Walking a little further, perhaps they could catch up, Gu Beichen began to complain after only a short while.
“Stop dawdling and hurry up,”
Gu Beichen was already impatient and eagerly continued to chase after them.
Murong Jinyun, hiding in the shadows, cautiously poked her head out. The figure on the horse increasingly resembled Gu Beichen. She tentatively called out, "Gu Beichen… Gu Beichen…"
"I thought I heard someone calling me, the voice is so familiar."
Lu Shi tightened his grip on the reins and listened carefully for a moment, but heard nothing.
"Are you sure you heard correctly? In this desolate wilderness, there isn't even a ghost in sight. Where would anyone be?"
It was estimated that Gu Beichen was too nervous, so it was normal for him to mishear.
"No, there must be someone. That voice sounds exactly like Murong Jinyun."
He would never mistake Murong Jinyun's voice; she must be nearby.
Gu Beichen cautiously moved towards the source of the sound. He would not let go of the slightest clue now; he had to find Murong Jinyun's whereabouts.
As the figure drew closer, Murong Jinyun became even more certain that it was Gu Beichen. She quickly emerged from her hiding place, "Gu Beichen… I'm here… Gu Beichen…"
Hearing Murong Jinyun's voice clearly and seeing the figure he longed for, Gu Beichen's days of tension instantly relaxed. He rushed towards Murong Jinyun's direction impatiently.
He pulled her into his arms, and a feeling of having found something lost filled his heart.
"Gu Beichen, you… loosen your grip. I can't breathe."
If Gu Beichen continued to hug her like this, she would really be choked to death.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
He asked anxiously, his gaze scanning Murong Jinyun. Only when he confirmed Murong Jinyun was unharmed did his restless heart settle a little.
He had initially doubted if Murong Jinyun had left willingly, but the moment she threw herself into his arms, all his doubts and suspicions vanished without a trace. Now, all he wanted was to take her back and be with her properly.
"I'm fine. You've finally come. I thought… I thought you wouldn't come looking for me."
Since she was taken away by Baili Xi, she had been wondering when Gu Beichen would come to save her. The longer time passed, the more uneasy she felt, and the more she worried that Gu Beichen might not come to save her.
Would he misunderstand that she left with Baili Xi willingly? Would he misunderstand her?
The moment she saw Gu Beichen with her own eyes, all the doubts and suspicions were thrown to the wind.
Finally, Gu Beichen had arrived. All her efforts were not in vain, and she had not trusted the wrong person.
"Silly girl, as long as you don't leave, I will never let you go."
He had already decided that he would only have one wife in this life, and that was Murong Jinyun. Even if the sky fell apart, no one would be able to separate them again.
He no longer cared about anything else; he only wanted to be with Murong Jinyun for eternity.
"As long as you're still willing to marry me and let me be your wife, I will never leave you."
Leaning in his arms, Murong Jinyun felt an unusual sense of security. Her heart was completely full, and there was no room for anyone or anything else.
"Young Master, Princess, this is not a place for sweet talk. Baili Xi's people might chase us at any moment. We should return to the capital first."
Lu Shi had been holding back for a long time before he awkwardly interrupted their affectionate moment.
This was truly not a place for the two of them to indulge in romance. If they lingered any longer, they might not be able to leave. It was most important to seize this opportunity to return to the capital.
"Yes, let's return to the capital first."
After saying that, Gu Beichen pulled Murong Jinyun onto the horse. The most urgent matter was to return to the capital.
"Young Master, you take the Princess back first. I will continue to pursue Baili Xi."
The Young General had ordered that Baili Xi must not be allowed to return to Xiliang, or there would be endless trouble.
Now that the Princess was in their hands, Baili Xi had lost his most important bargaining chip.
"Baili Xi is heading east. Please spare his life."
Murong Jinyun revealed Baili Xi's whereabouts. She also knew clearly that if Baili Xi were allowed to continue his actions, innocent civilians would be the ones to suffer. Therefore, she could only let Baili Xi go.
"Thank you, Princess, for the information."
After sending off Gu Beichen and Murong Jinyun, Lu Shi led his men to track Baili Xi's whereabouts.
...
"General, the Princess has not returned yet. Could there be any complications?"
Baili Xi put down the dagger in his hand. It had been almost half an hour since they were supposed to return, and the Princess still showed no sign of movement, which was indeed worrying.
"Go and check on the Princess." He instructed a nearby maidservant with unease to go and look.
"Yes, General."
The maidservant had only walked a few steps before she immediately shouted, "General, something's wrong… something's wrong, the Princess is gone."
Baili Xi angrily punched the trunk of a nearby tree, causing leaves to fall all over the ground.
"Send people to chase after her. Make sure to bring the Princess back."
Princess… are you truly abandoning me!
"Your subordinate obeys."
As several guards mounted their horses, they were struck by arrows shot from a distance and fell from their horses.
Baili Xi immediately drew the sword at his waist and blocked the incoming arrows.
"Who's lurking around? Come out and fight!"
"General Baili is truly valiant. Unfortunately, you are destined to lose today."
Lu Shi surrounded Baili Xi and his men tightly. "General Baili, surrender yourself, and we might spare your life."
"Heh… Ling Mohan is afraid of death and willing to be a coward, sending you to your death. Come, let's see how I'll kill you all!"
Too lazy to waste any more words with Baili Xi, Lu Shi directly ordered his men to capture Baili Xi.
Baili Xi was indeed a general who had fought on the battlefield. Facing the siege of more than a dozen people, he still held his ground. However, two fists are no match for four hands. After a few rounds, Baili Xi was already somewhat exhausted.
Lu Shi put on his sleeve arrows and aimed them at Baili Xi.
"Attacking with hidden arrows is truly despicable."
Baili Xi directly pulled the arrow from his arm. This minor injury could not harm him in the slightest.
"Come on, show me whatever true skill you have!"
The more he fought, the fiercer Baili Xi became. His killing intent was fully ignited, but he felt something abnormal in his body. His whole body felt weak, and the sword in his hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.
"General Baili, stop struggling. That arrow just now was coated with Soft Bone Powder."