Li Jin Qing: The one behind it all

Chapter 72

During harvest time, the only time of relaxation was during the nighttime where everyone gathered outside to take in the breeze and gaze up at the stars. Typically, nights like this would be separated into two: Bai yan, Ye bing, and Long Yin with the kids on one side, and everyone else on the other. With the addition of Xue Hua and the two older brothers out in town for the day, the order suddenly shifted a little-- with Long Yin suddenly deciding to be around their group.

The grouping wasn't the only thing that changed that night-- the atmosphere did so as well. Naturally, there was anxiety filling the air on the fact that Hong Hui and Hai Lin haven't returned yet, and the 'hidden' little glances Jin qing would notice Xue Hua would often give her.

With a wild guess, Jin qing would be able to deduct that Xue was giving her those strange looks because of the story she just told her. The one about what happened in the Liang and who she was, her story with the family in the countryside, and then how she got into the Wei. There were parts where she had to summarize, but she answered as many questions Xue Hua had for her (which, wasn't a lot).
It was plenty for her to take in, so Jin qing decided to leave her to her thoughts for the night.

Meanwhile, the elderly woman wasn't the only one who was starting to grow anxious. After all, her two sons weren't back from their trip to town for needed supplies. A journey to and from the town shouldn't have taken them all day-- an afternoon at most. A million things could have happened during that time, and a worried mother's mind could race through each and every one of them in an instant. 

"Xue Hua, did anything happen that we should know?" The old woman asked, struggling to keep the worry out of her voice. "Something that happened in the capital that could affect us normal citizens..."

Xue Hua looked troubled and looked away shamefully. "I... There were talks about drafting a new army since the existing ones has chosen to side with... side with Jin qing. I didn't think they would follow up with it. Maybe--?"

She didn't need to finish her sentence as everyone in earshot had filled in the blanks. It was entirely possible that the two men were dragged in by the drafters and forced to join the army. With the state of the Wei in dreadful peril, Jin qing wasn't surprised if such a thing happened. 

Long Yin shot to his feet. "If so, then we have to go and get them! We all know how dangerous war is. The entire purpose of us staying low here is to avoid that type of conflict! We have to--"

Jin qing pulled him back down onto his seat. "Sit down. You going to town and causing a ruckus would only result in you getting drafted." she turned to Xue Hua "Was there any talks of when it would be happening?"

Xue hua shook her head. 

"It's in the middle of the harvest season." Jin qing took in a deep but shaky breath. "The emperor would be stupid to drag out farmers to serve in the army when war already puts a stress on food supplies."

Yu Qi looked sideways at her. "However, from your description of the emperor of Wei, he is exactly the type of idiot to do so."

"... you have a point. But I'm sure Kai Feng or someone in the court is intelligent enough to stop him. "

"If the same court that got you banished is whispering in his ear, would they really have the reason not to?"

Jin qing gave her an annoyed look for coming up with reasonable points, then glanced over at the elderly woman as a signal for Yu Qi to shut up. 

The old woman rubbed her chest with the heel of her palm as if to soothe a tightness there. "If Hai Lin and Hong Hui were drafted... the only combat they have ever experienced was some wild animals and odd lessons your old man gave them. Only heaven would be able to protect them now..."