Chapter 77: May Xie Guanlan be safe and sound
Wen Ruyun looked at the tearful Wen Yueyin and finally softened his heart. "Okay, it's Second Brother who is wrong this time. Second Brother shouldn't be so mean to you. In business, there are always gains and losses. Although I failed this time, I will definitely succeed next time! But the loss this time is too much. I don't know how to explain it to father!"
Thinking of having to go home and face Wen Qingsong, the four of them fell into silence.
Wen Rulei drooped his eyelids.
Somehow, Wen Xingluo's figure always appears in my mind.
He hated her.
But she couldn't help but think, if Yue Yin was still the one who followed her mother to the Zhenbei Palace, and if Wen Xingluo was still the one who stayed at home, then would all this not have happened?
Second brother won’t lose everything in business.
He is also General Li's last disciple...
Seeing that he was in a bad mood, Wen Yueyin approached him on the way home and asked softly, "What are you thinking about, Third Brother?"
Wen Rulei said dejectedly, "I was thinking, if only you could be like Wen Xingluo, begging me and forcing me to become a disciple. Or if you could be like her, and ask my father to personally escort me there..."
Wen Yueyin suddenly clenched her palms.
Wen Rulei is already seventeen years old!
He's already grown up, but he doesn't even care about his own future. Why does he need others to beg him and force him to make progress?!
I really don’t know how Wen Xingluo endured it in his previous life!
Her face was stiff, and she managed a forced smile. "Didn't I already persuade Third Brother in front of General Li's door?"
Wen Rulei scoffed, "Is that what you call persuasion? You don't know how Wen Xingluo persuaded me in my past life. She swore to heaven that I was perfect for joining the army, and that Li Dengchang would be the best guide in my life, and told me not to miss the opportunity. She coaxed me for three days straight, serving me tea and water until I was completely submissive, practically kneeling down to me! And you? You just said a few words!"
Wen Yueyin's eyes almost rolled to the sky.
She didn't know how Wen Rulei had the nerve to say such things!
After a long pause, she said quietly, "In her previous life, she lived with Daddy. Only because you had a bright future did she become invaluable. Therefore, she racked her brains to make plans for you, but it was only for her own benefit. In this life, she entered the palace and climbed up the social ladder, so naturally, she no longer takes you seriously, let alone plans for you."
Wen Rulei was stunned.
Wen Yueyin added, "I'm the only one who truly cares about my father and brother. Third brother, please don't be confused!"
Wen Rulei clenched his fists.
He always felt something was wrong.
But every word Yue Yin said made sense.
His brain was really not enough, so he was too lazy to think about all these twists and turns. "You're right, in the final analysis, it's Wen Xingluo's fault! She thinks that if she doesn't help us, we can't be as prominent as in our previous life, but I want to prove to her that I can still become the deputy commander of the Jinwu Guard! When the court recruits soldiers next month, I will join the army and make great achievements! I want to make Wen Xingluo regret it!"
Wen Yueyin smiled.
High-spirited and arrogant, this is her impression of her third brother.
She said softly, "I'm waiting for the day when Third Brother will be in great glory!"
…
Wen Xingluo stepped into the Guanyin Hall of Ciyu Temple.
She looked at Guanyin with pity in her eyes, and thought of how Xie Guanlan was doing in Yangcheng, so she couldn't help but want to ask for a talisman for him.
Xie Shian walked around the temple, and when he came to his senses, he saw Wen Xingluo donating money for incense, and he also devoutly asked the old monk for a peace talisman.
He asked curiously, "Ningning, who are you praying for peace?"
Wen Xingluo gave him one and said, "I've asked everyone in the mansion for it. This is for Fourth Brother."
"I actually have a sister!" Xie Shian's face was full of happiness. "It's great to have a sister!"
Wen Xingluo smiled shyly.
Nine-layered lotus lanterns hang down from the colorfully painted caisson.
Wen Xingluo looked at Guanyin again, clasped his hands together, and lowered his eyes deeply.
May Guanyin Bodhisattva bless Xie Guanlan to be safe and sound.
At the same time, Yangcheng.
The clouds have cleared and the rain has stopped in Chengdu, but heavy rain is falling in Yangcheng.
The Du prefect's mansion was in a mess, with corpses scattered all over the ground and cries rising and falling.
I don't know who was so reckless and clumsy that he even smashed the statue of Guanyin enshrined in the Buddhist temple.
In the hanging flower hall, nine burning brass lamps dispelled the gloom of the rainy day, as if they were the only bright color in this blood-stained and dilapidated mansion.
The young man in crimson clothes and jade belt stood in the hall with his hands behind his back, looking at the couplet hanging in the middle hall.
Behind him, Du Guanghong fell to the ground in a mess with blood all over his mouth, and Fushan stepped on his back viciously.
Du Guanghong raised his head with difficulty, staring at Xie Guanlan with bloodshot eyes, and said bitterly, "You led your troops into Yangcheng in the name of disaster relief, and then claimed that I embezzled the relief funds for my own benefit, and slaughtered my entire family of 37! Xie Guanlan, do you still respect the law and the emperor?!"
The thin golden candlelight outlined Xie Guanlan's superior and upright bone structure.
He looked at the couplet with amusement. "'Guarding the Emperor with loyalty and serving the country, maintaining order and pacifying the people while benefiting the world'... Governor Du is truly a disciple of the Emperor. Having served in the southwest for ten years, he has never forgotten his original aspirations and has always kept in mind his loyalty to the Emperor."
"'All under heaven belongs to the king, and all the people are his subjects!'" Du Guanghong spat out a mouthful of blood. "If I don't serve the emperor, how can I serve you, Commander Xie?! Xie Guanlan, you wantonly slaughtered the families of court officials. Aren't you afraid of the emperor's retribution in the future?!"
Xie Guanlan chuckled twice.
He slowly turned around and looked down at Du Guanghong.
Xie Shian’s leg injury was vivid in his mind.
He remembered how Wen Xingluo was forced to live with him in a deserted village with little food and clothing.
He also remembered how Xie Yanchen had traveled to the capital and served as a hostage for him for seven years, how he had been bullied into his current state, and how he had carried his aunt's bones on his back, crossing the vast snow alone with the belief that he could bring his aunt home.
The young man's narrow eyes were dark and deep, like a cold abyss.
He looked at Du Guanghong, but it seemed as if he was looking at someone else through him.
He said quietly, "How did Lord Du know? Wouldn't I be the one to punish the Emperor in the future?"
Du Guanghong was stunned.
He pointed at Xie Guanlan, too shocked to speak for a long time, "You...you..."
The word "rebellion" was stuck in my throat, as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Xie Guanlan drew out his narrow knife.
The thin blade clearly reflected Du Guanghong's astonished and frightened eyes.
The next moment, a cold light appeared and the knife fell.
A skull rolled to the ground.
Xie Guanlan sheathed his sword and said, "Go home."
As the army passed through the streets of Yangcheng, Xie Guanlan noticed a candy and cake shop on the side of the street.
He heard his lieutenants talk about this restaurant in their casual conversation, saying that the food was delicious and their wives, children and sisters all loved it.
He suddenly pulled the reins.
…
The sky cleared up in Chengdu, it was midsummer and the cicadas were chirping.
Wen Xingluo was sitting in front of the dressing table. Just as she was putting on her golden butterfly hairpin, Cuicui ran in happily, "Miss, there's news from the front yard that the prince is back!"
Wen Xingluo's eyes were clear, and she quickly rolled up her skirt and hurried to Wansong Courtyard.
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