Zhang Qiaoxiu's news stunned everyone.
Chen Yuezhi hurriedly pulled Zhang Qiaoxiu up from the ground and sat her on a chair. She took her pulse and soon, a smile spread across her face. "Good, good! Why didn't you tell your mother about such good news, keeping it a secret?"
Zhang Qiaoxiu choked back tears and said, "These days have been so chaotic, how could I let my family worry about me even more?"
Chen Yuezhi glared at her reproachfully. "What nonsense are you saying! Can any big event be bigger than you? Qiaoxiu, from now on, you don't need to worry about anything. Just rest and take care of yourself."
After speaking, she turned to look at Erlang. "Are you still leaving now?"
Erlang looked at Zhang Qiaoxiu, then at her belly.
Zhang Qiaoxiu also looked at him with tear-filled eyes, her gaze full of pleading.
Erlang's entire demeanor dimmed. After a long while, he stood up from the ground and walked behind Zhang Qiaoxiu. He pulled at the corners of his mouth. "I'm not joining the army."
Zhang Qiaoxiu was overjoyed and, disregarding the presence of others, reached out and hugged Erlang.
Erlang gently stroked her back, wanting to curl his lips into a smile, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't manage a smile.
Qiaoxiu was pregnant, and he was going to be a father. This should have been something to make him ecstatic.
However, he couldn't smile.
Jiang Wan, seeing his state, also felt a pang in her heart. But this matter was truly a dilemma.
If Erlang were not married, the situation would have been easier to resolve. But Erlang was married, and now he was going to be a father. If Erlang were to abandon his wife and child to join the army at this time, it would be incredibly unfair to Zhang Qiaoxiu.
Erlang abandoned the idea of joining the army and even put away his several handy weapons. However, Erlang's spirit seemed to be sealed away in the box along with those weapons.
He stayed by Zhang Qiaoxiu's side every day, but his entire being seemed to be visibly fading.
Jiang Wan watched with heartache and went to find Magistrate Cheng.
"Third Uncle, the situation is still turbulent and chaotic. Should the militia camp be reopened?"
Magistrate Cheng said, "I was thinking the same thing. With the militia camp, the people will feel much more at ease."
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "Then let my second brother manage the militia camp. He's good at this."
Magistrate Cheng smiled and tapped her forehead. "You little girl, you're quite considerate of your second brother. This matter truly falls to him."
So, Magistrate Cheng found Erlang and asked him to return to manage the militia camp.
Erlang, however, shook his head and refused. "Third Uncle, please find someone else. My wife is pregnant, and I need to stay home with her."
Magistrate Cheng said, "It's just the militia camp, you can come back anytime."
Erlang still shook his head. "Third Uncle, please don't look for anyone else. Let Chen Zhou go, he's more suitable than me."
Magistrate Cheng said, "Chen Zhou is too young to command those young men. Erlang, don't be stubborn. The militia camp can't do without you."
Erlang was silent for a long time, then said faintly, "Third Uncle, I put down those weapons and used all my strength. If I pick them up again, I'm afraid I won't be able to put them down again. Find someone else."
After hearing these words, Magistrate Cheng felt a bit choked up, but he still advised, "Erlang, in life, there are always sacrifices and gains. Few people can do as they please, nor must they necessarily follow that one path. Taking a different road can also lead to rewards."
Erlang smiled at him. "I understand, thank you, Third Uncle, for your guidance."
Magistrate Cheng patted his shoulder.
They were men, and they could understand Erlang's inner turmoil. But similarly, no one could offer a better solution to this kind of situation.
Erlang never mentioned anything about joining the army again, nor did he practice martial arts. Every day, besides accompanying Zhang Qiaoxiu, he would sit in a daze or sleep.
After Wangxiang Tower reopened, Erlang actively went to help at the shop. However, he was not skilled in this area and could only do some less important tasks.
As time went on, Erlang became increasingly taciturn and silent.
One day, when it was already dark and Erlang still hadn't returned home, Zhang Qiaoxiu became very worried. She hurried to the neighbor's to find Gu Chen Zhou. "Chen Zhou, could you trouble yourself to go to the county town and see why your second brother hasn't come back yet?"
Gu Chen Zhou put down what he was holding and stood up. "Second Sister-in-law, don't worry, I'll go find him right away."
Jiang Wan frowned and gave a command to her little subordinate. The little subordinate flapped its wings and flew out, then quickly returned.
Erlang had drunk too much and had fallen into the grass by the river.
Jiang Wan quickly went with Gu Chen Zhou to find him.
A drunk person was as heavy as a pig.
Jiang Wan and Gu Chen Zhou worked together to get him home. Zhang Qiaoxiu, seeing him in such a disheveled state, hurried to get clean clothes to change for him. Unexpectedly, Erlang staggered to his feet, pushed Zhang Qiaoxiu away, stumbled towards the backyard, and rushed into the storage room, locking himself inside.
When Jiang Wan forcefully removed the door of the storage room, she saw Erlang sleeping soundly with his pile of beloved weapons.
Zhang Qiaoxiu felt extremely distressed and turned to run out.
Jiang Wan was momentarily unsure whether to pity her second brother or comfort her second sister-in-law.
From that day on, Erlang's drunken episodes gradually increased.
The Jiang family strongly disliked the habit of excessive drinking. Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi even resorted to family discipline and beat Erlang, making him promise not to drink again.
Erlang did not utter a sound while being beaten.
Jiang Pan was furious. "What, you're still not convinced?"
Erlang shook his head. "How dare I be unconvinced. From now on, whatever you say goes, and I will have no objections. If you don't let me join the army, I won't. If you don't let me drink, I won't. Tell me anything else you don't want me to do. I'll listen to you and do it all."
Chen Yuezhi looked at his resigned attitude and felt a great deal of pain in her heart.
At night, Chen Yuezhi couldn't sleep. She put on her clothes and went into Jiang Wan's room.
Jiang Wan rubbed her eyes. "Mother, why aren't you sleeping?"
Chen Yuezhi sighed. "My heart is heavy. Your second brother's state... I'm really afraid he'll resent me in the future. But how could I possibly agree to let him join the army? Moreover, your second sister-in-law is pregnant now... Wan Wan, can you ask the old immortal to show me a way forward?"
She was truly lost.
Jiang Wan sighed. Wasn't this asking too much of her?
"Mother, in life, how can there be things that are perfect on both sides? Since ancient times, filial piety and loyalty have been difficult to reconcile. Your second brother cannot be both filial and responsible while also pursuing his ideals. Similarly, you cannot keep him by your side without him having regrets. No matter which choice is made in this matter, there will be regrets."
"However, Mother, life is only a few decades. If one cannot live for oneself, what is the meaning of life?"
"If your second brother joins the army, although there are dangers, who dares to say he cannot return safely?"
"Even if you force him to stay by your side, can you guarantee that he will live a life free from illness and disaster, and have a long life?"
In the end, Jiang Wan was biased.