Chapter 41

Sister Hua was utterly stunned, then suddenly slapped her thigh and exclaimed, “So it was you who reported Wu Chengqi! You have no idea—later, Village Chief Huang subtly told people that the guy was a coward. After just a few battlefield encounters, he’d wet his pants from fear. Then he heard that deserters who fled to Jinmeng Kingdom had received rich rewards and become influential figures there. That’s when he stole the garrison’s defense map, planning to wait out the turmoil before taking his whole family to defect to Jinmeng Kingdom! If he’d really pulled that off—it would’ve been a disaster! Good thing you were sharp and spotted him!”

She had wondered why the garrison troops hauled away the entire Wu family. Turned out—they were involved in such appalling treachery!

Yun Shuang smiled and said, “The Wu family is still from our own Changsheng Village. I didn’t mean to hide it from you, Sister Hua—I was just being cautious…”

“Cautious about what! That kind of scum—if someone can take him down, we’re all grateful! Otherwise, we’re the ones who’d suffer in the end!” Sister Hua waved her hand generously.

Yun Shuang felt even more touched and pointed to the items she’d brought. “Erya fell ill recently, and it was thanks to you and Uncle Li that she recovered. I went to the county and bought some grains and meat—I brought a few things especially for you.”

Sister Hua looked closely and saw that she’d been given a large sack of millet, another of flour, a big jar of premium pork lard, a thick slab of quality pork belly, and a fresh pig’s trotter. She was instantly overwhelmed and waved her hands repeatedly. “This… this is way too much! These aren’t cheap! You may have a bit of money now, but you’re raising two kids—you still have to budget carefully…”

Yun Shuang cut in with a smile, “All these years, you’ve done so much for us. What you’ve given me is worth far more than this. Please, just accept it. From now on, I plan to use the money I have to start a small business. Don’t worry—I won’t let myself fall into hardship again.”

Sister Hua tried to decline several times, but seeing Yun Shuang insist so firmly, she eventually accepted the gifts. Finally, curiosity got the better of her. “Shuang girl, what kind of small business are you planning to start? Times like these … trade isn’t easy.”

“I plan to sell small snacks,” Yun Shuang replied. “Selling snacks doesn’t require much capital, and it’s pretty straightforward. I’ve thought it over—this suits me best.”

Sister Hua looked at Yun Shuang, steady and radiant, and couldn’t help smiling. “It’s good you’ve got your own plan. You’re such a fine woman—who knows what Erya and her brother’s father were thinking, abandoning you like that. Ah, never mind. No use talking about it now. Once your days improve, you should find a father for those kids—a proper home. A woman raising children on her own is still vulnerable.”

When Yun Shuang first arrived in the village, she had explained that her husband had left her for someone else. Sister Hua, for all her kindness, was still shaped by the beliefs of her time.

Yun Shuang knew she meant well, so she didn’t challenge her—just listened with a gentle smile.

As the light faded, evening settled in slowly. It promised to be another beautiful night.

Meanwhile, at the Xiazhou garrison camp—

After a night of fierce combat with Jinmeng Kingdom’s forces, the soldiers spent the morning patrolling and repairing the city walls and traps damaged in the battle. Only now, deep into the evening, were they finally able to relax.

Bonfires flickered throughout the camp, delicious aromas rising into the air. Laughter, chatter, and clamor filled every corner.

Jiang Xiao walked among them, waving off the soldiers’ attempts to salute. Returning to his seat of command, he raised a bowl of wine and said in a deep voice: “You’ve all worked hard. We drove back the Jinmeng forces last night, but true winter hasn’t come yet—and they’re only testing the waters. The real fight is still ahead. Eat well, rest up, and be ready to defend our homeland!”

With that, he downed the wine in one long gulp.

The soldiers raised their bowls in response, voices ringing out: “Defend our homeland! Defend our homeland!”

Jiang Xiao drank three hearty bowls alongside them, then lifted his hand to let them carry on with their festivities.

Their commanding officer had always known when to be strict and when to ease up. He wasn’t one for putting on airs or being worshipped like some untouchable figure. The soldiers were accustomed to General Jiang Xiao’s style—easygoing when it mattered—and gathered in small groups, laughing and chatting among themselves. Few were foolish enough to bother their General without cause.

Jiang Xiao sat cross-legged on a seat covered in tiger skin, silently slicing the roast meat in front of him with a small knife. Firelight danced across his sharply defined face, accentuating the rugged handsomeness of his features.

From the lower left, Wu Qi suddenly burst out laughing: “Looks like the only captain missing tonight is that kid Jiang Bing! Word is, his wife’s water broke and she’s about to give birth. As soon as the battle cooled down, he ran off, still covered in blood.”

Across from him, military adviser Shen Yi stroked his beard and chuckled: “That’s cause for celebration! Us soldiers live every day with our lives dangling by a thread. It’s always been hard for men like us to marry. Out of Xiazhou’s twenty captains, only thirteen are married with children. Not to mention you and Yan Fang—still bachelors! You’d better pick up the pace. Imagine your future kids serving alongside us to protect the land… just the thought gets me teary.”

Wu Qi grinned mischievously and jabbed, “Oh? Shen Yi, you forgot one of our biggest bachelors!”

He winked and glanced sideways at the silent Jiang Xiao. “Our General still hasn’t married or had kids. How can you pressure us when our own commander hasn’t set the example yet?”

Jiang Xiao cast him a cool look.

This brat usually had a good sense of when to stay in line—but give him a few drinks, and the sense of rank quickly vanished.

Next to Wu Qi, Yan Fang was busy chewing his meat. He mumbled through a full mouth, “But… didn’t General Jiang have someone he wanted to marry? That lady from six years ago…”

“You idiot!” Wu Qi let out a loud burp and gave Yan Fang’s head a firm smack, laughing heartily. “The General only ever said he wanted to find that lady from six years ago—he never said he wanted to marry her! Come on, it’s been six years and he hasn’t even found a trace of her. No way he’s staying single forever over a ghost!”

Yan Fang scratched his head blankly. “Well, that’s true… but if our General doesn’t marry the lady from six years ago, then who would he marry?”

He couldn’t help but recall that moment yesterday morning—when the General held Miss Yun in his arms, and she lay there motionless against him.

Even someone as dense as Yan Fang had to admit, just for a fleeting moment, the two of them looked strangely well matched. But Miss Yun was a widow and already had children. The General couldn’t possibly become someone’s stepfather. No matter how wonderful Miss Yun was, being a stepfather wasn’t exactly a glorious title. For rough men like them, maybe it didn’t matter—but for their esteemed General? Unthinkable.

“Pfft! If the General wants to take a wife, that’s easy,” Wu Qi said, grinning. “He’s the dream man of half the noble ladies in Xiazhou! A true hero. Just the other day, when Governor Lin came to inspect our garrison, his delicate little daughter, Sixth Miss Lin, insisted on tagging along. You should’ve seen the way she looked at the general—tsk tsk tsk—even I felt embarrassed, and I’m a grown man!”