"Madam, our wife has been a little anxious lately and can't sleep well at night. It's really because some of her acquaintances in the city are planning to go south to visit relatives!

"Our wife wanted to go out with us, but she couldn't bear to leave the mess at home, so she wanted to ask the eldest wife for some comfort.

"After all, everyone has only heard about the war outside the border, and doesn't know the details. Our wife thought that our eldest master is in the border army, and our old man is also a retired soldier. There are also veterans living in the family, so perhaps they know more than outsiders..."

Yang Lihua nodded. She also guessed that Mrs. Min sent someone to the house not just to deliver something.

She thought for a moment and said, "Our family's convoy has gone to the grasslands and hasn't returned yet, so we don't know the specific situation of the war outside the Great Wall. However, this year is indeed much more serious than in previous years.

"If there's nothing particularly urgent at home that requires Madam Min to stay behind, then it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to go south and visit relatives for a few months. After all, Miss Min is still young, and if something happens to scare her, I'm afraid your Madam would be heartbroken."

The old woman was a smart person and immediately realized that Yang Lihua agreed to go south.

She quickly followed up the conversation, saying, "Our wife thinks the same thing, but she's got so much going on at home and abroad that she can't let go for the time being. When I get back, I'll try to persuade our wife that it's warmer in the south this season, so she'll suffer less if she goes there for a few months."

"That's right." Yang Lihua stopped trying to persuade him and said a few other words.

The old woman responded with a smile and then quickly left.

After Liu Dongniang finished making dumplings and came out of the kitchen, she whispered to her sister-in-law, "Did Madam Min send someone here for something?"

Yang Lihua nodded and replied, "Madam Min wants to take her daughter to the south to avoid disaster, but she can't bear to leave the mansion, so she came to me to inquire about the news."

Liu Dongniang frowned, also worried. "Our Yong'an is still in the border army, and I don't know how he's doing. And what about the ice sculpture business in the city? The wealthy families have all left. Will they still have the energy to decorate the garden?"

Before Yang Lihua could respond, the family carriage came back.

Mr. Tai jumped out of the car and walked in.

Yang Lihua and Liu Dongniang hurried over, but Zhuzhu and Zhimaqiu were faster.

One of them ran over and hugged his grandfather's thighs, calling him "Grandpa" over and over again, while the other one surrounded him, wagging its tail and barking non-stop.

The old man patted Zhimaqiu's head, picked up his chubby granddaughter, and then greeted his two daughters-in-law. "How's your family these past two days? Is everything okay?"

Yang Lihua responded, "Don't worry, Dad. Everything is fine."

Liu Dongniang also said, "Dad, you must be hungry. I'll go cook dumplings right away."

The old man instructed, "Cook more dumplings and have your third uncle come over to eat with us later. Many people in the city are going south, and 30% of the ice sculpture business has withdrawn. I have to tell him."

Liu Dongniang hurried to the kitchen to busy herself. Yang Lihua followed her in, poured hot tea for the old man, briefly explained the visitor from the Min family, and finally asked, "Dad, has there been any news from Yong'an? This kid relies on his strength... I'm always worried that he'll be reckless and hurt himself again."

The old man sighed. He was worried too. He had been in the army for half his life and naturally knew the dangers and hardships involved. But this was a path his grandson had chosen himself, and he couldn't stop him.

He nodded slightly and replied, "Someone from the army was delivering official documents to Kyoto, and He Xiong wrote me a letter along the way. The Russian devils are becoming more and more aggressive, and there have been no less than twenty major and minor battles. Yong'an participated in the battles a long time ago and killed many of them, making great contributions."

"You don't have to worry too much. He Xiong has always brought him with him, and Kang Cheng has also gone to the battle, together with Yongan. It can be said that Yongan's team has the best combat power, so their safety is naturally guaranteed."

Yang Lihua felt mixed emotions after hearing this. She really didn't know whether she should be worried or relieved.

Old Master Tai also hugged his granddaughter and asked gently, "Zhuzhu, your brother will be safe, right?"

"That's right!" The fat girl nodded seriously, her little belly puffed out, and she shouted in a baby voice, "Big brother is the best, big brother wants to be a general!"

The old man and Yang Lihua both laughed when they heard this. They didn't expect Yong'an to become a general, but they just hoped that Yong'an would be safe and not hurt his life.

The old man suddenly thought of Yongning and instructed his eldest daughter-in-law, "Have you packed Yongning's luggage? The border is uneasy, and I'm afraid Mr. Wu will have to leave for home early. Even the Song, Qi, and Teng families hope that their children will follow him south as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, Dad. Everything is ready. I will have someone send it to Yongning in the courtyard tomorrow. He can set off with you at any time." Yang Lihua quickly agreed.

The old man breathed a sigh of relief. "Given the current situation, no one can predict what the future will be like. It would be best if Yongning went south soon. When your third uncle comes over later, I'll tell him that Yongfeng must follow Yongning."

Mr. Tai San came over just in time. Upon hearing this, he stepped into the room and asked, "Is Mr. Wu leaving? Yongfeng must be so happy. He's a very uncontrollable person."

Grandpa Tai quickly asked his elder brother to sit down, and at this time Liu Dongniang also brought in dumplings.

The two old brothers brought Zhuzhu and a sesame ball and started eating while the meal was hot.

Zhuzhu has a small stomach and is full after eating seven or eight pieces. Yang Lihua was afraid that she would interrupt the elders' conversation, so she wanted to carry her to the west room.

But Zhuzhu hadn't seen her grandfather for several days, and she was very clingy and was throwing a tantrum and refused to leave.

The old man put her aside to play and continued talking to his brother.

When Master Tai San heard about the fierce fighting at the border, he was also surprised. "What's going on? Are the Russian devils suddenly so tough? Didn't they just rob and run in previous years?"

The old man ate a dumpling and replied, "You haven't been to the city these days, so I'm afraid you haven't heard. People are talking about it on the streets. Many wealthy families are planning to flee south to avoid disaster. Even Madam Min just sent someone to ask about the eldest son's wife. I'm sure in seven or eight days, half the city will be empty."

Master Tai sighed, and the dumplings in his mouth no longer tasted delicious.

Rich families can move south, but where can poor people go?

Grandpa Tai didn't want his older brother to get anxious, but he still had to say, "Many families have returned their ice sculptures. The people from Liujia Village and Zhangjia Village will withdraw tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. People from our village will be responsible for finishing up. It will probably take about seven or eight days!"

Mr. Tai was indeed anxious. Outside, the Russian devils were secretly planning to break through the border, and inside, business was shrinking, and his livelihood was affected...

This is simply unbearable!

"Don't worry, Third Brother. When the enemy comes, we'll fight him with our troops. When the water comes, we'll block it with earth. We'll just solve the problem when it happens. There's no point in worrying about it. At worst, we can wait until everyone is withdrawn and then go into the mountains to find a good place to take the villagers, young and old, to hide for the winter."

The old man wanted to say a few more words, but when he looked down, he saw his granddaughter half leaning on his legs and fell asleep. He quickly pulled off his cotton jacket and covered his granddaughter.

Unexpectedly, the fat girl suddenly opened her eyes, stared at her grandfather stupidly and blurted out, "Grandpa, don't die!"