The setting sun was sinking below the horizon, and a carriage arrived outside the military camp.
"Grandfather, look who's here?"
Su Huan, who had been discussing official matters with his generals, furrowed his brow. Since when had Yu become so restless? He was about to reprimand him when he saw him escorting the pale-faced Su Yu, walking slowly.
"Yu!" "Yu!" "Elder Brother!"
Su Huan, Su Li, and Su Yu cried out in unison. "Yu, are you alright?" Su Huan was about to pat him on the shoulder but hesitated, worried that his health had not fully recovered, leaving his arm hanging in the air.
"Grandfather, Elder Brother is fine now. The medicine brought by Little Five Brother worked wonders," said Su Qian as he entered and paid respect to his elders.
"Yes, Grandfather. The antidote worked very well. I woke up yesterday, but the palace physician advised me to rest in bed to recover, so I did not come to greet you. Today, I feel much better, so I came in person to put your mind at ease."
"Good, good. The heavens have not forsaken the Su family after all. Now that the poison is cured, and your uncle underwent a successful surgery a couple of days ago, he should wake up soon if there are no complications."
"Uncle is better too? I hurried here after hearing about Uncle's condition from my younger brother. I also wanted to discuss something with you and Father."
"What's so urgent that you had to come when you're still recovering? Can you handle it?" Su Li looked at him with concern. "Sit down first, don't stand."
At this point, the generals respectfully took their leave, leaving only members of the Su family present.
"Father, don't worry. I'm not that frail. The palace physician examined me before I came out," Su Yu said as he sat down, and Su Yu immediately poured him a cup of warm water. Su Yu took a few sips before continuing, "Grandfather, Father, the circumstances surrounding my poisoning are quite peculiar. Those people clearly intended to provoke me that day. I sensed something was amiss and did not wish to engage them further, but they persisted relentlessly. They only took action when they realized we would not fall for their taunts."
"Father and I have largely uncovered the truth these past few days. Uncle also fell victim to a similar inexplicable calamity. With the current volatile situation and the influx of refugees flooding in, they must be planning to use these civilians to undermine us."
"So we're just going to hide in this border town? Grandfather, let's return to the capital. Our Su family is a lineage of martial warriors. Since when have we been so cowardly? These people simply don't want us to return to the capital, so we must go back in defiance," Su Yu said angrily.
"Yes, Elder Brother is right. As long as our family is together, we fear nothing. Our grandmother has been in the capital all these years, along with our aunts. For so many years, we have been unable to reunite with our loved ones..." Su Qian's eyes turned red as he spoke.
"Grandfather, are you concerned about the Second Prince?" Su Yu looked at his grandfather's weathered face. "After all these years, you have tried to protect him, but because of us, the Second Prince could only remain a mere shadow in the palace. But no matter what, the Crown Prince's faction will never let us off the hook. Since a confrontation is inevitable, then why not..."
"Insolence! You know not the weight of your words, speaking so casually of imperial affairs as if you can freely manipulate them?" Su Li rebuked him sharply. It was not that he did not harbor resentment in his heart, but seeing the pained and troubled expression on his aged father's face, he could not bring himself to torment the old man further.
The room fell silent, each person wearing a different expression.
"General, the Divine Doctor Xuan has arrived," a sentry announced from outside the tent.
"Let the Divine Doctor Xuan in."
Dressed in a long azure robe, Xuan Little Three entered with Xuan Little Four and Su Yue.
As soon as Su Yue entered, she noticed the pale-faced man sitting to the left of the main seat. After a moment of puzzlement, she recognized him and went straight up to him, grasping his wrist to take his pulse. Everyone was taken aback, especially since they knew this "Little Five Brother" was actually a woman - such behavior was...
At that moment, Su Yu's face also turned red, and he tried to pull his hand away but felt it would be too awkward, so he allowed her to continue her examination.
Su Yue silently took his pulse while Xuan Little Three observed everyone's reactions. Ah, he would have to teach Little Five to maintain proper distance from other men in the future to avoid idle gossip.
"Your recovery is progressing well, but you should still rest in bed for a few more days. Traveling around like this will not aid your recuperation."
"I ask that Little Brother take a closer look. This child may have come without fully recovering out of concern for worrying us. We are also uneasy about his condition," Su Li said anxiously.
"It's nothing serious, no need to worry. Since he's already here, he can stay and recuperate properly for a few days. I'll prepare some tonic medicines for him to take daily. In less than half a month, he'll be fully recovered," she said, looking towards Xuan Little Three.
Xuan Little Three gave her an unsatisfied look. "Why trouble yourself with such a trivial matter? Leave it to me." Just two days ago, he had provided so many precious medicinal ingredients. Now, she wanted to prescribe more tonics for someone else. This Little Five was being too generous to them. Hmph. Even if they were possibly Little Five's relatives, he felt aggrieved. In the past, whenever Little Disciple-Sister had something good, he would be the first to receive it.
Xuan Little Four also sensed his third senior brother's displeasure and edged away, greeting Su Qian before standing beside him like old friends.
The others were a little perplexed, unsure why the Divine Doctor Xuan suddenly seemed unhappy.
Su Yue, however, paid no heed to her master's resentment. She bowed to Su Huan and said, "I have examined Su Yi General's injuries. His recovery is going well, and he has just regained consciousness. General, you can rest assured."
"My father is awake? Grandfather..." Su Yu looked at his grandfather anxiously.
"Go see him," Su Huan said, and Su Yu immediately left.
Su Li, Su Qian, and the others also wanted to follow, but seeing that Su Huan did not move, they remained.
"Two days ago, I mentioned to the General that I had some personal matters to inquire about once the patient's condition improved."
After a pause, she looked at everyone present. They all wore puzzled expressions, except for Xuan Little Three, who remained expressionless.
"Please speak, Little Brother," said Su Huan.
"Little Five has two reasons for descending from the mountains this time. One is to deliver medicine, and the other is... to seek relatives."
Seek relatives? Everyone was taken aback. Was she seeking relatives in their Su family? How could that be possible? The Su family had always strictly adhered to the rule of monogamy - men could only take wives, not concubines. Only after reaching forty without a son could a man take a virtuous concubine to bear a child.
Su Huan was also perplexed, unsure of the riddle Su Yue was posing. "What does Little Brother mean?"
Su Yue looked at him steadily without speaking. Then, she untied her hair band, letting her long black tresses fall freely. "General, don't you find me somewhat familiar?"
Su Huan stared at her for a long while, suddenly looking shocked as if he had realized something, only to shake his head, as if denying some ludicrous notion. But as he continued gazing at the young woman before him, his eyes gradually reddened, and he did not dare ask the question, fearing the answer might be one he could not accept. He closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure, but his trembling hands betrayed his fear.
"Father?" "Grandfather?" His sons and grandsons were deeply concerned for him.
"Please, young lady... do not torment this old man. I... I have grown old and no longer harbor such hopes. Please... do not mock me," the old man said, each word seeming to drain his energy until he appeared to have lost all vitality, a look of utter despair on his face.
Seeing this, Su Yue's heart ached. This formidable general who had slain countless foes on the battlefield became so fragile and unable to withstand the slightest disappointment when it involved his daughter. Over these many years, how many times had he been let down, to become so unwilling to have even the faintest glimmer of hope?
