Chapter 281

He Jinglan also saw that figure, startled, "There—"

Gu Xixi hastily covered her mouth, blocking the unspoken "person" from He Jinglan.

She shook her head silently, waved her hand, signaling not to speak.

At this time, clouds drifted above, the moonlight was hazy, and the surrounding light was dim.

The two crouched low, trying to curl their bodies in the shadow.

That figure ran swiftly, soon passing through the fields to reach the open space in front of the house.

This person was very tall, obviously unfamiliar with the terrain, walking left and right, hesitating before stopping.

Looking at where he stopped, both Gu Xixi and He Jingla were startled.

That was the position of the last poison mechanism.

How could he possibly know?

The two exchanged a glance; could they be on our side?

Listening again, the fighting sounds were still coming from the front and back directions, far away.

This indicated that Old Li and the others were not at a disadvantage.

Perhaps this person before them was not an escaped assassin who had slipped through the net.

Gu Xixi was hesitating whether to reveal herself when that figure began shouting:

"Xixi!"

The man's voice was very familiar, with a sobbing tone: "Xixi! Where are you? Did something happen? It's all my fault; I should have realized you had your reasons. I said I'd follow and protect you for life, but I failed—I'm such an idiot."

"Enough already." He Jinglan said, stepping out of the hiding place.

"An Qinghe! Can't you wish us some good luck!"

Just then the moon broke through the clouds, silver light spilling over the ground.

An Qinghe stared blankly at the two appearing figures, his mouth open, his handsome face covered in snot and tears, looking somewhat comical.

Gu Xixi tried to ease the awkwardness: "We're both fine; how did you come here?"

An Qinghe said, "I'm here to guide the deputy general of General Liu."

He hastily added, "Don't worry, at home Shitou, Aunt Zhang, and Old Jiang are unaware; I made an excuse to visit a friend, only coming out in the evening to meet with Deputy General Zhang."

He Jinglan rejoiced, patting her chest to calm herself: "Great, we're saved!"

She then turned to An Qinghe, eyebrows furrowed: "After all, we've been old friends for so long; you only care about finding Xixi, you don't care at all about my life or death!"

An Qinghe scratched his head, "Your family's driver surnamed Li told me you two are together."

"So when I shout someone's name, it's not really shouting; Miss Jing Lan is magnanimous, so don't worry about it so much."

He Jinglan pursed her lips: "Whether I hold a grudge depends on your future sincerity."

An Qinghe repeatedly bowed and offered to treat He Jinglan to meals ten times as compensation.

He Jinglan wasn't really angry, so she asked An Qinghe what had happened.

An Qinghe said, "The day before yesterday afternoon, the very day you left, General Liu sent people to our home as promised to look for Xixi."

"I only then learned that Xixi had left a note for Aunt Zhang to pass on to General Liu."

"Aunt Zhang couldn't read, but I saw the red 'urgent' character on the envelope."

"Originally, seeing Xixi leave made me uneasy, so I pestered the boy who took the letter to open the envelope."

"It wasn't a secret anyway, the letter wasn't sealed, and the boy couldn't refuse me, so I agreed to take a look."

"Inside, besides Xixi's planting plan for this season prepared for the Northwest Army, there was indeed a note requesting help!"

He Jinglan listened anxiously, urging: "And then? And then?"

An Qinghe continued: "Then that boy's expression suddenly turned serious."

"I had originally worried he'd make excuses, this dragging on—what about your lives?"

"Who knew he'd immediately mount his horse, say he'd report back to General Liu, and could immediately mobilize troops, letting me wait for them tonight on the official road near the village entrance."

"I won't hide it from you two; I had been waiting outside, even wondering if that boy had deceived me, but I didn't expect him to actually bring a cavalry unit."

He Jinglan, in comparison, wasn't surprised: "Perhaps you're not aware of some things."

Gu Xixi helped the Northwest Army with work; initially the great general promised to be her backing in the Northwest.

So Gu Xixi is a partner the Northwest Army will not abandon, also a benefactor; if she encounters trouble, the Northwest Army from top to bottom will surely do its utmost to protect her.

An Qinghe suddenly understood, looking at Gu Xixi's eyes with growing admiration, "Now I see."

As emotions relaxed, He Jinglan's face showed a smile, "With the army's protection, those rabble, no matter how many come tonight, will be useless!"

"Not only that." An Qinghe wiped sweat, laughed, "I could come over because both the front and back doors are safe."

"Not only?" Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exclaimed in unison, surprised.

"Who else?"

An Qinghe also puzzled, "They weren't summoned by Gu Xixi, were they?"

He frowned recalling, "When I and Deputy Commander Zhang arrived, someone had already arrived first, all dressed as ordinary people."

"The leader showed some kind of token to the people in the courtyard, and they opened the door and joined them against the enemy."

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exchanged glances, thinking, showing a token would gain trust from the He Family Dark Guards; these people could only be Mu Nan Zhao's dark guards.

An Qinghe continued describing, "Then another batch of County Office troops arrived."

"Deputy Commander Zhang, seeing the guards were sufficient, personally led cavalry to chase the fleeing villains, saying they must eradicate them tonight to eliminate future trouble."

"County Office troops?"

Gu Xixi shook her head, "I didn't have time to seek help from the County Office."

"When we left the village, they were already following; if we forcibly broke into the county town, they might then resort to desperate lethal moves, so we could only retreat to the farmstead, thinking we could hold out one day at a time."

An Qinghe, still feeling lingering fear, said, "Gu Xixi, you did right! When encountering desperadoes, we can't meet force with force!"

Gu Xixi furrowed her brows, "I just don't know how the County Office found out about this."

"I want to go ahead and take a look."

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan said they'd go, and they left right away.

An Qinghe chased after them, earnestly advising, "The fighting up ahead might not be over yet; you two young ladies shouldn't see such a scene."

Gu Xixi said, "The County Office has sent people; as the master of the manor, it would be improper for me to hide and not show myself."

Upon reaching the front gate, the sounds of weapons had ceased.

In the distance, they first saw a group of government soldiers holding torches.

The man leading the group rode a chestnut horse, wearing not an official uniform but a dark blue watered-silk robe.

The man was handsome and dignified, calm and gentle, as he directed the government soldiers to bind and escort the wounded bandits.

He Jinglan was busy asking about the situation of her own hidden guards, while Gu Xixi lifted her gaze to the person on horseback, and from the side profile she felt a sense of familiarity.

When that person turned around, their eyes met, and both were startled.

"Jiang Mingyuan?"

"Little Sis Xixi?"

Jiang Mingyuan dismounted in a few strides and ran up to Gu Xixi.

He didn't bother to ask the reason, first giving her a quick look to make sure she was safe, then said with concern:

"How are you? You're not hurt, are you?"