Zhao Da went straight to the hay and kicked the person on the ground.
The man on the ground had a stubble beard and a deep scar on his forehead, making him look somewhat frightening.
The man frowned, opened his eyes and saw that it was Zhao Da. He said irritably, "What is it? I didn't sleep a wink last night. A few damned refugees were causing trouble. I just finished dealing with them. Let me sleep a little longer."
Zhao Da said irritably, "I'll sleep later. I have something to ask you."
The man was speechless. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and sat up from the hay. He yawned and casually said, "Hurry up and ask, don't keep me from sleeping."
Zhao Da then said, "Weren't you a veteran who retired from the battlefield? This young lady's brother was conscripted by the imperial court and she wanted to ask you about him."
The man then looked at Jiang Yimian, rubbed his face, and asked seriously, "What's your brother's name?"
"Jiang Qingyuan."
The man frowned, feeling that the name seemed somewhat familiar. He thought for a long time but couldn't recall where he had heard it before. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "You said your brother was conscripted by the imperial court? He hasn't come home yet?"
Jiang Yimian shook her head. "No, it's been almost a year."
The man glanced at Zhao Da, hesitated for a moment, and then said helplessly, "Girl, I'm not trying to scare you, but swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield. Your brother was just an ordinary man who was conscripted into the army. I reckon he's already dead."
He and several of his brothers who joined the army all knew some martial arts, yet some died and others were injured, and several brothers were killed.
He survived because of good luck; he didn't lose any limbs and was able to become a constable.
Others who were less fortunate have graves overgrown with weeds.
It's virtually impossible for an ordinary person who doesn't know martial arts to survive on the battlefield.
Especially at the very beginning of the war, before the main imperial army had arrived.
That was when the rebels were at their most ferocious, capturing several prefectural cities in succession, and most of their soldiers were killed.
Jiang Yimian could guess this result, so she wasn't too surprised, but she still couldn't help feeling a little down.
It's one thing to guess this outcome, but it's quite another to hear from someone that Jiang Qingyuan is dead.
In my memory, Jiang Qingyuan was a very gentle person who treated her very well. He was also the first to rush out and protect her when she was bullied. He was a very gentle and responsible older brother.
Seeing that the other party was in low spirits, Zhao Da felt a little embarrassed. Even after the carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain, he still said somewhat awkwardly, "Miss Jiang, don't believe everything that guy said. Maybe your brother is fine now, he's just still on his way and hasn't come back yet."
Don't worry, I will continue to search for your brother and father.
Jiang Yimian didn't say much, thanked them, and then carried her basket up the mountain with Gou Sheng and Zhao Dashu.
If the two of them didn't know what Jiang Yimian was going to do before, they now do, and they carefully watched Jiang Yimian's expression the whole way.
They had also experienced the pain of losing a loved one, their hearts aching, so much so that they didn't know what to say to comfort her.
Jiang Yimian was somewhat helpless, but she managed a weak smile and said, "I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me. Just don't tell anyone else about this."
She was afraid that Wang Fengqin wouldn't be able to handle it.
After all, she felt uncomfortable just feeling the memories in her mind, let alone those who had personally experienced those memories.
Gou Sheng and Zhao Dashu quickly patted their chests to assure each other, their forceful movements resembling two gorillas pounding their chests, which only made Jiang Yimian laugh.
That smile put everyone at ease, and their steps became much lighter on the way back.
When they returned, everyone was in the courtyard basking in the sun and busy with their own things.
The weather is nice today, with bright sunshine, making it quite warm.
Xiao Nuan'er saw the three figures from afar and happily waved to them, "Sister is back."
Everyone quickly put down what they were doing and looked at the three of them, only to breathe a sigh of relief.
They were initially worried that the town was still in chaos, but now that they saw the group return safely and have sold everything they had, they were all relieved.
He paused for a moment when he saw what was in the baskets on the three people's backs.
Jiang Yimian took out the items from the basket one by one, and handed the pastries and snacks directly to Xiao Ye and Xiao Nuan'er to divide them.
Sugar, salt, oil, bowls and chopsticks were distributed among the Chen and Liu families.
Liu Xiaoyun and Zhao Xing'er were too surprised to accept the gift, given its precious nature and exquisite porcelain bowl.
“Yimian, how many copper coins will this cost? My aunt’s house also has coarse salt and bowls, I don’t want them.”
"I have one at home, you don't need to give it to me."
Jiang Yimian was somewhat helpless, but Wang Fengqin said with a smile, "You should all keep them. We've lived together for so long, we're all family. Consider this a gift from Yimian to you. If you don't accept it, Yimian will be heartbroken."
Although she also felt sorry for the money, she knew Yi Mian's personality; she was doing things for everyone's good, so she wouldn't interfere.
Besides, they had received a lot of help from the Chen and Liu families, so these things were nothing.
Zhao Xing'er and Liu Xiaoyun then accepted the gifts.
Gou Sheng didn't buy much; he bought some carpentry tools and a fluffy hat.
His father always used those old-fashioned tools to make things, which was not only laborious but also resulted in poor quality products.
He had wanted to buy it for a long time, and this time he finally got his wish.
As for the hat, it was bought for his mother.
As soon as winter arrived, Liu Xiaoyun's ears developed a lot of chilblains, which were bright red and some had small cracks, making them look painful.
Although he applied Jiang Yimian's medicine, the symptoms kept recurring because he didn't take proper precautions to keep warm, so he bought a hat that could protect his ears.
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