Yun Jiao understood, a short time would be four or five years, a long time could be ten or more.

She knew that Great Chu had been secretly preparing for war; last time Jiang Youzhi told her that if the weather was favorable in the next four or five years, they were planning to make a move against Da Jin.

Jiang Youzhi added, "Only the emperor, my father, Brother Lin, and I know about Ah Hu’s situation. You must not mention it to anyone."

Yun Jiao nodded, "I understand."

"When is Brother Lin planning to leave?"

The Duke said, "In the next couple of days."

"Then, will he come to see Qi Er before he leaves?" Yun Jiao couldn’t help but ask.

The Duke shook his head, "I’m afraid he won’t have time."

Yun Jiao didn’t know what to say.

Qi Er had already lost his mother, and now even his father would disappear without any word; how could the child handle this, it was too pitiful.

Jiang Youzhi said, "Originally, I didn’t plan to tell you this, but I was worried that you might start to overthink if you didn’t see Brother Lin for a long time."

"Publicly, the story is that Brother Lin has made a mistake and is being demoted to guard duty in the southern frontier."

"You must remember this."

Yun Jiao sighed, "I remember, I won’t let it slip."

"But how do I tell Qi Er about this? The child might cry secretly at night."

The Duke and Jiang Youzhi exchanged a glance; the Duke coughed lightly, while Jiang Youzhi looked up at the sky.

Yun Jiao shook her head, "I understand, I’ll go tell him." Otherwise, they wouldn’t have entrusted this task to her.

She waited for a moment before heading to the study.

The study was lively, Yang Ying sat behind You Er, watching several children play cards; occasionally she would secretly gesture behind You Er to tell Ruru what cards You Er had.

But Ruru misunderstood eight times out of ten and happily winked, showing she understood.

Yun Jiao walked in and saw the children laughing happily, suddenly feeling cruel: why did she have to tell Qi Er now and disrupt his happiness?

They would stay in the traveling palace for at least half a month; it wouldn’t be too late to tell him after returning home. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

At least the child could be happy for another half month.

Then again, that wouldn’t work; telling him after returning home would leave no time for adjustment, as he would soon go to the military camp.

Here, with Ruru, herself, and Jiang Youzhi, so many people to accompany him daily, he could adjust his emotions more easily.

She patiently sat beside watching, waiting until the children had finished their game before gently prodding Qi Er, signaling for him to follow her out.

Yun Jiao led Qi Er to the living room.

The living room was lit by candles, the light not very bright, she gestured for Qi Er to sit down.

Qi Er suddenly felt inexplicable tension, sensing Aunt Gu had something important to tell him.

The last time he felt like this was when his father told him Aunt Gu wasn’t his mother.

Sure enough, Gu Yujiao solemnly began, "Qi Er, you’re a big child now, eleven years old. You need to understand that everyone has their own struggles."

Qi Er thought to himself, this introduction didn’t bode well, it seemed nothing good would follow.

Yun Jiao deliberated, "There’s something I need to tell you, your father, your father has been reassigned to the southern frontier."

Qi Er was taken aback, "Southern frontier? Then, when will he come back?"

Yun Jiao thought, and lied, "It’s hard to say, one or two years, maybe even two or three years." She didn’t want the child to feel hopeless now.

Later, when he’s older, she would tell him gradually.

"Then, he won’t be home for New Year either?"

Yun Jiao tried to keep her tone light, "He’s just gone, traveling to and from the southern frontier takes several months; definitely not this year."