Father Cao saw the bundle and immediately scrambled over, clutching it tightly. His eyes gleamed with greed. He glanced at Cao Lingzhi again, but didn’t obediently back off as Murong Yun had expected.
Instead, he tried to bargain.
“Miss, this isn’t how business is done. I have such a grown daughter—this is far too little.”
In truth, he’d noticed Murong Yun’s bundle was still quite full, and figured there must be plenty of food inside…
Murong Yun let out a laugh of anger. His foot itched, and he couldn’t hold back—he kicked the man again.
She’d lost all patience. That beast was already weighing his own flesh and blood for sale—wishing he could trade them one-to-one.
“Either drop dead, or leave.”
A flash of green flickered in Murong Yun’s eyes. Her jet-black hair stirred without wind. Her gaze was icy, and the killing intent on her face was undisguised.
Father Cao’s greed-clouded eyes met her expression and the intense, unmasked spiritual energy swirling around her—and finally, he calmed down
His face showed terror. Just now, he’d actually tried to bargain with a cultivator. He immediately scrambled to his feet, trembling and stumbling, muttering “Forgive me, spare me.”
Terrified, he didn’t even bother with the kitchen knife on the ground and bolted. He ran so fast he tripped, but didn’t care about the pain—he scrambled up and kept running.
He looked like someone fleeing blindly, too panicked to care where he was going.
Cao Lingzhi watched through tears as her father left—without even glancing at her. At last, she gave up hope.
She turned around and dropped to her knees, her thin, frail back facing the sky. Eyes red and streaming with tears, she knocked her head to the ground three times, choking out words of thanks to Murong Yun.
“This young woman thanks you for saving my life. I am willing to serve you as a slave or maid, with no divided loyalty.”
Hua Le rushed forward when she saw her former sister kneeling in such solemn thanks. She reached out to lift her, but the frail arm beneath her hand stayed rigid.
Seeing this, Murong Yun waved her hand, and spiritual energy lifted the girl. Her gaze held pity as she said, “It was nothing. If you have nowhere to go, follow Hua Le.”
She already had Xiao Cui and Li Yunjin by her side. If she brought another young maid back, Xiao Cui would surely think she’d fallen out of favor.
Besides, Cao Lingzhi and Hua Le are about the same age, and they’ve known each other since childhood—why not let them be companions?
Hearing Murong Yun say that, Hua Le showed a relaxed smile and let out a long breath.
“Sister Lingzhi, please get up. From now on, the General’s Manor is your home.”
Cao Lingzhi straightened up, wiped her tears with the back of her hand, and nodded to Hua Le. Her eyes were filled with determination.
After resolving this episode, the group finally arrived—amidst the growing snowfall—at the General’s Manor… through the back gate.
The back gate was surprisingly lively. A canopy had been set up, and many tools were laid out. Murong Yun recognized them well—they were the tools used for distributing porridge.
Seeing this, she recalled the “grand scene” back in Liujing—when she gave out porridge and not a single person came.
Thank goodness—no one here knows about that humiliating incident.
At this hour, porridge was no longer being distributed, yet under the eaves and in the corners, many emaciated commoners still huddled.
Call them beggars, but they’re dressed cleaner than beggars. Say they’re not, but beggars wouldn’t stake out a porridge station…
As the group approached, the shivering commoners in the snow all turned their heads at nearly the same moment—each one with eyes glowing green.
There were even quite a few young children among them. In short, the sight made one’s eyes prickle with unease.
Mainly, it was because—aside from Cao Lingzhi—the other three looked far too proper, with rosy complexions and no sign of hunger. In Liaozhou, they stood out too much.
Especially Murong Yun’s bundle—it looked quite substantial.
The two adults, of course, were unafraid. But Hua Le saw that many of them were familiar neighbors, and their current gazes were too frightening—she felt a little scared.
Murong Yun quickly took her hand and patted it, soothing the young girl’s emotions.
Seeing this, Cao Lingzhi was quick to respond. She was three years older than Hua Le, and had nearly been killed by her own father. After that ordeal, she possessed a courage uncommon in girls her age.
Seeing Hua Le afraid, she immediately ran up and knocked on the door.
Only after her persistent effort did the door finally open—a narrow crack.
The person behind the crack wore armor, and the face beneath it was waxen. He looked down and saw Cao Lingzhi, mistaking her for someone coming for porridge, and quickly waved his hand: “Little girl, it’s not time for porridge yet.”
With her continuous efforts, the door was opened a small crack.Cao Lingzhi realized the man had mistaken her for a beggar and quickly shook her head. “It’s not that—your young miss has returned.”
“What?” The armored guard was startled. The young miss had been missing for over half a month—everyone in Liaozhou knew about it.
Hearing the news, he couldn’t help but be shocked. He quickly opened the door with a loud noise, then hurried out to look—and spotted Hua Le at the foot of the steps, his face lighting up with joy.
“The young miss is back! Quick, go inform the madam—the young miss is back!!”
The young soldier grinned so wide his teeth showed. Those who remained in the General’s Manor at this time were all Hua family’s personal guards—each one fiercely loyal.
Seeing Hua Le return, his excitement went without saying. The soldier stepped down the stairs in a few strides, came before Hua Le, and offered a half-bow—without the slightest hint of perfunctoriness despite her young age.
This is the honor that the Hua family deserves.
“Young miss, you’re finally back. These past days, the madam has worried herself sick."
From the other party’s series of actions, Murong Yun could see the Hua family’s reputation in the military.
The young soldier’s voice quickly passed inside. Soon, hurried footsteps approached, and Murong Yun saw a graceful lady, still retaining her charm, running out with her skirt lifted and joy all over her face.
Though pale and frail in appearance, her eyes shone with startling clarity. A few maids trailed far behind, unable to keep up.
It was clear—from the number of servants and the clothes the lady wore—that life in the General’s Manor was very simple.
This must be her nominal mother—the General’s wife, Wang Ru.
“My Hua Le, let Mother take a good look at you.”
Wang Ru’s eyes first lit with joy. She gently stroked Hua Le’s face, then pulled her into a tight embrace. Her eyes held the emotion of something lost and found—but her face showed a trace of conflict.
“But how could you be back?”
Wang Ru held Hua Le in her arms, tears slipping from her eyes, though a trace of confusion lingered in her gaze.
When she sent A Xuan out of the city, she wasn’t fully confident—just thought that this young man looked extraordinary, and if by any chance he could help bring Hua Le back, it would be worth it.
She’d also instructed—if Hua Le was rescued, she must be sent to Liujing, no matter what.
But this is for the best. Thankfully, Hua Le didn’t fall into the hands of those bandits from Pingyun and become a threat to the General…
“Quick, quick, go inside—the house is warm.”
Wang Ru sniffled, released Hua Le from her embrace, still holding her hand tightly. She glanced at Murong Yun and A Xuan, gave them a kind smile, and welcomed everyone inside.
🐇♡🐇♡🐇♡🐇
[Cue: Distant thunder of silk shoes on stone. Enter Wang Ru, running full tilt.]
[She hugs Hua Le tightly, then sniffs, then hugs tighter.]
[Two maids finally stumble in, gasping for air.]
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