Chapter 420

It was the first time Jiang Sheng saw the general leaving the capital.

The procession was not as grand as during a military campaign, but there were still relatives and friends among the gentry and officials seeing him off.

Even Wu, the general's steward, had come, his attitude respectful with a touch of warmth.

Her father looked so majestic and heroic in his cloak, tall and mighty, quite different from his usual self.

He bore a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, for he was the general, and he had to take leave of the imperial court and bid farewell to old friends.

So he could not pass by the small courtyard as before, pinching his chubby daughter's arm and rocking her playfully before letting go out of propriety between men and women.

Jiang Sheng told herself to be sensible, to understand how busy her father was, to understand a family of their status had many social obligations. Even if she longed for his company, she could only hide in a corner and watch him quietly.

In contrast, when Jiang Jizu saw Fang Heng riding over on horseback and glancing at the last few children in the crowd, he smiled and chatted a few polite words with Wu the steward before dismounting and walking over.

His figure was so tall and imposing that even the nascent sunlight cast a shadow that could envelope the petite girl.

"Father," Jiang Sheng murmured softly.

Jiang Jizu kept his face stern. "You still know I'm your father. Why didn't you come see me off?"

"I..." Jiang Sheng lowered her head. "Father is busy."

What a pitiful little daughter, Jiang Jizu could keep up the pretense no longer. He quickly bent down, "Father is not busy. I was just thinking you'd want to say goodbye to your elder brother, so I didn't want to disturb you."

So while they were trying to be considerate of each other, neither had accompanied the other.

Jiang Sheng looked up in surprise. "I thought Father had many things to do, that Father was going to be busy."

In fact, while the general leaving the capital could not be done quietly, it didn't mean he couldn't find time to be with family. Heaven knew how wistful Jiang the General felt as he sat in the yard gazing at the moon in the sky.

Thinking they were thoughtfully staying out of the other's way, they had ended up misunderstanding each other.

Unfortunately, time was running out, so he could only smile and ruffle Jiang Sheng's little bun head, cautiously yet happily, just as when he arrived.

"Father, wait for me!" Jiang Sheng also realized what happened and hurried onto the carriage, struggling to take out package after package. "These are for Father, everything I prepared for brother, Father gets too."

In the blink of an eye, over a dozen packages were laid out on the ground. The general was still moved and hadn't reacted.

Fang Heng took the hint and coughed twice, then coughed twice more, reminding this father and daughter that they were all on horseback!

They had no carriage!

"Father, these are all for you." Jiang Sheng was finally done arranging everything, hands on her hips as she panted for breath.

Only then did Jiang Jizu come back to his senses, though the smile on his face froze.

So many... nearly twenty packages, almost all the size of three or four heads, likely weighing twenty to thirty catties all together.

Galloping at full speed, the carriage couldn't possibly keep up.

Yet seeing the joy on his eldest daughter's face, Jiang Jizu couldn't bear to refuse.

It was then his personal guards stepped forward and said quietly, "General, we can carry them on our backs and split them up."

Though it would be a bit heavy, tiring, and arduous.

But these were all tokens of the young miss's feelings.

At worst, if they got hungry on the road, they could eat some of the contents!

Jiang Jizu glanced at the guards who had followed him for years, then looked thoughtful Fang Heng. Unwilling to impose on them, he said, "Those willing to carry some can do so, but don't feel obligated..."

Before he could even finish, the personal guards rushed forward. One hefted a package onto his back, "This subordinate is willing!"

"This subordinate is also willing!" The rest of the brash young fellows swarmed in.

Each taking one, the packages on the ground swiftly disappeared.

Those who didn't get one eyed the other packages peeking out from behind the carriage curtains longingly.

Fang Heng reacted swiftly, waving them off, "Those are ours, quick!"

The six Jiang brothers, from Jiang Yi to Jiang Ba, darted over, each grabbing one portion while the guards divided up the rest.

The originally packed carriage was emptied in a flash.

The guards carrying the packages were elated, as if they had acquired precious treasures.

In truth, the weight was a hindrance and burden to them, the source of sore shoulders and necks.

Yet Jiang Jizu was an excellent commander who had earned deep love and loyalty, so the guards were willing to endure more hardship to help the general bring away these items.

This was personal affection, something no amount of money could buy, genuine respect.

Jiang Sheng watched dumbly, then suddenly swelled with unmatched pride.

Look, that was her father! "General, it's about time," someone called from ahead.

Jiang Jizu bent down once more, carefully studying her round eyebrows and eyes before patting her head. "Father is going now."

Jiang Sheng forced back her tears and just nodded.

"Third brother is going too," Fang Heng said with a grin.

Jiang Sheng's eyes were red but she was still exerting herself to restrain the tears.

She could not cry, or Father and Brother would feel sad too.

She had to look happy, had to bid them farewell with a smile.

The troop of over a hundred began to move, with Jiang Jizu leading them on horseback, galloping into the distance.

The cloak fluttered behind him as the wind sang a reluctant tune, while also guiding the advancing troop.

Those stalwart young fellows were finally headed to the battlefield, facing danger and strife, carrying hopes of returning home.

Jiang Sheng's lips twisted as she could no longer hold back, bawling as she ran and screaming out, "Father, come back soon!"

Come back soon, all of you.

Fang Heng brought up the rear of the procession. He waved at the siblings, then solemnly cupped his fists at his elder brother in official robes.

Yes, official robes.

Today, along with seeing off Fang Heng, was also Xu Mo's inauguration.

If two years ago they had been forced to part ways, driven to flee far from home, then today they marched with purpose, aiming for the four corners of the realm.

Those youths already halfway up the mountain would eventually meet again at its peak.

As the city gates were silent and empty like birds startled to flight, the troops faded into the distance on their thousand-mile expedition.

Only when the riders' silhouettes completely vanished did people start leaving in twos and threes, bidding each other farewell.

Jiang Sheng was stopped by Jiang Jizong who consoled her gently, then went back to her brothers after saying goodbye.

There was inevitably sorrow in the air after loved ones departed, tugging at heartstrings and weighing on minds.

It was Zheng Ruqian who first broke the silence, joking leisurely, "We've seen off third brother, now we should see off big brother."

Xu Mo in his dark green official robes turned, righteous and stern. He nodded slightly, "Let's go."

Let's go, each to our destinies.

Let's go, climb our separate peaks.

Let's go, see you again someday!