Destined

No sooner had the words been spoken than arrows flew from the bows of the men behind Ye Shi'an and Ye Yun. Ye Yun lunged toward Jiang He, whose eyes turned cold as he grabbed her, pulled her behind him, and spun around to shield her. Meanwhile, Wang Lai had already stepped in front of Jiang He, cutting down the incoming arrows with his blade.

Sheltered behind Jiang He, Ye Yun gazed at the tall, slender figure standing before her like a steadfast mountain, inexplicably calming her fears.

In the instant the arrows were loosed, Jiang He's men surged forward and, within moments, had cleared the alley of adversaries.

Blood pooled on the ground as Shen Ming finally rushed in, anxiously asking, "Is Ye Yun alright?"

Jiang He glanced at the worried Shen Ming, then turned to look at the young girl standing behind him. After a thoughtful "Hmm," he observed Ye Yun nervously clutching her sleeves and replied, "It seems she's fine."

With that, Jiang He walked toward the alley entrance and asked, "Is the outside handled?"

Shen Ming wiped blood from his face, his eyes repeatedly darting toward Ye Yun, and answered, "It's handled."

"Then allow me to ask one question," Jiang He said with a troubled expression. "Where is my nephew's wife?"

His words left everyone stunned. Shen Ming cursed under his breath and immediately led his men out.

Ye Shi'an rose from the ground—having thrown himself down to avoid the arrows—and brushed the dirt from his sleeves. He bowed to Jiang He and said, "Uncle Jiang."

"Ah," Jiang He sighed. "First you call me Uncle Jiang, now it's 'Uncle Jiang' again. Shi'an, if you keep this up, I might not save you next time."

"You jest, Uncle," Ye Shi'an replied respectfully. "Jiu Si said you wouldn't abandon us."

"Tsk..." Jiang He immediately looked pained. "So he's been scheming against me."

Ye Shi'an remained silent. After a moment, Jiang He turned to him and asked, "Why are you still here with this old man? Shouldn't you be looking for Yu Ru?"

"Yu Ru is safe," Ye Shi'an said calmly.

Jiang He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How can you be sure?"

"Uncle Jiang is here chatting leisurely with me," Ye Shi'an answered steadily. "That means she must be fine."

"You little foxes," Jiang He said, both amused and exasperated. "Every one of you has me all figured out."

Ye Shi'an smiled without responding. Ye Yun, finally collecting herself, approached Jiang He with feigned composure and bowed. "Thank you, Uncle Jiang."

"Enough, enough," Jiang He waved her off. "You've had a scare. Go rest now."

As Jiang He started to leave with his men, he sensed someone watching him. Turning, he saw Ye Yun lowering her gaze. Pausing in thought, he smiled, looked down at the lantern in his hand, and walked over to her. "Children all like this Rabbit Lantern," he said. "Take it to calm your nerves."

Ye Yun was taken aback but, after a moment, reached out and accepted the lantern.

She stood there for a long while until Ye Shi'an's voice broke her reverie: "Aren't you leaving?"

Ye Yun looked up to see Ye Shi'an's gentle face. He smiled and said, "Our Yun'er really is still just a young girl."Ye Yun's heart trembled faintly as she spoke in a low, hoarse voice, "Let's go."

Ye Shi'an led his men in swiftly retreating with Ye Yun under their protection, while Jiang He took his team to clear out Luo Zishang's remaining followers. Meanwhile, Luo Zishang, gripping Liu Yu Ru, dashed forward at full speed.

The young woman's wrist was slender and soft. As he pulled her through the crowds and narrow alleyways, she followed him without a trace of doubt, keeping pace with his frantic run.

In that moment, Luo Zishang couldn't explain why, but he felt an illusion wash over him—as if he were still in his youth, wandering the world without a care. Yet this time was different. This time, he was with a young woman. Though she appeared delicate, she gritted her teeth and matched his stride without holding him back. Within her fragile frame lay a surprising strength that he couldn't help but admire.

The two of them ran all the way to the moat before finally shaking off their pursuers. Panting, Luo Zishang and Liu Yu Ru came to a stop. Around them, people bustled by with loud calls, while the moat's waters flowed quietly beside them. Small boats drifted leisurely past, carrying passengers.

They both laughed and turned to look at each other, but when Liu Yu Ru glanced a second time, she sensed something amiss.

The person before her wore a mask and was dressed in the red robe that Gu Jiusi always favored. He had eyes strikingly similar to Gu Jiusi's, yet when he lifted his gaze to her and she studied him closely, she noticed subtle differences.

Gu Jiusi's eyes were forever clear and transparent, but these held an indescribable depth, as if countless past experiences were buried within them, transforming into a deep, still well. He looked at her, a smile in his eyes that softened the gloom. Liu Yu Ru watched him and tentatively asked, "Jiu Si?"

He tilted his head with a laugh, leaving Liu Yu Ru uncertain of his identity. Noticing her confusion, he reached out, took her hand, and placed it on his mask.

She exerted force and lifted the mask. At that very instant, fireworks shot into the sky in the distance and exploded brilliantly. Illuminated by the fireworks, she clearly saw the face before her.

Pale complexion, thin cool lips, and features that were somewhat delicate and feminine—except for those eyes, his appearance was entirely different from Gu Jiusi's.

The contrast between them was so vast that if not for the eyes alone being revealed, one would never detect their resemblance.

Liu Yu Ru stared blankly at the person in front of her. Luo Zishang wore a faint smile at the corner of his mouth as fireworks burst one after another beside them. He took the mask from Liu Yu Ru's hand and said with a chuckle, "Manager Liu guessed wrong."

With that, he repositioned the mask over his face. He maintained his smile, but this time it didn't reach the depths of his eyes. He kept his gaze fixed on Liu Yu Ru, observing the expressions on her face, and slowly stated, "I am not Gu Jiusi. I am Luo Zishang."

"Young Master Luo," Liu Yu Ru collected herself, her mind swirling with questions. After a long pause, she finally managed to ask, "Why did you bring me here?"

"Look to the east."

Luo Zishang turned his head toward the direction of the exploding fireworks. Liu Yu Ru followed his words and looked up, seeing the distant display as he continued, "I've heard this is the best spot for viewing."

Liu Yu Ru's mind was in a daze.She knew Luo Zishang's appearance here couldn't mean anything good. The attackers earlier must have been sent by him, but she couldn't understand why he would target them. Wasn't he trying to kill Gu Jiusi? Why would he divert resources to capture her and Ye Yun instead of deploying all his men to ambush Gu Jiusi? Unless he planned to use them as leverage against Gu Jiusi?

She stole a glance at Luo Zishang beside her and felt this was highly probable. Yet if he personally kidnapped her, it meant he was fully committing himself to a fight to the death with Gu Jiusi. After all his efforts in the Eastern Capital, just for the position related to Yellow River repairs—was it worth going this far?

Liu Yu Ru didn't know. She only knew that if Luo Zishang truly had such plans, she likely wouldn't survive.

As she rapidly considered how to extract more information from Luo Zishang, she heard him say, "Madam Liu, there's no need to overthink. I merely happened to rescue you today."

"Since when are you so kind-hearted?"

Liu Yu Ru couldn't help retorting. Luo Zishang chuckled, "Madam Liu, I've invested real silver in you. How could I let you die before seeing returns?"

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru felt relieved.

In the distance, the fireworks had ended. The surrounding small boats had been cleared away, leaving only the largest pleasure boat anchored mid-river. A frame was erected on the boat, surrounded by a group of drummers.

Under the bright moon, the surroundings grew quiet as drumbeats slowly emerged. Luo Zishang gazed ahead calmly and said leisurely, "Madam Liu, I don't engage in futile endeavors. Killing you brings no benefit."

The slow drumbeats continued as moonlight flowed over the river, creating a solemn and desolate atmosphere.

Liu Yu Ru's eyes unconsciously followed his gaze. Estimating that Luo Zishang indeed wouldn't kill her, she gathered courage and suggested, "You could take me hostage to threaten Gu Jiusi."

Luo Zishang seemed amused by this. He turned to look at her, his tone playful, "Then how far do you think Lord Gu would go for you?"

"I don't gamble with human hearts." Liu Yu Ru remained composed. The chilly river wind whipped her hair across her face as she watched the distant pleasure boat, speaking lightly, "So I won't give him the choice. This way, in my heart, he will always choose me. I'll always be the most important."

Luo Zishang was momentarily stunned, observing the young woman's profile in the moonlight.

She was beautiful. At eighteen, she was in the prime of her life, radiating a quiet yet resilient beauty that bloomed before his eyes.

He felt his heart like an ancient zither, its strings gently plucked.

This faint stirring meant nothing to him—it couldn't hinder anything, change anything, merely transforming into melodies that lingered in his heart.

He didn't respond, turning instead to gaze into the distance as flute music began. With a sigh in his voice, Luo Zishang said, "I don't know if you're the most important in his heart, but I now know he must be very important—perhaps most important—in yours."

Liu Yu Ru paused briefly before smiling, the first warmth appearing on her face that night. She turned to Luo Zishang and stated earnestly, "Naturally."

"Why?" Luo Zishang seemed puzzled. Liu Yu Ru answered with a smile, "Because he's my husband.""Is every woman like this?"

Luo Zishang continued asking. Liu Yuru didn't quite understand: "What do you mean, every woman?"

"Is every woman's husband this important in her heart?"

"Of course not."

Liu Yuru turned her head to look at the distant flower boat. She seemed somewhat cold, hugging herself. At that moment, the crowd grew noisy as a man in white emerged from the flower boat.

Dressed in formal ceremonial attire with a feathered crown on his head and a ringing ritual instrument in hand, he appeared in everyone's sight with solemn and graceful steps.

Liu Yuru's eyes unconsciously softened as she gazed at the distant white figure, murmuring tenderly: "More importantly, he's not just my husband - he's Gu Jiusi."

On the flower boat, the high priest raised the ritual instrument with ringing chimes. At that exact moment, over a dozen arrows shot through the air. The white-clad gentleman on the platform hadn't even time to complete his next movement before being violently pierced.

Complete silence fell over the venue.

Moments later, screams, shouts, and cries intertwined into chaos.

Liu Yuru stared in shock at the flower boat while Luo Zishang stood beside her, watching her calmly.

Her eyes fixed on the flower boat, Liu Yuru opened her mouth but no sound emerged.

She wanted to call that person's name.

She knew he was today's high priest.

Her body trembling, she turned to look at Luo Zishang beside her.

Luo Zishang gazed back calmly, his expression even carrying a hint of pity.

"Capturing you was to draw away his guards. If you want revenge, I'll be waiting anytime."

His voice remained calm and composed: "If you hurry, you might still catch his last words. The arrows were poisoned - he won't survive."

No sooner had he spoken than Liu Yuru shoved him aside and sprinted desperately toward the flower boat.

While everyone else was fleeing in the opposite direction, she fought against the human tide. Luo Zishang watched the girl's figure from afar.

He realized this person truly had a habit of moving against the crowd.