I'm here... Don't be afraid...
Song Tiaotiao frowned, looking thoughtful as he asked, "What does it look like in troubled times?"
Su Lin frowned, looked down at her, and said earnestly, "Miss Song, the Northern Frontier is now in chaos. The Western Rong have invaded the western part of the territory, and the court..."
At this point, he sighed softly, "Miss Song, there's nothing to hide between you and me. I'll tell you everything I know. The generals who once guarded the borders are now under the suspicion of the old Southern Dynasty Emperor. Some have died, some have perished. Those who remain are either cowards who are unworthy of their duties or reckless men who will lead their own deaths. Not only are there no men left at the border, but we're also facing a severe drought, natural disasters, and man-made disasters. Bandits are roaming everywhere, and uprisings are frequent. Yet, the old emperor remains in the dark, blinded by his trusted followers, clinging to the whitewashed image of prosperity and peace. If the Southern Dynasty were alone, it would be beyond salvation. So, Miss Song, in this chaotic situation, no matter what, you must not be harmed. Therefore, if Mr. Chao wishes to send someone to protect you, please accept them. After all, you are his only close relative in this world."
Hearing this, Song Tiaotiao's eyes flickered and she nodded in agreement.
After a moment, she thought about the war and said with some hesitation, "Brother Su, if the Western Rong invade later, will the Northern Frontier Army be dispatched to provide support?"
Su Lin's eyes flickered, and he understood the real reason for Song Tiaotiao's worries. He pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly, "Song Tiaotiao, General Gu has already held a certain position in your heart, so we will also take care of General Gu's protection. In fact, Miss Song, there is no need to worry about General Gu. He grew up in the military camp and was influenced by the old general. Not only is he a master of military tactics, but he has also made great military achievements. If it weren't for this disaster, he would have been a rare god of war in the world." At this point, he chuckled and said meaningfully, "Moreover, he is now taking every step carefully in the army. He is a rare person in the world who is well prepared. When encountering difficulties, he will definitely assess the situation and will not let Miss Song worry about him."
Song Tiaotiao listened to the hidden meaning in Su Lin's words, and she felt a surge of curiosity. However, Gu Chengjue had no intention of discussing military matters with her. After much deliberation, she finally decided not to ask further questions since she had received a reassuring answer.
When she looked up again, she and Su Lin had arrived at a neat and tidy courtyard.
In the yard, Village Chief Li, who had just resettled a group of refugees, was smiling as he watched a few old brothers playing chess under a tree.
Seeing so many people, Song Tiaotiao didn't want to get straight to the point. She just went to Village Chief Li and exchanged a few words with everyone before whispering to him, "Grandpa Li, there are many more refugees coming to my food shop today to get the free porridge than usual. I'd like to discuss with you what to do about the refugee issue going forward."
Hearing this, Village Chief Li smiled and put away his thoughts of watching from the sidelines. He walked over with Song Tiaotiao and said, "Song girl, these refugees are indeed a thorny issue. We should act within our means. There are more and more refugees. We in Songbai Village can't just accept them all. But out of courtesy, we can't just sit back and do nothing."
Song Tiaotiao also understood Village Chief Li's difficulties. She nodded and said, "But Grandpa Li, we should first think of a countermeasure. At least we should know where everyone comes from and what their plans are for the future. If there are too many people and too little food, we can still live in peace. But if there is ever a day when there are too many people and too little food, then the accumulated conflicts of the past will eventually erupt. Moreover, our Songbai Village has become a place with abundant food and water because it has accepted refugees. Now that the bandits are approaching, I think every household should take precautions."
Hearing the latter part, Village Chief Li's kind smile froze for a moment, and he asked anxiously, "Bandits? Approaching? Song girl, I heard that these bandits had entered Bobei Township, but it's only been a few days, how come they're approaching?"
Song Tiaotiao described in detail to Village Chief Li what he had seen and heard from the refugees in recent days.
Hearing this, Village Chief Li's white brows furrowed deeper and deeper. Finally, he sighed, "I was negligent. We should quickly convene a village meeting."
At the village meeting, Village Chief Li solemnly announced that, starting today, Songbai Village would implement a registration system for managing refugees. At night, the market would be closed, and able-bodied young men from the village would patrol and guard the area to ensure everyone's safety.
By candlelight, Song Tiaotiao lowered her eyes to look at the letter on her lap.
"According to my past research, my mother was originally rescued from the palace by the Southern Dynasty's Prince Zhenbei. Afterwards, when the war between the Northern and Southern Dynasties was about to break out, she was sent to live in Yingzhou and hide her identity. During this period, by chance, my mother saved the life of the Southern Dynasty's Duke Zhenguo, and was later recognized as his sister. You were later brought back to the Duke Zhenguo's mansion, probably because of this opportunity."
Song Tiaotiao looked at the contents of the letter, trying to sort out her thoughts.
Suddenly, there was a slight rustling sound outside the window.
It was no longer like the rustling sound of wind blowing through trees in the past. Now it was more like the sound of strong grass being bent, as if someone was walking on it.
Thinking of this, Song Tiaotiao's heart suddenly tightened.
She thought of the recent rumors, blew out the candle, leaned over to listen to the source of the sound, and gently lifted a corner of the curtain.
Song Tiaotiao peeked out from the small gap and saw dozens of figures gradually approaching the wooden house from the back mountain. Her pupils tightened, her breathing quickened, and she quickly turned around.
This group of people were armed with knives, guns, sticks and clubs, and they walked around arrogantly, making no attempt to conceal their whereabouts.
Such arrogant behavior must have been successful everywhere else, and they are not afraid of being discovered at all.
Song Tiaotiao's forehead was already covered in cold sweat when she thought of this. However, the situation was urgent, and she could not just sit there and wait for these bandits to break in and disturb the rest of the family.
She turned around and went to the corner to rummage through the weapons box.
On weekdays, all the weapons she and Gu Chengjue used when practicing martial arts were here.
These bandits were all tall and strong, and they had come this far together, so they must have been very well-coordinated. If she engaged them in close combat, she would likely be outmatched and surrounded.
Thinking of this, Song Tiaotiao took out a skilled slingshot and some light self-defense equipment.
These actions happened in the blink of an eye, but there were already voices of people snickering in front of the cabin door.
Song Tiaotiao's heart tightened, and she leaned against the window, waiting for the opportunity.
Seeing the bandits heading towards the cabin, she immediately jumped out of the window and quickly scurried around to the front door. With her slingshot in hand, she aimed at the last bandit who was about to break in.
Hearing cries of pain, the bandits all turned around and looked at Song Tiaotiao.
The bandit who was in pain covered his swollen head, cursed at Song Tiaotiao, raised the big knife in his hand, and was about to chop him.
But as he walked, he was able to see Song Tiaotiao's vigilant face in the moonlight.
Looking at this exquisitely crafted figure, he was stunned and slowed down his pace.
Then, he raised his head and whistled, turning his head and grinning wickedly, "I've often heard that the mountains and rivers of Songbai Village are nourishing. Now it's true that seeing is believing. We are able to see such a beautiful and graceful moon fairy here, which is worth our long journey. Even if your beating hurts so much, dying under the peony flowers is a romantic ghost. Come, don't be afraid, my dear sister, let your brother love you too."
Song Tiaotiao looked at the bandit approaching step by step with a malicious smile on his face, feeling extremely disgusted.
But seeing that he attracted the bandits behind him to follow, Song Tiaotiao had no choice but to keep a cat-and-mouse distance from him.
Song Tiaotiao gripped the slingshot tightly in her hand and retreated step by step towards the yard.
"Come on, little girl, have fun with your brother." The bandit saw that he could see but not touch Song Tiao Tiao, and lost his patience amid the laughter of the other bandits, and pounced on Song Tiao Tiao.
Song Tiaotiao's eyes were fixed on the figure. She loosened the bowstring and saw that the surrounding bandits were all stunned. She turned around and ran away.
As the wind passed by my ears, I heard a dull sound of someone falling to the ground, followed by a loud and angry shout: "This little bitch is trying to kill someone! Brothers, attack!"
Now, the three generations of the Zhao family are at home, so she has to go far away and follow the patrols to find help.
The plan was set, and Song Tiaotiao planned the route in her mind while running forward.
Just as the system's urgent guidance sounded, white horse hooves flashed past her eyes like a shooting star across the sky.
Then, she felt her waist tighten, and before she could recover from her shock, she was taken to the horse by long arms and placed in the broad and warm embrace of the visitor.
"Tiaotiao, it's me, I'm here... don't be afraid..."
Hearing Gu Chengjue's frantic comfort on her forehead, Song Tiaotiao's tense body and mind relaxed for a moment, and the tip of her nose, which was covered with cold sweat, felt inexplicably hot and sour.
She raised her eyes slightly, but before she could see Gu Chengjue, she only saw the flashes of swords and sabers flying before her eyes.
After a while, Gu Chengjue's palm, as cool as jade, gently covered her eyes.
At that moment, there were continuous and rising and falling screams in my ears.
Hearing the sound, Song Tiaotiao's eyelashes trembled slightly, but she could only see the quiet darkness in front of her.
But Gu Chengjue's sinister and cold phoenix eyes reflected the blood-red flying flowers at this moment.
"Hero, spare us, we were just aroused for a moment..."
Seeing that the gangster was about to make another excuse, Gu Chengjue smiled contemptuously, flicked his wrist, and slashed his throat with a sword.
Unexpectedly, at the moment of the stab in the throat, a silver arrow feather pierced through the criminal's heart from behind.
In this way, he died completely.
Gu Chengjue raised his eyes and looked towards the person who came.
The man was seen riding a tall BMW and wearing a dark golden robe. In the vast moonlit night, the cold light of the moon shone on him, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.
The white veil prevented Gu Chengjue from seeing the face underneath.
Looking down, I could only see his pale knuckles still clasped on the bowstring.
Seeing that he had no intention of retracting his bow, Gu Chengjue's eyes became more alert.
"Are you Gu Chengjue?" As he spoke, the man rode his horse around the corpses on the ground and slowly approached the two of them.
Gu Chengjue looked at the dozen or so dead bodies pierced by arrows in the direction of the incoming person. His eyes were cold, and he held Song Tiaotiao in his arms even tighter. "Who are you?"
"Chao Yue." That lazy voice sounded like a passing night wind to Gu Chengjue's ears, neither painful nor itchy.
However, Song Tiaotiao's eyes flickered, and she gently lowered Gu Chengjue's palm, looking for the person who came and called out, "Brother!"
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