In the northwest border in December, white snow fluttered down as the cold wind howled.
It had been over five months since Li Changsen last returned home.
On the eighth day of the twelfth month, the four children of the Li family fell asleep with excitement and anticipation.
Concerned about her husband who hadn't returned home for so long, Jin Yue'e had already taken leave from the relay station. She was planning to bring the four children to the Western Qing city where the outpost was stationed to visit Li Changsen.
These days, going out was quite challenging.
That night, Li Wuya was too excited to sleep properly.
It couldn't be helped. She had never travelled far from home before, and the farthest she had been was to the relay station.
Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Li Wuya, who usually loved to sleep in, surprisingly woke up even earlier than Li Erya.
"Sis, it's time to get up. We have a long journey to the city, and if we delay, we might not arrive in Xining City until the afternoon."
Li Erya, seeing the excitement in her sister's eyes that she couldn't hide, reluctantly left her warm bed. As soon as she sat up, she couldn't help but shiver from the cold. "It's so chilly."
Li Wuya eagerly helped Li Erya put on her coat and pants. "We got new cotton for our coats and pants this year. It won't be as cold as last year."
Thanks to the silver they received from the people of Northern Yan, they wouldn't have to endure the same cold and hunger as last year. Over these past few months of eating well, the bodies of Li Wuya and her siblings had visibly grown stronger.
Soon, the two sisters were dressed and ready. When they left the room, they found that Li Sanlang and Li Qilang were already up, watching Jin Yue'e pack their things.
"Mom, since Dad hasn't come back for so long, it must mean the war is intense. Let's bring some ginseng to him."
Hearing Li Wuya's suggestion, Jin Yue'e paused for a moment, thought for a bit, then unlocked a chest and took out the ginseng. She sliced it into pieces with a knife, making it easier for Li Changsen to consume.
Once the mother and her four children were ready, the sky had already brightened.
At this moment, the other members of the Li family were also waking up.
Just as Jin Yue'e was about to leave the house with her four children, Old Madam Li stopped them, "Eldest daughter-in-law, wait a moment. I need to go to the Temple of the Queen Mother to offer incense and make a wish. I'll also buy some New Year supplies on the way back. I'll leave a bit later and walk with you."
In the vast and remote northwest of Da Chu, there stood a towering and treacherous mountain range known as the Tian Shan.
There were many legends surrounding Tian Shan, the most widely known of which was that it was the abode of the Queen Mother of the West, a goddess.
Due to this belief, many people in the region spontaneously constructed temples dedicated to the Queen Mother.
Life was tough in the borderlands, and to seek blessings from the divine, countless believers visited the Temple of the Queen Mother every year, praying for the safety and well-being of their families, hoping to avoid illnesses and calamities.
Among these visits, the Temple of the Queen Mother during the twelfth month was the most festive. During this time, apart from offering incense and making wishes, people could also enjoy the temple fair and shop for New Year's supplies.
Seeing that Old Madam Li intended to accompany them, both Li Wuya and Li Qilang's expressions soured. The enthusiasm on the faces of Jin Yue'e, Li Sanlang, and Li Erya also diminished.
Li Wuya watched as Old Madam Li leisurely waited for Third Aunt to fetch water for her to wash her face, and then waited even more leisurely for breakfast. A burning fire of frustration ignited in her heart.
This grandmother of theirs was truly synonymous with trouble.
Li Wuya had to admit that she was impressive in her own way. Whenever she was around, she always managed to make everyone feel discontent.
Thinking about how they would have to live under the same roof with her for the next ten or twenty years, Li Wuya felt suffocated.
Division of the Family
Li Wuya couldn't help but consider the idea of separating from the family, but quickly shook her head to dismiss it.
Leaving aside whether Old Master Li and Old Madam Li would agree or not, the Li family were a military household. If they were to divide the family, they would still remain part of the military structure. Should her father face any unexpected situation, her older brother would have to step up. If they didn't split, then the elder uncles from the second and third families would take charge, and if needed, the older Li Dalang and Li Erlang were still there.
Perhaps this was the reason why her father and mother had endured the presence of the second and third families for so many years, without tearing their relationships apart. After all, the battlefield was treacherous, and no one could guarantee to return alive.
Recalling the injuries Li Changsen had returned with last time, old and new wounds alike, Li Wuya became even more frustrated.
She needed to find a way to grow stronger quickly. These matters concerning the Li family were just minor issues.
Ye Mo, how could she make him agree to teach them the inner martial arts?
Once she mastered light-footed techniques, she would head to Tian Shan. Once there, she wouldn't have to worry about finding medicinal ingredients.
With the herbs, not only could she enhance the treatment of supernatural abilities, but she could also create even more potent elixirs to strengthen one's physique.
With improved physical fitness, her father would be well-equipped to protect himself on the battlefield. Their family wouldn't have to live in constant fear like they did now.
As Li Wuya contemplated all this, breakfast was prepared.
Seeing the table set for breakfast, Jin Yue'e unreservedly took her seat along with her four children.
Old Madam Li glanced at them but refrained from saying anything.
During breakfast, Li WuLang from the second family and Li LiuLang from the third family got wind that Old Madam Li was going to Xining City. They immediately clamoured to go along, and the others looked equally eager.
"I'm going on official business, and I can't take you with me."
"But grandmother, we're well-behaved and won't cause any trouble."
"Yeah, grandmother, if we go, we can help you carry things."
"You guys helping me carry things? I can't rely on that. I'd rather have Dalang go with me."
Li Wu Lang and Li Liu Lang immediately protested, rushing forward to wheedle Old Madam Li.
Setting aside Li QiLang, these two were the youngest boys in the family. Old Madam Li doted on them the most in their daily life.
Looking at her eager grandsons, Old Madam Li hesitated. The Xining City during the twelfth month was the liveliest, and last year, a child from their village had been abducted by human traffickers after visiting the city.
Li WuLang and Li LiuLang were only seven or eight years old this year, an age when they loved to run around and cause mischief. With her old arms and legs, Old Madam Li couldn't effectively keep an eye on them. Li Changsen was an obedient child, and she genuinely couldn't feel at ease with the two grandsons.
After some thought, Old Madam Li turned to Jin Yue'e. "Eldest daughter-in-law, WuLang and LiuLang are still too young. It's so cold outside. You don't have to take them. Just bring WuLang and LiuLang."
With the eldest daughter-in-law present, it should be enough.
Upon hearing this, Li Wuya, who had been simmering with anger for a while, couldn't help but chuckle sarcastically. "Grandmother, I've seen biased elders before, but you take the cake. You're unbelievably biased, without bounds. It's a rare sight."
At these words, Old Madam Li became furious. Even Old Master Li frowned in displeasure, looking at Li Wuya with dissatisfaction.
But before either of them could say anything, Li Wuya continued with utmost seriousness, "Grandmother, you really don't seem like my father's real mother at all."
"My father hasn't come back for nearly half a year. We're going to see him today, not to play around. To have you abandon QiLang and me while taking WuLang and LiuLang, it's astonishing that you can even say something like that."
"You..."
Old Madam Li, who was initially about to erupt in anger, ended up just pointing her finger at Li Wuya and saying a single word, "You."
Old Master Li's reaction was equally strange. Just as he seemed prepared to reprimand Li Wuya, when he actually spoke, he scolded Old Madam Li instead, "You're becoming more and more confused. Eldest, your father has been gone for so long, and Wuya and the others miss him. Why take WuLang and LiuLang along?"
Seeing that Jin Yue'e's expression was displeased, Old Master Li quickly attempted to placate her, "Eldest daughter-in-law, don't argue with your mother. She's just getting more forgetful with age."
Saying this, he glanced at Li Wuya.
"Wuya, in the future, don't say anything about your grandmother not being your father's real mother. It hurts feelings, you know?"
Li Wuya sneered and hadn't even spoken when Li QiLang chimed in, "Grandmother doesn't have much of a connection with us. She secretly gives eggs to the older brothers but never gives any to us."
Uh...
Old Master Li became thoroughly stiff-faced, feeling rather uncomfortable.
Li Wuya smirked and added, "Grandfather, I don't want to think this way either, but her actions make me feel like she's not really our grandmother."
Li QiLang quickly followed up with, "Like Dog Egg's step-grandmother. Dog Egg told me that she often sneaks things to Bull Egg and the others."
Old Master Li's face turned completely rigid. He looked a bit embarrassed and somewhat at a loss for words. Since Jin Yue'e showed no intention of mediating, he ultimately stammered, "It's getting late. Finish your meal and leave early."
From Tianling Village to Xining City, it was a journey of about twenty to thirty miles. The distance was too far to walk, so they needed to take a cart to ensure they arrived in the city before noon.
After the commotion at home, they got onto the cart. Old Madam Li maintained a sour expression and only spoke to Li Dalang, completely ignoring Jin Yue'e's family.
With Old Madam Li behaving this way, Jin Yue'e and her siblings, Li Sanlang and Li Erya, simply ignored her.
After over two hours, they reached Xining City.
Compared to the impoverished military village, Xining City was relatively lively. However, it couldn't be considered truly bustling.
Upon entering the city, there were indeed numerous pedestrians on the street. However, there weren't many shops along the road. Even if there were, they were quite small in scale, and the number of people entering the shops was limited.
There were more street vendors carrying shelves and shouting out their wares along the street, attracting a crowd due to their cheap prices.
Jin Yue'e held tightly onto Li Wuya and Li Qi Lang, who were entering a city for the first time and were amazed by everything. She occasionally reminded Li Sanlang to hold onto Li Erya tightly and stay close to her, so they wouldn't get separated in the crowd.
Before leaving home, she had worried that the busy streets might be too much for her to handle with four children. Thankfully, all four of them were well-behaved and obedient, so she didn't have to worry too much.
"We've arrived at the Wangmu Temple!"
Originally, Jin Yue'e had planned to head directly to the barracks to see Li Changsen. However, upon seeing the bustling Wangmu Temple, she thought they might as well make a quick visit to pay respects to the Goddess Wangmu. After all, it wouldn't take up too much time.
Just as the Li family entered the gates of the Wangmu Temple, a commotion suddenly erupted on the street.
"Make way, make way!"
"Stand aside, bystanders!"
Two squads of guards in armour, wielding swords at their sides, appeared on the street. They marched towards the Wangmu Temple, stopping at its entrance. They formed pairs, standing about a meter apart from each other along the street, extending several dozen meters from the temple's gate.
The previously noisy street immediately fell silent, and the path became clear.
Following this, a luxurious horse-drawn carriage surrounded by over a dozen burly horsemen came into view.