On the evening of the 21st day of the twelfth lunar month, Bu Ling returned home from work and saw her guard, Uncle Lin, in the courtyard. Her expression brightened: "Uncle Lin?"
Before Uncle Lin could answer, she immediately asked, "Has Grandpa arrived?"
Uncle Lin smiled and said, "Yes, inside the house."
Upon hearing this, Bu Ling quickened her pace, pushed open the door, and saw Grandpa Sang sitting in a chair in the living room. She sweetly called out, "Grandpa!"
Grandpa Sang turned around in response, and when he saw Bu Ling, especially when he saw Bu Ling's belly that couldn't be hidden by her cotton-padded clothes, his eyes softened so much they could melt: "Granddaughter-in-law, you're off work?"
Buling entered the house and closed the door behind her. "Grandpa, are you tired? It must have been a long and tiring journey." She sat down next to Grandpa Sang.
Grandpa Sang smiled broadly, his wrinkles smoothing out: "Not tired at all, Grandpa is very happy!"
Just then, Aunt Fang came out of the kitchen: "Lingling is back. Quick, have some hot soup to warm yourself up."
Buling took the soup bowl from Aunt Fang's hand, took a sip, and said, "This is duck soup? Why is it milky white?"
Aunt Fang smiled modestly: "Isn't it delicious? This is Aunt Fang's secret recipe!"
Bu Ling nodded eagerly, "Delicious, really delicious! Sister Fang, you're amazing!"
"Granddaughter-in-law, don't underestimate Aunt Fang. She's the daughter of Xiao Qi's maternal grandfather's apprentice. Her cooking skills are unmatched." Grandpa Sang laughed heartily.
Upon hearing this, Bu Ling looked at Aunt Fang in surprise: "Really? Does that mean we have to call Aunt Fang 'Senior Sister'?"
Aunt Fang smiled broadly and waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Not at all, I've only learned the basics, I can't compare to my father."
"Sister Fang, don't be modest. Your skills are just the tip of the iceberg. How are ordinary people like us supposed to survive?" Bu Ling said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Sang laughed even louder: "What's wrong with that? Xiao Qi is a good cook, just let him do it. Your granddaughter-in-law can just wait to eat!"
Buling smiled but didn't say anything. Although that's how their family is now, they couldn't be too blunt in front of the elders.
"Lingling, you're back?" Sang Shen and Xie Dong returned from outside side by side.
Buling turned around and looked at the two of them: "Yeah, the food sold out pretty quickly today, so I got back a little early."
Sangshen sat down next to her: "Next time, even if it's early, you have to wait for me to pick you up, you know?"
Bling obediently replied, "I understand."
After speaking with Bu Ling, Sang Shen turned to Grandpa Sang and said, "Grandpa, I've settled all the things you brought. They're at Xie Dong's house next door. They have a cellar, so it's quite convenient."
Grandpa Sang nodded, "Those are all for my granddaughter-in-law, Xie boy, don't you dare steal any!"
Xie Dong felt everyone's attention. "Grandpa Sang, you're wronging me. How could I steal food from my sister-in-law's mouth?"
Grandpa Sang laughed heartily and patted Xie Dong on the shoulder: "Young Xie, you're the most cunning one!"
Xie Dong pretended to be in pain and tilted his body, "Ouch~ Grandpa Sang, please be gentle! My little body can't take your pats!"
The living room was filled with joy and harmony. Xie Dong dressed up in colorful clothes to entertain his parents, Sang Shen acted coquettishly and charmingly, and Bu Ling would occasionally refill their cups of water. Outside, the north wind howled, but inside, it was warm and cozy, a truly delightful atmosphere.
When Aunt Fang and Uncle Lin, who had quietly entered, saw the smile in the old man's eyes, they couldn't help but tear up. In Kyoto, they had never seen the commander smile so easily.
After the joking, Grandpa Sang's expression turned serious, and he asked Uncle Lin, "Has Xiao Si not arrived yet?"
Uncle Lin replied, "Soon!"
"Grandpa, is something the matter?" Sangshen asked softly, looking at the old man's expression.
Xie Dong and Bu Ling also looked over.
Seeing the confusion on the three faces, Old Master Sang sighed heavily: "The military compound is not peaceful either!"
These words startled Sang Shen and Xie Dong. They exchanged a glance and saw the seriousness in each other's eyes.
The General Staff Compound is arguably the most important place in Kyoto, where several of the most important military leaders reside.
When the turmoil first started, the army was in disarray for a while, but then things calmed down. Now that the old man says the military compound is not peaceful, doesn't that mean the military itself is not peaceful either?
Although Sang Shen and Xie Dong did not join the military or politics, they grew up in the military headquarters compound and were not lacking in the necessary sensitivity.
Xie Dong steadied himself: "Will this affect us?"
The people they care about are scattered all over the place. Now even Grandpa Sang has come to Gu County. To put it bluntly, it doesn't matter if Kyoto is in chaos, as long as it doesn't affect them.
Grandpa Sang stroked the teacup a few times, then shook his head after a long while: "Not for now."
Upon hearing this, Sangshen breathed a huge sigh of relief: "Then Grandpa, you can stay with us for a while longer, and you'll also be able to witness the birth of your great-granddaughter!"
Upon hearing about his great-granddaughter, Grandpa Sang was no longer sleepy. He shook off his previous seriousness and said, "Alright, alright, Grandpa will stay a while longer."
Everyone was quick to follow the conversation, saying, "That's great! That way I can cook for Lingling every day!" Aunt Fang smiled to ease the tension.
Uncle Lin also said, "That's right, Commander, you should stay a little longer, so you won't keep talking about your great-granddaughter at home."
Bu Ling chimed in, "Yes, Grandpa, we'll feel more confident with you in charge."
Amidst laughter and chatter, the heavy atmosphere dissipated until Bling's stomach growled.
The mulberry tree, being closest, heard most clearly: "Lingling, are you hungry?"
This sound drew everyone's attention to Bu Ling.
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