Chu Lian, who usually went to bed early and had a beautiful nap, didn't fall asleep until the middle of the night when she found out about the war in the northern territory.

She tossed and turned on the high bed. The drowsiness that had come early seemed to have left her and didn't wake her up for a long time.

Chu Lian had no choice but to lie flat on the bed and stare at the pitch-black ceiling in the darkness.

Although she had read the original book, many things had changed and not everything was explained clearly in the book.

For example, Chu Lian only knew about the war in the northern territory. She didn't know whether they won or lost in the end. If they won, how they won, she didn't know.

Although she wanted to be a rice worm who didn't care about anything and make some delicious food to make some money, the premise was that everything in Count Jing 'an's estate was fine. If Count Jing' an's estate was in a precarious situation, then her identity as the third madam of the third branch would be nothing.

Moreover, apart from Madam Zou, she liked all the other relatives in Count Jing 'an's estate. She didn't want to see them hurt or even sacrifice themselves for the family.

Chu Lian closed her eyes as if she was making a decision. When she opened her clear almond-shaped eyes again, even in the darkness, they seemed to reflect the sea of stars.

Since she had lived under the protection of her elders for so long, she wouldn't shrink back when it was time for her to bear the burden.

After thinking it through, Chu Lian no longer tossed and turned in bed. She gently closed her eyes and in a short while, her breathing became smooth and long.

Xiyan, who was keeping watch outside, couldn't hear the sounds inside and also lay down to rest peacefully.

The next day, Chu Lian, who usually liked to laze in bed, got up on her own without being called.

As soon as Nanny Zhong came in, she saw Chu Lian change into a pink training outfit. Her black and soft hair was tied up in a high ponytail that hung down to her waist.

Nanny Zhong opened her mouth and calmed down for a while before she found her voice. "Third Madam, why are you … dressed like this?"

Chu Lian tidied up her hair and stretched her arms and legs. She put on her riding boots and looked up at Nanny Zhong with a smile. "Morning exercise!"

Nanny Zhong's face turned livid in an instant. "Morning … morning exercise?"

She only knew that when the male masters were still in the estate, they would have the habit of exercising early in the morning. Third Young Master in particular, he almost never stopped, rain or shine. That was because Count Jing 'an's estate was a military family, and officials had to rely on their own abilities to enter the imperial court.

But the delicate Third Young Madam was only fifteen years old, and the baby fat on her face hadn't even disappeared yet. She said that she wanted to do morning exercises. Was she trying to make people laugh their heads off?

Xiyan and the others had never mentioned that Third Madam knew martial arts!

Songtao Park had its own training grounds and training rooms, which He Changdi had used in the past. Now, it was convenient for Chu Lian to use them.

When Granny Zhong saw that Chu Lian was really going out dressed so thinly, she quickly took a fox fur cloak from the shelf next to the screen and put it on her.

"Third Madam, it's winter now. Girls can't go out wearing so little and get frozen."

Chu Lian quickly pushed the cloak away.

What a joke! How could he run while wearing such a thick fox fur coat?

"Granny Zhong, don't worry. It'll be fine. It's a bit cold now, but it won't be cold after I run."

After saying that, Chu Lian ignored Granny Zhong who was chasing after her with the fox fur coat in her hand and quickly walked out of the main room. When she reached the courtyard, the cold air instantly assaulted her. Chu Lian rubbed her arms, exhaled a breath of white air, and started running around the courtyard.

When Granny Zhong saw that Third Young Madam was running around the courtyard wearing so little, she anxiously wanted to chase after her. However, she was stopped by Wenlan, who had just come out of the reception pavilion.

"Why are you stopping me? Hurry up and get your Third Young Madam back!

Madam and Matriarch aren't in good health right now. If anything happens to Third Young Madam, it'll be terrible! "

Wenlan pursed her lips and shook her head. She was a martial artist after all, so she knew more than Granny Zhong. Wenlan said coldly, "Granny, it'll be fine. Third Young Madam running around like this is good for her health. Granny, don't worry. Go to the small kitchen and hurry up the food. Give me the cloak, I'll stay here and watch over Third Young Madam."

Seeing that she couldn't dissuade Chu Lian and Wenlan, Granny Zhong stomped her feet and shoved the fox fur coat into Wenlan's arms, then walked away angrily.

She hadn't exercised like this for many days, so she started to pant after running for a while.

Chu Lian slowed down and tried her best to regulate her breathing.

Actually, she had thought it through last night.

Her current thoughts were very simple. Since she had decided to personally go to the northern territory, she had to adjust her body first.

In the modern era, she was half a backpacker and understood the importance of a healthy and strong body.

Now that she had decided to go on a long journey, she had to make herself as healthy as possible. She heard that if she went north, it would be very cold after passing Longxing Basin.

The coldness there was incomparable to the coldness in Shengjing City.

According to an experienced old servant in the manor, a mouthful of saliva would immediately freeze on the ground.

If Chu Lian's body was still as delicate and weak as it was now, she wouldn't be able to hold on after passing Longxing Basin, not to mention the exhaustion of the journey. Whether it was the war in the northern territory or the search for the Snow Mountain Mist Flower, she couldn't delay either of them.

If she didn't have a healthy body, she would only be a burden to Duke Jing 'an when she went to the northern territory.

With this thought in mind, Chu Lian became even more determined.

After a while, Wenlan actually changed into a new set of clothes and followed her.

Chu Lian didn't understand. She glanced at the girl with a questioning look in her eyes.

Wenlan pursed her lips and said, "Third Young Madam, this servant will accompany you."

Chu Lian smiled and nodded.

Chu Lian slowly stopped when she felt that she had reached her limit. Wenlan supported her to the training room.

Wenlan finally couldn't hold it in anymore. "Third Young Madam, why did you suddenly think of running?

Do you want to learn martial arts? "

Chu Lian was startled. She took the wet towel from Xiyan's hands and wiped the sweat off her forehead. She looked at Wenlan, shook her head, then nodded. In the end, she could only explain, "I just want to learn a few moves to strengthen my body and defend myself."

Chu Lian usually had a lot of strange thoughts, so Wenlan didn't ask too much. She thought for a moment, then said, "Since Third Young Madam has this thought, why don't this servant teach you a few defensive moves?"

Chu Lian really wanted to slap her thighs. Aiya, how could she forget that Wenqing and Wenlan knew kung fu? Although they had learned a few self-defense techniques in modern times, how could they be compared to Wenqing and Wenlan? If she had their guidance, she would at least have some ability to protect herself in the face of vicious criminals, not to mention fighting one against five.

Thus, Chu Lian spent the time before paying her respects in the training room.

It was like this for several days. Every day, Chu Lian would wake up before the sun rose. After eating a bit, she would start running in the courtyard. After that, she would follow Wenqing and Wenlan to the training room to learn a few moves. Two hours later, she would have her morning meal and go to Qingyuan Hall to pay her respects to Matriarch He.

Every day, guards from Prince Jin's estate would come to deliver news of the northern territory to Duke Jing 'an's estate.

Matriarch He's expression became more and more serious. He Changqi left early and returned late to inquire about the situation in the imperial court.

Up until now, the imperial court was still helpless.

Finally, one day, Matriarch He could no longer sit still. She patted Chu Lian's hand and ordered Senior Servant Zhou to find He Changqi.

Chu Lian's expression changed when she saw her expression. She said, "Grandmother, do you want Eldest Brother to go to the northern territory?"

Matriarch He turned to look at Chu Lian in surprise. Then, she paused and laughed bitterly. "So Lian 'er and Grandmother have the same idea.

The imperial court can't think of a way, but our He family can't just sit back and do nothing. As long as there's a sliver of hope, I won't give up.

San Lang … San Lang is still young. He's only twenty years old! "

The sons of Duke Jing 'an's estate were very precious. Every generation, they only had one son. In He Changdi's generation, he only had three sons.

It was already a great regret that Duke Jing 'an died on the battlefield. Now, other than Dalang, all of them were in the army.

San Lang had only been married for a short time and didn't even have an heir!

How could she watch that child sacrifice himself?

Matriarch He's eyes reddened and glistened with tears. Chu Lian gulped and said, "Grandmother, let me go to the northern territory!"

Matriarch He's tears hadn't even flowed out when she was frightened by Chu Lian's words.

She looked at Chu Lian in shock. "San Lang's wife, what did you say?"

Chu Lian looked at Matriarch He seriously. Her clear almond-shaped eyes were as bright as the stars. They were bright and full of determination.

She repeated what she said earlier. "Grandmother, let me go to the northern territory. There's no one more suitable than me.

Eldest Brother has to take care of the estate and can't leave the capital. Also, he has errands to run and his two nieces are still young. Our men are all outside, so Eldest Brother can't go. "

Matriarch He finally realized that Chu Lian was telling the truth. She was stunned at first, then grabbed Chu Lian's hand and said in a low voice, "No, you're a girl. How can you go to a barren land like the northern territory?"

Chu Lian had already guessed that Matriarch He would object. She softened her voice and said, "Grandmother, you're a heroine among women. Didn't you go to the southern territory with grandfather when you were young?

You know best that our daughters aren't inferior to our men. At the crucial moment, us women can hold up half the sky!

Eldest Brother can't leave the capital. This isn't up to us to decide, it's up to the emperor! "

Although Matriarch He didn't come from a family of generals, ever since she married old Uncle Jing 'an, she had followed old Uncle Jing' an to guard the southern border.

She'd heard from her mother-in-law, Countess Jing 'an, that when Matriarch He was young, she was full of wisdom and could be considered old Uncle Jing' an's brain trust.

In many battles to the death with the people of the southern territory, old Uncle Jing 'an only managed to narrowly win and escape with his life because of the matriarch's clever schemes.

Chu Lian's words enlightened Matriarch He.

The He Family's sons were all outside. The reason why Dalang He was given a position of leisure in the capital wasn't just for the sake of the He Family's descendants. It was mostly because of the emperor's intentions.

Uncle Jing 'an was a general guarding the borders. Father and son couldn't be in the same army. The son had to wait until Uncle Jing' an retired from Ming Province to inherit his father's position. As the eldest son, He Changqi, stayed in the capital mainly because he was a hostage to reassure the emperor.

Since he had this kind of status, how could he leave the capital?