Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Ying Ying, hearing what sounded like someone coming to her defense, scrambled up from the bed. Her flushed little face, still wet with tears, quickly leaned over the edge to peer outside.

She saw Lu Yu, dressed in a dark, narrow-sleeved robe, walking into the room, his clothes dusty from travel.

His eyes, full of tenderness, gazed at Ying Ying. Before she could even react, a pair of broad, sturdy arms had already embraced her tightly.

His rough fingers gently wiped away the traces of tears on her face as he asked softly, "What's wrong? Why are you crying so pitifully?"

Ying Ying immediately pouted in grievance, and tears as large as pearls rolled down her cheeks. She clung tightly to Lu Yu’s neck.

Pointing accusingly at Lin Shuyun and Zhang'er, she stammered, unable to utter a single word, her cries growing even louder.

She looked just like a poor little thing bullied by a stepmother and stepbrother.

Feeling his robe gradually dampen with her tears, Lu Yu’s eyes filled with heartache. He gently patted the little girl’s back and coaxed her softly, "There, there, don’t cry anymore. If you keep crying, you won’t be pretty."

As if hitting her soft spot, Ying Ying instantly fell silent. She mumbled through her tears, "Pretty, pretty... no... no more crying."

"Good, now tell Uncle how they bullied you."

Ying Ying nodded vigorously and began her complaint: "Brother is bad, and Mother is bad too."

"I... want a sister... Brother wants a brother... I don’t want a brother, I want a sister..."

So that’s what it was.

Lu Yu breathed a silent sigh of relief. Since Lin Shuyun had already told the children, it meant she would not risk her life to end the pregnancy.

He glanced at Lin Shuyun but noticed she did not look his way at all.

Lowering his gaze, he continued patting Ying Ying’s back and said gently, "Uncle doesn’t know whether it will be a sister or a brother either."

Lin Shuyun’s heart clenched. She quietly patted Ming Yue’s hand, signaling her to fetch some pastries from the kitchen to soothe the child.

But before Ying Ying’s storm-like crying could erupt, Lu Yu had already offered, "Does Ying Ying want to ride the pony?"

Before the little girl could react, her eyes still wet with tears and fixed on Lu Yu, Zhang'er had already stepped beside him, his eyes shining with excitement as he cheered, "I want to go too!"

Without waiting for Ying Ying to respond, she was already lifted by Lu Yu and placed on the small pony in the courtyard.

Lin Shuyun sat on the daybed inside the room, turning her gaze to the courtyard where Lu Yu took turns holding the children as they rode the pony.

She sighed softly, a hint of sorrow flashing in her eyes.

"My Lady, the Marshal returned early today and is even able to play with the children," Ming Yue said softly, gently waving her reed fan.

Lin Shuyun immediately grew alert. Staring at the orange-red sunset, her heart filled with doubt.

Lu Yu always left early and returned late, often under the stars and moonlight. Why had he returned so early today?

But she had no energy to ponder further. After managing to stay awake through dinner, she leaned drowsily against the soft pillow, waiting for Ming Yue to bring the foot-washing basin.

Hearing the door creak open, Lin Shuyun closed her eyes and murmured, "The two children were so excited today—they fell asleep so early. It’s good they didn’t pester me for a bedtime story..."

"Ming Yue" did not reply, only gently placed the wooden basin at her feet.

Lin Shuyun slowly opened her eyes. When she saw the dark jade headpiece before her, she shuddered in fright, quickly pulling her half-removed shoes and stockings back from Lu Yu’s grasp.

Irritated, she asked, "What are you doing here?"

Lu Yu kept his head down and remained silent. As if handling a priceless treasure, he gently removed her shoes and stockings. The rough, calloused hands made the soles of her feet tickle slightly.

She shifted slightly, but he slowly placed her feet into the basin.

Warm water covered the tops of her feet. Lu Yu’s hands gently massaged them, easing the fatigue in her body. Lin Shuyun felt slightly more alert.

Unable to bear the tense, silent atmosphere, she lightly stirred the water in the basin with her feet, sending droplets splashing onto the front of Lu Yu’s robe.

"Lu Yu, what’s wrong with you?"

Lu Yu sighed softly and gently placed her feet back into the warm water.

"Hostilities haven’t started yet on either side, so I can still come back to see you all every day. In a few days, when the fighting intensifies, I won’t be able to return."

After saying this, he looked intently at Lin Shuyun and added, "I might not be back for several months."

Lin Shuyun had already prepared herself mentally. Seeing the caution in Lu Yu’s eyes, she replied calmly, "Mm, I understand. Focus on the war—it’s not good for a general to keep running back to the rear."

Lu Yu said nothing, his gaze still fixed on Lin Shuyun. When he saw no emotion flicker in her eyes, he lowered his head and said, "I’ve set schoolwork for both children, so don’t worry about them falling behind. If there’s anything in the household you can’t handle, leave it to the steward."

Lin Shuyun: "Mm."

"If you feel unwell, have them summon An Ran to check on you."

"Okay."

Lu Yu spoke, and Lin Shuyun responded to each statement.

As night fell, Lin Shuyun grew increasingly weary. Drowsily leaning against the soft pillow by the bed, she faintly detected a slight quiver in Lu Yu’s voice, though his tone remained as calm and gentle as ever.

He instructed, "Wanwan, if I die, my guards will escort you back to the capital."

"Whether it’s the Marquisate in the capital or the general’s residence in Shuobei, all matters have been arranged to ensure you and the children live comfortably without worry in this life."

Lin Shuyun looked up abruptly. Lu Yu’s deep eyes were filled with profound attachment. Sitting upright by her bedside, he said softly, "Go to sleep. I’ll leave soon and return to the military camp."

Was this his last wishes?

Drowsiness overpowered her rationality. Before Lin Shuyun could fully process her thoughts, she had already fallen into a deep sleep.

The next day, sunlight streamed across Lin Shuyun’s face. Frowning, she slowly opened her eyes and pushed herself up to sit.

Ming Yue, hearing the movement, came over and lifted the bed curtain, asking softly, "My Lady, are you awake?"

Lin Shuyun nodded blankly.

Her mind was still foggy with sleep. After a moment, memories from the night before flooded back into her thoughts.

She glanced around the room. Ming Yue seemed to sense what she was thinking and said quietly, "The Marshal sat by your bedside all night. At dawn, when the rooster crowed, he hurried back to the military camp."

"This morning, I heard from Jiang, the cook, that hostilities are imminent. Her son is also a soldier—last night, he rushed home early, and she cooked him a steaming bowl of noodles before waving him off outside the city gates."

"I just saw that her eyes were red."

Only then did Lin Shuyun truly realize that if Lu Yu fell in battle, last night would have been the last time she saw him.

At this thought, Lin Shuyun lowered her eyes and fell silent.

Time always passes quickly. As the war on the front lines grew increasingly intense, late one autumn night,

a massive explosion woke the residents of Pingsheng Pass, as well as everyone in the general's residence.

Lin Shuyun opened the window and looked toward the sound. She saw the ink-black northern sky lit with thick, fiery orange flames, while deafening explosions periodically reached them.

Zhang'er ran out of bed barefoot, took Lin Shuyun's hand, and said worriedly, "Mother, please come back to bed."

Lin Shuyun took a deep breath, gently stroking the restless baby in her womb and softly patting Zhang'er's head. "It's alright, Mother is here with you."

She sat on the bed, looking at the sleepy Ying Ying, and held both children close, whispering, "It's alright, go to sleep. For so many years, the fighting has never reached Pingsheng Pass."

Zhang'er's eyes were full of worry as he whispered, "Mother, why is the war happening in autumn?"

Lin Shuyun didn't understand Zhang'er's question and asked softly, "When should it be, then?"

"The military book Uncle gave me says that autumn is when the Xiongnu's horses and sheep are at their strongest. If a war breaks out then, we would be facing the most powerful opponent."

Lin Shuyun's heart dropped. A flicker of worry passed through her eyes, but when she turned to Zhang'er, she calmly said, "It's alright, Uncle is very capable."

She could no longer tell whether these words were meant for Zhang'er or for herself.

The entire night, the thunderous explosions did not cease. Thick black smoke soared into the sky, carried by the northwest wind into the city.

Lin Shuyun didn't sleep the entire night, and the child in her womb kept moving restlessly.

In the early morning, she supported her weary body and slowly walked to the kitchen, only to find the cook with red eyes, staring motionlessly toward the north.

Noticing her presence, the cook hurriedly wiped her tears and asked nervously, "Does my lady wish to eat something?"

Lin Shuyun shook her head. She straightened her sleeves and gestured, saying, "Sit down, talk with me for a while."

The cook was somewhat reserved. Qing Feng smiled and pulled her to sit beside Lin Shuyun. "My lady has called you, so sit down. Don’t be afraid; my lady won’t bite."

The cook’s eyes were already lined with fine wrinkles. She was plump and looked to be in her forties. She kept nervously wiping her hands, unsure of what to say.

Following the direction the cook had been looking toward the northern sky, Lin Shuyun asked softly, "Has your son also gone to the battlefield, like the heir?"

The cook’s eyes instantly filled with tears. She nodded and said, her voice choked, "This child always worries me. The flames of war often claim lives, and I only have this one son."

"Why did he go to the battlefield?"

"Because the Marquis once saved his life, so he…"

Noticing a flicker of confusion in Lin Shuyun's eyes, the cook explained softly, "The Marquis is a great benefactor of Pingsheng Pass. If not for him and the heir, we would have long died here…"

"The shops in Pingsheng Pass may seem to come from all over, but they are mostly run by lonely, widowed, disabled, or unfortunate people. The Marquis gave orders that pensions for the widowed and lonely must not be reduced by even a penny, and every effort should be made to ensure their livelihoods…"

In the cook’s steady narration, this was the first time Lin Shuyun learned about the deeds of Lu Yu's father by title, Marquis of Xuanping Lu Yan, in Pingsheng Pass.

Whether merchants, military households, or women-led households, the people were grateful for Lu Yan's kindness.

Five years ago, his son Lu Yu returned to Shuobei, returned to Pingsheng Pass, and once again revived the long-declining Pingsheng Pass.

Within three years, Pingsheng Pass once again became a prosperous trading hub. Amid continuous provocations from the Xiongnu tribe, Lu Yu led his troops to pursue victories, winning battle after battle.

This was the first time Lin Shuyun understood the cruelty of war and the first time she learned of the great deeds of the Lu father and son.

Recalling the roaring explosions of the previous night, she asked softly, "Will the heir die?"

"No, definitely not," the cook said with reddened eyes, whispering, "They will surely return safely."

Lin Shuyun returned to her bedroom and leaned on the couch. She thought of the words An Ran had once said—"Death happens in an instant."

The more she thought, the more anxious she became. Restless, hearing her pounding heart, she could only stand in the small courtyard for fresh air.

Lin Shuyun had never truly explored the general's residence. Ming Yue supported her as they slowly walked around the courtyard until they reached the door of a bedroom.

Ming Yue said, "This is the heir's study. He used to sleep here."

Lin Shuyun, driven by some emotion—perhaps curiosity—gently pushed open the door to Lu Yu's study.

The simple study exuded a faint smell of ink. The desk was neatly arranged, and shelves filled with neatly arranged books covered one wall.

She slowly sat in the chair. A dark brown wooden box sat right in the center of the desk.

Lin Shuyun suddenly remembered Lu Yu's past words. She fiddled with the latch, gently opened the box, and inside was a letter.

On the envelope were written a few large characters: "Lu Yu's final words on August 30, for my wife Shu Yun to open."

That date was the night she last saw Lu Yu.

A pang of sorrow instantly washed over Lin Shuyun's heart. Her fingers tightly gripped the letter, but her eyes stared blankly at the corner of the study.

The fear of death felt like a heavy black cloth pressing down on her.

She touched her slightly swollen abdomen, as if transported back to the scene in the northwest.

Back then, she was still in postpartum recovery, soothing her suckling baby, waiting endlessly for Lu Yu to return home from shopping.

Before she could look up, she heard the neighbor rush in, crying, "Your man is dead."

Thinking of this, Lin Shuyun could still recall how the news felt like a complete shock, making her heart tremble violently.

Over the years, she had loved Lu Yu, hated Lu Yu, resented Lu Yu, but she had never imagined watching a living person become bones.

Suddenly, Lin Shuyun groaned, clutching her belly, and took a deep breath.

Ming Yue quickly asked, "Is my lady unwell?"

Lin Shuyun shook her head, gently stroking her swollen belly. "He kicked me, and it hurt quite a bit this time."

She lowered her gaze and continued looking at the sealed letter in her hand, but her unconscious tightening had already crumpled the envelope.

Just as she was about to tear it open, she paused for a moment, quickly opened the wooden box, and carefully placed the letter back inside.

When the first snowfall in Shuobei fell, the cook ran joyfully to the door of Lin Shuyun's bedroom, calling out, "My lady, they’ve returned! They’ve returned! They’ve already reached the city gates!"

Lin Shuyun immediately stood up and looked toward the gate of the general's residence.

As night fell, Lin Shuyun still did not see Lu Yu appear before her.

Her heart suddenly clenched. She looked up at Ming Yue and asked softly, "Could the heir be... dead?"