Although the Jingzhou rebel army had suffered consecutive defeats at Dangtu and Jiankang, Li Mu’s purpose in those battles was primarily to provide relief and rescue the cities, so he had not pursued them relentlessly. Though defeated, the rebels still preserved their strength.

After Xu Mi fled to Xuan City, he immediately regrouped his forces, gathered his troops, and attempted to counterattack.

Subsequently, the great battle that took place in the wilderness outside Xuan City was the true contest between both sides.

Xu Mi was defeated and fled westward along the river with his last remaining troops. The pressure on Jiankang was immediately relieved, and the court was able to refocus its attention on the Celestial Master Sect rebellion.

Soon, Piling was also recaptured.

The capital and surrounding areas, which had once been in a precarious situation like a tower of eggs, with threats looming like dark clouds overhead, were finally completely resolved. The civilians who had been evacuated began returning to Jiankang.

This news, accompanied by vivid descriptions of how Li Mu had returned from distant Chang’an to Jiangdong, turned the tide, and saved the Emperor and Empress and the capital from danger at the critical moment, also spread throughout the capital region and reached Jingkou.

The people of Jingkou were all jubilant, raising their hands in celebration, and felt deeply honored to share in this glory. These days, from morning to evening, there was an endless stream of people coming to the estate to inquire whether Li Mu had returned and when he would come back.

Everyone hoped to see him in person.

Luoshen felt this way even more so.

From the day she was intercepted by Gao Yin halfway and sent back to Jingkou to avoid the turmoil, to this day, more than two months had passed.

And since they had parted, it had been more than half a year!

She missed him immensely.

A’Niang should have given birth long ago by now.

But previously, perhaps due to the war, she had not been in communication with her.

Whether she had given birth to a little brother or sister for her, and how things were going, Luoshen still had no news whatsoever.

There was also A’Ye and her elder brothers. Luoshen could imagine that before Li Mu’s return with reinforcements, facing the dual pressure from both the rebels and the sect rebellion, their situation must have been extremely difficult.

All of this made Luoshen feel immensely worried.

So when news came that the capital region had stabilized, Luoshen could wait no longer. This day she went to find Lu Shi, wanting to ask her to continue staying temporarily at the estate while she prepared to depart for Jiankang. When she arrived, she saw that Third Miss Xie was also with Lu Shi.

Third Miss Xie seemed to be taking her leave, having already risen to her feet. When she saw Luoshen arrive, she called her “Sister-in-law” and bowed to her with very respectful manner.

Luoshen remembered that during the siege of Jingkou, she had helped greatly at the estate together with Shen Shi and others. She smiled and asked her to sit longer.

Third Miss Xie smiled and politely declined, saying she had other matters, and withdrew.

Luoshen had someone escort her out of the estate. Lu Shi then beckoned Luoshen to sit beside her and smiled, “A’Mi, do you know what Third Miss just came to tell me?”

Since yesterday, when news spread that Li Mu had returned to relieve the siege of the capital and Qu’e, Luoshen knew that in these past two days, some of the neighborhood women who had previously associated with their family had come here to inquire about Li Mu’s news from her.

But Third Miss Xie shouldn’t have come specifically for this purpose. After hesitating, she said she didn’t know.

“It’s good news.” Lu Shi appeared very pleased.

“Third Miss said that last time, she received the letter that Sun Fangzhi had your brother bring back to her. She has already decided that when Jiangtao next sends someone to fetch Shen Shi, she will go with her.”

Lu Shi smiled, “Her future is secured, and I’m also at peace. When she marries later, I’ll see her off like my own daughter.”

Luoshen felt completely relieved upon hearing this and was genuinely happy for her. She agreed, then spoke of her own intention to go to Jiankang.

Lu Shi naturally agreed.

“Since the roads are safe now, you should go back early. Take more people with you. Don’t worry about things here at our house – I’ll still stay at the estate and won’t return to town for now.”

Luoshen returned and had people pack her belongings, planning to depart the next day.

By evening, all her travel preparations were complete. Luoshen also retired early, wanting to rest well and set out early the next morning. But thinking that she could go back soon, she became too excited to sleep.

Li Mu was probably in Jiankang at this moment. Thinking that she could see him when she returned filled her with joy and even excitement.

But then she thought that Xu Mi’s rebellion had not been completely suppressed, and the Celestial Master Sect had only been driven from the capital region – many counties in the southeastern heartland were still in the hands of the sect rebels, and the situation remained severe.

So she speculated that he might not have stayed in Jiankang at all, but continued tirelessly with the pacification efforts. Even if she returned to Jiankang, she might not necessarily see him.

Her heart alternated between anticipation and disappointment. By deep night she was still tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She could hardly wait until morning to depart, wishing she could sprout wings and fly back to Jiankang immediately to see what was happening.

Unable to sleep at all, she simply put on her clothes and got up, lit a lamp, walked to the window, opened it, and looked out.

Yesterday there had been a light snowfall. The snow on the ground had long since disappeared without a trace, leaving only a layer of residual snow in the gaps between roof tiles. Under the moonlight’s reflection, the remaining snow sparkled like white frost.

Her gaze once again turned to the tree beside the small building where she lived, remembering the scene of him climbing the tree to see her that night. She stared at the swaying tree shadows for a moment and felt a cold wind blow, making her shiver.

She rubbed her hands and was about to close the window when her gaze suddenly froze.

On the path leading from the small building’s main door, stood the silhouette of a man.

She didn’t know when he had entered, but he was actually standing beneath the steps of the small building where she lived, his face slightly upturned, silently looking in her direction all along.

Luoshen’s hand resting on the window frame suddenly stopped.

Even though the man’s face was hidden by the night’s darkness, how could she not recognize that familiar silhouette?

She had speculated that he might be in Jiankang, then speculated that he might have left Jiankang to suppress rebellions elsewhere.

The one thing she hadn’t expected was that so quickly, almost immediately, he had come to Jingkou to find her!

On this night filled with the bone-chilling cold particular to southern winters, what surprise could be more overwhelming than thinking of someone only to have that person suddenly appear before you?

Luoshen’s entire body heated up instantly.

She cried out with joyful surprise, leaning out the window and waving vigorously at the figure, then turned and rushed out of the room, running downstairs quickly.

Her feet landed on the wooden stairs, making them thump loudly as she rushed down in one breath to the door, pulled open the bolt, and opened it.

Li Mu quickly climbed the steps and stood outside the door. Two gazes sparkled brightly in the night.

“Langjun!”

Luoshen called out and threw herself into his arms.

Li Mu opened his arms and tightly embraced the soft body that had thrown itself into his embrace.

The moment he held her, he felt a surge of passion in his chest.

As soon as Jiankang had stabilized, he had set aside all urgent matters requiring attention and rushed to Jingkou where she was at the first opportunity.

He had already learned from Gao Huan about the frightening experience she had encountered in Jingkou during those days, and was eager to see her immediately.

But just moments ago, when he had finally returned, had the estate gates opened for him, and arrived before the small building where she lived, he had hesitated.

That thing that had already happened – he feared she couldn’t accept it, feared she would be devastated with grief, but it was impossible to keep it hidden from her forever.

This was also another reason why he absolutely had to come to Jingkou first to see her in person.

But at this moment, in the dim night around them, Li Mu heard the continuous low calls of “Langjun” “Langjun” filled with surprise from the person in his arms, and all the longing and yearning for her that had accumulated over this half year suddenly surged forth.

He could no longer restrain himself and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

The maids downstairs had been startled awake by the noise Luoshen made running down the stairs. They got up one after another, carrying lights as they came out. Seeing this scene, they were immediately stunned and quickly avoided looking.

After a long while, Li Mu finally released her, lifted her up in one motion, carried her upstairs, and into her room.

He placed her on the bed and turned to light a lamp, but his hand was caught by her.

She playfully pulled him back forcefully, not letting him go. She climbed up from the bed, knelt on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and her fragrant, soft lips moved toward him again.

Finally ending this kiss filled with the sweetness of longing, Li Mu had been completely pressed down onto the bed by her.

Luoshen lay on his chest, still catching her breath, her soft hands caressing his face as she complained with a hint of playfulness: “When did you return? Why were you standing outside without calling at the door? It just snowed yesterday and it’s cold at night – weren’t you afraid of freezing…”

Her tone also carried some heartache.

Li Mu took a long breath, trying hard to calm the quickened heartbeat that his little wife, whom he hadn’t seen for more than half a year, had stirred up. He fell silent for a moment.

He really couldn’t bear to let her know about that matter, yet he couldn’t hide it either.

“Oh my, I completely forgot—”

She suddenly remembered.

“Arriving so late, you must be both hungry and tired. The family is well, don’t worry. She’s already asleep – you can see her tomorrow morning. Let me first get you something to eat…”

She hurriedly climbed off him and was about to get off the bed to light the lamp, but her hand was caught by him.

Li Mu stopped her, got off the bed himself, came to the lamp stand, lit the flame, then turned around and gazed at her.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her cheeks flushed red, her face like a delicate flower. The candlelight reflected in her bright eyes, and her lips bore a joyful smile.

Li Mu felt his mood growing heavier, not knowing how to begin saying what needed to be said.

Seeing him looking at her this way without speaking, Luoshen gradually sensed something was wrong. After hesitating, she smiled, “Why are you looking at me like this?”

Li Mu walked to her side, sat down, and said, “A’Mi, there’s something – when you hear it, don’t be too upset. It may not necessarily be as it seems…”

The smile on Luoshen’s lips froze: “What has happened?”

Her expression changed slightly: “Has something happened to my A’Ye?”

Li Mu shook his head: “Your father is fine.”

“Is something wrong with my elder brother?” she immediately asked.

Although her elder brother had led troops for many years and experienced many battles, on the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes.

Li Mu’s tone really made her unable to help but think the worst.

He shook his head again, saying that Gao Yin had indeed been injured at Qu’e, but was fine now.

His words, rather than putting Luoshen at ease, made her even more anxious.

She knew that Gao Huan was also unharmed.

In this battle, among the men related to her by blood who were most likely to have encountered danger on the battlefield – A’Ye, her elder brother, her younger brother – all were fine, yet Li Mu had just spoken to her in that tone.

Could it be…

“Has something happened to my A’Niang?”

She suddenly widened her eyes, her face turning pale.

Li Mu slowly nodded and quietly told her everything he knew about the matter.

Before Luoshen had finished listening, her entire body froze. She stared blankly at Li Mu, motionless.

Just today, while packing her belongings for tomorrow morning’s departure, she had been happily guessing whether A’Niang had given her a little brother or sister. Whether it was a brother or sister, she would love them. Calculating by the dates, the baby should have reached the full moon by now.

She had imagined the adorable appearance of a full-month infant, wishing she could see them immediately, never dreaming that during those days when Jiankang was in crisis, such a terrible thing had happened to A’Niang!

Tears quickly blurred her vision.

“A’Mi, don’t be overly upset first. Although that Shao woman claimed she killed someone and destroyed the body to eliminate evidence, I asked Li Xie – that Shao woman was seriously injured at the time. Given her condition, it would have been very difficult for her to handle the aftermath so cleanly. At that time, all possible places in the vicinity were searched, digging three feet deep, and nearby waterways were checked one by one. The Eldest Princess was not found, nor any trace at all, as if she had vanished into thin air… We suspect there may have been others nearby at the time… If so, the Eldest Princess should still be alive, just taken away by someone… Don’t worry, we’re searching everywhere. We will definitely find her…”

She felt Li Mu embrace her and comfort her at her ear.

She knew he didn’t want her to be too sad. In his arms, she closed her eyes, bit her teeth hard, and kept nodding, trying her best not to cry aloud. Suppressing it to the end, even both her shoulders began to tremble.

Li Mu had been afraid that she would be so heartbroken at such a time when he wasn’t by her side, which was why he insisted on telling her this terrible news personally.

He held the trembling body in his arms tightly and said at her ear, “A’Mi, let yourself cry. It will feel better if you cry. I’m here.”

Luoshen could no longer suppress it and sobbed aloud, tears falling continuously from her closed eyes like a burst dam.

Li Mu said nothing more, silently holding her as she curled up in his arms, gently patting her back.

Luoshen cried for a long time, then slowly opened her eyes that had become completely red from crying. She looked up at him and asked between sobs, “You just said my A’Ye is fine. Is he actually not doing well?”

In recent days, the Gao Qiao that Li Mu had seen had not collapsed.

After awakening in the military tent that day, he had immediately thrown himself back into court affairs.

Just before Li Mu hurried to Jingkou, when he went to bid him farewell, he was still discussing the return migration of civilians with Feng Wei, with documents piled high on his desk like mountains.

But Li Mu had a feeling that his father-in-law was merely forcing himself to carry on. After the Emperor’s return and subsequent illness, with the court situation still as precarious as a mountain, he simply couldn’t allow himself to collapse.

While still hesitating, Luoshen had already sat up from his arms, wiping away the tears that kept falling from her cheeks while choking back sobs: “Even if you don’t tell me, I know. With A’Niang suffering such a fate, no one would blame themselves more or feel more grief than A’Ye. I’m afraid he really will collapse. I must return quickly!”

…

Li Mu held her for a while longer until she gradually stopped crying, then took her to see Lu Shi.

Lu Shi got up.

Li Mu paid his respects to his mother, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time, and told her about what had happened in Jiankang. Before Lu Shi could fully experience the joy of her son’s return, she was deeply saddened again. After comforting Luoshen, she immediately urged her son to escort her back to Jiankang quickly.

Before dawn broke, Luoshen boarded the carriage and headed toward Jiankang.

On the evening of the third day, she finally returned home. Getting off the carriage, Gao Qi came out to greet her. Upon seeing her, he had barely called out “Young Lady” when his voice choked up.

Luoshen suppressed the grief in her heart and immediately asked about her father’s health. Learning that he had been taking medicine recently and had returned home today, currently in his study, she went there immediately. As she walked, she said, “It’s so late already, why didn’t you all persuade my A’Ye to rest?”

Gao Qi sighed heavily: “Even if the master wanted to stop, he can’t. The rebel army has fled but we hear they want to fight back again. Although the Celestial Master Sect was driven from Qu’e and Piling, they’re causing even more trouble elsewhere. I heard that just the day before yesterday, they killed another local governor… Chamberlain Feng and the others have been meeting with the master every night, only leaving a short while ago…”

Luoshen also asked about A’Ju and learned that she had been rescued at the time. The imperial physicians had treated her with all their skill, and fortunately she had survived against all odds, recovering a life. Although her body hadn’t fully recovered and she was still recuperating, this was still the greatest fortune among all the misfortunes, and her heart finally felt somewhat better.

Before she had even reached the study, she heard coughing sounds coming from inside.

She pushed open the door and saw her father with a garment draped over his shoulders, sitting behind his desk, coughing while reviewing documents on the table.

Luoshen stopped in her tracks, watching as her eyes slowly reddened.

Gao Qiao heard the sound of the door opening and looked up to see his daughter had returned. She wore a thick satin cloak of goose yellow, travel-worn, obviously having just rushed back through the night. She stood in the doorway, looking at him with reddened eyes.

He was startled, his lips unconsciously twitching slightly as if he wanted to show his daughter a smile, but that smile was too stiff and was soon drowned by heavy grief and self-blame.

He slowly put down his brush and said quietly, “A’Mi, you’ve returned… A’Ye has wronged your A’Niang, and wronged you too…”

Luoshen could no longer hold back. She quickly walked to her father’s side and said through tears, “A’Ye! Stop blaming yourself. Langjun has told me everything. A’Niang is blessed by heaven – she must still be alive! We’ll keep searching and will definitely find A’Niang!”

Gao Qiao showed a bitter smile at the corner of his lips, nodded and said, “Yes. A’Ye thinks the same way.”

“A’Ye, you must take care of your health and wait for A’Niang to return.”

Gao Qiao smiled gently: “A’Ye knows. Look, haven’t I been taking my medicine?”

An empty medicine bowl sat on the desk, right beside the piled documents.

She removed her cloak.

“A’Ye, whatever documents you still have, give them to me. You go rest!”

Gao Qiao glanced at Li Mu’s figure hidden in the darkness outside and had Luoshen call him in.

Li Mu entered and was about to bow to Gao Qiao.

Gao Qiao waved his hand, gazed at him intently, and said, “The Celestial Master Sect rebellion has caused the people to cry out in displacement. In the sixteen southeastern commanderies, not one place is at peace. The scope of harm is fiercer than a savage tiger. If the rebellion is not quelled, it will bring endless disaster.”

“When the nation faces difficulties, those who are able should bear the responsibility. Jingchen, I want you to go and pacify it. Are you willing?”