Yelü Xianyong immediately stood up, seemingly wanting to chase after him, but then realized it was inappropriate and sat down again.

Lord Gu said, "It's alright, with Sixteen and the others here, they can't escape."

Yelü Xianyong frowned and asked, "Who could it be?"

Lord Gu smiled without saying a word, but urged him to drink.

Yelü Xianyong sighed.

"Your Excellency has remarkable composure!"

Lord Gu said, "None of these things are as important as drinking with you. Every time we drink together, it will be one less time. You can't stay here any longer."

Yelü Xianyong stared wide-eyed.

"Does the Marquis perhaps still wish to let me go back?"

Lord Gu's eyes widened as well.

"Could it be that my worthy brother would prefer to stay here with me?"

Tears welled up in Yelü Xianyong's eyes as he sighed, "Your Excellency is indeed a true hero."

Lord Gu laughed and said, "Why must we be like this? Although I am reluctant to part with you, you are in Cao's camp but your heart is with Han. Keeping you around will only increase your troubles."

Yelü Xianyong wiped away his tears with his sleeve, his hand trembling slightly as he picked up the wine cup: "I have nothing more to say, everything is in this bowl of wine. The Marquis has treated me so well, and I, Yelü Xianyong, am not the kind of person who doesn't know what's good for me. I will surely repay you handsomely in the future."

Lord Gu also raised his glass.

The two drank it all in one gulp.

Yelü Xianyong said, "I have something to say from the bottom of my heart, but I don't know if I should say it."

"There's no harm in talking between us."

Yelü Xianyong said solemnly, "I know that the Marquis loves and respects his sister-in-law, so we must protect her even more. It's fine if she stays in the manor, but we must make sure to have more people to protect her outside. Otherwise, someone who is at odds with the Marquis and has no opportunity to do so might turn around and harm the Marquis's beloved."

Lord Gu's pupils contracted slightly, and he said solemnly, "I have kept everything you said in mind, my brother."

Just then, Gu Shiliu came to report: "My lord, a member of the Yelü clan has escaped."

Lord Gu's expression changed drastically upon hearing this, and he asked, "What happened? How could someone escape from the dungeon? What have you done?"

Gu Shiliu immediately knelt down and said, "My lord, it's all my fault. The guards in the dungeon secretly brought in some strong liquor today and got completely drunk. It was our negligence in checking. Those two Yelü clan members took the opportunity to escape in two separate groups. One was brought back, and the other took advantage of the chaos to hide in the daily vegetable delivery cart and escape."

Lord Gu slammed the wine bowl to the ground and said angrily, "Go down and receive your punishment."

"Yes," Gu Shiliu quickly lowered his hands.

Lord Gu looked at Yelü Xianyong and said apologetically, "Brother, I originally wanted you to stay a few more days, but now that someone has escaped, I'm afraid it will be detrimental to you."

Yelü Xianyong asked, "Why does Your Excellency say that?"

Lord Gu said, “I have treated you with courtesy here, but they will probably become suspicious and will naturally report you for your meritorious service to Yelü Guzha when they return.”

“But I did not betray my Lord.”

Yelü Xianyong was skeptical.

Lord Gu sighed, "Those who return will naturally embellish the story to lessen the punishment. I only hope that Yelü Guzha is a wise ruler and will not listen to slander. I meant well, but I never expected to implicate you."

Yelü Xianyong rose and bowed.

"Thank you for your consideration, Lord Marquis. I believe the young master knows my character and will not doubt me."

Gu Jinghui hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed and said, "Since you insist, I will grant your wish. Guards."

Gu Shiba walked in upon hearing the sound.

"Release Yelü Xianyong."

Lord Gu gave the order.

Gu Shiba frowned and glanced at Yelü Xianyong, who was looking grateful. He hurriedly advised, "My lord, this man cannot be released. He is a valiant general under Yelü Guzha and is very difficult to capture. It was only through Madam's scheme that he was captured this time. Releasing a tiger back into the mountains will bring endless trouble and he will surely harm us in the future."

Gu Jinghui waved his hand.

“My brother is not that kind of person. I believe him. You don’t need to say anything more.”

Yelü Xianyong was so moved that he almost burst into tears.

Gu Shiba glared at Yelü Xianyong, then dragged him out of the study.

Yelü Xianyong turned back to say goodbye: "My lord, until we meet again."

Lord Gu said reluctantly, "Brother, until we meet again."

Gu Shiba grumbled as he led Yelü Xianyong outside, just as Gu Shiliu, pale-faced, limped inside.

"What's wrong?" Gu Shiba asked.

“A member of the Yelü clan ran away, and my master told me to go and receive the punishment. I’ve only received half of it so far; I’ll go and receive the other half tomorrow.”

Gu Shiliu was annoyed.

Gu Shiba complained, "Our master is going to release this scoundrel!"

Gu Shiliu was even more annoyed. He glared at Yelü Xianyong and said, "I really don't know what kind of bewitching potion this fellow gave the Marquis. He treats him like an honored guest every day. He punishes me for letting some nobody escape, but he wants to let him go."

“I say the same thing,” Gu Shiba added, “Sometimes I really don’t understand what our master is thinking.”

"Ever since our master returned from the north, things have changed. We are no longer the brothers who risked our lives for him. Our master is our master, and we are his servants. Let's try to be more understanding."

Gu Shiba said, "Even you say that!"

He turned his head and glared fiercely at Yelü Xianyong, then shouted, "Let's go."

Perhaps because he was unhappy, he took Yelü Xianyong all the way to the gate of the mansion before removing the shackles from his feet.

Butler Han came over and asked, "Eighteen, what are you doing?"

Gu Shiba said in a muffled voice, "The master has given the order to release him."

Butler Han, with a stern face and icy gaze, looked Yelü Xianyong up and down and said, "Let him go, what if he comes back to harm us in the future?"

Yelü Xianyong couldn't help but say, "I, Yelü Xianyong, am not that kind of petty person."

Butler Han scoffed.

"Do you think I'd believe you? You're all slaves, can't you even write the words 'helped by circumstances'? Yelü Guzha ordered you to harm us, and you dare disobey his will?"

Yelü Xianyong shouted, "I, Yelü Xianyong, swear here that I will never harm anyone from the Dingbei Marquis's mansion in this lifetime."

Butler Han thought for a moment and said, "I only hope that you will keep your word and do what you say."

Gu Shiba picked up his shackles, looked at Yelü Xianyong with disdain, and scolded, "Aren't you leaving yet? Do you expect us to line up and give you a send-off? Haven't you had enough of the good wine and meat these past few days?!"

Yelü Xianyong then seemed to wake from a dream and tentatively walked towards the gate of the mansion.

Seeing that no one was stopping him, he unconsciously took bigger and bigger strides and walked faster and faster.

Gu Shiba crossed his arms and sneered, "I told you the Marquis's good intentions were wasted on dogs. Do you see him feel even the slightest bit of reluctance?"

Butler Han laughed and said, "If it were you, you probably could run even faster than him."

Gu Shiba said, "Forget it, let's not talk about this bad luck. I wonder if Shiqi has replied. We should hurry up and collect the pepper to make money."

Yelü Xianyong walked out of the mansion, turned around and bowed to the two of them seriously, saying, "Please tell the Marquis that in the future, we will be separated by mountains and rivers, and I hope the Marquis will take care of himself. I, Yelü Xianyong, will never forget the Marquis's kindness."

After Yelü Xianyong leaped away, Gu Shifang said, "That fellow really wasted a lot of my breath."