Chapter 825: I Want to Join the Army
The household had received the news early on, and once Yun Jiao got out of the carriage, Cai Ping, Hui Xiang, and Lin Qiao all came out to greet her, along with the newly arrived Housekeeper Wang.
The few servant girls couldn’t help but cry upon seeing Yun Jiao.
Yun Jiao comforted them softly with a few words, then stepped inside.
Cai Ping quickly wiped her tears away, "Let me hold the little master."
Yun Jiao asked as she walked, "Where is Ruru?"
Lin Qiao replied, "The wet nurse is with her; she is probably asleep by now."
Yun Jiao thought for a moment and said, "Move Ruru’s things to my courtyard later, and from now on, Lin Qiao will manage the affairs in Ruru’s room."
Ruru is so young and has already lost her mother; I cannot let Ruru be merely looked after by the servant girls and wet nurse. Naturally, I must personally take care of Ruru.
Lin Qiao quickly agreed.
Housekeeper Wang reported to Jiang Youzhi, "After Aunt Chen arrived in Xiang City, I arranged for them to stay in the backyard, but Aunt Chen was unwilling to stay in the Duke Mansion and spent the night at an inn."
"I had no choice and arranged for them to live in another house the next day."
Jiang Youzhi nodded and said nothing.
Now that the Duke Mansion is without a hostess, Mrs. Chen naturally cannot move in.
"I’ll go and see them in a bit, arrange for a carriage."
Housekeeper Wang agreed quickly and went to make the arrangements.
Yun Jiao and Jiang Youzhi first went to see Ruru.
Ruru was indeed asleep.
The two tiptoed out of the room, got into the carriage at the second door, and headed towards Mrs. Chen.
Mrs. Chen and the others were currently residing in a two-courtyard house. Housekeeper Wang had arranged for a middle-aged couple to live here, along with their son and daughter.
The man usually helped with the household labor, fetching water and chopping wood.
The woman helped with cooking and some other chores.
The son acted as a servant for Liu Lang, while the daughter, only about ten years old, stayed indoors and took orders from Mrs. Chen and San Ya.
When Yun Jiao and the others entered the gate, Liu Lang was practicing swordplay in the courtyard.
Jiang Youzhi’s eyes flickered, but he said nothing.
Liu Lang saw the two of them and quickly sheathed his sword, calling out, "Third Brother, Sister Jiao Jiao."
Mrs. Chen heard the voice and hurried out, "Oh my, you’re finally back. I’ve been so worried."
"Come, sit inside."
She spotted You Er at once and took him joyfully, "Ah, this child is born so well, truly the offspring of San Lang."
Yun Jiao glanced at Jiang Youzhi, pressing her lips into a smile.
Mrs. Chen had always been very kind to her, treating her no different from her own daughter. Today, she finally showed her stance as a mother-in-law, with her grandson’s good looks all credited to her son.
The group went inside and talked about their journey, while Liu Lang stood by, several times hesitating to speak.
Jiang Youzhi glanced at him, "What is it, do you have something to say?"
Liu Lang gave Jiang Youzhi a cup-hand salute, "Third Brother, I want to join the army."
Mrs. Chen’s face suddenly changed at hearing this, "What nonsense are you talking about? You’re the only male in the family now; you’re needed for the ancestral lineage! You are forbidden to go!"
Liu Lang defiantly said, "Mother, even if you stop me, I still want to go."
"Had it not been for waiting for Third Brother to return, I would have gone already."
Mrs. Chen was exasperated, "This child, the older you get, the more stubborn you become!"
"It’s not that Mother insists on stopping you, but we only have you left in the family. You’re growing up; Mother depends on you to keep the family name. You don’t even consider it; if you go, who will look after me and your sister at home?"
At this moment, San Ya emerged from the side room and suddenly said, "Mother, if Liu Lang wants to go, let him go."
"I am here at home; don’t worry, Mother. I won’t marry; I’ll stay and look after you."