Qin Yulin, supporting Qin Tianhai, muttered to himself, "Dad, I didn't want this to happen either. If you were thirty, you would definitely go. I can't argue with you, and I can't hit you, so I had no choice but to resort to this."

"Yulin, you..."

Zhang never expected Qin Yulin to pull this stunt. She sighed, but couldn't bring herself to blame him.

She knew that her son was doing this out of filial piety.

Qin was also stunned, and her eyes reddened.

Zhao was not surprised; she clearly knew this.

"Mother, little sister, I won't say anything else, please take care of Lan'er for me."

Qin Yulin took the bundle, slung it over his shoulder, and carried Qin Tianhai back into the house.

Zhang rummaged through Qin Tianhai's arms and handed the money bag to Qin Yulin: "Keep it safe, you never know when you might need the money."

Qin Yulin smiled as he put the bag away, and then left with swift steps.

"Mother, little sister, I'm going."

Qin Yulin strode out of his house.

Qin, Zhang, and Zhao all saw him off at the door.

Qin Yulin turned around, waved, and smiled, "No need to see me off, just wait for me to get home."

Qin Yulin arrived at the meeting place and greeted many of his familiar cousins.

The soldiers who came to lead the group solemnly gave the order for everyone to catch up quickly.

After Qin Yulin left, the Qin, Zhang, and Zhao families all went back to their rooms.

Zhang sighed and said, "Lan'er, you've worked hard."

"Mom, with you all here with me, I'm not tired. When Dad wakes up, if he's angry, I'll rely on you."

Zhao said with a smile.

Zhang nodded, gently patted Zhao's hand, and said softly, "Yulin is gone. If you have anything to say, just tell your mother and younger sister."

"Go back inside and rest."

Zhang was filled with many emotions. At that time, everyone was afraid to go to the battlefield. There were several sons in the family, and the choice was made by drawing lots.

We are all just mortals, and everyone is afraid, but what can we do?

...

As dawn broke, Qin Tianhai woke up with a gloomy expression, with Zhang Shi beside him.

Qin Tianhai said with a stern face, "This brat has really gone too far. I'll ride after him on horseback now; I should still be able to catch up!"

Zhang sighed, but didn't stop them. She simply said calmly, "I heard they were assigned to different paths. Do you know which path our son was assigned to?"

Qin Tianhai stopped in his tracks, a bitter feeling rising within him: "Tell me, did you two... agree to this beforehand?"

Zhang shook her head: "We didn't know. My daughter and I were just as surprised as you were by his actions. Don't you know your son? Once he's made up his mind to do something, nothing can stop him. He did this because he learned it from you, and because he cares about you."

Zhang felt heartbroken when she thought back on it, but she understood that her son Qin Yulin was only doing it out of heartache. Qin Tianhai was almost fifty; he was no longer young.

The battlefield is cruel, but it is even crueler to the older.

Qin Tianhai fell silent.

He stepped out of the courtyard, and it was almost noon. If the army had marched fast, they would have already covered dozens of miles.

"Grandpa, would you like some sugar cake?"

Qin Jin'an took the sugar cake and handed it to Qin Tianhai.

Qin Tianhai took the sugar cake. Seeing that Qin Tianhai still looked worried, Qin Jin'an smiled slightly and said, "Grandpa, don't worry, Uncle... umm..."

Before Qin Jin'an could speak, Qin Tianhai reached out and covered her mouth.

Qin Tianhai smiled slightly and said, "Yu Bao, don't say anything. Your uncle is a real man. Grandpa believes he will come back safely. By the time he returns, spring will probably be in full bloom."

Qin Jin'an swallowed back the words of blessing that were on the tip of his tongue.

They wouldn't let her say she had been blessed, but instead showered her with love.

Qin Jin'an felt very warm, and she kept all her words to herself.

She understands her family's expectations of her, and she wants to learn to be a child and grow up happily and healthily.

Qin Tianhai took a bite of the sugar cake, his gaze becoming much deeper.

Well, what's done is done. His son has gone to the battlefield, so he stays at home to stabilize the rear. He's not idle.

...

December 29th.

Outside Liuzhou city, a horse-drawn carriage quietly entered the city.

Inside was none other than Su Chang'an, who should have been on the battlefield; he had returned silently.

Upon entering the mansion, the Su family members, hearing that he had returned, all rushed outside.

Old Madam Yang cried out, "Son, my Chang'an!"

News of Su Chang'an's defeat had already arrived, and Old Madam Yang was filled with anxiety. She didn't understand warfare; all she knew was that it was her son whom she had carried for ten months.

Everyone said that coming back at this time would bring no good news, and Old Yang started crying when she heard the news.

Seeing Su Chang'an limping into the mansion, Old Madam Yang rushed over to check him over: "Chang'an, let your mother see if you are alright."

Old Man Su said irritably, "Cry, cry, cry! You've cried away all your good fortune."

Su Changsheng and Su Changshui both rushed over. This time, when they saw Su Chang'an, the two brothers were no longer as respectful as before, and simply called out "Big Brother" in a light tone.

Su Chang'an frowned, his anger barely contained.

When Qian Min came out and saw Su Chang'an, she was incredulous, feeling disgust and disappointment: "Why are you back?"

At this time, Su Chang'an should have been on the battlefield. His withdrawal during the midst of the fierce fighting between the two armies is desertion and cowardice!

Qian Min looked very unwell.

Old Mrs. Yang was displeased at the sight of her husband and couldn't help but complain, "Your husband has finally come back, and you still give her a hard time. I don't understand the rules of your noble families, but I know that in our village, a woman like you has to kneel in the ancestral hall and kowtow to the ancestors to admit your mistakes!"

Qian Min clenched her fists and laughed angrily.

A foolish and ignorant country woman.

A general should die on the battlefield to be honored; once war breaks out, he should either die on the battlefield or return in glory.

Su Chang'an's retreat at such a critical juncture not only brought shame upon himself but also upon the Qian family.

His departure could even destabilize the morale of the troops.

"Minmin, I am seriously injured and ill, and I fear I will not be able to see you again. That is why I had no choice but to leave the battlefield and return..."

Su Chang'an felt ashamed in front of Qian Min. He knew it was normal for his family not to understand. He sensed Qian Min's anger and could only bow his head in front of her, hoping to quell her rage.

"you……"

Qian Min was furious; Su Chang'an had completely humiliated her.

She wanted a divorce, but the thought of the fortune-telling made Qian Min very unwilling.

“Turn back now. You’d better die on the battlefield. You are the Marquis of Anping. Your glory will only increase after you die for your country.”

Qian Min suppressed her anger and quickly regained her composure, attempting to persuade Su Chang'an to return to the battlefield.

Su Chang'an lowered his eyes and shook his head, saying, "Minmin, you don't understand. I won't die. If I go back, I will only return in a more crippled and miserable state. My daughter is lucky; her parents won't die early. If I could die, I would never come back."

“But if I come back blind and crippled, I will be ridiculed even more. Our child will never be able to hold his head up high. Minmin, what I’m saying is true. Will you believe me?” Su Chang’an looked at Qian Min, his expression fragile and pitiful.