Destined

Zhou Ye's face showed hesitation, as if he couldn't bear it.

Though not a soldier himself, he had grown up in military camps since childhood. The act of executing surrendered troops went beyond his personal moral boundaries. Gu Jiusi noticed his hesitation, took a deep breath, and said, "Brother Zhou, I know what you're thinking. I'm not doing this out of personal anger—it's for the future. Do you understand?"

Zhou Ye's expression shifted slightly. Gu Jiusi continued, "Do you think only the Liang family is involved in today's matter? Right now, the entire Hope Capital City is watching how we handle this. Our attitude represents Lord Fan and Lord Zhou's stance. I've held back until now, even though I knew they had ill intentions—I only increased our defenses. I kept hoping for a turnaround, thinking that if I showed goodwill and humility, they might understand. With the interest payment deadline approaching, I believed once the money reached them, they'd see I wasn't deceiving them."

Gu Jiusi took another deep breath, clenched his fists, and turned away with a pained expression. "But what was the result?"

"If I don't act, they'll truly think I'm easy to bully. On my way here today, I kept wondering—if I had used Wang Shanquan's ruthless methods from the start, would they dare to act like this?!"

"Brother Zhou, I've never believed everyone in this world is evil," he turned to look at Zhou Ye calmly, "but neither do I think everyone is virtuous. People contain both good and evil—seeking profit, avoiding harm, greed, and selfishness are all human desires. If I don't kill them today, what if every wealthy merchant in Hope Capital follows their example? With war imminent, do you want Lord Zhou and Lord Fan to fight on the battlefield while worrying about threats from behind?"

Hearing this, Zhou Ye's expression sharpened. He took a deep breath and responded, "I understand."

He turned to the others and said, "Proceed as discussed."

Zhou Ye gritted his teeth: "Execute everyone on the spot. Capture any who escaped—not a single one gets away."

Upon hearing this, the scene immediately descended into wails and howls.

Gu Jiusi's face remained cold as he forced himself to watch—watching the rows of people standing before him, watching soldiers raise their blades, listening to the interwoven cries and curses that turned the place into a living hell.

His hands trembled slightly. Inside the carriage, Liu Yu Ru listened to the sounds outside. After a long while, she too felt a chill.

She had heard everything clearly.

She recognized it was Gu Jiusi giving the orders. This version of him frightened her somewhat, yet she clearly understood why he was doing this and what he aimed to achieve.

Just recently, he had been losing sleep over these matters. She had advised him to be more resolute, but he remained soft-hearted.

Yet the world always exceeded their expectations. They had thought that at worst, Gu Jiusi might face demotion or a beating during his daily visits—never imagining things would escalate to kidnapping.

Listening to the screams outside, Liu Yu Ru felt as if they were back in Cangzhou, surrounded by refugees once again.

Holding Yin Hong tightly, she clenched her teeth as the sounds outside gradually faded. After a long time, Gu Jiusi lifted the carriage curtain and offered her a strained smile. "It's over now. Let's go home."His face was still stained with blood, his complexion somewhat pale. His smile was strained yet gentle, like the last vestige of tenderness in his world.

Liu Yu Ru stared blankly at Gu Jiusi in this state. Gu Jiusi lowered his gaze and said, "Don't look at me like that."

After speaking, he let the curtain fall. Just then, Huang Long hurried over and whispered, "Sir, two people are missing."

Gu Jiusi furrowed his brow. He glanced around, thought for a moment, then his expression turned cold. "Shen Ming."

He pursed his lips, pondered briefly, and said, "Take Huzi with you, seal off the mountain, and wait below. If you encounter anyone, don't engage—you're no match for them. Follow them discreetly and send someone to notify me. There are two of them. If only one comes out, make sure someone stays behind to wait for the other. Capture them both."

Huang Long acknowledged the order. Gu Jiusi glanced at the sky, exchanged a few words with Zhou Ye, instructing him to handle the aftermath, then drove the carriage down the mountain himself.

Not daring to linger on the road, he urged the carriage forward at a rapid pace. He escorted Liu Yu Ru into Wangdu, then had Yun Yun and the others come up to carry Yin Hong inside. Standing to the side, he extended his hand to Liu Yu Ru, who gracefully alighted from the carriage in full view of Su Wan and Jiang Rou.

Seeing her unharmed, Su Wan and Jiang Rou immediately felt relieved.

Liu Yu Ru smiled gently and said, "Mother, Mother-in-law, don't worry. I'm fine."

"That's good..." Su Wan said tearfully, not daring to ask more. She lowered her head and added, "As long as you return safely, that's all that matters."

"Let's not talk too much for now. Quickly summon the physician," Jiang Rou urged, bustling about. "Bring the bird's nest soup, prepare hot water in the room. The young mistress is back—everyone attend to your duties."

Everyone busied themselves. Gu Jiusi stood beside Liu Yu Ru, watching her greet everyone. After a while, he finally said, "Mother, Yu Ru is tired. Let her rest first."

"Yes, yes," Jiang Rou said happily. "Go and rest now."

Gu Jiusi led Liu Yu Ru back to their room. The physician arrived, examined Liu Yu Ru first, prescribed some calming remedies, and then left.

Under everyone's care, Liu Yu Ru drank the bird's nest soup and politely saw everyone off. After they had left, the room fell into silence.

Gu Jiusi sat at the table, motionless. Liu Yu Ru felt weary. She gazed at him for a long time, then patted the bed gently and said, "Husband, come here."

Gu Jiusi snapped out of his thoughts, quickly stood up, and walked to Liu Yu Ru's side. "Yu Ru, what is it?"

"Let's sleep," Liu Yu Ru said, looking at him with tender eyes. She made room on the bed and added, "You've been busy all night. Rest now."

Gu Jiusi acknowledged her words and turned to leave. "I'll wash up first."

Liu Yu Ru tugged at his sleeve, her gaze firm. "You're tired. Rest now."

Gu Jiusi paused, as if he could no longer maintain his composure. Weariness surfaced on his calm expression. He removed his outer robe, lifted the quilt, and lay down beside Liu Yu Ru. Then, holding her hand, he said softly, "Sleep. I'll stay with you."

Both were exhausted. Liu Yu Ru reached out and embraced the man before her.

Gu Jiusi hesitated for a moment, then turned to his side and drew Liu Yu Ru into his arms.The moment she fell into his embrace, his trembling hands finally stilled. They held each other quietly, Gu Jiusi staring blankly ahead as he murmured slowly, "Yu Ru, don't be afraid of me."

"I'm not afraid," Liu Yu Ru responded softly, resting against his chest while listening to his steady heartbeat. "No matter what happens to you, I'll never be afraid."

"When I heard something had happened to you, I was filled with regret." His voice carried no discernible emotion, sounding detached and calm as if his soul had departed. "All along the way, I kept regretting—why didn't I act sooner? Why did I bother with principles and mercy? Why was I always considering others?"

"Having chosen this path, I'm destined to incur resentment. Their hatred and blame mean nothing to me, but why must they trouble you?"

"Yu Ru," Gu Jiusi's voice cracked with tears, "I was terrified."

"Hearing you were in danger, I was truly afraid."

"But I'm fine now, aren't I?" Liu Yu Ru reassured him gently. "We'll learn from this experience and grow stronger. Our path will become smoother."

"Jiu Si," she continued, listening to his heartbeat, "before you arrived, I was terrified too. I feared many things—that something might happen to me, that I'd be humiliated, that you'd come to dislike me, that others would gossip and look down on me..."

"How could that be?" Gu Jiusi chuckled at her words. "Why worry about such trivial matters? I told you, I don't care about any of that."

"But I care," Liu Yu Ru insisted earnestly, gazing at him. "I always want to be the best version of myself in your eyes. That's why I worry about acting shrewish in front of you, or having my reputation tarnished."

Her eyes remained fixed on him, her words utterly transparent, devoid of any maidenly shyness. With her arms draped around his neck, she looked at him as if completely unaware how her words stirred his heart, simply stating, "I just want you to think I'm the finest girl in the world."

Gu Jiusi stared at her in stunned silence.

As he gazed at her exquisite features, he felt his heartbeat slow and deepen, every breath becoming distinctly audible. A mixture of panic and joy surged within him.

Seeing him simply staring dumbfounded, Liu Yu Ru buried her face in his chest and whispered, "Why aren't you saying anything? At least give me a response."

"I..." Gu Jiusi swallowed hard, holding her while feeling somewhat flustered. After a long pause, he finally managed, "I... I think you are the finest girl in the world."

"Really?"

"Truly." Gradually regaining his composure, he propped his head on one hand and looked tenderly at the person before him. "Whenever I think of you, I feel I'd do anything for you."

Liu Yu Ru pressed her lips together, suppressing her inner delight as she murmured, "You're not deceiving me?"

"I would never deceive you."

Watching her smile blossom, Gu Jiusi suddenly felt all worldly concerns vanish. His guilt, his fears, his struggles—all gradually faded away. With his gaze resting upon her, she became his entire world. Softly, he vowed, "Whatever you say, I shall do."

"Then be happier." Liu Yu Ru lifted her head to meet his eyes. "If you'll truly listen to me, then promise me this: first, treat yourself better; second, find more joy; third, never doubt yourself; fourth, learn to love who you are..."Gu Jiusi listened as she listed each point one by one, unable to hold back a laugh. "What about you?"

"Hmm?" Liu Yu Ru, resting her head in the crook of his arm, looked up at him. Her bewildered expression warmed Gu Jiusi's heart like spring sunshine touching its core. Gazing at her, he said, "Everything you mentioned is about me being good to myself. So how should I be good to you?"

"You're already more than good enough."

Realizing this was the question, Liu Yu Ru tightened her embrace around him. "The way you treat me—I'm content."

Gu Jiusi's eyes filled with remorse. "Yu Ru, you've suffered by following me."

"Not at all," Liu Yu Ru chuckled. "If I hadn't followed you, I wouldn't have become Boss Liu or been cherished like this. Look, which other wife gets to be as unrestrained as I am?"

"Most women can only eat a few bites at meals, sit on the edge of their seats, sleep later than their husbands, and wake earlier... All things considered, my life is already quite good."

"But I put you in danger..."

"That wasn't you putting me in danger," Liu Yu Ru grasped his hand earnestly. "It was those villains who endangered us. Jiusi, you can't shoulder all the blame. You need to understand—you're just an ordinary person."

"An ordinary person isn't omnipotent. We just do our best to live, but we can't think we're not good enough every time something goes wrong. I don't have your kind of goodness, Jiusi. In this world, I focus on striving to survive. Only after ensuring my own survival can I think about helping others. I don't provoke others unprovoked, but I won't spare those who harm me. You've chosen a path where right and wrong are often blurred. You want to enter officialdom and do more for the people—that means you're destined to do some things against your conscience. As long as you've tried your best and done all you can, that's enough."

"I can understand the Liang family's resistance, but I can't accept it. If killing these bandits today troubles your conscience, Jiusi, then resign from your post."

She looked at Gu Jiusi with calm composure. "I don't ask for great wealth or noble titles. This path isn't suited for the purely kind-hearted. You don't have to fulfill Yang Wenchang's dying wish. Just stay home, continue being your Young Master Gu, and help me manage the accounts. Alright?"

Gu Jiusi didn't speak, his eyes fixed on Liu Yu Ru's.

He wrestled internally, almost agreeing with her. But in the moment before he could speak, memories flashed before his eyes—the Gu Family's desperate flight, Yang Wenchang's blood staining the execution ground, the refugee riots in Cangzhou.

He opened his mouth, only to suddenly realize—

"I can't do it."

His voice was hoarse. "I can't stand by and watch the world in such turmoil while remaining detached. I just can't."

Liu Yu Ru smiled. "It's good that you understand. Besides, you can't really stay detached anyway."

She sighed. "In this lifetime, we're bound to face such things, Jiusi. We're not saints—what we seek is simply peace of mind."

"If we're guilty, then in the endless hell of the afterlife, we'll go together."

Liu Yu Ru smiled gently. "I'll keep you company then."

Gu Jiusi remained silent, watching her eyes as she spoke so serenely about what comes after death.

She used to always talk to him about this lifetime, and he had thought it was because she had no other choices in this life. But now, when she did have a choice, she still chose him.He didn't want to dwell on what this might signify, only recalling the moment he charged into Black Wind Fortress and first laid eyes on Liu Yu Ru.

In that instant, he realized with absolute clarity—he could never tolerate another man appearing in Liu Yu Ru's life.

All his past promises about letting her go or allowing her to find true love became worthless nonsense in that moment.

His mind was consumed by a single thought: he wanted Liu Yu Ru in this lifetime, in the next lifetime, in all the time Gu Jiusi existed—alive or dead—he wanted this person.

She was his wife, always had been, always would be.

Fearing such obsessive thoughts might frighten Liu Yu Ru, he restrained all emotion and smiled gently.

He reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear, then leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"Good," he said softly, "remember these words well. Don't try to deny them when we reach the Naihe Bridge."

Liu Yu Ru pressed her lips together in a light laugh. "You're the one who'd deny things! When have I ever gone back on my word?"

"You'll stand by everything you've said?"

"I will," Liu Yu Ru nodded. "Credit is the foundation of business."

"Then that's good." Gu Jiusi lowered his head, holding her hand as he murmured gently, "Now I can rest easy."

While they were talking, Shen Ming was hiding in a cave, carefully observing the situation outside.

Brother Xiong was injured, bandaging himself up nearby. With a knife wound in his leg limiting his mobility, he tended to his injury while panting softly: "Xiao Shen, you should go. With your martial skills, you'll be fine. Don't let me hold you back."

"No," Shen Ming turned his head, "I'm taking you with me."

"I'm the one who got you into this," Brother Xiong smiled bitterly. "I thought bringing you to Black Wind Fortress would give us a chance at survival, but it turned out to be a death trap. I should have listened to you—we never should have come here..."

"Enough of that," Shen Ming said calmly. "You saved me and my mother in Cangzhou. I won't abandon you."

"It was just a casual rescue," Brother Xiong sighed. "You've repaid that debt many times over. Go, don't worry about me."

"They've quieted down now," Shen Ming checked outside before approaching Brother Xiong. "They're probably still waiting for us at the mountain foot. I'll carry you down, hide you somewhere, then go out to draw them away. Once they're gone, you make your escape."

"Xiao Shen!" Brother Xiong said urgently. "It's not worth dying for me. Your mother is still waiting for you..."

"Who are you to decide if my life is worth it or not?" Shen Ming glared at him before hoisting him onto his back. As Brother Xiong struggled desperately, Shen Ming immediately warned, "Don't make me tie you up!"

Knowing Shen Ming meant what he said, Brother Xiong finally stopped resisting. Carrying his companion, Shen Ming scanned the surroundings before crouching low and moving through the grass.

Reaching the mountain base, he crawled through the undergrowth and indeed spotted Huzi waiting with his men. After a moment's thought, Shen Ming had Brother Xiong lie flat in the grass, whispering: "Stick to the plan—go wait for me at my mother's place."

With that, Shen Ming stood up and cautiously emerged. Seizing the moment when Huzi's men had their backs turned, he quickly broke into a run.

Yet everyone seemed to ignore him. Gritting his teeth, Shen Ming deliberately stumbled, finally making noise.

Spotting him, everyone shouted: "After him!"Shen Ming sprinted wildly, fighting as he fled. When the soldiers realized a few men couldn't subdue him, they quickly called for reinforcements. Soon everyone was chasing Shen Ming, who began a desperate escape.

Brother Xiong gritted his teeth, supporting his injured leg while enduring the pain as he ran frantically.

Huang Long led his men ahead, pursuing Shen Ming while shouting, "Report to Lord Gu immediately!"

Shen Ming's intention was to draw the pursuers away so Brother Xiong could escape, so he didn't bother fighting back, focusing solely on running at full speed.

But after some time, he couldn't outpace the mounted soldiers and found himself completely surrounded.

Shen Ming spat in disgust, drew his blade, and resolved to take as many down with him as possible before dying.

Horses circled around Shen Ming, yet his exceptional martial skills kept him holding his ground at the center, locked in a stalemate with the soldiers.

Huzi watched from the side, contemplated for a moment, then gathered some elderly men with graying hair who had joined for food. He told them, "I've heard Shen Ming of Black Wind Fortress has two principles: never kill women or children, and never harm the elderly. When I rush at him, if he doesn't strike, you all charge forward immediately."

Everyone nodded. Huzi touched the armor he'd worn since last night over his chest, gritted his teeth, crouched low, and lunged forward.

Though nearly fourteen, he was very small and looked no older than twelve. When Shen Ming suddenly saw this child charging at him, he instinctively grabbed and threw him aside, roaring angrily, "Don't throw your life away!"

Seeing this, Huzi signaled with his eyes to the others. Immediately, the old and young rushed forward. Shen Ming's face changed dramatically. He flipped his blade to use the flat side, desperately pushing people away while shouting furiously, "Get back!"

But in that brief moment, soldiers pressed their spears against his neck.

Shen Ming finally stopped moving. Holding his blade, he panted as he looked at the mounted soldiers, his eyes filled with scorn.

"Had to resort to such despicable methods."

He spat and yelled angrily, "Truly loyal dogs of the court!"

"Master Shen," Huzi said with a smile, "please put down your weapon. Our Ninth Master wishes to invite you for tea."

"Hah, I wouldn't drink his rotten tea!"

"Even if you don't want to go," Huzi tilted his chin toward the side, "you should accompany that gentleman there."

Hearing this, Shen Ming instinctively looked where indicated and his face drastically changed—Brother Xiong had already been captured by Huang Long. Shen Ming's expression darkened, but after a long pause, he suddenly laughed: "Fine then, want me for tea? Let's go."

When Gu Jiusi woke up, Munan came to report that Shen Ming had been captured.

After Liu Yu Ru started earning money, their family had gradually rehired the servants who had previously dispersed.

Hearing Munan's report, Gu Jiusi nodded. He turned to look at Liu Yu Ru still sleeping, smiled faintly, then raised his hand to signal Munan to bring the sword nearby.

He used the sword to cut off part of his sleeve, then crept out quietly.

After leaving the room, he first washed up, changed into fresh clothes, then headed to the woodshed.

The woodshed had been temporarily converted into a prison cell where Shen Ming and Brother Xiong were confined. As soon as Gu Jiusi entered, Shen Ming laughed.

"Well, Lord Gu," Shen Ming called out, "why are you alone? Where's Miss Liu? Where's Yin Hong? Aren't they coming to see me?"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi smiled.

Huzi was about to step forward to speak and assert some authority, but unexpectedly, Gu Jiusi raised his hand, snapped open a fan, and struck Shen Ming's face back and forth with sharp "smacking" sounds.Everyone was stunned by those two slaps. Gu Jiusi fanned himself leisurely and said with a smile, "Go on," he beamed, "keep talking. Let's see whether your mouth is tougher, or your face is tougher."