Before two incense sticks had burned, the young men from several families gathered in one room. Shi Lan and the others waited outside. After a heated discussion inside, the door was opened, and Wang Liu stepped out. The young men behind him looked disapproving and worried, but in the end, none of them followed.
Shi Lan and the others exchanged glances. Although they were not allowed to enter, the thin window paper did not block out sound, and everyone had already heard that Yancheng, thirty miles away, was facing an imminent major battle. Apart from Wang Liu, who agreed to fight the enemy, the other young men in the house unanimously suggested returning to their families to fetch reinforcements.
Watching Wang Liu's carriage disappear into the distance, Shi Lan pursed her lips, feeling somewhat wistful.
According to the messenger, the number of barbarians besieging the city is not large, only about two hundred. The young man gathered here has at least five hundred guards. If they fight together, they can be said to have a complete chance of victory.
However, those young men present, who had once spoken so eloquently of the northern lands as nothing more than barbarians, and whose faces were filled with smug superiority, turned pale with fright at the mere mention of battle. When they learned that their guards would be sent out, they shook their heads in panic. Even knowing that they had a chance of winning, they were unwilling to take the slightest risk.
On the contrary, it was Wang Liu, who had never uttered a word, who, seeing that no one was willing to send troops, immediately led his guards to provide support.
Looking at the lone carriage and the troop of guards following it, Shi Lan gently gripped the hilt of her sword.
Someone nearby whispered, "Is the city lord there Xun Ba? I wonder if he can hold out until Wang Liu comes to the rescue?"
Shi Lan glanced to the side and saw Xiang Sanzheng whispering to Xun Wu.
Xun Wu frowned deeply and said, "That's exactly what I'm worried about. Xun Ba has only been gone for a little over two months, and he didn't bring many guards with him. I hope he can hold on for now, otherwise..."
He didn't continue speaking, but instead exchanged a solemn glance with Xiang San.
A commotion arose in the distance as the four young men from the four families came rushing over, followed by several noble ladies whose faces had turned pale.
Xun Wu raised an eyebrow, took half a step back, and let the others surround Xiang San.
Hearing the crowd clamoring to leave, Xiang Sanfen had a headache. There were many guards here, and if they were allowed to leave, this city would probably follow in the footsteps of Yancheng. It was better not to allow them to leave, because these people would probably start a commotion immediately, and he wouldn't be able to stop them then.
For a moment, Xiang Sanwan was in a dilemma. Yu Guangzhong happened to see Xiang Shisan, whose face was pale and who was also in a panic.
Xiang San glanced around, first using kind words to persuade everyone to return, then leading Xiang Shisan into the house.
Shi Lan was initially watching the commotion from the sidelines, but then she caught a glimpse of a figure she didn't want to see. She took a half step back and hid behind Xun Wu.
Xun Wu noticed Shi Lan's movement and was about to look up when he saw a figure suddenly rush over.
"Ah Lan, this place is too dangerous. You must protect me and leave quickly," he said, reaching out to grab Shi Lan.
Shi Lan turned slightly to the side, dodging his arm.
The newcomer was taken aback, his expression suddenly turning cold. "How dare you disobey me?"
Shi Lan lowered her head and remained silent.
Xun Wu stared at him coldly. "Now that A-Lan is part of the guard team, she is under my command on this trip. You are just a young master, what right do you have to order her to escort you away alone?"
Xun Shiba's face turned ugly as he said, "Does my behavior have to be ordered by you?"
Xun Wu shook his head, "I don't care what happens to you, but A-Lan can't leave."
Xun Shiba gritted his teeth, glared angrily at Xun Wu, then glared hatefully at Shi Lan, finally lowering his head and saying, "Please send me a team of guards to escort me back, Fifth Brother."
Xun Wu nodded in satisfaction. Successfully suppressing Xun Shiba made him feel a little better. He then gave orders to the Xun family guards who were waiting in the distance.
Xun Shiba climbed onto the carriage with a pale face, looking at Shi Lan who had her head down and didn't even glance in their direction. He felt a mix of emotions.
The carriage slowly walked towards the door, when suddenly a soft, sweet voice came from inside the house.
"Shibalang, are you leaving?"
Xun Shiba lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside.
A delicate figure peeked out from the second floor of the house.
Xun Shiba gazed at the figure with deep affection, whispered "Hongyuan," and a blush appeared on his face.
Xiang Shisan was clearly aware of his influence over Xun Shiba. After a slight smile, he asked, "Shiba Lang, where are you going?"
Xun Shiba was speechless. As a man, he didn't want the woman he admired to know that he had fled in panic because of fear of battle.
Xiang Shisan gently brushed a strand of hair behind his ear, rested his elbow on the window frame, and said, "Later, I will be hosting a banquet in the backyard, with my own homemade fruit juices and wines. If you leave now, Shibalang, you'll miss it."
Xun Shiba pressed himself against the car window, staring at Xiang Shisan's fair fingers. He thought about how these were the hands that picked the fruit one by one and pickled it into fruit pulp and wine. If he left like this, he didn't know when he would be able to drink the fruit pulp made by these hands again.
The thought of missing such a chance to drink and have fun made him feel reluctant to part with it. He turned to look at the calm and ordinary streets outside and thought to himself: It's only one night anyway, I can leave tomorrow morning, I can just hurry up.
After offering himself a few words of self-consolation, Xun Shiba jumped off the carriage, ignoring Xun Wu who was frowning and shaking his head beside him, and ran straight towards the house.
Xun Wu coldly snorted, "Lust makes one lose their mind," and then turned and left.
Just then, another carriage arrived, and Xiang Shisan once again lightly brushed her hair aside, her eyes sparkling with a charming smile as she greeted the young man inside.
Shi Lan chuckled, realizing that Xiang San was planning to keep these young men in this way. But there was only one Xiang Shisan, so how could so many young men be distributed among them?
Shi Lan smiled faintly, a wicked thought suddenly popped into her mind, and then she turned her gaze to the group of young men.
As the sun began to set, light music and dancing filled the garden behind the inn. The young men toasted each other, while the noble ladies smiled sweetly. Shi Lan stood behind a tall, thin rock, coldly watching the scene before her, her disgust almost tangible.
The neighboring city, just a stone's throw away, was besieged by barbarians. Everyone present knew what fate awaited the people inside when the city fell, yet they clung to their guards, refusing to send out a single soldier, all so that they could enjoy this extravagant revelry.
As night gradually fell, Xiang Shisan, like a butterfly, followed her cousin as they drank and chatted at a table. Shi Lan watched as she went from having clear eyes to a seductive smile, from walking gracefully to staggering.
Xiang San clearly noticed her intoxication and quickly instructed the maid to help her down.
Shi Lan stood silently for a moment, then quietly followed behind one of the people who had caused the original owner to lose an arm.
What happened next was simple. Shi Lan simply knocked him unconscious and dragged him to Xiang Shisan's residence. By this time, Xiang Shisan was already drunk and his eyes were blurry. The maids changed her clothes and then retreated outside.
Shi Lan used a magic spell to knock the men unconscious. After carrying the young man inside, she tore Xiang Shisan's clothes into disarray and placed the man beside her. To make it more realistic, she even took off the man's outer robe and tore off his collar.
Then, taking advantage of the darkness, he dragged the two maids to a secluded spot before arriving at Xunwu Gate, which had been tightly closed since evening, and knocked on the door.
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