"Yuan Can, Yuan Can!" Xia Siheng crouched down and restrained him together with Jing Er.
Yuan Can's eyes were filled with madness. "Yuan Can must serve East Lin."
"I'm not East Lin's running dog... I'm not."
"Let me die... Your Highness!" The man wept until his heart and guts seemed torn apart, unable to understand how such a wretched fate had befallen him.
The two voices he cried out in overlapped, as though two souls inside his body were fiercely battling for control of it.
Such a stark contrast was enough to make everyone's hair stand on end.
"Calm down." Xia Siheng held his hands firmly to keep him from hurting himself, then continued, "Your family entrusted me with a letter for you..."
At those words, the madness gradually faded from Yuan Can's eyes. He knew no one could save him anymore.
Seeing that he had calmed somewhat, Xia Siheng hurriedly told Jing Er to bring the letter.
Yuan Can accepted it with trembling hands. Slowly unfolding the first page, he saw his mother's familiar handwriting:
"My son, Yuan Can, have you been well lately? I hear Great Xia has marched on East Lin. As commander of the Fifth Battalion, you are duty-bound to defend our homeland. Yet when a son travels a thousand miles, his mother worries. Forgive your mother her selfish wish, but when you enter battle, you must keep yourself safe. Military honors come second..."
"My son, your mother's eye ailment seems to have improved considerably, and I can finally write this letter to you. You have been away on campaign for more than ten years, yet because of my eyes, I have not been able to see you even once. I often think that you must have grown into an upright, steadfast man who stands tall