Next morning the army was marching back to the capital. Another day's journey and the army would arrive at the outer city gates of Dongjing capital. By sun down everyone would be at their respective homes. Guoqiang was heavily anticipating his first time meeting, with his wife. In his head he began planning what he should do once within the inner city gates. He should probably visit shops to buy her presents. Maybe even groom himself, so she is not too frightened, by his appearance. Fortunately they had visited the Shenzhou court, before arriving their own state. Gave him the chance to remove his blood soaked armour. That would only add horror, and not a good impression towards a person that one has never met. But his anticipation and happiness could not be obtained today.
While they were closing in on the distance. An royal massager interrupted their path. Halting the northern army's onward march. "General please receive the royal decree." Said the royal messenger panting, after getting off his horse. This was not good, something happened in the capital that needs Guoqiang's immediate attention. Guoqiang got off his horse and every other calvary and charioteers, bowing to receive the royal decree.
Royal messenger : "General Guoqiang and the northern army are appreciated for their achievements with rewards. However the sudden disappearance of the traitor Wang has created unrest. General Guoqiang is to find and bring the absconding criminal for his trial and due punishment.
By the order of the emperor."
Guoqiang closed his eyes, as he was clutching teeth. One can see his jaw muscle flex. His army was tired and weary, half of his men were injured and needed immediate attention. With their condition it would be harming to his men. Guoqiang received the royal decree and send a request letter to emperor. He send half of his army back that were severely injured and the rest of the army, back to the northern base. Only few handful remained to capture the missing criminal. Guoqiang wrote in his request letter to the emperor, availing the rewards of his despatched, from duty men and for the men deceased in the battle for their families to have the rewards. Also he was sending back the army of the reinforcements and the capital army. His search will involve only few elite men for easy and swift management.
Guoqiang informed General Han about the court situation. So that he can cover the southern state under his jurisdiction. The men send back to northern base will search northern state, while Guoqiang will search the western state. Guoqiang also send a letter to his wife, Wei. She had recently in her letter had asked about his return, instead of replying Guoqiang thought it was fruitful to just return. Good thing he did not write back, Wei would have anticipated his return. In his letter, he informed her about his delay, but sending a mere letter seemed rude. Therefore he plucked the low brach of the evergreen tree from the forest, and began craving an hairpin. Guoqiang had picked up this hobby causally. He used to crave wooden hilt of the sword, and interestingly craved a pretty intricate design on the wooden hairpin. He took out his longevity tassel that his wife first presented him right after their marriage, and gazed at it. The object had lost its lustrous red colour. He had washed it several times from dirt, it went on every battle with him, and now hangs on his girdle rather than the sword. Guoqiang sighed. His men did not disturb him from his trance. After sending his letter and present, the few men left behind turned their march to western state.
At the reflection mansion, Wei was just staring at the wall, with her tea turned cold. She had nothing to do for herself. The hosehold duties were taken over by the new servants, she is not cooking, cleaning or gardening. And because of her recent abduction attempt, Fei and Lin have strictly prohibited her from stepping out the mansion. So the shopping is also something she can no longer do. She had started to feel like a useless doll. Everyday she wakes up, is dressed up well like an aristocratic lady of high society, sit idly all day, just to change back to night clothes. She had her painting but after making the mythological portrait, she hasn't been inspired to make anything. She had never before felt this empty and lose of purpose before. All day she just stared into nothing. That is when Fei and the new cook, aunty Li.
Fei : "Madame, General send a letter."
It read :
'Wife, my return will be further prolonged, as a traitor is absconding. I have been assigned to bring him back to court. As an apology please accept this present. Take care of yourself wife.
Signed Guoqiang.'
Wei read the letter, with a straight face, not an ounce of expression changed in her face. She got up, packed her recent painting and asked the carriage driver to take her to food street. Lin, Fei and one of the guards went along with Wei. Wei needed to rely on Madame Rong, for the way she was feeling as f recent, less zealous and utter lack of energy and heavy, in her daily tasks. She has never felt this before and therefore wanted a friend she could confide in.