Muzhou City's government office has a watchtower.

  The tower is only five stories high, but in the city of Muzhou, which is mostly low-rise buildings, it stands out and can overlook the entire street scene.

  This was originally for the convenience of Lord Yin to inspect the movements of the Rouran people outside the city.

  But now it has become the place where Wu Lang Yuan Gong is anxious and uneasy.

  At the top of the high tower, a few tables and chairs were moved, Yuan Wulang sat in the wind, his slender fingers pinched a white jade porcelain cup, the slightly trembling water in the cup revealed his uneasy inner heart.

  That woman... is coming...

  He had already forgotten what kind of mood he was in when he first received the imperial edict from Shengjing.

  There is rejection, there is disdain, there is disgust, but also worry?

  As the day drew near, he received messages from Shi Xiuren one after another. He didn't know when he would throw away those emotions of rejection and disgust, leaving only worry in his heart.

  There is even some faint expectation.

  Thinking of this, Yuan Wulang couldn't help but feel some contempt for himself. Didn't he say that he wouldn't have any more hopes for that woman?

  At this time, a low and lazy voice came from the side, "It's just that Shi Xiao Si and others have just entered the city, and it will take some time for Madam to arrive here. What's the hurry?"

  The man was wrapped in a magnificent red fox fur cloak, and lay lazily on the beauty couch.

  He supported a delicate and beautiful face with his left hand, with a hint of playful smile between his eyebrows.

  Wulang punched him in the face without mercy, "Who's in a hurry?"

  Although he said so, his anxious expression, trembling fingers and expectant eyes all betrayed his emotions.

  Yuan Wulang also felt that this was too fake and couldn't help but look away.

  After a while, he finally found a reason that was suitable enough. "I'm just worried about Brother Yu, he's only five years old, this road must have been very difficult for him, I feel sorry for Fourth Brother!"

  In fact, the boys born in the Yuan family, although they grew up with the same noble and precious life as others, were completely different from the children of other royal and aristocratic families in Shengjing City.

  They have been practicing martial arts since childhood and training their courage, because they have yearned for the battlefield since childhood, so the adventurous spirit that flows in their blood is all restless.

  In other words, if someone else's young master ran away from home and secretly fled to the northwest, it would be a terrifying thing.

  But for the Yuan family, this was just a tempering process.

  Neither Yuan Wulang nor his biological father, Yuan Silang, thought this was a big deal.

  Instead, I really admire the child's courage and execution.

  Besides, Shi Xiu Jian and so many royal guards are following along this road to ensure the safety of Brother Yu. They have a lot of confidence in it.

  So Yuan Wulang was worried that Cui Ying's words were true, and he suspected that Yu Geer's words were somewhat false.

  But Jiǔ Wáng had always been a very considerate good friend, and he didn't continue to pierce through Yuán Wǔláng's insincere heart.

  He stood on the watchtower and gazed far into the direction of the city gate entrance, his eyes gradually becoming deep and distant.

  It's great that I get to see that interesting woman again!

  Suddenly, he saw a vast fleet of cars appearing in the distance and hastily got up to say, "Ah Jun, they've arrived!"

  The moment the Ninth King's voice fell, a series of "dang dang dang" sounds were heard by his ear, and Yuan Wulang's dark figure flashed like lightning, disappearing in an instant.

  He couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, but in the next instant, bitterness welled up in his eyes.

  She rose elegantly, smoothed out her clothes with a flourish. She wrapped the large red fox fur cloak tighter around her, then walked down from the five-story watchtower at a leisurely pace, taking moderate-sized steps.

  Dark blue buildings, white snow. A fiery and handsome man has faint scars on his body.

  The prosperity of Muzhou City exceeded Cui Ling's expectations.

  She thought that in the midst of war and chaos, those shops and taverns would also have to close down partially.

  It is said that a gentleman does not live under a dangerous building. Originally, it is human nature to seek benefits and avoid harm. If she knew that the city outside was a battlefield, she would not have stayed in the city and would have hidden far away early on.

  "Only a fool would run!" he said with disdain, staring at her.

  His chubby face slightly puffed out, and he raised his high chin, "The Yuan family army is invincible in battle, with Grandfather as the commander, how could this battle possibly reach the city?"

  Outside the carriage, Shi Xiuren's voice of approval came through, "Originally, it was like that. The fifth brother is in charge of Muzhou City, and the people in the city are at ease. Who would be stupid enough to close down their business? Wouldn't they lose money?"

  "He continued, 'Think about it, fleeing disaster is just two words, but actually doing it is really not that easy. First, you have to pack your luggage, and there are always some things that can't be packed, so aren't they just going to be thrown away? That's one layer of loss.'"

  Someone started talking about a topic of interest and was very talkative.

  As expected, once this topic starts, there is no end to it.

  Shi Xiu Jin continued to spit, "On the road of escape, don't you need to spend money? Don't you need to pay for lodging? Don't you need to pay for food? Don't you need to pay for rushing? What if you encounter mountain bandits and they tie people up and rob them of their belongings, isn't that a loss within a loss?"

  He had an air of not resting until he made his point clear, "Even if you're lucky and settle down in a new place, put down roots, rebuild your connections, don't you need to spend money? You said that after two years of war, the city of Shuozhou will be prosperous again, does he want to come back? If he comes back and starts anew, won't he also need to spend money?"

  Chui Ling was exasperated, and she involuntarily exchanged a glance with Yu Ge, then the two of them synchronized their rhythm and rolled their eyes in unison.

  To stop Shi Xiuren from continuing his endless nagging, she immediately said loudly to Yu Ge'er, "Ah, so that's how it is. No wonder the merchants here are still open for business. They really have a long-term vision."

  "Right, if Uncle doesn't explain the reasoning behind it, I'll just know what's going on but not understand why. Uncle is indeed knowledgeable and well-read."

  Shi Xiu's caution was recognized, and he finally managed to end on a good note.

  He chuckled twice and said with a self-satisfied tone, "The more you see, the more you know. The more you learn, the more you hear. Brother Yu, you should study hard."

  Chui Ling and her brother Yu Ge rolled their eyes in unison once again.

  After getting familiar with He Shi, she thought this man was indeed a huge weirdo.

  Shi Xiu's face was very elegant and refined, looking like a scholarly gentleman who had read extensively in poetry and literature, a cultivated and refined young man.

  But he is also extremely impulsive and hot-blooded, and although he has bravery in his actions, he doesn't have a brain.

  This is already a big conflict, isn't it?

  But this man didn't have the most bizarre, only more bizarre. He also had a heart of gossip that was completely different from his appearance and behavior.

  Ever since he started eating her cooking, this guy has been getting closer to her on his own initiative.

  Not only is it reflected in everyday speech no longer using honorifics, but also in being less polite when speaking and doing things.

  What made Cui Ling speechless was that this guy was always paying attention to the movements inside the carriage, not for the sake of ensuring her and Yu Ge's safety, but for... in order to be able to communicate with them unimpeded!

  Brother Wu talked about practicing hard, while other five-year-old kids were playing with mud, he had to read books and practice martial arts.

  "Hey, people who don't learn will not make progress. Brother Yu, you're going to be a general in the future, while those kids playing with mud will become ignorant and arrogant young masters. Your paths are different, there's no comparison!"

  Cui Rong thought of the high bed and soft pillow at the Yuan's house. In comparison, the bumpy and stuffy carriage compartment was like a prison cell.

  "Hey, Fifth Aunt, it's not like that. If you're feeling stuffy, you can come out and ride a horse. Our soldiers escorting the transport are not even allowed to warm up in the carriage, so be content with what you have!"

  Even occasionally, Cui Ying and Yu Geer would whisper to each other, Shi Xiuren wouldn't let it go.

  "Not leaning on the car window." "Wu Biao and Yu Ge, what are you two talking about? Are you saying bad things about me? Oh, if you have any opinions, just say it straight out, I'll change! I'll change! Can't I change?"

  It's a sorrowful face, "The loneliness of traveling is not the real loneliness. The real loneliness is that Wu Zetian and her brother are whispering to each other, I'm just on the other side of the screen, but I don't know what they're laughing about."

  Chui Wing and Yung Gor both agree that Shek Sau-kin is a top-notch person.

  The ultimate treasure is the most terrifying thing in the world, and now it can't be shaken off until we reach Mozhou City. Hum hum hum, as soon as possible, hide as far away as possible.

  To prevent Shi Xiuren from continuing to talk nonsense, Cui Ling and Mei Ge decided to pretend to be dead.

  They exchanged a glance, then looked at each other's noses and hearts, sat up straight, and stopped talking.

  At this time, Shi Xiujian suddenly shouted loudly, "Wu Biao's wife! Wu Biao's wife!"

  Chui Rong ignored him.

  He didn't give up and continued knocking on the carriage window with his fingers, "Xu Ge! Xu Ge!"

  Brother closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

  Shi Xiu was determined to achieve his goal, "Hey, why don't you respond to me? I just want to tell you that we have arrived at the official residence of the Mu Prefecture Governor, and now Wu is leading troops stationed here."

  He then shouted loudly, "Ah, I didn't cheat, hurry up and come out! Fifth Uncle is here to welcome us!"

  The horse carriage stopped as soon as he finished speaking.

  Cui Ying quietly lifted up the car curtain a bit, and indeed they had arrived.

  She heard a low and lazy voice say, "The lady is in the carriage, why not just drive it straight inside?"

  This voice sounds good.

  However, it seems that it is not the voice of Yuan Wulang in her memory.

  Cui Ling thought for a moment, then shook her head again. She had hardly exchanged a few words with Yuan Wulang from start to finish, and only heard him say two or three sentences before he left...

  It's been more than four months since then, and she still remembers what his voice sounds like.

  Thus, the carriage entered the inner hall of Lord Yin's mansion.

  Xie Ge jumped down from the horse carriage and then pulled Cui Ying down together.

  He casually pointed ahead, "Look, Wu Shu is waiting for us impatiently!"

  Everyone in the yard went to help Shi Xiu Jian move goods, and now except for her and Yu Geer, there were two tall and straight men standing in the yard.

  A beautiful demoness, wearing a bright red dress.

  A face full of stubble, wearing all black.

  Cui Ling raised her head and suddenly found that she didn't know which of the two in front of her was Yuan Wulang.

  ps：

  By the way, a friend asked me if I have a book club group. Just created one: 321296183. As long as you mention a character's name from the book, I'll let you in!