She handed the child to the man, and the baby's cry echoed clearly in the room.
Everyone was stunned and their eyes involuntarily fell on the baby.
"Mother and child are safe." Fang Qingyue said briefly, her tone calm.
The man was speechless for a moment. He looked down at the baby's rosy face and weak breathing. The anger that had just been suppressed in his chest dissipated in an instant.
At this moment, the woman was awakened by the noise outside and the crying of the baby.
She slowly opened her eyes, her vision still a little blurry and her body still weak.
"Child..." Her voice was weak, but every word was filled with deep maternal love.
Her gaze wandered to the people standing at the door, and especially when she saw her brother and family, a complex expression flashed in her eyes.
"Brother, I'm fine..." She said softly. Although her voice was weak, it was loud enough for the family members in the room to hear.
The middle-aged man beside her was stunned for a moment, then immediately turned around and rushed to the bedside, his eyes filled with deep worry and fear: "Sister, are you...are you really okay?"
The woman nodded gently and smiled weakly: "The baby is born...mother and child are safe."
The husband was standing outside the door. When he heard his wife's voice, he immediately rushed into the room and threw himself beside the bed.
Looking at the baby in his wife's arms, his originally tense and angry face softened instantly. He reached out to the baby with trembling hands and gently touched the tender face. His eyes were red with excitement: "Our child..."
The wife nodded and said weakly, "She...it was this girl who saved us."
"If it weren't for her, my child and I would have..."
She didn't have the energy to finish her words, but her gaze turned to Fang Qingyue who was standing beside her, her eyes full of gratitude.
The husband followed his wife's gaze and looked at Fang Qingyue, and instantly understood everything.
The group of angry family members also fell silent at this moment. They had not yet recovered from their shock.
The husband stood up and walked to Fang Qingyue. The expression on his face changed from initial suspicion to deep gratitude.
His knees suddenly went weak and he fell to the ground.
"Thank you for saving my life, young lady. If it weren't for your help, my wife and children..."
He choked and couldn't continue speaking. He lowered his head, tears almost bursting out.
The pair of calloused hands resting on the ground looked so helpless and sincere.
Fang Qingyue quickly stepped forward to support him, and said gently but firmly: "There's no need to do this. Saving people is our duty."
"The most important thing now is to let her have a good rest and take good care of her and her child."
At the same time, on the other side, Shen Yuhan was riding his horse and galloping across the vast border land.
He was extremely anxious, but this desolate land seemed to be deliberately teasing him. The road ahead seemed endless, becoming more and more unfamiliar and more and more difficult to recognize.
He gripped the reins tightly, his eyes deep as he scanned the surroundings, trying to catch any possible clues.
Since tracking Fang Qingyue's whereabouts, Shen Yuhan has been chasing for several days, crossing valleys, rivers, and bypassing several small villages, but still has not found any useful information.
He was exhausted and had already left the capital and was now in the frontier.
Fang Qingyue is extremely smart. If she wants to hide from me, she will definitely choose the most remote place.
The frontier may be her hiding place.
However, after several days of tracking, he gradually lost his way.
The skyline ahead gradually revealed the outline of a magnificent city.
That is Ancheng, the largest trading city on the border.
Shen Yuhan narrowed his eyes and stared at the core of this frontier.
Ancheng was not only a trade hub on the frontier, but also a strong military base, heavily guarded and with high walls and tight security.
Before he entered the border, intelligence from the court had suggested that Fang Qingyue might seek refuge here, so he resolutely decided to head towards Ancheng.
He rode his horse at full speed all the way and finally arrived at the gate of Ancheng at dusk.
Ancheng was heavily guarded. The guards standing on both sides of the city gate were wearing iron armor, holding spears, and had stern eyes.
Seeing a dusty general riding towards them with great momentum, the guards immediately stepped forward to block his way.
"This is Ancheng, outsiders are not allowed to enter."
The leading guard spoke in a low voice, full of vigilance.
They were already accustomed to dealing with merchants and armies coming and going, but rarely saw a general like Shen Yuhan who came alone.
Shen Yuhan didn't say much, turned over and got off the horse with a stern expression.
He took out a gold-inlaid badge from his bosom and handed it to the guard coldly.
When the guard saw the badge, his expression suddenly changed. He immediately put away his previous sternness and saluted respectfully: "So it is General Shen who has come to visit. I was blind and did not recognize you. I hope the general will forgive me!"
Shen Yuhan's eyes remained calm. He didn't respond much, but said in a deep voice, "Open the city gate quickly."
The guard immediately did not dare to delay and quickly waved his hand to signal the soldiers next to him to open the heavy city gate.
With a dull sound, the gate of Ancheng slowly opened, revealing a wide road leading into the city.
Shen Yuhan ignored the greetings from the crowd. He turned over, jumped back on his horse, and rode straight into the city.
The guards outside the city gate watched his receding figure and couldn't help but sigh in their hearts: "This General Shen's momentum is indeed extraordinary. No wonder he has such a great reputation in the court and the army."
After entering Ancheng, Shen Yuhan slowed down his horse slightly and scanned the scenery of this important frontier town.
The streets of Ancheng are spacious, with shops lining the streets. Merchants and common people coming and going bring some vitality to the city.
However, as an important border town, Ancheng's defense is extremely tight.
Patrolling soldiers were almost everywhere, and the security was tight, filling the entire city with a tense atmosphere.
On a tall tower not far away, a huge border army flag fluttered in the wind.
Shen Yuhan knew that this place was not only a trade center, but also a military fortress of the imperial court on the border.
He must rely on Ancheng's power to find Fang Qingyue's whereabouts.
Just as Shen Yuhan was riding his horse towards the main street in the city, a group of border cavalry came hurriedly from a distance.
The leading general recognized Shen Yuhan at a glance, immediately waved his hand to signal the soldiers to stop, then dismounted and walked quickly towards Shen Yuhan.
"General Shen!" The leading general smiled and saluted respectfully, "I didn't expect you to visit Ancheng. I'm so sorry!"
Shen Yuhan nodded slightly, looked at him calmly, and said concisely: "I want to see the city lord."
The general was startled, then nodded and replied, "Please follow me, General. When the city lord learns of your arrival, he will personally greet you."
Shen Yuhan followed the general into the main city of Ancheng. The city lord's mansion was located in the center of the city, surrounded by high walls and heavily guarded.
Following the general's guidance, Shen Yuhan quickly entered the gate of the City Lord's Mansion.
When the guards in the mansion saw Shen Yuhan, they all stood in awe and saluted him.
Not long after, a burly middle-aged man appeared at the entrance of the lobby of the City Lord's Mansion. He had a dignified face and was dressed in gorgeous frontier army uniform. He was Duan Cheng, the City Lord of Ancheng.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
