That night, Qin Fang lay awake in bed, restless.

The situation was clear: someone was targeting him.

Liu Daren had discovered through County Magistrate Cheng that the opposition likely came from someone unafraid of Qin Fang’s mentor, Du Ke, which strongly suggested a connection to the capital.

But the question remained: why would someone from the capital go after a rural youth like him, who had never even set foot there?

Unable to make sense of it, Qin Fang couldn’t fall asleep.

Suddenly, a pair of delicate hands wrapped around his waist from behind. “Don’t worry,” Yang Haiyan said softly. “No matter why they’re after you, you must know that they can’t touch you. With your current status, Lord Du will protect you, and the emperor won’t let anyone harm you.”

Du Ke was, after all, the most cunning figure in the entire novel.

Though his character was scarcely mentioned, once the male protagonist, Han Zhen, went to the capital, Du Ke played a key role.

Despite Han Zhen’s lack of status, and even with ties to the Yonghe Marquis Mansion, the capital’s intricate factions couldn’t protect him forever.

Especially later, when the crown prince emerged from his mansion, the number of people looking to take him down only grew.

At that time, it was Du Ke who stood behind Han Zhen.

Thus, with Du Ke’s backing, Han Zhen would remain safe.

Moreover, given Qin Fang’s current achievements, unless he committed treason, the emperor wouldn’t act against him.

The emperor, while fixated on matters regarding the crown prince, was otherwise a wise ruler.

Besides, if the emperor did make a move, Yang Haiyan still had trump cards to protect Qin Fang.

Qin Fang turned around. “I’m sorry, I woke you up.”

Yang Haiyan stroked his hair. It was stiff and prickly to the touch, but she found herself unable to stop.

Sometimes he felt like a big boy, stirring a sisterly affection within her.

At other times, her heart ached for him.

All the hopes of the Qin family were placed squarely on his shoulders.

If the Qin family had never risen to prominence, they might have been content to live humbly in Baili Village.

But now, having tasted success, if Qin Fang were to fall, returning to that simple life would be unbearable for his family.

At just 22 years old, this young man bore the weight of an entire family’s expectations.

In the modern world, wouldn’t a 22-year-old still be considered just a boy?

Yang Haiyan shook her head. “I wasn’t asleep anyway.”

Qin Fang pulled her closer.

He much preferred autumn to summer. In this cool weather, he could hold her like this, finding peace in her warmth.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Once the men I sent to Laiwang County return, I’ll head to the capital.

I need to report to the emperor about the various seeds and the horse farm, and I can take the opportunity to address this issue.

I’ll avoid meddling in matters beyond my jurisdiction to prevent accusations of abusing my power. What do you think?”

Yang Haiyan replied, “I trust your judgment.”

At first, she had assumed Qin Fang would handle the investigation himself, and she had even considered conducting her own inquiry.

But after hearing his reasoning, she agreed with his approach: why invite trouble by meddling in things that weren’t their responsibility?

Handing it over to those with the proper authority was the right decision.

Still, she couldn’t understand who would target them like this.

By now, everyone knew that Qin Fang was Du Ke’s student.

Given that, the only ones unafraid of Du Ke were likely figures in the capital.

But who in the capital could stand against Du Ke?

As the Deputy Minister of War, though only ranked third, Du Ke held significant influence.

In the capital, rank wasn’t just about titles but also about actual power.

For example, the commander of the city’s military forces was merely fifth-rank, yet controlled thousands of soldiers and managed the city’s security.

Similarly, the commander of the Capital Camp, also a fifth-rank officer, held command over thousands of troops.

Du Ke, a future Minister of War, would eventually wield nationwide military authority and was trusted by the emperor.

So, Yang Haiyan couldn’t fathom who would dare target Qin Fang.

If Qin Fang were in danger, Du Ke would undoubtedly intervene, and with Du Ke on his side, no one could harm him, especially since Qin Fang had done no wrong.

Even the emperor, in light of Qin Fang’s contributions, would be lenient.

Therefore, the real target couldn’t be Qin Fang.

So what was the true motive?

Could it be related to the imperial grain agency partnership?

Or the imperial grain plan in Hedong Prefecture?

Unable to make sense of it, Yang Haiyan chose to stop thinking about it.

The Qin family remained unaware of the situation, as Qin Fang and Yang Haiyan hadn’t shared any details with them.

Two days later, the men sent to Laiwang County returned with further news.

It wasn’t just about Aunt Fan’s son-in-law; more serious developments had occurred. Just yesterday, her son-in-law had injured someone—fatally.

While beating the person, he had loudly proclaimed that he was from General Qin Fang’s household and dared anyone to oppose him.

Upon hearing this, Qin Fang immediately decided to leave Yunxiang County and head to the capital.

Before leaving, Qin Fang held Yang Haiyan’s hand tightly and said, “I’m leaving now. I’ll leave the household in your care. Since Aunt Fan’s son-in-law acted so brazenly in public, and the other side is targeting me, their next move will likely be to come for me. I have to leave before they arrive. But once I’m gone, I’ll… be very worried about you.”

Yang Haiyan, however, seemed unfazed. “You don’t need to worry. The magistrate of Laiwang County is only a seventh-rank official, and even the prefect of Hedong is just a fourth-rank. I’m a Lady of the County, a third-rank title granted by the Emperor.

Whoever wants to act against me will need the Emperor’s decree. Besides, the thousand soldiers you took under your command aren’t to be trifled with.

But I’m more concerned about you. How many people do you plan to take with you to the capital? If the enemy is targeting us, what if they find out you’ve left and try to ambush you on the road?”

Qin Fang reassured her, “Don’t worry. I’m only taking two men with me.”

“But…”

“There won’t be any issues. Trust me.”

Seeing the determination in his eyes and the certainty in his voice, Yang Haiyan stopped pressing the matter.

This man was no longer the young Centurion he had been two years ago.

He had grown, had his own thoughts and judgments.

At just twenty-two, he had risen to the fifth rank and held military power in Yunxiang County.

His inner strength and authority were beginning to surface, his sharpness becoming evident.

Yang Haiyan had witnessed his growth.

She remembered when he was just a Centurion, worrying over saving a few coins.

She had seen him exhaust himself competing for a higher rank, and stay up all night reading to improve his knowledge.

She had seen him battle bandits for silver while leading the people of Yunxiang to resettle.

Though it all seemed simple, for a young man of twenty-two who had never shouldered such responsibility, the pressure was immense.

If not for the resilience forged through five years of military service, experiencing life and death, he might not have grown so quickly.

Thinking of all this, her eyes reddened.

But she didn’t want him to see her tears, knowing it might weigh on him during his journey to the capital.

She leaned into his embrace, holding him tightly with all her strength.

Qin Fang, thinking she was worried or reluctant to part with him, smiled as he gently stroked her head. “Yanyan, I’m truly fortunate to have married you. In this life, I will act with a good heart, accumulate good deeds, and ensure our fate extends across three lifetimes.”

Yang Haiyan didn’t reply, only tightening her embrace.

Qin Fang lowered his head and kissed her hair gently. “Alright, I have to go now. Don’t worry.”

It took Yang Haiyan a while before she released him, then she turned away. “You should go. I don’t want to watch you leave… I’ll miss you too much.”

She didn’t want him to see the tears streaming down her face.

Qin Fang wasn’t a fool.

Hearing her usually gentle voice so choked with emotion, he knew she had been crying.

But he didn’t expose her.

Clenching his fists, he reminded himself that he had to become even stronger, so no one could bully him, so that no one could lay a hand on him easily.

Only then could he give her a life free of worry.

For the first time, Qin Fang deeply craved power.

With that thought, he turned and left.

At just twenty-two, this young man from a remote village, who had joined the army at sixteen to take his father’s place, who had once been illiterate but within two years had mastered military strategy, set off on his journey to the capital.

His mind was filled with determination and resolve to meet the ruler of the nation.

Perhaps, from this very moment, the road to his glory had begun.

After a long time, Yang Haiyan turned around, but Qin Fang was already gone from sight.

“Lady of the County,” said Granny Lian, softly wiping away Yang Haiyan’s tears with a handkerchief.

Yang Haiyan asked, “Granny, how much has the Imperial Grain factory earned so far?”

As Yang Haiyan’s trusted servant, who managed the Qin family’s assets, Granny Lian knew the answer well. “It’s made 500 taels of silver,” she replied.

“It’s only been a little over a month, and the harvest of potatoes and sweet potatoes was limited this year. But by next year, when everyone plants them, the profits will be much higher.”

Yang Haiyan nodded. “And how much have we received from the county agents?”

Granny Lian answered, “There are four agents in the county and one in the prefecture.

Excluding Magistrate Yang’s share, we’ve received a total of 32,000 taels of silver.

Magistrate Yang’s family couldn’t afford the full 8,000 taels upfront, so they’re paying in installments.”

Yang Haiyan nodded again. “In the name of the General’s residence, announce that I will use the 32,000 taels and the 500 taels from the grain factory to build roads in Yunxiang County.

We will erect a monument along the road praising the Emperor’s benevolence, and the road will be called ‘Imperial Grain Road.’ Invite the public to help voluntarily with the construction. There won’t be a monthly wage, but food will be provided.”

Mama Lian was taken aback by the grand scale of this gesture.

But she never questioned her mistress’s decisions. “Understood.”

Yang Haiyan continued, “There’s no time like the present. I’ll write the announcement myself. Oh, and send someone to invite Magistrate Yang and his wife over for a chat. Ask them to spare a moment from their busy schedule.”

Granny Lian replied, “Yes, I understand.”