MLMD -Chapter 215 Farewell

Seeing Shunbao shamelessly following behind Yue Yang into the inner courtyard, Chu Di—who had only arrived not long ago—watched their retreating figures with a mix of envy and curiosity, his heart full of questions.

He had witnessed what happened just now. Though Yue Yang had scolded Shunbao harshly, anyone could tell that Yue Yang actually treated him with considerable care. Otherwise, if it were anyone else daring to argue with Yue Yang so brazenly in public, even if Yue Yang didn’t punish him, he would certainly have been thrown out.

Noticing Chu Di’s gaze, Hai Lou smiled faintly, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly, “Alright, Lord Chu, stop envying him. Guard Yue grew up alongside our lord from childhood and served as his book boy for over ten years. With such deep ties, it’s naturally not something we can compare to. Being jealous won’t help!”

“Oh… no wonder,” Chu Di said.

Only then did Chu Di understand—so that was the connection! Off to the side, Chen Zhi and Wu Qing exchanged glances as well. So that was it—no wonder Lord Yue entrusted his foundations and stronghold to Shunbao for safekeeping.

…

Early morning, February 19th, Chongzhen Year Eight

After the Linglong sisters helped Yue Yang rise, they personally assisted him in putting on each piece of his armor. This set of armor had been specially customized by Yue Yang in modern times. Outwardly, it looked identical to the current armor worn by the Yingzhou troops, but it was forged from high-strength titanium alloy. Not only was it corrosion- and rust-resistant, its defensive capability and weight far surpassed armor made of refined steel.

Once the armor was secured, Yu Ling placed a warm woolen cap on Yue Yang’s head—standard equipment for officers and soldiers in his army. Finally, she draped a thick woolen overcoat over him, its outer layer a vivid crimson.

Yu Long squatted down to carefully tie Yue Yang’s bootlaces, then checked his weapons once more before slowly standing up. Her eyes were red as she looked at him, filled with reluctance and worry. She dared not say anything, but the sight made Yue Yang’s heart ache.

He reached out with his left arm to pull Yu Long close, and with his right arm embraced Yu Ling, gently kissing each of them on the lips. In a soft voice, he said, “Don’t worry. It won’t be long before your husband returns.”

Yu Ling forced a smile through reddened eyes. “This concubine and my sister believe that my husband is blessed by heaven. I’ll stay at home with Sister Hai Lanzhu and serve Mother well. Husband, just focus on campaigning outside—don’t worry about the household. By the time you return, perhaps there’ll already be a chubby, fair little boy waiting for you.”

“Maybe two?” Yu Long suddenly chimed in.

“Well, how could that—” Yue Yang began with a laugh, then suddenly froze. His gaze flickered back and forth between the two women, surprise mixed with joy.

Feeling the intensity of his stare, Yu Long cried out shyly, “It’s not me!”

As soon as her words fell, Yue Yang fixed his eyes on Yu Ling and exclaimed, “Ling’er, could it be you?”

“Mm…” Yu Ling’s neck flushed red with embarrassment. She buried her face against Yue Yang’s chest and whispered shyly, “These days… my monthly cycle hasn’t… hasn’t come. Yesterday I saw a physician, and he said it’s already been two… two months…”

Joy surged through Yue Yang’s heart. He wrapped his arms tightly around Yu Ling and reproached her tenderly, “No wonder you were so carefully guarding your belly last night. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Nestled in his arms, Yu Ling was so embarrassed she didn’t dare lift her head. In a voice as soft as a mosquito’s, she said, “I… I was afraid my husband wouldn’t enjoy himself. I haven’t even told the old madam yet.”

“You…” Yue Yang said softly.

He gently turned Yu Ling toward him, and in his overwhelming joy, kissed her forehead and lips repeatedly. Then he drew Yu Long into the embrace as well and said warmly, “My darlings, rest assured. Your husband will definitely return safely. Long’er, after I leave, Ling’er and Hai Lanzhu will depend on you. The burden on your shoulders won’t be light.”

Yu Long nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick. “Rest easy, husband. This concubine will make sure both sisters are taken care of until they’re plump and healthy.”

“Good.” Seeing Yu Long’s adorable expression, Yue Yang couldn’t help flicking her small, delicate nose. “Don’t be envious—next time, it’ll be your turn.” With that, Yue Yang strode out.

“Ah—!”

Now it was Yu Long’s turn to feel shy and flustered as she chased after him, both embarrassed and annoyed…

At the doorway, Yue Yang saw Hai Lanzhu—her belly already prominent—standing quietly in the hall, accompanied by Xiao Man and dressed in a pure white sable cloak. It was unclear how long she had been waiting. When she saw Yue Yang emerge, she smiled gently and stepped to his left, accompanying him alongside the Linglong sisters toward the main hall.

In the hall, the old madam—who rarely came out—was already seated, waiting. Two young maids stood behind her, massaging her shoulders, and the table was laden with a sumptuous breakfast.

Seeing Yue Yang, the old madam nodded lightly. “Yang’er, since everything is ready, accompany Grandma for breakfast.”

“Yes.”

Yue Yang sat down with Hai Lanzhu and the three sisters. The family quietly finished breakfast together. After Yue Yang drank two bowls of porridge and ate several steamed buns, he wiped his mouth and said to the old madam, “Grandmother, this time I’ll be campaigning outside. It may be as short as one or two months, or as long as half a year. I wouldn’t dare trouble you with household matters, but since both Hai Lanzhu and Ling’er are with child, there will be times when we must rely on your judgment. I leave the household in your hands.”

“Ling’er is with child too?” A trace of delight appeared on the old madam’s usually calm face. “Good… good! I was already overjoyed when Hai Lanzhu became pregnant. Now Ling’er too—this shows heaven is blessing our Yue family. The Yue family has heirs… heirs at last!”

After breakfast, the women put down their bowls and quietly stood.

Yue Yang stepped before the old madam. Looking at her snow-white hair, a wave of sorrow rose in his chest. He swept aside his crimson cloak and knelt with a thud, choking up. “Grandmother, your grandson is departing!”

The old madam’s eyes reddened as well. She said loudly, “Good grandson, go without worry and fight for the nation. Grandma’s old bones can still hold up. Our Yue family has passed down through farming and learning for generations, and now we’ve produced a general like you. Do not disgrace our ancestors’ name. Grandma will wait here for your triumphant return!”

“Grandmother, your grandson will remember!”

Yue Yang rose, swept his gaze across everyone, then strode out without looking back. Behind him were the family’s lingering, tearful gazes.

Hai Lanzhu gently walked to Yu Ling’s side, who could no longer hold back her tears, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, softly comforting her. “Sister, our husband is an eagle soaring in the heavens. Waging war is his destiny. As women, all we need to do is manage the household well and quietly wait for his victorious return.”

Yu Ling sobbed, “Thank you, Sister. I’ll remember.”

After bidding farewell to his family, Yue Yang was met at the gate by Chen Dazhi and a group of personal guards who had long been waiting. Taking the riding crop from Chen Dazhi, Yue Yang mounted his horse and galloped toward the city gate, followed by several hundred guards clad in enclosed Gothic armor.

The iron hooves rang crisply against the cement-paved road as the party raced toward the drill ground. Along the way, civilians lined the streets to see them off. By the time Yue Yang reached the drill ground, the surrounding area was packed with people, while the center was filled with ranks upon ranks of orderly troops ready for departure.

Yue Yang rode to the high platform in the southeast of the drill ground, where Shunbao was already waiting. Ascending the platform, Yue Yang heard Shunbao report loudly, “Reporting to the general! All nine thousand troops for the expedition are present. Please address the men!”

Stepping forward, Yue Yang looked down at the densely packed soldiers and their simple, reverent faces. A surge of heroic fervor welled up in his chest. These loyal soldiers were his foundation—the root that allowed him to stand firm in this world. He drew the long saber at his waist and shouted, “Brothers! Today we march to war—and we’re going beyond the passes to strike the Tatars! Do you have confidence?”

As soon as his words fell, thunderous shouts rolled across the ground like spring thunder: “Victory! Victory! Victory!”

Everyone roared at the top of their lungs, as though anything less couldn’t express their excitement. The cries of “Victory” rose higher and higher, as if piercing the heavens.

When the shouts gradually subsided, Yue Yang called out loudly, “Set out!”

With his command, units of cavalry moved out first, their synchronized hoofbeats echoing far and wide. As the army advanced, civilians along the road lit firecrackers. The deafening explosions rang out as countless people waved and cheered, every one of them shouting encouragement to the troops.

Seeing all this, Yue Yang felt deeply stirred. He knew this send-off was entirely spontaneous. Having been in Hunyuan Prefecture for less than a year, he had already earned such wholehearted support from the people. His eyes grew moist at the thought.

When Yue Yang reached the city gate, he saw Prefect Jiang Xin standing on both sides of the road with the officials of Hunyuan Prefecture, seeing him off. Yue Yang dismounted and walked over. Jiang Xin held up a bowl of wine and said loudly, “General Yue, I wish you a smooth journey and a triumphant return!”

Yue Yang took the wine and drank it down in one gulp. Then Academic Commissioner Liao Chunyu presented another bowl with a smile. “General Yue, this old man’s bowl of wine wishes you swift success!”

“Thank you for your auspicious words, Lord Liao!”

Yue Yang drained it as well, handed the empty bowl to someone nearby, mounted his horse, clasped his hands toward the crowd—and galloped forward without looking back…