yangui's voice was deep and left no room for doubt. "Also, invite Imperial Physician Lin to come and take Madam's pulse again. Tell the servants that once Madam wakes up, everything she needs must be delivered immediately without fail."
"Yes, this old servant understands." Gu Zhong quickly replied, then paused and reported, "Sir, yesterday the palace sent someone again to inquire about your well-being. The Empress and His Majesty are both very concerned about the Madam and the young master's condition. What do you think..."
Gu Yangui's gaze sharpened slightly, and he nodded: "I understand. After Madam wakes up, I will go to the palace to express my gratitude to the Emperor."
He ate a simple breakfast and went straight to the study. Inside the study, Mo Yu was already waiting. His arm was also wrapped in bandages, but his expression was resolute. When he saw Gu Yangui enter, he immediately clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Master."
"Is everything cleaned up?" Gu Yangui sat down behind the large rosewood desk, which was piled with official documents and military reports that had accumulated over the past few days. However, his gaze was now fixed on a blank memorial paper.
"Yes," Mo Yu replied in a deep voice, a sharp glint in his eyes. "There is indeed a mastermind behind the matter of Falling Eagle Gorge. The clues point to Zhao Yonghe, the Vice Minister of War... and also to a spy planted by a certain nobleman in the palace. They used false military intelligence to lure you in, intending to... kill two birds with one stone." They wanted to eliminate the Duke of Zhenguo, whose merits threatened the emperor, and also to frighten and harm the Duchess, who was about to give birth and was currently enjoying the emperor's favor. Their intentions were despicable.
Gu Yangui's eyes suddenly turned icy cold. His fingertips tapped lightly on the desk, producing a dull thud that seemed to lower the atmosphere in the study. He didn't immediately lash out, but simply said coldly, "Is the evidence conclusive?"
"We have both witnesses and physical evidence, but... if we delve deeper, it might implicate a wide range of people and cause turmoil in the court." Mo Yu had some concerns. The new emperor had only been on the throne for a short time, and his foundation was not yet stable. If a major case were to be launched at this time, it might not be what His Majesty wanted.
Gu Yangui remained silent for a moment, a cold glint flashing in his eyes before finally settling into a deep, calculating look: "Organize all the evidence and make backups. As for Zhao Yonghe… don't touch him yet. Keeping him alive will be more useful." It's better to lure the snake out of its hole than to alert it. He wanted to see just how many demons and monsters were lurking behind this. Right now, the most important thing was Wanrou and the child's status and safety. The scores in the court could be settled later.
"Yes." Mo Yu understood.
“There is one more thing,” Gu Yangui said, looking at him. “Go there yourself, open the storeroom in the manor, and take stock of all the things I instructed you to prepare before I went to war, especially those few items…” He whispered a few instructions, and Mo Yu’s eyes flashed with surprise before he solemnly accepted the order and left.
Silence returned to the study. Gu Yangui spread out the blank paper for the memorial, took the imperial purple-haired brush, and slowly dipped it into the inkstone. He did not write immediately, but instead looked out the window. In the courtyard, several jasmine bushes were in full bloom, their pure white flowers unfolding in the morning light, resembling gentle and pure smiles.
His thoughts drifted back to that spring day months ago, when they first met on a horse; back to her timid yet determined demeanor as a newlywed; back to every moment of their growing intimacy, from awkwardness to closeness; back to every night she bravely responded to him in his arms, suppressing her shyness; and back to the life-or-death ordeal in the delivery room the day before, and the moment she murmured his name even in her unconscious state…
All of this converged into a powerful force, propelling the pen in his hand.
He lowered his gaze, focused intently, and when he looked up again, his eyes were clear and resolute. The pen fell, its force penetrating the paper, and lines of powerful, deeply affectionate handwriting flowed across the page:
"Your subject, Duke Gu Yangui, is filled with trepidation and fear, and humbly submits this memorial:"
"I am but a soldier, and I have been granted the title of Duke by Your Majesty's grace. I am always filled with trepidation, fearing that I may fail Your Majesty's expectations. Recently, war broke out again in the northern border. I was ordered to go on the expedition. Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune and the bravery of the soldiers, I was able to fulfill my mission. However, this is all within my duty and I dare not claim credit."
"I risk my life to plead my case today, not only for family matters but also for the sake of national ethics. My wife, Lady Su, is gentle and kind, virtuous and beautiful. Since marrying into my household, she has been dutiful to her elders and caring for our young son, managing the household diligently and carefully, allowing me to focus on the affairs of the king without any worries. During my recent expedition, rumors and gossip spread like wildfire in the capital, attempting to shake the people's morale. Lady Su, in a perilous situation, remained calm and composed, single-handedly upholding the family's stability both inside and outside. Moreover, upon hearing the news of my perilous situation at the border, she endured her fear and gave birth to our son, nearly sacrificing herself in the process. This is a great service she has rendered to me and to the Gu clan."
"My adopted son, Mingxuan, is a descendant of a loyal and virtuous man, whom I regard as my own. Since Madam Su entered our household, she has treated Mingxuan as if he were her own child, teaching him with meticulous care and boundless love, allowing the young boy to bask in maternal affection once more, and ensuring his physical and mental well-being. Mingxuan, in turn, regards Madam Su as his birth mother, with deep affection and devotion. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to grant me the grace to formally register my adopted son, Mingxuan, under the name of my wife, Madam Su, so as to fulfill the bond between mother and son, establish his status, and allow the descendant of a loyal and virtuous man to enjoy the blessings of his legal mother, thus also bringing peace to my heart and that of my deceased friend."
"My youngest son was born to the Su family amidst great hardship and danger. He is the continuation of my legitimate bloodline. I also earnestly request that his status as the legitimate son be clearly recorded in the family genealogy, so that he may be born with honor and be worthy of the name of the Duke's legitimate descendant."
"Your Majesty, I am well aware that the patriarchal system and rites are the foundation of the nation, and my request may be considered presumptuous. However, I believe that the fundamental principles of social order and ethics should prioritize genuine feelings and sincerity. Within the family, Lady Su is virtuous and kind, and her contributions to the ancestral temple are significant; within the nation, she indirectly helped me stabilize the morale of the army, which is also a merit. If, because she is a second wife, or because Mingxuan is not her biological son, her status as mother and son is tainted, my conscience will be uneasy, and I fear it will also chill the hearts of women throughout the land who have sacrificed for their families and the nation."
"I have spent half my life on the battlefield, fearless of the clash of swords and the shadows of death, but I have always feared unrest within my own household, and the lack of legitimacy for my wife and children. Now that the external threats have been temporarily quelled, I have no other wish but for harmony in my home, for my wife and children to be legally recognized, and for them to enjoy the bliss of family life. This is my only selfish wish after my bloody battles. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to understand my sincerity, to consider the merits of the Su family, the loyal bloodline of Mingxuan, and the legitimate status of my youngest son, and to grant my request by imperial grace. Then my family and I will be eternally grateful for Your Majesty's grace, and even if we were to give our lives, it would not be enough to repay even a fraction of it!"
"After the banquet, I wept blood, kowtowed, and respectfully report this."
The memorial was finished, the ink still wet. Gu Yangui carefully examined it, every word and sentence a heartfelt expression of his feelings. He didn't exaggerate his military achievements; instead, he focused entirely on Su Wanrou's contributions and the necessity of granting her a formal title, appealing to her emotions and reasoning with her, even going so far as to plead for her with his "only personal wish"—something unprecedented in his previous memorials. He knew that for the new emperor, who was less suspicious and valued relationships more, such frankness was far more powerful than listing military exploits.
He carefully dried the memorial, placed it in a specially made sealed envelope, sealed it with sealing wax, and stamped it with his Duke Zhenguo's gold seal.
Just then, soft footsteps and a maid's whispers came from outside the door. Gu Yangui's expression changed, and he immediately stood up.
Inside the room, Su Wanrou had already woken up and was slowly sitting up with the help of her maid. She had just drunk some ginseng soup, and her complexion looked better than last night.
"Awake? How do you feel?" Gu Yangui strode in, naturally took the maid's hand, supported her, and let her lean against him, his movements practiced and gentle.
"Much better." Su Wanrou smiled at him, her gaze falling on the conspicuous memorial on the desk. "Is my husband going to the palace?"
"Hmm." Gu Yangui followed her gaze, hesitated for a moment, and decided not to hide it from her, "I'm going to thank His Majesty for his favor, and by the way... submit a memorial."
Su Wanrou was incredibly intelligent and immediately guessed what was going on. She grasped his hand, her eyes filled with concern and a hint of unease: "Is it for me and the child... and Mingxuan?" She knew all too well that taking a second wife's son, especially one who had to register his adopted son under her name, was no easy task in a family that valued propriety and law. It could easily attract criticism or even offend the emperor.
Gu Yangui saw her worry, and squeezed her hand in return, his gaze firm and warm: "Don't worry, I've got you covered. You, Mingxuan, and our child deserve the most rightful place. This is what I owe you, and it's what I must fight for you." He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, "Wait for me to come back."
He didn't say much, but his composure and determination were enough to soothe Su Wanrou's anxious heart. She nodded and said softly, "Okay, the child and I will wait for you."
Gu Yangui gave a few more instructions to the maids and nannies before straightening his clothes, holding the memorial in his hand, and striding out of the main courtyard. Sunlight shone on him, making his dark figure stand tall and straight like a mountain, exuding an undeniable sense of power.
The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.
The new emperor, Xiao Jingyan, was reviewing memorials when he heard that the Duke of Zhenguo was requesting an audience, so he immediately summoned him. His young face showed some fatigue, but even more so, his reliance on and concern for this trusted minister.
"Rise, my dear minister. Are your wife and son well?" The emperor put down his vermilion brush and spoke gently.
"Thanks to Your Majesty's great blessings, my wife and youngest son are both out of danger. I have come to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's grace!" Gu Yangui bowed and replied respectfully.
"That's good, that's good!" The Emperor was clearly relieved, a genuine smile appearing on his face. "The Empress and I are very pleased to hear that Your Excellency has given birth to a son safely. The Duke's family having an heir is a joyous occasion for the court. My dear minister fought valiantly to protect the country, and now that your family is at peace, it is truly the will of Heaven."
"Your Majesty flatters me. I am unworthy of such praise." Gu Yangui said modestly, then presented the memorial with both hands. "Your Majesty, I have another matter concerning family and ethics. I am writing to report this on my behalf and humbly request Your Majesty's consideration."
The eunuch took the memorial and presented it to the emperor.
The emperor, somewhat curious, unfolded the memorial. At first, his expression was calm, but as he read on, his expression gradually became serious, and then he was moved. He saw Gu Yangui's understated description of military achievements, his tireless acknowledgment of Su Wanrou's contributions, his solemn arrangement of Mingxuan's identity, and even more so, the deep affection and protection for his wife and children between the lines, and the earnestness in the final phrase, "My only selfish wish."
The emperor remained silent for a long time. He knew Gu Yangui's character well; he was upright and aloof, never easily asking for favors, let alone expressing his personal desires so frankly in a memorial. This memorial was less a request for imperial decree and more a man, a father, using all his merits and loyalty to secure the most secure future for his wife and children.
After a long silence, the Emperor raised his head and looked down at Gu Yangui, who stood respectfully with his head bowed. His gaze was complex, filled with emotion and admiration, which finally settled into a soft sigh: "I understand your heart, my dear minister. Your wife, Madam Su, is virtuous and kind, a model of a noblewoman; Mingxuan is the descendant of a loyal and virtuous man, and rightfully deserves the favor of his stepmother; and your youngest son is your own flesh and blood, of noble birth. Your request is perfectly reasonable and justifiable."
He picked up his vermilion brush and wrote on the memorial: "Granted. Lady Su is gentle and kind, and has made meritorious contributions in raising the descendants of loyal martyrs. She is also a good housekeeper and can serve as a model for noblewomen. The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court shall handle the matter according to regulations, and record Gu Mingxuan, the adopted son of the Duke of Zhenguo, and his legitimate son (leave this blank to be filled in after the name is bestowed) under Lady Su's name and include them in the clan genealogy to establish their proper status. So be it."
After writing, the emperor put down his vermilion brush and said to Gu Yangui, "Rest assured, my dear minister, I will immediately order the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court to handle it. As for those rumors and gossip..." A cold glint flashed in the emperor's eyes, "I have my own plans."
Gu Yangui felt a great weight lifted from his heart and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness! Your Majesty's compassion is something I can never repay even with my life!"
"Get up." The emperor smiled, his tone becoming more relaxed. "You have worked so hard for the country, it is only right that I grant you this wish for a peaceful home. Go back and take good care of your wife and son. When your wife is feeling better, bring her and your son to the palace so that the empress can also see them."
"I obey the decree!"
When Gu Yangui returned to the Duke's mansion with the Emperor's decree, it was already afternoon. Although the imperial edict had not been formally issued, the Emperor's verbal instruction and attitude meant that everything was settled.
He went straight back to the main courtyard, where Su Wanrou was leaning against the couch, looking at the baby in the wet nurse's arms with eyes so tender they could melt. Xiao Mingxuan had also finished school and was sitting quietly to the side, looking at his little brother with curiosity, wanting to touch him but not daring to.
When Gu Yan returned, Wanrou looked up at him with a questioning look in her eyes.
Gu Yangui walked to her side, took her hand, met her expectant gaze, and revealed the most relaxed and relieved smile he had shown in days. His deep voice carried an undeniable certainty:
"It's done. His Majesty has granted your request. From this day forward, Mingxuan and our child are your rightful heirs. Wanrou, you are their only mother."
Su Wanrou's tears welled up instantly, but this time, they were tears of joy and excitement. She looked at the somewhat bewildered Mingxuan beside her and reached out her hand to him. Mingxuan seemed to understand something, his eyes reddened, and he rushed to the edge of the bed, finally letting out the words he had called out countless times in his heart:
"Mother!"
That one word, "Mother," brought Su Wanrou a greater sense of fulfillment than any imperial decree. Holding Mingxuan in one arm and tightly grasping Gu Yangui's hand with the other, she looked at her sleeping baby in the wet nurse's arms and felt that all the hardships and waiting in her life had been rewarded in this moment.
Looking at the scene before him, with his virtuous wife, filial children, and peaceful home, Gu Yangui felt an unprecedented sense of peace and happiness. He knew that this imperial decree granted not only a formal title but also the stability and honor of his family for decades to come. And he would dedicate the rest of his life to protecting this hard-won harmony.
Their titles were set, and their affection deepened with each passing day. A new chapter for the Duke's mansion had only just begun.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com