Chapter 391: The Night Before the Expedition

Night.

New Duke's residence.

The waning candle swayed, causing the Map of the Northern Passes hanging on the Shufang's four walls to flash intermittently.

Wang Zheng, dressed in a plain Brothel, pressed his finger on the Xiazhou direction, his gaze fixed on the "Eight Formation Simulation" chapter of the military treatise "Grasping the Extraordinary Classics", while the tea cup on the desk had long since cooled.

Rapid footsteps shattered the night's silence.

"Father, something big happened over at Hezhou!"

Wang Xiong pushed aside the curtain and entered, the hem of his Xuanse Jinshen still damp with night dew and dust; he could not bother with formalities, panting heavily as he shouted, "The Tongtian Society is inciting Liuren rebellion, the Tuyu Hun are knocking at the gates, burning, killing, looting…"

"Hm?"

Wang Zheng snapped his head up; in the candlelight, the calm depths of his eyes suddenly roiled with surprise, and he asked, "Ah Xiong, where did you hear that from?"

His eyes were full of doubt.

For a father to be unaware of such major events as Liuren rebellion and Tuyu Hun's gate‑knocking, how could his son know first?

Wang Xiong saw his father's grave expression, hurried forward a step, steadied his breath, and urgently explained, "The Embroidered Messenger of the Mingjing Department just delivered Lord Chen Yan's order!"

"He commands his son to join the army and go on campaign to quell the rebellion in Hezhou!"

Having spoken, he reached into his inner pocket of the Xuanse Jinshen, retrieved a document tightly wrapped in mulberry bark paper, held it with both hands, bowed, and handed it to his father.

The vermilion Great Seal of the Mingjing Department's Director, covering the top of the scroll, stood out vividly in the candlelight.

Wang Zheng's fingertips peeled back the mulberry bark paper; his gaze swept over the characters and seal on the order, his brows gradually relaxed, and finally he gently re‑rolled the scroll, murmuring, "So that's how it is!"

He lifted his eyes to his upright son before him, his broad palm giving a light tap on the desk, his tone deep and forceful: "This is a once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years opportunity!"

"Ah Xiong, you must seize it!"

The moment he finished reading the order, the military duke keenly realized this was an excellent chance for his son to make a name for himself!

With foreign invaders, rebel bandits, and a youthful celestial commander, he could finally show his worth!

Wang Xiong, hearing the words, immediately straightened his robe, bowed, clasped his fists over his shoulders, his spine upright, and said, "Son, I understand!"

His voice rang clear, no longer hurried as before.

In his eyes burned the sharp vigor unique to a youth.

Wang Xiong also knew clearly what he needed to do this time…

Follow Lord Chen Yan's command, lead the troops personally, and fight bravely against the enemy!

Wang Zheng slowly raised his hand, gave Wang Xiong's shoulder a firm pat, the old callus on his palm rubbing the Brothel, his tone carrying expectation and steadiness: "With battle merits at your side, when you return victorious, I, as your father, will petition the Grand Preceptor to grant you a posting in the northern towns!"

Having said that, his gaze shifted, his peripheral vision drifting unconsciously toward the Map of the Northern Passes on the desk.

It finally rested on the spot in Xiazhou marked with a vermilion brush, his eyes gaining a hint of depth.

Xiazhou, near the Rouran and bordering Qi State, is a strategic military stronghold.

It forges men well and makes it easier to accumulate military merit!

Wang Xiong, understanding his father's foresight and his own career planning, nodded repeatedly.

And the same matter, almost simultaneously, also appeared at Dou Luling and others' residence…

Night.

Director's residence.

Chen Yan wore a moon‑white silk robe, his long hair loosely tied at the back with a Jade Hairpin, the tips still damp with lingering steam, exuding the crisp, bitter scent of mugwort and sandalwood from the bath.

As soon as he stepped out of the clean room, a maid waiting in the corridor hurriedly handed him a warm cloth; he took it, wiped his hands, the thin callus on his fingertip brushing the soft silk handkerchief.

"Husband!"

A soft, gentle call followed, and Pei Suiwan, dressed in a lotus‑pink ruqun, draped with a plain gauze shawl, cradling a steaming mug of ginger tea, hurried out of the inner chamber.

She approached Chen Yan, lifted her hand naturally to smooth the slipped collar of his robe, her fingertips touching his slightly cool shoulder and neck, her brows slightly furrowing: "Why did you return so late today?"

Her husband usually came home early…

As she spoke, the pearl dangling hairpin at her temples swayed gently, reflecting the candlelight in the corridor.

The maid had cleverly brought over an embroidered stool; Pei Suiwan handed the ginger tea to Chen Yan, then reached out to feel his forehead—during the day Chang'an had just had a light rain, and the night wind was cool; she always feared he would catch a chill while out and about.

Chen Yan took the ginger tea, warmth spreading from his palm to his limbs; he looked at Pei Suiwan's eyes, unable to hide her concern, and smiled, "I went to the Grand Steward's office, then to the camp!"

"Camp?"

Pei Suiwan murmured the words again, as if realizing something; her previously relaxed fingertips unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt, she lifted her gaze to Chen Yan, her eyes' concern deepening with curiosity, and asked softly, "Did something happen?"

Visiting the Jin Wang Fu was no surprise; after all, the Grand Steward summons him often, and her husband frequently goes to see Ah Ze, sometimes bringing her along…

He could be called a regular visitor to the Jin Wang Fu.

But the camp was an unusual signal!

Her husband, though appointed Grand General of the Cavalry, held no command position and had no duty to inspect the camp…

Chen Yan took a sip of the warm ginger broth, suppressing the dryness in his throat, then slowly nodded, his tone a few degrees deeper than before: "Hezhou is in trouble!"

He set the bowl on the desk, his fingertip rubbing the rim, and continued, "The Tongtian Society is inciting Liuren rebellion, colluding with the Tuyu Hun to knock at the gates; the Grand Steward ordered me to go quell the rebellion and strike the enemy…"

"Hezhou?"

Pei Suiwan whispered the two words softly, the pressure of her fingertips easing slightly, yet still clutching the skirt, she looked at Chen Yan, her eyes gradually clouded with watery light, "That far?"

Hezhou lies far to the west of the Long region, a thousand li from Chang'an.

She did not cry, only slightly lowered her eyelids; when she lifted her gaze again, the curiosity in her eyes had wholly turned into an overwhelming, unbreakable sorrow.

Pei Suiwan knew they would be apart for a long stretch…

"Hm."

Chen Yan gave a low hum from his throat.

He reached out, gently taking the woman's slightly cool hand, his fingertip caressing the delicate skin on the back of her hand.

Pei Suiwan's hand trembled lightly at Chen Yan's grip, she lifted her eyes to him, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor: "When will we set out on the campaign?"

Chen Yan's eyes darkened slightly, and he whispered, "Tomorrow!"

"So urgent?" Pei Suiwan frowned sharply, her tone full of surprise.

Chen Yan sighed, tightened his grip on her hand, and said helplessly yet firmly, "There's no choice; the military situation is urgent!"

If we delay a day, the Tongtian Society and the Tuyu Hun will wreak havoc across Great Zhou's lands for a day.

The military situation is like fire; it cannot be delayed…

Pei Suiwan inhaled deeply, quickly brushed away the unspilled moisture at the corner of her eye with her fingertips, and when she lifted her gaze, the lingering reluctance vanished, replaced by a clear bright light.

She clasped Chen Yan's hand with her other hand, her knuckles whitening from the pressure, and said resolutely, "Husband, go gallop across the battlefield, ride your Horse into war; I remain here in Chang'an Prefecture!"

Pei Suiwan looked at Chen Yan, her eyes full of determination and support.

Crying and clinging, that's something only a little woman would do…

Pei Suiwan intends to secure her husband's rear, tend to all household matters, so he can focus on defending the enemy and achieving glory on the battlefield, never giving him any trace of worry!

"With Suiwan here, I feel at ease!"

Chen Yan gave a slight nod, raised both hands, brushed Pei Suiwan's sideburns, his eyes full of cherishment, and said softly.

The ancients said to marry a virtuous wife; indeed, it does not deceive him…

Upon hearing this, Pei Suiwan's brows softened a bit, she again grasped Chen Yan's hand and gently patted it, her tone warm and resolute: "As for Zhiqing, I will take good care of her…"

She paused, as if recalling something, and said gravely, "Hmm, I also need to remind Hongye to watch over things carefully along the way…"

Both Hongye and Zhu Yi are said to be the man's right‑hand guards.

But Hongye is a woman, far more delicate than the rough Zhu Yi…

With her close care, Pei Suiwan can be at ease.

Chen Yan's throat churned, he licked his slightly dry lips, his gaze falling on Pei Suiwan's gentle eyes, the emotions previously stirred surged again, and he reached to grasp her waist, "Suiwan, while we still have time, shall we attend to some proper matters?"

Then his fingertips lightly brushed the silk brocade of her ruqun, his breathing gradually quickened.

Obviously, Chen intends to make another effort before setting out on the campaign…

"No way!"

Pei Suiwan, as if startled, suddenly pressed Chen Yan's wrist, used the force to stand and step back half a step, avoiding contact, and firmly refused.

"Fine, you neither want nor are forced…"

Chen Yan, seeing Pei Suiwan's intense reaction, his eyes full of confusion, chose to give up.

But before he could finish, Pei Suiwan hurriedly said, "Husband, you misunderstand!"

She said, gently pressing her own abdomen, a soft rosy flush spreading on her face, and whispered, "I am with child; I can no longer do these…"

Chen Yan was first stunned, his whole body frozen, the bewilderment in his eyes instantly replaced by shock.

He stared blankly for a moment then suddenly recovered, pulling Pei Suiwan tightly into his arms, his movement gentle yet trembling uncontrollably, his voice full of excited quiver: "Suiwan, when did this happen!"

Then he lowered his head to look at Pei Suiwan's hand on her abdomen, then raised his gaze to her reddened cheek, his mouth corner unable to help but lift.

A legitimate child!

This is Chen Yan's first legitimate child!

"Just today…"

Pei Suiwan pressed her lips, smiled faintly, and softly said, "My body was uneasy, so I asked Sister Yun to take my pulse…"

"Never thought it would be a joyous pulse!"

"I've always been hoping for my husband to return and bring good news…"

She was as excited as Chen Yan; with a legitimate child, the family has an heir, truly securing stability.

"Good, wonderful!" Chen Yan repeatedly said, his arms hugging Pei Suiwan tighter, yet fearing to press her abdomen, he quickly eased his grip, only gently supporting her back.

Pei Suiwan leaned into Chen Yan's warm embrace, listening to his strong heartbeat, wrapped her arm around his waist, her voice gentle yet solemn: "Husband, you must be safe; I and the child in my womb await your return…"