Destined

These words left Yin Hong momentarily stunned. After a pause, she took a deep breath, lowered her head, and said, "Yes."

After speaking, Yin Hong went to retrieve Liu Yuru's dagger and handed it to her. Although it was said to be given by Gu Jiusi, in reality, she had simply taken it. When traveling outside, one always needed something for self-defense. Originally taken from the wall of the Gu Family, the dagger had never been returned. Once Liu Yuru held the dagger in her hand, she and Yin Hong sat down together. Like when they were children, they sat side by side on the edge of the bed, leaning against it, each holding a dagger in their arms and speaking softly.

"Madam," Yin Hong leaned against Liu Yuru, her voice tinged with fear, "do you think the young master will come to rescue us?"

Liu Yuru detected a slight tremble in her voice. After a moment's thought, she raised her hand, placed it on Yin Hong's shoulder, and drew her into an embrace.

This was a gesture Gu Jiusi often made—toward his brothers, and even more so toward his wife. Whenever Gu Jiusi placed his hand on Liu Yuru's shoulder and enveloped her in his arms, she felt a surge of silent encouragement and support.

Liu Yuru was surprised to realize that the longer two people spent together, the more they began to resemble each other.

As Liu Yuru drifted into thought, Yin Hong asked with some confusion, "Madam?"

"Hmm?" Liu Yuru snapped back to reality. Remembering Yin Hong's earlier question, she smiled and said, "Of course he will."

"Jiusi won't abandon us."

Liu Yuru's voice was calm and gentle: "If he hasn't appeared yet, he must have his reasons and methods. Don't worry."

The sounds of fighting continued outside. Li Yuchang and Luo Zishang had long been prepared. Although the Wang family had called in many people, everyone had their own motives, and only the Wang family members fought fiercely at the front due to Wang Siyuan's death.

However, the people on Liu Yuru's side were carefully selected. Thus, though outnumbered, they held their ground firmly, not allowing anyone to advance a single step.

By afternoon, scattered wounded began to be brought to the inner courtyard. Luo Zishang pushed open the door and said to Liu Yuru, "I've ordered the wounded to be taken to the pavilion. It's out of their firing range. Bring the women to help."

Hearing this, Liu Yuru hurriedly took Yin Hong and rushed to the pavilion.

Several wounded lay on the ground, and the physician they had brought was doing his best to suture and bandage them. Liu Yuru stepped forward, and the physician quickly taught them some essentials. They then began to assist.

Luo Zishang, Li Yuchang, and others led the fight not far away. Liu Yuru listened to the surrounding sounds of battle, not daring to think too much. She could only numbly lead the others in continuously treating the newly arrived wounded.

When Wang Shusheng began the siege, Gu Jiusi was rushing back from near Sizhou. By noon, he had just reached the outskirts of Yingyang City when he heard the commotion inside.

The sound of thousands fighting was so loud that even outside the city, without knowing the specifics, one could hear the turmoil. Upon hearing it, Gu Jiusi's face instantly turned pale. Xu Luo beside him grew tense as well: "My lord, what's happening inside?"

Gu Jiusi remained silent, gripping the reins tightly. Xu Luo couldn't help but ask, "My lord, has something happened inside?"

"Yuru is inside. She will definitely find a way to join Lord Li," Gu Jiusi finally steadied himself after a long pause, then continued, "With Luo Zishang and Li Yuchang there, they will have set up defenses. It seems two groups are now fighting.""What should we do then?"

"Wang Shusheng can't sit still anymore," Gu Jiusi took a deep breath, "He wants to force me out by using Yuru. We have over three hundred people in the city. Judging by the noise, Wang Shusheng must have directly mobilized the army. But they're not united, and with Luo Zishang there, they can still hold on for a while."

Xu Luo remained silent, realizing that Gu Jiusi was organizing his thoughts. As Gu Jiusi spoke, he slowly said, "Now, we have no choice but to take a gamble."

With that, Gu Jiusi looked up and said to Xu Luo, "Go immediately and gather five hundred villagers. Offer each one tael of silver and assemble them in the dense forest outside the city to shout together."

"Shout?" Xu Luo was confused. Gu Jiusi nodded, "Wait a moment, I'll write you a note. Lead the people and have them shout together. If the soldiers come to arrest them, tell them to run into the forest. Set up traps in the woods to ensure their safety."

"Understood," Xu Luo replied, sending someone to gather the villagers. Then Gu Jiusi headed toward the village where he had previously hidden and said, "The rest of you, follow me to the village. Find everyone who can write."

With that, Gu Jiusi led his men to retrieve the paper, brushes, Sky Lanterns, and kites he had stored in the village.

Money makes the world go round. While Xu Luo went to gather people, Gu Jiusi led the few men he had to start writing. He picked up a sheet of paper, hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and began writing a lengthy "Letter of Accusation."

Unlike the previous proclamations denouncing Prince Liang, this one was written in a catchy, straightforward style that anyone who could read would understand.

He first briefly outlined the current situation: Wang Siyuan had rebelled and assassinated the imperial envoy, the County Government Office was besieged, and Yingyang was in chaos.

"By the decree of the Son of Heaven, the imperial envoy Gu Jiusi is ordered to capture this traitor and restore justice and order to Yongzhou. The fate of Yongzhou depends on today; the dignity of its people rests on this day. At dawn tomorrow, as the sun rises, Gu Jiusi will await all heroes outside Yingyang, holding the Son of Heaven's Sword. Those who cheer and lend their support will be rewarded with one thousand wen; those who take action will receive three thousand wen; those who fight on the battlefield will earn ten taels of silver per head; and anyone who brings Wang Shusheng's head will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver!"

"Those with crimes may redeem themselves; those without will be duly rewarded. For nearly a century, Yongzhou has been oppressed by the Wang family's tyranny. Today, I, Gu, pledge my blood to this cause, willing to sacrifice my life for justice. The people of Yongzhou are neither insects nor ants—why should they be trampled upon? With the Wang family in power, Yongzhou remains in chaos; with the Wang family destroyed, Yongzhou will finally know peace!"

...

Gu Jiusi finished writing quickly and handed it to the person beside him, immediately instructing, "Copy it. Use up all the paper here. Prepare the kites and Sky Lanterns. Find some cinnabar and write the characters 'Kill' and 'Wang' on them."

Everyone nodded. Xu Luo roughly understood Gu Jiusi's plan. As he copied the "Letter of Accusation," he frowned and asked, "Sir, I understand what you're saying, but what does this last sentence mean?"

He pointed to the final line on the page Gu Jiusi had written:

Don't be afraid, I'm here.

This sentence seemed particularly out of place in the otherwise grand "Letter of Accusation." Gu Jiusi raised his hand and shoved Xu Luo back, saying coldly, "Don't ask. Just copy it."

Following Gu Jiusi's plan, everyone divided the tasks and began their respective duties.By dusk, over five hundred villagers had finally been gathered. Many people, hearing that they could earn money just by shouting, eagerly followed along. By the time everyone returned, the crowd had swelled to over a thousand.

Xu Luo grew somewhat worried and cautiously said, "Isn't this too many people?"

"It's fine."

Gu Jiusi shook his head, then personally led them to a high point in the dense forest. First, he explained all the planned escape routes, clearly pointing out the locations of the traps, before teaching them the chants.

The phrases he needed the villagers to shout were simple:

"The Wang family plots treason, deserving execution of nine clans; accomplices share the same crime—please reconsider."

"Three thousand taels of Wang family silver, all piled from the people's bones; if the traitors do not die today, Yongzhou will never see the light again."

…

After following Gu Jiusi's lead and practicing quietly, the villagers finally managed to chant in unison.

Xu Luo had finished copying the "Letter of Accusation" and hurried over to ask Gu Jiusi, "Sir, everything is ready."

Gu Jiusi turned his head. Dusk had arrived, and in the distance, the city of Xingyang took on a bloody hue under the fading sunset. The sun sank inch by inch, blending crimson with the encroaching night. The remaining glow settled over the mountains as a mountain breeze swept through, startling birds into flight.

Gu Jiusi stood up, brushed the dirt off his clothes, and said calmly, "Have the Sky Lanterns been placed in the positions I specified?"

"One thousand Sky Lanterns and thirteen hundred kites are all prepared."

"Good."

Gu Jiusi nodded. "Begin."

As dusk approached, the County Government Office was filled with wounded.

Liu Yu Ru listened to the sounds of killing outside, her initial fear gradually turning into numbness.

This numbness was neither good nor bad—she simply moved mechanically among the wounded, continuously applying medicine and bandaging injuries.

Medical supplies were dwindling, and the number of wounded kept increasing. With insufficient manpower, those not in critical condition were sent back to the outer courtyard to continue fighting.

Liu Yu Ru kept her head down, focused on her tasks. As the sun set in the west, another wounded person sat down before her. Without hesitation, she began bandaging them. Halfway through, she sensed something amiss. Looking up, she met Luo Zishang's pale, bloodless face.

His wound was on the shoulder, blood soaking through his clothes. His expression was calm, showing no sign of pain—completely different from the others grimacing nearby.

Liu Yu Ru stared at Luo Zishang in surprise. He said lightly, "What are you looking at?"

Snapping back to reality, she immediately replied, "Don't speak."

With that, she lowered her gaze and began bandaging his wound.

Her expression revealed no emotion. Luo Zishang studied her quietly and asked, "What surprises you?"

"You shouldn't be injured."

Liu Yu Ru spoke calmly. Luo Zishang chuckled at her words. "I'm not a deity. Why wouldn't I get injured?"

"You could open the gates now," Liu Yu Ru said flatly. "Hand us all over and strike a deal with Wang Siyuan. You have Yangzhou—there's no conflict of interest. There's no need for this."

Luo Zishang remained silent. After Liu Yu Ru cleaned the wound and applied medicine, he leaned against a tree, watching her intently. After a moment, he finally said, "Do you still believe Gu Jiusi will come?"

Liu Yu Ru did not answer.

Luo Zishang said calmly, "By tomorrow morning at the latest, if he doesn't arrive, it will be too late."

"They won't kill me."Liu Yu Ru's words held no trace of fear. Luo Zishang gazed at her but said, "You are a woman."

Liu Yu Ru's hands paused briefly.

Luo Zishang spoke calmly, "Do you know what is the best way to humiliate Gu Jiusi?"

"You just asked me if I believed Jiusi would come."

Liu Yu Ru raised her eyes, looking at him seriously. "I tell you, I believe."

"Even at a time like this," Luo Zishang laughed mockingly, "you still believe?"

"I choose to believe."

As she spoke, Liu Yu Ru continued bandaging his wound, saying to him, "Luo Zishang, if you try to make someone your faith, then you will believe in them at all times."

"What if he doesn't come?"

"Then he must have a reason for not coming."

"You wouldn't hate him?"

"Why should I hate him?"

Liu Yu Ru smiled. "I hope he can make the best choice. If that choice means abandoning me..."

She lowered her head, speaking gently, "There may be regret, but no resentment."

Luo Zishang fell silent. He watched the girl before him who was diligently attending to her task. This was the first time he had encountered such a woman.

The women he had met before were varied—some like Madam Ji, who relied on their beauty to cling to others for survival, or like Ye Yun, whose love and hate were as fierce as fire. But this was the first time he had met a woman like a moonlit stream, gentle yet bright, flowing softly through others' lives, illuminating their paths.

She and Gu Jiusi were like the sun and moon in the sky, each the other's faith, protecting one another.

Luo Zishang couldn't quite identify the emotion stirring within him. He quietly watched this moon-like woman before him. After a long while, he suddenly asked, "If I had come to propose marriage when you were sixteen, would you have agreed?"

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru was taken aback. After a moment, she laughed. "If you had met me when I was sixteen, you wouldn't have come to propose."

"Back then, my dream was to marry a good man. If you had proposed, I wouldn't have been able to refuse. But you wouldn't have liked that version of me, and I would have been afraid of you."

Luo Zishang chuckled softly. The noise outside grew louder. He turned his head, gazing into the distance.

Suddenly, he said, "Sing me a song from Yangzhou."

Liu Yu Ru looked puzzled. Luo Zishang spoke peacefully, "Sing me a song, and I will stand guard for one more night. If Gu Jiusi still hasn't come by tomorrow morning, Liu Yu Ru, you cannot blame me."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru looked seriously at Luo Zishang. He did not return her gaze but leaned against a tree, one hand resting on his knee, quietly staring ahead. Liu Yu Ru placed her hands before her and bowed respectfully.

Luo Zishang did not respond. He closed his eyes, and soon after, the familiar soft melodies of Yangzhou began to fill the air.

The gentle tune seemed to traverse mountains and rivers in an instant, carrying many present back to their hometowns.

The song brought tears to the eyes of those holding blades, their grips tightening on their weapons.

They had to return.

They must return.

They could not be buried in Yongzhou; they had to go home.

As Liu Yu Ru hummed her soft melody, the sky darkened inch by inch.

Her song was short. Just as the final note faded, as if in response to her, voices suddenly rose in the distance.

It sounded like many people, their voices loud and unified, shouting in unison: "The Wang family's thirty million taels of silver are built upon the bones of the people! If the villains do not die today, Yongzhou will never see clear skies again!"

At the sound, Liu Yu Ru sharply lifted her head.The distant voices grew increasingly clear, and before anyone could react, countless paper pages began drifting down like snowflakes, blanketing the entire city of Xingyang. Combined with the shouts from outside the city walls, even the dullest minds understood what was happening.

"Lord Gu has returned!"

"Gu Jiusi is here!"

Exclamations of joy erupted from the crowd. Liu Yu Ru watched as the sky filled with swirling paper pages, then saw countless Sky Lanterns rising from the mountain peaks, illuminating the night sky.

These Sky Lanterns resembled stars, densely packed, each bearing characters written in cinnabar red:

"Kill, Wang"

Despite the violent message, the sight of thousands of Sky Lanterns slowly ascending through the night sky became the gentlest whisper and the most beautiful painting.

"What does this mean?"

Someone nearby asked in confusion: "Look at the last line of the letter - 'Don't be afraid, I'm here.' The tone sounds like someone writing to their own wife."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru lowered her head. She held the letter in her hand, gazing at the written words.

Don't be afraid, I'm here.

For some reason, despite maintaining perfect composure these past few days - being everyone's pillar of support, with everyone believing she remained calm and steady, showing no emotional fluctuation - when she saw this final sentence on the paper, witnessed this city-wide snowfall of pages and thousands of rising lanterns, she couldn't help but slowly feel her eyes redden.

You see, he never failed her.

He had come.