Chapter 90

Half a month later, Gu Fuzhou led the reinforcements to the Northwest. Lin Qingyu was once again half a country away from him. His only consolation was that this time they could at least write to each other, a privilege bestowed upon them by His Majesty.

Every report sent to the capital from the Northwest would have with it a letter from General Gu to his wife; both letters though were sent directly Lin Qingyu’s desk.

Although the report and the personal letter were written by the same person, their styles were quite different. The report was concise and to the point, the wording was appropriate, speaking only of military affairs. During this period, under the leadership of the demon commander, the Xixia army was an irresistible force. After occupying Yongliang, they captured several more strategic towns in the Northwest. After Gu Fuzhou led the reinforcements from the capital, in any case, he stabilized the troops’ morale and elevated their fighting spirit.

Under the fierce offensive of the Xixia Army, the Dayu’s army established a last line of defense at Guizhou City. They were to defend this position to the death. Once Guizhou City falls, the Dayu’s gates would be thrown wide open in the Northwest. If that happens, Xixia would be free to claim the Jiangnan Flatlands as it withdraws or charge directly to the capital as they proceed.

When all was said and done, Gu Fuzhou was a man who had climbed atop a city gate and directed its defense while covered in his quilt. He was a man who knew something of defending a city. The Northwest Army and the reinforcements worked together as one and they halted the Xixia Army’s advance, stopping them outside Guizhou City.

These were written simply in the report. Only the results were stated; the process and details were all left out. However, just by looking at the number of casualties, one could tell how difficult a feat this was. On the other hand, Gu Fuzhou’s letter home was written thus:

“Qingyu, you won’t believe me but since I came to the Northwest, I haven’t slept a single wink. Do you now see my determination to triumph?

After an evening meeting with the generals, I walked out of the tent and saw the stars overhead. The stars in the Northwest are so very bright. I suddenly wished you were by my side.

That demon commander is quite impressive. I don’t think I’m a match for him. But Wu Youyuan appears very confident. He can talk nonstop about tactics for hours on end — I tried following his words and afterwards I started losing hair in clumps.

Qingyu, counting the last time I was in the Northwest, I’ve won six battles in a row. I have a hunch that it’s coming. My first defeat is coming soon. Help.”

…

For some reason, seeing Gu Fuzhou complaining about the Xixia’s demon commander’s superb military skills, about how he wasn’t his match, Lin Qingyu did not feel particularly worried. This was merely Gu Fuzhou’s lips making mischief. Though he obviously hadn’t written anything good, it somehow inspired confidence in Gu Fuzhou. This man was always like this; handling everything to the utmost amidst his unenthusiastic reluctance.

The peace of mind that Gu Fuzhou gave him had never been one through words. This time…will probably be the same.

No, it must be the same.

Lin Qingyu invited in the New Year in a very simple manner. Yuan Yin, as in previous years, hung red silk lanterns in the General’s Mansion, pasting paper cuttings on the windows. He also had the kitchen prepare a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner. But Lin Qingyu cared nothing for these and he returned to his room to rest after just a couple of bites.

Inside the room was the big bed that Gu Fuzhou had meticulously selected. In order to cause the least amount of inconvenience, Gu Fuzhou had specially asked the carpenter to create a matching wooden table. Every night, a tea set would be place atop the table so that if one were to wake up thirsty in the middle of the night, simply leaning over would bring you within reach of something to drink.

Lin Qingyu was lying on the inside of the bed. His limbs felt slightly cold. No matter how thick the quilt was, his body simply wouldn’t warm up.

After the fourth watch, Lin Qingyu gave up on trying to sleep. He got out of bed, put on a fox fur robe, took a lit candle and walked to the table. He picked up a brush and wrote down what was in his heart: Mandarin ducks cold as frost, the emerald quilt cool as ice.

First, I wish my husband a thousand years old; second, I wish for my continued health; third, may we be as swallows upon the beams, seeing each other year after year... In the end, these were but fine wishes.

After writing, Lin Qingyu turned absent-minded. He raised his eyes and looked towards the northwestern horizon.

The candle burned out as he sat alone, greeting the dawn.

On the third day of the New Year, people begun visiting the General’s Mansion to pay their New Year’s greetings. Unlike last year, aside from the numerous military officials, there were also many civil officials who came calling. After the new emperor ascended the throne, all the elites in the capital knew that aside from General Gu, the General’s wife was also not one to look down upon. It was said that this fifth-rank medical officer Imperial Physician Lin, if one were to replace “Imperial Physician” with “Taifu“, then his name would reflect reality.

Most requests for visitations, Lin Qingyu outright rejected. However, there were some people he could not not see. For example, Gu Fuzhou’s right-hand man in the army, Wu Zhan.

The impudent remarks he had made regarding General Gu still weighed on Wu Zhan’s mind. During this New Year’s visit, he intended to make a formal apology and the gifts he brought occupied half the courtyard. “I hope that the Madam would not reject the kindly regards of the General’s brothers.”

“Not at all.” Lin Qingyu remained polite, “General Wu, take a seat. Hua Lu, please serve the tea.”

Wu Zhan drank tea, all the while still fidgeting. He and Gu Fuzhou were both warriors and they were used to being informal. If they wanted to apologize, they did so in an open, natural manner. But now sitting in front of Lin Qingyu, being the target of that pair of calm and tranquil eyes, the words of apology he had prepared became too embarrassing to say.

Lin Qingyu said, “General Wu seems to have something he wishes to say.”

Wu Zhan threw caution to the wind. “Alright then. Before the General went to war, I cursed at him, carried away by the heat of the moment. Later on, I found out that I had misunderstood the General. This guilt has weighed on my heart…”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Have you told the General about this?”

“I have and the General has generously agreed not to debase himself to my level.”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “Since that is the case, then I shall do the same.”

Wu Zhan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a grin, “Do not worry, Madam. Next time I will make sure to have a tight hold on my violent temper. If I ever speak rudely of the General again, I will take myself to perform stable duty and feed the horses for three months. ”

Lin Qingyu asked, “General Wu said just now that you cursed at the General in the ‘heat of the moment’. Might I know what brought on this ‘heat of the moment’?”

Wu Zhan was feeling guilty. “Truth be told, it might not be so much ‘heat of the moment’. At first I was angry at seeing the General remain indifferent despite the dire situation in the Northwest. And it was not only me; Wu Guogong too felt that this was a matter only the General could handle. However, we also thought that perhaps the General had his reasons for doing things as he did. And so, we simply spoke of these matters in private. We did not expect to be overheard by Prime Minister Cui.”

Prime Minister Cui, Cui Lian. Currently in his fifties, he was the late emperor’s right hand man. When Xiao Cheng was crown prince supervising the country, he too placed a lot of trust in this minister. It could be said that he enjoyed high prestige in the court. Lin Qingyu had not had any intention of moving against this person.

Lin Qingyu asked, “What did Prime Minister Cui say to make you so angry?”

“Prime Minister Cui said that we showed no understanding for the General. That the General has fought for the Dayu for more than a decade and now that he is married to a great beauty, it is but pardonable that he indulge in the land of warmth and tenderness. He said that Xixia’s commander was crafty and cunning. The General is but a mortal. How could he compete with a ‘demon’? It is only normal that he cower. He told us not to be so harsh on him.”

Lin Qingyu found something wrong. “So Prime Minister Cui was speaking for the general?”

“Ye-yes.” Thinking back on it now, Wu Zhan too felt that something wasn’t quite right. “Prime Minister Cui also said that the ease and comfort that the General enjoyed in the capital was what he deserved for fighting for so many years. His every word was for the benefit of the General, but hearing him, we simply grew furious. Then, I couldn’t hold back and rushed to the barracks… Sigh, my mind is a mess.”

Lin Qingyu was lost in thought. Did Prime Minister Cui make this move on his own or had he been ordered by someone else? He had always thought that this old minister was quite harmless, well content with his lot. But now it seems… Lin Qingyu was feeling the urge to do something bad by himself again.

“Madam, just why did the General not immediately step forward to go the Northwest?” Wu Zhan couldn’t help but ask, “Is it really because he was reluctant to part with his glory and wealth in the capital? I don’t believe it!”

Lin Qingyu glanced at Wu Zhan and said, “Because he felt it was his responsibility not only to the three hundred thousand troops of the Zhengxi Army but also to the entire populace that he not step onto the battlefield, that he involve himself less in the Northwest’s affairs.”

Wu Zhan was shocked and said, “Why would he think that? The General is our Dayu’s god of war. The soldiers trust him to the utmost!”

“And so, in the end, he went. For the sake of your trust.” Lin Qingyu said coldly, “Even had you not pressured him, he would have still gone.”

In the end, Jiang Gongzi was different from him. In his bones, he was still a warm and gentle young man.

After seeing Wu Zhan off, Lin Qingyu ordered Hua Lu to prepare a generous gift and he asked Yuan Yin to get the carriage ready. Since Prime Minister Cui had so generously spoken for his husband, it was only proper that he go and thank him.

The prime minister’s mansion received the fifth-grade imperial physician’s visiting card. The entire mansion tensed as though faced with a formidable foe. It was as though they had received a decree from the Empress Dowager herself. Cui Lian personally welcomed Lin Qingyu into the main hall where guests were entertained and the tea they served was top-notch. His treatment was neither warm nor cold, it was simply the very height of politeness.

“I really did not expect that Imperial Physician Lin would come visit my humble mansion to pay his New Year’s greetings.” Cui Lian said, “I did not know that this minister has caught Imperial Physician Lin’s notice.”

Lin Qingyu said, “To tell you the truth, Prime Minister Cui, I originally had no intention of visiting. However, I heard Prime Minister Cui spoke for the benefit of the General before he set off on the expedition. And thus I have come to offer my thanks.”

There was no change in Cui Lian’s expression but the hand holding his tea cup momentarily froze. “The General has worked and performed invaluable service to our country. He has already suffered injury for our Dayu. This minister couldn’t bear to see the General be forced onto the battlefield once again.”

Lin Qingyu said unhurriedly, “But I clearly remember that Prime Minister Cui earlier expressed in his letter to the Emperor that there is no better candidate that the General to take command of the Northwest. What could possibly have made Prime Minister Cui change his mind so drastically?”

Cui Lian was momentarily struck speechless. However, he reacted very quickly and said calmly, “A letter to His Majesty? This minister has not sent any letter to the Emperor regarding the command of the Northwest. Did Imperial Physician Lin remember it wrong?”

“So, I see.” Lin Qingyu smiled slightly. “It’s possible I may have remembered it wrong.”

Such beauty should be a balm to eyes and mind but Cui Lian was apprehensive. He truly had sent this letter but the only one who saw it was His Majesty. What Lin Qingyu said; did he really know something? Or was he trying to make him slip?

Not giving Cui Lian time to think too much, Lin Qingyu got up and bid him goodbye. Before leaving, Lin Qingyu said, “Prime Minister Cui, you are a senior minister of two dynasties, the pillar of the country. I urge the Prime Minister to think matters over thrice before taking any action. Please don’t do anything stupid.”

After Lin Qingyu left, Cui Lian was still uneasy. He thought it over and over, but in the end, he still decided to head to the palace though it was already the hour for resting. The emperor had already gone to sleep and the one who went to meet him was Eunuch Xi. The first time he had faced His Majesty alone, the emperor had said, Xi Rong’s intentions are Zhen’s intentions. Aiqing may deal with him as aiqing would to Zhen.”

Cui Lian gave Xi Rong a detailed account of what had happened today. “Eunuch Xi, my letter to the Emperor recommending General Gu as commander…”

“Do not worry, Lord Prime Minister, it was burnt after His Majesty read it. It was impossible for Imperial Physician Lin to have read it.”

Fear still lingered in Cui Lian’s heart, “Then he was really trying to make me slip. How insidious and cunning. He truly is hard to guard against!”

The corner of Xi Rong’s lips pulled up. “But when the Lord Prime Minister came visiting the Emperor so late at night, did this not already imply to Imperial Physician Lin that you conceal guilt in your heart?”

Cui Lian had a sudden realization, and was immediately vexed. “I didn’t even think of that!”

“There is no need for the Lord Prime Minister to blame himself.” Xi Rong said, feeling greatly interest, “Imperial Physician Lin has already seen it clearly earlier on. This visit by the Lord Prime Minister simply gave him evidence. Even without this evidence, he has already confirmed the situation.”

“You mean, he already knew all about it?”

Xi Rong narrowed his eyes. “Today, he came calling you to account. In the future, it will be my turn.”

At this time, a little eunuch came looking for Xi Rong. “Eunuch Xi, the emperor is awake and is looking for you.”

“I have troubled the Lord Prime Minister over this matter. Please leave the rest to me.” After saying so, Xi Rong hurriedly headed to the emperor’s palace.

On the day of Lantern Festival, Lin Qingyu once again received a letter from Gu Fuzhou. “Seven consecutive victories, Baobei. Wu Youyuan has made great contributions. As expected of the man who will crush the Xixia. However, he seems to be getting complacent; he keeps feeling he can take them all on himself. But it’s not a big problem, I’ll make sure to reign him in a little — Happy Anniversary.”

Gu Fuzhou had written this last letter during the New Year. It happened to reach Lin Qingyu’s hands on the day they confessed their feelings for each other.

Lin Qingyu gave a shallow smile. He put away the latter, putting it together with the ring that Gu Fuzhou gave him.

In the afternoon, a servant from Ci’an Palace came to the mansion to deliver a message. The Empress Dowager was inviting Lin Qingyu to the palace to celebrate the Lantern Festival. They were to climb the tower after sunset to admire the lights.

The author has something to say:

Mini theater:

Classmate Jiang went shopping with the beautiful wife who had been delivered to his door.

On the subway, the great beauty, who had just learned to use a mobile phone, was chatting on WeChat with the stranger who helped him.

Stranger: What? He’s even making you take the subway! I f*cking can’t stand this! Couldn’t he have taken a taxi! How dare he make such a great beauty take the subway! Damn this attractive but worthless high-schooler!

After seeing it, Classmate Jiang thought for a while and said to the beautiful wife: Er… maybe you should get a driver’s license first?