After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 213 Military Service
The news caused nationwide turmoil, and the people of Zhaohua County were no exception.

Shen Ying, the village chief of Shenjiazhuang, went to Moshi Town. As soon as he entered the village, he seemed to faint and walked unsteadily.

The autumn harvest had just ended, and many villagers were talking at the village entrance. Seeing him like this, they quickly went up to help him up.

"Village chief, what's wrong? Are you in trouble?"

Shen Ying looked at the villager who had spoken, her eyes brimming with tears. After holding back for a long time, she couldn't help but burst into sobs, "The government is conscripting soldiers for war! Every household must send out a man who is thirteen years old but under fifty. They can't use money to pay for it. No one can escape it! No one can escape it!"

Upon hearing this, everyone panicked.

Shen Mu gripped the hoe tightly, his lips pale. "Village chief, are you really going to conscript soldiers? We don't even know when the war started!"

Shen Ying sighed repeatedly, "I didn't know either! In fact, no one in Lizhou would know, since Longxia Kingdom is so far away. No matter how much they fight, it won't affect us here. I never expected this!"

After saying that, he looked up at the villagers surrounding him, tears streaming down his face, and said, “You should hurry back and inform your families to discuss and choose one person to serve. The government is somewhat conscientious; families with only one male member can be exempted from military service. The decree has just been issued, and there is still a month before departure.”

Those who should marry should marry, and those who should marry off their daughters should marry. You can decide for yourselves what to do. There's only one rule: once the decree is issued, the government officials will no longer handle household registration matters. You cannot separate or merge your families, nor can you have someone impersonate you. If discovered, you will be severely punished. I'm just giving you a heads-up; this is something we ordinary people can't escape!

"Waaah!" Cries erupted one after another from the surrounding area.

Shen Ying was also heartbroken, but she had to force herself to notify other families in the village.

When Su Tai received the message, Shen Yi was still out delivering goods.

Seeing that she was raising two children alone, Shen Ying felt sorry for her and her eyes instantly reddened. She earnestly advised, "No one can escape natural disasters or man-made calamities. If your family didn't have this child, Shen Yi could have avoided it. But since he had a child, he's not included in the exemption conditions. You should discuss it with Shen Yi properly later."

Your family's business is so large that you probably can't manage it all by yourself. We need to think about how to best manage it.

It took Su Tai a while to process what the village chief had said. She forced a smile, stood up, and bowed gracefully to the village chief. "Thank you for making this special trip, Village Chief. I will discuss it with Shen Yi properly."

Shen Ying nodded slightly and then walked to the next store.

As soon as he left, Su Tai hurriedly closed the courtyard gate. Her mind was in a mess, and apart from holding her child tightly to draw strength, she had no other thoughts until Shen Yi returned.

When the courtyard gate opened, Shen Yi saw Su Tai sitting under the eaves, holding her child and lost in thought. He felt a pang of heartache and quickly went over to hug her tightly. "Don't worry, everyone says I'm tough. I'll definitely be fine this time."

Su Tai gripped his hand tightly and sobbed softly.

The noise woke up Shen Yuezhang, who was sleeping next to her.

The little girl cried out in fear, "Father, Mother."

Shen Yi scooped him up and held him protectively in his arms, continuing to comfort Su Tai, "Look, we've had a smooth journey so far, and we'll definitely get through this hurdle too. Instead of feeling bad, let's think about how to get through it, right?"

Su Tai remained unmoved.

Shen Yi revealed his trump card, "You forgot, not only do you have special abilities, but I do too. It's just that they've been useless all these years. When I go to serve in the military, those will be my means of survival."

Think about it, there's always a reason why God gave me special abilities. Maybe serving in the military will put them to good use, right?

Su Tai's eyes were red like a rabbit's, and she stared at him blankly.

Shen Yi persuaded her for a while before she gradually calmed down. The couple took the children back to the bedroom. Their younger son had also woken up, and Shen Yuezhang obediently played with his younger brother.

Su Tai and Shen Yi looked at them with satisfaction, and sat facing each other for a while before speaking.

"If you really go to serve in the military, survival is the most important thing. The battlefield is ruthless, and swords have no eyes. You could lose your life if you are not careful. I will definitely make full preparations for you."

As Su Tai spoke, she began to think about how to protect Shen Yi from the inside out.

Shen Yi watched her think with amusement and reminded her, "Besides me, my father-in-law will also be sending someone, as will your cousin's family and my second uncle's family. There will probably be quite a few people going together."

Su Tai's pupils contracted, and she slapped her forehead in frustration. "I didn't even think of that until you mentioned it. I don't know who they'll choose. Should we go to my parents' house and sit down to discuss it?"

She had just finished speaking when she heard the sound of the wooden stake pulling the door open. Shen Yi went out to open the door.

Su Tai quickly led the two children outside.

As soon as she entered the main room, she saw Han Shi, whose eyes were bloodshot, rushing towards her, crying out, "Waaah, my poor child, what are you going to do with me!"

Su Tai caught Han Shi in her arms. "Mother, don't cry. Father, Zhan, Ming, and Xiao Yu, please come inside and sit down. I'll get you some water."

"What time is it! Mother doesn't want to drink water!" Han cried out stubbornly.

Soon after, the Xu family also came over.

A large group of people sat in the courtyard, each one looking dejected, their faces showing numbness and sorrow.

Su Tai served them hot tea and exchanged glances with Shen Yi.

Shen Yi slowly spoke, "Second Uncle and Second Aunt, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, things have come to this, and we can only face it. I will definitely have to go to my family. After I leave, I will entrust Xiaotai and the child to you."

Upon hearing this, both Madam Xu and Madam Han burst into tears.

"Don't worry, my dear daughter and grandson, I will protect them with all my might and won't let them be bullied," Madam Han said, her voice choked with emotion.

Su Zhan jokingly said from the side, "Mother, my sister's family is like an impregnable fortress now. Even the wealthy Master Ma in town has fallen into trouble. Who would dare to covet her family?"

Ruan Xiaoyu secretly stepped on Su Zhan's foot, signaling him not to talk nonsense.

Han glared at Su Zhan fiercely, "You think you're so capable! No matter what, it's not safe for your sister to live in such a big yard alone with two little kids."

After she finished speaking, she started crying again.

Madam Xu comforted her, "Xiaotai's mother, don't be sad. We're still here! Shen Yi's business deals will probably be handed over to Xiaotai. No matter how sad we are, we have to find a way to get through this."

Su Tai nodded vigorously, "Second Aunt is right. With Shen Yi gone, I have to support this family. We will definitely need everyone's help then."

"Of course, of course," Xu readily agreed.

Mrs. Han felt even more distressed. "You're a woman raising two crying babies, it's already hard enough. Why are you trying to be strong?"