Destined

Shen Ming was specifically assigned to guard Liu Yu Ru.

He said it wasn't originally his duty, but he found Liu Yu Ru interesting and deliberately stayed behind to watch over her. After shouting away the people outside, he turned back and said to Liu Yu Ru, "You should thank me."

Sitting opposite Liu Yu Ru with a blade of grass in his mouth, he said seriously, "If it weren't for me, you and this little maid might have been violated."

Liu Yu Ru remained silent, but Yin Hong couldn't help retorting, "And you won't violate us?!"

"Yin Hong!" Liu Yu Ru grabbed Yin Hong's arm and said respectfully, "Young Master Shen, this maid is ignorant and speaks recklessly. Please forgive her."

"Forgiven, forgiven," Shen Ming replied with a beaming smile, gazing at Liu Yu Ru as if he could see a flower blooming from her. "I heard you came from the south. Are all southern girls like you?"

"Like what?" Liu Yu Ru asked, somewhat puzzled. Shen Ming gestured as he explained, "Hmm, refined. Your voice is gentle and pleasant, you're polite and beautiful, yet you don't seem weak. Look at your eyes," he marveled, "so calm!"

Liu Yu Ru remained expressionless despite Shen Ming's praise.

After this exchange, Liu Yu Ru had confirmed that Yin Hong was right—this man was a fool.

But a fool had his advantages. At least at this moment, compared to facing those brazen men outside, Shen Ming made her feel much more at ease. Noticing her subtle glance outside, Shen Ming leaned against a pillar, chewing on the grass, and said, "Don't worry, I told them I'm going to marry you as my wife. They won't lay a hand on you. But if they find out you're not going to be my wife, who knows what might happen then."

Yin Hong shrank closer to Liu Yu Ru in fear. Liu Yu Ru patted the back of her hand and slightly bowed her upper body, saying, "Then I thank you, Young Master."

"Then repay me with your hand in marriage," Shen Ming blurted out, staring at her unblinkingly. "If you don't agree now, I'll ask you every day. Sooner or later, you'll say yes, so you might as well agree now. We can hold the wedding tomorrow and avoid all this trouble."

"Young Master Shen," Liu Yu Ru hesitated, "are you really this casual about marriage?"

"I'm being very serious about it," Shen Ming immediately retorted. "Look at the others—they just take a fancy to someone, carry them back if they're good-looking. I brought you back and am earnestly trying to build a relationship with you."

Liu Yu Ru: "..."

"But if you marry me, you'll definitely be the prettiest wife in this village. I'll have so much face."

As he spoke, Shen Ming began fantasizing about everyone envying him for having Liu Yu Ru as his wife and couldn't help chuckling. Liu Yu Ru and Yin Hong exchanged glances, looking at him as if he were a fool. The three of them remained in a stalemate until Shen Ming stood up, closed the doors and windows, then came back and lay on the floor, saying, "Come, sleep. I'll guard you. I'll notice if there's any sound, so don't worry."

Liu Yu Ru and Yin Hong nodded but were too afraid to sleep. Shen Ming glanced at them, then at the pile of grass nearby, and seemed to understand. "Oh, I get it. You think the grass is prickly, right?"After speaking, Shen Ming went to the side, carefully pressed down the haystack, then spread his outer robe over it. He said to Liu Yuru and Yin Hong, "Alright, come sleep here. It'll have to do for now."

Liu Yuru expressed her gratitude respectfully and let Yin Hong lie down first. Shen Ming looked puzzled. "Aren't you going to sleep?"

Liu Yuru replied calmly, "It's still early. I'm not sleepy yet."

"What time do you usually sleep?" Shen Ming struck up a conversation.

Wanting to gather more information, Liu Yuru softly mentioned her usual bedtime. Shen Ming sighed, "That's so late. What keeps you busy?"

"There's a lot of accounting work at the shop," Liu Yuru explained. After a moment's thought, she added to clarify her married status, "Besides, my husband is often busy with affairs, and I wait for him to return."

"Would you always wait for him to come back before sleeping?"

"Naturally."

"Would you wait for him to have meals?"

"Of course."

"If he died, would you always remember him?"

Liu Yuru looked into Shen Ming's sparkling eyes, finding it strange, but she still nodded. "Naturally, I would."

"That's wonderful." Shen Ming clapped his hands. "When you marry me in the future, I should be very happy."

Liu Yuru: "..."

"Shameless!" Yin Hong couldn't hold back any longer. She sat up straight, glaring at Shen Ming angrily. "A toad lusting after swan meat—go look in a mirror!"

"Why should I look in a mirror?" Shen Ming said righteously. "I'm already very handsome."

With that, Shen Ming continued discussing their marriage with Liu Yuru. Suppressing her irritation, Liu Yuru began probing into his past.

She roughly gathered that he used to be a wandering knight-errant, not active around Hope Capital City. Later, he met Brother Xiong, who brought him to Black Wind Fortress. Because of his exceptional martial skills, he became a minor leader there. He had two principles: first, never kill good people; second, never bully women or children. In Black Wind Fortress, he was considered a breath of fresh air. But he loved robbing the rich to aid the poor, which also brought substantial economic gains to Black Wind Fortress, so he was doing quite well.

As for Black Wind Fortress, though he didn't say much, the information suggested it had intricate connections with certain officials in Hope Capital City.

In the past, city residents had repeatedly demanded the eradication of Black Wind Fortress, but the authorities turned a blind eye. The only county magistrate who decided to suppress the bandits died suddenly at home before the operation began.

Since then, no magistrate dared to interfere with Black Wind Fortress.

Liu Yuru listened quietly, feeling a growing concern for Gu Jiusi in her heart.

Shen Ming noticed and quickly said, "Don't worry. Once he dies, you can just marry me."

This time, before Yin Hong could speak, Liu Yuru spoke first: "Shut up!"

Shen Ming rubbed his nose.

Hmm, a little hurt.

After receiving the message about Black Wind Fortress, Gu Jiusi summoned Huang Long and Huzi. He instructed them, "Brother Zhou is surrounding the Liang family to prevent them from communicating with Black Wind Fortress, so his forces must protect Hope Capital City and we can't mobilize them. Right now, we only have two hundred available troops. Black Wind Fortress has five hundred fierce bandits and the advantage of terrain. We can't gain the upper hand."

"That's true," Huang Long hesitated. "Should we wait a bit longer...""We can't wait any longer." Gu Jiusi interrupted decisively, "Brother Huang, don't be afraid. I've already studied the situation at Black Wind Fortress. Although they have large numbers, they're all people gathered from all corners of the land - a disorderly mob acting independently. Their methods vary greatly. As long as we make a strong start, we don't need to be particularly powerful - they'll create chaos themselves."

"So the key lies in the beginning. I'll first go up the mountain and infiltrate them, finding a way to create the right moment for attack. They must have many traps on the mountain. Go buy ten oxen from farming families now. When the time comes, tie firecrackers to the oxen's tails. When I send the signal from the mountain, light the firecrackers and use spears to drive the oxen uphill. The oxen will trigger their traps first. They won't understand what's happening and will definitely waste a wave of weapons, allowing you to identify what traps they have."

"Understood." Huang Long nodded. Gu Jiusi then called Huzi over, "Go to the city and find refugees and beggars. Bring people to surround the mountain - the more the better. Tell them they only need to shout according to instructions at the foot of the mountain, and everyone who goes will be rewarded with a steamed bun. If any bandits run down, capture them - one tael of silver for each bandit caught. When Brother Huang begins the attack, you create commotion below."

"Understood."

Huzi responded.

"But before I send the signal, keep your distance. Don't let anyone discover you."

Everyone nodded collectively. Gu Jiusi said nothing more, dismissing everyone and beginning to change clothes.

He wore armor under his garments, strapped a dagger to his arm, and placed numerous medicine bottles in his sleeves. Finally, he put on an elegant white robe with snow curl cloud patterns, covered with a silver gauze outer layer. With a jade crown on his head and a folding fan in his hand, he looked every bit the refined and elegant scholar.

Having made his preparations, Gu Jiusi had just stepped out when he saw Su Wan and Jiang Rou standing at the door.

Su Wan's eyes were red-rimmed. Jiang Rou stepped forward, took Gu Jiusi's hand, pressed her lips together and said, "No matter what, Yu Ru will always be Yu Ru."

Gu Jiusi was taken aback for a moment before suddenly realizing what Jiang Rou meant.

What Liu Yu Ru might experience in such a mountain fortress was beyond everyone's imagination. What he might see when he went there was something he dared not think about too much. But Jiang Rou's words were telling him that no matter what he saw, Liu Yu Ru would always be Liu Yu Ru, the daughter-in-law of the Gu Family.

The thought of what might have happened felt like a sharp blade cutting through his heart - both painful and hateful. His voice turned cold as he said decisively, "Naturally."

"Mother, mother-in-law, please rest assured. Both Yu Ru and I will be fine."

After saying this, Gu Jiusi turned and strode out.

The horse was already prepared outside. Gu Jiusi mounted it and instructed Huang Long and Huzi: "Don't follow too closely." Then he turned his horse and galloped away.

His horse moved urgently, galloping all the way out of Hope Capital City straight toward Black Wind Fortress.

Liu Yu Ru and Shen Ming were still chatting, with Liu Yu Ru aiming to gather information and Shen Ming aiming to cultivate feelings. As they were talking, someone knocked on the door outside and said: "Brother Shen, are you done? The boss says Gu Jiusi has arrived!"

Liu Yu Ru's eyes immediately lit up. Yin Hong, hearing Gu Jiusi's name, suddenly became alert. Shen Ming was stunned for a moment before saying, "So soon?""Brother Shen," the person outside sounded anxious, "Hurry up."

"Alright, alright."

Shen Ming shouted back, "Almost done."

As he spoke, Shen Ming stood up and grabbed Liu Yu Ru.

He looked at her appearance, hesitated for a moment, then suddenly reached out to ruffle her hair before tearing at her clothes.

Liu Yu Ru cried out in alarm, and Shen Ming hurriedly said, "Just acting, just acting!"

Liu Yu Ru tightly clutched her clothes, her eyes slightly red. With all the commotion, she did indeed look somewhat disheveled.

Shen Ming picked up the clothes from the ground and draped them over Liu Yu Ru. Then he looked up at Yin Hong and said, "Still not moving? Do I have to do it myself?"

Yin Hong resentfully ruffled her own hair and tugged at her clothes. Shen Ming sneered, placed a hand on Liu Yu Ru's shoulder, and said to her, "I just told those people I wanted you—that's how I drove them away. If you walk out looking all prim and proper, I won't have a good explanation."

Liu Yu Ru didn't speak. She clutched her clothes tightly and whispered, "Where are we going?"

Shen Ming shielded her in his embrace, signaled Yin Hong to follow him, and walked out the main door. Everyone looked at them with suggestive eyes. One of them said, "Brother Shen, you're something else—either you don't make a move, or you take two at once."

Liu Yu Ru trembled slightly, and Shen Ming glared at the speaker. "If you keep spouting nonsense and scare my little lady, I'll tear your mouth shut."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Shen Ming led Liu Yu Ru and Yin Hong to the main hall. A middle-aged man in his forties sat on a tiger-skin throne at the far end. He wore a black cloak and a jade thumb ring, his face overly pale, giving off a somewhat sinister aura.

Shen Ming brought Liu Yu Ru forward and respectfully kowtowed to him, then said, "Master Ying, I've brought her."

"Done?" Master Ying smiled. Shen Ming kept his head lowered and calmly replied, "Done."

"Good," Master Ying lightly applauded. "Let's see how Official Gu will handle this humiliation."

Master Ying stood up and looked ahead. "Is he at the gate?"

"He is."

"Let's go." Master Ying waved his hand and added, "Bring the little lady. We're going to greet Official Gu."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru's face turned pale, and her steps faltered slightly.

She was going to see Gu Jiusi—like this?!

What would Gu Jiusi think when he saw her like this? Even if... even if he was always open-minded, what man could tolerate such a thorn in his side?

Liu Yu Ru wanted to turn and flee, but Shen Ming sensed her intention and pulled her close, whispering, "Don't do anything rash."

Liu Yu Ru trembled faintly. She forced herself to calm down and reluctantly followed the group to the city wall. There, she saw Gu Jiusi riding along the mountain path, approaching the gates of Black Wind Fortress from afar.

He was alone, holding a fan in his hand—just one man and one horse, looking composed and carefree, as if strolling under the moonlight to admire flowers. If he were to sing a tune, it would only complete the scene.

"You said he can fight?" Shen Ming glanced skeptically at Liu Yu Ru and scoffed, "With that build? I'd believe he's scholarly, but fighting? Give me a break."

Liu Yu Ru didn't respond. Her heart was racing.She couldn't quite describe what she was feeling at this moment—part of her thought the man before her was foolish for coming alone in such circumstances; part of her felt afraid, wondering why she had to meet him in this state; yet there was also a faint glimmer of hope, for his arrival surely meant he had come to rescue her.

She seemed to harbor a blind trust in Gu Jiusi, always believing that no matter what, once he arrived, everything would be alright.

Shen Ming glanced at her, then turned his gaze to Gu Jiusi.

From afar, Gu Jiusi had spotted Liu Yu Ru standing on the city tower, a man by her side, his outer robe draped over her shoulders.

Gu Jiusi tightened his grip on the reins, feeling as though his breath had caught in his throat.

A nameless fury surged within him, but the more it raged, the more he forced himself to remain calm.

In the current situation, a single misstep could plunge both Liu Yu Ru and himself into grave danger.

So, with a smile on his face, he rode forward under the watchful eyes of the entire Black Wind Fortress, reining in his horse calmly before the fortress gate.

One of Master Ying's men stepped forward and shouted, "Who goes there? State your name!"

Gu Jiusi lifted his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, a faint, elegant smile playing on his lips.

"Gu Jiusi, Magistrate of Wangdu," he announced clearly, his voice like clear spring water striking stone, or jade beads falling onto a plate. Moonlight fell upon his fair complexion as his eyes settled on Liu Yu Ru's face. There was no disdain or disgust in his expression—just as in the past, it carried a serene smile and tenderness. Across the crowd, he looked quietly at her and declared, "Having received Master Ying's letter, I have come to seek an audience, hoping for my wife's safety."

Liu Yu Ru suddenly felt calm.

All her fear and unease melted away under that gaze. She stood quietly on the city tower, watching him.

She was no longer afraid at all.