Destined

After saying this, Gu Jiusi gently smoothed Liu Yuru's hair. He remained vigilant of their surroundings, but seeing guards protecting them, he relaxed slightly. Just as he was about to speak to Liu Yuru again, someone slapped the back of his head. Jiang He, mounted on horseback, shouted, "How can you dawdle at a time like this? Escort them to safety and then report to me!"

After this rebuke, Jiang He rode off. Only then did Liu Yuru have a chance to survey the scene.

Soldiers of unknown origin were brawling with the Wang family's guards and retainers inside the city. Jiang He and Ye Shi'an, both on horseback, were leading troops in pursuit of Wang Shusheng.

Gu Jiusi's commotion the previous night had already stirred unrest among the city's residents. Everyone was calculating their next move. The Chen family had received word from Chen Master the night before and had secretly used their connections to station relatives within the city guard at the gates specifically to protect Gu Jiusi.

The Wang family had sent their own members out of the city under cover of darkness while inciting other families to rebel. But no one was foolish enough to blindly follow—the wiser course was to seize this opportunity to win Gu Jiusi's favor by betraying the Wang family.

However, acting too early carried risks: Gu Jiusi might not recognize their gesture, and if the Wang family struck first, internal strife could leave them with nothing. Thus, they waited until this critical moment—when Gu Jiusi appeared and entered the city—for the Chen family to rush in and rescue him.

This was the Chen family's scheme.

And the existence of families like the Chen family was precisely why Gu Jiusi dared to enter the city in the first place.

The first volley of arrows failed to kill Gu Jiusi. Then, Jiang He's army, lying in ambush outside, pressed forward—first using fire arrows to intimidate everyone present, then charging in before anyone could react. Under this successive assault, even those who had been wavering immediately defected to Gu Jiusi's side, abandoning any thought of fighting for Wang Shusheng.

After brief resistance, scions of various families either fled or switched allegiances. Only the Wang family, with no retreat, fought desperately, but they were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer disparity in military strength.

After assessing the situation, Gu Jiusi placed a hand on Liu Yuru's shoulder to steady her and said to the soldiers standing guard beside them, "I must trouble you to escort us back to the County Government Office."

These soldiers were originally part of the city guard. When Wang Shusheng ordered the archers to shoot, they had rushed forward with shields to block the arrows. After rescuing Gu Jiusi, they remained by his side, awaiting further instructions.

Gu Jiusi understood their intentions: their sudden defection was an attempt to earn his favor, hoping he would remember their service and let bygones be bygones.

As he led them back to the County Government Office, Gu Jiusi asked for their names. They visibly relaxed upon providing them, each eagerly mentioning which local gentry they were related to.

Listening indifferently, Gu Jiusi remarked, "Just days ago, you were following the Wang family's orders. What made you change your minds last night?"

No one dared to speak. Gu Jiusi chuckled lightly and said, "At this point, we all know how things stand. Feel free to speak openly."These men were merely martial subordinates carrying out orders, with no deep schemes of their own. One of them sighed and spoke frankly: "My lord, to be honest, our Chen family has no rebellious intentions. Last night, Wang Shusheng trapped our master in the Wang residence, and by midnight they had already smuggled all the Wang family members out of the city. Our master learned of this and managed to send word through a hidden informant in the Wang residence, instructing us to assist you today. As for why we're helping you, my lord surely understands our motives."

"I understand."

Gu Jiusi nodded as if accepting their explanation. The men breathed sighs of relief and escorted Gu Jiusi to the County Government Office. Before leaving, they added: "Regarding past matters - we were just subordinates following orders. We hope Lord Gu won't hold it against us."

"This isn't about whether I hold grudges," Gu Jiusi smiled, "but about the law. Within legal bounds, I cannot act arbitrarily. But where human sentiment can be considered, I will remember your lifesaving favor."

The soldiers gave awkward smiles upon hearing this, not daring to say more.

Gu Jiusi led Liu Yu Ru into the County Government Office. As soon as they entered, they heard Yin Hong's weeping. She was crying bitterly while cursing: "All you men - so many of you - couldn't protect one woman! You'd trade our mistress's life for your own survival! You should be ashamed! You..."

"Yin Hong."

Liu Yu Ru's voice cut off Yin Hong's tirade. Yin Hong looked up in surprise to see Liu Yu Ru and Gu Jiusi standing before her.

"Mistress!"

Yin Hong exclaimed joyfully. Liu Yu Ru frowned and said: "What nonsense were you spouting just now?"

"Nothing," Yin Hong replied, too overjoyed by Liu Yu Ru's return to care about what she'd said wrong. She quickly wiped her tears and stood up. "I apologize to everyone. I spoke without thinking, said irresponsible things. I was wrong."

"The mistress has returned," Yin Hong continued, on the verge of tears again. "I apologize to everyone."

"Don't speak such foolish words again," Liu Yu Ru said sternly. Then she bowed to the assembled group. "My maid hasn't been properly disciplined. I apologize on her behalf."

"Mistress," a guard stepped forward guiltily, "what the girl said is true. We were useless."

"Not at all," Liu Yu Ru smiled. "As your mistress, I must consider everyone's wellbeing. I wouldn't ask anyone to work or sacrifice for me in vain."

"But..."

"Let's not dwell on the past."

Seeing their mutual apologies might continue endlessly, Gu Jiusi gently interrupted: "Everyone must be exhausted after a sleepless night, and many are still wounded. You should all rest and tend to your injuries. If you truly feel sorry for your mistress, just serve her well in the future."

Gu Jiusi's words gave everyone an honorable way out. The guards dispersed, leaving only Li Yuchang, Qin Nan, and Luo Zishang.

Li Yuchang approached Gu Jiusi and asked: "Are you alright?"

Seeing Li Yuchang uncharacteristically drop his usual cold formality, Gu Jiusi couldn't help smiling and waved dismissively: "I'm fine."

Then he added with a laugh: "Lord Li appears to be unharmed as well."

"Yes," Li Yuchang sighed in relief before saying to Gu Jiusi, "Come, let's talk inside."Li Yuchang needed to discuss the case with Gu Jiusi, so he dragged Qin Nan along and left. The courtyard was now occupied only by Luo Zishang and Liu Yuru. Luo Zishang remained silent, while Liu Yuru looked at him gently and said, "Lord Luo, you seem tired as well. Perhaps you should rest first."

Luo Zishang didn't respond. After a long while, he finally spoke, "I said I would take you back to Yangzhou. Why did you leave?"

Liu Yuru knew he was referring to the incident that morning. She lowered her head and smiled softly, replying, "I cannot give Lord Luo what he desires, so I cannot accept what Lord Luo offers."

"I don't need you to give me anything."

"It's not that you don't need it, but rather that you cannot obtain it, so you've compromised."

Liu Yuru's words were perceptive.

The two fell into silence. Luo Zishang gazed quietly at Liu Yuru, and they locked eyes for a long time. Suddenly, Luo Zishang laughed.

"Liu Yuru," he said calmly, "I owe you nothing now."

Liu Yuru smiled gently. "Lord Luo never owed me anything to begin with."

"Were the osmanthus cakes made by you back then?"

Luo Zishang's question came out of nowhere. Liu Yuru was taken aback for a moment before she replied, "My mother made them."

Luo Zishang said nothing more. After a while, he extended his hand and bowed to Liu Yuru. She returned the gesture, and then he stood up and left.

Liu Yuru waited at the door for a while. Knowing that Gu Jiusi and Li Yuchang were discussing the case and likely wouldn't finish anytime soon, she felt utterly exhausted and decided to return to her room to wait for Gu Jiusi.

Back in the room, she first removed her makeup and washed up, then ate a little something. She picked up a storybook and sat by the bed, waiting for Gu Jiusi. Originally, she had intended to stay awake and talk with him when he returned, but after days of tension, the sudden relaxation made her unbearably drowsy. As she flipped through the pages, she soon lost control and dozed off, leaning to one side.

Gu Jiusi first handed over the case matters with Li Yuchang, then spoke for a while with Jiang He, who had finished dealing with the Wang family, before finally returning to the room.

Upon entering, the first thing he heard was the even sound of breathing. He knew Liu Yuru had fallen asleep. Tiptoeing into the room, he saw her lying on the bed. He had thought about waking her, but seeing how soundly she slept, he found himself inexplicably drawn to her. He leaned over the bedside, resting his chin on his folded hands, and watched her sleeping face from the side.

Like a child, he observed Liu Yuru with earnest focus, checking if she was well. His eyes traced every strand of her hair and every inch of her skin. He remained in that position until Liu Yuru began to stir awake.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Gu Jiusi watching her from the side and was startled, her almond-shaped eyes widening in surprise.

Gu Jiusi couldn't help but laugh. "Did I scare you?"

"How long have you been lying there watching me?"

"Not too long," Gu Jiusi straightened up, shaking his slightly numb hand, and said calmly, "You were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to disturb you. And you looked so beautiful asleep, I couldn't help but keep watching."

"Stop talking nonsense," Liu Yuru muttered. She sat up on the bed and was about to put on her shoes when Gu Jiusi took hold of her foot. Patiently, he helped her into her shoes, then looked up at her. "What are you planning to do?"

Liu Yuru blushed at his gesture and whispered, "I was going to pour you a cup of water."As she spoke, Liu Yuru stood up to pour a cup of water for Gu Jiusi. Gu Jiusi had been standing behind her, watching her the whole time. While observing her, he said, "I just called for a physician. I wanted him to examine you and see if there's anything amiss."

"What could possibly be wrong with me?" Liu Yuru handed the water to Gu Jiusi. Leaning against a pillar, he took the cup and took a small sip before saying, "It's always better to be cautious."

Liu Yuru ignored his comment and instead asked, "When did your uncle arrive?"

"Last night."

Gu Jiusi didn’t hide the truth from her. "Wang Shusheng sent people to capture me, but I escaped with my men. Not long after, I ran into him. It was only then that I found out Shen Ming had gone to the Eastern Capital to file a complaint, so they arrived three days early. After arriving, my uncle borrowed troops from Sizhou and led them straight here."

"So, today was also part of your plan?"

"More or less," Gu Jiusi replied, setting down the cup. "I coordinated with my uncle to have his troops hide nearby. I came alone—all I needed was for them to open the gates."

"But what you said today..."

"What I said wasn’t a lie."

Before Liu Yuru could finish her sentence, Gu Jiusi cut in immediately. He looked at her earnestly and said, "Even if my uncle hadn’t been here, I would have come today."

Liu Yuru turned her head and saw the solemn, almost vow-like expression on the young man’s handsome face.

She smiled faintly. "That doesn’t really matter."

"It matters a great deal."

As they spoke, the physician arrived, and a voice announced his presence from outside. Gu Jiusi promptly invited the physician in. With an outsider present, the two of them stopped their intimate conversation and waited for the physician to examine Liu Yuru’s pulse.

Initially, they had only sought reassurance, but to their surprise, the physician spent a long time carefully checking both her left and right wrists in turn.

Gu Jiusi’s expression grew increasingly uneasy, and he finally spoke up, "Physician, if there’s anything wrong, please tell us directly."

"Nothing’s wrong, really," the physician frowned slightly before continuing, "I just wanted to confirm whether she’s truly pregnant."