Chapter 80: A Home Built on Duty and Doubt

Another five days passed in succession.

Finally, on the morning of the sixth day, Fan Chuan and her group arrived at the Marshal’s residence.

Fan Chuan had the generals lead the soldiers to camp first at the encampment in Zhuozhou, while she herself returned to the Marshal’s residence.

For convenience, the Marshal’s residence on the northern border was built right at the border pass.

Basically, coming out of the Marshal’s residence and walking another half hour would bring you to the checkpoint at the northern border.

Heavy troops were stationed there.

Not only at the checkpoint itself, but the surrounding area was also filled with the Fan family army.

Usually, the Fan family army’s drills and battle formations were conducted in the area around the checkpoint.

On one hand, beyond the checkpoint lay the vast desert, providing enough space to station troops and conduct drills.

On the other hand, it could deter the northern barbarians.

Of course, only twenty thousand Fan family soldiers were stationed at the checkpoint.

The remaining eighty thousand were stationed within Zhuozhou’s borders.

When there was war, they were responsible for fighting; when there was no war, they engaged in military agricultural cultivation to maintain ample supplies.

Fan Chuan rode her horse to the carriage.

She said to the inside, “My lady, we’re home.”

With that, Fan Chuan nimbly dismounted, tossed her riding whip to Yun Heng, and waited by the carriage for Shen Lingwei.

Shen Lingwei put on her cloak, then came out of the carriage.

But the northern border was very windy and sandy, and Shen Lingwei was still not accustomed to the climate here.

She instinctively pulled her cloak tighter, then offered her hand to Fan Chuan.

Seeing that she seemed cold, Fan Chuan said softly, “Once we’re back at the residence, I’ll have someone take your measurements.

It gets cold early here.

In a few days, you’ll need to wear thick clothes.”

“Mm, thank you, Marshal.”

Shen Lingwei was helped down from the carriage by Fan Chuan, and the group walked into the Marshal’s residence.

The Marshal’s residence in the northern border was far less grand than the one in the capital.

The Fan family had spent all their silver on the military.

For the families of fallen soldiers, besides the pensions issued by the court, the Fan family often gave an additional share.

Therefore, even though they received rewards from the court after every victory, the Fan family had never had much silver.

“This residence is far from being as good as the one in the capital.

But if you find anything unsatisfactory, please feel free to bring it up.

I’ll have someone help you acquire it.”

In fact, while still in the capital, she had already sent a letter back to have someone handle this matter.

She wasn’t a meticulous person herself, so the things in her room had been pitifully few.

Therefore, she had sent another letter back instructing the steward to add more things.

“No need.

This is already very good.”

Shen Lingwei smiled at Fan Chuan.

“Then let’s go take a look.”

Fan Chuan pointed to the courtyard ahead.

“That is our bedroom.

Next to it is the study.

You can go read there when you’re bored.”

“Mm, okay.”

Shen Lingwei listened carefully and smiled back at Fan Chuan.

Her current situation was much better than she had imagined.

Although she could feel that Fan Chuan was still somewhat wary of her, Fan Chuan was a very good person.

Even knowing she was someone the emperor had planted by her side, she still took very good care of her.

The journey had been very hard, but Fan Chuan’s care for her was not fake.

Soon, the two entered the courtyard.

Fan Chuan pushed open the bedroom door and let Shen Lingwei go inside and look around.

The furniture in the room was all newly purchased.

The dressing mirror, wardrobe – their styles were all very new.

The wooden bed was also newly made by the steward.

It was a medium-sized wooden bed, about one and a half meters wide.

Shen Lingwei naturally saw that these were all new.

She turned and smiled at Fan Chuan.

“Did you have someone prepare all these new things?”

Fan Chuan was a bit uncomfortable under her gaze, but she nodded.

“Mm.

The old furniture was too worn out.

Besides, we both need to live here now, and the wardrobe was too small.

So I simply had someone prepare everything new.”

Her old furniture had been moved to the room on the left, not thrown away.

Shen Lingwei blinked at Fan Chuan and smiled.

“Thank you, Marshal, for preparing all this.

I like it very much.”

Her gentle voice drifted into Fan Chuan’s ears.

Fan Chuan quickly averted her gaze and said a bit awkwardly, “No… no need to thank me.”

The steward of the residence, Zhang Qiao, was a very resourceful female neutral, about forty years old.

She was very sharp and could tell at a glance that their Marshal was very satisfied with this new wife.

Unfortunately, this wife was the emperor’s person, leaving a barrier between her and the Marshal.

When Fan Chuan had reached the borders of Zhuozhou, she had sent someone back to deliver a message, specifically instructing her to pay attention to the movements of Shen Lingwei, Xiao Tao, and the twelve guards by Shen Lingwei’s side.

“This is Zhang Qiao.

She is the steward of the residence.

In the future, you can have her handle anything you need.”

Fan Chuan briefly introduced Zhang Qiao.

Zhang Qiao immediately bowed to Shen Lingwei.

“Greetings, Madam.”

“No need for such formality.

I will trouble you, Steward Zhang, from now on.”

Shen Lingwei smiled politely at Zhang Qiao.

Zhang Qiao couldn’t help but sigh to herself.

The new wife their Marshal had married was truly beautiful, and her disposition seemed quite good too.

Having finally arrived home, Fan Chuan said, “Xiao Tao, I’ve had someone boil water.

First, help her bathe.

You’ve been tired all the way.

A hot bath will help you rest well.”

“What about you?”

Shen Lingwei asked.

“I’ll go bathe in the guest room.”

Fan Chuan nodded at Shen Lingwei and headed towards the guest room.

After they had walked a certain distance, Fan Chuan said quietly to Zhang Qiao, “Arrange for the twelve guards to stay in the next courtyard.

Have people keep a close eye on them.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

The guards in the Marshal’s residence were all elites from the military.

Even the servant boys in the residence could pick up swords and spears and fight on the battlefield at any time.

Keeping an eye on these dozen or so people would be no problem at all.

She removed her armor, took off her clothes, and soaked comfortably in the wooden tub.

When she came out again, Fan Chuan had changed into a set of green clothes.

Her hair was styled in the common women’s bun, pinned tightly with two jade hairpins.

Her long hair was casually scattered behind her.

Having just returned to Zhuozhou, nothing could be rushed.

She planned to rest and then go to the military camp in the afternoon to inspect.

When Fan Chuan walked back to the bedroom, Shen Lingwei had also changed her clothes and was drying her wet hair.

Seeing Fan Chuan back in her everyday attire, Shen Lingwei smiled at her.

“The maidservants just said lunch is ready.

Let’s eat first.”

“Okay.

I need to go to the military camp this afternoon.

I might not return tonight.

Have dinner by yourself.

Don’t wait for me.”

Fan Chuan looked at Shen Lingwei and reminded her.

Shen Lingwei nodded.

She knew that after Fan Chuan had been away for nearly four months, there must be a lot of military matters waiting for her.

So she said, “Alright.

Take care of yourself.

Don’t overwork.”

Fan Chuan nodded at her.

“Mm.

Don’t worry.”

Soon, the maidservants brought in the meal.

The northern border was next to the desert, so the variety of vegetables was very limited.

Only easily grown vegetables like cabbage, radishes, and potatoes were available.

Leafy greens were rare.

However, there were many cattle and sheep.

“There are quite a lot of cattle and sheep here.

Today’s meal should be made with lamb.

See if it suits your taste.

If you don’t like it, I’ll have them change it to pork this afternoon.”

“No need.

This is already very good.”

Shen Lingwei said.

Having lived in the Prime Minister’s residence for so many years, she had tasted all kinds of delicious food.

So she could eat lamb and beef just fine.

Moreover, this was not the Prime Minister’s residence.

Zhuozhou was not the capital.

She didn’t want to distract Fan Chuan with these trivial matters.

Fan Chuan had important things to do.

“Alright.

But please don’t force yourself if you don’t like something.

Be sure to tell the kitchen staff.

Don’t be hard on yourself.

I’ve just returned to the northern border, so I might have a lot to do.

I probably won’t have time to keep you company for a while.

If you need anything, just have the servants do it.”

Fan Chuan instructed.

Shen Lingwei seemed amused.

It was rare for Fan Chuan to talk so much, and all of it was caring words about her.

“Alright, I understand.

Don’t worry.

I won’t be hard on myself.

Let’s eat.”

Shen Lingwei smiled at her and said softly.

“Mm.

Then I’ll feel at ease.”

Fan Chuan picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.

Neither she nor Shen Lingwei liked to talk while eating, so the room fell silent for a while.

After lunch, Fan Chuan needed to change clothes and go to the military camp.

Shen Lingwei followed beside Fan Chuan.

“Marshal, let me help you change.”

Her armor had been taken off in the guest room.

Fan Chuan was about to say no, but the words died on her lips.

Knowing that Shen Lingwei cared very much about this, she simply nodded in agreement.

“Alright.

I’m indebted to you.”

The two went to the guest room.

Shen Lingwei first helped Fan Chuan take off her outer clothes, then put on the undergarments for the armor.

After doing this, Shen Lingwei began to help Fan Chuan put on the armor.

Sometimes, when Shen Lingwei couldn’t lift a piece herself, Fan Chuan had to help her hold it.

For example, the armor piece on Fan Chuan’s chest was very heavy.

Shen Lingwei had difficulty holding it with both hands.

Fan Chuan, the corners of her mouth holding a smile, supported the armor piece from below, making it easier for Shen Lingwei to help her put it on.

By the time she had helped Fan Chuan put on the armor, Shen Lingwei’s forehead was sweating.

Fan Chuan smiled at her.

“You’ve worked hard.

Go back and rest quickly.

Today, you can have a good sleep.”

On their journey back, although they could sometimes stay in post stations, more often they had to camp in the wilderness.

Sleeping in the wilderness was often accompanied by the howls of various wild animals.

Although they could sleep, it was always nerve-wracking.

Especially for a pampered young lady like Shen Lingwei, who had never endured such hardship.

Thinking this, Fan Chuan felt even more guilty.

“Alright.

You take care of yourself.

Don’t overwork.”

Shen Lingwei said as she reached out and straightened the armor on Fan Chuan’s body.

“Mm, don’t worry.

I’ll come back to see you when I have time.”

Fan Chuan looked at Shen Lingwei and said softly.

“Okay.

Then I’ll wait for the Marshal.”

The gentle voice was especially pleasing to Fan Chuan’s ears.

She nodded at Shen Lingwei.

“Then I’m going.”

“Mm.

Be safe.”

Shen Lingwei reminded her.

As Fan Chuan walked away, she felt she was different from before.

It seemed that before, she had had no attachments.

Now, she had someone in her heart that she needed to take care of.

She suppressed the many emotions in her heart, mounted her maroon horse, and headed towards the checkpoint.

She needed to check the condition of the soldiers beyond the checkpoint.

Fan Chuan, along with Yun Heng and a group of personal guards, rode towards the checkpoint.

Meanwhile, Shen Lingwei returned to the room and began to put things away with Xiao Tao.

Some were her own things, some were Fan Chuan’s.

Some maidservants wanted to help, but Shen Lingwei stopped them.

She was still used to doing these things herself.

Now that only Shen Lingwei and Xiao Tao were in the bedroom, Xiao Tao couldn’t help but whisper, “Young lady, the situation doesn’t seem as bad as I thought.

It’s a bit basic here, and the weather isn’t as good as in the capital, but the Marshal seems like a very nice person.”

After all, they had been together for over a month, and now that they were back in the northern border, Fan Chuan was still as attentive to her young lady as she had been on the road.

So Xiao Tao was a little relieved.

She was afraid that the scenario of her young lady being abused to death would not happen.

Moreover, there were no elders in this residence; her young lady was the mistress of the Marshal’s residence.

She shouldn’t be bullied.

Shen Lingwei smiled at her.

“You’re only realizing that now?”

Since the time she had been sick, Shen Lingwei had already determined that Fan Chuan was a very good person.

And she wasn’t just putting on an act; she was genuinely good to her.

If they had married normally, Fan Chuan would probably treat her even better.

Thinking this, Shen Lingwei sighed.

But they were already in the northern border.

They would have to take things slowly from now on.

“Young lady, but we came here with His Majesty’s people.

What if the Marshal finds out?”

Xiao Tao lowered her voice.

Shen Lingwei was amused.

“Do you think she doesn’t already know?”

“That’s true.”

After all, a marshal wasn’t just a title for nothing.

Thinking this, Xiao Tao grew more nervous.

“Young lady, what are we going to do?

Will the Marshal retaliate against us?”

Shen Lingwei smiled and shook her head.

“If she really wanted my life, she wouldn’t have taken such good care of me on the road.

We’re here, so we’ll make the best of it.

Just live here peacefully.”

Xiao Tao had to hand it to her young lady.

How could she still smile?

And she didn’t seem anxious at all.

But she remembered her young lady had to report on the Marshal’s situation to the emperor every month.

What would they do then?

“Young lady, what about the intelligence reports?”

Xiao Tao asked, a little anxiously.

“I’ll just write them normally.”

Shen Lingwei said calmly as she gently placed Fan Chuan’s clothes in the wardrobe.

“Young lady, aren’t you afraid?

If the Marshal finds out, she’ll be angry.”

Xiao Tao continued in a low voice.

Shen Lingwei just smiled at Xiao Tao.

“I’m more afraid she won’t find out.”

“Young lady, what do you mean?”

Xiao Tao scratched her head, feeling like she was about to grow a brain.

Talking with her young lady, she often had the feeling that her brain wasn’t enough.

Like right now.

Shen Lingwei didn’t answer Xiao Tao.

She just smiled, saying nothing, and continued carefully placing Fan Chuan’s clothes for different seasons.

Xiao Tao almost cried.

She really didn’t know what her young lady was planning to do.