Chapter 558 - 564: Xiao Xi Returns

Due to the urgent situation, Yiyang City was in peril, and it could be breached at any moment. Anything could happen then, including Liu Xiu being targeted by the Imperial Court for priority assassination as the commanding general. Once Han Yu had made up his mind, he wouldn’t let Liu Xiu fall into danger and had to get there before any such event. After discussing hastily with his wife’s parents’ home, he took the travel gifts packed by Su Wenyue and prepared to leave.

Even though all the necessary instructions had been given, Su Wenyue still followed him to the gate: “No matter what, you must come back alive.”

“Don’t worry, take good care of yourself and our child at home, and wait for my return,” Han Yu said and then rode away without looking back, not hesitating or pausing for a second, because he knew that if he stopped, it would be even harder for him to leave.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Younger sister, come inside, it’s cool outside, and your body is still weak. Don’t catch a cold. Your brother-in-law is brave and wise, acts with great circumspection, and even in real danger, he can turn things around. You take good care of yourself and the child,” Su Hengyi said, comforting Su Wenyue from behind her, though in his heart he was not so sure that Han Yu’s trip would be smooth or that he could safely return—it was merely to comfort his younger sister.

Although Han Yu told Su Wenyue roughly about his plans, it was just an outline, but Su Hengyi knew more and thus understood better that no matter whether Han Yu could come back, injuries were inevitable. The best-case scenario was that the injuries weren’t too severe, or he suffered less damage, but given the current situation and Han Yu’s predicament, there was no other choice.

Su Wenyue nodded, holding back the tears welling in her eyes, her face wearing a strong smile: “Big brother is right. My husband not only is brave and wise but also lucky, and then there’s me and our child tying him down, so he will surely come back safe and sound because of that.”

Expecting his younger sister to grieve and complain to him, Su Hengyi had prepared himself to comfort her, yet his sister turned out to be stronger than he’d thought. Seeing his younger sister’s stubborn, strong smile, Su Hengyi felt even more heartache, realizing that his younger sister had finally grown up, capable of bearing the responsibility of being the mistress of a household.

“It’s good that you have this confidence,” Su Hengyi tried to say more but ended up uttering only this phrase.

“Don’t worry, big brother. Your sister has grown up. I am not the same clueless little girl I used to be. I won’t cry just because I’m separated from my husband for a while. Don’t expect to laugh at my expense,” Su Wenyue blinked playfully, as if her recent distress and worry had never existed, reminiscent of the naïve little girl she was before she got married, prompting Su Hengyi to feel a momentary daze and nostalgia.

“You little rascal, is that how you see your big brother? You really deserve a spanking,” Su Hengyi knew his younger sister didn’t want to show her vulnerability, so he played along with a laugh, tapping her forehead lightly with his fingers.

Making several silly noises, Su Wenyue protested, “Big brother, you’re bullying me, be careful or my husband will get back at you when he returns!”

“Right, I’m waiting for that! You think you can do whatever you want now that you’re married, but no matter what, I am your big brother and you will listen to me!” he retorted playfully.

After some laughter and teasing between the siblings, which lightened the melancholy and worry, Su Wenyue felt a little better and started getting busy with her own affairs. Having promised to share in both troubles and progress with Han Yu, she should strive even harder.

It was only a matter of time before Yiyang City would fall, and regardless of whether Han Yu’s plans succeeded, they would face tough days ahead. While Han Yu was working hard for their family, even risking his life to earn Liu Xiu’s trust, she wanted to contribute to her family’s future with her own efforts, especially since she knew she was capable. Thinking of the arrangements she had made as a backup plan for herself, it was time to call Xiao Xi back. That little girl had always been clamoring to come back to her side. She must have heard about what had happened to her recently, which is why she was so eager to return. Su Wenyue understood Xiao Xi’s thoughts all too well.

Several days later, a rider on a galloping horse stopped at the gate of the Feng Family Manor. The rider was a woman dressed in a very androgynous style, most likely for convenience, looking dusty from travel but spirited and showing traces of excitement and impatience.

“Who goes there? Who dares to barge into the Feng Family Manor? State your name!” As the guard at the gate didn’t know the woman’s status, she was stopped.

Not annoyed, the woman replied in haste: “My name is Xiao Xi, I am the personal servant girl of General Han’s wife. I was previously sent out on my mistress’s orders and have now been summoned back by the madam. You just go and report quickly; the madam is surely waiting to see me too!”

The concierge had been informed beforehand, and upon confirming Xiao Xi’s identity, immediately allowed someone to escort Xiao Xi into the Inner Courtyard to see Su Wenyue.

“Xiao Xi, you have finally come back!” Su Wenyue welcomed Xiao Xi, her heart full of joy and the excitement of a long-awaited reunion. In her heart, Xiao Xi’s place was not just of a trusted servant girl, but rather like that of a family member, the only consolation and emotion from her previous life.

“Madam, I finally see you. When I heard the news of your misfortune, I was beside myself with fear and immediately wanted to come find you, but I was held back by the affairs there. I couldn’t let your hard work go to waste, I couldn’t let down the trust you placed in me, so I couldn’t come immediately. Fortunately, I later heard the good news that you were safe. It’s really a blessing from the gods.” Xiao Xi said, both laughing and crying, clearly agitated to see Su Wenyue.

Su Wenyue felt the same way, and the master and servant had much to talk about, especially regarding the tasks Su Wenyue had entrusted to Xiao Xi.

“Rest assured, madam, how could Xiao Xi let down your trust? I have completed all the tasks the madam trusted me with, setting up Zhuangzis in remote places that don’t attract attention and hiring reliable tenants to plant the crops we prepared. Although there have been constant wars outside over the years, the days have been good and we’ve had a great harvest on the Zhuangzi’s, storing a large amount of food. Food is now expensive, more precious than anything, madam, you are truly far-sighted. If we sell this food, it would be worth so much money, oh, I forgot, money’s not valuable anymore,” Xiao Xi spoke excitedly, lacking any selfish motives and purely happy for Su Wenyue, even though she had been busy running around on Su Wenyue’s behalf for years without any expectation of corresponding benefits.

Seeing Xiao Xi in such high spirits, Su Wenyue’s mouth curved in a smile, her heart all the more reassured. No matter what, no matter how things changed, Xiao Xi was still that same Xiao Xi, her loyalty unchanged, which was precisely why she entrusted such important matters to Xiao Xi. Naturally, it was also because Xiao Xi had the ability.

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