Chapter 317: Everyone Forges Ahead

Gu Zhang had never felt so gratified. He smiled and nodded. "Good. I approve. As long as you’re willing to study, I’m willing to spend any amount of Silver for it."

"Besides, the household registration has been settled. From now on, you can also take the imperial exams in Ping’an City."

He had taught Gu Qing to read when he was little and had sent him to school by the time he was six or seven. The teacher had said he was exceptionally bright—a natural scholar. If it hadn’t been for that illness back then, Gu Qing might have already earned an official title by now.

Gu Fei grew anxious. "Dad, how could you agree? On the battlefield, blades have no eyes. If the worst should happen—"

Gu Zhang looked steadily at Sanlang. "Fortune is sought in peril. Since Sanlang has this ambition, it’s only natural for us as his parents to support him!"

Gu Sanlang grinned. "Dad, I definitely won’t fail your expectations!"

Gu Zhang nodded. "I have only one thing to remind you: achieving great things and building a career is important, but not as important as your life."

"As long as you’re alive, there’s hope. No matter what happens—"

As he was speaking, Mrs. Chen, who was beside them, couldn’t help but burst into tears. "I forbid it! You’re not allowed to go! If you want to make a future for yourself, just study like your big brother! It’s not like the family can’t afford the tuition now!"

"Even if all three of you brothers and your father went to study, the family could afford it. All I want is for our family to be together. That’s better than anything."

Gu Sanlang gave his mother a sheepish grin. "Mom, I’ve never liked studying, not since I was little. Back then, I only managed to learn a few characters because Big Brother was always chasing me around. I’m just not cut out for it."

"I just like to fight."

Gu Fei stomped her foot. "Sanlang, are you really going?"

Gu Sanlang nodded. "I’m really going. I leave tomorrow."

Gu Fei quickly grabbed Gu Qing. "Big Brother, hurry and take me back to the city. Since Sanlang is leaving, we need to prepare some things for him."

"It’ll be too late if we wait any longer."

Gu Qing grew flustered too and pulled Gu Fei toward the door. Sanlang shouted from behind them, "Little Sister, remember to pack me some good food!"

Gu Fei glanced back and glared at him. "In your dreams."

The brother and sister hurriedly climbed into the mule cart and returned to the city.

Gu Fei first went to the pharmacy and bought a large amount of golden sore medicine, as well as some internal medicine pills to improve circulation and disperse blood stasis. Then she ran to the silk shop, bought several bolts of white silk, and instructed the Shopkeeper to have them made into undergarments overnight. She promised the seamstress triple the usual wage and said she would pick them up early the next morning.

Next, she returned to her own shop and had Sister Hua prepare a large basin of salt-fried beef, which wouldn’t spoil easily and would last for several days.

The next morning, Gu Fei got up before dawn. She went to the kitchen and made a large stack of egg pancakes, intending for Gu Sanlang to take them with him.

She then sent Lian’er to the silk shop to pick up the custom-made undergarments.

When the city gates opened, the entire Gu Family rode into the city on the mule cart, stopping first at Gu Fei’s shop.

Mrs. Chen had cried all night, and her eyes were swollen like lightbulbs. Little Cao seemed to have been affected by the sorrowful atmosphere of departure, her small lips pressed together in silence.

Gu Fei hurriedly brought out a parcel and explained to Gu Sanlang, "Sanlang, inside are ten silk undergarments. Wear them next to your skin."

"You must remember to wear them right against your skin. At a critical moment, these clothes could save your life, you understand?"

The silk undergarments were a precaution in case he was shot by an arrow. Arrows have barbs, and pulling one out can easily cause a secondary injury. However, if one wore silk underwear next to the skin, the arrowhead would carry the silk into the wound with it. When the arrow was removed, the silk would wrap around the head, greatly reducing the damage caused by the barbs.