Chapter 73: Mourning and Victory: Returning Home [Thank You, Readers]

On the road, Xu Anmei told Xu Zaijing the name of the Hai family’s eldest daughter: Hai Zhaoxia.

Entering the courtyard, Xu Zaijing saw his sister-in-law standing beside his mother, and Xu Zaiduan had also been called back to sit nearby.

Sun Shi spoke with solemn expression:

“We’ve just received word from the Qi family—the Qi Duke has passed away. We’ve always been on good terms with them, so we must set up mourning pavilions and roadside memorials.”

Sun Shi sighed and said, “For now, stay indoors as much as possible.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Looking at the six children (and daughters-in-law) in the hall, Sun Shi nodded with satisfaction.

The death of a Duke plunged Bianjing into solemn silence.

As one of the highest-ranking noble families of Da Zhou, the Qi Duke’s lineage had long intermarried with the most illustrious houses, and the Qi Duke himself (Qi Heng’s grandfather) had served in court for decades, promoting many junior officials.

Thus, all the nobles and civil officials of Bianjing showed respect for the deceased—many celebratory events were scaled back, and firecrackers were no longer set off in excess.

The palace even sent an imperial eunuch to assist the Qi family in mourning rites, demonstrating the Qi family’s esteemed position in the Emperor’s heart.

Hundreds of Buddhist monks and Daoist priests summoned from temples and shrines around Bianjing chanted sutras day and night; the sound of wooden fish and golden drums never ceased.

The horseball matches outside Jinming Pond were suspended for a month as a sign of respect.

After more than a month of lying in state, relatives and old friends from all corners of Da Zhou finally arrived at the Qi Duke’s mansion.

Most were middle-aged or strong young men; the elderly simply could not endure the bumpy journey and exposure to wind and rain.

During the mourning period,

Xu Zaijing and his second brother Xu Zaihang, as unmarried younger generations, paid their respects to the Qi Duke, accompanied by fellow Bianjing noble youths such as Gu Tingyu, Gu Tingye, and Zheng Xiao.

All who knelt prostrate before the coffin wore plain-colored yet exquisitely woven garments—sons of Bianjing’s noble families.

They did not attend the roadside memorial, as they were unmarried; only Xu Zaiduan and his wife accompanied their mother Sun Shi at the mourning pavilion.

Later, Xu Zaijing learned from his mother that the Qi Duke’s eldest son, citing his son’s frail health, had ceded the title to Qi Heng’s father.

The people of Bianjing understood clearly: Princess Pingning had only one son, and he could not be adopted.

As close brothers, if the eldest branch truly died out, the second branch would not stand idly by.

Blood ties between brothers and nephews were closer than those of distant collateral branches adopted in.

A few days after the funeral, Bianjing returned to its usual bustle and splendor.

Perhaps because they had not had enough fun these past days, the brothels and entertainment houses saw even greater business.

At the horseball fields, crowds lined up waiting for their turn to compete.

The weather grew hotter still.

On this day,

A courier from the northwest rode into Bianjing shouting, “Northwest Victory!”—drawing stares and murmurs from passersby.

Soon, confirmed news spread.

The northwest Bai Gao state had been repelled by the Western Army; over five thousand had been slain, the siege of Lingzhou lifted, and the Western Army had even counterattacked into Bai Gao territory, seizing a fortress along with the fleeing enemy troops.

Though victorious, the northern frontier troops of the Northern Liao had grown increasingly active.

The Yunyi Army under the British Duke had engaged in a minor skirmish with the Northern Liao forces and gained the upper hand.

The Guangrui Army under Gu Yan Kai had stood in tense standoff against elite troops under the Southern Court King of the Northern Liao.

Later, generals from the west and north speculated:

On one hand, Bai Gao must have offered the Northern Liao enormous concessions.

On the other, the Northern Liao needed strategic defense—if Da Zhou conquered Bai Gao, their next target would surely be the Northern Liao.

Half a month later.

As the weather grew even hotter, the entire northern front fell quiet after the earlier intense maneuvers.

Bai Gao surrendered, abandoning all attempts to reclaim the seized fortress.

The Northern Liao slowly withdrew their troops, preparing for the coming farming season.

Spies and scouts confirmed the enemy had disbanded their forces.

The troops raised months earlier along Da Zhou’s northeast frontier were also disbanded and sent home.

After leaving behind commanders capable of maintaining control, the nobles of the capital began returning to Bianjing.

More than a month after the northwest victory spread through the capital, Gu Yan Kai entered Bianjing through the northern Ansu Gate.

His first act upon returning was to surrender his military authority.

That afternoon, dust-covered and weary from the northern journey, Gu Yan Kai arrived at the Ministry of Military Affairs to return his command token.

Riding through the streets beside his personal guards, Gu Yan Kai, watching the bustling crowds, felt deeply moved.

He also missed his wife and children at home, especially his daughter Tingyi—he had not seen her in so long, he could not imagine how much she had grown.

Suddenly,

A commotion ahead,

From his high saddle, Gu Yan Kai saw clearly: several ruffians from Bianjing were cornering a slender woman.

Nearby, several elaborately dressed young noblemen watched the scene with amusement.

Gu Yan Kai paid them no mind—he assumed they would naturally clear the way when he and his guards approached.

The ruffians would surely back down.

Gu Yan Kai’s tiger-like gaze swept over them—and froze.

Among the young nobles were some he recognized.

One was his nephew from the fourth branch, Gu Tingbing.

Gu Tingbing stood to the side, his eyes filled with malice, as if he wanted to devour the woman trapped by the ruffians.

Gu Yan Kai’s anger flared—he silently vowed to properly discipline his fifth brother upon returning home; raising a child like this was a disgrace to the family.

Glancing at the others beside him, he recognized another: Qin Chi Han, the eldest son of the Qin family of the Duke of Dongchang, who should have addressed Gu Yan Kai as "Uncle by Marriage."

Gu Yan Kai was furious—he had been guarding the northern frontier, sleeping in armor, while these brats were harassing innocent women in Bianjing.

“What are you doing?”

A deep, rough voice rang out.

Gu Tingbing, lost in his fantasies, jolted in fear; Qin Chi Han’s face paled.

“G-g-great-uncle.”

"Uncle by Marriage."

Gu Yan Kai pointed at the patrol soldiers standing by, too afraid to intervene:

“You men, take these ruffians to the yamen.”

“Y-yes, Your Grace.”

They immediately shackled the ruffians and dragged them away.

Gu Yan Kai turned to the remaining young nobles and aristocrats.

“Are you being raised to harass virtuous women? Someone!”

“Your Grace.”

“Take them back to their homes—let their elders deal with them. This little beast—bind him.”

The one bound was Gu Tingbing.

Their servants, stripped of their earlier arrogance before commoners, cowered like quails.

Gu Yan Kai looked down coldly, expressionless, at the woman lowering her head beside him:

“Give this young lady some silver—as compensation.”

Behind him, a personal guard dismounted and pulled out several silver notes from his chest.

The young lady finally lifted her head slightly, avoiding the offered silver, and bowed deeply: “Thank you, hero, for saving me. My family truly cannot accept this money.”

Catching a glimpse of her face, Gu Yan Kai suddenly turned his head away, eyes widening.

His cold, aloof demeanor vanished; his heart surged violently, his grip on the reins trembling slightly.

In the astonished gaze of his guards, Gu Yan Kai shifted slightly—their master’s signal to dismount.

But he forcibly stopped himself.

“Fine. Take back the silver. Miss, where do you live? I’ll send my household guards to escort you home—these ruffians may seek revenge.”

The woman’s eyes filled with gratitude as she slowly raised her head.

Gu Yan Kai’s heart trembled again; his breath grew rough.

Fortunately, years of battle had honed his control—he kept his face calm as still water, suppressing the storm within.

“Qi Sheng, escort this lady home—see she is protected.”

His lifelong personal steward, standing beside him, narrowed his eyes and nodded.

Gu Tingbing, head bowed, was led by his great-uncle like a dog on a leash, toward the Ningyuan Marquis’s mansion.

Passersby pointed and whispered.

Ningyuan Marquis Mansion

A guard had already arrived to announce his return; the Gu family waited in the inner courtyard gate.

Seeing Gu Yan Kai enter, all were delighted.

Then they saw Gu Tingbing, being led.

Gu Yan Kai dismounted and walked toward them.

His children naturally rushed forward with excited greetings.

He ignored the disgraced members of the fourth branch.

Gu Yan Kai picked up Gu Tingyi in one swift motion.

“Yi’er, oh my, you’ve grown heavy.”

“Father, I’ve grown up, so I’m a bit heavier now.”

The child’s soft, squeaky voice,

melted Gu Yan Kai’s heart.

Gu Yan Kai looked at his other two sons, a quiet pride in his gaze—especially at Gu Tingyu, whose health had steadily improved, his complexion no longer the sallow yellow of years past.

His skin had nearly returned to normal, and he had grown taller, now reaching Gu Yan Kai’s eyebrow level.

He was truly a graceful, handsome young lord.

Beside him, Gu Tingye watched with amusement as his cousin Gu Tingbing bowed his head, shrinking in shame.

The members of the Fourth Branch had long resented Bai Shi, hurling plenty of sneering remarks.

Gu Tingye had often exchanged heated insults with his cousin.

But now Gu Tingye was puzzled: in the past, such teasing would have made Gu Tingbing glare and shout back; yet now Gu Tingbing kept his head down, his eyes filled with something uncertain and cowed, stealing a glance at Gu Yan Kai.

“Has my father scolded my cousin into stupidity?” he thought.

Bai Shi watched her husband return home, her eyes brimming with joy.

Yet inside, she felt uneasy, for after entering the mansion, Gu Yan Kai avoided her gaze the moment their eyes met.

On the other side, Gu Yan Kai’s senior attendant Qi Sheng had escorted the woman to a house by the street.

Thank you all for your support—thank you so much!

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(End of Chapter)