Han Zhang’s swift agreement took Song Yao slightly by surprise.
Song Yao had originally thought that, just like in her previous life, he would refuse to go to the academy no matter what.
This lifetime, however, he agreed so quickly.
It seemed he had already learned from Han Lingyue’s lesson.
After giving Han Zhang a few more scrutinizing glances,
Song Yao turned her head and faced Han Zhi. “About the matter I mentioned to you last time…”
Before Song Yao could finish her sentence, Han Zhi immediately said, “I’d rather die than go to the military camp. I want to venture into the jianghu, travel the world, and explore the great rivers and mountains…”
Han Zhi believed he had already seen through it. Song Yao’s purpose today was to force him and his brother.
Since her goal was to pressure the two brothers, he decided to… put on a show!
However, similarly, before he could finish his words,
Song Yao immediately granted his request: “Fine. I’ll grant your wish. Servants!”
The servants waiting outside Songhe Hall immediately entered, carrying a bundle.
Song Yao gestured toward the bundle with her chin: “Inside are a few changes of clothes and some money. Take these and go travel your great rivers and mountains.”
Han Zhi’s expression froze on his face.
And any further “nonsense” he had planned to spout was cut off.
The bundle was right in front of him, but he lacked the courage to take it.
Chunlan Xiu repeatedly tried to stop him. “Sister-in-law, a child’s joke shouldn’t be taken seriously…”
Song Yao chuckled. “He’s already seventeen, not a child. If he insists on venturing into the jianghu, why should I stop him?”
“Sister-in-law, if you don’t want him to resent you, I advise you to agree.”
“Otherwise, he might end up like Han Lingyue—failing to achieve his dreams and then turning around to blame us.”
The obedient Han Lingyue’s expression also stiffened.
Chunlan Xiu couldn’t bear to truly let her son venture into the jianghu.
“Sister-in-law, even if Zhi’er is seventeen, he’s still a child in our eyes. We can’t let him act on his whims.”
“Zhi’er, quickly apologize to your mother. Say you were wrong and that you’ll never upset her again. Hurry!”
Song Yao: “I raised Han Zhi. I know his temperament well—he never goes back on his word. Asking him to apologize to me would only bruise his pride as a great hero.”
Song Yao knew Han Zhi wouldn’t be able to hold back.
Sure enough, Han Zhi snatched the bundle.
He roared, “Stop talking nonsense! I’m leaving home right now.”
“If I don’t make a name for myself in the jianghu, I’ll never return.”
Han Zhi picked up the bundle and made as if to leave. Chunlan Xiu desperately held her son back. “Zhi’er, you can’t go. If you leave, your aunt will worry herself to death.”
Holding onto her son,
Chunlan Xiu turned to look at Song Yao. “Sister-in-law, Zhi’er will go to the military camp. I promise, I’ll make sure he agrees to train there.”
Han Zhang also hurriedly chimed in, “Mother, Second Brother will go to the military camp. Please don’t drive him out of the house.”
A cold gleam flickered in Song Yao’s eyes.
This mother and son were putting on a performance together.
They were essentially saying that she was forcing Han Zhi to join the military camp.
Han Zhi, catching his brother’s meaningful look, was about to agree to join the military camp.
Song Yao had been observing each of their expressions closely.
Thus, before Han Zhi could speak, she said first, “If he doesn’t want to go, then he doesn’t have to.”
“I originally used connections to find someone, and it was all arranged for him to enter the camp, starting as a vanguard officer.”
“But because he kept refusing, the person I contacted has already reassigned someone else to take his place.”
“If Han Zhi wants to join the military now, he can only go through the conscription process, starting from the very bottom as a common soldier.”
“What?!” Han Zhi was the first to react.
Han Zhi couldn’t believe it—how could someone have already taken his vanguard officer position in just a few days?
No, how could it be so fast?
Chunlan Xiu was also stunned again. “Sister-in-law, you’re not lying to us, are you? It’s only been a few days, and someone has already taken Zhi’er’s position?”
Song Yao took an envelope from her sleeve and flung it at Chunlan Xiu’s face. “Sister-in-law, you can read. See for yourself what’s written in this letter.”
Chunlan Xiu hurriedly took the letter out of the envelope.
After reading its contents and clearly seeing the signature at the end,
Chunlan Xiu felt utterly devastated.
Her son’s vanguard officer position had really been taken by someone else?!
Han Zhi quickly took the letter from her.
After reading it clearly, Han Zhi refused to believe it. “This must be fake, impossible!”
Han Zhi’s sudden change in tone and expression amused Song Yao. “Isn’t avoiding the military camp exactly what you wanted? Why are you so worked up now?”
Han Zhi froze, then quickly said, “Why would I be worked up! I’m just saying this letter must be fake. You forged it just to upset Aunt!”
That’s right—Han Zhi was completely correct. The letter was indeed fake. But Song Yao wasn’t the least bit afraid of her deception being exposed.
Song Yao smiled. “What does it matter whether it’s fake or real?”
“Since you’d rather die than go to the military camp, does it really matter if the letter is genuine or not?”
Chunlan Xiu took the letter back from her son and rushed to Song Yao’s side.
“Sister-in-law, you’re joking with all of us, aren’t you?”
“No one has taken Zhi’er’s vanguard officer position, right? He can still start as a vanguard officer as soon as he enters the camp, can’t he?”
Song Yao’s smile faded. “Sister-in-law, look closely at the signature and seal on that letter! How would I dare to forge something like that?”
“Even as the Marquise of Yunzhou, forging this would cost me my head.”
Song Yao wouldn’t dare forge it, but if it were her senior brother Su Chuang, it probably wouldn’t count as forgery.
Song Yao continued, “If you don’t believe me, you can go to the military camp and ask. Bring this letter with you and see what they say.”
“Stop standing here, spouting nonsense based on your imaginations.”
Han Zhi was completely bewildered.
No!
This was all wrong!
How could everything be so different from what they had planned?
First, his younger sister’s marriage fell through.
Now, his hope of entering the military camp as a vanguard officer was dashed.
This wasn’t right!
Why wasn’t Song Yao fighting for them, scrambling for opportunities for them anymore?
Given Song Yao’s usual temperament, something like this shouldn’t have happened at all.
So why was everything now completely opposite to what they had schemed?
Where did things go wrong?
Han Zhi was filled with panic and disappointment!
Chunlan Xiu’s face turned pale.
The Old Madam also looked grim.
Han Lingyue, however, had slightly different thoughts from the others.
Her marriage to General Su falling through left her feeling bitter and regretful.
Now, her second brother’s entry into the military camp was also delayed.
What she felt in her heart was not pity for her second brother; instead, she suddenly felt a sense of balance!
That’s right, her second brother’s future was ruined. She didn’t pity him—she felt balanced.
Only Han Zhang quietly relaxed. Han Zhang secretly rejoiced, grateful that he hadn’t continued to oppose Song Yao.
If he had also kept up his stubbornness with Song Yao, the opportunity to study at Wuwei Academy might have fallen through as well.