"Alright."
Zhang Xin glanced at the darkening sky beyond the window and nodded. Night had only just fallen—there was still time.
Zhang Bao sat down beside him, Zhang Ning in his arms, his posture relaxed but heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"Ziqing," he began, "when I transferred you away from my side… did you resent me?"
Zhang Xin thought for a moment before answering honestly. "Not resentment… but I was dissatisfied. Later, I thought it through. Since you took me in during the fifth year of Guanghe, you've never treated me poorly. So I figured you must have had your reasons."
Zhang Bao smiled faintly. "Good. Then do you know why I did it?"
Zhang Xin shook his head.
Zhang Bao's gaze dimmed slightly. "After my Zhang clan was destroyed, I often wondered who should inherit this branch of the Yellow Turbans after I'm gone."
Zhang Xin's heart stirred. "Could it be… you had already chosen me back then?"
"Exactly," Zhang Bao nodded. "Hu Cai and Li Yue are mediocre. As for Zhang Niujiao—he's fierce, but crude and reckless. He charges into battle himself. That kind of man rarely meets a good end. If I handed everything to him, it wouldn't last."
Zhang Xin was inwardly surprised.
Zhang Bao's judgment was spot on.
"Even so," Zhang Xin said, still puzzled, "I'm young and lack merit. Why entrust me with something so important?"
Zhang Bao looked at him closely. "I once had a son… also named Zhang Xin. He died young."
Zhang Xin froze.
"You resemble him by half," Zhang Bao said quietly.
Everything suddenly made sense.
"But you are different," Zhang Bao continued, stroking his beard with a faint smile. "You're far more intelligent. When I taught you to read, you grasped it instantly. You could draw conclusions from a single example."
Zhang Xin felt a bit embarrassed.
Of course he could—he had already learned these things in his previous life.
"Still, even if I favored you, as a mere guard, you wouldn't command respect as a leader," Zhang Bao said. "So I used your bluntness as an excuse to send you away—to observe your character and ability."
"You didn't disappoint me."
Zhang Xin fell silent.
Zhang Bao sighed. "I had planned to adopt you as my son… but then Guangzong fell, and Left Leopard brought Ning'er here."
Zhang Xin looked at Zhang Ning.
Her face was already streaked with tears.
Even at her age, she understood what was happening—but she didn't cry out or make a fuss.
Zhang Bao gently stroked her head. "She is the only bloodline left of my Zhang clan. After much thought, entrusting her to you is the best choice. Since that is so… I can no longer adopt you. It would violate propriety."
He looked up. "Ziqing, can you promise me one thing?"
"Second Uncle, please speak," Zhang Xin said. "If it's within my power, I will not refuse."
"There's no need for anything extreme," Zhang Bao chuckled. "If you and Ning'er have a son in the future, let one carry my elder brother's line—to continue the Zhang ancestral rites."
"Of course," Zhang Xin agreed without hesitation. "Let alone one—I could pass on another to your name as well."
"Good… good…"
Zhang Bao placed Zhang Ning into Zhang Xin's arms. "Then go. Take her, and do what you must."
"Understood."
Zhang Xin gently wiped Zhang Ning's tears, lifted her, and turned to leave.
After a few steps, his vision blurred.
Since arriving in this world, everything had been harsh—his own family had wanted to sell him, refugees had beaten him, and officials ignored him.
Only Zhang Bao had pulled him out of that wretched sick camp.
Fed him. Clothed him. Taught him to read. Trained him in martial arts.
In this chaotic world, Zhang Bao had been his only light.
And yet… he had once resented him.
"Second Uncle… take care."
Zhang Xin suddenly turned back, set Zhang Ning down, and knelt, kowtowing three times with a heavy thud.
Zhang Ning followed, crying as she bowed.
"Get up," Zhang Bao said, helping them both up. Then he looked at Zhang Ning. "Ning'er, remember—listen to your elder brother from now on. Don't be willful."
"Ning'er understands…" she sobbed.
"Go now," Zhang Bao waved them off, exhaustion filling his eyes.
Zhang Xin bowed deeply once more, then picked Zhang Ning up and left the hall.
After they were gone, Zhang Bao lowered his head into his knees, his shoulders trembling.
A moment later, he straightened, wiped his face, tied on his yellow headscarf, and strode out with his guards.
—
Zhang Xin stepped out of the county office, his expression heavy. A cold wind hit his face, making him shiver—and clearing his mind.
And once his mind cleared…
Something felt off.
Wait a second.
Wasn't I just here to slack off?
How did I end up becoming the Great Marshal?!
Replaying everything in his mind, Zhang Xin grew more certain.
This whole scene… had probably been planned by Zhang Bao from the moment Zhang Ning arrived.
Damn it—I got played.
I shouldn't have opened my mouth at all!
After venting internally, Zhang Xin glanced down at Zhang Ning in his arms—and another headache hit him.
How was he supposed to explain this to Liu Hua?
What, just walk in and say:
"Sister Hua, look how amazing I am! I went out once, got promoted from rebel to rebel leader—and even brought you a little sister. Aren't you happy?"
"Oh, by the way, she's the main wife now. You're the concubine. Don't forget to call her Mistress."
…Yeah, Liu Hua probably wouldn't kill him.
But she definitely wouldn't let him sleep inside anymore.
"Hiss… this is going to be difficult."
Lost in thought, Zhang Xin soon arrived at his doorstep.
He raised his hand to knock—then hesitated, pulling it back. He repeated this several times.
Zhang Ning tilted her head curiously. "Elder brother, what are you doing?"
"Ah!" Zhang Xin jumped, quickly putting a finger to his lips. "Shh…"
"Has the General returned?"
Inside the courtyard, Liu Hua had been waiting. Hearing the noise, she hurried over and opened the gate.