Wei Lang's men arrived just in time. Knowing that the people from Yanmen Pass had arrived, Xu Rao was finally relieved. He knew that the Northern Di people would not gain any advantage from him this time. As long as they held firm and did not let the city gates be breached, there would be no danger. Therefore, Xu Rao's battle strategy was to hold the city gates. Although their arrival was sudden, they came at night. No matter how well-prepared they were, could they be as well-prepared as his side?
Fortunately, the Northern Di people retreated after midnight. The garrison commander of Yanmen Pass dispatched 500 men to pursue them. After Xu Rao closed the city gates, he prepared to clean up the battlefield. However, in the middle of the night, the city guards came to report that the soldiers at Yanmen Pass had annihilated all the Northern Di people and returned victorious.
The warhorses of the Northern Di were like tanks. They were all carefully selected, with the best in size, speed, and endurance. These were qualities that the warhorses of the Liang were not capable of. The Northern Di had always restricted the horse trade with the Liang in order to maintain the Liang's fighting strength. Moreover, the general guarding Yanmen Pass only had a few captains on horseback, while the rest of the soldiers were on foot. How could they possibly annihilate them all?
Xu Rao rushed to the city gate and saw the victorious people leading their tall horses, some of which were even injured. On the uninjured warhorses were one or two corpses of the Northern Di people. Xu Rao was so shocked that he couldn't speak.
Ma Ming came over and briefly explained the situation to Xu Rao, saying that he still had to go back to report to the Crown Prince Wei. He then hurriedly left with his men. Before leaving, he saw Xu Di and gave him a bundle made from a Northern Di military robe, containing some items.
Xu Di led his men, carrying the large bundle, back home. Once home, they laid out the contents of the bundle in the front yard. It turned out to be some weapons used by the Northern Di people, as well as some personal belongings of those people.
Everyone was exhausted after a long night. Even Xu Zhi, who had been staying at home, hadn't slept all night due to fear. After a brief chat, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.
Xu Zhi went back to bed, but couldn't fall asleep no matter what she did. It turned out that without her knowledge, her parents and brother had been doing so much for the place she was staying in. Xu Zhi felt somewhat useless.
Granny Lu lay beside Xu Zhi on the kang (a heated brick bed). Seeing that Xu Zhi was tossing and turning and couldn't sleep, she asked, "Ninth Miss, why aren't you asleep yet? Is something wrong?"
Xu Zhi said, "Grandma, tell me, am I really that useless? My family did so much, and I just hid at home, terrified. I don't believe my parents and brother weren't scared, but they were scared and still did it all, and they did it so well. The more I think about it, the more useless I feel."
Granny Lu felt that Xu Zhi was too young to be so thoughtful. Thinking back on the family's past life in the Marquis's mansion, she understood. Although Xu Rao and his wife, along with Xu Di, had been very protective of Xu Zhi, it was inevitable that all sorts of things would happen when such a large family lived together. As an unfavored illegitimate son like Third Master Xu, his family would always be treated with disdain.
Granny Lu said, "Ninth Miss, we are still young, and we are only just beginning to learn skills. How can we help others before we have mastered our skills? Don't you agree?"
Xu Zhi said, "Granny, I remember all the kindness my parents and brother have shown me. I just want to repay them properly. But I can't help my father with government affairs, I can't help my mother with medical treatments, and I can't help my brother with work on the estate. What can I do?"
Granny Lu had a sudden inspiration and said, "Ninth Miss can take good care of Third Master, Third Mistress, and Eldest Young Master. They've been busy all night, so let's go to the kitchen later and make them a nourishing soup. We can also embroider some sachets and fan bags to give to Third Master and the others, so they'll know that our Little Ninth can also help them. Don't you think so?"
Xu Zhi's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she said, "Granny, you're so thoughtful. Let's do it this way. It's still early. I'll get up later and go find Sister He to make a soup for my parents and brother to nourish them properly."
No one got up to eat lunch. In the afternoon, Zhang Zhaoci woke up and Xu Zhi brought him a bowl of ginger and jujube tea made with red dates, ginger slices, and brown sugar.
Xu Zhi said, "Mother, I learned how to make this from Sister He. Granny Lu said it's good for your health."
Looking at the little girl whose face was glowing white in the sunlight, Zhang Zhaoci was filled with tenderness. She put the cup of ginger and jujube tea on the table, hugged the little girl and gave her a big kiss before saying, "Mother thanks our little Jiu. Mother is so happy that our little Jiu can help with the housework."
Xu Zhi said somewhat shyly, "Mother, there are still many things I don't understand, and I need to learn more. This ginger and jujube tea is the easiest to make. Don't worry, I will definitely learn from Granny and make the best nourishing soup for you, Father, and Brother in the future. When we return to the capital, I will also make it for Great-Grandmother."
Zhang Zhaoci smiled as he watched the little girl enthusiastically make a promise in front of him. He took a sip of the bright red and sweet ginger and jujube tea from the soup bowl with a small spoon. The sweetness of the brown sugar, the aroma of the jujubes, and the slight spiciness of the ginger slices immediately touched the softest spot in Zhang Zhaoci's heart.
Xu Rao and Xu Di naturally also got to drink this tea. After drinking it, Xu Di happily pulled Xu Zhi to the greenhouse in the backyard, saying that he would make whatever Xu Zhi wanted to eat.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
