Chapter 51

Yang Yanzong gave her a deep look.

Mrs. Yan, with her sharp ears, rushed out of the main hall. Seeing Yang Yanzong, she was overjoyed, crying and laughing, “Dalang, Zong’er, you’re back! Is what she said true?” She pointed at Su Ci and hurriedly asked, “And now? Is everything alright now?”

Yang Yanzong exhaled, took a moment, and then gently reassured his mother with a few words, telling her to return and put her things away.

The courtyard was in chaos, with maids and servants hurriedly carrying things, their movements creating a flurry of activity that was irritating to watch. Hearing the sound of hooves outside, Yang Yanzong didn’t stay long in the back courtyard and turned to leave. He stood at the gate, talking to a few people who had just dismounted. Su Ci didn’t stay long in the back courtyard either. She peeked at his dust-covered figure, still wearing the same clothes from a few days ago. She thought for a moment and called Da Ming to prepare a bath for him.

After giving his instructions, Yang Yanzong returned to the outer study. Da Ming was leading people in with a large tub, quickly bowing and explaining, “Young Madam ordered it.”

Yang Yanzong lowered his eyelashes and murmured, “Hmm.”

Da Ming and the others left, closing the door behind them.

The room was filled with a long-lost tranquility and the steam of hot water.

Yang Yanzong stood for a while, slowly unbuttoning his sleeves and taking off his outer clothes. As the warm water enveloped his body, the deep-seated fatigue seemed to find an outlet. He couldn’t help but close his eyes. With his hands resting on the edge of the tub, he thought of the figure who had sensed his presence and turned around. In the sunlight, her face showed a hint of surprise as if amazed by his question, “Of course I know!”

“I’ve always known.”

He let out a low chuckle, not knowing if it was from pain or pleasure, and laughed softly. After laughing, he composed himself, opened his eyes, and stared quietly at a point in the room through the rising steam.

Yang Yanzong did enjoy the thrill of his career, but he was still flesh and blood, not made of iron. After intense exertion and tumultuous events, he, too, felt weary.

With his father’s high expectations from a young age and his younger brother looking up to him, this path had never been easy. Once he stepped on it, he could only move forward, never back. The weight of his family and the many people behind him pressed heavily on his shoulders.

A Zhao once had an older brother, also a trusted personal guard, but he died, taking a poisoned arrow for him during the southwestern campaign, dying on the spot. Then there was A Kang, who, despite his cheerful demeanor, was actually a single child raised by his mother after his father died young. He also had elderly grandparents. His father had been a chariot soldier under Yang Yanzong’s command in his early years and died in battle. The captain who handled the compensation saw the family’s dire situation and registered them for support. Yang Yanzong tried to arrange for everyone on that list, and A Kang, being diligent, was later selected for the personal guard reserve, gradually improving his family’s situation.

Under his command, many young and middle-aged men like A Kang and A Zhao, the pillars of their families. If they fell, their entire families would collapse. All of this weighed heavily on Yang Yanzong’s shoulders.

His father’s praise, expectations, and joy, and his mother’s constant nagging and complaints, which he endured because she was his birth mother. In their eyes, he was always concise and unyielding. But he wasn’t made of iron and could feel fatigued, like now. The prison was cold, and his old shoulder blade injury ached, and he felt feverish.

Having just escaped from Yangdu, hearing about Mrs. Yan’s actions made his head throb. Even so, he had ridden nearly a hundred miles back to Suiping.

He hadn’t expected that the first thing he’d hear upon entering the house was Su Ci’s words, “The eldest young master has had a hard time these years. He’s worked very hard. If we can’t help him, let’s not make things worse for him, okay?”

—In all these years, it was the first time someone acknowledged his struggles and hardships.

Others always thought he was invincible.

At that moment, a rush of emotion surged through him. Yang Yanzong suddenly felt understood, a feeling too wonderful and indescribable, yet it warmed his heart. He chuckled softly, realizing that someone knew his hardships and struggles.

It was an indescribable comfort. His heart felt touched, a mix of sweet and bitter emotions, complex and hard to describe, yet accompanied by a sense of relief and satisfaction. His hand, resting on the edge of the tub, fell into the warm water, splashing. He wiped his face and chuckled softly.

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After his bath, Yang Yanzong had a late lunch, feeling much less fatigued and more spirited. He didn’t need to personally oversee the early stages of organizing the troops. The necessary orders had already been given. As he was adjusting his sleeves, he heard hurried footsteps from the direction of the moon gate in the back courtyard. The footsteps paused at the gate, and then the distinctive sound of the guard’s hard-soled boots approached quickly.

A Kang entered, speaking softly, “Master, the old master has returned. Uh, he’s reportedly arguing with the old lady.”

A Kang’s words were very tactful. In reality, Father Yang, not in the best health, had returned by carriage, arriving about an hour later than Yang Yanzong. As soon as he entered the gate, he stormed towards the main courtyard, his angry shouts loud enough to be heard faintly from the moon gate connecting the front and back courtyards.

Yang Chongying prided himself on being a dignified man and usually didn’t bother with Mrs. Yan’s antics, often ignoring her. But this time, her actions truly shocked him, making his anger flare up. He pushed aside the guard supporting him, stormed into the room, and pointed at Mrs. Yan, roaring, “Where’s your brain? Tell me, what were you thinking?! Huh?! If you don’t understand, can’t you listen to your daughter-in-law?!”

“I told you to stay put, so where are you trying to run off to? Oh, if the whole family gets in trouble and you’re the only one who escapes, you’ll be very happy, right? Enjoying the rest of your life, huh?!”

The hall was still cluttered with boxes. Mrs. Yan, being yelled at by Yang Chongying, sat down on one of the boxes, her face flushed with embarrassment. “I… I was just panicking!”

Saying that the whole family would suffer while she alone escaped and would enjoy the rest of her life was nonsense. It was impossible. But Mrs. Yan had panicked and hadn’t thought it through, just wanting to avoid trouble. She covered her face and cried, “You didn’t tell me anything. How was I supposed to know? I panicked, and then…”

Yang Chongying, exasperated, said, “Isn’t your daughter-in-law here? If you don’t understand, can’t you listen to her?!”

Mrs. Yan, with a stern face, actually had a rebellious mindset because of Su Ci. The more A Zheng mentioned Madam’s orders, the angrier she got. Su Ci hadn’t even been in the house for a year, and she was already acting like she was in charge?!

The more Su Ci said not to go out, the more Mrs. Yan wanted to leave.

Covering her face, Mrs. Yan cried a couple of times, sneaking a glance at her sons. Yang Yanzong and his two brothers were seated, but Yang Yanxin and Yang Yanzhen exchanged a glance, thinking their mother was indeed wrong this time and needed to be told off by their father.

Yang Yanzong, turning the ring on his thumb, remained silent, which was rare.

Without her sons’ support, Mrs. Yan cried a couple more times, but seeing Yang Chongying still furious, she snapped, “All you do is criticize this and that all day. What else can you do? If you’re so smart, why don’t you just stay quiet?!”

Feeling humiliated, she retorted, “Wasn’t I scared because of what happened last year? You didn’t suffer, so it’s easy for you to talk!”

Yang Chongying retorted, “Suffer? How much did you suffer, and how much did you enjoy? You call for servants all day long. Have you ever thought about who provides for you?!”

Mrs. Yan, enraged and humiliated, shouted, “My son! My son provides for me! What’s wrong with that?!” She had been scolded for so long that she lost all face. The entire back courtyard probably heard it. She resented Yang Chongying for not giving her any face, thinking he should teach his wife privately, not in front of everyone. Feeling resentful and hot-headed, she glared, “Aren’t you also enjoying our son’s support? I carried him for ten months and gave birth to him. Why can’t I enjoy it? You’re so smart, smarter than our son! And you have the nerve to criticize me…”

The last sentence really crossed the line, making everyone frown. Yang Chongying immediately flew into a rage, raising his hand to slap her. Mrs. Yan screamed and covered her head.

Yang Yanzong quickly stood up, stopping his father’s hand. “Father, please calm down.”

Yang Chongying moved his hand but realized his son had truly grown up, standing tall and firm, his grip unwavering.

After a long stare between father and son, Yang Chongying came to his senses. He breathed heavily but finally lowered his hand, glaring fiercely at Mrs. Yan before storming out.

Yang Yanzong immediately glanced at his two younger brothers, and Yang Yanxin and Yang Yanzhen quickly followed their father.

Turning back to his mother, Mrs. Yan looked embarrassed. Yang Yanzong took a deep breath and said sternly, “Mother, apologize to Father. Go now.”

It’s one thing to criticize, but not to expose someone’s shortcomings.

Mrs. Yan was reluctant, but seeing Yang Yanzong’s frown, she finally stood up and slowly made her way to apologize.

Yang Yanzong glanced at Mrs. Yan’s trusted maid, who quickly followed to offer soft words of comfort.

After standing for a moment, Yang Yanzong turned and followed them.

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After finally resolving the issue between his parents, Yang Yanzong returned to the front courtyard study, opened the secret compartment, and took out the official and private seals, securely putting them away.

He didn’t have much time and planned to visit the east courtyard. He wanted to find Su Ci. But before he could, Su Ci came to him.

The argument in the back courtyard hadn’t lasted long, and Su Ci had deliberately stayed away. After hearing about it, she was speechless. It was clear that Mrs. Yan and Yang Chongying’s relationship was strained, and it wasn’t entirely the latter’s fault.

Clicking her tongue, she heard Yang Yanzong had returned to the study, so she leisurely made her way from the east courtyard, peeking into the study.

Yang Yanzong recognized her footsteps immediately. Turning around, he saw her peeking in, her eyes lively and mischievous. He beckoned, “Come here.”

Huh? He wasn’t angry anymore?

Su Ci blinked her eyes, but being adept at seizing opportunities, she walked into the study, stood by the desk with her hands behind her back, and looked at him.

Yang Yanzong pulled her onto his lap, his calloused palm caressing her face for a moment before saying, “Pack up. We’re going together.”

“To the border? The front line?” She knew Yang Yanzong had been appointed a military advisor and needed to leave immediately.

“Yes.” Yang Yanzong responded hoarsely, looking deeply at her familiar, lively face, which was only the size of his palm.

He thought he had noticed her because she was different, and then he had grown to like her.

Yes, Yang Yanzong understood this in his heart, though he had never admitted it. He liked her, this girl who always surprised him and whose every move touched his heart. Gradually, she had started to enter his heart.

Since she was so considerate of him, he was willing to take a step back.

The frustration in his heart dissipated. As long as he was willing to think about it, he could understand and make sense of it. Yang Yanzong thought, if she were as obedient as other women, he probably wouldn’t have noticed her in the first place.

Since she was so different, it made sense that her views on marriage would also be different.

Alright then, Yang Yanzong gently caressed her face, willing to take a step back. He thought of his subordinates pursuing and winning the hearts of the girls they liked. If it was because he hadn’t taken this step that she hadn’t changed, then he thought, he could do it too.