When Duan Xinyan saw the unshaven Erlangzi who had rushed back first, she was stunned for a moment, then she threw herself into his arms crying, tightly clutching his shirt, as if she was holding a lost treasure, and cried loudly.

She had already learned of Zhuo Qingmu's death in battle, and she had also seen Zhuo Qingmu's body wrapped in horsehide with her own eyes while waiting outside the city gate. She could not believe for a long time that a living person was gone like that, passing away without even seeing his children.

Jian Ning was holding Xiao Chuntian while still outside the west wing when she heard her crying, "I have nightmares every night and look forward to your return every day. I'm so scared, afraid that you'll be lying cold on the horse's back like your brother-in-law. I won't scold you again, never again. From now on, I will be a vegetarian and chant Buddhist scriptures. If there is another war, I won't let you go no matter what. I don't want you to make any meritorious deeds, no more, woo woo..."

"So you only want your husband to come back, and not Daddy or us, right?" Jian Ning carried Chuntian in and gouged her eyes out. "I'll make sure you remember this. From now on, I'll only give you vegetables to eat."

Duan Xinyan pushed Erlangzi away, wiped her tears, and glared at her, "Who said I don't hope? I hope everyone returns safely. As many people as set out will return. I don't know how much my sister will cry. I'm so heartbroken!"

Jian Ning handed Chuntian to her mother who followed in and opened her arms. Duan Xinyan jumped into her arms. She hugged her and patted her on the shoulder. "War will definitely kill people. If we don't fight in this generation, our next generation will. Instead of leaving it to the next generation, why don't we fight it ourselves? Now it's all over. At least there will be peace for decades. You and your family can have a good reunion. I'm going back to the house to change clothes and then talk to you later."

Ding Youtian had returned to his room, changed his clothes, and was washing his face. Seeing Jian Ning come in, he pulled off his handkerchief and wiped his face while saying, "Don't cook dinner tonight. Let's eat out."

"It's okay. I've been resting for the past few days. Ding Peng and Ding Gui haven't eaten the food I cooked yet. Since they call me Fourth Aunt, it's only right that I cook a meal for them myself."

Ding Youtian smiled. "I'll go talk to them. I'll go to the kitchen to help you later. I'm afraid we won't be able to stay in Xing'an for much longer. If there's nothing else to do at the government office, why don't you go back to Dingxian Village and see how the village head and the clan leader are doing?"

"Okay, let's go to Zhuling to see Sister Mei first, and then go back. I miss Sister Chang and Uncle San, too. I've been in Dingxian Village since I arrived, and it feels like my hometown."

Ding Youtian and Qin Yifan's terms of office had not yet expired, so they did not follow the army back to the capital. However, he estimated that after their terms of office were over, both he and Qin Yifan would be transferred to the capital. In short, they could go anywhere as long as they waited for the court's order.

He went out to the flower hall. Dabao had already brought Ding Peng and Ding Gui to the flower hall to wait for him. Yang Jinyu was also there. Seeing him coming, he guessed that he had something to say to Ding Peng and Ding Gui, so he greeted him and called Dabao out together.

"Fourth Uncle." Ding Peng and Ding Gui bowed to him respectfully, and there was an unconcealable hint of joy in their eyes.

"Sit down. You don't have to be shy when you get to Fourth Uncle's place." Ding Youtian didn't smile, but he didn't look stern either. He glanced at the two of them and said, "I'm telling you two now. Remember this: no matter where you go, no matter what position you hold in the future, you must not rely on the power of your Fourth Aunt and me to bully others in the army. If you two get into trouble, don't think that your Fourth Aunt and I will come to excuse you. But if someone deliberately makes things difficult for you and causes you to suffer injustice, I will stand up for you. Do you remember this?"

The two men were about to stand up to reply, but Ding Youtian waved his hand. "Don't be so restrained. Remember what I told you carefully. When you are in a low position, respect yourselves. When you are in a high position, respect others. Don't bully the good, don't be afraid of the evil. Stand upright in the world! When you have made it big, be filial to your parents and help your brothers and sisters to the best of your ability."

"Nephew, I'll take note of it." Ding Peng said with a fist salute.

Ding Gui had, after all, attended school for a few days, so he clasped his fists and said solemnly, "Thank you, nephew, for your teachings, Fourth Uncle. I will keep them in mind and will never forget them."

Ding Peng glanced at Ding Gui and said, "Nephew, too, will never forget. I will always keep it in mind."

Ding Youtian finally smiled. "Alright, your Fourth Aunt said you haven't tasted her cooking yet, so she'll make it for you. I'll go cook with her, and you two can go find Dabao and have him show you around. We'll come back later to eat and then go back to camp."

The two of them agreed and left the flower hall to look for Dabao.

Jian Ning took off his military uniform, changed into his home clothes and went to the kitchen. Qiao Feng and Da Niu followed him. Qiao Feng said to Jian Ning, "Master, Master asked Brother Xu to go back to Danyang to pick up Aunt Cao and Sister Xiuqin. I will go back with Brother Xu tomorrow."

"You don't have to go back. Come back to the capital with Xiaomai to help your mother-in-law. Let Dongju and Chunxue take care of Danyang first. I will ask Manager Chen to arrange someone to take over later." Dongju and Chunxue were two maids who followed Duan Xinyan in the past. When Duan Xinyan left Danyang, she gave them to Qiaofeng. Both maids started families in Danyang.

Qiao Feng blushed slightly when she heard her mention her mother-in-law. Da Niu, who was picking vegetables, nudged her with her shoulder and smiled, "When we get back to the capital, I'll embroider a wedding scarf for you. Is it okay to embroider a picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water?"

"Bah, aren't you ashamed?" Qiaofeng's face turned even redder.

Jian Ning smiled and said, "Go back and tell your mother-in-law that there's no rush for the wedding. Wait until your father's term here is over. If he's transferred back to the capital, we can hold your wedding after we get back."

"Madam, Xiaomai will be unhappy if you do this." Ding Youtian came over. "In my opinion, when Qiaofeng leaves tomorrow, you should give the money for the dowry to Auntie and let her take care of it. Don't delay Xiaomai's wedding."

"I'm not in a hurry. I'll wait until Master and Father return to the capital before getting married." Qiao Feng bit her lip and said, "Even if she doesn't marry me, I'll still help my mother-in-law."

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