Chapter 15

Chapter 15

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."Nêww chapters will be fully updated at novelhall.com

"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.

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?