In the sunset of this day, by the blood-red Little Forest River, the scene from three days ago played out once more.
Except this ti, the ones charging in overwhelming numbers were the Fufeng Soldiers, who, after suffering a great defeat and being suppressed by fear and unease for days, were on the verge of collapse. It seed as if, to vent their frustration, they were fiercer and more savage than usual, each like a maddened tiger unleashed, their eyes bloodshot with rage.
But once again, it was the Longxi Army that turned half of the Little Forest River red, the scent of blood drifting for miles.
In the end, the Longxi Army was roundly defeated, retreating across the river to the west bank.
After sunset, peace returned.
Yu Wenye rode his horse, leading the victorious soldiers back to the Fufeng City Gate, only to find the place brightly lit. Not only were people on the city walls holding torches to guide them, but even the city’s commoners had co out in droves. Unconcerned about the corpses of the defeated Longxi soldiers and the groans of the wounded prisoners left outside, they jubilantly waved torches and lanterns, rushing to the city gate to welco the Assistant General.
For a mont, the whole of Fufeng City was as bright as day.
Under this bright light, the joy in the eyes of the people was even more dazzling than the glow of the lights. They looked at this awe-inspiring figure, like a divine warrior descended to the world, and enthusiastically chanted: "General! General! General!"
The sound shook the heavens!
Yu Wenye shook his reins and rode through the city gate.
The shouts of the city’s residents had not yet subsided and were even louder and more stirring than before. Yet even in the face of such an exuberant scene, Yu Wenye’s expression remained calm as his piercing eyes surveyed his surroundings.
Then his gaze paused on a slender figure beneath the city tower.
It was Shang Ruyi.
She stood two steps up the stairs, under the dazzling firelight, her face slightly pale, but her eyes were red. At the mont she looked at him, a surge of hot tears welled up from her heart, blurring her vision.
Yet even through this blurred vision, she could pick out that tall, strong figure among thousands.
Perhaps in everyone else’s eyes, he was the Great General guarding Fufeng, the unparalleled son of the Duke Mansion, but at this mont, in her eyes, he was just her hero, nothing more!
She smiled at him.
Yu Wenye glanced at her, imdiately shifting his gaze to Yin Changyue, Song Yu, and the others who ca down from the city tower. Each of them was delighted as they ca forward to congratulate him: "The Great General is invincible!"
"With the Great General here, why should Fufeng fear?"
"The Great General has worked hard."
Yu Wenye calmly nodded to them, not engaging further, and instead lowered his gaze to Mu Xiancheng Bridge and the others, instructing: "Clear the battlefield imdiately, tally the enemy bodies, and burn them outside the city."
"Yes!"
"Round up the captives, group them in twenties, and imprison them."
"Yes!"
"Deploy more personnel to fortify the Little Forest River banks."
"Yes!"
His mind clear and orderly, even after a great victory, he coolly arranged post-battle matters, further earning the admiration of those around him. After giving these orders, Yu Wenye finally lifted his head and looked at Shang Ruyi.
eting those tear-brightened eyes, a trace of gentleness erged in his calm, stern gaze.
Then, he raised his arm and reached out to her.
"...!?"
Shang Ruyi was montarily stunned.
This—
Not only was she taken aback, but even the surrounding people, including the civilians focusing intently on Yu Wenye, were also stunned.
What is the General doing?
At this mont, all eyes focused on them. Shang Ruyi hadn’t expected Yu Wenye to do this amid thousands of gazes. Looking up into his eyes again, she saw no hesitation; indeed, his gaze towards her was impossibly firm.
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath, stepped forward, and took his hand.
In the next mont, she was pulled onto the horse’s back by a powerful force, landing securely in Yu Wenye’s arms, as one arm ca around to secure her by the waist, holding her firmly in his embrace.
Shang Ruyi felt her heart racing fiercely.
The people around were even more astonished, with so unable to hold back exclaiming: "Who is that woman?"
Soone nearby quickly replied: "That’s the General’s wife, the Young Madam of the Duke Mansion."
"So that’s the General’s wife. Doesn’t seem like much."
"Don’t speak nonsense. Just now, when the General was fiercely battling that killer king Xue Xian, it was this General’s wife on the city tower beating the drums to boost his morale. That’s how the General was able to drive back the Longxi soldiers in one go."
"Really?"
"Of course, we all saw it."
"We heard it too,"
More and more people joyfully said: "In our Fufeng City, not only do we have a brave and fearless General, but even the General’s wife is so courageous. What does Xue Xian matter!"
The people didn’t care about won in the military. To them, anyone who stepped up in tis of crisis was comndable, even if she was a woman, and worthy of their cheers and praise.
Thus, the people along the way not only enthusiastically called out for the General, but also began to hail the Young Madam.
For a mont, the invisible waves of sound resonated throughout Fufeng.
Yet, the two on horseback remained unusually calm, so much so that, amidst the deafening cheers surrounding them, even Shang Ruyi couldn’t ignore the chaotic beating of her heart at that mont.
Especially with her back pressed against a warm, heaving chest.
His heartbeat seed just as intense.
Shang Ruyi lowered her head and softly said: "Didn’t you once say that in the military, you wouldn’t—"
Before she could finish, the person behind her spoke lightly, interrupting her words: "I said that in the military, I wouldn’t protect you, much less spoil you."
"Then—"
"But when it’s ti to share glory with you, you must be by my side."
"..."
"Moreover, it’s what you deserve."
Having said this, he slowly moved his hand from her waist to her wrist, then softly stroked her fingers worn out from exhaustion.
At just a gentle touch, Shang Ruyi imdiately pulled back into his embrace in pain.
"Ugh!"
Her fingertips, during the most intense monts of the battle, had pressed against the rough city wall battlents with all her might, and were completely worn out. Then, clenching the drumsticks to beat the drum left them bloodied and raw, staining her entire hand red.
Connected to the heart, the pain made her shiver.
Her shaking made Yu Wenye dare not touch her more, so he retracted his hand and held her tightly.
Then he said: "Sit tight!"
Finished, he suddenly spurred his horse, and in a flash, the steed galloped forward, quickly disappearing from everyone’s view.
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