Qin Siyuan hesitated for a moment. He had just reunited with his family and had to hurry back. He was reluctant to leave, but military orders were paramount, so he had to bite the bullet and explain to Liu.
Seeing this, Qin San Niang hurriedly replied, "Mother, A Yuan is now an official. It's already an extraordinary favor that the magistrate has allowed him to return to his hometown to visit his relatives. We can't hold A Yuan back."
To put her mind at ease, he continued, "Mother, do you know how A-Yuan found out about us?"
Liu shook her head in bewilderment.
"Mother, Scholar He is currently serving in A-Yuan's army! A-Yuan is here on a mission, and he's also taking the opportunity to check if the Qin family that Scholar He mentioned is indeed the family he's looking for. With Hongying and the others here, what are you worried about? They certainly won't let your son go hungry or thirsty. Besides, A-Yuan is now the personal guard of the prefectural garrison commander; he's perfectly safe!"
Liu lowered her eyes. "Was it really Scholar He who sent you?"
Qin Siyuan nodded quickly and said, "Mother, it was indeed Scholar He who mentioned it. Now, Scholar He is the chief strategist by the side of the Prince of Yongzhou, and we people in the north respect him very much."
"Sigh, I knew long ago that child was destined for greatness, and Hongying is truly blessed. Well then, if you have any problems, you must go and discuss them with them." Liu sighed inwardly, but she also understood that her son was now grown up and successful; he couldn't be confined to this small place. The world was vast outside; it was time to let him fly!
And look at that scholar He! Mingzhe will be following his father from now on; who knows how far he'll be promoted? Their eldest and second sons are also clever; they can't fall too far behind. If this uncle can achieve great things, it will be a great help to the children…
Let the mother and son talk. Qin San Niang went to the kitchen and made him a bowl of noodles to tide him over. Men usually have big appetites, and he had been traveling all the way here, so he probably hadn't eaten or slept well on the way.
Sure enough, Qin Siyuan was very excited when he saw the noodles. He took a sip of the soup and exclaimed, "Sister's cooking skills have improved a lot."
Qin Sanniang smiled and said, "This is bone broth with two eggs poached in it. Eat slowly, and I'll boil water for you to take a bath."
"Why…"
After eating and drinking his fill and washing up, Qin Siyuan lay on the warm kang (heated brick bed), feeling comfortable and relaxed in every cell of his body, and fell asleep without realizing it.
The next day, before dawn, Liu got up early to make pancakes for her son and prepare his clothes.
Although time was tight, she managed to make a cotton-padded jacket in just one night. This jacket was originally intended for her eldest child, but it had been lengthened and was finally finished. As for quilts, she had some readily available at home, so she just picked one and took it. She also had cotton shoes and socks; she didn't know where her third aunt had bought them, but they were readily available too.
In addition, Liu also prepared a jar of pickled vegetables, a leather bag containing wind-dried chicken and cured meat, and some dried vegetable scraps for him...
Qin San Niang prepared life-saving medicine for her younger brother, including some cold medicine and fever reducers, as well as hemostatic powder and anti-inflammatory drugs, which were the most scarce on the battlefield. After thinking for a moment, she took out a dagger from her space. This thing could cut through iron like mud and was definitely a weapon for self-defense.
In short, when Qin Siyuan got up and saw the pile of things in front of him, he felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and his eyes filled with tears. His mother and sister must have not slept a wink all night!
Hearing them explain to him one by one what this was and what that was, he could only nod in agreement.
With Liu reluctant to part, the two rode away along the village road and then secretly went to the back mountain to find Gu Qingshan.
At this moment, the grain had just been received. The person who came to receive the grain was Qin Siyuan's companion. The two were both captains and brothers who had gone through thick and thin together. They had come to Jiangzhou this time to transport the grain back together.
After exchanging pleasantries, the group realized their relationship and naturally developed a mutual appreciation for each other.
On the way here, Qin San Niang had already told her brother about Gu Qingshan's identity. Qin Siyuan was also a little surprised. There was an elite team in the Qizhou army called the Divine Arrow Battalion. With this weapon, the Qizhou army had been guarding the border for more than ten years without moving an inch. Later, the Qizhou garrison commander colluded with the enemy, and the Divine Arrow Battalion was wiped out. I didn't expect that someone would still survive.
Currently, Xiao Chang'an is in charge of the defense of the North. It is no longer the royal court of the past. Now, there is a high possibility that he will establish himself as king. He is recruiting soldiers and horses at the moment, so he will definitely not let go of such a talent. Moreover, they have witnessed Gu Qingshan's abilities.
Qin Siyuan wasn't stupid. After a little thought, he understood his sister's intention. If Gu Qingshan gained favor, they could support each other in the army and achieve great things in the near future!
Upon learning that Gu Qingshan would be transporting medicinal herbs with them, the captain was delighted. Although the men they brought were all skilled, their numbers were not large. Moreover, this matter was of great importance, and with an extra cartload of life-saving herbs, it was best to be extra cautious.
After arranging everything, Gu Qingshan went home to say goodbye to Azhi. Although they were not biological father and daughter, they had relied on each other for many years and were no different from biological father and daughter.
Upon hearing that her father was returning to Qizhou, Azhi fell silent, her feelings a complex mix. To avenge her family, she had to return to Qizhou, but she was still too young; such revenge was nothing short of a pipe dream.
Psychologically, she didn't want her father to return to Qizhou; he was her only family left! She also knew that her father wanted revenge; his brothers, wife, children, and elderly mother, who were as close as his own flesh and blood, had all died in the north... But the journey was extremely dangerous. However, if it could make him happy, what was wrong with that?
So, little Azhi raised her head and smiled at Gu Qingshan, "Father, don't worry, I will grow up well, don't worry about me."
When it was Gu Qingshan's turn to break down in tears, he was a man, so his eyes only reddened. He had thought his daughter would cry and beg him to stay, but unexpectedly…
Qin San Niang: What a sensible child!
The father and daughter talked for a while longer, and then handed Azhi over to Qin San Niang and Liu Shi.
Gu Qingshan knelt before Liu Shi and kowtowed in farewell, "Mother, I'm leaving now. I entrust Azhi to you. On this journey, I will surely protect Ayuan and achieve great things!"
Faced with all this sudden and unexpected, tears streamed down Liu's face. They had just reunited, how could they have to part again? Fortunately, she was a woman of restraint and knew that the matter had already been settled and there was no possibility of change. In that case, it was better to let them have no worries.
Beside him, Qin Siyuan also knelt down and kowtowed to Liu Shi and Qin San Niang, saying, "Mother, elder sister, I am an unfilial son who cannot be by your side to fulfill my filial duties. But I promise that I will live well and return with Brother Qingshan after the war is over!"
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