Chapter 46 Entering the Military Household

On the way, Lin Changsi and Lin Changxing rode the same horse. Both of them had difficulty walking, especially Lin Changsi, who could not stand the bumpy ride, so they had to ride slowly into the city.

Since his second brother was unwell, Lin Changning couldn't leave early, so he rode Moyun beside them, chatting idly.

After traveling together for a while, Qi Rong was whispered a few words in his ear by one of his guards. Qi Rong's expression changed instantly, and he left the two men behind and sped away.

Lin Changning looked at Qi Zheng and asked, "What's wrong, Commander? Why are you running so fast?"

One of the guards who stayed behind, Qi Ming, answered quickly: "The grain transport team has entered the city, and they've brought the young master of the Duke's mansion with them."

"Young Master?" Lin Changning didn't understand.

Qi Zheng curled his lip: "It's the youngest son of that stepmother who is in charge."

Lin Changning was puzzled and frowned: "I remember the youngest one is not even ten years old. How come he suddenly came here?"

Qi Ming shrugged: "Who knows? His mother tried to assassinate our commander a while ago, and now she's sent the kid over. Who knows what she's up to?"

Lin Changsi felt rather uneasy sitting on his horse. The three men's talk about the young master of the Duke's mansion seemed too distant to them, but he could still understand the assassination plot. He couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive, fearing that Changning might get involved in the troubles of the aristocratic families.

Chang Si interrupted Lin Changning before he could speak: "Liu Lang, tell your brother how things are at home."

Lin Changning glanced at his elder brother and instantly understood what his second brother was worried about. He couldn't help but smile and say, "Brother, it's alright, we're all family."

The two guards laughed and rode up to Lin Changsi's side. Qi Ming explained, "Brother, don't worry. Changping is now the army's chief officer, in charge of dozens of brothers. Moreover, he is quite skilled and highly regarded by the commander. He can be promoted to a centurion based on his merits when he returns. We are all close to the commander, so there's no need to worry too much about what we say."

Lin Changsi glanced at Changning and felt a pang of sadness. Perhaps something had happened at home that had driven Wu Niang to this state.

Lin Changxing glanced at Lin Changning with considerable surprise and remarked, "Sixth Brother has made something of himself now, so Brother Da Niu can rest easy in heaven."

Qi Zheng interjected, "Of course, our Lord Lin has a bright future ahead of him. You two can rest assured and go back to recover from your injuries so you can reunite with your families."

Lin Changning coughed lightly: "Brother Ming, don't tease me."

Qi Ming winked and said, "Oh, so even Little Liu has his day. I've heard that several military households with daughters have been openly and secretly inquiring about you. You're quite the lucky guy!"

Lin Changning comforted his brother, who looked unwell, saying, "Everything is fine at home, brother. Don't worry. We can talk about it in detail when we get back. Shilang is at home. Stay with Uncle Xing here for now and let him recover from his injuries."

After saying that, he raised an eyebrow at Qi Ming and said, "Brother Ming, if you wish, I can give you this good fortune. When we get back, I will ask Sister-in-law Hu to put in a good word for you. As a commander of personal guards, you are probably much more sought after than I am!"

Qi Zheng laughed heartily, while Qi Ming lashed Mo Yun's rump with a whip: "You brat, you're making fun of your older brother!"

Lin Changsi watched the three of them joking and playing around, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. However, looking at his younger sister's beautiful face, he couldn't help but feel heartbroken. If nothing was wrong at home, why would his fifth sister be here, and even become a military officer? Something must have happened at home that forced his sister to do this.

The two escorted the man back to Lin Changning's doorstep and then rode away, returning Lin Changning's horse along the way.

Lin Changning helped his elder brother open the door: "Shilang, my second brother is back."

Juro, who was arranging medicinal herbs inside the room, suddenly widened his eyes and stared at the doorway. The medicine basket fell to the ground, and Juro stammered, "Second brother? Uncle Xing? You're still alive?"

Shiro tripped and almost fell, but after regaining his footing, he hurriedly went to the door to help the person into the house: "Let's talk inside, let's come inside."

After bringing the two into the house and settling them in, Lin Changning gave Shilang a wink, and Shilang helped them up and took their pulses.

Lin Changxing asked first, "Shilang, how come you're also at the border?"

Juro sighed, "It's a long story. Let me show you first."

After saying that, he carefully examined the two of them, took their pulses, and then pinched and examined their bodies. After a while, he helped them to the bed and said, "Rest for a while, I'll go out to get the medicine."

After saying that, he pulled Lin Changning away first. Once they were out of the house, he said, "Sixth Brother, I'm afraid Second Brother and Uncle's legs are beyond saving. Their bones were broken before, especially Second Brother's leg, which was broken more than once. I'm afraid it will be difficult for it to heal. Their bodies are also severely depleted. Fortunately, it hasn't been long. They should be able to recover after taking medicine for two years."

Lin Changning took out a few taels of silver: "Take this, go to the pharmacy and get some medicine. If it's not enough, I'll get more. Let's treat the illness first. I'll find a way to make money if we don't have enough."

Shilang nodded and was about to go out to get medicine when he turned back and said, "Sixth Brother, their bodies are severely depleted and they can't eat anything good. Recently, they can only drink some white rice porridge. Also, they are both very tired. Let them drink a bowl of porridge today, and after they drink the medicine, let them rest."

Lin Changning nodded: "I understand. I'll ask Sister-in-law Hu to cook the porridge later. You go and get your medicine."

After saying that, he went out of the room and asked his neighbor to cook some white rice porridge for him. After giving the instructions, he left some copper coins and went back to his room.

Both of them were still awake, and when they saw her go in, they asked how things were at home.

Two weathered faces were filled with longing for home. Lin Changning felt a pang of sadness, but smiled reassuringly, "Everything is fine at home, don't worry. My uncle's family had a funeral in March, and my aunt recovered from her trauma. Our family..."

Lin Changning sighed, his brows furrowed with gloom: "Just as spring arrived, Wu Niang was tricked by Fu Bao into going up the ice and falling into an ice hole. We both fell ill, and then came the news of your deaths. Mother was sick for over a month but managed to hold the funeral. In the meantime, Lin Erniu, along with several clansmen, tried to buy the family's land at a low price, but Mother refused. So Lin Erniu tripped me up and made me serve in the army."

Enraged, Lin Changsi pounded the bed with bloodshot eyes, yelling, "Beast! Beast! How dare you treat my widow and her child like this!!"

Lin Changsi coughed violently again as his blood and qi surged. Lin Changning patted his back to help him catch his breath: "Second brother, don't get angry, take care of your health."

He gripped Lin Changning's arm, tears streaming down his face: "Sixth Brother, your mother and sister-in-law, they, they..."

Lin Changning smiled gently: "Everything is fine. The family's farmland is still there, rented to my uncle's family. My mother and sister-in-law went to my uncle's family. Every year, three-tenths of the rent will be given to my uncle's family. My sister-in-law also learned from my mother last month that Sanya has already started learning to embroider handkerchiefs to earn money."

Lin Changsi still held Lin Changning's hand tightly, refusing to let go: "Sixth Brother, tell your brother, why did you become a captain? If it was just military service, building city walls would have sufficed, so why did you go to the front lines to fight the enemy!"

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Changning, seeing the two looking at him, decided to tell them everything: "I have joined the military household."

Lin Changsi dejectedly let go, covered his face, and the old man sobbed uncontrollably, "Brother, I'm so sorry, it's all my fault..."

Lin Changxing sighed, "If it weren't for the Erniu family forcing Liulang into a corner, how could Liulang have abandoned his promising studies to become a military household? I heard from my son that Liulang could have taken the exam in another year..."