How could someone be unhappy living in a matriarchal society?

Chapter 132 Border War

In December, Kyoto was blanketed in heavy snow, as if the entire city was covered with a white velvet blanket.

The cold wind was biting, but it did not stop the progress of Chu Ci.

After a long journey, she quickly arrived at the military camp.

Chu Ci gently shook the heavy cloak, trying to shake off the snowflakes that had accumulated on it.

As the snow fell softly, she walked steadily into her study.

He had barely sat down, not even had his bottom warmed up, when he heard an urgent shout from outside the door: "General Chu, there is an emergency meeting at the main camp. Please proceed immediately!"

"Understood." Chu Ci stood up and walked quickly toward the main camp.

Upon entering the tent, one could see that the generals all had solemn expressions, and the atmosphere was unusually serious.

It turns out that a small Turkic squad dared to occupy a small town on our border and ran rampant there, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities.

The current border situation is severe and deeply worrying.

The Queen issued a death order, demanding that their army set off immediately the next day to reinforce the border.

Upon hearing this news, Chu Ci subconsciously exchanged a glance with Zhao Yi beside him, both of them revealing a trace of worry in their eyes.

Based on this itinerary, it seems unlikely that I will be able to return to Kyoto before the end of the year.

Thinking of this, Chu Ci couldn't help but sigh deeply.

You see, she really couldn't bear to leave Shi'an alone in this capital city filled with sad memories for the New Year.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was time to finish our shift in the afternoon.

Chu Ci mounted his horse and galloped home against the biting cold wind.

The moment she stepped into her home, a warm feeling washed over her.

Following the sound of cooking, I saw Shi An busy preparing dinner in the kitchen.

Hearing the noise at the door, Shi An turned around with joy, a bright smile spreading across her face, and said softly, "My wife is back. I made dumplings today."

"Hmm." Chu Ci responded, quickly took off the cloak that was already covered in frost, shook it vigorously a few times, and shook off all the snow and ice clinging to it.

Then she strode forward, pulled Shi An into a tight embrace, and whispered, "Did you miss me?"

Upon hearing this, Shi An blushed slightly, her slender, fair fingers gripping Chu Ci's collar tightly.

"Of course I want to, but it's okay. You'll have a two-day break, then you can stay home with me."

Shi An spoke with great joy, his eyes filled with anticipation and happiness.

However, Chu Ci sighed softly, her voice low and helpless: "This... I'm afraid it won't work."

Upon hearing this, Shi An was stunned. She blinked her large, watery eyes and asked in confusion, "Why?"

Looking at Shi An's innocent face, Chu Ci felt a pang of guilt, but hardened his heart and said, "The border situation is turbulent, and His Majesty has ordered me to accompany General Yuchi to the front lines to defend against foreign invasion."

"What?" Shi An was stunned, as if struck by lightning.

A moment later, his face turned ashen, and his eyes were filled with terror.

"How long will it take?"

Shi An asked in an almost pleading tone, tears welling up in her eyes, ready to fall at any moment.

Chu Ci shook his head and slowly said, "I don't know."

The round trip from Kyoto to the border takes at least a month. The situation at the border is extremely complicated now, like a bottomless quagmire where a slight misstep can leave one trapped and unable to escape.

Chu Ci couldn't say for sure how long it would last.

"Can we not go?"

Shi An finally couldn't hold back his tears and cried out. Crystal clear tears slid down his pale cheeks, scattering on the ground like pearls from a broken string.

His body trembled slightly uncontrollably, like a flickering candle in the wind, as if it might go out at any moment.

Those once steady and powerful legs now seemed to have all their strength drained away, limp and without any support, and looked like they were about to collapse to the ground.

In the nick of time, Chu Ci reacted swiftly, grabbing the swaying figure and pulling him tightly into her arms. She then moved to a chair by the table and sat down with him in her arms.

"My lady, I miss you so much, please don't leave me... Now that you're gone, I'm left all alone here, and I really don't know what to do."

Shi An raised her face, already streaked with tears, and gazed at Chu Ci with eyes full of sorrow and helplessness, her voice choked with sobs, barely able to form a coherent sentence.

He simply couldn't imagine what a desolate scene it would be if he were the only one left in his home in such a vast city as Kyoto, and how he would get through the days to come.

Looking at his vulnerable lover, Chu Ci felt a sharp pain in his heart.

She quickly reached out and gently stroked Shi An's hair, while lowering her voice to softly comfort her, "Don't be afraid, this trip might not take too long."

However, Shi An did not seem to find any comfort in these words; instead, she cried even more heartbrokenly.

"But what if it takes a very long time? What if it takes several years? What will I do then?"

He sobbed as he buried his head in Chu Ci's shoulder, his body trembling like a frightened fawn.

Looking at Shi An, who was crying pitifully in her arms, Chu Ci could find no better way to alleviate his pain than to gently pat his back repeatedly to comfort him.

At this moment, her eyes were also filled with deep reluctance, but things had come to this point, and she had no choice but to accept it.

"Things happened so suddenly. Orders have been given that everyone must depart immediately tomorrow, and I'm no exception."

When Chu Ci uttered those words, Shi An's already fragile emotions completely broke down, tears streaming down her face like a flood, her sobs echoing throughout the room.