That morning, Jiang Mingyue walked into the garden to greet her parents with her maidservant, Luyi. She stopped behind a tree and held up a hand to prevent her maidservant from advancing when she saw her father carrying his mother in his arms as they headed to the pavilion.
If she wasn't accustomed to seeing this scene, she might have rushed forward to check whether there was something wrong with her mother's health.
The old general, Jiang Huan came from a military family that has served the country for almost five generations. He had led countless battle and won nearly ninety percent of them.
A few years ago, he decided to retire and spent his days with her mother, Han Yunyi. During that time, his subordinates were shocked. Many of them begged him to reconsider his plan, but he made up his mind, and nothing they said could change his mind.
With the emperor's approval, her father handed back his military token to the emperor.
Mingyue waited a few minutes to let them have a conversation. Only when she saw a maidservant carrying a tray of breakfast towards the pavilion did she approached them. "Mother, father."
The husband and wife looked up and smiled as they saw their daughter headed towards them.
"Good morning. You're up early," Han Yunyi teased.
"Good morning," Mingyue greeted both of them. She looked around and turned to her mother. "The others will not join us for breakfast this morning?"
Mingyue was the youngest of the four siblings. Because she was the only girl in the family, and the youngest, she was pampered by her parents and her brothers.
Her eldest brother, Jiang Xiao Xian was a General, leading the army to protect the northern border. Though recently, he had returned to the capital under the Emperor's command.
Her second brother, Jiang Xiao Tian served under the Emperor as his investigator. Most of the time, the Emperor sends him away as an investigator all around Da Cheng. Because of his work, Mingyue rarely saw him.
Her third brother, Jiang Xiao Liang was a captain served under the Ministry of Justice. Because of their close age gap, Mingyue was the closest to Xiao Liang.
"Xiao Xian and Xiao Liang went out early in the morning," Han Yunyi said. "Your sister-in-law was feeling unwell. She will have her breakfast in her courtyard."
Mingyue nodded and said,
"I will visit her later."
Among her sibling, only her eldest brother had married. Her second brother was too busy traveling here and there to settle down, while her third brother thought that he was too young to settle down.
She held up a hand when she saw Luyi picked up the teapot. The maidservant put the teapot back, bowed and took a few steps back. Then, Mingyue picked up the teapot and poured some tea for her parents.
Jiang Huan gave her daughter a look over and frowned when she saw that Mingyue dressed prettily. "You're going out?"
"I'm going to visit grandpa and lend a hand. You know he's always busy attending his patients."
"It's good that you're helping him." Han Yunyi said. "I will ask the servants to pack some snacks. Later, you can take them to your grandpa."
Mingyue nodded again. She jumped when she felt something brushing on her leg. She lowered her gaze and saw Xiao Mi rubbing against her calf. Xiao Mi looked up and meowed. Mingyue laughed and glanced at the table to find something for Xiao Mi and fed him.
When she looked up again, she saw the way her parents looked at each other. "What is it?"