Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Hu Bugui held Wu Tao's hand for a long time without saying anything. In his deep eyes, there were complicated emotions. Wu Tao knew that he must be struggling in his heart. In the border war, he was in danger of death. He could not let go of his responsibility, nor could he let go of her.

"Taotao, it's not about the war." Hu Bugui finally spoke in a low voice, "Ziqian sent me a message saying that he encountered some trouble in the northern border and hoped that I could go there."

Wu Tao's heart was relieved a little. It turned out that it was not a war. Ziqian was Hu Bugui's best friend. They had served in the army together. Later, he retired and returned to the northern border to run his family business. But he didn't know what trouble he had encountered that required Hu Bugui to go there in person.

"What kind of trouble is it? Does it require the prince to take personal action?" Wu Tao asked.

"It's a long story," Hu Bugui sighed, "Ziqian's business in Northern Xinjiang is very big, so it's inevitable that it will touch upon the interests of some people. This time it seems that someone deliberately picked a fight with him and wanted to kill him."

Wu Tao understood what he meant when he heard this. The business world is like a battlefield, full of intrigues and deceptions. If you are not careful, you will be doomed. Although Ziqian was born a military general, he has not been on the battlefield for a long time. Now facing these conspiracies and intrigues, it is inevitable that he will feel a little powerless.

"When does the prince plan to leave?" Wu Tao asked in a calm tone, as if he was just asking about an ordinary matter.

Hu Bugui looked at her with distress in his eyes: "Taotao, the journey to the Northern Frontier is long, and the situation there is complicated. I don't want you to take risks with me."

"How long will the prince be gone?" Wu Tao asked instead of answering his question.

"At least a few months, at most half a year," Hu Bugui replied.

Wu Tao lowered her head and was silent for a moment, then raised her head and looked at him firmly: "My Lord, I understand your concerns, but I can't let you take risks alone. You are my husband, and I should be with you wherever you go."

Hu Bugui was touched and hugged her tightly in his arms: "Taotao, you are so kind."

He knew that Wu Tao's decision was a well-thought-out one. She was not the kind of weak and helpless woman, she had her own ideas and opinions, and she was willing to stand by him through thick and thin and overcome the difficulties together.

"I have made up my mind," Hu Bugui let her go, his tone firm, "I will leave for Northern Xinjiang tomorrow. Taotao, don't worry, I will handle everything as soon as possible and come back to be with you soon."

Wu Tao nodded, her eyes full of worry, but she hid all her emotions deep in her heart. She knew that now was not the time to be sentimental. What she had to do was to support his decision and let him do what he wanted to do with peace of mind.

"Your Highness, I'll take care of everything at home. You don't have to worry." Wu Tao said softly, his eyes full of determination.

Hu Bugui looked at her, his heart full of gratitude and love. He knew that no matter where he went, there would always be a warm home behind him, waiting for him to return.

Early the next morning, Hu Bugui, along with a few of his trusted aides, quietly left Chang'an City and embarked on the long journey to the northern border.

Wu Tao stood at the palace gate, watching his figure disappear in the morning light, praying silently in her heart, hoping that he would return safely.

Chun Tao walked up to her, gently held her hand, and whispered, "My queen, don't worry, the prince is a lucky man, and he will be safe and sound."

Wu Tao turned to look at her and smiled slightly: "Well, I believe him."

However, her heart was still filled with uneasiness. Was the trip to the northern border a blessing or a curse? What was waiting for them?

After seeing Hu Bugui off, Wu Tao did not sink into sadness. She knew very well that Hu Bugui had a heavy responsibility on his journey and all she could do was to guard the rear for him so that he would have no worries.

Chun Tao watched Wu Tao suppress her worries and take care of the affairs of the palace. She felt distressed and reluctant: "Madam, if you are worried about the prince, why don't you write a letter and ask someone to take it to him?"

Wu Tao shook his head, put down the account book in his hand, walked to the window, looked at the blue sky outside the palace, and said softly: "The prince is going here for his friends and for the country. He shoulders a heavy responsibility, and I can't let him be distracted. I believe in him, and I believe he will return safely."

Chun Tao knew Wu Tao's temperament, and that under his gentle appearance, he had a tough heart, so she stopped talking and just stayed by his side silently, taking care of all the affairs in the mansion. Only occasionally, when it was late at night, she would see Wu Tao staring at the northern night sky in a trance, with longing in his eyes.

Chuntao understood that Wu Tao was not only worried about Hu Bugui's safety, but also worried about the situation in the northern border. Although she was in the harem, she was concerned about the world and always paid attention to the situation on the front line.

At this time, Hu Bugui, who was thousands of miles away, just as Wu Tao expected, immediately threw himself into the tense situation as soon as he arrived in the northern border. He fought side by side with Ziqian, and with his extraordinary courage and strategy, he quickly stabilized the situation.

"Zi Qian, you have been operating in the northern border for these years. Have you ever found out who exactly wants to kill you?" At night, in the military tent, Hu Bugui looked at the map and asked in a deep voice.

Ziqian sighed: "To be honest, I have been investigating for a long time, but I still can't find the mastermind behind the scenes. These people act in secret and their methods are cruel. I am worried..."

"What are you worried about?" Hu Bugui looked up at him.

"I'm worried that their target is not just me, but the entire Northern Frontier!" A hint of worry flashed in Ziqian's eyes.

Hu Bugui was silent. He knew that Ziqian's worries were not unreasonable. Northern Xinjiang was located at the border and had a very important strategic position. If it fell into the hands of someone with ill intentions, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Don't worry, now that I'm here, I won't let them succeed!" A gleam of light flashed in Hu Bugui's eyes and his tone was firm.

The wind from the northern border made the flags outside the tent flutter, and also sounded the horn of this battle...

The news of victory in the war in the northern border came one after another, and the victory news was like the warm sunshine in spring, sweeping away the gloom in the capital. The news that Hu Bugui and Ziqian had pacified the border troubles and returned in triumph spread throughout the streets and alleys, and the people were all excited and lined the streets to welcome the heroes back.

In the palace, Wu Tao finally let go of her worries after hearing the news. These days, she suppressed her longing and devoted all her energy to helping the people who were displaced by the war. She organized the palace maids to make winter clothes, and sold her jewelry to raise funds to build a porridge shed outside the city to provide porridge for disaster relief. The people were grateful for her kindness and affectionately called her "Living Bodhisattva."

"My queen, look, the prince is back!" Chuntao ran into the house excitedly and handed a letter to Wu Tao. The letter was written by Hu Bugui himself, and the words were full of his thoughts and love for Wu Tao. He also briefly mentioned the process of suppressing the rebellion. His words revealed his thoughts for Wu Tao, and he was proud of everything she had done for the people when he was away.

Wu Tao read the letter over and over again, with a happy smile on her face. She had waited for this day for too long. This letter not only brought news that Hu Bugui was safe, but also brought his affirmation and appreciation for her, which made her feel extremely relieved.

A few days later, Hu Bugui returned to Chang'an exhausted. He did not take time to rest, but went straight to the palace to meet the emperor and reported the battle situation in the northern border to the emperor in detail. The emperor was very pleased and praised Hu Bugui highly, and immediately decided to hold a banquet to entertain the victorious soldiers.

At the palace banquet, Hu Bugui saw Wu Tao whom he had not seen for a long time. She was wearing a simple palace dress, with her long black hair tied into a simple bun, and only a white jade hairpin inserted in it, which made her skin whiter than snow and her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting. She had a gentle smile on her face, but her eyes were shining with a resolute light, more dazzling than before.

Hu Bugui's heart moved, and he quickly walked to Wu Tao, looking at her affectionately, and all his words turned into one sentence: "A Tao, I'm back."

Wu Tao's eyes were slightly red, she nodded gently and said softly: "Welcome back."

 Chapter 102 Peaceful Years

At the palace banquet, there was singing and dancing, and the joy of victory was everywhere. The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his eyes swept over the ministers below, and finally fell on Hu Bugui and Wu Tao, and said loudly: "This time, the pacification of the northern border is due to the contribution of Hu Aiqing!"

Hu Bugui stood up, clasped his fists and saluted: "I am ashamed to accept this, this is all my responsibility."

"You are too modest, my dear minister," the emperor said with a hearty smile, "This time, the suppression of the rebellion depends not only on your planning, but also on the support of Madam Wu in the rear! I heard that in order to support the soldiers at the front, Madam Wu sold her jewelry and provided porridge to relieve the disaster. It is really a blessing for our Tang Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Tao stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. What I have done is just my humble contribution and I do not deserve such praise."

"Good, good!" The emperor laughed and clapped his hands. "You two, one protecting the country and the other caring about the people, are truly role models for the Tang Dynasty!"

The emperor's words attracted the attention of all the ministers, who cast envious glances at Hu Bugui and Wu Tao, the fairy couple.

It was late at night, the palace banquet was over, Hu Bugui held Wu Tao's hand and strolled in the imperial garden. The moonlight was like silver light, stretching their figures particularly slender.

"Atao, you've worked hard these days." Hu Bugui gently stroked Wu Tao's cheek, his eyes full of heartache.

Wu Tao shook her head, snuggled into Hu Bugui's arms, and said softly, "I don't feel tired at all to share your worries."

"Do you know how relieved and proud I felt when I received your letter?" Hu Bugui said with emotion, "I never thought that you would do this for me and the Tang Dynasty."

Wu Tao smiled slightly: "Silly boy, do we need to say this between us? You protect the country, and I protect you. This is our common responsibility."

They held hands and walked under the moonlight, recalling every little detail along the way. From the misunderstanding when they first met, to the trust in each other, to the firmness of their love, their love story was as clear and beautiful as the moonlight.

However, is there really an undercurrent behind the calm? Can the happy life continue forever?

The night breeze was blowing gently, the flowers were fragrant, and in the imperial garden, the insects were chirping, adding a bit of tranquility. Hu Bugui looked at Wu Tao nestled in his arms, and his heart was filled with infinite tenderness.

"A Tao, do you regret it?" Hu Bugui's voice was low and gentle, and it was particularly moving in this quiet night.

Wu Tao raised her head, the moonlight shone in her clear eyes, flashing with determination and tenderness. "What do I regret? Do I regret following you to Chang'an, or do I regret marrying you, a general who fought on the battlefield?"

Hu Bugui hugged Wu Tao tighter, with a hint of guilt in his tone: "Over the years, I have been fighting everywhere and rarely accompanied you. I am sorry that you have been wronged."

Wu Tao shook her head gently and said softly: "I have never felt wronged for not returning. Protecting you is protecting my happiness. Besides, I am not a resentful woman in the boudoir. I also want to do what I can for this country and the people."

"A Tao..." Hu Bugui was deeply moved. He was so lucky to have a wife as kind and gentle as Wu Tao.

"Bugui, the relationship between us has long surpassed that of a simple husband and wife. We are more like partners who rely on each other and advance and retreat together." Wu Tao's voice was gentle but firm. "Let's walk the road ahead together and do our best for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty and the people's well-being."

"Okay! Let's do it together!" Hu Bugui held Wu Tao's hand tightly, interlocking their fingers, as if to merge into one. Under the moonlight, the two figures leaned against each other, and their vows were like the stars in the night sky, eternal and shining.

The days in the palace were peaceful and warm. With his understanding of history and advanced ideas brought from modern society, Wu Tao helped Hu Bugui to make plans and gradually gained his own influence in the court. The couple, one defending the country and the other caring about the people, became a good story in the hearts of the people of the Tang Dynasty.

However, can the seemingly peaceful life in the palace really continue like this? Is the crisis hidden in the dark approaching quietly? What will be the future of Wu Tao and Hu Bugui?