Chapter 163 Returning Home
After giving the order, Lin Changning rushed to the small courtyard that the King of Chu had arranged for him.
Their houses were all adjacent to each other, forming a row of three courtyards. Lin Changning's house was in the very center, with the house of Commander Ma and Ma Sanniang on the left and the house of Commander Zhou on the right.
Almost all the members of several thousand households had moved over from Daxing, so they moved into the house early on. Because they were injured, they stayed at the Prince's Mansion.
The injuries on the men had almost healed, so they moved out of the Prince's mansion. However, the courtyard was left for them so that they could easily find the commander to discuss matters in the future.
Lin Changning had stayed at the Prince's Mansion for many days, and this was the first time he had visited the residence that the Prince of Chu had bestowed upon them. Upon arriving at Fanyu Lane, Lin Changning dismounted and led his horse into the row of residences. When he reached the middle, he saw the residence with the plaque of the Zhou family hanging on it.
The Zhou residence must be the home of Commander Zhou. After walking a little further, we saw a mansion with a plaque that read "Lin Mansion" on it. The vermilion gate was solemn and dignified, with neatly arranged copper nails on it.
This must be the residence she was assigned. Lin Changning dropped the reins and was about to step forward when the red gate suddenly opened to one side. A servant inside was stunned when he saw Lin Changning in front of the gate, and immediately opened the gate to welcome her out.
"Is this Master Lin? Guan Shan has been waiting here for a long time. The old lady and your relatives have already been brought to the inner hall."
Lin Changning was stunned for a moment, not understanding what was going on. Seeing that Lin Changning did not quite understand, the servant explained: "I am a servant in our mansion named Guanshan. I was given to Master Lin along with the mansion. Master, please go back to the inner hall first. Give me the horse, and I will go through the side door to lead the horse to the stable."
Understanding what was going on, Lin Changning nodded and stepped into the mansion. Stepping through the gate, one entered the front yard, paved with blue bricks and stones. There were also exquisite bonsai on both sides. On the east side, there should be a gatehouse for the servants to live in.
To the west is the stable, which is currently empty. Passing through the front yard is the main hall, and further ahead is the central hall. Walking further ahead is the inner courtyard, where various sounds of laughter and merriment are coming from the side rooms.
A hint of joy flashed across Lin Changning's face as she strode towards the side room, calling out as she went, "Mother!"
The laughter in the side room stopped abruptly. Lin's mother got up from the bed and hurriedly went out the door. Lin Changsi, along with his sister-in-law and his own wife, followed her out.
Lin's mother burst into tears the moment she saw Lin Changning.
"My son, you've lost weight! Are your injuries healed?"
Lin Changning felt a pang of sadness and took a few steps forward to grasp her mother's hand: "Mother, it was my first day on duty today and I couldn't leave. I waited until now to come back. Please forgive me, Mother."
Looking at the tall and handsome young man in front of him, Lin Changsi felt a mix of emotions. He sighed and patted Lin Changning on the shoulder: "It's good that you're back. Your mother has been thinking about you a lot."
Lin Changning looked at his second brother and said, "Second brother, let's go inside and talk."
Only then did Lin Changning notice that there were five or six maids following behind his mother and sister-in-law. When they saw her looking over, they all curtsied and said in unison, "May Master Lin be well."
Lin Changning waved his hand, telling people to get up: "Go down first, I have something to say to my mother."
A group of young maids lowered their heads and glanced at Lin Changning a few times, then quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Master."
After they finished speaking, they all left. Once everyone was gone, Lin Changning led his mother into the side room. The room was simply yet elegantly furnished. There was a table right at the entrance, and further inside was where the host family would be staying.
He helped his mother sit on the table, and, basking in the gaze of everyone in the room, stood up with a smile and twirled around.
"Why are you staring at me like that? I'm perfectly fine, nothing's wrong, and my injuries are almost completely healed."
Inside the house, the two sisters-in-law quietly wiped away their tears and smiled as they echoed, "Oh, it's alright, it's alright."
Lin Changsi also laughed: "Looking at Xiao Liu in this outfit, he really does have a bit of an official air about him."
Lin Changning turned around and sat down, holding her mother's hand and touching her cheek: "Mother, I'm really fine."
Lin's mother carefully traced her daughter's face. Although she had stopped crying, her eyes were still full of sadness: "Alas, Xiao Liu has indeed lost a lot of weight. She must have suffered a lot this year."
At the time, her daughter had taken her son's name to join the army, and she was constantly worried and afraid. Both of them were her flesh and blood, and in her eyes, it was like tearing her heart out whichever one of them went. In fact, she had her own selfish reasons. When Wu Niang said that she would take her brother's place in the army, her first reaction was actually relief.
I am grateful that I can leave a continuation of my husband's family line.
She also felt sorry for her daughter, but when her daughter suggested taking her brother's place, she didn't particularly object. She knew that going to the battlefield meant facing a high chance of death, but when Wu Niang actually went to the border, her heart felt like it was being fried in oil every day.
Many times she woke up in the middle of the night dreaming that her daughter had died on the battlefield, her face covered in blood, kneeling on the ground staring intently at her.
Tears of blood dripped from her eyes, and she would cry every time she woke up from a nightmare.
Later, her child did indeed become successful, rising to the rank of centurion at the border. While she was overjoyed, her worries deepened because Wu Niang was a woman.
The higher you climb, the greater the risk. If one day it is discovered that you are a woman, you will be doomed.
When the guards came over, they said their daughter was injured, which nearly made her faint.
Fortunately, the child is alright, otherwise she would never have been able to get over this hurdle in her life.
Looking at her daughter's growing face, Lin's mother was somewhat dazed. Fifth Sister had grown much taller. Although her face still resembled Sixth Brother's, she had lost some of her delicate and frail features and gained more of a resolute and heroic air, making her look more like a handsome young man.
Touching her child's arm, which seemed much stronger, and now that he had gained the appreciation of a benefactor, Lin's mother felt both gratified, worried, and proud.
"Little Six, how have you been lately?" Lin's mother asked, touching her daughter's hand.
Lin Changning smiled and said, “Mother, I’m fine. I haven’t lost much weight. If you pinch my cheeks now, you’ll see I’ve gained some weight. Although I was injured in Daxing a while ago, I’ve recovered recently. It was Shilang who treated me. Shilang is quite successful now. The physician of the Chu Prince’s Mansion has taken him on as an apprentice. He can start working directly at the Chu Prince’s Mansion as soon as he completes his apprenticeship.”
Sister-in-law Niu joked, "Look how tall Xiao Liu has grown! He looks much taller than when we last met."
Madam Wang smiled and chimed in, "Yes, Mother, look how much better Xiao Liu looks now compared to how pale and thin he was at home. Xiao Liu is truly remarkable."
Lin Erge didn't say anything, he just quietly looked at his sister.
He knew that his sister had had a very difficult journey.
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