Resplendent – Chapter 395

Chapter 395 – A Photograph

After seeing off the silly couple and bidding farewell to her senior brother and his son, night had already fallen over the entire capital. 

The streets were nearly empty; the shop lights on both sides gradually dimmed, leaving only a few places still glowing brightly.

After traveling all day, Gu Ye felt a bit weary. The elusive Yin Mei appeared beside her and said, “Miss, the curfew will begin soon. It’s too late to reach the West now. My master has an estate nearby, and I’ve already sent someone to have it prepared. Why don’t you rest there for the night?”

Gu Ye turned to her grandfather for his opinion. 

Gu Xiao saw that his granddaughter’s eyes were heavy with sleep and his grandson kept yawning. Though he disliked the idea of staying in that rascal Ling’s house, as Prince Tai had said, every inn in the East District was already full, and it was too late to cross to the West District. For the sake of letting his grandchildren sleep soundly, he could only agree with a darkened face.

The residence wasn’t far from Qingfeng Pavilion. It was quiet despite its central location, an excellent spot. 

Gu Xiao and his grandchildren, along with Jun Qicheng, were arranged to stay in the guest rooms of the outer courtyard. Half-asleep, Gu Ye entered through the ornamental gate into the inner courtyard, sat on the sedan chair the maids had prepared, and was carried to a secluded, tranquil yard.

After a day’s exhaustion, she had no energy left to admire the surroundings. She hurriedly bathed, and while Yue Yuan was giving her a scraping massage, she fell asleep face down on the bed. 

Yue Yuan picked up a light quilt from beside her and gently covered her waist. The moment she touched it, she realized it was made from two full layers of water glint silk.

In other households, even a handkerchief of that silk would be enough to show off—but here it was used to make an entire quilt. 

Young Master Ling was truly extravagant! 

Still, this was exactly what her young lady needed. Now that autumn had arrived, the nights carried a trace of chill. If she didn’t cover her with a blanket, her lady might catch a cold; but if she did, her lady would surely kick it off. This water glint silk, smooth and cool against the skin like a layer of autumn water, was comfortable, breathable, and never stuffy. Perhaps this time her lady would finally keep it on.

After tending carefully to her mistress and checking the room inside and out to ensure everything was safe, Yue Yuan lay down on a small couch by the window to sleep.

The moonlight mischievously slipped through the window, peeking at the little girl sleeping on the bed. A soft breeze drifted in through the lattice, and Gu Ye stretched her limbs, sinking into even sweeter dreams. A gentle smile curved her lips. Was she perhaps seeing the one who missed her so dearly her dreams?

Far away in Shengjing, the capital of Yan, Ling Juechen had returned triumphant from battle. The civil and military officials of the court and the citizens of the capital lined the streets to welcome him. Even Emperor Shengde himself went beyond the city gates to greet the War God of Yan—the hero of the nation.

After rewarding the troops and conferring honors upon his generals, Ling Juechen finally returned to the King General’s Manor. 

His aide Dapeng, who had arrived before him, grinned widely and said, “General, the old master asked you to go to the study as soon as you return.”

On his way to the study, Ling Juechen suddenly heard the sound of wings flapping. Looking up, he saw a messenger falcon descending slowly—the very one his little girl had named ‘Xiao Bai.’ He raised his arm, and Xiao Bai obediently landed on his forearm. He took a small slip of paper from Xiao Bai’s talons.

Seeing this, Dapeng’s grin widened even more. He leaned over and asked knowingly, “General, is that a letter from Miss Gu? What does it say?” 

By now, Xiao Bai had practically become the exclusive messenger falcon for delivering love letters between the general and Miss Gu. Every time Xiao Bai returned, the general would be in high spirits for quite a while.

Ling Juechen shot him a cold glance—as if to say, Do I need to report to you what my letter says?

Dapeng rubbed his nose awkwardly, still curious, and craned his neck for another peek at the slip in his master’s hand. Reluctantly, he reached out toward Xiao Bai. Then… Can I at least feed Xiao Bai?

Ling Juechen ran his fingers over the folded note and realized there was a small piece of stiff paper inside. Slowly, he unfolded it—only to see four simple characters written there: ‘All is well. Don’t worry.’ 

That heartless little girl! He had filled three whole pages with tiny, neat characters in his last letter, and she replied with only four hastily written characters!

Ling Juechen sighed helplessly. He thought of that unfeeling girl, her mind completely consumed with cowpox vaccine research when they parted—so much so that even their farewell had been perfunctory. Right now, she was probably buried in her experiments, busy developing the vaccine, wasn’t she? 

Sigh! Ah well—what could he do? He had fallen for a workaholic woman.

He looked again at the small piece of stiff paper—no larger than his palm—and his stern brows softened into a gentle smile. It was a half-length portrait of the young lady, with the medicine fields of her spatial realm as the background.

The young lady was dressed in a white gown embroidered with orchids. Her hair was simply styled into two small buns, adorned with delicate pink crystal flowers. With elegant brows, bright eyes, a fine nose, and cherry lips, her beautiful gaze seemed to shimmer like spring water—playful and full of mischief, as if to soothe him: ‘Wait until I finish my work, then I’ll write you a proper letter. Be good!’

Dapeng, who was about to leave with Xiao Bai, caught sight of his master’s expression gradually softening. The general’s sharp, handsome eyes now held a tenderness so deep it seemed ready to spill over. Curiosity clawed at his heart like a cat. 

What on earth was written in that letter?

Quietly, he shuffled closer step by step toward his master. Huh? 

The general hadn’t even noticed him? He was staring at it that intently?

Stretching his neck to peek, Dapeng couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow! Who painted this? The likeness is incredible, just like she’s standing right here! Look at that coloring, that—Hey, hey! General, don’t hide it! What a shame it’s so small. If only the portrait were a bit bigger!”

Ling Juechen tucked the photograph carefully against his chest, gave Dapeng a cool glance, and strode toward the study without a word. Flustered, Dapeng shoved the white falcon into the hands of a passing servant and hurriedly ordered, “You—feed the bird!”

The servant stood rigid, locking eyes for a long moment with the falcon’s fierce gaze, his face drawn: This falcon-ancestor won’t peck a chunk out of me, will it?

Dapeng hurried ahead into the study and whispered slyly in the old general’s ear. After seeing his general enter the study, he pretended nothing had happened and turned to straighten the military books on the shelf.

When Old General Ling saw his grandson return, his face lit up: “Chen’er, did the campaign go smoothly this time?”

“Mm.” Ling Juechen bowed to his grandfather, sat down before him, and, as usual, kept his answers brief. Yet Old General Ling caught an unfamiliar softness in his grandson’s eyes.

“I heard the First Prince of Li used poison and our tens of thousands of soldiers were struck by an epidemic?” the old general said, thinking of the news Dapeng had brought back. He swallowed his excitement and tried to probe gently.

“Yes.” Ling Juechen glanced coolly at Dapeng who was standing with his ears pricked, listening and still wouldn’t utter another word.

“And then, how was that epidemic resolved?” Old General Ling really wanted to pry his grandson’s mouth open with a chisel. It was as if one more word and he’d die!