What to do, I forgot what my mother looked like

The war drums thundered, and battle cries shook the heavens.

The plain-clothed woman's calm words carried across the entire field.

The soldiers, the elderly and the youths, the sturdy women clutching rolling pins, chopping boards, and laundry beaters—all raised their heads, their eyes shining as they looked at her.

The chests had been opened before them, gold and silver gleaming in the sunlight, yet few people spared them a glance. Every eye was fixed on that gentle yet resolute woman in plain clothes. She was the commander-in-chief's wife, the birth mother of his eldest son, the woman of highest standing in the entire city.

But she was also a general's wife, the sisters-in-law of the captains, and the aunt of the soldiers.

She had once entered the military camps to comfort wounded soldiers, personally tending and bandaging their injuries. She had also led the wives of the city's generals and captains in making uniforms, shoes, and bandages for the soldiers—

She could have withdrawn quickly under the protection of elite troops and joined her husband. Yet her choice—

Was to stand with everyone and hold the city!

"Madam, we'll head to the city walls at once!"

Several soldiers on rotation turned and left immediately. Around them, the elderly and youths who had not gone up to the walls crowded forward as well:

"Madam, we're going too!"

"We're going too! Even if we can't fight, we can at least help carry the wounded and bandage them to stop the bleeding!"

"We'll cook!"

The soldiers fighting desperately atop the walls were astonished to discover that they had gained a new group of reinforcements—

In the end, they won that grueling battle and held out until the commander-in-chief returned with reinforcements. Faced with her husband's thanks, the plain-clothed woman merely smiled faintly.

"I