Chapter 439: Chapter 439: Guarding the Border
"It’s a deal!"
As if afraid he’d go back on his word, Ye Yunfeng immediately nodded.
"You promised me yourself!"
Feng Zhang felt like he’d been put in check.
Looking at the triumphant expression on the boy’s face, he felt inexplicably annoyed.
"Are you that confident your sister will agree?"
He was only thirteen, after all—still just a boy. Could Ye Chutang really rest easy letting him go to the border?
But a bold smile played on Ye Yunfeng’s lips.
He said,
"My sister knows my heart. Of course she’ll agree!"
...
It was dusk by the time Ye Yunfeng got home.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he heard Ye Chutang giving instructions to a servant.
"Stew the crystal pork knuckle until it’s extra tender. A Feng likes it that way."
Warmth spread through Ye Yunfeng’s chest.
He hurried forward. "Sister! I’m back!"
Ye Chutang was gathering some herbs that had been left to dry in the sun.
"Did you get everything done?"
Ye Yunfeng’s steps faltered for a moment.
Hearing his voice, Xiao Wu suddenly peeked out from behind a screen.
She was clutching several white porcelain bottles, and a faint, bittersweet scent of herbs clung to her.
It looked like she was busy sorting, grinding, and packaging herbs.
The faint aroma of dinner mingled with these familiar scents, creating an exceptionally comforting atmosphere.
Ye Yunfeng let out a long breath.
This utterly ordinary scene was, to him and to all of them, incredibly precious.
"Just about,"
he said as he stepped inside. He came to Ye Chutang’s side and naturally took the items from her hands.
"Sister, let me get that!"
Glancing at the herbs, Ye Yunfeng asked casually, "Sister, what made you decide to work on these today? I thought we still had plenty of medicine at home."
Ye Chutang nodded. "We do. But I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had the time. Since I was free today, I figured I’d prepare some more to have on hand."
Although she hadn’t opened a clinic since returning to the capital, Ye Chutang’s reputation preceded her, and many people still came to their door seeking medicine.
Ye Yunfeng chuckled, but his hands didn’t stop as he meticulously put everything away.
Ye Chutang sat down nearby, resting her chin on her hand as she watched him for a moment. "You recognize quite a few herbs now."
"Of course!"
’After being around my sister for so long, I’ve learned just by watching.’
Ye Yunfeng, wondering how to bring up his topic, glanced around. "Sister, where’s our third brother?"
"Copying your schoolwork for you, I assume." Ye Chutang tilted her chin, and sure enough, Ye Yunfeng saw a silhouette at the window, brush in hand.
He coughed guiltily.
Even though he’d taken the day off, the assignments hadn’t lessened. He had to turn them in to the Assistant Teacher tomorrow when he returned to the Imperial College.
’It must be tough for my third brother, having to imitate my chicken-scratch handwriting.’
Ye Chutang gave him a thoughtful look.
"What is it? Is something on your mind?"
Ye Yunfeng froze.
’Even though I boasted so confidently to the Lord Master that my sister would definitely agree...’
’...the hardest part is actually bringing it up!’
"I..."
Ye Yunfeng scratched his head, the words caught in his throat.
Ye Chutang didn’t seem to be in any hurry. She turned and told Xiao Wu she could stop once she finished bottling the last of the herbs.
Once she was done, Xiao Wu scampered off to wash her hands—she could already smell dinner!
Ye Yunfeng coughed. "Why is dinner so lavish tonight?"
Ye Chutang glanced at him.
"Have you forgotten? Your and Xiao Wu’s birthdays are almost here."
His was at the end of the tenth month, and hers was at the beginning of the eleventh, only two days apart.
So they always celebrated their birthdays together.
Ye Yunfeng pursed his lips.
Only he and his sister were left in the room.
Outside, a biting north wind seemed to blow past, sending the last few withered leaves spiraling to the ground.
Ye Yunfeng took a deep breath and looked at Ye Chutang.
"Sister, I actually went to see the Lord Master today about something."
Ye Chutang looked up, her interest piqued. "Oh?"
He summoned his courage and said, word by word,
"I want to join the army."
The words out, his heart was in his throat, but his sister’s reaction was nothing like he’d expected.
She just gave a soft "oh."
Ye Yunfeng grew anxious.
’Does she think I’m joking?’
He explained in detail, "I’ve already spoken with the Lord Master. He’s leaving for Xia City the day after tomorrow, and I’m going with him."
Ye Chutang’s brows arched slightly.
"Xia City?"
"Yes."
Once he started, the rest of the words came much more easily.
Ye Yunfeng recounted the gist of his conversation with Feng Zhang from earlier that day.
"...at first, the Lord Master refused, but when he saw how determined I was, he relented. He said that as long as you agree, Sister, he’ll let me go with him."
After blurting it all out, Ye Yunfeng waited anxiously for Ye Chutang’s response.
The room fell utterly silent, as if even the air had stopped moving.
Finally, Ye Chutang asked, "Have you thought this all through? Xia City is a remote place with harsh conditions. If you go, there’s no telling when you’ll be back. More importantly, you could lose your life at any moment."
’Joining the army to guard the border isn’t so simple.’
’The hardships and dangers involved are beyond what an ordinary person can imagine, let alone endure.’
Ye Yunfeng met her clear, piercing gaze, and his initial excitement slowly faded.
After a long moment, he gave a solemn nod.
"Yes. I’ve thought it through."
’When it comes to scholarship, I’m no match for my third brother. Even if I study at the Imperial College for a few more years, I’ll never distinguish myself.’
’Joining the army is the fastest path for me—and the one that suits me best!’
’I can’t just stay under my sister’s protection anymore, letting her shoulder every burden for us.’
"Sister."
Ye Yunfeng’s expression grew serious. The immaturity in his features had given way to a new maturity, revealing an innate, unyielding wildness, like a sword on the verge of being drawn, its edge already glinting.
"I want to go."
Their eyes met.
Ye Chutang stood and carefully studied the young man before her.
Unlike the frail boy she remembered, he had truly grown up over the past few years.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door.
Ye Jingyan looked at the silent pair in the room and keenly sensed that something was amiss.
"Sister, A Feng, it’s time for dinner."
His arrival broke the silence.
Ye Chutang turned her head. "You’re just in time. A Feng was just telling me he wants to go to Xia City to join the army."
Ye Jingyan froze. "What?"
A faint smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips.
"I’ve already agreed."
For once, Ye Jingyan’s eyes widened in astonishment. "What?!"
He was usually so mature for his age; seeing such a look on his face was a rare sight that Ye Chutang found rather amusing.
Meanwhile, after a brief, stunned silence, Ye Yunfeng finally came to his senses and jumped to his feet excitedly.
"Really?! Sister, you really agree?!"
Ye Chutang looked at him, amused. "Why? Did you come to me hoping I’d say no?"
"Of course not!"
Ye Yunfeng denied it at once, a torrent of emotion surging through him.
’I had a feeling she would agree, but I never expected her to say yes so readily!’
’It all happened so fast, I can barely process it.’
"I... I’m just so happy—"
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