Chapter 415 - 414: Flames

Chapter 415: Chapter 414: Flames

The day of departure was set for three days later.

As the troop set out, Mu Lianxiao spotted Ye Yuzhi among the soldiers.

Over a year of military life had made Ye Yuzhi much more seasoned. Although he lacked actual combat experience, he was already among the upper ranks in the army during skill competitions.

Having trained his body since childhood, with a solid foundation, now donned in armor, he could effortlessly wield a long spear on horseback.

General Huang privately told Mu Lianxiao that with Ye Yuzhi’s background, if given the chance to accumulate military merits, he would never lead a mediocre life in the future.

Being the son of the Duke Jing Mansion, even if he was born of a concubine, Ye Yuzhi’s steps would always be bigger than those of ordinary soldiers.

After all, the Duke Jing Mansion was a laid-back noble family, and the Old Master’s couple had lost the favor of both the Holy Emperor and the Cining Palace. As long as Ye Yuzhi showed potential as a military talent, the Holy Emperor wouldn’t overlook such talent.

As for those two legitimate younger brothers, unless they too learned to fight on the battlefield, relying solely on family connections to secure a sinecure wouldn’t surpass Ye Yuzhi.

Knowing the nature of the Duke Jing Old Master and his wife, how could they allow their legitimate grandsons to charge into battle?

As long as Ye Yuzhi could climb step by step, this favored, power-wielding son of a concubine would be more esteemed than idle legitimate sons.

Everything was ready, the gates opened wide, and Mu Lianxiao, leading his troops, was guided by Jia De into the Great Desert.

In Xuancheng, two ice basins were set up in the side room.

Even so, it was still hot enough to make people sweat.

Especially when Brother Yan and his sister cried together, the irritation compounded with the hot weather, making it increasingly hard to maintain one’s composure.

Yang Family feared noise the most, yet the backyard of the government office was so small that there was nowhere to hide.

Besides, a family with new additions is bound to be noisy, isn’t it?

Yang Family endured for half a month, rested poorly, and had a considerably reduced appetite.

After discussing briefly with Du Yunluo, she simply took to bed, leaving all matters of the backyard to Du Yunluo.

Thus, before the Yang Family and the Yan Family could take charge, Du Yunluo could rightfully reside in the government office.

Nights in summer were filled with cicadas’ cries.

Du Yunluo didn’t sleep well, in a daze, she seemed to see Mu Lianxiao returning.

She wanted to sit up to call him, but her body wouldn’t move at all; she then realized it was her dream.

Dreaming was fine, seeing Mu Lianxiao in the dream was still good.

Thinking this way, her consciousness grew even more blurred, until the cries of a baby pierced the dead of night, startling Du Yunluo awake.

It was Brother Yan crying, and before long, his sister joined in.

Du Yunluo, draping a robe over herself, got up to check on Brother Yan in the opposite room.

Lady Peng was holding Brother Duan, soothing him. She looked up and said to Du Yunluo, "He might be hungry."

But Brother Yan wouldn’t suckle at all, puckering his lips and spitting it out. Du Yunluo took him from Lady Peng’s arms, coaxed him gently, and Brother Yan gradually ceased crying.

"Bring him to sleep in my bed," Du Yunluo wiped his face and took him back to sleep.

As they spoke, she suddenly noticed a bright light outside the window.

As red as fire.

Du Yunluo’s heart raced, she quickly stepped out of the house, looking up at the northern sky.

The firelight painted the sky red, facing the wind, there was a scorched smell in the air.

Soon, the barking of dogs broke out outside the yard, as if all the dogs and cats in Xuancheng were startled, their cries resounding one after another, awakening those in slumber.

Brother Yan let out another wail, while Du Yunluo fixed her gaze on the painfully bright northern sky, the smell of smoke in the air stinging her eyes.

The door of the main room opened, and Yang Family, slipping on shoes and with hair loose, came out from the room, wrapping an arm around Du Yunluo’s shoulders, saying in a low voice, "Yunluo, come to your aunt."

Du Yunluo went inside with Yang Family.

Yang Family took Brother Yan, soothing him softly.

Du Yunluo glanced around the brightly lit room, only then noticing Du Huarang wasn’t there.

Soon, Brother Duan and his sister were also brought in, and Yan Family, who shouldn’t have been out of bed after childbirth, was helped by a sturdy woman to lie on the couch.

Du Yunluo lowered her eyes, taking deep breaths slowly.

So not only Du Huarang was absent, but Du Yuntao wasn’t there either.

The house was left with only women and children.

Du Yunluo pursed her lips; if she had seen correctly earlier, the fire was in the direction of the Changping Marquis Mansion and not far from the North City Gate.

Yang Family, while soothing Brother Yan, said to Yan Family and Du Yunluo, "Since the government office isn’t under siege, it means the Princely Heir and General Huang have the upper hand. You all should lie down and rest; everything will be fine by morning."

Du Yunluo gave a faint smile.

She knew things were far from as simple as Yang Family made them out to be.

Outside, the clamor continued; Brother Yan and his sister cried incessantly, while Brother Duan looked utterly confused, leaning cluelessly against Yan Family.

Du Yunluo soothed the sister for a while.

Once these two little ones had cried enough, they gradually quieted down.

Du Yunluo’s thoughts raced.

She knew the Changping Marquis harbored private soldiers, knew the mysterious origins of Jia De, and knew well why Mu Lianxiao had her move into the government office.

This night’s upheaval indicated Jia De’s plan to frame Mu Lianxiao had failed, and Mu Lianxiao had solid evidence of the Changping Marquis’s private soldiers.

The Changping Marquis could only fight desperately.

Having received prior notice from Mu Lianxiao, Du Huarang and his son surrounded the Marquis Mansion.

The Changping Marquis refused to be taken without a fight, leading to the outbreak of fire amidst the chaos.

Not only that, the remaining private soldiers of the Changping Marquis would fight their way into the city, battling with the city guard at the North City Gate, causing the fire to spread to the North City Gate?

Thinking this way, it wasn’t much different from what was originally planned.

Du Yunluo furrowed her brows, Jia De had indeed failed, but what about Mu Lianxiao? Was he injured?

Since leaving the Northern Border for Lindong, Mu Lianxiao hadn’t taken on any new injuries; would he be wounded this time?

Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, sleep was out of the question.

The three children, exhausted, each slept, while the adults exchanged wide-eyed glances, sitting until daybreak.

As daylight fully broke, Du Yunluo stepped out to take a look.

The northern sky remained fiercely red, the fire seemingly more terrifying than the previous night.

Du Yunluo thought, not staying in Guishu Alley was truly a wise decision.

Mr. Liu’s family was on the Changping Marquis’s side; when push came to shove, they’d rather die dragging someone down with them.

Although Guishu Alley was close to the government office, in a life-or-death moment, who knew what might happen? Besides, if soldiers were busy besieging Changping Marquis Mansion and maintaining order in the city, it would only burden Du Huarang further if they had to spare effort to ensure her and Brother Yan’s safety.

In the government office, with Yang Family and Yan Family, at least the three of them could support each other, alleviating worries and anxieties somewhat.

The fire slowly diminished by the afternoon, while the burnt smell grew stronger.

Yang Family said to them, "It will all pass, there are many Protectors and Government Officials outside; don’t worry."

Yan Family smiled faintly; she wanted to say to let the Protectors take a look near the North City Gate, but meeting Yang Family’s eyes, she ended up saying nothing.