Fan Zehao was deeply moved. After his adoptive father finished kowtowing, he personally helped him up.
“Why did you come to see me off yourself, adoptive father? You could have just sent someone. There was no need for you to make this trip!”
“I haven’t seen you and your wife for a long time, and I missed you dearly. I happened to know you two were here, and it’s not a long journey, so I came!” Wu Lifeng chuckled sheepishly after he spoke.
In old age, making money was no longer a pleasure in life. Instead, he missed his children more and more. Even just having a meal with them, without saying a word, made him very happy.
Getting more sentimental!
Zhao Jiaqi: “That’s perfect, then. Since you’re here, stay for a while longer. I’ll take you to visit the famous fruit towns nearby. You can eat all sorts of fresh fruits!”
Wu Lifeng knew his daughter-in-law wanted him to have fun and relax. He understood but didn’t say it out loud – that was the way of the world.
“Alright, then let my granddaughter and grandsons lead the way. It’s been a year since I last saw them. I wonder if my granddaughter has grown taller, and if Yaoyao and Sensen are still afraid of their big sister!”
When children were mentioned, his eyes sparkled, and the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously. They truly said that grandparents dote on their grandchildren, and the old saying was not wrong.
Among the three children, only Sensen was more sensible. If he was with his elder siblings, even the most sensible child would be led astray.
Zhao Jiaqi was frustrated. She waved her arm feebly, “Yu Meng is already eleven by Chinese reckoning, and she’s reached my chest. The two boys are nine, a bit shorter than their sister. It’s just that these three children are too mischievous. I’ve spanked them, scolded them, but nothing works. It’s so worrying!”
Wu Lifeng chuckled secretly. “It’s nothing for children to be a bit spirited. If they were listless, they’d either be sick or on their way to being sick. You’d be worried then. As long as they can distinguish right from wrong and know what they should and shouldn’t do, let the rest go!”
In his opinion, as long as the children were healthy, not foolish, and could read a few characters, that was enough.
Why should they put so much pressure on the children? The family wasn't lacking in food or clothing. They had money and status, and they weren’t relying on the children’s achievements for anything. Why make the children so tired?
Although he knew he was being selfish, he also felt sorry for the children.
Zhao Jiaqi didn’t want to agree with her adoptive father’s words, but what could she do?
Before she could finish speaking, the older ones led the younger ones and rushed into the reception hall in a swarm, panting and with fine beads of sweat on their foreheads.
They opened their arms and threw themselves into Wu Lifeng’s embrace, calling out affectionately, “Grandpa, do you miss Mengmeng!”
He was so delighted that he grinned widely, his missing teeth clearly visible.
Zhao Jiaqi took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, telling herself not to be jealous. Her own children would eventually be close to her.
However, the loving grandfather and grandchildren didn’t know how to show restraint. The couple, who were on the verge of being angered to death, gave the space to the elder and the three youngsters.
Walking out of the reception hall, Fan Zehao held his wife’s soft, tender hand. “The children are growing up, and they’ll fly away sooner or later. They’re used to it now, and they won’t be reluctant to leave in the future. Look at it positively.”
“That’s true, but I still feel uncomfortable!”
How could a father understand a mother’s reluctance?
But she also didn’t understand what a father felt – the pain of seeing the treasure they held in their hands being “plucked” by a pig.
Oh well, let nature take its course!
The couple decided to have a romantic day. They went to the trade city to check on things, and in the evening, they went shopping and ate street food. Such scenes hadn't happened since her husband joined the army.
Just like that, many years had passed, feeling like a different lifetime.
Tired from shopping, Fan Zehao carried his wife back to the royal manor.
The moment they entered, Xiao Ce rushed over. Fan Zehao subtly raised an eyebrow, put down his wife, and asked, “Why are you here?”
At this time, he should be in the capital, in charge of its security. How could a commander of the Imperial Guards leave the capital so casually?
Xiao Ce took out a memorial from his chest and handed it to Fan Zehao. “Your Majesty, according to intelligence from Jin spies, Jin has made unusual moves. The Prime Minister has ordered me to rush here with this secret memorial, not daring to use carrier pigeons!”
What had happened?
It had reached a point where carrier pigeons couldn’t be used?
Fan Zehao scanned the memorial, reading three lines at a glance. He quickly understood what was happening. A smile curved his lips, filled with disdain, contempt, and mockery. Grinding his molars, he said, “I was afraid he wouldn’t show himself. Now that he’s revealed himself, let’s cut the weeds and eliminate the roots!”
A grasshopper after autumn, it’s time for it to stop hopping!
The study.
Zhao Jiaqi was like an ant on a hot pan, pacing anxiously.
Xiao Ce’s voice reached her ears: “Jiang Ke, in order to avenge his father, is actually selling out his country. He’s colluded with Jin to launch a pincer attack and swallow Yun. He’s not afraid of choking on it!”
Whether Jiang Ke would choke was unknown, but now that Jin had made unusual moves and colluded with the deputy general stationed at the western border, it was equivalent to holding a knife to Fan Lao Er’s throat.
His fief was in the west!
If only he had known that Deputy General Yang Yinghua of the Wolf Division was a traitor, he should have let Xiao Ce be the deputy general back then.
“My husband, send a letter to Lao Er. While they’re not paying attention, have Pingting and the children retreat quickly.”
Xiao Ce looked at the Empress and then at the Emperor. The Prime Minister’s intention in sending him was the same, but the main objective was to kill Yang Yinghua and for him to take over as deputy general.
The Prime Minister’s intentions were also written in the memorial, and Fan Zehao understood this.
However, if Pingting and the children left now, it would implicitly tell Jin that they knew about Yang Yinghua’s dealings with Jin.
No, once the family members left, the border would be even more dangerous!
“That’s not advisable. They cannot leave. Send two teams of special forces soldiers to protect Pingting and the children. Xiao Ce, take my token and go to the inner city to mobilize troops and prepare to support General Fan!”
Fan Zehao calmed himself and wrote two letters. One was to Fan Xudong, telling him to do everything he could to capture Yang Yinghua on the spot. If he couldn’t be captured alive, then capture him dead.
The other letter was to Zong Han. Since Jin was so impudent, they should divide it and expand their territory, and at the same time, kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, so that some countries wouldn’t think too highly of themselves and cause trouble.
In just over ten years, there had been wars every few years. If he wasn’t tired of it, Fan Zehao was.
As the leader of the special forces soldiers left with the letters, Zhao Jiaqi’s heart was half relieved, and the other half was focused on the west, on Fan Lao Er and Pingting.
The next day, traveling light, Zhao Jiaqi led the children directly back to the capital.
Xiao Ce went to the inner city to muster troops, preparing to go to support Fan Xudong.
Fan Zehao disguised himself and went directly to Fan Lao Er’s fief. At this time, if he were asked to abandon Fan Lao Er, he would absolutely refuse to do such a thing.
The three of them split into three paths and went their separate ways.