Chapter 23.1

That evening, the system informed Pear Blossom that five points had been credited to her account.

Pear Blossom had managed to rescue Xinghua without relying on the system’s help, earning herself five points in one go. This was the first time she truly savored the rewards of using her wits. Excited, she allocated all five points to the wisdom attribute.

As she read the names of the attributes aloud one by one, a ding sounded again, and another two points were credited.

Surprised, Pear Blossom asked, “What did I do this time?”

The system replied, “Host, you’re amazing! In two months, you’ve finally learned to recognize all these words. Here’s a reward for your progress.”

Considering that she had just allocated five points to the Wisdom attribute, Pear Blossom realized the system was teasing her. But since her mind wasn’t particularly sharp, there wasn’t much she could do about it. Perhaps, she thought, she should find an opportunity to secretly attend a private school and learn how others go about basic education.

Acknowledging her limited mental agility, she decided to allocate these additional two points to Wisdom as well.

Thus, her four attributes now become:

Wisdom: 9
Constitution: 6
Reputation: 7
Charm: 0

Pear Blossom felt quite satisfied with her growing points, especially after resolving the matter with Xinghua earlier. 

Just as she was preparing to go to bed contentedly, she suddenly remembered Daniu, who had been away for three days and hadn’t returned. She quickly asked, “Daniu has been gone for so long looking for my father. Could something have happened to him?”

The system replied, “Apologies, but I can only detect conversations and movements within a ten-mile radius. Anything beyond that is outside my range. However, according to my system’s life chart, both your father and Daniu’s life indicators are still lit. They should be fine.”

Hearing this, Pear Blossom’s worried heart finally settled. She turned over and immediately fell asleep.

However, what Pear Blossom didn’t expect was that three days later, Daniu returned with a shocking piece of news.

Xiang Dagen was missing!

Xiang Dagen had gone missing while on a mission with his team. According to reports from the surviving soldiers, their group had encountered spies from a neighboring country, resulting in a conflict. Only five men returned, while eighteen were killed and six were reported missing.

Afterward, the border garrison had dispatched search parties to look for the missing soldiers, but there was no trace of them. So many days had passed that the military concluded the six missing men were likely dead.

When Daniu returned this time, he brought with him ten taels of silver as Xiang Dagen’s bereavement and funeral compensation. He also relayed the military’s instructions: since Xiang Dagen was declared dead, the Xiang family was required to send another family member to serve in his place.

This news was like a bolt from the blue for the entire Xiang family.

Mrs. Xiong, who had just gone through the ordeal of her daughter being sold, now received the news of her husband’s death on the battlefield, leaving her weeping uncontrollably.

The Xiang family’s patriarch and his second and third sons were more concerned about the issue of military service. Now that Xiang Dagen had died, Daniu was only thirteen years old, and the law stipulated that military service started at seventeen. This meant someone from the second or third households would need to step up.

The Mrs. Xiang cried and wailed, blaming Mrs. Xiong for being a jinx and accusing her of cursing Xiang Dagen to his death. She also cursed Pear Blossom and Xinghua, calling them unlucky daughters. Not a single kind word came from her mouth.

That same day, Xiang Laotou summoned his third son, Xiang Laosan, back from town. The entire family sat down to discuss the matter of who would fulfill the military service obligation.

Mrs. Xiong, having been forced to hand over the ten taels of silver meant for her husband’s funeral expenses to her in-laws, took her children and hid in the west wing. She didn’t attend the family discussion, nor was her input expected.

Xiang Laotou puffed on his dry tobacco pipe, his brows furrowed deeply, and said, “Let’s hear it—who among you will go for military service?”

Xiang Laoer and Xiang Laosan exchanged glances, neither saying a word.

There were five eligible males in the Xiang family. Although Xiang Laotou was fifty years old, the military draft’s upper age limit was fifty-six, so he technically qualified. However, military life was grueling. Nearly two decades ago, he had returned home under the pretext of a leg injury and pushed Xiang Dagen to take his place. 

Since then, he hadn’t done much heavy work, and the idea of returning to the military to be ordered around was out of the question.

Xiang Laoer was thirty-five, and Xiang Laosan was thirty-two—both in their prime. Additionally, Xiang Laoer’s son, Dalang, was twenty and Xiang Laosan’s son, Erlang, was seventeen. Both were of age for military service.

When Xiang Laotou demanded a decision, everyone remained silent for a long time until Xiang Laoskan finally spoke. “Father, as you know, Erlang and I are studying in town. This year, I’ll be taking the provincial exam, and Erlang will be sitting for the county exam. 

We’re both confident about our chances. How could we possibly have the time for military service?”

Unhappy, Xiang Laoer retorted, “You’ve been saying the same thing every year—that you’re confident about passing. Yet all these years, you haven’t achieved anything. The family’s savings have been poured into your and Erlang’s education. 

I think it’s time to stop wasting money. You might as well go to the military and repay the family for all the silver spent on you.”

Xiang Laosan was not one to back down. “Second Brother, how can you say that? I study for the benefit of the entire Xiang family. If I manage to pass the imperial exams, we can rid ourselves of the burden of hereditary military service. No more endless generations of conscription.”

“It’s easy for you to talk,” Xiang Laoer sneered. “You’ve been studying for over twenty years and haven’t even passed the preliminary exams. How can you dream of becoming a scholar or an official? In my opinion, you might as well quit now.”

For years, the second and third households had cooperated to ensure Xiang Dagen stayed in the military. This open confrontation was the first of its kind.

Xiang Laosan retorted, “Even if I stop studying, the order of seniority dictates that you, Second Brother, should go first. Only if you can’t manage should it fall to someone from the third household.”

Xiang Laoer scoffed. “For years, you’ve been enjoying the family’s silver in town while I’ve been working from dawn till dusk, serving our parents and keeping the household running. The money I earned all went to you and Erlang. If anything, it’s high time you contributed to the family.”

Xiang Laosan shot back, “Busy from dawn till dusk? I hardly see it. Most of the farmwork is done by the eldest household. Whenever I come home, you seem quite idle, nothing like the hard work and mental strain Erlang and I endure studying in town.”

The brothers bickered back and forth, giving Xiang Laotou and his wife headaches. For the moment, no solution was in sight.

At this point, Dalang spoke up from the side, “If no one else is willing to go, let the eldest household send someone again.”

Still holding a grudge over his ruined marriage prospects, Dalang’s mother, Mrs. Zhou, chimed in bitterly, “Let Daniu go. He’s even taller than Dalang. Why shouldn’t he?”

Zhou also felt resentment toward the eldest household for interfering in her plans, forcing her daughter to marry an ugly, crippled scoundrel. The mere thought made her seethe with anger.

Hearing this, the third household’s members immediately brightened and voiced their agreement.

Xiang Laotou frowned. “Daniu is only thirteen. The military won’t accept anyone under seventeen as long as there are other eligible candidates in the household.”

Xiang Laosan leaned in and whispered, “Father, if we don’t say anything, who’s going to know he’s not yet seventeen?”

Xiang Laotou shook his head. “The official registry lists his age. A simple check would expose the lie.”

“Father, money can make the devil turn millstones. These days, things are chaotic, and the county officials are always looking for bribes. A little money could easily have the records altered. That boy is sturdy and won’t keel over easily. 

He could hold out for twenty or thirty years, no problem. By then, we could find him a wife and have him produce a couple of sons. As long as the family doesn’t split, the eldest household will always bear the burden, and it’ll never come to us.”

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. The old matriarch, thrilled, beamed with delight.

However, her joy was soon overshadowed by concern. “But we don’t have the money. That wretched girl Pear Blossom cost us twenty taels when she got into trouble with those kidnappers. Where would we find the silver for bribes now?”

Xiang Laoer quickly replied, “Didn’t the eldest household just hand over ten taels for the funeral expenses? That’s more than enough.”

Xiang Laosan added, “I happen to know someone in the county office. Mother, just give me the silver, and I guarantee I’ll get this done beautifully.”

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but calculate in her mind: altering the household registry age would cost at most five taels of silver, leaving the rest to line her own pockets. That would last her quite some time in the city.

Seeing that Xiang Laotou didn’t respond, Mrs. Xiang nudged his arm impatiently. “Old man, are we doing this or not? Say something!”

Xiang Laotou’s face was full of worry. “If we really go through with this, the first branch will stir up trouble and make the entire village restless. With all the drama about Pear Blossom and Xinghua recently, we can’t even hold our heads up in the village anymore. If we do this, we’ll end up offending everyone.”

“Offend who? Father, you’re just overthinking it. As the saying goes, ‘mind your own business and don’t meddle in others’ affairs.’ At most, people will gossip for a while. Who has the time to bother with our family’s matters? It’ll blow over, and life will go on as usual.”

“Exactly,” chimed in Mrs. Xiang. “Old man, remember, we did all this in the first place because—”

Before she could finish, Xiang Laotou shot her a fierce glare, forcing her to swallow her words.

Xiang Dalang, now burning with hatred toward the first branch, shouted angrily, “Grandfather, what’s there to hesitate about? They treated Chrysanthemum like that—why should you still have a soft heart?”

The rest of the family chimed in with their own opinions. Xiang Laotou sighed and turned to Mrs. Xiang. “Take those ten taels of funeral money and give it to the third son. Let him handle the bribes.”

Hearing this, Xiang Laosan broke into a wide grin.

…
While the Xiang couple and the second and third branches conspired to send Daniu to the army, Pear Blossom was already on her way to the military camp to find out where Xiang Dagen had been sent for his mission.

Since the system could only monitor activity within a ten-mile radius, she needed to get closer to the mission site to locate her father. The military camp was dozens of miles away from Daliushu Village, so she missed the Xiang family’s scheming entirely.

Unfortunately, the army kept mission details strictly confidential. Pear Blossom couldn’t even enter the camp, let alone find out where her father had been sent. She had no choice but to return empty-handed. 

When she arrived back at the village, she saw the officers escorting Daniu away to join the army. That was when she realized what had happened.

Mrs. Xiong, along with Erniu and Xinghua, tried to intervene but were pushed aside by the officers, who accused them of obstructing official duties.

The village chief and other villagers stepped forward to plead on Daniu’s behalf, but the officers pulled out his records and said, “It’s clearly written here: born in the ninth year of Jinghe, making him 17 years old now. He meets the conscription age. Now that his father is dead, he must take his place.”

A villager shouted, “Nonsense! He’s the same age as my son, barely 13 years and 8 months old. How can he be 17? This is falsified!”

“Silence!” the clerk bellowed, drawing his large saber from his belt. His stern expression intimidated the crowd. “The documents are black and white. Anyone who slanders officials will be charged with an additional crime. Keep spouting nonsense, and I’ll have you arrested for hard labor.”

In these times, officials were as powerful as gods, and no one dared provoke them—not even their underlings. The sight of the drawn blade silenced the crowd instantly.

The village chief stepped forward. “Even so, he’s just a child. The Xiang family has so many adults. Why send a child to the battlefield?”

The officer replied arrogantly, “I wouldn’t know. The Xiang family’s head reported his name. He meets the criteria. We’re just here to take him. If you have a problem, go talk to the head of the Xiang family.”

Unable to confront the officers, the villagers turned their fury on the Xiang family, cursing them loudly.

The Xiang family, now used to such incidents after several major disputes, had grown thick-skinned. They all retreated to their homes, bolted their doors, and ignored the insults, leaving the villagers powerless.

Mrs. Xiong and her children, however, were left in utter despair. Crying out to the heavens and the earth brought no help. Pear Blossom, despite having a system, found it useless in such a situation. The family’s plight was heartbreaking as the mother and children sat crying at the edge of the village, their heads buried in their hands.

The villagers could only sigh at the tragic sight.

After grieving for a while, Pear Blossom forced herself to pull it together. With her father and Daniu both gone and her mother exhausted and frail from the constant blows, she, as the eldest daughter, had to step up.

Her first step was to take Xinghua to stay with Dong Yun.

Both she and Xinghua were now nominally under Dong Yun’s protection, which meant the Xiang family couldn’t touch them. But if a family could send a 13-year-old boy to the battlefield, there was no telling what they might do next. Xinghua, being a girl, wouldn’t be safe staying in the western wing.

Dong Yun had heard about Daniu being sent to the army. Seeing Pear Blossom drop off Xinghua and prepare to leave again, she asked, “What are you planning to do now?”

Pear Blossom replied, “My father must still be alive. I’m going to find him!”

“You’re that certain?”

“Yes. If he’s alive, I’ll find him. If he’s dead, I’ll bring back his body!”

Dong Yun knew Pear Blossom was bold, but she hadn’t expected this level of determination. 

“The world is vast. Where will you even begin to look?”

Hearing this, Pear Blossom faltered. “I tried asking about my father’s mission location at the military camp, but they wouldn’t let me in because I’m a woman. No one would tell me anything. But if I can find where the mission was, I’ll find my father.”

Since the system claimed Xiang Dagen was alive, Pear Blossom believed he couldn’t be far from the mission site. If she could locate it, the system could pinpoint his exact location within a ten-mile radius.

But first, she needed to find the mission site.

Dong Yun studied Pear Blossom’s resolute expression. “Even if your father is dead, you’d still want to find that place?”

“Yes. If he’s dead, I’ll carry his body back myself.”

Dong Yun said nothing, turning away, lost in thought.

Pear Blossom watched her silently before speaking softly. “Sister Dong, I’ll be leaving now. Please look after Xinghua. If there’s any work, feel free to ask her to help.”

With that, she turned and headed for the door, but a voice called out from behind her.

“You take this and go to the military camp, find someone named Zuo Qi. He will tell you where your father is on a mission.”

Dong Yun said as she handed a small token to Pear Blossom.

Pear Blossom was both surprised and delighted. “Does this thing really work so well?”

“This token should only be shown to Zuo Qi. Don’t let anyone else see it, and don’t mention my name, or else there will be great trouble.”

Pear Blossom trusted Dong Yun. She was straightforward and didn’t question how or why Dong Yun had this token, nor was she curious about its use. She carefully hid the token close to her and gave Dong Yun a grateful look before turning and leaving, heading toward the village entrance.

Pear Blossom was equipped with a system that could alert her to any suspicious people or potential dangers on her journey. This allowed her to travel without fear, day or night. She didn’t have money or food, but with the help of the system, she could easily catch prey. 

If she couldn’t cook, she would trade with inns or taverns along the way for food. She had never gone hungry.

By early the next morning, she had reached the military camp.

The guard saw her and said, “Why are you here again? I told you, this is a military camp. Women aren’t allowed inside. Don’t you understand?”

Pear Blossom pointed to the women who were sent out early in the morning from within the camp. “How come they can go in?”

The guard grinned when he heard her and said, “You want to be like them? I could let you in, but you might regret it.”

The system quickly intervened. “Host, those women were sent to comfort the soldiers; they’re female prisoners or the families of criminals. You can’t go in.”

Pear Blossom didn’t know what “comfort” meant, but since the system said no, she certainly wouldn’t agree. She replied, “I’m not going in, but I need to find someone. His name is Zuo Qi. Please call him out. I have something to tell him.”

The guard’s face darkened. “Do you think you can just call the captain’s name?”

“Is the captain a big officer?” Pear Blossom asked in confusion. “Someone asked me to find him.”

“Who told you to come?”

Pear Blossom replied, “Just call him out.”

The guard hesitated for a moment, wondering how this girl knew the captain’s name. Was she guessing, or did she really know him?

“Go on, then.”

“You have to tell me who sent you,” the guard insisted. “I need to know if you’re just making up the captain’s name to fool me.”

The system instructed: “Stop wasting time with him. Just tell him: someone asked you to find Zuo Qi. It’s very important. If you don’t help, and something happens, you’ll be responsible.”

Pear Blossom followed the system’s advice.

The guard wavered. “Wait here. If the captain doesn’t recognize you, I’ll give you a good talking-to.”

Before long, the guard returned with a tall, burly officer.

The officer looked at the young girl before him and asked, “Did you call for me?”

Pear Blossom asked, “Are you Zuo Qi?”

Zuo Qi, annoyed, replied, “If I’m not Zuo Qi, then who is?”

Pear Blossom led him aside, out of the guard’s view, and took the token from her pocket. “I want to know where my father is on a mission.”

Zuo Qi was stunned when he saw the token. He instinctively stepped in front of her and looked around. After confirming no one was paying attention, he whispered sharply, “Put it away quickly.”

Seeing his nervous expression, Pear Blossom hurriedly tucked the token back. “Can you tell me now?”

Zuo Qi asked in return, “How is she?”

Pear Blossom shook her head. “The owner of the token told you not to inquire about her. Just tell me what I want to know.”

Zuo Qi sighed. “What do you want to know?”

Pear Blossom then explained her father’s situation.

Zuo Qi said, “So you’re the daughter of Xiang Dagen. I’ve heard about the missing team. Several search parties were sent, but they couldn’t find them. Don’t get your hopes up.”