Because of Zhou's death, Yun Manyan observed three years of proper mourning before daring to consummate her marriage with Zhao Huai. As a result, she conceived her child later than Su, though a few months earlier. The boy was Zhao Zheng, who was less than four years old, and the girl was just born, less than two months old.

At this moment, Yun Tianjiao, who had grown into a young boy at the age of ten, ran in excitedly, "Grandmother! Third Brother defeated everyone!"

Afterwards, Zhao Huai led Yun Tiankuang and Yun Tianzhi into the house and bowed to Old Madam Yun and Madam Su.

Yun Manyan looked at her handsome husband with a happy smile on her face.

In recent years, minor disputes have continued to occur along the Liaozhou border, resulting in several battles of varying sizes. Zhao Huai has repeatedly distinguished himself in battle and is now a fourth-rank Zhongwu General.

Of course, Yun Tianbai, who was on his way back to the capital, also made many military achievements and was promoted to the sixth-rank Zhenwei Captain.

Zhao Huai calmly sat down beside his wife and respectfully said, "Grandmother, Tian Kuang performed normally today and was the last person to stand on the stage. If there are no surprises, he should be this year's martial arts champion."

Madam Yun handed the baby girl in her arms to Yun Manwan and looked at Yun Tiankuang, "Kuang-ge'er, no matter what the outcome, you must not be arrogant or complacent."

"Yes, I will keep Grandmother's teachings in mind," Yun Tiankuang replied respectfully.

Su Youran's eyes sparkled, "Third Brother, all those years of getting up early every day to practice have paid off! You reap what you sow!"

Yun Tiankuang wanted to pat her head like he did when they were little, but then he realized that she was now a twelve-year-old girl, so he had to withdraw his hand. After thinking for a moment, he cupped his hands and bowed to her as well. "Speaking of which, Third Brother should thank Sixth Sister. If it weren't for your hard work and perseverance back then, and your encouragement and encouragement to us, we brothers might not have had this fighting spirit."

He vividly remembers that during those most difficult months in Sanyang Village, it was this amazing little cousin who inspired him to pursue the path of martial arts. It was also this little cousin's outstanding skills in everything and her diligent attitude of practicing even harder than them every day that motivated the brothers to never give up and to study and practice diligently.

Although Yun Tianzhi's ambition was not in martial arts, he developed a resolute character through daily morning practice and maintained a good habit of seeking knowledge and making progress. At a young age, he had already passed the imperial examination and was preparing to take the exam again in two years.

Even Yun Tianjiao, who was the youngest at the time, persevered in his daily morning training. At such a young age, he was both literate and skilled in martial arts, showing himself to be a promising talent.

Speaking of this, Yun Tianhui's face fell, and he said in a childish voice, "My sister just relies on her excellent lightness skill to keep chasing me and hitting me. What kind of skill is that!"

Su Youran's face darkened, and she immediately grabbed one of his ears, saying, "You're my own brother, if I don't discipline you, who should I discipline?!"

Yun Tianhui waved his short limbs, pleading with Madam Su for help, "Mother! Save me! Grandmother, save me!"

Madam Yun burst into laughter.

Su Youran, with her sharp eyes, noticed the four Song brothers loitering outside the hanging flower gate, but didn't dare to come in.

She put down her younger brother and went outside.

Song Da and Song Er immediately knelt down on one knee before her, saying, "Greetings, Master."

Su Youran smiled, "How have you felt about your time at the border all these years?"

Before Yun Yue returned to Liaozhou that year, he heard from Su Shi about how Xiao Youran led the guards to fight off tigers and wolves in Sanyang Village. He then went to ask the Crown Prince of Xuan for more than a dozen guards who were skilled at fighting wolves. Together with Song Da and Song Er, who were by Xiao Youran's side, they went to the Northern Border.

Zhao Huai then led them to form a wolf squad as the vanguard, specifically to deal with the Western barbarian cavalry, which proved very effective.

Upon seeing the ferocious wolves, the horses' legs went weak with fear. The cavalry immediately scattered and broke apart.

Song Da and Song Er followed Zhao Huai back to the capital for two reasons: first, to report back to their master; and second, to see their third and fourth brothers who remained by their master's side.

So, seeing his two older brothers looking so imposing, Song San and Song Si also had their own ideas. That's what they wanted to talk to Zhao Huai about just now.

Zhao Huai also came out, and then heard Su Youran say, "Get up quickly, you are all generals of the sixth or seventh rank, don't kneel down all the time. I returned your indentures a long time ago, so don't call me master anymore."

Song Da and Song Er hurriedly cupped their hands in greeting.

Song Da said, "You are our master, and you will be our master for life."

Su Youran looked at the two younger ones behind her and smiled, "Do you also want to go to the army for training? If you want to go, then go. Staying by my side is a waste of your talents."

Song San and Song Si were both stunned. They never expected that their master would agree before they even had a chance to speak.

Zhao Huai then said, "I think all four of them are promising talents and will surely have a bright future in the army."

...

Three days later, a group of people arrived at the Duke's mansion with gongs and drums to announce the good news: "Congratulations to the Duke's third son! He has become the top scholar in the martial arts examination!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Su immediately ordered dozens of baskets of copper coins to be distributed on the street. She had never been lenient with the use of silver on her children.

The entire Yun family home became lively.

The Yun brothers surrounded Yun Tiankuang, gesturing wildly and offering their congratulations repeatedly.

Only one person, Yun Tianyi from the third branch of the family, who was also fourteen years old this year, stood by a pillar, watching the commotion, feeling a mix of melancholy and disdain.

Of the Yun brothers, he was the only one who found getting up early too difficult and didn't join them for morning exercises.

Although they are successful now, was it worth all those years of hard work and study?

He sneered and turned back to his own courtyard.

What's the point of enduring so much hardship just for this empty fame?

snort!

The women from the second wife's family, Li, the third wife's family, Guo, and the fourth wife's family, Yu, all gathered around the old lady and Su to offer their congratulations.

This is the glory of the eldest branch of the family, and also the glory of the entire Duke's mansion.

At this moment, a group of people rode up to the gate of the Duke's mansion and stopped.

The leader dismounted, threw his whip at the gate, and then entered the gate laughing loudly.

A middle-aged man and two teenagers quickly followed behind.

Madam Yun had already received the report from the old woman and led the women out to greet them.

"My son!" When Madam Yun saw that Yun Yue was followed by his second son Yun Zhao, his eldest grandson Yun Tianbai, and his second grandson Yun Tianbai, she was so shocked that she couldn't speak.

She glanced around and suddenly burst into tears.

Yun Yue, along with his second brother and two younger relatives, immediately knelt down.

"I have met Mother (Grandmother)!"

"Very well, very well," Old Madam Yun almost choked up, "How many years has it been since our Yun family has been able to reunite as a whole?!"

Madam Su helped her up, saying, "Yes, Mother, it's a rare opportunity for us to reunite. You should be happy."

"Yes, yes, yes," Old Madam Yun wiped away her tears and, supported by her daughters-in-law, entered the flower hall, quickly telling her children and grandchildren who had come from afar to sit down and rest.

"I heard my son won the martial arts examination as soon as I entered the city," Yun Yue laughed heartily, giving Yun Tiankuang, who was standing to the side looking somewhat embarrassed, a punch.