Chapter 5 1/2

Ji Yangzong paused for a moment at the mention, furrowing his brow as he carefully thought about the people in the village, coming to a conclusion in his mind.

However, he didn’t immediately speak out but instead glanced at Huo Shu again.

Dealing with people and fields daily, Ji Yangzong could tell at a glance that Huo Shu was not an ordinary person.

Indeed, there was such a person in the village, but as the head of the village, Ji Yangzong had to consider the villagers, fearing that Huo Shu might be causing trouble.

“There is indeed someone named Changsui, but nowadays, there are many people with the same name and surname. I’m not sure if it’s the one you’re looking for.”

Huo Shu replied, “He once went to join the army, and it’s been seven or eight years now. The villagers enlisted for military service should have records in the village office.”

Seeing that more questions were being asked, Ji Yangzong had some clues in his mind and tentatively asked, “Could it be that Mr. Huo and Changsui are old acquaintances?”

Huo Shu nodded.

“That’s great! You must be looking for the Changsui from the Zhao family by the creek. He hasn’t been heard from for seven or eight years. With the end of the northern war, the soldiers who were drafted are gradually returning home or sending letters back. But this Changsui has been silent all this time, and his family is anxious, coming over here every few days to ask if there’s any news.”

Huang Manjing exclaimed happily, “Does Mr. Huo have news about Changsui?”

Huo Shu’s eyes softened slightly. “He’s dead.”

The room fell silent all of a sudden.

“On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes. After so many years without news, it’s likely…”

Ji Yangzong shook his head and sighed deeply. “His mother has been longing for his return every day.”

Huo Shu had long been accustomed to life and death, and he was much calmer than the people in the room, who were more emotional.

“We fought together on several occasions. He died in battle two years ago. Before he died, I promised him that if he could survive until the end of the war, I would come to Jiangnan to visit his parents.”

Huang Manjing wiped her eyes discreetly and said, “Regardless of life or death, it’s always good to have closure. I’ll take Mr. Huo to Changsui’s house.”

After discussing, they decided to go to the Zhao family. Huang Yinsheng needed to collect medicinal herbs, so he didn’t accompany them. Instead, the couple took Huo Shu to Zhao’s house.

“Mom, where are you going?”

When Ji Taoyu entered the room with a plate of pastries, she found only a few empty tea cups on the table, and everyone had gone to the yard, apparently preparing to go out.

Huang Manjing replied, “We’re taking Mr. Huo to the Zhao family. Don’t go out and wander around.”

Upon hearing this, Taoyu hurried over and looked at Huo Shu, asking tentatively, “Have you found the person?”

Huo Shu held the reins, glancing at Ji Taoyu who had changed out of his thick cloak and vest, revealing a well-fitted autumn outfit.

Back with his parents, surrounded by autumn scenery, Taoyu looked more energetic.

He glanced at the plate of square osmanthus cakes still held by someone, which seemed to be delicious.

“Hmm.”

“Aren’t we going to eat here?” Ji Taoyu raised the plate of osmanthus cakes slightly.

“No.”

With that, Huo Shu took the reins and led the horse out of the courtyard.

Ji Taoyu was stunned for a moment. When Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing saw Huo Shu walking away, they whispered to their son:

“Go back to the house. Your parents know how to take care of you. Get yourself well soon.”

Ji Taoyu muttered, “Okay.”

Watching his parents and Huo Shu leave one by one, he ran to the edge of the courtyard wall and peeked outside, watching Huo Shu’s tall figure disappear into the distance.

He sighed with emotion. Meeting someone by chance who saved his life, he hadn’t had the chance to properly thank him yet. He wondered if he would ever have the opportunity to meet again in this lifetime.

“Huo Yishi is tall, mighty, and handsome. Could it be that you don’t want him to leave?”

Ji Taoyu was startled by the sudden voice and quickly turned around to see it was his grandfather standing with her hands behind her back. She breathed a sigh of relief. “Grandpa, don’t tease me.”

“These words are meant for family, just joking.”

Huang Yinsheng grabbed a piece of osmanthus cake and popped it into his mouth. The sweet but not greasy taste made him feel happy. He smiled, “Your parents have taught you manners too strictly. Who else’s son is as scholarly as you, always talking about the teachings of Yu Erlang and being confined by etiquette? Living too constrained.”

Ji Taoyu affectionately grabbed Huang Yinsheng’s arm. “It’s because Grandpa has seen and experienced a lot, with a broad mind.”

Huang Yinsheng nodded in appreciation. “Yes, the osmanthus cakes this time are well-made. Let’s go back to the house and have a few more. When we go back, we’ll bring some to Huang Qi as well.”

Ji Taoyu smiled, “Okay.”

While the pastries were sweet, the Zhao family’s situation was bitter.

The Zhao family by the creek was just a dilapidated thatched hut that had been neglected for years, with grass growing on the roof.

Compared to the spaciousness of the Ji family, it looked impoverished and desolate.

The autumn wind blowing along the creek added to the desolation of the place.

“Why has the magistrate come?”

As Huo Shu surveyed the surroundings, an old woman heard the commotion and walked out of the house. Upon seeing who it was, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of anxiety, but she quickly greeted them.

“Magistrate Huang, please come in and have a seat.”

“But is it about the autumn tax collection? Magistrate, you’ve come all this way, and I’ve been thinking of ways here. I hope you can give us some more time.”

Mrs. Zhao respectfully opened the door to let the couple in and was surprised to see another unfamiliar face behind them.

Seeing such a tall, fierce-looking person suddenly, she couldn’t help but feel nervous and even tried to please Huang Yinsheng and his wife.

She was afraid that this was a tax official sent by the government this year.

“We’re not here for tax matters this time. We’re aware of your family’s situation, and we always try to be flexible with tax collection times.”

Huang Manjing quickly eased Mrs. Zhao’s mind.

The Zhao family had suffered greatly. In earlier years, Mr. Zhao, while working as a street vendor, had his leg broken by a bully, leaving the family without income as they had to spend money on his medical treatment.

Amidst poverty, Mrs. Zhao had been supporting the family on her own. Just when her son was old enough to help with household chores and relieve some of the burden, the Northern War escalated, and the government increased conscription. Unable to pay the conscription fee, the Zhao family had no choice but to send their son to the front lines with the army.

Unfortunately, he never returned, and two years ago, Mr. Zhao passed away as well. With no news of her son, Mrs. Zhao was left alone to grieve and struggle to make ends meet.

At only forty-something years old, she looked as worn out as a fifty-year-old woman. Her hair, hidden under a headscarf, had turned mostly white, prompting sighs from those who saw her.

Huang Manjing supported Mrs. Zhao and explained their purpose for visiting. She introduced Huo Shu to Mrs. Zhao, careful not to mention Zhao Changsui’s fate. However, upon hearing Huo Shu’s identity, tears welled up in Mrs. Zhao’s eyes.

Before Huo Shu could speak, she asked directly, “Is Changsui… gone?”

Huo Shu furrowed his brow. Mrs. Zhao looked much older and weaker than he had imagined. He couldn’t bring himself to say that Zhao Changsui had died in battle.

Instead, he took out a knee guard from his bag and handed it to Mrs. Zhao.

She hesitated before accepting the knee guard, running her fingers over the stitches. It was densely sewn, clearly well-made.

“It’s Changsui’s, it’s Changsui’s!”

The edges of the knee guard were frayed, indicating long-term use.

“I made this for him before he joined the army. I was worried about him getting cold and his knees getting injured in the harsh weather.”

Mrs. Zhao’s eyes sparkled with excitement, but her voice choked with tears.

Huo Shu clenched his lips. Years ago, Zhao Changsui had said something similar to him when they were in the army together.

“Mrs. Liu, please accept my condolences.”

Ji Yangzong sighed deeply. As the head of the village, he knew about the Zhao family’s hardships. News from the state capital was well-informed, and in June, he had heard that the Northern War had ceased. Though the war hadn’t directly affected the southern regions, peace had finally come, bringing stability to the people. He hoped that the villagers who had gone to serve in the army would return soon so that families could reunite.

But many went, and few returned.

Others who heard the news could only sigh in sympathy, especially considering it was about one’s own parents.

“Yes, your health is what’s important, Mrs. Liu. Please don’t let yourself be too distressed.”

“I can bear it. Actually, I’ve had a feeling for a long time now, with no news from him for so long. These past two years, I’ve been dreaming of him coming back.”

With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Zhao bowed to Ji Yangzong and his wife. “Thank you, magistrate and Mrs. Huang, for your concern. There’s a lot of work to be done in the autumn, so don’t let me delay you. I’ll talk to Changsui’s comrade.”

Huang Manjing and Ji Yangzong exchanged a glance. This was for the best. They comforted Mrs. Zhao a few more times before bidding farewell and leaving.

After everyone left, Mrs. Zhao invited Huo Shu into the house.

“For so many years, why didn’t Changsui send a letter back? Even though I can’t read, I could have asked the village teacher to read it for me.”

Mrs. Zhao poured Huo Shu a bowl of tea, still holding the knee guard tightly to her chest.

“I’ve written and sent things,” Huo Shu said. “But sending letters in the army isn’t easy. There are few opportunities to send family letters. Perhaps because of the long distance between the North and South, or perhaps the messengers weren’t reliable enough to deliver the letters.”

Mrs. Zhao wiped her eyes. “He must have suffered a lot.”

Though Mrs. Zhao had also endured hardship over the years, the thought of her son suffering on the battlefield still pained her.