Fan Dongliang was not foolish. Upon hearing this, he knew she was alluding to something.
His eyebrows practically exploded with anger. "Great-granddaughter-in-law, put your mind at ease. I'll handle this. Who dares cause trouble for me? Don't say I won't deal with them!"
With the clan elder presiding, Zhao Jiaqi felt much more at ease.
She looked around the quiet house and didn't see her elder uncle or cousins.
"Has anyone in the family been chosen to join the army yet?"
Fan Dongliang sighed at her question. "Second son, Xudong, will go. He likes practicing with weapons and has trained with Zehao for a while. If he can't kill enemies, he can at least protect himself."
Other families would scramble to avoid conscription, but their family, on the other hand, was eager to go. They didn't have to worry about this issue.
"Dr. Qi Xuan has prepared a lot of hemostatic medicine. I'll send some to Xudong later, just in case!"
"You are indeed thoughtful. This household lacks a mistress. Your uncle has never remarried since your aunt passed away all these years. No matter what I say, he refuses. He's a stubborn old man!" Fan Dongliang sighed helplessly again.
If there were a woman to manage the household, he would be truly at ease.
Xiaofeng and Xudong were both of marriageable age, but now, with four men in the household, there were two bachelors.
With one daughter still unmarried, their family had become a major talking point in the village.
The town mayor, having met Fan Zehao in advance and heard about their family's situation, was extremely angry. He couldn't believe that such shameless elders existed in this day and age.
He repeatedly vowed that he would personally oversee the conscription of Fan Zhang's family members, ensuring no schemes could be carried out.
On the day of the assembly, Zhao Jiaqi personally escorted him to the town. This was her first time meeting the mayor.
"Sister-in-law, rest assured. No matter who it is, if they dare disturb your father-in-law's grave, I will make them fill the pit on the spot!" Sun Qirong patted his chest and guaranteed Zhao Jiaqi.
This was the so-called "one turnip, one hole."
Zhao Jiaqi was very grateful and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Town Mayor."
A moment later, the Ministry of War arrived. They wore shimmering armor and rode tall horses, exuding an imposing presence.
Stopping at the yamen gate, they looked down and spotted a strong man whose appearance and height matched the general's description. He raised his chin and asked, "Are you Fan Zehao?"
"I am!"
The representative from the Ministry of War took out a waist token and tossed it to him. "I am Cheng Feng, a参将 (lieutenant general) under the general. This is my token. Take a good look."
He could recognize the characters, but he didn't recognize the person. What use was it to look at this?
Fan Zehao threw the token back to him. He figured this person couldn't be fake, otherwise, why would they come to fetch him?
"What do you mean!"
Cheng Feng was stunned. Did this man have rocks in his head?
He had already introduced himself, and it was clear the general fancied him, meaning he was destined for a bright future. Yet, he still asked what he meant?
"It means nothing. Come with me!"
Cheng Feng, tired of wasting words, directly instructed Sun Qirong, "Prepare a swift horse for him. We shall depart!"
Sun Qirong nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, I'll go prepare it right away!"
For the first time in his life, he had seen such a high-ranking official as a 参将 personally come to escort a hunter.
Fan Zehao tightened his grip on her soft, tender hand and said reluctantly, "Let them do the dirty and difficult work. You just need to take good care of yourself. I'll be back."
"Mm!"
"If anyone in the village bullies you, don't indulge them. Fight back. If that doesn't work, release the wolves. If even that doesn't work, find the Town Mayor, Brother Sheng, or Brother Xie, and Godfather. In short, you cannot be wronged!"
Teary-eyed Zhao Jiaqi, hearing such domineering words, burst into a tearful smile. "When have I ever been one to be wronged? You, on the other hand, be extra careful on the battlefield. I'll take care of mother and the family. Don't worry, I'll wait for you to come back!"
As the two were engrossed in their tender farewell, Sun Qirong had prepared the swift horse.
He didn't want to interrupt their reluctant goodbyes, but someone was getting impatient.
"Fan Zehao, what are you dawdling for? Let's go!" Cheng Feng disliked this sort of sentimentality and shouted down at the people below.
Fan Zehao glared fiercely at Cheng Feng, then turned back to kiss her forehead. He slung his bag over his shoulder, mounted the horse, his movements fluid and handsome.
The man on horseback lowered his head, gazing deeply at his wife. Then, he followed Cheng Feng, galloping out of town without looking back, fearing that if he turned his head, he wouldn't be able to leave.
This touching scene was witnessed by Fan Zhang.
His sinister face contorted with a venomous glare. He was waiting for Fan Zehao to leave so he could deal with that little… *bitch*.
Fan Guangping, who had come to see them off, whispered in Zhao Jiaqi's ear, "I saw Fan Zhang leading a very unfamiliar man, seeing them off over there!"
She followed her elder brother's gaze and indeed saw him: a scrawny man who only knew how to smile foolishly. The two were currently acting out the reluctant farewell of father and son.
Immediately, she went to find the town mayor. "Brother Sun, Fan Zhang found a substitute. He only has one son and one grandson left, but neither of them is the right person!"
"Good heavens! He dares to play such a trick on me? Guards, thoroughly investigate Fan Zhang!"
He dared to switch people under his nose. Did he really think he was born yesterday?
Soon, Fan Zhang's sham son was exposed. The yamen runners directly went to Nanling Village to arrest him. Whether he agreed or not was irrelevant. Upon learning it was Fan Zhang's grandson, Fan Shurong, they immediately took him away.
Fan Fu, having gone to the neighboring village, managed to avoid capture. Upon returning home and learning his son had been taken for conscription, he felt an indescribable mix of emotions.
Wang Zhenzhu cried herself into a faint, while Zhang Hongqin was overjoyed.
Life returned to its usual tranquility. Those who ran businesses did so, and those who worked did their chores.
Only Li Sisi would come back to keep her company when she had free time, afraid she might overthink things alone at home.
"Sisi, I'll draw a pattern later, and you can make me a dress. I seem to have gained a little weight recently; my old clothes feel loose!"
Zhao Jiaqi touched her waist. She had gained a small amount of weight in over three months.
"Okay, sister-in-law. I'll have it done by tomorrow at the latest!" Sisi readily agreed.
Zhao Jiaqi didn't treat her as an outsider. She went to the storeroom to find the fabric Xie Kun had given them during the New Year and went to the study to draw a simple pattern.
After seeing Sisi off, she welcomed her elder sister-in-law, who, with her four-month-pregnant belly, walked with an energetic stride, not resting even in the heat.
"Sister-in-law, we have enough food and clothes now. Even like this, can't you do less?"
Wang Zhaodi flicked her sleeve, wiping the sweat from her face. "I'm destined to work; I can't stand being idle!"
She couldn't stand being idle. She worked from dawn till dusk. Fortunately, she had a strong constitution and a fiery temper. If it were her, she might…
Huh?
It seemed she hadn't had her period for a long time?
She had been drinking the conditioning medicine prescribed by Dr. Qi since February. It was now May, only three months. Her periods had been very regular during these months. Now, three months had passed since Zehao left, and she hadn't had hers for over three months. Could it be… she was pregnant?