What do you think? Brother-in-law?
The two horses' necks were connected. Gu Chengjue looked at Chao Yue approaching on the imperial horse and nodded slightly.
He wanted to say something else, but seeing Song Tiaotiao in his arms with a happy face, he was about to let go and dismount.
His eyes flickered as he whispered in her ear, "Tiaotiao, this place is dirty. I'll put you somewhere peaceful."
Song Tiaotiao's eyes swept across the crisscrossing black shadows on the ground, her eyes flashed, and she chuckled and nodded.
Gu Chengjue felt relieved when he saw that there was no fear in Song Tiaotiao's eyes, and the coldness between his eyebrows was also awakened to a little gentleness.
He looked down at the gentler terrain, dismounted, and gently raised his hand in front of Song Tiaotiao: "Tiaotiao, watch your step."
Song Tiaotiao smiled with her almond-shaped eyes. She put her hand into Gu Chengjue's palm and used the force to lower herself steadily to the ground.
Then, she gently guided Gu Chengjue's sleeve with her fingertips and walked to the other side where he had also dismounted and was silently watching the two's every move.
"elder brother……"
As she called out like this, Song Tiaotiao's smiling eyes were filled with tears.
Looking at this, Chao Yue's heart, which had been hanging in the air, gradually found its home, but there were still thousands of words lingering in his heart, which made him feel scared and bitter.
However, even though he was extremely scared about what happened before, he didn't want Song Tiaotiao to be frightened and worry about his state of mind.
Thinking of this, he lowered his eyes and said with difficulty: "Tiao Tiao, as long as you are safe."
Song Tiaotiao looked at Chao Yue, smiled slightly and nodded.
Gu Chengjue saw the smile on Song Tiaotiao's face, his eyes flickered, and he bowed towards Chao Yue and said, "Brother-in-law Chengjue, greetings to my brother."
Hearing this, Chao Yue was silent for a moment, then took off his veil with one hand. His deep eyes glanced at Gu Chengjue, who was polite and respectful, and then lingered at Song Tiaotiao's fluttering eyes: "Brother-in-law..."
Listening to Chao Yue's slow and low voice.
Song Tiaotiao's heart skipped a beat and she glanced sideways at Gu Chengjue who was still maintaining his politeness.
He looked calm and composed, and was polite and courteous, just like a brother-in-law meeting his uncle. Everything went smoothly, as if this was supposed to be the way between them.
Half an hour passed like this. Under the bleak night wind, Song Tiaotiao stood between the two silent men, feeling a little uneasy in her heart.
Seeing that Gu Chengjue was still stubbornly observing the etiquette, Song Tiaotiao approached Chao Yue, who was staring at him with his arms crossed, and whispered, "Brother, this is really not a good place..."
Chao Yue's eyes, which had been still for a long time, finally began to ripple because of Song Tiaotiao's words.
He saw Song Tiaotiao glance at Gu Chengjue with disdain, his eyes flickered, and he pulled the reins: "The people I bring will take care of this place. Tiaotiao, your family must have been frightened tonight as well. Can you take me home with you to comfort them?"
When Song Tiaotiao thought of her family, her eyes tightened and she nodded repeatedly.
Seeing this, Chao Yue turned back to look at Gu Chengjue, "What do you say? Brother-in-law?"
Hearing this, Gu Chengjue's eyes flickered, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly: "Chengjue will follow your brother's wishes."
The soft moonlight poured down between the three people and two horses.
They looked ahead, walked side by side, and talked to each other.
During this period, Chao Yue cleverly explained the relationship between himself and Song Tiaotiao in the style of the Spring and Autumn Period.
After making Gu Chengjue understand that they were real siblings, he ended the topic in just a few words.
Not far away, on the path leading to the market, two figures, two large and one small, suddenly appeared.
They were now holding sticks and farm tools, looking at the three people with alertness at first, then they cried out "Tiao Tiao" in trembling voices and ran towards them.
The only person Zhao Shi focused her attention on was Song Tiao Tiao. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she sobbed, "Tiao Tiao, my dear Tiao Tiao, you've been wronged for us again."
Song Tiaotiao shook her head and patted Zhao's back gently: "I'm fine. Now that I see that you are fine too, I feel relieved."
Bo Shuang's eyes were red as she embraced Song Tiao Tiao in her arms, sobbing softly, "Tiao Tiao, you are always so good. It's us who have dragged you down, making you take risks for us again. I really hate my own helplessness. When faced with danger, I can only do the work of calling for help. I was really afraid of losing you. Fortunately, you are okay now..."
Song Tiaotiao shook her head gently, took Bo Shuang's arm, and smiled comfortingly, "We're a family now, so who's a burden? After all, I'm one of the only two people in this family besides Cheng Jue who's learned martial arts. Now that we're in trouble, I can use this skill to help everyone escape danger. I'm just grateful. Besides, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and Zhao'er are all relying on their strengths to contribute to this family."
Bo Shuang wiped away the tears with her fingertips and nodded: "I only hope that Tiao Tiao will be safe and live a long and worry-free life in the future."
Seeing his mother's sadness, Zhao'er, holding the stick, also raised his eyes with self-consolation: "Aunt, Zhao'er always said that he wanted to be a man, but today he broke his promise."
Song Tiaotiao half-knelt down, gently patted Gu Zhao's shoulder, and said seriously: "My dear Zhao'er, a man grows up day by day. Today, you are so young, but you can pick up a stick for your aunt's safety. Auntie believes that in the future you will be able to gallop on the battlefield and become a great general who protects all people."
With Song Tiaotiao's comfort, the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren finally cleared up their gloomy expressions.
At this moment, Zhao wiped away the tears in her eyes and saw Chao Yue beside Gu Chengjue. She whispered, "Who is this young master?"
Hearing the voice, Chao Yue bowed and saluted, "Old Madam, I am Chao Yue, Cheng Jue in the army..." At this point, he glanced at Gu Cheng Jue lightly and said, "Friend."
Song Tiaotiao's eyes moved, and she first looked at Chao Yue. Seeing him lower his eyes and smile slightly, she turned to look at Gu Chengjue.
Gu Chengjue's eyes were light as he glanced at her sideways and chuckled softly, then he responded very naturally, "Yes, Brother Chao also helped me a lot in escaping danger this time."
Upon hearing this, the three generations of the Zhao family expressed their gratitude for the help.
Just like that, the group returned to the courtyard. Seeing Chao Yue looking around the courtyard, Gu Chengjue's eyes flickered: "It's late tonight, and I'm afraid Brother Chao has nowhere to stay. How about..."
Chao Yue's eyes moved to Song Tiaotiao's smiling face, and he shook his head gently: "Now that everyone is safe and sound, I am relieved. Before leaving for this place, I had already found a place to stay in Songbai Village. It's late now, so I won't bother you anymore."
There are female family members in the house and there are no properly accommodated guest rooms, so it is not easy to keep them any longer.
Finally, Chao Yue headed south and left.
Back on the kang, Song Tiaotiao read the unfinished letter carefully by candlelight.
"The current situation is turbulent. As your elder brother, I have thought about it a lot and still want to see you again. This time, we can finally spend more time together. In the meantime, I hope my little sister will take care of herself and stay safe."
Perhaps this was the tacit understanding between siblings? Tonight, if Gu Chengjue hadn't returned from the army, she could have escaped with her brother's help...
Thinking of this, she sighed softly.
She had been learning martial arts since she was young, and had made great progress under Gu Chengjue's guidance after arriving in the northern border. However, facing the murderous eyes of these bandits, she almost couldn't protect herself.
When cold weapons face hot weapons, there is a high probability that there will be no chance of winning.
Just like she wanted to conquer the swords and knives that could melt iron into mud with her fists, feet and small weapons.
Perhaps, she should learn some more advanced techniques.
Thinking of this, Song Tiaotiao looked at Gu Chengjue who had just gotten on the kang, his eyes sparkling as he said, "Chengjue, I heard you say on the way that you're back to suppress bandits. So, you should be staying for a long time this time?"
Gu Chengjue watched Song Tiaotiao gradually approach him, his eyes flickering, "Nowadays, the mountain bandits have become a problem, and their roots are deeply entangled. It will take a long time to eradicate them."
Song Tiaotiao sat beside him and nodded thoughtfully: "Then Cheng Jue, during this period of time, can you teach me some more sword techniques? The self-defense techniques I used before could only withstand a few people. Tonight, so many people are ferocious and I have no power to fight back. If it weren't for you and brother saving me, I don't know what I would do now..."
Hearing this, Gu Chengjue's eyelashes trembled slightly, his eyes sparkling: "Tiaotiao, if you want, I can teach you swordsmanship, but I hope that you will never need it..." Having said this, he glanced at Song Tiaotiao, "Tiaotiao, do you know? My heartbeat is still unsteady."
Song Tiaotiao's eyes flickered, and she sighed softly, "Me too, my heart is in turmoil."
Gu Chengjue hugged his knees, lowered his head, his eyes deep: "I haven't been so scared of something in a long time. Tiaotiao, when I recognized that the girl in distress was you, I hated myself very much." When he said this, his low voice trembled slightly.
Seeing that she couldn't see Gu Chengjue's expression clearly, Song Tiaotiao tilted her head slightly and looked up at him.
When she caught a glimpse of the sadness in Gu Chengjue's eyes, Song Tiaotiao frowned slightly. After a moment, she stroked Gu Chengjue's shoulder with her slender fingers and said softly, "Chengjue, I made you worry today. I won't do that again in the future."
Gu Chengjue shook his head slightly, his eyes lowered: "I didn't fulfill my responsibilities after all, and let your brother see my dereliction of duty."
Although Song Tiaotiao didn't understand what kind of responsibility Gu Chengjue was talking about, she still tried to comfort him: "Since my brother is willing to claim that you are his friend, he recognizes you." Seeing Gu Chengjue's eyes flicker slightly, she thought for a moment and said: "What's more, my brother has recognized you as his brother-in-law..."
Hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Gu Chengjue's eyes, but he did not show it on the surface: "If you really think so, I can rest assured."
Song Tiaotiao nodded and chuckled, "Of course I can rest assured. My brother doesn't even know that you and I are a mismatch. Now that he's accepted you after meeting you for the first time, he must think you're wonderful."
When Gu Chengjue heard the words "mismatched marriage", his eyes dimmed slightly, but in an instant, the haze in them disappeared.
So what if they were a mismatch in the past? Now, they are clearly a match made in heaven, praised by everyone.
Thinking of this, Gu Chengjue raised his head slightly, and the thoughtful look in his eyes was replaced by a gentle smile: "What about Tiao Tiao? Tiao Tiao is trembling in my arms tonight."
Song Tiaotiao understood his meaning and chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm not scared, I'm trembling because I'm wearing so little. Even though it's dry now, it's still spring. I ran out of the house in a hurry, running like crazy. I'm freezing."
She was indeed a little scared.
However, it was he who was afraid that no one would come to rescue him, not Gu Chengjue who came to the rescue.
Therefore, she would rather be a person who is strong in words than let Gu Chengjue be suspicious of his own behavior.
Seeing Gu Chengjue's eyes flickering as he gently pulled the thin blanket over her, Song Tiaotiao chuckled softly, "And you, from tonight on, will be the hero who saves the world and saves the people. I can't thank you enough for saving my life."
Gu Chengjue smiled faintly and shook his head, his phoenix eyes slightly raised: "Speaking of life-saving grace... Tiaotiao has saved me several times, both visible and invisible, and I still haven't been able to repay you."
Life-saving grace?
During that long pause, Song Tiaotiao's mind, which had been trained by input methods, instantly came up with the second half of the sentence.
After hearing the whole sentence, Song Tiaotiao's almond-shaped eyes were already fluttering like butterfly wings. She thought for a moment and murmured softly: "We have been through a lot before, and we will often accompany each other in the future. This amount cannot be counted enough to repay."
Gu Chengjue lowered his eyes to look at Song Tiaotiao and chuckled, "Then I will repay you with my whole life, okay?"
Song Tiaotiao's eyes flickered, and the tips of her ears felt hot: "That lasted too long."
Gu Chengjue stared at the red, blood-red ears, his eyes flickering as he chuckled softly, "But I have no way to repay the young lady's kindness. If I want to repay her faster, I should follow the advice of this proverb..."
Hearing this, Song Tiaotiao's eyes trembled, and before she finished speaking, she lightly pressed her fingers against Gu Chengjue's beautiful lips.
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