Upon returning to the inn, Yan Ge, Huangfu Yuchen, Gao Feng, and Gao Yun cleaned up and changed into regular clothes before entering Wei Hao’s room.
“Are you leaving?” Wei Hao asked knowingly.
“Indeed. We came to bid farewell to Captain Wei,” Yan Ge replied.
Wei Hao nodded.
“When do you plan to return to the capital?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
“We’ll leave today,” Wei Hao answered.
Yan Ge clasped his fists and said, “I wish you all a safe journey. Until we meet again.”
“Until we meet again,” Wei Hao responded.
After Yan Ge and his group left the inn, they went to meet Yan Jin.
Yan Jin was pacing at the entrance of the inn, but when he saw them, he quickly approached.
“Father, you’re back! Come and see Tiantian,” Yan Jin said eagerly.
“What happened to Tiantian?” Yan Ge asked worriedly.
“He seems to have realized that his mother has left him. He silently sheds tears, but he doesn’t cry out. It’s so distressing to watch,” Yan Jin shook his head.
“I see. As long as he’s not sick, it’s fine,” Yan Ge sighed with relief, walking faster. He also transformed back into his original appearance after making sure no one was around.
As they entered the room, Yan Xiangtian, who was being hugged by the nurse, noticed them and tearfully called out, “Uncle…”
Yan Ge immediately picked him up and comforted, “There, there, don’t cry. Uncle is here.”
The little one’s sobbing turned into laughter as he wrapped his little arm around Yan Ge’s neck and gently pulled at his hair, amusing himself and forgetting his previous distress.
Yan Ge chuckled, wiping away the tears. He took out some tasty snacks and fruits from the system’s backpack, placing them in a delicate bamboo basket on the bed.
“Little Jin, you can feed Tiantian with a spoon if he wants to eat fruits,” Yan Ge instructed.
“I understand,” Yan Jin replied.
Huangfu Yuchen stood by the window, looking out at the street absentmindedly.
“What are you thinking about?” Yan Ge walked over and hugged him from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “I’m thinking, if we could hire martial artists from the martial world to teach the soldiers in the military camp, would they be willing to do it?”
Yan Ge’s eyes lit up, “That’s a good idea! However, martial artists from the martial world seem to naturally avoid mingling with the imperial court’s people. It might not be easy to persuade them.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded in agreement, “But the court has never targeted martial artists from the martial world these years. I believe it’s worth a try. There will always be someone willing among a thousand people.”
“I support you!” Yan Ge encouraged, planting a kiss on his cheek. Leaning against the window, he continued, “Today, I carefully observed the bandit cavalry from the Mai Kingdom. Perhaps due to growing up on the grasslands, their physical strength is generally stronger than our soldiers. Leaving aside the special forces, if the ordinary soldiers from the Mai Kingdom and our ordinary soldiers were to fight one on one, our soldiers might not be their match.”
Huangfu Yuchen admitted, “That’s why I thought of using the martial artists’ help. But I still need to think about the specifics.”
“I just want to remind you that no matter what approach you take, don’t hurt the martial artists’ pride,” Yan Ge cautioned.
“I will be careful,” Huangfu Yuchen turned around and kissed him back. “I’ll let you know when I’ve thought it through, and you can give me your input.”
“No problem.”
After finishing lunch, Gao Feng prepared the carriage, and the group set out after reestablishing their disguises and left the city.
Wei Hao and his team also planned to leave. They coincidentally saw Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen riding horses alongside a familiar carriage, confirming their previous guess—they were indeed together.
“I didn’t inform my big brother about coming to Xiguan Pass, nor that I was coming with Tiantian. I bet he will be very surprised,” Yan Ge laughed while riding on the horse.
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “If you hadn’t told him about his wife giving birth to a son for him, he would have been even more shocked.”
“That’s impossible. Even if I didn’t tell him, my parents would,” Yan Ge said.
The journey was smooth, and five days later, the group arrived at Xiguan Pass.
Before they even got closer, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen saw a massive stone statue facing east at the city gate, about four or five people tall. Several soldiers dressed in armor stood proudly, some wielding long spears, some mounted on warhorses with raised swords as if they were about to fight to the death. Their unwavering gazes stared straight ahead, earning them great respect from the people. Almost every citizen entering the city would fold their hands and bow before passing through the gate.
Huangfu Yuchen expressed satisfaction, saying, “Cao Zhan did a good job.”
“The changes in the city must be even more significant,” Yan Ge commented.
“We have arrived at last,” Yan Jin hopped off the carriage, “Father, can we stay longer in the city this time? The rushed journey was so boring.”
Yan Ge also dismounted, “We can stay longer this time. Auntie Zhai, is Tiantian awake?”
“Little Young Master just woke up and is hungry now,” Auntie Zhai replied from inside the carriage.
“Let him eat first.”
The group lined up and entered the city. The changes inside the city were indeed substantial, it had become much more bustling since their last visit. The streets were filled with people and carriages, and the vendors’ voices calling out their goods were constant.
The lifelike sculptures occasionally seen on the streets had become a unique feature of Xiguan Pass.
Gao Feng took the lead and found an inn. After everyone freshened up, they proceeded to General Cao’s mansion.
Yan Xiangtian was led by Yan Jin, walking slowly as he looked around curiously. Everything around him seemed novel and exciting.
At the entrance of the General’s mansion, four soldiers stood guard.
Gao Feng approached them, saying, “Brothers, could you please announce that General Cao’s old friends, Master and Madam Fang have come to visit?”
“Please wait a moment,” one of the soldiers turned and ran inside.
After a short while, Cao Zhan hurried out and was startled to see Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen. He quickly approached and bowed, “Young Master Fang, Madam Fang, please come in!”
Once they entered the hall, Cao Zhan lifted his robes and knelt down.
“I pay my respects to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor! Greetings to Yan Guiqing!” he greeted Huangfu Yuchen and then turned to Yan Ge, “Please forgive me for not welcoming you promptly. I had no idea when His Majesty and Yan Caiqing would grace us with their presence. I beg Your Majesty’s pardon!”
“Uninformed people cannot be blamed. There’s no need to apologize,” Huangfu Yuchen said. “Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Cao Zhan stood to the side.
Yan Ge asked, “General Cao, do you know how my elder brother is doing lately?”
In response, Cao Zhan said, “Master Yan is doing well. Not long ago, he was promoted to the rank of military officer. Apart from me and Feng Zhun, no one else knows his true identity. His promotion to military officer was solely based on his own efforts.”
Military officer? Yan Ge looked to Huangfu Yuchen for clarification.
Huangfu Yuchen patted his head and explained, “In short, a military officer is responsible for managing an army, which consists of five divisions and a total of 12,500 soldiers.”
“I see.” Yan Ge felt happy for Yan Su’s progress and said, “Please ask General Cao to inform him of my arrival. Since he wants to conceal his identity, let him come to Rongchang Inn to see me.”
“Yes, I will arrange for someone to do so,” Cao Zhan replied.
“Yuchen, you can discuss official matters with General Cao. I’ll return to the inn first,” Yan Ge told Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen nodded.
Yan Ge then took Yan Xiangtian and Yan Jin back to the inn.
“Tiantian, you’ll soon meet your father. Are you excited?” Yan Ge teased Yan Xiangtian.
“Excited!” Though Yan Xiangtian had never met Yan Su, his family often mentioned “father” to him, so the word was not unfamiliar.
Shortly after, someone knocked on the door.
Yan Ge opened it, and a young man with a copper-colored complexion and stubble around his mouth walked in with a pleasantly surprised expression.
“Second Brother!”
“Big Brother.”
The two brothers embraced each other.
Yan Ge looked Yan Su up and down, smiling, “You have completely become a military officer now. I fear that when you return home, our father and mother wouldn’t be able to recognize you.”
The previous Yan Su, while not quite described as weak and bookish, had an air of scholarly refinement. However, the Yan Su before him now had been tempered by the military camp, exhibiting a strong physique and a chilling aura, exuding the atmosphere of a seasoned soldier.
Yan Su also smiled, “It’s not as exaggerated as you say. How are Father and Mother?”
“They’re both doing well, as is my sister-in-law.” Yan Ge teased him.
Yan Su sighed lightly, “I owe her an apology.”
“Don’t worry, she doesn’t feel that way. Here, take this.”
Yan Su was about to ask “what,” when he suddenly found something soft in his arms. He looked down and suddenly met a pair of innocent, grape-like black eyes, and he froze in surprise.
“This, this… this is, is…” He unconsciously loosened his grip, awkwardly holding Yan Xiangtian and speaking incoherently, fearing that he had guessed wrong.
Yan Ge nodded with a smile.
“My son!” Yan Su lifted the little one up, tears in his eyes, “He’s my son! He looks exactly like me!”
Yan Ge found it amusing. He knew that at this moment, Yan Su probably couldn’t hear any external sounds. Instead of getting involved in their exchange, he sat down and poured two cups of tea.
“Look at these eyes, they’re just like mine; the forehead resembles mine; the nose too! Second Brother, do you see? Especially his chin, it’s just like mine!”
Yan Su planted a kiss on Yan Xiangtian’s tender face.
Unexpectedly being held in the arms of a stranger, Yan Xiangtian burst into tears. His face was also stung by the stubble, and he immediately vented in grievance, “Waa…”
“Hahaha! Even his loud voice is just like mine when I was a child!” Yan Su laughed heartily, “Son, I am your father! Give me a smile.”
Yan Ge looked on with an expression of speechlessness. “He’s not familiar with you yet; you shouldn’t scare him.”
“How could I scare him when I’m his father?” Yan Su evaded Yan Ge’s hands and said, “Don’t hold him; I’ll familiarize myself with him.”
“Uncle…” Yan Xiangtian pouted, his eyes following Yan Ge, and both chubby arms reached out to him, looking adorable and melting hearts.
Yan Ge knew that Yan Su had little time with his son, so he had to muster the heart to ignore Yan Xiangtian.
“Big Brother, take him outside for a walk and find some fun things to entertain him,” Yan Ge suggested.
“Yes, that’s a good idea.” Yan Su held Yan Xiangtian and turned to leave.
Yan Ge instructed the maid that came with them, “Qing Xue, follow them discreetly and avoid showing yourself unless necessary.”
“Yes.”
After half an hour, Yan Su returned with Yan Xiangtian who was happily playing with a drum in his arms. It was evident that a certain bond had formed between father and son, perhaps due to a natural connection between them.
Yan Ge felt relieved.
“Second Brother, thank you,” Yan Su expressed his gratitude. It would take at least half a month to travel from the capital to Xiguan Pass. During this time, his son not only didn’t fall ill but also maintained his chubby arms and legs, making him look like a lotus root joint. This demonstrated how carefully and thoughtfully his younger brother took care of him. There were no words to describe how he grateful he was.
“There’s no need for thanks between brothers.” Yan Ge then asked about Yan Su’s recent experiences.
Yan Su recounted everything. He had no reason to hide anything from Yan Ge; even the few minor injuries he had suffered, which were not mentioned in the letters, were shared.
If one wanted to climb up the ranks in the military camp, they could only rely on solid achievements, or else they wouldn’t gain recognition. Since arriving at Xiguan Pass, he had participated in several operations against bandits and even engaged in a small-scale war with the Mai Kingdom, which had gradually led to his promotion to a military officer.
