Chapter 406 - 405: Escort Master

Chapter 406: Chapter 405: Escort Master

Separated by the fabric, Du Yunluo could hear Mu Lianxiao’s heartbeat.

From above came his voice, full of amusement.

"Yunluo, do you like it?"

Du Yunluo lifted the corners of her mouth, coyly saying, "I like it a lot."

"Even if you really like it, let go first," Mu Lianxiao’s laugh was lighthearted, "I’m all covered in dirt, don’t get yourself dirty."

Du Yunluo pouted; it’s just a bit of dirt, she didn’t mind.

The delicate and clingy Du Yunluo in his embrace left Mu Lianxiao with no choices, so he let her hold on, whispering, "They all say it’s best to plant Yunluo Flower in February or March to thrive. Last year when I arrived in Xuancheng, it was already too late. This year, no matter what, I wanted to plant them for you.

The first year, they might not bloom in full clusters, but next year in the flowering season, it will be beautiful."

Du Yunluo giggled, feeling a sweet, sticky warmth in her heart.

Until their boy woke up, Du Yunluo reluctantly let go of Mu Lianxiao and turned to go inside the house.

Mu Lianxiao arranged the flower branches again before returning inside to freshen up.

In the afternoon, Mu Lianxiao set off back to Shanyu Pass.

Du Yunluo, holding their boy, saw him off, saying, "I’ll have Jiuxi send you a booklet every half month."

Mu Lianxiao agreed with a smile. As he mounted his horse, he thought of something and leaned down to say, "Aren’t you good at drawing? Include drawings in the booklet too."

Du Yunluo nodded.

On this return journey, Mu Lianxiao rode fast, and upon reaching Shanyu Pass, he went to see General Huang.

General Huang, a burly man, sat in front of a large desk, an envelope lay upon it.

Seeing Mu Lianxiao, he pointed to the letter, "A decree from the Holy Emperor."

Mu Lianxiao couldn’t help but smile.

If it were merely an ordinary letter, General Huang would have tossed it over with a flick, but only the Holy Emperor’s decree warranted such solemnity.

Mu Lianxiao took out the letter and carefully read it, saying, "The Holy Emperor wants me to return to the Capital once."

General Huang understood: "You didn’t return during the New Year; the Holy Emperor must be thinking about it."

Mu Lianxiao didn’t go into details.

The Holy Emperor’s concern was naturally about the Changping Marquis Mansion. Although Mu Lianxiao sent secret letters to the palace, they could not convey as much as speaking in person.

A few days ago in Xuancheng, Mu Lianxiao also communicated much with Du Huarang.

Compared to Mu Lianxiao at Shanyu Pass, Du Huarang had a more thorough observation of the Changping Marquis Mansion.

Having some information on hand, Mu Lianxiao thought it would be good to take this opportunity to report to the Holy Emperor in person.

Mu Lianxiao turned to leave, but upon reaching the door, he paused. Under General Huang’s puzzled gaze, he returned to the large desk, saying, "General, have you ever heard of an escort leader named Jia De? He used to be with the Yangwei Escort Agency in the Capital."

General Huang took a breath, carefully recalling: "I do have a vague impression."

After pondering for a while, General Huang slapped his forehead, saying, "I remember now.

About twenty years ago, the Yangwei Escort Agency was thriving in the Capital, not only doing big business inside the pass but also outside.

I had just arrived in the Capital then, and the agency set up a challenge to recruit escort masters. I went to watch for fun; some martial artists had truly exceptional skills.

Later, when war broke out at the Northern Border, the Yangwei Escort Agency suffered two significant losses outside the pass, making it difficult for them to even maintain business inside.

It endured until the 15th year of Yong’an, only regaining momentum after peace was restored at the Northern Border. But the Dazi were relentless, and just a couple of years ago, didn’t they initiate conflict again? The agency couldn’t endure.

Some escort masters joined our army and mentioned Jia De.

They said he was loyal and righteous, and during the two hardest years for the agency, Jia De gritted his teeth and held on. When the Northern Border conflict ceased, while other agencies hesitated to operate outside the pass, he took on business with a team.

He went back and forth twice, and later those escort masters never saw him again, hearing he got an internal injury upon his return and went back home to recover." ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

After listening, Mu Lianxiao pondered, "General, have you met Jia De?"

"I have not," General Huang shook his head, "Why are you bringing up this person today?"

Mu Lianxiao carefully recounted the incident of Jiangnan merchants entertaining Jia De in an alley.

General Huang stood up, pacing back and forth in the room, hands clasped behind him: "If it really is Jia De, then he’s more familiar with outside the pass than we are, let alone Ancient Meili; I’ve heard they ventured even further west. The escort masters relied on him for guidance."

The Holy Emperor stationed troops at Shanyu Pass, primarily wishing to launch a surprise attack on Ancient Meili, striking at the root to eliminate future trouble.

But without a good guide, let alone finding Ancient Meili, they wouldn’t even be able to leave the pass.

Having trained here for over a year, General Huang had long been eager for action.

If he could obtain a good guide...

At this thought, General Huang’s eyes lit up: "Did you meet Jia De? How long will he stay in Xuancheng? Oh right! The enlisted escort master is in the camp too, I’ll get him here."

General Huang called in a personal soldier and gave some instructions.

Before long, a brawny soldier entered.

Mu Lianxiao recognized this soldier, named Li Gao, known for his honesty.

General Huang asked him: "Do you still remember what Jia De, from your escort agency, looked like?"

Li Gao chuckled naively, "General, I joined the Yangwei Escort Agency in the 15th year of Yong’an. By the time I entered, Escort Leader Jia had already gone outside the pass for business.

Everything I know about him is what I heard from others.

Only once did he return to the Capital, and people told me that’s Escort Leader Jia. I strained my eyes to see him, only I was a little far off, so I didn’t see clearly.

Just remember his height, about half a head shorter than you, a long face, nothing extraordinary in appearance.

There’s a scar here, I heard he got it fighting bandits."

Li Gao gestured on his right forehead; that’s all he remembered and couldn’t say more.

General Huang let Li Gao step out, anxiously asking, "Well? Does he resemble the Jia De you saw?"

Mu Lianxiao pressed his lips together, nodding, "The person I saw does have a scar on the forehead."

"Then it must be right; truly heaven’s help!" General Huang clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

Just as Mu Lianxiao was about to nod, the image of Du Yunluo frowning flashed in his mind, his heart leaped with weight.

To be cautious and ever cautious, this was his promise to Du Yunluo, and something he must fulfill.

"I just happen to be heading to the Capital. I’ll first go to Xuancheng to confirm Jia De’s whereabouts, then inquire in the Capital, and report this matter to the Holy Emperor," Mu Lianxiao said.

General Huang, not a reckless man, pondered and agreed.

In Xuancheng, Du Yunluo holding their boy, gazed at the Yunluo Flowers through the north window.

In just a few days, the cuttings of Yunluo Flower had taken root, growing just a tiny bit.

Jin Rui teased: "Only someone like Madam, gazing so intently, could notice the flowers have grown."

Du Yunluo scolded her playfully.

Jin Lan rushed in, saying: "Madam, the Princely Heir has returned."

Du Yunluo stood there in surprise, how did he suddenly come back in just a few days?

She hugged their boy and went out to greet him.