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

Chapter 216 Zhu Yixuan's Decision
Ye An nodded. "I have two sons. My second brother's family only has one daughter. He is the pillar of their family and can be exempted from military service. My third brother doesn't have any children yet, and he is in the same situation as my second brother. I have already asked them to take care of my wife and children."

Luckily, my father-in-law's family lives in the village, so they can keep an eye on things a bit. It's just that my wife is upset and cries every day. Sigh! There's nothing I can do.

Ke Zhenliang stroked his chin and pondered, "Since we can't avoid it, we can only face it. Go find my cousin, say hello to them, and then go with my cousin's husband. He's a capable man, and you can seek peace by following him."

Ye An carefully noted down Ke Zhenliang's words and went to Song Yongnian as soon as they left.

Song Yongnian's situation was similar to his; both of their wives were from Dongmen Village, and they both started from scratch, and both had two sons.

"My two brothers-in-law just asked me to go to Shenjiazhuang to find Shen Yi, saying that following Shen Yi can bring peace. What do you think about this?" Ye An looked at Song Yongnian expectantly.

Song Yongnian was calmer than him and said confidently, "They are right. Brother Shen is indeed powerful, and Sister Su Tai is also a capable person. Perhaps we should really go and say hello to them."

Su Yan rushed out of the bedroom carrying the child, shouting, "I'm going too! I'll go with you!"

She was panicked and didn't want to be separated from Song Yongnian at all.

Without hesitation, Song Yongnian agreed and coaxed gently, "Go back inside and change into some warm clothes, and dress the child warmly. I'll go prepare the oxcart."

"Wait, I'll come too!" Ye An said as he ran home.

Just as Su Tai was saying this to Shen Yi, someone came in from outside.

After Shen Yi invited them into the courtyard, Su Tai was somewhat surprised to see Su Yan. "Sister Yan, you're here too?"

Su Yan, holding the child, silently walked to Su Tai's side and cried close to her, "They're going to fight a war, what are we going to do?"

Seeing her like this, Su Tai felt bad too, and led them into the house.

“We’re in the same boat. At least you’re still in the village, close to your parents’ home. I’m far away, and I have a lot of things to take care of at home. It’s harder for me than for you. Right now, we have to think about how to help them as much as possible. Crying and wailing won’t solve anything, and it might even make them leave with a heavy heart.”

Su Yan hugged the child in her arms tightly, her tears receding slightly. "I know this principle, but I just can't control myself. You know what Yongnian's situation is. He started from nothing and only just got to where he is today. Our family is just starting to get better. I'm a woman raising two children on my own, and I can't even take care of the work in the fields. I really don't know what to do."

Su Tai countered, "Actually, if you think about it this way, at least we still have some savings and a family to rely on, which is much better than others. If we can't finish the work in the fields, we can hire someone to help. As long as our annual income and expenses can break even, that's fine. We can't expect you, a woman, to earn money, can we?"

I have some life-saving supplies here, you can prepare a set for your spouse as well, so they can look after each other on the way. Don't be reckless on the battlefield. I heard that after a major war, unless the two countries make peace or one side is defeated, it is difficult for them to return. However, people over fifty years old can leave the battlefield earlier.

Who will go to your family's side?

Su Yan sniffed in frustration and said sadly, "My father heard that Uncle Chunlin was going and said he wanted to go too, but he is the village chief. He manages the village well and can win the respect of the people. If the village chief leaves at this time, people will be in a panic. My uncle doesn't agree."

Only one of my older brothers could go. Both of my older brothers are married, and if either of them went, the other family would be devastated. So we drew lots, and in the end, my eldest brother drew the lot. Upon hearing this, Su Tai realized she also needed to prepare Su Sheng's share.

Inside the courtyard, Shen Yi was also discussing his arrangements with Song Yongnian and Ye An. Upon learning that Shen Yi could obtain life-saving armor, the two were no longer so afraid of military service.

Not long after they left, Su Yu's family arrived.

Su Yu was clearly much calmer than Su Yan. Although her eyes were also red and swollen, she didn't lose her composure in front of Su Tai. She just looked absent-minded. "I don't know what the situation is like outside. I heard that Master Zhu only has one legitimate son, Zhu Yixuan. The other illegitimate sons separated from the family when they got married. On the surface, Zhu Yixuan only has one sickly eldest legitimate son. This military service will either be for Master Zhu or Zhu Yixuan."

It's most likely Zhu Yixuan. If he goes, what will happen to my cousin and my parents?

She had many worries, but she couldn't bring them up with her in-laws, so she could only confide in Su Tai.

Zhu Yixuan, who was being eyed by her, was indeed in a dilemma at this moment.

In the vast Zhu mansion, even the maids and servants dared not make a sound as they moved about, creating a very oppressive atmosphere.

Madam Zhu came out of her eldest grandson's courtyard, wiping away her tears as she walked into Zhu Yixuan's study. "Son, is there really no way to get out of the military service? You're the smartest, you'll definitely be able to avoid it, right?"
Kang Sheng's health is deteriorating; even the best doctor in the prefecture can't cure him. I'm so afraid he might die one day... What will happen to the Zhu family if you go to the battlefield again? Waaah!

Zhu Yixuan rubbed his temples wearily. "Mother, that's a battlefield where you have a slim chance of survival. I don't want to go either, but the government has already issued orders to block all the roads. Who would dare to defy the order at this time?"
"Only my father and I can go. If you don't want me to go, do you expect my father to go? Putting aside everything else, if my father really goes, the collateral relatives will condemn me to death. In the eyes of the world, I will be an unfilial and heartless bastard. How can I then manage the Zhu family?"

Madam Zhu broke down in tears, “But if something were to happen to you, wouldn’t this huge Zhu family just fall into the hands of outsiders! It’s all Cui’s fault! If she hadn’t been so jealous and vicious, you wouldn’t only have a sickly son. Waaah, how am I supposed to live like this!”

Zhu Yixuan's expression grew increasingly solemn, his gaze fixed on the distance with a deep look. After a long while, he made a careful decision, "Mother, I've left you a brocade box. If I really go to the battlefield, open the box if you feel you can't hold on any longer, but don't open it unless absolutely necessary."

"Why?" Madam Zhu stared at him blankly.

Zhu Yixuan pursed his lips and remained silent. Everything was still uncertain, and it was hard to say anything at the moment.

The mother and son had barely finished speaking when Bai Feng rushed in, looking flustered. "Brother-in-law, what do you think about the conscription?"

Facing Bai Feng, Zhu Yixuan appeared more composed, calmly pouring him a glass of wine. "Let nature take its course."

With a loud "bang!", Bai Feng slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his expression ferocious. "What kind of time is this to be going with the flow? Do you really want to go to the battlefield? If you go, nine times out of ten you'll just be going to your death!"

"What can you do if I don't go?" Zhu Yixuan retorted.

Bai Feng choked, a hint of guilt and lack of confidence in his eyes, and sat down again. "I just wanted to discuss this with you! I heard that some people are paying to have someone else take their place."