Chapter Seventy-One: Crossing the Great Wall

Qin Cheng tossed the dry firewood to Yue Yi, then walked with Qin Yue into the inner courtyard. Along the way, people approached with admiring smiles, praising Qin Yue for her good fortune—a brother so accomplished meant she would have nothing to worry about for the rest of her life. Wealth and honor would surely follow. Qin Yue listened to the compliments about her brother; though her words were modest, the pride in her eyes was unmistakable. Seeing Qin Yue’s simple, somewhat worn clothing and her unguarded joy, Qin Cheng felt a pang of guilt. He had only now come to bring her to the city, letting her toil in the countryside for several more months. He thought, if the former “Qin Cheng” had achieved the rank of Cavalry Commandant, surely his first act would have been to bring his sister, who had depended on him since childhood, to the city to enjoy a better life. With this thought, Qin Cheng, who rarely doubted himself, felt regret for his earlier selfishness.

At heart, Qin Cheng was cold and calculating, but only toward outsiders. With family and brothers, he was more genuine and open than anyone. He could smile and apologize even when trodden upon, merely for the sake of future retribution. But for those he truly cared about, his face and heart were always in accord; he never bothered to hide himself before his kin.

Though he was no longer the former “Qin Cheng,” those memories remained in his mind. Having taken over his body, he must also take on his responsibilities. The dead could do nothing, but the living must bear everything.

“Sister, the wind is strong outside. Let’s hurry home. I learned some cooking skills in the army; later, I’ll cook for you.” Qin Cheng spoke softly to Qin Yue.

“You know how to cook now?” Qin Yue seemed surprised. The old “Qin Cheng” had never done such things. “Well, you’ve grown up, Da Lang.”

Her smile was gratified and joyful, her young face radiant. But after speaking, Qin Yue became a bit awkward, as if embarrassed to look at Qin Cheng, and said quietly, “There isn’t much food at home… just some coarse millet. I wonder if you’re still used to eating it…”

Seeing Qin Yue’s embarrassed expression, Qin Cheng felt a pang in his heart, suddenly reminded of his mother from his previous life. His throat tightened. “I’m used to it, truly. Sister, the millet you grow is the best—I’ve missed it greatly.”

He hurried to reassure her.

Sure enough, Qin Yue’s face brightened, and she asked uncertainly, “Really?”

“Of course!” Qin Cheng patted his chest and boasted, “When have I ever lied to you?”

Qin Yue was amused, scolding gently, “You lied plenty when you were little.”

Qin Cheng scratched his head sheepishly, “That was all when I was young…”

Turning, he addressed Yue Yi, who had been silently following them, ordering in a manner more like a master to a servant, “Yue Yi, go buy some vegetables in town, and get a big rooster. If you bring back a small one, you don’t need to eat with us tonight!”

“Me?” Yue Yi was stunned. “Why me?”

“If not you, then who? Do you want me, the Commandant, to go myself?” Qin Cheng retorted, snatching the firewood from Yue Yi’s hands. “Don’t worry about the money—you’ll be reimbursed by the army. Spend as much as you need, don’t be stingy, alright?”

He finished, nodding meaningfully at Qin Yue.

Yue Yi wanted to protest—when had he ever been stingy, and when had the army ever reimbursed expenses? But seeing Qin Cheng’s expression and glancing at Qin Yue, his bitter look was replaced with a fawning smile. “Alright, I’ll handle it right away!”

He turned to leave.

“Wait, Yue Lang,” Qin Yue called after him, scolding Qin Cheng, “How can you send Yue Lang? He’s our guest…”

“Sister,” Qin Cheng pulled her aside and smiled, “It’s fine. Yue Yi isn’t exactly a guest. Let him go—besides, he’s willing.”

He then spoke sternly to Yue Yi, “Yue Yi, you’re willing, aren’t you?”

“Yes, yes!” Yue Yi nodded vigorously, grinning. “Don’t worry, Sister Qin, I’ll be right back.” He dashed off, but only Qin Cheng saw the covert signal in Yue Yi’s eyes as he turned.

You just wait!

Yue Yi hinted fiercely.

Only when Yue Yi’s figure disappeared at the end of the path did Qin Yue look away. Qin Cheng smiled, “Come, Sister, let’s go home.”

“Mm.” Qin Yue replied, but as she walked, she glanced again at the bend where Yue Yi had vanished.

Qin Cheng noticed her actions, and the corner of his mouth curled with hidden meaning.

Back in the house, Qin Cheng first put away the firewood, then followed Qin Yue inside. In truth, Qin Cheng’s purpose today was to bring Qin Yue to the city, so the firewood was unnecessary. But since Qin Yue had gathered it with effort, he wouldn’t discard or leave it carelessly; it was a mark of respect, just as sharing a meal indoors was.

Seeing the house and Qin Yue didn’t instantly give Qin Cheng a feeling of home—such sentiment would be forced. All his actions now were for her sake.

To honor family, one doesn’t need gold or silver. Stand in their shoes, respect what they value, warm their hearts, and bring them joy—that is the best form of filial piety.

The millet jar held just enough for three people, neither too much nor too little. Qin Cheng judged the amount, scooping out enough for three with the wooden ladle.

When cooking, Qin Cheng didn’t insist on doing everything himself; he and Qin Yue worked together, dividing tasks clearly. Qin Yue watched as Qin Cheng skillfully washed the millet, added water, chopped wood, and stoked the fire; her smile never faded.

These were things Qin Cheng had done as a child in his previous life. Though the tools were slightly different now, the process was familiar.

“Did you have to cook for yourself in the army?” Qin Yue asked, seeing him so busy. “Were you used to the food there?”

“There were cooks in camp. I got close to one and picked up a few skills when I had free time,” Qin Cheng improvised. “The army food isn’t as good as yours, but it’s decent.”

As they talked, a commotion arose outside—the rooster was squawking, and Yue Yi’s voice followed, “Qin Cheng, I’ve got the vegetables!”

“Bring them inside, then kill the rooster. I’ve already boiled water for you,” Qin Cheng called from within.

Yue Yi burst in, nearly bumping into Qin Yue, startling her back with a flushed face—uncertain if from embarrassment or surprise. Yue Yi quickly apologized, blushing, “The villagers wouldn’t take our money. I couldn’t refuse, so I brought everything for free.”

“If they won’t take it, that’s fine. If you force it on them, they’ll think you’re looking down on them. No harm done.” Qin Cheng replied casually, then looked up and laughed. The small house had Yue Yi and Qin Yue squeezed close together, unsure where to put their hands. Yue Yi, being tall, had to duck to avoid the slanted ceiling.

“Go, help my sister with the rooster. Don’t block the way,” Qin Cheng waved him off.

“Alright!” Yue Yi answered and went out with Qin Yue.

Qin Cheng tended the fire, smiling to himself with what he thought was deep meaning.

After more than an hour, the three managed to prepare the largest meal Qin Yue had ever seen. Faced with the array of dishes, she didn’t know where to begin. There weren’t enough plates, so Qin Cheng used wooden ladles, just barely managing.

“Big fish and meat—only lacking wine,” Yue Yi sat at the table, silent for a while before blurting out this odd comment.

Qin Cheng carried over three bowls of rice, handing one each to Qin Yue and Yue Yi, then sat down himself. He mocked Yue Yi, “Where’s the fish? I don’t see any.”

“Uh…” Yue Yi’s cheeks reddened.

“Yue Yi, perhaps your thoughts aren’t about wine?” Qin Cheng said with old-man gravity. Only afterward did he realize people of this era might not know the saying, but to his surprise, Yue Yi’s face grew stern and he shouted, “Qin Cheng, don’t forget Bai Xin Xin!”

Qin Cheng was surprised; perhaps after being tormented all day, Yue Yi had finally caught on.

In the past three months, Qin Cheng had visited Bai Xin Xin several times, though each visit was brief.

“Bai Xin Xin? Who is she? From which family?” Qin Yue caught the key detail and asked.

“She’s a girl,” Qin Cheng replied, eating as he spoke, not giving Qin Yue or Yue Yi a chance to press further, “Her relationship to me is about the same as yours with Yue Yi.”

“Qin Cheng!” Yue Yi growled under his breath.

Qin Yue was stunned, then her cheeks flushed. She immediately struck Qin Cheng’s head with her chopsticks, scolding loudly, “How can you talk about your sister like that? Do you want to live?!”

Qin Cheng froze, exchanged a glance with Yue Yi, then looked at Qin Yue rolling up her sleeves, eager for action. Both cried out, “We’re doomed, Sister’s angry!”

...

After the meal, the three tidied up, then went to pay respects at the graves of Qin Cheng’s and Yue Yi’s parents. Afterward, they would head straight to the county city.

Before leaving, Qin Yue locked the door, gently ran her hand over the wooden surface, her eyes filled with deep reluctance.

Though it was a humble little house.

Though here, she had often gone hungry and cold.

Though, because of the leaky roof, she had braved stormy nights to patch it with straw.

Though, here, carrying her young brother, she had cried alone and shouted to her parents in the sky.

Though, here, she had buried the most precious years of her youth.

Though…

Head bowed, Qin Yue walked out of the yard.

Turning back, she closed the battered fence gate.

Raising her eyes once more to the empty courtyard, a single tear finally fell.

This place was so heavy.

“Sister…” Qin Cheng, as he had countless times in childhood, took her hand and called softly.

Qin Yue looked at this child, who seemed to have grown overnight, this man who could now bring honor to their family. Her heart brightened, she wiped her tears, smiled, and said gently, “Come, let’s visit Father and Mother.”

In those years, she too wiped away her tears, then smiled at him.

“Mm!” Qin Cheng nodded.

He still seemed to be that child who relied on her, always believing whatever she said.

“Father and Mother will be proud of you now,” Qin Yue smiled, though tears streamed from her eyes.

“Sister…” Qin Cheng seemed unable to say anything else.

Nor was there any need.

On the hillside.

Two simple graves stood side by side, the surroundings unusually clean, not a weed in sight. In front of the graves was a small patch of ground, barely enough for one person, standing out prominently.

The soil there was especially firm, as if someone often sat upon it.

Sitting before the two graves.

Perhaps, for the one who had often visited since childhood, what she faced was not two mounds of earth.

But two people.

Family.

“Father, Mother, do you see? Da Lang has made something of himself. He’s taking me to the city to live in comfort…” Qin Yue spoke, sitting down as she always did. Her smile, mixed with tears, bloomed with extraordinary brightness.

Qin Cheng and Yue Yi knelt behind her.

The north wind blew down a few flakes of snow.

...

...

...

When the three returned to the county city, dusk had fallen and snow was descending.

Back at the courtyard now belonging to Qin Yue, aside from the hired servants, Qin Cheng also saw Li Guang.

Li Guang stood before an old tree in the front yard, hands behind his back, gazing north with a solemn expression.

Snowflakes covered him.

“General? Subordinates greet the General.” Qin Cheng and Yue Yi were startled, hastening forward to salute.

“I’ve only just arrived. Go settle yourselves first. This must be Qin Lang’s elder sister?” Li Guang greeted Qin Yue with a smile.

“Greetings, General Li,” Qin Yue bowed.

“Qin Lang is a key officer in the camp, my trusted aide, and destined to be a heroic general against the Xiongnu. You raised him from childhood—your service is a merit to the state. Stay here for now; if you’re not comfortable in the future, I’ll have Qin Lang arrange a new home for you,” Li Guang said earnestly.

“My thanks to General Li.”

“Good. Yue Lang, help Qin Cheng settle in; I have matters to discuss with him,” Li Guang instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

Qin Cheng followed Li Guang aside. Li Guang’s expression grew serious as he spoke in a low voice, “The Xiongnu cavalry has crossed the Great Wall.”