Fan Zehao gave a wry smile, rubbing her clever head. "Yes, not even a single hair is left!"
As for whether it was eaten, who could tell. At least there was no news from the capital. He even suspected if there were spies involved.
Why did they lose so many cities consecutively before receiving news? If it were any later, they would be at the doorstep of the Daogong.
Zhao Jiaqi's mind was in a complete mess. Seeing Xu Dong walk in, she suddenly remembered something important. "This time, when we go to the battlefield, let's leave Xu Dong behind to guard the house. Don't let him go."
Fan Zehao was still puzzled. Wasn't the plan to gain fame and return home? Why was he being asked to retreat temporarily now?
Before he could voice his question, Xu Dong spoke up first. "Sister-in-law, why can't I go? I've honed these skills. If I don't go to the battlefield to fight, how will I know if what I've learned is actually useful!"
"Xu Dong, listen to your sister-in-law. This war is no small matter. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to explain it to your father!"
Xu Dong turned his head away, angrily saying, "I'm a grown man, not a three-year-old child. How can I explain everything everywhere? Besides, my father and great-grandfather knew long ago that I was working under Big Brother. Going to the battlefield to protect our home and country, even if I die, it will be a worthy death. Father and great-grandfather will understand." Besides, wouldn't Big Brother be there too? He wouldn't be the last of the lineage.
On the contrary, he should be worried about Big Brother. He only had one daughter so far and no son. If anything were to happen, their lineage would truly end.
After Xu Dong finished thinking, he turned and rushed out of the mansion, shouting, "Big Brother, I'll wait for you outside."
Unable to persuade him, she turned to Zehao. "Husband, swords have no eyes. You must return safely. If possible, can you transfer him to a less dangerous post!"
"Where is there no danger in war? Just as he said, he has become a soldier and must have the courage to kill the enemy. If he dies, it means his skills are insufficient." Fan Zehao was very strict with Xu Dong.
In his eyes, retreating was cowardice.
If everyone thought like her, they might as well surrender directly. Then they would become slaves of a fallen nation. Would life be that good?
Even if they surrendered willingly, Zonghan would not think highly of them.
Instead, it would be better to fight to the death. Perhaps they would succeed, and even if they failed, they would become a hero whom Zonghan would admire.
On New Year's Eve, the festive atmosphere of the New Year in the entire capital was not strong at all. It was likely all due to the war at the front.
In the evening, the family prepared a table full of dishes, and a hot pot was served, with the wine warmed.
Zhao Jiaqi raised her wine glass. "For the first cup, I want to toast Father. If it weren't for Father and Big Brother's meticulous care of the greenhouse, we wouldn't have had a good harvest this year. Your daughter-in-law will drink first!"
Fan He's face broke into a smile. He raised his wine glass and drank it all in one go. "We are family, so there's no need for formalities. If it weren't for you in this family, we would still be crammed in that village, not having enough to eat or wear every day. This life is incomparable!"
"Mother, this cup is for you from your daughter-in-law. Thank you for your kindness and selfless contributions to this family over the years. You never complained about hardship or tiredness!"
Zhang Cuihua picked up her wine glass with a smile, and smilingly pressed her back into her chair. "Silly child, we are all family, why say such things!"
"I'm just reminiscing. These years have been bumpy. Not only have I not been able to let you enjoy life, but I've always made you suffer. I feel bad about it!"
Fan Guangping was drinking his wine and eating hot pot. A smile spread across his dark face, revealing a row of big white teeth. "Sister-in-law, what is 'enjoying life'? Enjoying life is for the dead. Father and Mother's limbs need to be active. As the saying goes, a hundred steps after a meal can live to ninety-nine. Our parents are aiming to live to a hundred and one!"
This remark made even Fan Xiaofeng find it reasonable, and he immediately ended the sentimental topic. "Big Brother is right. We must toast to a hundred and one years!"
Everyone raised their glasses together and chatted merrily until midnight. After eating the dumplings for welcoming the God of Wealth, they went their separate ways to rest.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the titled ladies needed to enter the palace to pay their respects to the Empress. However, Zhao Jiaqi was not a titled lady, so she was spared this chore and slept in.
Early on the second day of the new year, Huangfu Pingting ran out of the palace. Upon seeing Zhao Jiaqi, she rushed towards her and said, "Sister-in-law, Happy New Year! Give me a red packet!"
"How old are you, and you still want a New Year's red packet? Isn't that embarrassing!"
The princess was nonchalant, her little mouth pouting. "You promised that as the eldest sister-in-law, you would never short me on red packets, even after I got married. I'm determined to have it!"
Well, Zhao Jiaqi had found herself a sister-in-law who was like a stubborn piece of plaster.
The key was that she was only a cousin-in-law, not a proper eldest sister-in-law. When Fan Xiaofeng found a wife later, she would definitely find a way to shake off this plaster.
Zhao Jiaqi took out the red packet she had prepared long ago and handed it over. "You little rascal, here. Take it and keep it safe. Don't cry if you lose it!"
"I won't. I'll keep it very carefully!"
She didn't lack money, but she liked this kind of formality, especially being with her sister-in-law. She always felt a sense of family warmth, very loving.
She put the red packet into her embrace and deliberately patted it, then winked at Zhao Jiaqi with a triumphant smile.
Inside the mansion, the general's wife led the princess and Sisi to play Dou Dizhu. The three women got carried away, shouting and screaming in the room, playing "Four Twos," "King Bomb," and having a blast.
Wang Zhaodi took the two children to her courtyard to play. The children who were learning to speak would learn whatever they saw, for fear of being led astray by these people.
In the afternoon, Huangfu Pingting reluctantly left the general's mansion. Li Sisi held her hand and said, "Come find us whenever you have time. I'll make you cakes and milk tea!"
"Mmm, I'll come whenever I have free time!" Pingting also didn't want to part with Sisi. The two met too late and now wished they could live together.
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head. She watched this scene with a sour tooth and turned back to the mansion, letting the two women be affectionate there.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the mansion welcomed guests. The owners of four restaurants and Xie Kun arrived with two carts full of gifts.
After lunch, Zhao Jiaqi invited them to the study.
"I have something to tell you brothers."
Her serious expression made them slightly surprised. Murong Sheng said, "You say."
"The thirteenth of the first lunar month is the Emperor's birthday. After the thirteenth, I will go find Zehao. I'll be counting on you brothers to take care of things here!"
"What?"
Xie Kun was so shocked that he stood up from his chair. Without thinking, he refused her. "No, you can't go. The fighting is fierce over there. You, a woman, going to that place is simply risking your life!"