The Reason for Joining the Army

"So what if he joined the Imperial Guard? He's merely a squad leader at best. Who knows if he'll even rise through the ranks? If he's unlucky and dies during some bandit suppression campaign or while fighting marauders, it would be quite the waste of the Lin family's eldest grandson."

Upon hearing this, Second Madam's eyes lit up instantly.

"Mother is right. I was overthinking," she replied, her voice soft with deference.

The Princess of Rongkang cast her daughter-in-law Wang a sidelong glance. The woman wasn't particularly bright, but she came from a decent family, which made her tolerable—most of the time.

"Stay out of the eldest branch's affairs," the Princess said coolly. "They've their own trials to endure. Now, how is Guangzhi doing? Has he been managing well at the Imperial Academy?"

The Lin family's second young master, Lin Guangzhi, was the Princess's cherished grandson—and the only male heir from her own bloodline. As such, the entire Lin household placed great importance on him.

But he'd been pampered too much since childhood, and as a result, had grown a bit unruly. To temper his attitude, the Princess had him enrolled in the Imperial Academy, hoping he'd develop some discipline.

It had been two months since he left, and there hadn't been much news. Ever since, the Princess checked for letters daily, fearing she might miss a single word from her beloved grandson.

Upon hearing her son mentioned, Second Madam Wang beamed.

"Please don't worry, Mother. You know what Guangzhi is like—lively and charming. I've heard the entire Academy treats him with great fondness."

"I asked how well he's studying," the Princess snapped.

With the support of the Zhan Prince's household and the prestige of the Lin family behind him, who would dare give the boy trouble? The woman really was lacking in brains.

"He's a quick learner," Wang tried to amend, "just a bit playful still. But given time, he'll grow into someone accomplished."

Truly, the saying "a doting mother spoils the son" held some truth. Fortunately, he was still young. Once he reached adulthood, he could be placed in some respectable post. With enough time and responsibility, his temperament might well mature.

With that thought, the Princess finally relaxed a little and began chatting again with her daughter-in-law about the latest happenings in the capital.

Meanwhile, in the eastern wing of the estate, Madam Dong nearly lost her breath upon hearing the news that Lin Xingzhi intended to join the military.

"Have you lost your mind? Your sister is already in the palace. It's hard enough to see her as it is. Now, if you leave too—what will become of us? It's just you and your brother by our side. And if you were to be send to war, where swords know no eyes... If something were to happen to you, how could your father and I go on?"

Lady Dong sobbed as she scolded him, overcome by anguish.

Kneeling before her, Lin Xingzhi didn't speak. No matter how harsh the words, his face remained firm. His resolve would not be shaken.

Master Lin, the head of the family's eldest branch, looked on with a furrowed brow. Several times, words reached his lips only to die unspoken.

Instead, it was the younger son, Lin Muzhi, who stepped forward. He gently helped his mother sit down, handed her a handkerchief, and spoke softly.

"Mother, Brother isn't someone who acts on impulse. He must have his reasons. Let's hear him out first, shall we?"

Though young, Lin Muzhi's calm tone carried weight. His youthful face already bore the composed steadiness of someone far beyond his years. Of all the grandsons in the Lin family, he resembled Grandfather Lin the most—especially in demeanor.

It was just unfortunate that he was born into the less-favored eastern wing. Their grandfather barely acknowledged him, let alone nurtured or guided him. At thirteen, he could count on one hand the number of times he had even seen the old man.

"You're right," said Master Lin with a sigh. "Let's hear what Xingzhi has to say."

Whatever misunderstandings there might be, this was still a family. Honest talk could mend much.

Madam Dong, seeing both husband and son trying to reason with her, finally quieted her sobs. Her eyes still red and puffy, she looked at her eldest son.

"Then speak," she said hoarsely. "Why must you insist on joining the army?"

Lin Xingzhi took a deep breath. His gaze swept across his family, lingering especially on his weary mother. Compared to the Second Madam in the western wing, his mother had aged too quickly from years of worry.

And then he began.

"Mother, I saw Qianqian during the dragon boat race."

"What? How is she? Is she well? Has she lost weight?"

One question tumbled out after another. Lin Xingzhi didn't even have time to answer them all. Seeing the desperation in his mother's face, he felt a pang in his heart—but still, he couldn't lie.

"She's... not well. She looks thinner. And though she didn't say anything, I noticed she walks with difficulty—likely a twisted ankle, maybe still recovering."

Madam Dong nearly collapsed onto the bench. If Lin Muzhi hadn't caught her, she might've fallen straight to the floor.

Despair swept over her like a tide.

"My poor child... one after another, all suffering so…"

But Lin Xingzhi didn't stop. His words, though heavy, had to be spoken.

"And that day, someone tried to frame her. She fell into the lake. If I hadn't been there to pull her out, we might have received news of her death instead."

"What?!"

Master Lin slammed his fist on the table and shot to his feet.

"I'm going to the western courtyard right now! I'll demand an explanation! Isn't that girl over there a noble consort now? How could she let her own sister be humiliated like this? They're both Lin daughters—has she no sense of kinship at all?"

Lin Xingzhi laughed coldly.

"Father, even now you still don't see it clearly? Since when have they treated us as family? They forced Qianqian into the palace to help the Consort secure the Emperor's favor. They've suppressed me and Muzhi at every turn, made mother's life miserable—when have they ever cared about anyone in this courtyard?"

"You want to confront them? Who would even respond? Second Uncle? Second Aunt? One's the Left Minister of Personnel, the other the daughter of the Minister of War. And look at us—Mother is the daughter of a merchant, and you? An idle eighth-rank clerk at the Bureau of Astronomy. What do we have to compete with? What do we have to fight back?"

His voice grew louder, his eyes red with years of pent-up frustration and humiliation.

The whole room fell silent, stunned by the clarity and sharpness of his words. Master Lin stood frozen, unable to move.

"You asked why I want to join the army?" Lin Xingzhi's voice lowered, each word heavy with purpose. "Because I refuse to live as a fish on someone else's chopping board. If we don't climb up—if we stay stuck in this forgotten courtyard—then one day, Muzhi and I will become nothing more than stepping stones for the western wing. And Qianqian..."

He paused, his fists clenched.

"She's a concubine in the palace with no family backing. You know what kind of life that means? Maybe now the Consort still finds her useful and will protect her. But what about later? Who knows what the future holds? Should she live the rest of her life begging for scraps of favor?"

His voice fell, heavy and resolute.

"You tell me—can we really count on them?"