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  Chapter 21

  Wu Qi and others, disguised as horse traders from outside the province, rode away on their horses. The cavalry of Dongyang Prefecture sent out several men to chase after the scattered horses. Yang Pu walked into the field, looking at the corpses that had been shot dead, with fresh blood seeping into the icy soil, forming a large puddle.

  Yang Pu looked up and glanced at the distance, estimating the shooting distance and the depth of the iron arrow piercing into the flesh. He thought that the six people who had just left would have at least two top-grade strong bows with them. Such bows were also highly sought after in the army, and he hadnt expected to see any circulating among civilians already.

  Lin Xie stood still, his expression unchanged, and bowed to Yang Pu, saying: "Last night, Seventh Lady sent someone to deliver a message to me, and I only knew that yesterday at the tea hotel, you, Uncle Yang, and Lord Gu had a confrontation. Today, I hesitated with my family servant whether or not to come over and apologize to Lord Gu. On the way here, I encountered several horse guests who said I ruined their good deeds in the county yesterday. Several people came to surround and kill me, and we were forced all the way here. Fortunately, thanks to the brothers of Dongyang Prefecture on the side helping us observe the battle and assist our morale, Lin Xie was able to join forces with his family servant and the help of several horse guests from outside to completely eliminate the bandits. Those several horse guests who left were people I knew when I was in Tinghu."

  Yang Pu yesterday sent to see Gu Wu Chen, knowing that Lin Xie was robbed in Baisha County, and heard that Lin Xie called him "Uncle Yang" very politely, feeling a bit better about Lin Xie. Although he still felt that there were suspicious things on these outsiders who sold horses, he didnt think much about it.

  Gu Yingxus beautiful eyes, full of life and vitality, gazed at Lin who was tied up there, spouting nonsense. On the ground, several people were lying down, obviously they were the ones sent by Second Master to avenge his shame, but he pointed at them as if they were accomplices of yesterdays assassins. He didnt seem to worry that these bandits would come back to life and expose him. If Second Master knew that the troops he had sent to avenge his shame not only got killed but also framed for being accomplices of the assassin, while vomiting blood, he would probably be even more worried that the authorities would investigate and the assassins trail would lead to his own head. Even if the Lin family was the most prominent aristocratic family in Dongyang, and they were a noble clan, the crime of assassinating the Jiangdong Provincial Inspector would be enough to make them frightened out of their wits and handle the situation with caution.

  Gu Yingzhuo carefully thought about Lin Xies plan, but Lin Xie seriously squatted down to examine the corpse on the ground, handing the weapon used by the bandits to Yang Pu: "This ring-headed straight knife has the inscription Light Wing on it. Im afraid that Lin Xies knowledge is shallow, and within the borders of Dongyang Prefecture, whether its the garrison troops or the Dongyang Prefectural Military Command, or even the countys archery camps and the militia in the prefectures register, none have a banner with the name Light Wing."

  Yang Pu looked at the knife again, then bent down to lift up the outer garment of the deceased. Underneath, he was wearing a leather armor with the words "Light Wing" branded on the edge. He didnt doubt Lin Xies words and said: "Maybe its a private soldier from some family."

  The cavalry deputy lieutenant who was sent to escort Gu Wu Chen from Dongyang Prefecture couldnt hear what Lin was saying, so he leaned in and said: "Where did Mr. Lin encounter these assassins? I will immediately send someone back to Dongyang Prefecture to report this matter and ask the Military Affairs Department to dispatch troops to search for accomplices of the assassins at Shiliang."

  "I was surrounded by these people near the Wangxiang Tower at the south end of Shanglin Ferry, and when I had no way to escape, I thought that the Dongyang government would send troops to protect Lord Gu, so I fled in this direction"

  That deputy lieutenant of the Cloud Riders wasnt a seasoned veteran, and upon hearing Lin Xie say so, he grew even more flustered.

  The Lin gentleman in front of you broke through the assassins plot against the Vice Censor-in-Chief yesterday and saved his life, but today he was pursued by the assassins accomplices for revenge. He fled here seeking refuge, but they stood idly by and even blocked him from escaping into the village. If a complaint is filed with the Military Command, his future will be completely ruined.

  Yang Pu was more experienced and thought to himself: With the help of those outsiders selling horses, Lin Tie wouldnt have to run away like a rabbit. He must be trying to lure these assassins into a trap to gain merit for himself. He didnt rush to let Yun Qis deputy send someone to inform Dongyang Prefecture about this matter, but instead said: "After reporting this to my familys superior, we should first inform Shiliang County."

  That deputy lieutenant of the Cloud Riders hastily assented and ordered his men to take care of the corpses of these assassins, their horses, and their weapons.

  Gu Wudus body was lean and thin, wearing a green robe that made him look even more frail in the cold wind. He had no beard on his chin, but two wisps of whiskers above his lips. Although he was only forty years old, his face was full of wrinkles, with a hint of age. He stood in front of the house, gazing out at the village entrance.

  Someone reported that Lin Juren was chased by the assassins accomplices to the village entrance yesterday, and he ordered Yang Pu to quickly go to the village entrance with the Dongyang Fu cavalry to capture the assassins accomplices, so as not to let Lin Juren be harmed by the assassin. Then Yang Pu sent someone back to report that all the assassins accomplices were dead, not only did Lin Juren arrive, but also the eldest sister arrived at the village entrance in a sedan chair, and he couldnt sit still anymore, walking to the gate of the mansion.

  Twenty years away from home, the family of the worlds officials has been declining to its current state. His elder brothers beloved daughter was given as a concubine to an old man older than his elder brother, and the taste of this made Gu Wu Chen feel very uncomfortable in his heart. All of this was caused by his own arrogance when he was young and reckless in discussing the Jingbei Marquis case. His elder brothers private letter was also convicted of a crime for having words that discussed court politics, and was sentenced to exile. The couple and one servant died from illness on the way to exile.

  Watching Yang Pu and Lin Ju Ren, whom he had met at the tea hotel yesterday, come in a horse-drawn carriage, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and the beautiful young woman sitting by the carriage wall looked like his sister-in-law. Gu Wu Chens eyes were filled with tears, and he couldnt help but feel sad.

  "Look at you, you should be happy instead, whats wrong with you?" Gu Wu Chens wife said tearfully.

  How can he be happy? Gu Wu Chen sighed in his heart, the elders of the clan said that Xiu Niang was given to Lin Tingxun, the archenemy of the Gu family, as a concubine, which disgraced the Gu familys reputation. They unanimously opposed inviting her back to participate in the ancestral worship ceremony. He had been back in Shiliang County for four days and this was the first time he saw his niece who had been separated from him for twenty years. How could he be happy? The old men of the clan were still reluctant to come out together to eat this family banquet after being invited three or four times.

  Gu Wudu thought that he still had to be an official outside, and there was no time to intervene in family affairs. In the future, it would still be entrusted to these elders to take care of them.

  If there hadnt been the unexpected event at the village entrance, Gu Yingxu might have cried uncontrollably. At this time, with tears filling her eyes, she got off the horse carriage and paid respects to Gu Wuduan and his wife: "Uncle, Auntie, today I finally get to see you."

  "Its really hard on you, kid." Gu Wu Chen looked at his niece with open eyes. "When I was trapped in the Ji Bei army camp, I often thought that if I died in the north, how could I have the face to see your parents? Its all because of me that you, a young girl, are suffering so much in Dong Yang."

  Gu Ying also shed big tears and was led into the house by Gu Wu Chen and his wife, while other members of the Gu family said it was good that uncle and nephew could meet.

  In front of them, a crowd of people were pressing forward, and the Gu family was also moved to tears by the reunion with their relatives, and for the time being, they didnt notice Lin Xie; Lin Xie and Zhou Pu followed behind and entered the house.

  In the courtyard stood the young man who had been seen at the tea hotel yesterday, and he was helping a girl who had unintentionally grabbed Lin Xies chest change into a light green dress. She was 15 or 16 years old, slightly shorter than Gu Yanxiu, standing elegantly in front of the plum blossoms. Although she was young, she was already very beautiful and elegant. As soon as she saw Lin Xie following behind everyone into the courtyard, her red lips were silent but her face turned red. She lowered her head, pretending not to have seen Lin Xie, but couldnt help wanting to take another look at him. Just as she lifted her head, she saw that Lin Xies gaze had also turned towards her. The girl suddenly became flustered and lowered her head, with the panic of being caught doing something wrong.

  The girl was probably the first to see the bloodstains on Gu Yings sleeves. She lowered her head and saw that the bloodstains on Gu Yings sleeve cuffs and embroidered shoes were particularly noticeable, unlike red dye. Shocked, she covered her delicate red lips with her hands, wondering what had happened at the village entrance. She looked at Lin Shou with a puzzled expression, but he just smiled at her, showing his teeth. The girl felt a surge of shyness again and turned to follow her family into the main hall.

  "Ah! Xiu Niang, whats with the bloodstain on your body?" After entering the main hall, Madame Gu supported Gu Ying and was about to let her take a seat when she noticed the bloodstain on her body, asking in surprise.

  "Wouldnt it be better to avoid getting stabbed by assassins at the village entrance?" Gu Wu asked anxiously, feeling deeply indebted to his niece and unable to bear seeing her encounter any more accidents.

  "It wasnt the assassin who was injured," Gu Ying said calmly, but this matter was too damaging to the atmosphere, so she said it lightly. "When Lin Xiuzai was surrounded and killed by the assassins, several of my servants refused to go and rescue her, and one of them even attacked me, the blood on my skirt is from that servants body, my niece wasnt hurt much."

  The room was filled with people, all of whom were moved to tears by the reunion of loved ones. But in an instant, the sound seemed to be swallowed up by some kind of monster, and the room fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Gu Yingxu, their faces filled with shock and doubt, as they gazed at her slender, slightly pale face, which didnt seem capable of belonging to a woman who could kill someone standing right next to her.

  Gus hand hastily let go of Gu Yings arm, as if she had grabbed something scalding hot. After letting go, she suddenly realized that her reaction was too big and wanted to hold her arm again, but it felt extremely awkward.

  These years, Gu Wu Chen has also experienced many hardships. Although he was shocked by his nieces boldness in killing someone under these circumstances, he didnt treat her like a monster. Seeing everyone staring at his niece as if she were a freak, he spoke loudly: "Alright, alright! Ive been worried that with the decline of the Gu family, you would be bullied by others. When I was exiled to the army, I saw how generals commanded their troops - when orders werent being followed, they would grab hold of the lead officer and behead them. You have the aura of a general!"

  "Its said in The Legend of Heroic Women that women are no longer inferior to men." Madame Guo smiled wryly, dispelling the awkwardness from her earlier outburst when she had flung off Gu Yings sleeve, but her smile was rather forced.

  Those Gu family members had different expressions on their faces, all having heard that Gu Xuan married into the Lin family and became a formidable figure. They never expected her to be so ruthless towards her subordinates who disobeyed her orders. They worried that she might use her uncles influence to interfere with the affairs of the Gu familys resurgence. If she insisted on interfering, how could they refuse?

  In this way, the atmosphere of relatives gathering together became much weaker. Gu Wu Chen still tried his best to make his nieces thoughts not dwell on murderous things. He walked over and warmly pulled Lin Xies arm into the main house, introducing him to his wife, Madame Gu: "This is Lin Xie, the Lin gentleman who saved my life, as well as that of Shi Yuan and Xun Er, yesterday."

  "Uncle, Lin Xie is Mei Niangs son," said Gu Ying in a low voice beside him.

  "Ah!" Gu Wu Chen grasped Lin Xuans arm and hesitated for a moment.

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