#143: A One-Year Difference

The constable’s hand met thin air. His expression darkened, and he coldly snapped, “How could the household registry be wrong? And what right does a mere girl like you have to question such matters? Your name is already recorded. Report in three days!”

By now, Wu Laosan had regained his composure and hastily pleaded, “Master, you must have made a mistake. I’m certain I’m already fifty. I couldn’t possibly be forty-nine. I…”

Impatiently, the constable cut him off. “Enough of this nonsense. If you don’t show up in three days, you know the consequences.” With that, he and his men left, leaving Wu Laosan bewildered.

“How… how could this happen? It’s impossible—I’m fifty! I really am!” Wu Laosan stammered, then moved to chase after the constables. Yunyi held him back, saying, “Father, arguing with them won’t help. Let’s go to the county office now and check the household registry ourselves.”

Wu Laosan nodded repeatedly. “Yes, let’s check the registry. I’m definitely fifty. How could it say forty-nine?”

At the county office, chaos reigned as officials scrambled to process the conscription orders. No one paid them any mind. Finally, someone reluctantly listened to their plea, but upon hearing they wanted to inspect the registry, flatly refused, dismissing them even after they explained their reasoning. Left with no choice, Yunyi and Wu Laosan waited outside the office for Magistrate Qin, hoping his acquaintance with Li Shimin might work in their favor.

After waiting nearly an hour, they finally saw Magistrate Qin emerge. Recognizing Yunyi and her father, Qin, mindful of Li Shimin’s influence, greeted them courteously and invited them inside. After hearing their request, he stroked his goat-like beard and said, “The information in the household registry is gathered door-to-door. There’s no possibility of error.”

At these words, Wu Laosan grew frantic. Rising, he exclaimed, “But I’m truly over fifty! I’m not lying!”

“Calm down,” Qin reassured him. “I’ll have someone fetch the registry. If you’re indeed over fifty, I’ll personally strike your name from the list. Rest assured.”

Wu Laosan felt slightly comforted. Soon, the county’s household registry was brought in, accompanied by the clerk. Flipping to Wu Laosan’s entry, the clerk announced, “Master, please see for yourself. Wu Laosan was born in December, meaning he still has over two months until he turns fifty. Furthermore, he’s the only male in his household, so he’s eligible for conscription.”

Upon hearing the year stated, Wu Laosan hastily interjected, “No, that’s wrong! I was born in December of the previous year—that adds ten more months!”

The clerk handed over the ledger. “See for yourself. Would I lie to you?”

Unable to read, Wu Laosan relied on Yunyi to verify the entry. As the clerk had said, it showed he was still two months short of fifty. Furrowing her delicate brows, Yunyi asked, “Father, are you absolutely sure you didn’t misremember?”

“How could I forget my own age? I’m definitely fifty.” Seeing Yunyi’s silence, Wu Laosan grew uneasy. Trembling, he asked, “Could it be… the registry shows I’m not yet fifty?”

Yunyi nodded gravely. “Father, is there any other way to verify your age?”

Wu Laosan’s voice grew hoarse. “The household registry is the only record of birth dates. Where else would it be documented?”

Magistrate Qin declared, “Since your age is indeed below fifty, you must comply with the conscription order. No one can defy it. I trust you understand.”

Wu Laosan nodded despondently. After leaving the office, he choked back tears and said to Yunyi, “Daughter, you know where I keep my things. After I’m gone, take good care of them and don’t let anyone steal them. Also, remember to visit Matchmaker Liu—find yourself a good family. As long as you’re safe and well, I’ll die in peace.”

Hearing his words, Yunyi’s heart ached. Over the past few months, she had truly come to regard Wu Laosan as a father. Fighting back tears, she said, “Father, don’t talk like that. I won’t let anything happen to you. We… we’ll think of something. If we can find proof that you’re fifty, you won’t have to go.”

Wu Laosan gently stroked Yunyi’s neatly styled hair and forced a smile. “Silly girl, how can such things be proven? The registry must be mistaken. But alas, this is my fate. I accept it!”

“No, I won’t accept it!” Yunyi clung tightly to Wu Laosan’s arm, terrified that letting go would mean losing him.

“Silly girl,” Wu Laosan said with a bitter smile. “Don’t bother Second Young Master with this. He… he can’t help us.”

“I…” Yunyi started to say she’d find a way, but her gaze caught a familiar figure lurking in the shadows. It was Feng Cheng, glaring venomously at them. Realizing Yunyi had spotted him, he quickly turned and left.

Yunyi said nothing. Once they returned home, she asked, “Father, since the Feng Chunxiu case, has the Feng family troubled you?”

“At first, they came a few times. Later, they seemed to lose interest and stopped.” As they spoke, Wu Laosan led Yunyi to the back of the house and pointed to a newly planted sapling. “I buried those pearls here because I didn’t feel safe keeping them indoors. Seven inches underground—they’ll be safe. Remember, with those pearls and the tiger skin as your dowry, you should have enough to marry into an ordinary family. Just make sure to find someone honest and kind to you.” Clutching her hand, he added wistfully, “The happiest and proudest moment of my life was having a thoughtful and obedient daughter like you. The only regret is that I won’t live to see you married.”

Yunyi quickly wiped away her tears, her voice trembling. “Father, don’t say such things. I’ll find a way—I promise.”

Amidst the turmoil sweeping the Sui Dynasty, uprisings erupted everywhere. The emperor should focus on quelling domestic rebellions and stabilizing the people’s hearts. Why launch a campaign against Goguryeo now? If this continues, the people will suffer, and the dynasty will crumble.

Unaware of Yunyi’s thoughts, Wu Laosan continued rambling. By evening, his voice grew hoarse. “It’s late. Let me escort you back. Remember what I said—always lock the door when you’re alone.”

“I’ll find a way to save you, Father. You won’t be harmed,” Yunyi insisted. But Wu Laosan dismissed her words as mere comfort. After all, this was an imperial decree. What could a mere girl like her possibly do?