Chapter 29: Guo Yu'er: My Husband Has Been Granted a Title?

Listening to Zhu Di, Xu Miaoyun could not help but feel a spark of curiosity toward Zhu Zheng.

"This man sees things quite clearly," she remarked with deep emotion. "He knows that this 'Campaign to Clear the Emperor's Side' is merely a pretext, and that it is, in reality, a rebellion. Yet, he shows no fear; even when given the chance to leave, he chose to stay. Such boldness is truly rare."

Zhu Di smiled and said earnestly, "A man like him—fierce, intelligent, and willing to stake his entire family’s lives on following me—is someone I will certainly not treat poorly. Once we achieve our goals, every meritorious official and soldier who has followed me will be heavily rewarded."

Zhu Di was determined to strictly honor this promise. Moreover, given the current circumstances, Zhu Zheng’s willingness to follow him despite knowing it was treason, combined with the fact that his father-in-law was already a trusted advisor, meant he could be relied upon without reservation. He was a man well worth grooming for high office.

***

Beiping City. Within a small alley in the inner city, stood the humble courtyard home of Zhu Zheng.

Today, the space outside the courtyard was uncharacteristically lively. Dozens of soldiers from the Prince’s personal guard stood waiting, carrying numerous chests. Curious neighbors emerged from their homes to watch, for such a display was a rare sight indeed. After all, the Prince’s personal guard were the men closest to the Prince of Yan.

Inside the courtyard, Guo Yu’er held her two children close, watching the scene outside with a heart full of trepidation. The situation left her feeling flustered; she was uncertain what was happening.

"Mother, why are there so many people?" asked her eldest daughter, Zhu Qi, with great curiosity.

Little Zhu Xi said nothing, but his eyes were wide, staring in wonder at the men clad in armor.

"Don't speak out of turn," Guo Yu’er warned her children cautiously before stepping forward.

At that moment, a clerk from the Prince’s mansion stepped forward, holding a royal decree. He smiled at Guo Yu’er and asked, "Might you be Mistress Zhu?"

"I am Guo Yu’er, wife of Zhu. I am hardly a 'Mistress,'" she replied with practiced courtesy. A woman follows her husband; since her marriage, she was indeed of the Zhu clan, and in her old age, her tombstone would bear that name.

"That is correct," the clerk said with a laugh. He raised the decree and announced in a booming voice: "By order of the Prince of Yan, a royal bestowal is hereby granted!"

"A bestowal?" Guo Yu’er was stunned, looking on in confusion.

"Decree of the Prince of Yan!" the clerk continued. "Zhu Zheng, Deputy Thousand-Man Commander of the Beiping Army, was the first to breach the city during the Battle of Miyun. He slew countless enemies and personally dispatched the treacherous commander defending the city, thus rendering great service. For his military exploits, he is promoted to Battalion Commander of the First Battalion of the Beiping Army. In recognition of his bravery in slaying the enemy commander and leading the charge, he is further granted the hereditary title of County Baron, along with rewards of silver, jade, cloth, and grain."

"My husband... is being granted a title?" Guo Yu’er stared at the clerk, unable to believe her ears. A title! Such things were difficult to earn. And it was hereditary—did this not mean her son could inherit it in the future? And a Battalion Commander? Coming from an official’s family, she knew well that this was no minor position.

Yet, beyond the joy for her husband, a greater anxiety took hold. Military merit was won with one's life. How much danger had her husband faced on the battlefield?

*Wasn't my husband in the logistics corps? Why was he on the front lines? Was he reorganized into the main combat battalion?* She wondered to herself. She had known nothing of this. Her brother, Guo Zi, likely knew, but he had kept it from her to spare her worry.

"Men," the clerk commanded, seeing Guo Yu’er’s dazed state, "bring the Prince’s rewards inside."

"Yes!" The guards carried the chests into the courtyard and then into the house. The sheer volume of the nearly ten chests spoke volumes of the Prince’s favor toward Zhu Zheng.

"Mistress Zhu, please accept this decree," the clerk said, walking up to her and solemnly handing over the document. Guo Yu’er snapped back to reality and accepted it with both hands, not daring to be negligent.

"The decree has been delivered. I shall take my leave." After presenting the document, the clerk and the guards departed without delay.

Just then, Guo You emerged from the side. "Yu’er," he called out softly.

Hearing his voice, Guo Yu’er turned to him at once, her face full of worry. "Brother, did you know? My husband is no longer in the logistics corps?"

"A few days ago," Guo You said with a sigh, "Zhu Zheng killed the son of Xie Gui and was promoted three ranks to Deputy Thousand-Man Commander. Because of our father, the Prince gave Zhu Zheng the choice to either remain in logistics or join the main combat battalion. You know Zhu Zheng—he chose the combat battalion."

He had not dared to tell her before the decree arrived, fearing she would worry, but now that the truth was out, he had no choice but to try and comfort her.

"The combat battalion... is it not dangerous? Was he not afraid?" Guo Yu’er asked, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Yu’er, you know him," Guo You said gently. "For all these years, though he lived a quiet life, he is a man with his own ambitions. He wants a better life for you and a better future for your children. So..."

"But I don't care about a better life," she sobbed. "I only want him to be safe."

"But he does not think that way. I know him," Guo You sighed. He did not know how to console her further. The combat battalion was indeed perilous; one wrong step could mean total ruin. Yet, danger was the companion of opportunity. For all these years, his brother-in-law had never relied on the Guo family for advancement, nor had he sought to exploit their status. This had always earned him Guo You’s respect. And now, Zhu Zheng’s actions—entering the fray to secure a future for his family—only deepened that respect.

Though it was dangerous, he could not help but think that his sister had chosen her husband well.