Old Li looked at the old lady and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Old lady, does Third Master's family need any help over there at Yanmen Pass?"

The old lady paused for a moment after hearing this, and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Old Li's face grew even more embarrassed as he said, "My youngest son and daughter have been learning martial arts from the masters in our village since they were little. They always wanted to join the army, but I was afraid of causing trouble for the old lady, so I didn't go. Since Third Master is in Hexi now, could you let them go there? Don't worry, I can take care of this village with my wife and eldest son's family."

Upon hearing this, the old lady looked at Old Li's youngest son and daughter, who were kneeling on the ground with him. The young man and woman, around sixteen or seventeen years old, allowed the old lady to scrutinize them openly. Because of years of exercise and working in the fields, their skin was dark, but their eyes were clear and honest.

The old lady was even happier and said with a smile, "Of course, why not? Good children, come here and let me see. The master who taught you martial arts in our village was a fierce general in the army back then. How many years have you two been training?"

Old Li's youngest son was a bit shy, but his daughter replied with a smile, "Madam, we've been training with Master Li for over ten years. Children in the village have to train with Master Li from a young age."

The old lady said, "In that case, you should pack your things quickly and go to Hexi with this Granny Lu in a couple of days. From now on, you will stay in our Third Master's courtyard."

The two men thanked the old lady with joy. The old lady gave them some instructions and then told them to leave. Unexpectedly, Old Li's eldest grandson knelt down in front of the old lady and said, "Old lady, I beg you, please let me go to the border. I also practice martial arts with Master Li. Master Li said I am a martial arts prodigy. I don't want my skills to be wasted. Please let me go."

Old Li was so frightened by his eldest grandson's sudden outburst that his face turned pale. Old Li's eldest son quickly came over to pull him up and scolded him in a low voice, "You little brat, you've only been practicing for a few years, and you dare to call yourself a martial arts prodigy? You can't even take care of yourself. You'll only cause trouble for others. Get up and come with us."

Old Li's eldest grandson was unwilling and still knelt in front of the old lady. The old lady smiled as she looked at the chubby-faced boy, who was over ten years old. He had two big, round eyes, pursed his lips, and refused to get up. The old lady's heart stirred, and she said kindly, "Child, the border is different from here. It's very dangerous over there. The Northern Di people could attack at any time. Aren't you afraid?"

The child stared with wide eyes and a serious expression, saying, "A true man should fight for his country on the battlefield and die on the battlefield. Madam, I am young, but I understand this principle. Master Li said that this is the creed of our Marquis of Zhongyong. Although the Marquis of Zhongyong is no longer here, we are still here. In the future, we will rely on ourselves to pass on this creed."

Upon hearing this, the old lady's eyes immediately reddened. She pulled Old Li's grandson up and embraced him, saying, "Good child, good child, with you in our family, what do I have to worry about? Child, since you have this idea, as long as your grandfather and father agree, I will let you go. But you're not going there to fight, but to broaden your horizons and learn to study and practice martial arts properly. You're still young; the days of fighting for your country are yet to come."

Upon hearing the old lady's words, the child's eyes lit up immediately, and he said, "Thank you, madam. I will definitely get my grandfather and father to agree to let me go."

The old lady smiled and dismissed Old Li's family. She took Lu Mama's hand and said, "Xinlan, did you hear what the child said just now? I never imagined that there would be people who kept our Marquis Zhongyong's motto in mind, even in places I couldn't see. If I don't do something for these people, I will have lived in vain. When I die, I won't have the face to see my father and grandfather."

Granny Lu was also very excited. She had truly witnessed the border region firsthand and knew how much the soldiers guarding it had sacrificed for the peace and prosperity of the country.

Granny Lu said, "Don't worry, I will definitely tell our Third Master and Third Madam about what happened today when I get back."

The estate was fully equipped with all kinds of living facilities. When the old lady came, she brought her usual daily necessities. She stayed at the estate for one night and returned to the capital with Granny Lu early the next morning.

As Granny Lu was preparing to return to Hexi, the old lady looked at the several large bundles that Granny Lu had packed and handed her a small sandalwood box carved with intertwined flowers. The box was locked with a very delicate brass lock, which the old lady had already unlocked.

The old lady said, "Give this to Rao'er and tell her that this is a token of my affection as her grandmother, and that her family has suffered in that place."

When Granny Lu opened it, she saw a thick stack of silver notes. The top one was for five hundred taels, and she guessed that the ones below were for the same amount.

Granny Lu said, "Madam, what are you doing? Last time, the Marquis sent someone with three thousand taels of silver notes. The Third Master and Third Mistress kept them, saying they would return them to the Marquis when they came back. How much did you give them? Do you think they would accept them?"

The old lady said, “When you go, tell Zhaoci that this is for the child in his belly, and it is also what his family deserves. It’s not for anything else, but for them to help me settle those old people from the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion. When I dismissed the people from the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion, I brought most of the mansion’s property with me, thinking I would use that money to support those people. Now I understand that it’s not enough to just provide them with food and drink. I should do a lot more for them, but I’m old and can’t do it anymore, so I’m asking them for help.”

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