Lou Guyu's words were tantamount to telling Yan Xiao that Situ Nanzhao had already eaten, which meant he wouldn't die.
As long as he didn't die, Yan Xiao didn't pay much attention anymore. After Lou Guyu put down his teacup, she directly told him the reason why she had called him here:
"Gu Yu, I called you here today because there's something I need you to do, and it might be a bit dangerous."
Lou Guyu's expression immediately turned serious upon hearing this:
"Sister, just tell me what you need, and I'll do my best to help."
Upon hearing this, Yan Xiao looked at Shen Muzhi. Shen Muzhi, receiving Yan Xiao's gaze, immediately understood her meaning and, without hesitation, began to persuade his brother-in-law on Yan Xiao's behalf:
"Your sister and I just received news that the Miao King's men are currently committing atrocities outside the city, and many people have already suffered."
But neither your sister nor I are available right now. After much thought, we've decided that it's most suitable for you to be the one in charge and lead the troops out of the city to confront the enemy.
Lou Guyu immediately perked up upon hearing this and agreed without hesitation:
"Since they are the Miao King's men, it is naturally most appropriate for me to take action. Without further ado, I will lead my men out of the city now."
Shen Muzhi showed a relieved expression, then glanced around and saw Yan Xiao's urging eyes.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally forced himself to continue:
"There's one more thing, about those blood vine berries. Your sister wants to study them. How about this, you take one with you just in case, and leave one for your sister to research?"
Lou Guyu didn't tell them how to use the blood vine berries, only that he could use them to deal with the Miao King's Ten Thousand Insects Devouring the Heart, without saying a word more.
Shen Muzhi assumed this was a secret the Miao people couldn't tell outsiders, and since Lou Guyu didn't elaborate, he didn't press further.
It wasn't until Yanxiao told him that she knew how to use it and that she needed to find a reason to get Lou Guyu to leave one that he began to have some guesses.
He guessed that the way this thing was used was related to the saintly physique of Yan Xiao and her brother, and that it might have some side effects when used. Otherwise, Yan Xiao would not have needed to hide it from Lou Guyu and send him away. It was obvious that she wanted to do it herself.
If Yan Xiao knew what Shen Muzhi was thinking, she would definitely say that Shen Muzhi thought too highly of her. He sent Lou Guyu away not because he was reluctant to let Lou Guyu use his blood, but to lure the Miao King into a trap.
The reason for keeping it from Lou Guyu was to avoid trouble, as they worried that Lou Guyu would be too slow and reluctant to coax the child.
Lou Guyu was unaware that Yan Xiao's constitution had recovered, nor that Yan Xiao already knew his proposed solution. He simply assumed that Yan Xiao was truly obsessed with medicine and was trying to research some new drug, so he didn't think much of it.
He felt a little heartache. If it were before, he would have refused without hesitation and would not have been willing to hand over such a rare treasure to Yan Xiao for research.
But things are different now. Yanxiao is his sister, his own sister, his only family. Although he is still heartbroken, he can still grit his teeth and let her go.
"Alright."
After Lou Guyu agreed, he went to fetch the blood vine berries. His heart bled as he handed them to Yan Xiao, and he couldn't help but remind her:
"Sis, don't waste it while you're researching. This stuff will be less effective if you soak it in water after it's dried, but it'll still be usable. Remember to save some for me if you don't use it all."
Yan Xiao almost lost her composure because of his expression, but she suppressed her laughter and answered seriously:
"I understand. The person I arranged for you is already waiting for you. Go quickly so that you can save the people outside the city from their suffering as soon as possible."
"Oh, I see. You don't need to see me off, sis."
Lou Guyu said he didn't need to see him off, but the way he kept turning back every three steps clearly showed that he hoped Yan Xiao would see him off.
His previous composure stemmed from having no one to rely on. Now that he has an older sister, he finally acts like someone his age in front of her.
Shen Muzhi saw through her at a glance. He saw Yan Xiao lower her head and play with the blood vine berries in her hand. Without even raising her head, she gently patted her back.
Yan Xiao raised her head after being signaled, and only after seeing Lou Guyu's appearance did she belatedly realize that she seemed to be the older sister now.
Yanxiao had no experience as an older sister, but seeing how obedient Lou Guyu was, she still showed some consideration and pulled Chen Mu forward, saying:
"I'll see you off with your brother-in-law."
After she finished speaking, a different kind of light clearly appeared in Lou Guyu's eyes, but his face remained serious and arrogant.
"Sis, really, I'm not a child anymore, what's there to worry about?"
Yan Xiao raised her eyebrows slightly, thinking to herself: "You might be more convincing if you flatten the curve of your lips before you say that."
However, he gave Lou Guyu face by standing with Shen Muzhi and waving goodbye.
After Lou Guyu left, Yan Xiao and Shen Muzhi's expressions immediately turned serious, because from this moment on, it meant that what was coming was finally about to happen.
Shen Muzhi came to Yan Xiao and comforted her:
"Don't worry, Yan'er. The people outside the city have all been replaced by our people. In addition, the people who went with Gu Yu were all elites I carefully selected. He will not have any problems on this trip."
"Yes, I know. Let's go back."
Yan Xiao wasn't too worried about Lou Guyu. At this moment, she was thinking about how to deal with the Miao King in order to be foolproof, and whether to kill him directly or capture him alive to gain the greatest benefit.
Regardless, she never intended to wipe out the Miao people, after all, they weren't all bad people, and besides, it was her and Lou Guyu's birthplace.
Given her current status, the Miao people could easily be brought into Langzhong and become her support; it would be a great pity to wipe them out.
Now, Shen Muzhi seems like a good person, but people's hearts are fickle, and power can be even more alluring. Moreover, Shen Muzhi's image has already changed because of her appearance.
It can change now, but who knows if it will change again in the future because of holding more power or other reasons.
Call her petty and narrow-minded, or call her selfish and self-serving, but she could never put all her future on the shoulders of anyone other than herself.
Now, she is a level three ability user and can continue to advance. She is no longer the starving ghost who came to this world with nothing.
If she had her own power, and if Shen Muzhi dared to betray her, she would dare to do as she said on their wedding night, using everything she had to make Shen Muzhi a eunuch who would serve her tea and water.
Shen Muzhi was talking to Yan Xiao when, for some reason, he suddenly felt a chill down his back, making him almost shiver.
The feeling came quickly and went quickly. He looked around to make sure there was nothing unusual before he strode after Yan Xiao.
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