When they set off, many villagers came to the crossroads to see them off. Fusheng and his group didn't know when they would be able to return.
Although they hoped their son would achieve great things, their eyes still welled up with tears when they saw him leave.
Holding hands, he gave her a long list of instructions.
Old Zhang was a lonely old man with no one at home but his only grandson. Yet he still sent Suo'er to join the army. Some villagers couldn't help but ask him a few more questions.
“Uncle Zhang, Suo’er is gone. What will you do all alone at home? Although the people in our village will help and take care of you, it’s not as good as having someone by your side.”
“Fusheng’s family has more than one child, so sending one away is no big deal. You’re just joining in the fun.”
Old Zhang's face hardened immediately upon hearing this: "Don't look down on my family just because we're poor. I'm very healthy and can live for another twenty years without any problem. Besides, just because I'm old doesn't mean I should lock Suo'er up at home and let him never have a chance to make a name for himself in the village. Let him go out and try his luck. Maybe he can bring honor to the family."
Suo'er is only eleven years old. He's worried that the princess won't accept him. He'd be more than happy if the princess were to accept him as a servant.
Everyone admired Old Zhang's thinking. This lonely old man only had this one child as his hope, yet he was willing to fulfill Suo'er's wish to go out and make his way in the world. Old Zhang was a man of vision.
Zhao Lizheng said to Zhang Suo'er, "Child, just go with peace of mind. Uncle Zhao is here with your grandfather."
The village has a subsidy for elderly people living alone, which he applied for from the county government. It is used to subsidize the living expenses of the elderly living alone and to cover their funeral arrangements.
Fortunately, this village produced a man named Lian, and with such a prestigious family as the Qiao family, the county magistrate was willing to give him face. No other village has such good fortune.
Zhang Suo'er was initially a little worried, but the villagers' words just now made him waver for a moment.
But after hearing his grandfather's and the village head's words, his mind became firm.
"Uncle Zhao, Grandpa, I will definitely make a name for myself and live up to your expectations."
"Once you arrive in the capital, listen to the princess's words carefully, okay?" Old Zhang had been holding back his emotions, afraid that his grandson would be moved by the separation, but seeing his grandson's resolute expression of his dream, his eyes also welled up with tears.
The team set off.
It is January now, and the cold of the south has been mostly dispelled. Some branches have begun to sprout, and sparse green shoots have emerged from the wild grass.
As the sun rose, the morning light bathed the earth, giving everyone a gentle warmth.
The children departed bathed in the morning light, so full of vitality and high spirits.
In the evening, Qin Bu returned from the border post. He deliberately took a detour via the road below, passing by the Qiao family's gate and glancing inside.
Qiao Yunni passed by under the eaves. She was doing very well now, with a calm and composed expression on her face, without a trace of sorrow, as if her past experiences were a long time ago, even though she had endured so many years of hardship.
Moreover, she possessed an air of nobility and a composed demeanor.
Qin Bu felt that Qiao Yunni was becoming more and more attractive to him, and for a moment he couldn't help but stop in his tracks.
Qiao Yunni noticed someone staring at her, turned her head and saw it was Qin Bu.
After several years of training in the military, Qin Bu's face became resolute, with a touch more of a soldier's coldness and hardness, and he looked much more robust and upright.
But his eyes held a deep intensity that made Qiao Yunni's cheeks flush.
Yes, before she married into the Song family, she and Qin Bu were indeed in love. Although they did not express their feelings, they could see each other's affections.
But so many years have passed, her daughter has grown up and no longer wants to think about anything else. She carries the Chu family business on her shoulders and has several large shops under her name to manage. She feels a great sense of value every day and thinks that this is good enough. She doesn't necessarily need to find a man to spend the rest of her life with.
Therefore, Qiao Yunni simply smiled politely at Qin Bu and went into the house.
Grandma Qiao glanced out from inside the house and said, "Qin Bu has made several minor contributions over the years and now commands a thousand soldiers. He is already a major soldier, which is equivalent to a lieutenant in the capital. When your second uncle and Dayong are transferred to the capital, it will be no problem for him to be promoted to captain."
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