The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant-Chapter 813: I Wish You Didn’t Know About the Conscription Order

Song Lingzhao rode back to the mansion, a trace of excitement on his face. He dismounted at the east corner gate and tossed the reins to the porter coming up to greet him, and walked inside briskly.

"Zhao’er, just back from outside?"

Song Lingzhao halted, recognized the person before him, and bowed with respect: "Third Uncle, you’re here as well."

Song Zhiqing smiled faintly and said, "Third Uncle just returned to the mansion too, seems you were following right behind me." He glanced at his nephew’s stature and compared it to his own inwardly, saying, "You’ve shot up quite fast this year, almost taller than your Third Uncle now."

Song Lingzhao scratched his head, saying, "Perhaps it’s because of my daily martial practice, my appetite is large."

"No problem, it’s said that half-grown boys eat their parents into poverty but your mother’s dowry was rich, no matter how much you eat, you’re well provided for."

Song Lingzhao chuckled awkwardly, feeling inexplicably unsettled inside, sensing a peculiar tone, somewhat sour and odd.

"Zhao’er made quite the splash during the Dragon Boat Festival, bringing benefit to your parents too. Yet as an elder, I advise you: do not become arrogant because of this; remember to guard against pride and impulsiveness."

Song Lingzhao quickly said, "Nephew will heed Third Uncle’s teaching."

Song Zhiqing patted his shoulder, sighing, "Your father’s greatest achievement in life is having you and Jie’er."

Song Lingzhao: "..."

Wasn’t it marrying my mother?

Though that peculiar tone really makes one feel somewhat uncomfortable inside.

Song Lingzhao grinned and said, "Third Uncle overly praises. Um, aren’t you leaving?"

Song Zhiqing’s hand froze, pulled back, coughed once, and headed to the back courtyard. He had matters to discuss with Mrs. Lu and touched the things in his sleeve, his confidence strengthened somewhat.

Song Lingzhao watched him leave, then hurriedly rushed back to his own courtyard, directly heading to Song Lingjie’s west wing room.

"Brother!"

Song Lingjie was practicing calligraphy by the window, caught off guard by the sudden shout, his hand trembled, the words on the paper went awry and the whole page was ruined.

Seeing the page, he sighed helplessly, tossed the brush into the wash basin and crumpled the paper into a ball, then threw it at Song Lingzhao.

Song Lingzhao raised his hand and caught the crumpled paper, grinning as he approached, "You can’t hit me."

Song Lingjie, with a hint of annoyance, spread out a new sheet, saying, "You don’t need to shout like that, I’m not at the age of hearing loss yet."

"I’m here to tell you something."

Without lifting his head, Song Lingjie said, "Listening to your excited tone, what, has the military enlistment order come out?"

"You know?"

Song Lingjie said, "Yesterday I heard from His Highness, and today in the study I heard several tutors mention it. I figured you would’ve heard the news while out."

"That’s not being a good brother, not telling me." Song Lingzhao felt a bit disappointed.

Song Lingjie looked up at him, saying, "Truth be told, I actually didn’t want you to know, because once you know, you’d definitely leave."

Song Lingzhao froze.

He leaned against the window, feigning lightheartedness, saying, "Didn’t we already agree?"

"Agree indeed, but once gone, who knows how many years until we meet again, or if we can meet again. We’ve been inseparable since we were in mother’s womb. So I’d rather you didn’t know."

The battlefield is harsh and intense; it’s not just a matter of words. He too feared losing him.

"Nonsense, you went to be a study companion for His Highness, often staying at the palace; that’s separation too."

"Don’t use flippant talk, you know what I mean." Song Lingjie snorted coldly.

Song Lingzhao: "..."