Chapter Thirty-Nine: The World in Astonishment

Zhan Yan, recognizing the familiar scent of the man behind her, did not turn around. Instead, she quietly leaned into his embrace, savoring the warmth of the moment. She refrained from asking him questions; she was wise enough to understand without words that he was about to depart for war. The current situation was far too dire for him to remain an idle prince. All she could do was manage the affairs of the manor in his absence, ensuring he would have nothing to worry about at home.

“Yan’er, are you tired? Let’s rest early tonight,” Zhongli Yu said softly as he gently lifted her and carried her to the bedside. As always, he helped her remove her shoes and outer robe. In this era, it was customary for women to wait upon their husbands, but he enjoyed reversing the roles, caring for her, and she accepted his attentions without embarrassment, content in his gentle service.

“Let me help you,” she offered, kneeling on the bed and reaching her small hands to his belt as he began to remove his outer garments.

“All right,” Zhongli Yu replied, his joy evident.

She slowly undressed him, hanging his robe on the bed’s edge, and then carefully removed his boots. Her movements were awkward, but he relished every moment, his smile wide and bright as though nothing in the world could trouble him.

“All done. We can sleep now,” she said, a little embarrassed; it was her first time undressing a man.

“Yes, let’s sleep,” he replied, pulling her into his arms as they lay down together. Though it was already summer and the nights were warm, he still preferred to hold her as he fell asleep. She didn’t mind and nestled against him in the position she found most comfortable. In his arms, she always found peace, and sleep came swiftly.

Watching her serene sleeping face, he felt an indescribable satisfaction. He resolved to end the war quickly so he could return to her side as soon as possible. This was the thought that occupied his mind as he drifted off.

That day, a shocking piece of news swept through the capital: the Southern Guardian King had betrayed the nation and defected to the Western Frontier. The city of Wangcheng had fallen, and the few remaining soldiers had retreated to Ningcheng, the nearest city.

When the King of Dongling received the news, he was horrified. With the fall of Wangcheng, an invasion by the Western Frontier seemed imminent. He could hardly believe that the former God of War of Dongling would defect. The Southern Guardian King, who had always been undefeated, had now suffered a crushing loss. Only now did the reason become clear: his defeat had been planned all along.

The people of Dongling descended into unprecedented panic. When they first heard of the defeat, they still held out hope, believing the Southern Guardian King was merely rusty after his long absence from the battlefield and would recover in a few days. Never had they imagined he would betray the country, open the city gates, and let the enemy pour in. In an instant, the former war hero became the most reviled traitor in Dongling.

When Zhan Yan heard the news, she was in utter disbelief. She could not accept that her father was a traitor, that his blood ran in her veins. The thought filled her with rage and grief. Why, she wondered, must she be the daughter of a traitor? Although no one else knew her true identity, she herself was keenly aware. Her shoulders shook, her eyes reddened with anger. She clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, her nails digging into her palms until she bled.

“My lady, please don’t do this, you’ll hurt yourself!” Qing Yun pleaded anxiously at her side.

When Zhongli Yu returned from the palace and entered the house, this was the scene that greeted him. He saw blood seeping from her palm while she seemed oblivious, muttering the same three words over and over: “Why, why...”

He pulled her firmly into his embrace and pried her fingers apart to stop her from hurting herself further. “Yan’er, this is not your fault. He is who he is, and you are yourself. You don’t need to blame yourself.”

“I am the daughter of a traitor. The daughter of a traitor,” she said, looking up at him, tears glimmering in her eyes.

“No, you are Gu Wuyou, carefree and unburdened. Don’t cry,” he whispered, gently wiping away her tears, trying to comfort her.

It was a long while before she calmed down from her earlier hysteria.

“Why did he do it?” Zhan Yan could not understand; she saw no reason for his betrayal. She remembered how, on the battlefield, he had nearly lost his life but never once wavered in his determination to defeat the Western Frontier. How could a man who was once willing to die for his country suddenly turn traitor? Now composed, Zhan Yan began to analyze the situation anew.

“I don’t understand either. It seems there’s more to this than meets the eye,” Zhongli Yu answered gravely. No matter how he tried, he could not fathom the Southern Guardian King’s betrayal.

“When will you depart?” Zhan Yan asked, knowing he had been busy reorganizing the troops and would soon be leaving.

“At dawn tomorrow. The situation is too urgent to delay any longer. While I’m away, take good care of yourself, and don’t dwell on troubling thoughts, all right?” He could not help but worry, remembering her earlier distress.

“I understand. Don’t worry,” Zhan Yan replied calmly.

“I still have some matters to handle at the camp. I’ll try to return tonight to dine with you,” he said, reluctantly releasing her.

“Go ahead, I’ll be waiting,” Zhan Yan replied with a gentle smile, not wanting him to worry.

Zhongli Yu had been busy for days, and with his departure imminent, Zhan Yan hoped he could share a meal with her before he left. She had already instructed the servants to prepare an elaborate dinner in anticipation of his return. True to his word, he came back in time for supper.

“You’re back. Have all the arrangements been made?” Zhan Yan greeted him warmly.

“Yes, everything’s ready. We’ll set out tomorrow,” he replied with a gentle smile.

“Then let’s eat. It won’t taste as good if it gets cold,” she said. For the first time, she personally set the table for him. Perhaps because they were about to part, neither had much appetite, and after a few bites, she asked the servants to clear the table.

Zhongli Yu took out a white jade token inscribed with “Serenity Pass.” Handing it to Zhan Yan, he said softly, “Yan’er, while I’m away, I entrust Serenity Pavilion to you. Should you need anything, you may call on them for help. Whoever sees this token will treat it as if seeing me in person.”

“All right,” Zhan Yan accepted without protest. She would take care of both the Prince Chun’s Manor and Serenity Pavilion in his absence and return everything to him when he came back.

That night, Zhan Yan could not bear to sleep. She lay awake, quietly watching him. They had only been married for a month, and in that time, she had known nothing but happiness. She never imagined it would be so brief, that it would be interrupted so soon. Her heart was heavy with indescribable emotion.

“Yan’er, if you keep staring at me like that, I’ll have no choice but to eat you up,” he said in a low, hoarse voice. Knowing she was not in the mood, he had restrained himself, but her constant gaze was sorely testing his self-control.

Zhan Yan blushed and glared at him—or rather, she pouted, her coquettish charm thoroughly disarming him. He could no longer resist and finally kissed her.

That night, he set every inch of her skin aflame, their passion burning until dawn. Filled with longing and tenderness, Zhan Yan responded to his every touch, surrendering herself completely to him.