Chapter 235: Without Worries of the Future

Chapter 235: Without Worries of the Future

Tang Shuyi took the letter from Lu Zhiguo, tore open the envelope, and unfolded the letter. The vigorous and powerful characters immediately caught her eye. The opening was just two words-- "My Lady."

Everyone said that Xiao Huai was deeply in love with his wife, and the couple was harmoniously united like deities in love. But for a couple so intimate, such a rigid salutation seemed out of place.

Reading on, the beginning was filled with routine greetings, mostly concerning the children, while she, his wife, was mentioned only in passing. Then, the letter recounted his experiences over the years.

He was first harmed by a spy, fell into a river, and was rescued by villagers from Rouli Country. Then he joined the army and served undercover in Rouli's military forces. When the time was ripe, he returned to the northwest army to lead the troops in an attack on Rouli.

In conclusion, he wrote that he had informed the Emperor in a letter, requesting additional troops, provisions, and weapons, hoping that the Tang Duke would coordinate. At the same time, he wished for Xiao Yuming to gain experience in the northwest.

The letter was meticulously written, leaving no room for criticism, yet it was sparse in emotion. After reading it, Tang Shuyi passed the letter to the Tang Duke. The Duke's brow furrowed slightly as he read, and then he handed the letter to Xiao Yuming.

Xiao Yuming’s hands trembled as he took the letter; the thought of his father's return from the dead still felt surreal. When he saw those characters, his eyes began to moisten, especially upon reading his father's inquiries and concerns about him and his siblings. Tears inevitably started to flow.

Even if not spoken of, their father's departure had dealt a severe blow to the three siblings. In solitude, they had all wept for their father's absence.

Seeing him this way, Tang Shuyi suddenly realized that the three children's emotions regarding Xiao Huai's return from the dead were completely different from her own. To her, Xiao Huai was almost a stranger, but to the three children, he was their father, the one who had provided them warmth and security.

Therefore, if she and Xiao Huai could not get along amicably in the future, it might be a significant blow to the three children.

She reached for a handkerchief and offered it to Xiao Yuming. Realizing that everyone in the room was watching him as he cried, Xiao Yuming quickly wiped his tears with his sleeve, feeling both embarrassed and ashamed. He turned to Tang Shuyi and said, "Mother, I’m fine."

Tang Shuyi nodded and asked Lu Zhiguo, "How is the Marquis's health? Has the injury from before healed?"

Regardless of why Xiao Huai was distant towards his wife, she was determined to play the role of a wife deeply in love with her husband.

"The Marquis is in good health, and the previous injuries have left no complications," Lu Zhiguo replied.

"Is there sufficient manpower and resources for the attack on Roully?" Duke Tang inquired.

"It's not too tight right now, but if we want to take down the capital of Roully, we will need additional troops, provisions, and weapons," Lu Zhiguo explained.

Duke Tang grunted in acknowledgment, then heard Lu Zhiguo continue, "The Marquis means to ask for your coordination, Duke."

Without hesitation, Duke Tang responded, "That won't be a problem. I believe His Majesty will also offer robust support. The late Emperor had always desired to conquer Roully."

However, conquering Roully would be a great feat, and he feared others might muddy the waters to claim the credit. He must ensure that Xiao Huai could conduct this battle without any concerns from behind.

"Will you be returning to the northwest?" Tang Shuyi asked Lu Zhiguo.

"Yes, I must set off in the next couple of days," he replied, glancing towards Xiao Yuming, "The Marquis wishes for the Second Young Master to accompany me to the northwest."

Both Tang Shuyi and Duke Tang didn't respond to this; they still feared the Emperor might have ulterior motives. But Xiao Yuming was very eager to go, his eyes beseeching Tang Shuyi, "Mother, let me go. I'm willing to go in disguise if necessary!"

Tang Shuyi was still hesitant; nothing was more important than life itself.

"Let Yuming go. We can make some arrangements," Duke Tang suggested.

After pondering for a while, Tang Shuyi finally nodded in agreement. They couldn't always hide at home for fear of death; if it's going, then it's going.

With the matter settled, Tang Shuyi asked Cuìyún to arrange accommodation for Lu Zhiguo, while she continued to discuss matters with Duke Tang and Xiao Yuming, starting with the reinforcement and provisions for the northwest. Their concern wasn't the Emperor.

The current Emperor, though lacking in grand strategy and somewhat effeminate, wasn't foolish when it came to major issues. Conquering Roully was the late Emperor's last wish; the Emperor wouldn't obstruct it but would surely offer full support.

Their concern was others exploiting the situation. Moreover, Xiao Huai had been nearly killed by a spy previously; who was the spy? Did the spy have backers? Were the backers in the capital?

Furthermore, while the Emperor supported the cause, would he meddle to ensure Xiao Huai would secure Roully only to lose his life afterward?

They needed to prepare for all eventualities.

"I will contact some people later to discuss strategies and will visit His Majesty tomorrow," Duke Tang declared with firm resolve: "The Crown Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, neither they nor their factions can be involved. Anyone at odds with Xiao Huai is also out of the question. We must rely entirely on our own people."

"Should we involve the Xie family?" Tang Shuyi inquired.

Duke Tang pondered for a moment, "Let's not for now. We'll reach out to them only if absolutely necessary."

Tang Shuyi nodded, and Duke Tang added, "However, we need a foolproof plan for Yuming's journey to the northwest."

After some thought, Tang Shuyi proposed, "Yuming and Lu Zhiguo should depart tonight, just the two of them, to minimize attention. At dawn tomorrow, four teams will set out simultaneously in different directions towards the northwest."

"A diversionary tactic, excellent idea," Duke Tang approved. "There's no time to lose, let's get prepared immediately."

Saying this, he rose and walked out. Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuming escorted him to the door before beginning their preparations. They first visited Xiao Yuming's room, where Cuicloud and Cui Bamboo were enlisted to help pack, and Tang Shuyi began to advise, "Remember, nothing is more important than your life, your life is more precious than anyone else's."

She didn't want her son to be the one to risk his life for others or to take a blade for a friend.

Sensing her concern, Xiao Yuming, deeply moved, sat beside Tang Shuyi and whispered, "Mother, rest assured, I cherish my life and will return home safe and sound."

"Good, I'll be waiting for your return," Tang Shuyi replied, her eyes moist as she gazed up at her son who now stood a head taller than her, once again feeling the anxiety of a mother whose son is far from home.

After further admonishment, she stood and returned to her courtyard to reply to Xiao Huai. She wanted to make it clear that her son's life was more valuable than conquering Rouli Country.

Picking up her pen, she composed a formal letter, detailing the events of the past three years in their household, the children's longing for their father, and emphasized that her second son was now his responsibility, and his safety must be ensured.

After finishing, Tang Shuyi stared at the letter in her hands, her heart once again heavy with worry. Why was Xiao Huai still alive? This wasn't part of the original story!