Chapter 32

“This… this is so sudden?”

Jiang Wanrou stared in a daze, her beautiful eyes wide open. Under the warm yellow candlelight, her expression appeared even more bewildered.

Lu Feng had been away on official business before—sometimes for as few as three to five days, and on other occasions for as long as half a month or even ten days. For the shorter trips, he would always send someone to notify her; for longer journeys, he made sure to send a letter home to report that he was safe.

His letters were remarkably brief—devoid of any flowery expressions of longing, and he never mentioned where he was or what he was doing. They usually contained only four simple characters: “All is well, do not worry.”

Even though the words were few, Jiang Wanrou was always delighted to receive his letters. She had procured many protective talismans on his behalf. After all, she was still young, and Huaiyi had not yet become self-reliant—she had no desire to become a widow prematurely.

A forced smile tugged at Jiang Wanrou’s lips. As she had done every time he departed, she gently advised, “Husband, please be very careful when you’re away. It’s getting cold—remember to bundle up in the evening…”

“Don’t smile if you don’t feel like it.” Lu Feng took Jiang Wanrou’s fair hand in his and, in a warm tone, said, “I will do my best to return before you give birth.”

In the transition between spring and summer, the weather will only get hotter—there’s no need to add extra clothes.

Jiang Wanrou, only now coming to the realization, no longer pretended to be her usual “gracious and virtuous” self; she lowered her head dejectedly.

“You’re going to be away for so long?” Her tone was heavy as she gently rubbed her round belly with both hands and said, “The court physician said there are a full four months until my delivery.”

Jiang Wanrou felt an unprecedented sense of loss.

Perhaps a woman becomes even more sentimental when she is pregnant. When he left in the past, she worried about his safety, yet her heart never harbored much reluctance. She was so flustered this time that she could barely form coherent words.

Lu Feng, being held in such high regard by the Emperor, must have been sent on this mission for a matter of utmost importance. As a virtuous wife, she really shouldn’t harbor any complaints. But she couldn’t help herself.

Lu Feng sighed softly, gently pulling her heavy frame into his embrace, caressing her slightly rosy cheeks.

“I know you don’t want to see me go.”

With your delivery imminent, how could I ever bear to leave you?

When Lu Huaiyi was born, he showed little extra sentiment; he regarded a woman’s pregnancy and childbirth as a natural, inevitable part of life. Although this pregnancy was unexpected, he truly was filled with anticipation. He watched with his own eyes as her belly grew day by day, witnessed firsthand the anguish of her relentless morning sickness, observed her swollen legs, and saw her tossing about at night, unable to sleep. She was suffering.

Jiang Wanrou rubbed her cheek against his rough fingertips like a languid cat and murmured, “Can’t someone else go in your stead? Without you by my side, my heart is in turmoil—I have no one to lean on.”

Lu Feng remained silent.

Other matters could be negotiated—but what about his bitter feud with Prince Chen, his own birth mother, that youth who died for him, and the countless memorial tablets in the Shrine of Martyrs… Without erasing these debts of blood, how could he possibly face the world with dignity?

He tightened his embrace and repeated, “I will return before you give birth.”

The couple exchanged silent, understanding glances.

Jiang Wanrou knew that she had been fanciful just now; Lu Feng had been entrusted with the Emperor’s sacred mission—there was no way her words could make him stay. She closed her eyes and nestled into his arms.

His firm and strong embrace gave her an inexplicable sense of security.

She asked softly, “When do you leave?”

“In three days.”

Originally, Pei Zhang had set the departure date for half a month later, intending to prepare thoroughly. But Lu Feng, ever decisive and efficient, traveling light, had moved it up by ten days.

If one leaves one day earlier, one can return one day earlier.

Lu Feng gently stroked her silky long hair and said, “While I’m away from the mansion, just focus on taking care of your pregnancy. Don’t go out unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“I’ve already instructed my second and third brothers to keep the doors closed to visitors for these few months—there’s really no way to let guests in—and I’ve also arranged for the two younger siblings. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Mm.” Jiang Wanrou murmured softly, “Now, nothing is more important than my own health—I understand the priorities. As for the household affairs, I’ve got them under control. I… I just worry about the outside world…”

At this critical moment when Lu Feng had to set out, she couldn’t help but recall the time when she gave birth to Huaiyi—endless overt and covert attacks, her terror-induced premature labor, and the near-tragic loss of both their lives. Recalling those hardships, a surge of fear swept through her, and her face grew noticeably pale.

“Don’t panic.” Reassuringly, Lu Feng patted her shoulder and retrieved from his bosom a waist badge with a black background and golden lacquer, on which a single grand character was elegantly inscribed in a flourish of dragons and phoenixes—the character “禁” (“Jin”).

“This is a token from the Jinlong Bureau. To see this order is to see the Emperor; it authorizes the unrestricted mobilization of the Jinlong Bureau’s troops. Moreover, all the military forces within the capital—such as the Five City Troops Department and the Patrol Battalion—dare not disobey when they see it.”

Lu Feng pressed the token into Jiang Wanrou’s hand and squeezed her hand tightly. “I have agents stationed inside and outside the mansion and assigned Chang’an to look after you. There’s no need to worry.”

Lu Feng’s meticulous planning left Jiang Wanrou both surprised and flattered.

With its sharp edges, the cold token felt like a hot potato in her hands. Stammering, she said, “Husband… is it really appropriate to entrust such an important item to me?”

The significance of the token is clear from the phrase, “Seeing this token is like seeing the emperor.” From Lu Feng’s tone, it seemed that apart from the imperial guards protecting the Emperor, this token could command any military force in the capital. This was only slightly less significant than a military tally. Did the Emperor actually entrust such an important item to Lu Feng? And Lu Feng had so casually handed it to her?

Jiang Wanrou was dazed, as if in a dream.

“It’s just an object; no need to overthink it,” Lu Feng said indifferently. Years ago, when Prince Chen ambushed the old residence of Youzhou while its army was away negotiating, he took hostages and caused a bloodbath. With such a precedent, Lu Feng dared not be careless.

Even with the Emperor’s assurances, Lu Feng never placed his hopes in others. He believed he could protect his own wife and children. Most of the elite forces of the Jinlong Bureau were stationed around the Lu residence, while he only took a few trusted aides and skilled individuals with him. If he truly faced remnants of Prince Chen’s faction, he wouldn’t fear confronting them alone with his blade.

“Then I shall accept it,” Jiang Wanrou said, clutching the token tightly. Her gaze was filled with apprehension, mixed with an indescribable longing.

At this point, saying anything more would only add to the burden. She exhaled deeply, then placed Lu Feng’s hand on her round belly.

The child in her belly felt the warmth through the thin layer of her nightgown and began to stir restlessly.

Looking at Lu Feng, she said earnestly, “Husband, rest assured, I will protect myself and our child. I’ll wait for your return.”

With Lu Feng’s care and protection, she would not let his devotion go to waste. A mother’s strength is unparalleled—she had raised Huaiyi through much harder times before. Now, with favorable circumstances, how could she not safeguard herself?

She urged him, “Be careful in everything while you’re away. Don’t worry about me or the household. I— I’ll wait for you to come back.”

The flickering candlelight cast a warm glow, enveloping the couple in a tender atmosphere as their gazes intertwined.

Suddenly, Lu Feng’s expression shifted slightly. Frowning, he asked, “Did he… just move?”

“Yes, the child can’t bear to part with you either,” Jiang Wanrou replied, still unaware of anything unusual. Teasingly, she added, “Take this chance to feel him more. Who knows, by the time you return, he might already be born.”

Lu Feng’s eyes grew serious as he looked at Jiang Wanrou and asked, “Then, before this…?”

Before?

Jiang Wanrou suddenly realized, recalling how she had mischievously taken advantage of her pregnancy to tease Lu Feng several times.

Oh no!

The poignant farewell mood dissipated instantly. Embarrassed, Jiang Wanrou awkwardly said, “Before… before, the child also moved. This time, perhaps he heard his father was going far away and got extra excited, haha…”

In the depths of Lu Feng’s dark, implacable gaze, Jiang Wanrou’s voice grew fainter, and her heart felt increasingly uneasy.

With their parting imminent, she wasn’t worried about what Lu Feng might do to her as she was about his notorious stubbornness—his mere lecturing was enough to leave her feeling utterly overwhelmed.

Jiang Wanrou looked toward Lu Feng. His face was austere, his eyes like phoenixes, his nose prominent, and his lips thin. After a while, she let out a long, deep exhale. The next moment, her snow-white arms coiled around his shoulders like a snake, their lips and teeth interlocking, moving from a gentle touch to deeper intimacy. She slowly closed her eyes as if she were a little boat surrendering to the assault of a storm.

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Since he was bound to leave, rather than wallow in sorrow over their parting, it was better to prepare in advance.

Early the next morning, Jiang Wanrou rose at dawn to pack Lu Feng’s bag for his journey south. She knew that spare clothes were an absolute must. In the shifting season of spring to summer—still chilly despite the hints of warmth—aside from a thin summer shirt, she didn’t forget to pack two heavier garments for him. Lu Feng wasn’t fond of wearing scented sachets or jade pendants, saving Jiang Wanrou a great deal of effort.

Traveling south required a boat, and being on the water was no less challenging than on land—inevitably, one would face winds, waves, and rain. Therefore, she prepared for him a rainproof cape (a traditional straw garment), a bamboo hat, and a sturdy cloak.

In addition to clothes and bedding, Jiang Wanrou also packed some commonly used medicinal herbs—enough to remedy a headache or a mild fever without issue. Although Lu Feng claimed he was not prone to seasickness, just in case, she still slipped a few slices of raw ginger into his bag.

The remaining few small items—such as the water bag, hemp rope, dagger, and fragments of silver—still didn’t seem enough to Jiang Wanrou. In a chaotic flurry early in the morning, she ended up packing three large boxes.

Even though she wasn’t required to do it herself, several hours of fussing around still left her exhausted and pale. Cui Zhu brought a bowl of ginseng tea over, saying with genuine concern, “Madam, please take a rest. The master isn’t leaving for another three days, so there’s no rush.”

“This is just the beginning—there will be more additions later.”

Jiang Wanrou sat down, took a sip of tea to soothe her throat, and frowned, “This ginseng… it’s a bit old.”

Having been pampered for so many years, her refined taste had become exceedingly discriminating; even a single sip could reveal subtle differences.

Cui Zhu quickly replied, “Madam, forgive me—I’ll go and get another cup.”

“No need; instead, go have a look and see why today’s tea tastes different. Has the tea room maid been lazy, or have they replaced her?”

It was only one cup of tea, and she wasn’t exactly punishing her servant. Previously, Lu Feng had been in the mansion every day like an unwavering pillar, reassuring her heart. Now that he was no longer there, Jiang Wanrou had become overly anxious—seeing threats everywhere. Better safe than sorry; a little extra caution is never a bad thing.

She ordered, “This afternoon, summon everyone in the mansion to the small garden; I need to give them a lecture.”

“Also, from now on, the Jinguang Courtyard shall only send people out but never admit anyone new. Whether it’s those working in the inner chambers with needle and thread or the servants tending the flowers in the outer courtyard—if anyone falls ill, replace them immediately. No unfamiliar faces allowed.”

Jiang Wanrou, exhausted, rubbed her brows and said, “Make a trip to the Jinlong Bureau. Show these to the Master first—find out what is lacking or missing, and then report back to me.”

“Aye!” Cui Zhu went out to call several guards to carry the box. Before she even reached the courtyard gate, Jiang Wanrou suddenly called out, “Wait—”

“Wait for me a moment.” Leaning on her waist as she walked into the bedroom, she rummaged under the high pillow and produced a round jade disc about the size of a coin, strung with a red cord. Its texture was smooth and delicate; the front was engraved with an auspicious image of a qilin, while the back was densely inscribed with Buddhist texts.

After studying it for a while, she picked up the jade disc and ordered someone to open the box so that it could be hidden among the clothes.

“Now go.”

This was the charm she had sought when she first discovered she was pregnant, praying for protection for both herself and her child. She had spent a fortune hiring a high monk from Huangjue Temple, who chanted sutras for forty-nine days to consecrate it and safeguard her.

She also wished for his safety.