Yang Haiyan was not afraid to take her bracelet out; in a border area like this, there were essentially three types of people: Those in power, ordinary citizens, and those with money but without much power.

The powerful naturally wouldn’t care about a bracelet worth a thousand taels; they could afford it.

Would they really resort to forceful robbery?

The remaining two types of people wouldn’t dare target an officer either.

Thus, in Yongzhou, those with a connection to the Yonghe Marquis felt quite at ease.

Soon, three days passed, and it was the day of the centurion selection competition.

Due to the centurion selection, the military camp was especially lively today, with many soldiers from other squads gathered around to watch.

The competition was presided over by General Ao, who invited the heir of the Yonghe Marquis, as well as the captains of four other teams, to be witnesses.

This was the first time the Yong family army was selecting Captain through competition, hence the excitement.

General Ao announced, “The competition begins now. There will be ten participant competing in pairs; the loser will be eliminated, and the winner will continue. Let’s begin.”

The pairings were determined by drawing lots, numbered 1 to 5, with each number having two slips.

This meant that those who drew the same number would compete against each other.

The final five would continue to compete, with one getting a bye.

Although this was not absolutely fair, it was considered fair under the witness of the heir of the Yonghe Marquis and the four captains.

The contests in the camp were intense, and Yang Haiyan felt a bit nervous at the pastry shop.

In the novel, Qin Fang participated in the competition but did not make it to the end; he was eliminated in the second round due to the distractions caused by his marriage to the original owner, making him lose focus.

She wondered how this time’s competition would turn out.

After a long wait, it was finally dinner time when Qin Fang returned.

She rushed up to him, asking, “How did it go? Are you hurt?”

The hidden injuries of a martial artist could be severe, and she worried he might have been injured.

Seeing her anxious expression, Qin Fang took her hand and said, “I’m fine. We only went through the motions, so no one got hurt. At most, I just have some minor scrapes; it’s nothing serious.”

Yang Haiyan asked, “Really?”

Qin Fang led her inside the house, reassuring her, “Really, why would I lie to you? Yan Yan, you’re the only person in this world I would never deceive.”

They were meant to spend a lifetime together; how could he lie to her?

Seeing that he didn’t seem to be lying, Yang Haiyan sighed in relief and then asked about the competition, “How did it go? Any results yet?”

Qin Fang replied, “Not yet. This morning, there were ten competing to get down to five; this afternoon, they will narrow it down to three, and the finals will be tomorrow.”

Understanding, Yang Haiyan asked, “Who else, besides you, made it to the finals?”

Qin Fang answered, “One is Han Zhen, and the other is Comrade Yang. My biggest competitor is Han Zhen, but I will definitely fight for the captain position.” For you, for our future.

Yang Haiyan said, “Mm, I believe in you.”

However, she suddenly realized she had overlooked something.

In the novel, Han Zhen won the competition and became the captain, but before that, something important happened.

The female lead, Yang Dahua, had already made an impression in front of the heir’s wife, who was very grateful to her.

The incident involving Yang Dahua’s appearance seemed to be related to the heir’s son.

The Yonghe Marquis’s family guarded the border, preventing ambitious outsiders from coming in.

Thus, these outsiders turned their attention to the young master.

If the young master were kidnapped, the Yonghe Marquis and his son would surely lose their composure, and when enemy forces descended, they would be forced to choose between their country and their descendants, which could destabilize military morale.

However, this plan was disrupted by Yang Dahua.

When she visited the county town, she discovered clues and rescued the young master.

Yet at present, there was no news of the young master being kidnapped, nor had any word come from Yang Dahua about saving him.

The plot seemed to deviate from the novel’s storyline.

Or perhaps this matter was kept secret but had already occurred?

Unable to make sense of it, she chose not to dwell on it, knowing she would find out sooner or later.

However, she suspected that the chances of Yang Dahua rescuing the young master were slim, as she saw Yang Dahua almost every day without noticing anything amiss.

And since there had been no stir from the Marquis’s residence, it was very likely that the young master had not been kidnapped, indicating a divergence from the original plot.

---

The Next Day

Qin Fang went to the military camp early in the morning, and Yang Haiyan accompanied him to the entrance of the family quarters.

He waved to her and said, “It’s cold outside; you should go back.”

Although she was wearing a coat, her thin figure still made him feel a pang of concern.

The weather in mid-October was especially cold in the early morning, and he knew she was sensitive to the cold but still insisted on seeing him off.

With this thought in mind, Qin Fang felt he must secure first place today.

“Mm,” Yang Haiyan replied.

After returning home, Yang Haiyan drank a warm bowl of milk, tidied up a bit, and then heard a voice outside calling, “Is this the home of Qin Fang?”

When she went out to check, she saw officials from the post station.

The soldiers wore post station uniforms that had the words “Post Station” on them.

Yang Haiyan said, “This is the home of Qin Fang. May I ask if this official has business?”

The post soldier replied, “This is a letter for Qin Fang. I need to verify your identity with your documents. Please show them to me.”

“Just a moment,” Yang Haiyan responded and went to the study to fetch Qin Fang’s identity document.

After the soldier checked and confirmed that the document was in order, he handed the package to Yang Haiyan.

When she looked at the package, she noticed it had the seal of the post station from Qin Fang’s hometown in Jintian County, indicating it was sent from the Qin family.

In ancient times, things were different from the modern era.

Nowadays, one could directly call for urgent matters, but in ancient times, people could only write letters or rely on others to relay messages.

Thus, important matters could easily be delayed.

To avoid any holdups, Yang Haiyan decided to open the package.

Moreover, since it was sent by the Qin family, there was nothing in it she couldn’t see.

If it were a letter regarding military matters, she would have refrained from looking.

Upon opening the package, she found a small wooden box.

Inside the box was a letter and an item wrapped in red cloth.

Yang Haiyan unwrapped the red cloth to reveal a silver bracelet, which surprised her.

After putting down the bracelet, she read the letter.

“Dear Brother and Sister-in-law, hello! I am Shouye. This letter is written on behalf of Grandma, Father, and Mother. First, please rest assured that everyone at home is doing well… Sister-in-law, Grandma and Mother said that this silver bracelet is a betrothal gift from the Qin family to you, and they hope you won’t dislike it…”

After finishing the letter, Yang Haiyan picked up the silver bracelet again, feeling a warmth in her heart.

She had to admit that the Qin family had put in thought.

Looking at the round silver bracelet, which was engraved with goldfish, she noted that the craftsmanship was somewhat rough, but for the Qin family, this was probably the best betrothal gift they could offer.

In the countryside, this would be considered a rather generous betrothal gift.

Although Yang Haiyan couldn’t estimate the weight accurately, she knew the silver bracelet weighed about one tael.

One tael was equivalent to several months of expenses for some farming families.

The Qin family’s thoughtfulness was not just reflected in this gift but also in the fact that they prepared a betrothal gift.

Although her marriage to Qin Fang was a court-arranged one and was very formal, in common practice, it involved matchmaking and gifts to be considered complete.

By providing a betrothal gift, the Qin family, with the court as the matchmaker, made her marriage to Qin Fang more substantial.

Yang Haiyan extended her right hand and put on the silver bracelet.

Although it was not as luxurious or graceful as the jade bracelet on her left hand, having seen so many fine things in modern times, she knew that meaningful gifts were priceless.

Her heart warmed, and she felt a closer connection to the Qin family.

Since the Qin family was a bit far away, she decided to properly thank them when she returned next year.

Having such understanding and considerate parents for their children was indeed a blessing for her.

---

In the Military Camp

Qin Fang, bearing the pain from his injuries, walked out with Han Zhen.

After two days of competition, his body ached, but his heart was satisfied.

Han Zhen remarked, “I truly admire you; you really gave it your all this time.”

He, too, was someone who fought hard, but Qin Fang had outdone him.

He had lost by half a move this time.

Nonetheless, he was happy that his brother had become the captain.

Qin Fang smiled rarely and said, “Next time, you need to work harder.”

Unlike Han Zhen, he felt he had to fight for his wife, who was too wonderful; if he didn’t strive, how could he be worthy of her?

Han Zhen, hearing this, rarely put away his playful demeanor and replied, “Mm, I’ll work harder next time.”

If he didn’t improve, their distance would only grow, and that wouldn’t do.

“Hey… Qin Fang, look…” Just as he was about to say something, he saw Qin Fang running.

Yang Haiyan was standing at the entrance, looking towards them.

Han Zhen thought, how could Qin Fang not see his own wife?

Qin Fang ran up to her, wrapping her in his cloak. “What are you doing here? Since you’re here, why aren’t you in the carriage in this cold?”

Yang Haiyan smiled and said, “Because I thought, if it’s good news, I want to be the first to hear you say it; if it’s bad news, I also want to be the first to comfort you.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Fang met her gentle gaze and couldn’t help but lower his head.

Just as he was about to kiss her eyes, he stopped himself and glanced around at the surrounding soldiers.

Many of them had just finished their shifts, and there were quite a few people around.

He quickly pulled her into the carriage.

Once inside, he embraced her tightly and then kissed her forehead fiercely. “You’re so wonderful.”

She always brought him such joy.

Yang Haiyan looked at him, excited. “So, that’s good news?”

Qin Fang replied, “Yes, I won! Starting in November, I’ll be the thousand-man commander. I’ll have a salary of 800 coins, and I’ll give it all to you. Buy whatever you want.”

Hearing the boldness and boastfulness in his voice, Yang Haiyan softly said, “My husband is truly impressive.”

Qin Fang’s eyes were full of smiles. “So… where’s my gift?”

Yang Haiyan replied, “I’ll give it to you when we get home.”

Qin Fang looked forward to it.

Outside the donkey cart, Han Zhen called, “Bro, sis-in-law, take me along!”

Qin Fang snorted.

Yang Haiyan chuckled.

Uncle Hong and the others prepared to set off once Han Zhen got on the cart.

Zhang Baifu sprinted over, “Wait for me…”

By the time Comrade Lu came out, the cart was already far away.

Tonight, the Qin family was bustling with activity; the dinner was particularly lavish.

In fact, regardless of whether Qin Fang was promoted to thousand-man commander, this rich dinner had already been prepared.

If he was promoted, it would be a celebration; if not, it would be a form of encouragement.

The dinner was not just about the dishes; Yang Haiyan also prepared two taels of wine for him—not too much, just enough for him to enjoy, especially since he had to go to the military camp tomorrow.

After finishing the meal, Qin Fang sat there resting when a voice came from the doorway: “Is Master Qin Fang at home?”

Qin Fang was taken aback and hurried to ask, “Who is it?”

When he saw who was at the door, he was quite surprised. “Doctor Wang, what brings you here?”

The visitor was Doctor Wang, whom he had called on his wedding day when something happened to his wife.

Doctor Wang, in his fifties, appeared very kind, accompanied by a young apprentice. He smiled and said, “Madam Qin asked me to come over after dinner to check on Master Qin’s health.”

Qin Fang looked at Yang Haiyan, confused.

Yang Haiyan explained, “These past few days, with the selection for the thousand-man commander, you must have been quite intense during the trials. I was worried you might have hurt yourself without realizing it, so I invited the doctor to check on you. Furthermore, military officers work hard year-round and can easily sustain hidden injuries. It’s better to have a doctor examine you while you’re young so any issues can be treated early; otherwise, it might be too late when you’re older, and you’ll be the one suffering.”

Qin Fang listened, his voice hoarse as he looked at her. “Yanyan…”

His hoarse voice carried a hint of choked emotion; if he weren’t a strong man, he might have teared up at that moment.

After Doctor Wang examined Qin Fang, he wrote a prescription.

Qin Fang was still young and didn’t have any major health issues, but he did have some lingering injuries from a couple of years ago during the war.

Fortunately, they were minor and could be treated with a few doses of medicine.

Most importantly, he was young, and young people recover quickly.

Hearing this from Doctor Wang, Yang Haiyan also felt relieved.

In the novels she read, many military officers’ hidden injuries became critical issues in their old age, so she had to be cautious.

To this end, she had specifically consulted Doctor Wang about medicinal baths, hoping to improve Qin Fang’s physical condition.

Doctor Wang said, “The medicine for treating hidden injuries and the medicine for the medicinal bath can be taken together. Take the medicine in the morning and soak in the bath at night for better results.”

Yang Haiyan thanked him, “Thank you, Doctor.”

Doctor Wang’s medical skills were quite good; he was the most famous doctor in the town.

While he couldn’t compare to the skilled doctors in the county, he was enough for dealing with Qin Fang’s minor issues.

Doctor Wang replied, “You’re too polite, Madam.”

After seeing off Doctor Wang, Yang Haiyan hadn’t turned around before Qin Fang hugged her from behind.

Qin Fang was tall, and even with Yang Haiyan’s height of 162 cm, she appeared particularly petite next to him at 195 cm.

Yang Haiyan felt the warmth of his breath and joked, “The yard door isn’t closed yet; it would be embarrassing if someone saw us.”

Qin Fang said nothing, continuing to hold her.

He rested his chin on her shoulder, tilting his head to admire her profile.

Her features were soft and beautiful—she was the most wonderful woman he had ever seen.

But what made her most beautiful wasn’t just her appearance; it was her heart.

Qin Fang felt cared for and loved by her.

Just thinking about it made him feel satisfied and happy.

After a while, he muttered, “What’s wrong with that? We are husband and wife, gifted to each other by the court; it doesn’t get more proper than this.”

Yang Haiyan turned around in his embrace and met his deep, gentle eyes, which seemed to have a whirlpool drawing her in.

She tiptoed and kissed him on the jaw. “Be good, go take a bath; you need to prepare the medicine later.”

Then, taking advantage of his moment of distraction, she pushed him away.

Qin Fang was indeed stunned because she hadn’t kissed him in a long time.

But he quickly snapped back to reality and chased after her, calling, “Yanyan…”

He knew that the way couples interacted in other families wasn’t like this.

His grandparents, parents, and even uncles and aunts didn’t behave this way, but he enjoyed being with her like this.

Yang Haiyan said, “Go take a bath; Aunt Fan has already prepared the water.”

“Okay, I’ll go,” Qin Fang replied.

As he went to bathe, Doctor Wang’s apprentice delivered the medicine.

Yang Haiyan couldn’t prepare the medicine herself, so Aunt Fan took care of it.

When Qin Fang finished bathing, the medicine wasn’t ready yet, so he went to rest in his room.

He was indeed tired from the last few days and didn’t have much energy left.