The surrounding black energy raged and howled.
Having been provoked, it sought to condemn everyone outside the protective light circle to eternal damnation.
Under such circumstances, if Qing Bao were to leave, Su Xiao would undoubtedly perish.
Even the innocent soldiers, along with his mother and daughter, would meet their end here…
Gritting his teeth, he pushed Su Mengmeng toward Old Madam. “Take care of her.”
Immediately after, he dashed rapidly toward Qing Bao, even employing qinggong in his haste.
Qing Bao used black energy to cover her mother’s eyes, then turned to Su Xiao, her large eyes filled with disappointment.
“Father, before Qing Bao died, I kept waiting for you to come bring me home. But how did you treat Qing Bao?”
“Qing Bao isn’t being unfilial—I’ve simply lost all hope in you.”
“This current calamity is your own karma. If Qing Bao interferes, you will surely face eternal damnation once more.”
“This is the last time Qing Bao will call you father. Our bond as parent and child was severed the moment Qing Bao died!”
“Face your tribulations yourself. Don’t drag me and Mother down with you…”
The Judge’s Brush twirled twice in her chubby little hand, stirring the eerie black energy around them.
Suddenly.
Su Xiao’s vision went completely dark. Qing Bao and her companions had vanished into the darkness, leaving not a trace behind.
The evil spirits surged toward Su Xiao with furious roars, their mournful wails echoing through the thick black mist.
Si He jolted awake to find bright sunlight overhead and familiar roads surrounding them.
The two soldiers escorting them were so terrified after their near-death experience that their legs had turned to jelly.
With a thud, they knelt before Qing Bao and Si He.
“Young miss, you are the blessed one foretold by the Su Family ancestors. Now you’ve saved me and my brother’s lives—this debt of gratitude we will never forget.”
“Madam, young miss, if there’s ever anything we brothers can assist with, please don’t hesitate to ask. We would gladly die for you!”
Si He collected herself. “Qing Bao saved us all.”
The two men immediately kowtowed toward Qing Bao. “Little ancestor, please allow us brothers to kowtow to you!”
“Yes, yes, we’re kneeling to you—please don’t feel burdened.”
Qing Bao put away the Judge’s Brush, her little face kind as she said, “You may kneel. I don’t feel burdened.”
With them kneeling, they were at her eye level—why would she feel burdened?
“Oh, what are your names?” Qing Bao asked, looking at the two large heads before her.
“I’m Liu Wanxiang.”
“I’m Liu Gengxin.”
“You can call us the Wanxiang Gengxin brothers! That’s what our family calls us!They answered in unison, as if sharing years of tacit understanding.
Qing Bao noticed a trace of baleful energy dissipate above their heads and nodded in understanding.
It was she who had helped them survive this calamity just now.
“Get up quickly. We need to reach the capital before nightfall, or the road will become dangerous.” Seeing this had gone on long enough, Si He hurriedly called for them to rise.
The Wanxiang Gengxin brothers patted their chests. “With us here, Madam and young miss won’t be in any danger!”
They took out scattered silver they’d saved over years in the military camp and bought a simple ox cart from a passing cowherd.
Si He and her daughter sat on the ox cart while the brothers pushed them forward along the road.
Qing Bao spread her arms, happily feeling the wind blow past, her smiling eyes curved like crescent moons—she looked like a little fortune baby.
Three hours later.
The four of them arrived at the city gate.
The two brothers were about to bid farewell to the mother and daughter to return home first and visit their elderly mother.
Si He bowed to the two of them, “You’ve worked hard. This is a small token of our gratitude.”
She took off the plain hairpin from her head and gave it to them.
After all, the ox cart was purchased by the two of them, and they had continued pushing her and Qing Bao along the way.
If not for them, the mother and daughter wouldn’t know how long they would have had to travel.
The Wanxiang Gengxin brothers dared not accept it, saying that compared to saving Qing Bao’s life, this was trivial.
Si He then let the matter rest.
As Qing Bao left, she hopped and skipped, turning back to softly and sweetly say goodbye to the two older brothers.
Liu Gengxin watched the retreating figures of the mother and daughter, a warm smile touching the corners of his mouth.
“Wanxiang, don’t you think the General’s Wife, despite her coarse clothing, can’t conceal her extraordinary beauty? And Qing Bao is so pretty and adorable too?”
Liu Wanxiang slapped his brother on the forehead, “You’re telling me? They’re both wonderful. I just don’t understand why the General would treat her this way. Don’t you get any ideas, I’m warning you.”
“Even in her current state, the Wife is someone far beyond our reach.”
A childhood sweetheart who became his lawful wife, a well-behaved and adorable daughter—neither could compare to the woman who kept him company in his loneliness at the border.
Ah, General Su, what immense blessings you’ve thrown away.
“How would I dare? I only hold respect for Qing Bao.”
“Good. Let’s hurry home. Mother is waiting for us. She must be tired from doing all the household chores alone.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Si He held Qing Bao’s hand as they entered the city gate.
The guards at the gate said to them, “The city gate will remain open all day today and won’t be locked. Since you have a child with you, take your time, no need to rush. It’s crowded in the city today—wouldn’t want the child to get jostled.”
Si He nodded and thanked the guards.
Qing Bao lifted her small, round face and asked the guard in a milky voice, “Uncle, thank you. May I ask why the gate won’t be closed?”
“Today is the grand day of General Su’s triumphant return. Our superiors ordered us to keep the gate open all day until General Su returns.”
When Su Xiao reported his itinerary, he intentionally stated he would arrive one day later.
His purpose was to first return to Su Family Village to pay respects to his ancestors.
Today was the final deadline for his return to the capital. All the civil and military officials had already begun waiting, but he was still nowhere to be seen.
Scouts had returned several times, all reporting no sign of the army within ten li.
The gate guards were exhausted, “Sigh, who knows how long we’ll have to keep guarding this gate.”
The sun had already set, yet there was still no sign of General Su’s troops.
Not only were the guards suffering, but if those waiting in the imperial palace grew angry, they wouldn’t be able to escape responsibility.
“Hurry inside now, be careful,” the guard said kindly to Qing Bao.
The little one’s appearance was truly lovable to all who saw her.
Just as Si He turned around holding Qing Bao’s hand.
The commoners in the city suddenly began running chaotically. The sound of horse hooves grew increasingly urgent and close. The crowd quickly made way, afraid of being affected by the riders.
Following this came the soldiers’ loud shouts:
“General Si has urgent business leaving the city! Make way immediately! We take no responsibility for any injuries!”
Amid the chaos among the commoners, occasional exclamations of admiration from women could be heard.
“That’s General Si! I heard she helped General Su achieve his military merits and was appointed as a Female General. She and General Su are a match made in heaven!”
“Yes, what a pity she’s a woman. Otherwise, I’d really want to marry her. She’s so handsome!”
“A woman like General Si has truly brought great honor to the women of Da Xia!”
Hearing the frequent words of admiration, Si Yao slightly raised her head, her heart instantly filled with pride.
Yet she did not halt her pace because of these praises. Instead, the words spurred her to urge her horse even faster.
Dressed in a red martial outfit, her high ponytail swung fiercely as she rode, whipping against her radiant face.
Si Yao drew her whip and cracked it against the ground with a sharp “snap.”
Such an action, in the eyes of the young women, was simply breathtakingly dashing!
Riding at such a breakneck speed, Si Yao failed to notice the people ahead.
Si He’s first reaction upon being startled was to clutch Qing Bao tightly and dash to the side.
Si Yao hastily reined in her horse, causing its head to rear up high. The iron-shod hooves struck Si He, sending her tumbling to the ground.
The sleeve of Si He’s garment was torn open, but Qing Bao in her arms remained completely unharmed.
“How are you walking? Don’t you know to keep to the side when you’re with a child?”