Chapter 327 - 327: Military Service (1)
Chapter 327 - 327: Military Service (1)
On the other hand, Qin Zhenzhen was an entirely different story. She had a long-standing habit of tossing and turning in her sleep.
In the modern era, she had invested in a massive, 1.8-meter-tall bed. This indulgent purchase allowed her the freedom to sprawl and maneuver however she pleased during her nightly slumber.
However, that night in the capital, neither of them experienced much rest. The circumstances were such that rolling around in bed was out of the question.
On the inaugural night, Qin Zhenzhen struggled to find sleep, staying awake until the late hours.
Upon waking up, she noticed that Su Bin had already risen and retreated to the study for some early morning reading.
A peculiar realization dawned on her; she found herself nestled in Su Bin’s customary spot, cocooned beneath his blanket. ‘What on earth happened last night?’
They had each claimed a blanket for themselves.
So, did she unconsciously migrate to Su Bin’s side during the night?
She felt too embarrassed to inquire about it from Su Bin directly.
Over the course of the next few nights, she consistently retired to bed late. Yet, when morning came, she would discover that Su Bin had already started his day ahead of her. To her astonishment, she found herself not only occupying Su Bin’s side of the bed but also cocooned in his warm blanket.
What was even more perplexing was that this blanket exuded Su Bin’s distinct fragrance. She even found herself nuzzling into it…
Upon contemplation, she attempted to rationalize her actions. Su Bin, after all, was a grown man in the prime of his life. His body naturally radiated warmth, especially during the still-chilly early spring nights.
Given this, it wasn’t entirely surprising that she gravitated closer to him.
But the perplexing part remained – why did she cover him with his own blanket instead of using her own?
Could it be that she had inadvertently kicked off her own blanket, subsequently pilfered Su Bin’s, and somehow ended up sharing the same bed?
Qin Zhenzhen couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer and turned to Su Bin, her voice filled with intrigue, “Why is it that I find myself covering you with a blanket every single morning?”
She hesitated for a moment before pressing further, “And, just to clarify, would it be considered crossing a line if I fell asleep?”
Su Bin remained composed, offering an explanation, “I typically slumber until dawn, unaware of any nighttime occurrences. It’s only in the morning that I realize you tend to draw nearer because you’ve habitually kicked your blanket aside and become chilly.”
He continued, “I’ve analyzed it as well. When you kicked off your blanket and felt the cold, you instinctively moved closer to me.”
“So, that’s when I’d drape my blanket over you.”
He concluded with a slightly embarrassed smile, “Because… my bed is warmer.”
Qin Zhenzhen blushed, seeking the unvarnished truth, “Just be honest with me. Did I, in fact, migrate to your bed due to being cold after discarding my own blanket?”
Su Bin stumbled over his words, attempting to clarify, “No… no, it’s not like that. You simply gravitated toward me. I was just worried you might catch a chill, which is why I covered you with my blanket.”
With newfound determination, Qin Zhenzhen declared, “Well, tonight, I’m relocating to the academy!”
Upon hearing this, Su Bin swiftly made his escape.
Qin Zhenzhen breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the young man should have moved to the academy a long while ago!
She couldn’t help but wonder, in all seriousness, whether she had unintentionally found her way into his bed.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, March had arrived.
During this period, everyone found themselves engaged in various activities, leading lives filled with purpose and satisfaction. Time slipped away imperceptibly.
Recruitment notices adorned every corner of Meijiang Prefecture City.
Both Qin Silong and Su Ping took the initiative to enlist and successfully passed the rigorous selection process.
In ancient times, military service wasn’t a duty for all and sundry; it required specific qualifications, much like the selection process of the modern era. Only the best candidates were accepted.
In essence, when a family member joined the military, they received a monthly stipend, and the imperial court allocated an annual sum to their family. This financial support mirrored the practices of the contemporary world.
However, there was a key distinction: the silver provided by the Imperial Court was funded through taxation. Families without a member serving in the military were subject to substantial military taxes.
Some individuals who had successfully passed the selection but were averse to military service could only seek exemption by paying additional fees..