The heir planned to attack the barbarians not only because of the issue concerning his son but also for military achievements.

His status was already quite high, so these military merits were not for himself but for those below him.

The new emperor, having ascended the throne, aimed to reclaim military power.

Although he did not explicitly mention taking away the military authority of the Yonghe Marquis, the intent behind sending people down was clear.

Once the emperor’s envoy arrived, it would become much harder for other soldiers to earn military achievements.

This was because the emperor’s people needed military merits to win over others.

Therefore, this action also provided an opportunity for the original soldiers here to earn military merits.

In the military camp, war was on the brink of erupting.

…

On Yang Haiyan’s side, she sent Uncle Hong and Huang Huzai to the county town to buy two more horses.

One horse was converted into a cart, while the other was given to her personal guard.

In the embroidery room, Yang Haiyan had finished embroidering a handkerchief depicting a pair of mandarin ducks playing in water.

After completing it, she placed the handkerchief on the platform and was surprised to see how valuable this ancient embroidery was.

This handkerchief depicting mandarin ducks was worth eight hundred platform coins.

To put this in perspective, pure silver on the platform was five coins per gram; with eight hundred coins, she could buy one hundred sixty grams, which was over three taels of silver.

The cost of thread and fabric was less than one tael of silver, making this a much easier way to earn money.

Furthermore, she didn’t need to purchase pure silver; if she bought silver with seventy percent purity, eight hundred platform coins could buy much more than one hundred sixty grams.

Additionally, embroidering such a handkerchief didn’t take her too long; even at a slow pace, one month was more than enough.

So now, Yang Haiyan was indeed slowly working on her embroidery.

Before she knew it, the Lantern Festival had arrived.

According to the customs of Qiguo, the Lantern Festival was the day for eating glutinous rice balls.

Although the Qin family was bustling with activity, Qin Fang had yet to return, leaving Yang Haiyan feeling a bit lonely and missing him.

From the fourth day of the first month to the fifteenth, Qin Fang had not returned and had not brought back any news.

Not only Qin Fang but also Han Zhen, Lu Baifu, and others had not come back.

Yang Haiyan knew he was definitely not in the military camp; if he were, he would have had Kun Shi send a message home.

Since he wasn’t at the camp, there was no way for him to send news.

Once the fifteenth passed, the drums of war sounded as the Yongzhou military camp launched an attack against the barbarians.

The people of Yongzhou immediately learned of the movement in the military camp.

Due to the war, the city gates of the county were closed.

The county was the second line of defense for Yongzhou, and the gates were always shut during times of war.

No one could enter from the outside, and no one could leave from the inside.

The family residences were located outside the county.

With the gates closed, the residents there could not enter the city.

However, the people in the family residences had stockpiled cabbage and radishes, and they didn’t usually go into the city.

In these days, Yang Haiyan lost her mood for embroidery because the war in the military camp left her feeling unsettled.

According to the storyline, Qin Fang should be safe, and he would be fine until completing his military service.

However, she couldn’t shake off her worries.

Granny Lian came into the embroidery room with a bowl of soup: “Madam, the kitchen just made some white fungus soup; it’s quite good. Come try it.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “Thank you.”

She took a sip; the white fungus was soft and sweet, but she didn’t have the appetite to eat.

After drinking about half a bowl, she stood up. “Granny Lian, is there a lot of white fungus cooked at home?”

Granny Lian responded, “There’s some left, but not much.”

The kitchen had only prepared enough for the madam, so it wasn’t much.

Yang Haiyan said, “Take the rest and put it in a food box; I’m going to visit Sister Lu’s house.”

Granny Lian replied, “Understood.”

Yang Haiyan took the white fungus soup and went to Sister Lu’s home: “Sister Lu, are you there?”

Sister Lu was at home with her two children, helping them read while making clothes.

She had never thought of learning characters alongside her children, but after Yang Haiyan stayed next door for a while, she was inspired and realized that it was quite good for women to learn more characters.

Hearing Yang Haiyan’s voice, she called out, “I’m here! Haiyan has come!”

She hurriedly set down what she was doing and went out.

Yang Haiyan came alone; it felt inappropriate to bring Granny Lian to Sister Lu’s house as it might create a distance. “I’ve come to see you, sister.”

Sister Lu replied, “Come in and sit! But today’s sunny, so it’s not cold.”

Yang Haiyan said, “That’s right. I cooked some white fungus soup at home to let the children taste it.”

Sister Lu laughed and said, “Why are you being so polite? Giving these two little ones some is like giving them free food; they wouldn’t normally get to eat something so good.”

Yang Haiyan smiled at this.

Sister Lu poured the white fungus soup for the children to drink and then washed the food box.

The two of them sat outside in the sun, and Sister Lu asked, “Haiyan, what brings you here today?”

Yang Haiyan expressed her worries: “Sister, do they often not return during wartime in the military camp?”

Sister Lu understood what she meant and reassured her: “Are you worried about Lord Qin? Don’t be anxious; this is your first time experiencing a war. Actually, it’s been a couple of years since there hasn’t been much fighting. In the past, there would be a war about once every couple of months. So, we’ve long gotten used to it.”

Yang Haiyan asked, “Why is there a war every couple of months?”

Sister Lu explained, “It’s a mutual probing. My husband says that the barbarians want to test our situation, and we also want to probe theirs. However, the battle two years ago was particularly intense, with heavy casualties on both sides. That’s why there hasn’t been a war these past two years. Speaking of which, Lord Qin and Centurion Han were both promoted to Centurion after that battle since the previous Centurion was sacrificed.”

It was quite normal for soldiers to sacrifice themselves in battle; although it was sad, they accepted it quickly.

However, in Yang Haiyan’s heart, it felt bittersweet.

In modern times, it was rare for soldiers to sacrifice themselves unless something extraordinary happened, but it was different in ancient times, where lives were often seen as less valuable.

After chatting with Sister Lu for a while, Yang Haiyan felt somewhat better.

When people were anxious, they particularly hoped for someone to talk to.

These situations weren’t detailed in the books because they followed Yang Dahua’s storyline.

Now, listening to Sister Lu, Yang Haiyan understood the circumstances more deeply.

Before she knew it, it was the beginning of February.

The two-month winter disaster had passed, and people began to appear in the town.

Shops gradually started opening, and various meats and vegetables began to be sold.

Yang Haiyan’s pastry shop also opened.

When it opened, Aunt Fan and Aunt Hong went there to visit.

“Madam.” One day, one of the personal guards came to find Yang Haiyan.

His name was Meng Ping. “Madam, I’d like to request leave to return home. I’ve been serving in the military for five years and haven’t been home yet.”

Yang Haiyan said, “Of course you can. How many days do you need off?”

Meng Ping calculated, “About half a month.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “Be safe on the road.”

Meng Ping thanked her, saying, “Thank you, ma’am.”

Military Camp

“Your Highness, those barbarians have been driven back. The captains are preparing to bring their men back. The doctors have counted the injured, and it’s better than we expected,” said Chief Guard Cheng. “This battle has truly brought great relief.”

After nearly twenty days, they had pushed the barbarians back hundreds of miles.

If it weren’t for the Heir saying not to force them into a corner, they might have continued the fight.

Hearing this, the Heir smiled, “We seized the opportunity this time and made preparations in advance. General Ao led the troops to ambush the barbarians’ stronghold. How could they not be anxious?”

As a leader, the Heir was stationed at the rear, but he also longed to be on the battlefield; after all, waiting for news was not as exhilarating as fighting.

Chief Guard Cheng said, “If only we could directly take down their tribe.”

The Prince shook his head, “No, the barbarian tribes are nomadic, without fixed territory. For decades, they’ve lived next to Yongzhou. This is different from our Qi Kingdom, which has defined borders that cannot be moved. If we push them too hard, they might leave and become scattered, launching surprise attacks on us from hidden positions. If they do, Yongzhou would suffer.”

This is why the Ni family had defended the area for decades without engaging in significant bloodshed with the barbarian tribes.

Their repeated probes were merely attempts to create trouble for them and to force a compromise, demanding half of Yongzhou’s authority.

Chief Guard Cheng said coldly, “That’s just a dream; they want half of Yongzhou. They don’t understand what territory means to us.”

Giving up half the land would be a disgrace to the court and the emperor.

The heir nodded, “We could have coexisted peacefully. Yongzhou could have opened trade routes as long as they paid reasonable taxes, but they refused, thinking taxes are a scam.”

Chief Guard Cheng replied, “They’re truly foolish. One day, they will regret it.”

Family Quarters

Uncle Hong shouted energetically at the door, “The master is back! The master is back!”

His voice echoed throughout the house.

Yang Haiyan heard Uncle Hong and quickly ran out, followed by Granny Lian, who joked, “Uncle Hong’s voice is indeed powerful.”

Uncle Hong’s son had grown healthy over the past three months, thanks to his daily bowl of goat’s milk.

Since the boy recovered, he stayed with Uncle Hong, no longer helping Aunt Hong at the snack shop.

Whenever Uncle Hong went out to cut grass, he would take the child with him.

Yang Haiyan said, “Yes, Uncle Hong’s leg is getting better. The doctor said he’ll fully recover in two more months.”

However, he still couldn’t do heavy work.

Together, they had worked for three months, earning two hundred coins each month, and they spent very frugally, only buying clothes for the child.

Qin Fang returned the horse to Uncle Hong and went to the main courtyard, where he met Yang Haiyan on the way.

Yang Haiyan was startled to see Qin Fang; his face was dirty and unkempt, with some stubble.

His clothes were torn and stained, looking like they were splattered with water.

But Yang Haiyan knew that water wouldn’t leave stains on that kind of fabric; once dry, there wouldn’t be any marks.

Moreover, he had just come back from the battlefield, so it could only be blood.

She hurriedly asked, “Are you hurt? Did you bleed? Granny Lian, quickly fetch the doctor.”

Granny Lian replied, “Yes.”

Qin Fang grabbed Yang Haiyan’s arm, “Don’t worry, I’m fine. Just a small injury; this blood is from others.”

Granny Lian looked at Yang Haiyan.

Yang Haiyan insisted, “Call Doctor Wang. Regardless of whether you’re injured, he should check your body.”

Granny Lian agreed and left, while Yang Haiyan pulled Qin Fang back to the main courtyard, still worried, “Are you sure these are all minor injuries? Is any of this blood yours? Take off your clothes and let me see.”

He had been away for a month, and she couldn’t shake the unease from her mind.

Qin Fang reassured her, “I promise, I’m really fine. These are just small injuries, and the blood is from the barbarians. I’ll take a bath first, and then you can look.”

Seeing him tired but not pale, Yang Haiyan thought maybe he was telling the truth: “Just be careful when you wash. Don’t let the soap water touch your wounds; you can just wipe them gently with warm water.”

While alkaline soap can eliminate some toxins and bacteria, it can also be irritating.

Plus, with his wounds not healed yet, he shouldn’t wash.

Qin Fang said, “I’ll be careful.”

In reality, Qin Fang didn’t pay much attention.

He hadn’t bathed for a month and desperately wanted to clean himself thoroughly to avoid stinking in front of his wife.

But as she mentioned, the soap water did sting against the wounds.

After washing, Yang Haiyan frowned, “Why do you look worse after your bath? Was your face dirty before, and I just didn’t see it clearly?”

He had looked fine just moments ago.

Qin Fang thought, “My heart is pounding, worried I’ll get scolded.”

His pale face was due to the sting of the soap water.

Although he didn’t have major injuries, he had several small ones.

Yang Haiyan pulled him to sit down, “Take off your clothes and let me see. You must have a serious injury; did you pull a wound while bathing?”

Qin Fang shook his head rapidly, feeling doomed.

Yang Haiyan sniffed the air, “Did you use soap?”

He smelled fragrant, so it couldn’t be anything else.

Suddenly, she narrowed her eyes, “Didn’t I tell you not to use soap? It irritates the wounds.”

Qin Fang looked innocent, “I forgot.”

If it weren’t for his earlier vow to be careful, she might have believed him.

But his innocent expression made Yang Haiyan feel a mix of pity and amusement.

At this moment, the voice of Aunt Lian echoed in the courtyard: “Madam, Doctor Wang has arrived.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “Take Doctor Wang to the study.”

Aunt Lian responded, “Yes.”

In the study, there was a long wooden couch for Qin Fang to rest on.

When Doctor Wang entered, Yang Haiyan warmly said, “Doctor Wang, I’m truly sorry for troubling you to come all this way.”

Doctor Wang hurriedly replied, “Not at all, Madam. You’re too polite.”

He was just a commoner and didn’t dare expect such courtesy from the wife of a seventh-rank official.

However, he felt comfortable because Madam Qin was always polite whenever they met.

“Madam, Sir, I will check on the Sir now.”

Qin Fang said, “Thank you for your trouble.”

Doctor Wang first took Qin Fang’s pulse, then asked him to take off his clothes for an examination of his wounds.

Actually, while checking the pulse, he had already confirmed that Qin Fang was fine, just a bit fatigued; he just needed to rest.

Now, looking at his wounds, there were indeed no major injuries, but he had several minor ones.

Yang Haiyan asked, “Doctor, are his wounds inflamed? They look a bit red.”

Doctor Wang replied, “No, the wounds aren’t inflamed. The redness is probably from him washing too vigorously. I’ll prepare some medicine for him, and Madam can apply it for a few days.”

Yang Haiyan said, “Thank you, Doctor. Aunt Lian, please send someone with Doctor Wang to get the medicine.”

Qin Fang nodded, puzzled.

It turned out his wounds hurt not because of the soap but because he had washed too vigorously.

However… he still had to clean himself, right?

Granny Lian said, “Yes.”

In the study, it was just Qin Fang and Yang Haiyan.

He immediately got up from the long wooden couch and said, “Uh… I’m a bit hungry.”

It wasn’t exactly honorable to pull his wounds by washing too hard.

Yang Haiyan wanted to tease him a bit, but thinking of how he hadn’t returned for a month and had clearly suffered, she had to say, “You rest a bit; I’ll go see what there is to eat.”

Qin Fang replied, “Mm. Hurry back, let me calm down.”

Aunt Fan had gone to the pastry shop, and there was no one in the kitchen, so Yang Haiyan had to do it herself.

When Granny Lian returned and saw that Yang Haiyan wasn’t in the main courtyard, she went to the kitchen and found her busy.

Granny Lian quickly said, “Madam, I’m here to help.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “No need. I haven’t cooked for him in a long time; I’ll do it myself.”

Upon hearing this, Granny Lian went to start a fire.

Yang Haiyan kneaded the dough, chopped pickled vegetables and cured meat, and fried two eggs.

Half an hour later, the dough was ready.

She carried the noodles to the study and saw Qin Fang sitting there dozing off, with a bottle of medicine on the desk beside him.

Qin Fang said, “Doctor Wang’s medicine has arrived.”

Yang Haiyan set the noodles down and said, “You take off your clothes; I’ll apply it for you.”

Qin Fang replied, “Mm.” He took off his upper clothes and enjoyed his wife’s care while eating; it felt great.

Yang Haiyan applied the medicine for him and sat beside him, curiously asking, “How did the battle go this time?”

Qin Fang replied, “It went very smoothly. We suffered few casualties because we were well prepared. We gave the barbarians a good lesson, and I believe they won’t be thinking about attacking us again in the near future. However, due to the little master’s incident, the guards entering and leaving the county will be stricter.”

Yang Haiyan said, “Stricter is good; it doesn’t concern us anyway.”

Qin Fang thought the same; their status made it easier for them to enter and leave the county.

Yang Haiyan looked at his profile, his cheeks puffing as he ate.

After some thought, she asked, “Husband, do you like the military? Do you like being a military officer?”

Qin Fang didn’t understand her intention and thought it was casual chatter.

He honestly replied, “I didn’t like it when I first joined the military; I thought about going home every day and even felt that the military service was ruining us. Actually, it’s not just me; I think most people don’t like military service. After five years, many people come with the resolve that they might not return.”

So when he left home back then, he had a good talk with his second brother for an entire night.

Yang Haiyan asked, “What about later?”

Qin Fang recalled the bits and pieces of the past five years and then smiled, “Later, I found it quite interesting. If I hadn’t joined the military, I would probably just be farming or hunting in that village. But after coming here, my thoughts gradually changed, especially after going to the battlefield; it felt like I had suddenly grown up and understood many things.”

Yang Haiyan said, “I understand.”

So now, he liked being in the military.

In the past few days, she had considered whether he should quit the military; once his five years were up, they could go back to Qin Fang’s hometown.

For them, living a stable life in Qin Fang’s hometown would be simple.

They had money and weren’t foolish people.

They didn’t seek wealth, just health and happiness.

However, hearing him say this now, she couldn’t say such things.

Everyone has the right to pursue strength, and she couldn’t let him give up his pursuits because of her.

Yang Haiyan took a deep breath.
Qin Fang sensitively noticed her slight disappointment: “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

Yang Haiyan smiled and shook her head, “No… just worried you might be in danger; I’m very concerned.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Fang put down his chopsticks and held her hand: “Don’t worry, no matter the situation, I will always keep my safety in mind; I still want to have children with you.”

Yang Haiyan was speechless upon hearing this. This man, is that all he could think about?

During his time back home, Qin Fang had indeed rested for several days, but then he returned to the military until the end of February when his five-year military service was completed, bringing him a month of leave.

At this moment, Yang Haiyan was in the house, looking at the boxes of organized items.

She called Aunt Lian over again: “Aunt Lian, please check again to see if anything is missing.”

Aunt Lian replied, “You are just worrying yourself; everything is in order. This box is fur, this one is fabric, this one is your stuff, and this one is for the Sir. If you need anything else, you can buy it in the county after you get there.”

After all, everyone hadn’t seen each other, so many things were difficult to buy.

Yang Haiyan smiled and said, “Before, I thought it didn’t matter if an ugly daughter-in-law met her in-laws, but now that the time has come, I’m really nervous.”

Granny Lian laughed along: “Looking at Madam’s usual calm demeanor, it’s easy to forget you’re only seventeen; now you truly look like a seventeen-year-old girl.”

Yang Haiyan let her tease her: “This time when we go back, we won’t bring the household staff; I’ll leave the house in your care. If the private guards’ families come, arrange them in the new staff quarters over there. Then you can observe them for me.”

Granny Lian assured her: “Rest assured, I understand in my heart; I promise not to disappoint you.”