Chapter 274 - 270: The Crazy Couple 34

Chapter 274: Chapter 270: The Crazy Couple 34

Ji Xiaohua had been standing timidly by Ji Xiaosong’s side. Her only fear was that something might happen to her sister.

’If something happens to my brother-in-law, we can just abandon him. But my sister absolutely cannot come to any harm!’

Ji Xiaohua tightly clutched Ji Xiaosong’s sleeve, her fingertips trembling slightly.

She kept her head down, her gaze occasionally darting toward her sister’s face. Seeing Ji Xiaosong’s solemn expression made her heart flutter with even greater anxiety.

She bit her lip and finally leaned close to Ji Xiaosong’s ear, her voice as light as a feather. "Sister... my brother-in-law... is he... going to be okay?"

Ji Xiaosong turned her head. Seeing her sister’s worried expression, she gently patted the back of her hand. "Don’t worry. Your brother-in-law is a man who knows what he’s doing. He’ll handle it."

But Ji Xiaohua shook her head, her brow furrowed even tighter as her voice dropped lower:

"But... but things are so tense outside, and my brother-in-law was summoned to the palace. If... if something happens to him, what will you do, Sister?"

As she spoke, the rims of her eyes reddened and her voice choked with a sob. "I don’t want anything to happen to you... If something really happens to my brother-in-law, we’ll just... we’ll just abandon him! In any case, nothing can happen to you!"

Hearing this, Ji Xiaosong’s heart warmed, yet she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

She reached out to ruffle Ji Xiaohua’s hair and said in a low voice, "Silly girl, what nonsense are you spouting? Your brother-in-law will be fine, and our family will be fine. You need to trust me, alright?"

Ji Xiaohua pressed her lips together, her eyes still filled with worry.

She stole a glance at the people in the main hall with their varied expressions, then leaned closer to Ji Xiaosong, her voice almost inaudible:

"Sister, I... I’m a little scared. If something really does happen, what will we do? I don’t want you to get hurt, and I don’t want you to be sad..."

"Xiao Hua, don’t be afraid. I promise you, no matter what happens, I will protect myself, and I will protect you. Our family will be safe."

Ji Xiaohua raised her head, tears glittering in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

She gripped Ji Xiaosong’s hand tightly, as if clinging to her only anchor. "Sister, you have to keep your promise! No matter what happens, you can’t leave me behind!"

Ji Xiaosong nodded, her tone resolute. "I promise. I will never leave you behind."

Just as she finished speaking, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside.

A guard rushed in, cupped his fist, and announced, "Master, the captain of the guards from the suburban estate has returned with the veterans."

Upon hearing this, Wu Daniu’s brow relaxed, and a look of relief spread across his face.

He strode to the entrance of the main hall and, sure enough, saw a burly, middle-aged man leading more than a dozen strapping men toward them.

Though no longer young, the men walked with a steady gait, their gazes sharp and piercing. They were clearly all battle-hardened veterans.

"Master, I’ve brought the men!" the leading captain of the guards declared, cupping his fist in a salute. His voice was loud and strong.

Wu Daniu nodded and clapped him on the shoulder, his voice tinged with emotion.

"Old Li, thank you for coming. I had no choice but to call you all here at a time like this."

Old Li grinned, flashing a set of white teeth. "Nonsense, Master! We’re the men who followed you through life and death. Now that you need us, it is our undeniable duty to answer the call!"

A flicker of gratitude crossed Wu Daniu’s eyes before his expression turned serious.

"Good! Now that everyone’s here, we’ll proceed as planned. Old Li, take your men and secure the front and back gates. The rest will split into two teams. One will patrol the perimeter walls, and the other will stand guard near the main hall. You must ensure the mansion is secure."

Old Li nodded in assent, then turned and waved to the veterans behind him. "Alright, brothers, let’s get to work!"

The veterans sprang into action at once, their movements swift and efficient. They were clearly well-drilled.

They fanned out to key positions throughout the mansion, their eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings, ready to react to any sudden development.

Standing beside Ji Xiaosong, Ji Xiaohua watched the sudden arrival of the veterans, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

She tugged on her sister’s sleeve and whispered, "Sister, who are these men? They look so formidable."

Ji Xiaosong smiled faintly and explained in a low voice, "They’re veterans who used to serve under Father. They all fought alongside him in battle. Though they’re older now, their skills and experience are a match for any younger man. With them here, the Wu Mansion is much safer."

Ji Xiaohua listened, a flicker of admiration in her eyes, but her brow quickly furrowed again as she muttered under her breath:

"But... but if they’re here, doesn’t that mean it’s really dangerous outside? My brother-in-law... is he going to be okay?"

Ji Xiaosong gently patted the back of her hand and said softly, "Don’t read too much into it. Father called them here just as a precaution. Your brother-in-law is in the palace. With His Majesty there, nothing will happen to him."

Ji Xiaohua pressed her lips together. Though still anxious, the composed demeanor of the veterans did put her somewhat at ease.

She gripped Ji Xiaosong’s hand tightly and whispered, "Sister, you have to be alright. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you!"

Ji Xiaosong’s heart warmed. She smiled and nodded. "Alright. And I’ll protect you, too."

In the main hall, Wu Daniu watched the veterans assume their posts, and his heart settled a little.

He turned to Ji Xiaosong and said, "Ji Xiaosong, take Xiao Hua and the other women to the rear courtyard to rest. Old Li and his men will stand guard here with me. Nothing will happen."

Ji Xiaosong nodded, took Ji Xiaohua’s hand, and led the other women toward the rear courtyard.

Though Wang Cuihua still looked panicked, the sight of the veterans calmed her slightly. She followed behind Ji Xiaosong, muttering under her breath, "I hope Wenhao comes home soon... I hope our family will be safe..."

The Wu Mansion was now under heavy guard, inside and out. But Wu Chufeng still had not returned, nor had Wu Wenhao.

Wang Cuihua waited for a long time. At first, she prayed for Wenhao to return home safely. But as time went on, she began praying for him not to return at all.

’If something terrible happens,’ she thought, ’being alone at the academy, he might just be able to escape this disaster.’

The night was black as ink. A hush fell over the Wu Mansion, broken only by the steady footfalls of the veterans and guards patrolling the grounds.

Wang Cuihua sat in a room in the rear courtyard, clutching a string of Buddha Beads and muttering incessantly:

"Bodhisattva, please... Wenhao must not come back... He absolutely must not come back..."

Ji Xiaosong and Ji Xiaohua sat to one side, their hands clasped tightly together.

Though young, Ji Xiaohua could feel the tension in the air. She kept glancing toward the window, her eyes filled with worry.

Suddenly, a clamor erupted in the distance—it sounded like shouting, mixed with the metallic clash of blades.

It was followed by a burst of flames that shot into the sky, dyeing half the night a bloody red.

"This is bad! There’s a fire outside!"

A guard scrambled into the rear courtyard, his voice laced with panic. "Master! There are people outside burning, killing, and looting! The screams... they must be coming from the neighboring houses!"

At these words, Wu Daniu’s face fell. He shot to his feet, tightening his grip on his broadsword.

"Old Li, take your men and hold the front and back gates! The rest of you, with me! To the walls! Let’s see what’s happening out there!"