Adopted Husband.

Summary

In the gloomy, cold setting of Hou Jia Village, twelve-year-old Hou Yuan Yang, sturdy for his age, carries firewood while reflecting on his family's modest but stable life. His father, a soldier, has recently been promoted, improving their circumstances. However, chaos looms as the Jurchens invade, prompting his father to plan a hasty departure to the city for safety. The family gathers supplies, and despite the villagers' pleas for his father to stay, they set off on a journey. Along the way, they join a group of soldiers and their families fleeing the impending danger. As they camp, Hou Yuan Yang overhears discussions about the dire situation, including the fall of the capital and the potential for widespread suffering due to the Jurchens' advance. The atmosphere is tense, filled with uncertainty about the future.

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