When the news of General Sun's death and the Prince Regent's personal expedition spread, the capital became as lively as water in a frying pan. In addition, the students were still waiting for the announcement of the results and had not yet left the capital. Their outspoken and outspoken ideas added fuel to the fire, and the city became so lively that it seemed as if a spark would start a huge fire.
But the excitement stopped at General Sun’s mansion.
Old Madam Sun sat in the lobby in plain clothes, giving instructions in an orderly manner to the stewards, both big and small, who were coming in and out.
There was no sadness on her face; she was too calm.
Mrs. Wu came in from outside and her nose felt a little sour when she saw this scene. She lowered her head and pressed the corners of her eyes and said, "Madam, I have counted all the things, and nothing is missing."
"Thank you for your help." Madam Sun nodded at her. "The other branches have also brought a few wives with them. We should have enough manpower. You have been busy here for half a day. I accept the young lady's kindness. Now go back."
"Please don't chase me away. The eldest lady is the head of the family. I dare not fail to do what she asks me to do." Seeing that no one else was in the room, Wu took the tea from the maid and handed it to the old lady, saying softly, "You need to slow down. Even if you cry, don't hold it in. It will hurt your body."
"A clay pot will break if it is not placed on the well. A general is bound to die in the battle. I have been mentally prepared since the day he was stationed at the pass. It is a favor from God that he can live to the age of 50." Madam Sun lowered her head and stroked the jade bracelet on her hand and smiled. From this smile, one can still see that she must have been very beautiful when she was young, but fate has not been kind to her. First, she had to send her daughter away, and now she had to send her husband away.
Hurried footsteps were heard, and both of them calmed down and looked towards the door.
"Madam, the Crown Prince is here."
There was finally a ripple in Madam Sun's eyes. She hurriedly stood up with the help of the handrail to go out. Just as she reached the door, she saw the Crown Prince and the Young Master striding towards them together, one dressed in black and the other in white, both of them were very thoughtful.
Before Madam Sun could bow, the prince had already reached over with both hands and said, "Grandmother, please accept my condolences."
Madam Sun held the prince's hand tightly, her lips trembling, and she spoke after a while, "Your Highness is thoughtful."
"I am so ashamed by what Grandma said."
Gu Yanxi came forward at this time, "Madam Sun, please accept my condolences."
Seeing him, Madam Sun's eyes suddenly lit up, "I heard that the Regent will lead the army in person."
"Yes, I will go to Shouai Pass in two days."
Madam Sun immediately bowed to him and said, "I have an unwelcome request, please grant it, sir."
Gu Yanxi quickly avoided the gift and said, "Just say it. There is no need to perform such a great gift. This king cannot bear it."
Madam Sun raised her head, her eyes burning, "Please, bring my husband back."
Gu Yanxi felt a lump in his throat and his voice became hoarse. "General Sun died for his country. It is my duty to bring him back."
"Thank you... old man." Madam Sun smiled with relief. She had no other wishes but hoped that the man could rest in peace in the place where he was born and raised, and that she could be buried in the same grave with him a hundred years later.
The prince's eyes were red, he turned sideways and said in a hoarse voice: "I will go to burn some incense for my grandfather."
Even though the body had not been returned, the Sun family had set up a mourning hall, with General Sun's clothes and hats as offerings. Master Prajna led a group of eminent monks from the Dazhuo Temple in chanting sutras on the dead, and the curling incense added to the sadness.
Now, in the whole capital, only this corner has nothing to do with the hustle and bustle.
Gu Yanxi had to be busy with the expedition, so he said goodbye and left after paying his respects, but the prince stayed. He told everyone with his actions that General Sun was a hero of Daqing! General Sun was blameless!
This action suppressed many voices, and even those who were still talking lowered their voices tactfully.
The night before the expedition, Gu Yanxi returned Hua Jingyan's handwritten letter. Hua Zhi took it and stroked it, her voice sounding a little soft, "I asked someone to make some meat jerky, and I will have someone send it to you later. If it is not sent with the food and fodder, the speed will be too slow. I will continue to have people make it later."
"good."
"I will take good care of the subsequent food supplies and make sure that no one runs short of you. If you need anything, please write to me."
"good."
"In the palace..."
"Azhi." Gu Yanxi interrupted her, walked closer and squatted in front of her, meeting her gaze from bottom to top. He was stunned, and forgot how to say the words on his lips. He had never seen Azhi's eyes so blank, as if she had lost her soul.
"Don't be afraid." Gu Yanxi was stunned by the words that came out of his mouth. He suddenly understood and hugged her in his arms with heartache, repeating: "Don't be afraid, Azhi, don't be afraid."
Hua Zhi leaned softly on someone's shoulder. She suddenly realized, was she afraid? It seemed so. How could she not be afraid? This was an era where wars had to be fought with human lives, and she didn't know if Yan Xi's life would be among them.
She was afraid he wouldn't come back.
She was afraid this would be the last time they would see each other.
She was afraid that the world would fall apart, that she would become a rootless duckweed, that she would not be able to protect the old and young in her family, and that the current prosperity would turn into a hell.
She was afraid of so many things, but what she feared most was that he would not come back.
If he doesn't come back, all this will become a reality. If he doesn't come back, she will have to walk the long or short road of life alone.
How could she not be afraid? She was not a heartless clay figure, and even a clay figure would be afraid of being broken.
The two hugged each other all night, and it was unclear who was leaning on whom and who was drawing warmth from whom.
Until dawn.
After kissing Ah Zhi who closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, Gu Yanxi sent her to bed, covered her with a quilt, and whispered in her ear, "Wait for me to come back."
Hua Zhi didn't move at all, as if she was really asleep.
Gu Yanxi lowered his head, and this time, the kiss fell on her lips. They stayed quietly for a moment, and finally took a deep look at the face, then he turned around and strode away.
Hua Zhi didn't move, tears silently rolled down from the corners of her eyes.
Listening to the door opening and closing and the footsteps fading away, she curled up in the quilt. The quilt moved slightly, but still without any sound.
After a long while, she suddenly threw off the quilt and sat up. She walked to the door and reached out to open it, only to find that her clothes were in disarray. She turned back, ran to the closet, opened the door, picked up something and was about to put it on. At this time, the door opened, she turned around, and it was Yingchun.
Yingchun was so shocked when she saw the tearful lady that she dropped the basin in her hand. She ran over to support her and choked up when she spoke, "Miss, you..."
"Change clothes, Yingchun, change my clothes." Hua Zhi touched her hair, "And my hair, hurry up."
"Okay, I'll do it right away, don't worry."
Hearing the noise, the other maids rushed over in a hurry. Yingchun stopped the young lady and ordered, "I slipped and dropped the basin. Go get some water. Someone tell the butler that the young lady is going out soon. Ask him to prepare the carriage."
Hua Zhi corrected in a hoarse voice, "We don't want a carriage, we want a horse."
"Yes, I will pass the message immediately."