BDSMST -Chapter 60 A Letter from the Frontier — The General Is Returning

After reaching an agreement with Xie Zi’an, Jiang Suisui’s days appeared, on the surface, no different from before.

She still managed the affairs of the estate daily, supervised the construction of the greenhouses, and cared about the children’s studies and well-being.

But beneath that calm exterior, a web of investigation—centered on her and executed primarily by Xie Zi’an—had quietly begun to spread.

Using the marquis household’s token and connections granted by the Old Madam, she accessed every available file and record related to the Battle of Heishiguan. Though she could not reach the most classified military archives, she still uncovered many subtle clues from troop deployment logs and grain supply records.

Meanwhile, Xie Zi’an secretly contacted several retired veterans who had participated in the Battle of Heishiguan, using connections left behind by his father.

From these soldiers, they learned further details unknown to the public, confirming many of Xie Zi’an’s earlier suspicions.

For instance, the grain convoy had been ambushed in an extremely concealed mountain valley. Without precise maps and insider guidance, the enemy could never have set up an ambush there.

And on the battlefield at Heishiguan, although the enemy’s assault had been fierce, it lacked cohesion and strategy—more like a reckless attempt to stall for time than a true effort to seize territory.

All the evidence pointed, like invisible threads, toward Minister of War Qin Song.

But Qin Song had deep roots in court, with extensive allies and influence. These inferences and circumstantial proofs were far from enough to bring him down.

They needed one decisive piece of evidence.

Or rather, one crucial person.

And that person was far away at the northern frontier.

Jiang Suisui knew that to fully lift the lid on this conspiracy, she must—and could only—rely on one man: her husband, Gu Yan.

Only he had been the supreme commander at Heishiguan. Only he had access to the core military intelligence and the most direct evidence.

But distant water could not quench a near fire.

For now, she could only continue gathering peripheral evidence while waiting for the right opportunity.

Time slipped quietly into early winter under this outward calm yet undercurrent-laden rhythm.

The weather grew colder by the day. The crops had long been harvested, and the fields lay desolate. But the estate’s greenhouses had begun to take shape. Massive wooden frames were covered with thick straw mats and tough oiled paper, resembling giant beasts crouched upon the earth.

Inside, the first batch of experimental greens had already sprouted vibrant green shoots.

Hope—of fresh vegetables even in winter—filled the estate with renewed vitality.

That afternoon, a fast horse galloped down the official road through the biting winter wind, reining in at the gates of the estate in Woniu Village.

The rider wore the uniform of the Yongning marquis household guards. His face was covered in dust from the journey, yet barely concealed a look of joy.

From his chest, he carefully withdrew a wax-sealed letter, dismounted, and hurried inside.

“Madam! Madam! Great news! A letter from the Marquis!”

The shout rang through the courtyard.

Jiang Suisui, who had been instructing farmers on reinforcing the straw covering of the greenhouses, looked up at once.

A letter from the Marquis?

A letter from Gu Yan?

Her heart stirred. She immediately set down her tools and stepped forward quickly.

Chunxing ran out from the house as well, her face brimming with excitement.

Jiang Suisui received the heavy letter from the guard. The wax seal bore the falcon emblem of the Yongning household, intact and unbroken.

Through the envelope, she could feel a thick stack of paper inside.

“What… what does the Marquis say?” Chunxing whispered anxiously at her side.

Jiang Suisui did not open it at once. She looked at the travel-worn guard and spoke gently, “You’ve worked hard on the road. Chunxing, take him to rest. Prepare hot water and food.”

“Thank you, Madam!” the guard said gratefully, bowing before following Chunxing away.

The courtyard fell quiet, leaving Jiang Suisui alone.

She sat at the stone table and used a small paper knife to carefully break the wax seal.

The letter was addressed to the Old Marquis and the Old Madam, a family letter—but at the Old Marquis’s instruction, it had first been sent to the estate for her to review.

She unfolded the pages.

Gu Yan’s handwriting was like the man himself—sharp and forceful, strokes like iron and silver hooks, carrying the aura of clashing blades and galloping warhorses.

The contents were concise.

The opening paragraphs offered filial greetings and reported on military affairs in the north. He wrote that this winter the frontier was stable; after the Battle of Heishiguan, the enemy nation had suffered severe losses and would not be able to advance southward in the near term. Border defenses were secure; his parents need not worry.

At those words—Heishiguan—Jiang Suisui’s fingers lightly brushed the characters.

Then her gaze moved to the final paragraph.

It contained only a single short line:

“…Your son has been summoned by imperial decree to return to the capital to report on duty. I will depart shortly. Expected arrival: before the twelfth lunar month. —Your son, Gu Yan, with respect.”

Expected arrival: before the twelfth lunar month.

It was already mid–eleventh month.

That meant, at most, half a month more.

Gu Yan would return.

The husband she had met only once—on their wedding day.

The cold-faced general said to be invincible in battle.

The most critical piece in her plan.

He was finally coming back.

Jiang Suisui’s grip on the letter tightened slightly.

Unbeknownst to her, small heads had gathered around the courtyard.

Gu Xuan, Wei Ziqian, Qian Duoduo… all the boys stared at her with wide, expectant eyes.

“Madam Jiang… is it my father’s letter?” Gu Xuan was the first to speak, his voice carrying a trace of nervous longing he himself did not notice.

For this father who was rarely home, his feelings were complicated—awed respect, unfamiliarity, and a deeply buried yearning for paternal affection.

Jiang Suisui looked at him, then at the other eager young faces.

She gently folded the letter and returned it to its envelope.

Then she smiled.

“Yes.”

“Your Marquis—our General—is coming home.”

The entire estate erupted into excitement at the news.