Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

Before seeing Du Huarang and Du Yuntao return safely, the Yan Family’s heart remained suspended.

Du Yunluo felt the same, constantly worried until Mu Lianxiao stood safely in front of her.

In the previous two years when Mu Lianxiao went to the Northern Border, Du Yunluo was not as worried.

But at this moment, the nearby fire made her realize that the battle was happening so close to her.

She couldn’t hear the sounds of shouting and killing, and except for the fire and the endless barking of dogs, she was unaware of the battle in the city.

Knowing it was happening, yet having no idea what was going on or about to happen, was a torturous feeling.

All they could do was wait.

On the official road leading from Shanyu Pass to Xuancheng, horse hooves thundered, kicking up a sky full of dust.

Mu Lianxiao led the charge, leaning low and whipping his horse fiercely.

The silver armor he wore was stained with blood, and there were blood marks on his face. After being exposed to the sun for so long, the blood had dried.

The soldiers riding behind him were also stained with blood.

In the Great Desert outside the pass, Jia De tasted the feeling of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

The soldiers who emerged far exceeded the numbers initially reported to the Changping Marquis Mansion, and when the bandits disguised as private soldiers emerged, Huang Yun and his forces also arrived.

The tide of the battle turned swiftly, with General Huang’s elite troops surpassing the private soldiers in strength and having no disadvantage in numbers. After a fierce battle, victory and defeat were clear.

Jia De was captured alive without being given a chance to commit suicide.

The private soldiers disguised as bandits were either dead or wounded, but some managed to escape in the chaos.

Chasing people in the desert is difficult, so neither Huang Yun nor Mu Lianxiao pursued recklessly, leaving a few to return and report back to lure out the Changping Marquis completely.

As a result, Mu Lianxiao and his uninjured soldiers galloped towards Xuancheng, while Huang Yun cleaned up the battlefield and transported the injured soldiers back to Shanyu Pass.

The blood of their enemies remained on their armor, but Mu Lianxiao’s heart was already set on Xuancheng.

Even knowing Du Yunluo was in the government office, if Du Huarang and his son couldn’t suppress the Changping Marquis Mansion, by the time Mu Lianxiao arrived, Xuancheng might have fallen to the Changping Marquis.

With his wife and family in Xuancheng, even if Du Huarang and his son were eighty to ninety percent sure of controlling the situation in Xuancheng, the battlefield is unpredictable, and no one can be certain of the outcome.

Mu Lianxiao could only go faster, even faster.

From a distance, he saw the flames in the sky at the far end, scorching red against the horizon and burning into his heart.

When Xuancheng appeared in his sight, seeing the attack trying to breach the city gates and the stubborn defense of the officers and soldiers on the gates, Mu Lianxiao charged forward.

With enemies on the inside and outside, the disheartened private soldiers finally revealed signs of defeat after failing to take the city for so long.

As night fell, the battle subsided.

Mu Lianxiao left the soldiers stationed outside the city and entered Xuancheng.

Du Huarang and Du Yuntao were both exhausted. Both came from a scholarly background and had never been exposed to war. Fortunately, they managed to defend the city and blockade the Changping Marquis Mansion. If it had come to fighting on the battlefield, they wouldn’t have succeeded.

The Changping Marquis Mansion was already burned beyond recognition; the Changping Marquis committed suicide, and there were no survivors among the women and children in the mansion.

Du Huarang shook his head and said, "It’s all burned clean, no evidence can be found."

Mu Lianxiao nodded.

Whether the Changping Marquis raised private soldiers to rebel and wanted to become a local emperor in Lindong, or for some other purpose, there was no evidence to be found here.

While Mu Lianxiao spoke with Du Huarang, a fire broke out again in the city.

Everyone turned their heads, faces changing drastically.

It was the direction of the government office.

Mu Lianxiao mounted his horse and rushed toward the government office.

The night was left with just a sliver of glow from the sunset.

When the fire in the northern sky disappeared, Du Yunluo let out a long breath.

Yang Family patted her hand and said, "It’s alright, it will all pass."

Despite these words, the smell of smoke lingered in the air. Du Yunluo and Yang Family went inside to talk with Yan Family.

Yan Family coughed heavily twice, "Why do I feel like the smoke smell is even heavier than before."

Du Yunluo also sniffed. She had been smelling the smoke and burnt scent all day and night, which dulled her sense of smell. When Yan Family mentioned it, she sniffed carefully.

Walking to the north window, Du Yunluo’s eyes suddenly tensed.

Outside the window, the fire suddenly flared up as if oil had been poured over it.

With a bang, the window was smashed open from outside. The person’s face was ferocious, eyes bloodshot, holding a dagger, disregarding the clothes catching fire, they flew in.

The flames so close burned Du Yunluo’s eyes, her mind went blank, and instinctively she grabbed the twin-handled porcelain vase from the flower stand by the wall and smashed it down on the person’s head.

The vase shattered on impact, shards flying, one grazing Du Yunluo’s cheek, leaving a cut.

Du Yunluo was oblivious, gripping the remaining shards in her hand, staring blankly at the person who had fallen motionless to the ground.

She couldn’t hear any sound, all she could see was that person.

The fire on the clothes spread and soon engulfed the unconscious figure.

Yang Family rushed over, grabbing Du Yunluo and dragging her away from the fire source.

The fire outside the north window grew larger and the fire on the person ignited the room. Yang Family turned and yelled at everyone, "What are you standing there for? Get out, escape!"

Brother Yan and sister screamed and cried, carried out by the wet nurse together with Brother Duan.

Yang Family tightly gripped Du Yunluo’s hand, staggering as she dragged her out of the room. Yan Family no longer cared about postnatal confinement rules, being helped by two older women to the courtyard.

The Protector and Government Officials noticed the fire and rushed in to extinguish it.

Du Yunluo stood motionless under the tree.

The thug she knocked out had been swallowed by flames, and his entire body convulsed and twisted, the smell of burning flesh filled Du Yunluo’s breath, searing that scene into her mind, unable to be erased.

Yang Family held Du Yunluo by the shoulders, calling her repeatedly.

The earlier situation made Yang Family break out in cold sweat.

If not for Du Yunluo knocking the man over, with the thug holding a dagger rushing at them, the women and children’s limited skills would have meant big trouble.

Let alone being burnt by the fire, that dagger could have ended their lives.

Du Yunluo’s reaction was instinctual, but she was merely a young lady, her hands had never been stained with blood.

Yang Family called out several times, but Du Yunluo showed no response.

The sound of chaotic footsteps approached, and Yang Family anxiously looked over. Seeing clearly it was Mu Lianxiao rushing in, her heart settled.

Yang Family’s legs gave way, and if not for an older woman supporting her, she would have fallen to the ground.

"We’re all fine, Yunluo knocked the thug out, but she’s scared." Yang Family hurriedly informed Mu Lianxiao.

Mu Lianxiao stepped forward, gazing deeply at the dazed Du Yunluo, then reached out and drew her into his arms.

He gently patted her back repeatedly, as he used to comfort her, whispering in her ear, "Yunluo, I’m back, it’s over now, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid..."

Mu Lianxiao called her name over and over, and after a long time, Du Yunluo’s body trembled slightly.

The force holding her slackened a bit, Du Yunluo raised her head blankly to look at Mu Lianxiao.

Her previously vacant gaze gradually focused, Du Yunluo slowly raised her hand, wiping the blood from Mu Lianxiao’s face, "Princely Heir, your face is dirty."