Lin Hao thought for a moment and, maintaining a rigorous attitude, said, “That depends on what she uses—my mother prefers a whip.”

Qi Shuo: “…”

The main courtyard was the old lady’s quarters. Lady Lin spent most of her daylight hours there keeping her elderly mother company, which conveniently allowed Qi Shuo to meet them both at once.

“The Heir is here.” Lady Lin smiled warmly and told Qi Shuo not to stand on ceremony.

Ever since Qi Shuo had ventured into the mountains to rescue Lin Hao, Lady Lin had found her son-in-law increasingly handsome with his clear eyes and refined features.

As for her previous disdain for her son-in-law’s weak constitution? He was no longer weak at all—if he were truly frail, could he have entered the deep mountains and rescued Ah Hao?

Good-looking, deeply loyal, responsible—her daughter truly had good taste.

“Are His Highness and the Princess Consort well?” The old lady spoke the courteous words while inwardly guessing at Qi Shuo’s reason for visiting.

This kind of special visit to see the elders clearly meant something was afoot.

“My father and mother are both well. This junior has come today because there is a matter I must inform the old lady and my mother-in-law-to-be about.”

“What matter?” Lady Lin immediately asked.

The old lady glanced at her daughter helplessly.

This impatient temperament truly set her mind at ease.

“Today my father received an imperial decree—he must march north with the army immediately. This junior will accompany Father on the campaign.”

At these words, both the old lady and Lady Lin froze.

“The Heir is going too?” Lady Lin confirmed once more.

Qi Shuo lowered his eyes slightly, secretly anxious. “My mother is worried about Father going to the battlefield. Having this son-in-law accompany him will ease her mind somewhat. I only feel guilty toward my mother-in-law-to-be—the wedding date between Ah Hao and myself must be postponed again.”

Lady Lin waved her hand. “That’s of no consequence. When you return victorious, it will be a double celebration.”

This time it was Qi Shuo who froze.

Not only was she not angry, she seemed quite supportive?

He couldn’t help but look toward the old lady.

After the initial shock, a loving smile appeared on the old lady’s face. “Your mother-in-law is right. Postponing the wedding date is of no consequence. Take good care of yourself and His Highness in the north—returning safe and sound is most important.”

“Old Lady—” Qi Shuo stammered, suddenly finding himself at a loss for words.

The old lady smiled. “I know what you want to say. We promised Ah Hao to you, so naturally we hope for your long and lasting happiness, peace and joy. But with the nation in crisis, some things must be done—if not by you, then by others. If no one does them, if no young people do them, then in the future everyone will suffer. Since that’s the case, go without burden.”

Just as her old man had done.

Qi Shuo dropped to one knee. “This junior understands. This junior will return victorious soon and marry Ah Hao.”

“His Highness received the imperial decree suddenly, so the Prince’s mansion must be in chaos right now. The Heir surely has many matters to arrange—return early. Ah Hao, see the Heir out.”

“Yes.” Lin Hao agreed and accompanied Qi Shuo as he departed.

Only after the two young people had disappeared from sight did a sigh escape the old lady’s lips.

“Wanqing, arrange for the steward to buy as much grain as possible. The training of household guards and servants must not slacken either…”

Lady Lin nodded continuously as she listened to the old lady’s instructions, though her mood was crumbling inside.

She had no desire to handle these matters—she would rather train alongside those household guards.

Walking outside, Lin Hao’s face was full of regret. “I was hoping to see my mother’s whip display its might.”

“Ah Hao—” Qi Shuo called out helplessly, his hand hanging at his side reaching out to hold hers, his tone taking on more solemnity. “Rest assured, I will definitely return safely.”

How could he not know that Ah Hao’s feigned nonchalance was to set his mind at ease?

The hand he grasped stiffened for a moment, then relaxed and intertwined fingers with his.

“I know.”

Prince Jing’s mansion already lay before them. Lin Hao pushed at the slowing Qi Shuo. “Go busy yourself. Once you’ve prepared everything that needs preparing, we’ll eat together.”

“All right.” Qi Shuo raised his hand to smooth Lin Hao’s hair that had been tousled by the cold wind, then strode with large steps into the Prince’s mansion.

Unfortunately, that meal never materialized before the army’s departure.

General Xu’s troops had already departed some time ago and unexpectedly encountered a band of Qi army soldiers who had appeared from who knows where, wildly burning, killing, and plundering. They engaged in fierce combat with them.

When the urgent report reached the capital, Emperor Tai’an commanded Prince Jing to depart immediately—two days earlier than the planned date.

Qi Shuo waited outside the General’s Mansion in silver armor, using the time he had squeezed out to bid farewell to Lin Hao.

Lin Hao came charging out riding Lin Xiaohua.

“A’Shuo, you’re leaving already?”

Lin Xiaohua was a head shorter than the steed Qi Shuo rode. The excitement of finally carrying her master out to play again dissipated considerably when she met the big black horse’s astonished gaze.

This ugly beast is really huge—Lin Xiaohua felt both disdainful and envious, baring her teeth unfriendly at the big black horse.

Big black horse: ?

“Leaving immediately. I broke away from the column exiting the city to come back.” Qi Shuo looked deeply at Lin Hao, gripping the reins tightly. “Ah Hao, I’m going.”

“Take this.” Lin Hao stuffed a bundle into Qi Shuo’s hands. “Go quickly now—delay too long and you’ll risk military discipline.”

The bundle had been packed long ago, but regrettably there was still a pair of shoe insoles she hadn’t finished making.

“Yes.” Qi Shuo’s lips moved. He had a thousand words to say to the young woman before him, but in the end they transformed into just one sentence: “Wait for me to return.”

The steed shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

Lin Hao patted Lin Xiaohua, not letting her run too fast, yet unwilling to lose sight of that person, following all the way to the city gate where she watched the figure who never looked back, tears streaming down her face.

On the galloping steed, Qi Shuo’s thin lips pressed tightly together as he gripped the reins with force.

He knew that with one glance back he could see the girl he loved, but no matter how many times he looked it would never be enough. Since that was so, better to wait until his return to look again.

Lin Hao dismounted from Lin Xiaohua and silently led her back the way they came.

In the distance, a young man standing quietly came into her view.

“A’Xing?” Lin Hao walked over. “What are you doing here?”

A’Xing looked at the tear-stained young woman and didn’t answer that question, but instead asked, “Since you can’t bear to part with him, why not let him know?”

Lin Hao tilted her head with a smile. “No need to say it—he knows.”

They had walked hand in hand together from a tragic previous life—no third person could understand that feeling.

Lin Hao led Lin Xiaohua, walking side by side with A’Xing.

She appeared to have calmed down, but A’Xing could feel the heaviness of her mood.

Somehow, A’Xing felt a bit angry.

“You’re just being stubborn. You’re clearly worried sick, so why not stop him from going? Isn’t he a young prince?”

With such an exalted status, why would he put himself in danger? Weren’t the vast majority of nobles in the capital?

A’Xing thought Ah Hao was truly foolish.

“Even if I tried to stop him, he would still go.”

A’Xing frowned tightly. “He doesn’t even think of you—what do you like about him?”

The corners of Lin Hao’s lips curved upward. “Perhaps I like precisely the choice he makes in situations like this.”

A’Xing shook his head, indicating his inability to understand.

What if something happens to the Heir of Prince Jing—what will you do?

This question rushed to A’Xing’s lips several times but was ultimately swallowed back down in silence.

“Going to the Lin residence?” he asked.

Lin Hao nodded. The two of them and one donkey headed toward the Lin residence.