Chapter 2, Annulment of Engagement

Many matchmakers came to persuade Guo Tian to find a good family for Xiang Xiang again. Guo Tian, being righteous, thought about how they had all agreed on this matter, so how could it suddenly change? Moreover, Yu Qing treated Xiang Xiang very well, often coming over to support her whenever he had free time. Therefore, he continued to refuse.

Raindrops fell to the ground, merging into winding curves of red. She did not know what to do, when suddenly a bold thought crossed her mind—run away

Han Xu's expression darkened as he noticed the growing fear in her eyes, and then he said: "Do not be ungrateful; you have been with him. Even if I let you go back, would you dare to marry someone else?"

The black robe soaked in water clung tightly to his muscular body. He stood with a knife in hand, half of his face drenched in blood, like a grim reaper

Xiangxiang hesitated and said: "Xiangxiang"

Guo Tian tentatively spoke up: "Today, Xiang Xiang has been found."

Her eyes were still fixed on her, the blood beneath her neck still warm, and the muscles were still contracting and trembling. She held the head in her hands and saw Murong Li standing in front of her

Xiangxiang struggled to stand up, her robe completely soaked, revealing the delicate curves beneath. A passing soldier glanced at her but dared not look again

Two and a half months ago, the bandits tasted sweet rewards and returned. Guo Tian thought that there was not much money at home, so he did not flee. Little did he know that the bandits had kidnapped his beautiful daughter. Guo Tian reported to the authorities and sought help, running almost to the point of exhaustion both inside and outside the city.

Xiang Xiang'er is a famous beauty in Lingzhi County, known locally as the Tofu Xi Shi. Since childhood, she has been betrothed to a young and handsome man named Yu Qing. Initially, the Yu family was well-off, and after careful consideration, they found that Old Guo was honest and upright, and his wife, Guo Chen, was both beautiful and virtuous, so their daughter was surely exceptional

"The Guo Family Tofu Workshop in the Southern Alley of the North City." Her voice was as faint as a mosquito, and Murong Li directly rode past the Southern Alley. She suddenly realized, almost pleadingly tugging at his sleeve: "Could you... could you help me buy a piece of clothing?" Her ankles felt slightly cold; oh my, she wasn't even wearing shoes!

Yu Qingzhang's face turned red, feeling extremely embarrassed. Guo Tian sighed, finally softening his tone: "Dear nephew, the matters of the Guo family, whether they are blessings or misfortunes, will be shared by the members of the Guo family in times of hardship. I do not wish to make things difficult for you, but since Xiangxiang has just returned, regarding the matter of breaking off the engagement... could you perhaps wait a few days before telling her? After all, she has treated you quite well, hasn't she? Could you... go to the tofu shop, say a few words to her, and offer some comfort? You see, could you wait a few days before telling her? After all, she has treated you quite well, hasn't she? Could you... go to the tofu shop, say a few words to her, and offer some comfort? In a few days, when she feels better, I will certainly inform her myself."

He sat down in the main hall. Although the family had fallen on hard times, they had once been wealthy. Despite being a dilapidated house, the main hall still exuded a certain grandeur. After Guo Tian settled in, he asked, "Is Yu Qingxian not here?"

Xiangxiang pushed him away, covering her face, as if she had been stripped of her clothes and thrown in front of everyone. Tears flowed continuously, yet there was no sound.

Old Lady Yu immediately smiled rather forcedly: "Ah, congratulations to Old Master Guo. This person has been missing for quite a while, but finally has been found. Everyone can rest assured now"

I am cold ... She huddled in her robe, sitting damply in a corner of the tent, no longer daring to speak. When Murong Li finished wiping the knife, he found her curled up in a ball, asleep in the corner.

Xiangxiang's complexion was pale. Guo Tian glanced at her and said, "We do not want anyone else's money." He took his daughter and wife by the hand and said, "It's alright, let's go home."

Yu Qing was at a loss for words; he could not bring himself to refuse this future titan whom he had always sought to curry favor with. Old Lady Yu spoke up: "Brother Guo, it is better to endure a short pain than a long one. Since the engagement has already been called off, if my son continues to frequent the tofu shop, it may attract gossip..."

Go home

The Guo family members emerged from the tofu workshop, starting with the mother, Guo Chen. She hurried over in a few quick steps, calling out: "Xiang Xiang!"

In front of a large crowd, being sent back by a man in that manner

She found a suitable place to start washing clothes, and Han Xu stood behind her. The sight of the woman washing clothes was truly pleasing to the eye, and he turned his face away: "Where is your home?"

Han Xu understood her reluctance to mention Murong Li. He said, "Serve the prince well, and I will take you to wash your hair." She bit her lip slightly, and Han Xu reassured her, "He is the prince of the Great Yan Kingdom, holding a high position and great power. By following him, you and your family will benefit from the association with the library."

The elderly lady of the Yu family, being quite astute, was afraid he would continue speaking, and quickly interrupted him: "Old Master Guo, we are all from the same village and know each other well. I know that Xiangxiang is a good child, but my Yu family has been honorable for generations..."

Guo Tian was taken aback, secretly wondering why the old lady, who usually referred to him as "father-in-law," suddenly changed her address today... Was there some other meaning behind it

At night, the Yilushan Mountain is filled with flashes of lightning and the sound of thunder

He went to the Yu family by himself. As soon as he entered the door, the old lady of the Yu family came up to greet him: "Oh, it's Master Guo, please come in and have a seat."

Xiangxiang nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face, soaking her sleeves. Guo Chen-shi used a handkerchief to wipe her tears: "My child, do not cry. During the days you were missing, both your father and mother were frantic with worry. No matter what has happened, as long as you return safely, your father and mother will be happy"

Someone approached her with ill intentions: "Oh, it's the fragrant girl!" He touched her arm and was about to lift the hem of her robe, "Come on, let me see if you are injured!"

"It's nothing, it's nothing." He muttered to himself as he walked along.

As I was leaving home, I suddenly strode towards the screen, catching Yu Qing, who was eavesdropping behind it.

Guo Tian lowered his face, stood up, and declared: "Enough! I have come today specifically to cancel this engagement! A gentleman does not sever ties with harsh words. In the past, it was my failure to recognize the character of others, but this sin must not be borne by my daughter Xiang Xiang!"

Xiangxiang had not fallen asleep, and beside her, Murong Li did not touch her, yet his right hand remained gripping the knife. She dared not move at all, as thunder rolled in from the horizon, exploding in her ears. She curled up, keeping a close watch on the knife beneath his pillow. By midnight, a crossbow bolt, carrying the might of thunder, pierced through the tent.

He comforted Xiang Xiang Er for a while, instructed his wife to take good care of her, and sent Xiang Xiang Er's brother, Guo Yang, to find a doctor to check on his sister. Xiang Xiang's sister had already married and had been helping to look for her these days, and her brother-in-law occasionally came over to check on her. However, at the moment, there was no one available to deliver the news.

The sound of killing erupted outside, and he got up, exiting through the breach to pick up a knife and fight the enemy. Xiangxiang tightened her black robe as the wind and rain poured in through the opening. She leaned out and saw the men engaged in a chaotic battle.

Guo Tian saw her forced smile and understood the situation well. He pondered and said: "Originally, my son had an engagement with the Yu family..."

Han Xu sighed: "If he truly does not want you, then he will send you back."

He dragged the person up and suddenly threw them onto the bed, touching her damp hair, feeling annoyed. He had brought blue glaze during battles before; it was never this troublesome!

A family was preparing to go home, and someone shouted with a laugh: "Tofu Guo, there is still a large bundle of silver on the ground that a wild man sent for your daughter."

Guo Tian closed the shop door without changing his clothes, turned around, and walked home with one hand holding his wife and the other hand holding his daughter

Murong Li rode his horse, raising clouds of dust, and came to a halt directly at the Guo family's tofu shop. The army's entry into the city was already a spectacle for the masses, let alone the fact that Prince Xun had come alone

The southern alley was crowded with people. Murong Li raised his hand and threw her off the horse onto the ground. The crowd fell silent. He took out a bag of silver from his bosom and tossed it in front of her. Then he turned the horse around, cracked the whip, and left.

"She is the daughter of the old Guo family," someone said, "Why has she returned like this?"

After a long time, she nodded slightly at her, and something fell down. She instinctively reached out to catch it, and it was indeed the head of that person

Guo Tian nodded, glanced at the mother and son, and then left with a flick of his sleeve

Watching the soldier who was collecting the clothes, she quietly asked, "I... I can also do the laundry... I will go wash them, is that alright?"

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Yu let out a sigh of relief. With a smile, she said, "Old Master Gu, please do not be angry. Come, have a cup of tea. I also have a great fondness for this child, Xiangxiang. It is just... unavoidable." She ordered for paper and pen to be brought, and there and then, she drafted a letter of withdrawal from the engagement. Guo Tian signed it without hesitation.

Zhou Zhuo and Feng Ping both led their men back, while Murong Li changed the tent. He said to Xiang Xiang, who was still on the ground: "If I break your leg, will you be able to walk in by yourself?"

The large army truly passed through Lingzhi, and as they entered the city, a joyful expression that was hard to conceal appeared on Xiangxiang's face. Murong Li asked, "Which street?"

However, he did not. After a long while, when she opened her eyes again, the Yan army had already decimated the attackers. Murong Li's voice cut through the wind and rain, very clear: "The night is dark and the road is perilous, cease the pursuit"

After much discussion, the marriage proposal with the Guo family was settled. Xiangxiang was becoming increasingly beautiful, and the Yu family was pleased. However, on that very day, bandits broke in. The Yu family and the surrounding wealthy households were thoroughly robbed, and before leaving, they even set a fire.

Murong Li threw the knife from his hand, and a distant scream was heard.

The soldier was still relatively polite to her: "Not very good, these are ours..." Just as he was about to refuse, Han Xu came over from behind and said, "Give it to her."

Xiangxiang tightly held her parents' hands, yes, it is all right, everything has passed. I have returned home

Murong Lizheng was polishing his sword, as he took great care of his weapon. Xiangxiang stood there for a while, feeling damp and fragrant, and finally said softly: "I..."

He is certainly heartbroken and saddened, but regardless, as long as Xiangxiang returns, everything else will not matter

The rainwater stuck her hair together, and she was barefoot. As she turned around, she had not run far before she slipped and fell to the ground. A butcher rushed over, raising his knife to strike. The blood splattered from the blade had already hit her face, but the force of the strike suddenly halted. She stared blankly at the man, who was also gazing intently at her.

It is not easy for my daughter to return, but this reputation...

Xiangxiang had no strength left in her body to support that head. The head fell onto her and then dropped to the ground, rolling away for quite a distance. Her lips parted slightly, wanting to scream loudly, but no sound came out. Will he kill me?

Old Lady Yu attentively served tea and said, "Qing'er has gone out. Is there something that Old Master Guo has come to discuss today?"

Xiangxiang carried Murong Li's and her own clothes out, while Han Xu walked ahead, leading her to the White Wolf River

Han Xu did not expect Xiang Xiang to come looking for him. She stood outside his tent, stopping at a distance, and timidly said: "I want to wash my hair"

Xiangxiang held the corner of the black robe with both hands, resembling a small child being bullied by older kids: "He... he said he would take me back, but I don't want to..."

Xiangxiang held her tightly, heart-wrenchingly calling out: "Mother—Mother—"

Guo Chen embraced her tightly and said: "How fragrant, my child!"

Xiangxiang's hands and legs were scraped, and she wore nothing beneath her robe. After such a fall, her delicate feet and smooth calves were exposed in the dust. She got up and stood in the center of various gazes.

Han Xu nodded, finally recalling: "What is it called?"

Han Xu stood up: "Do not attempt to run away. Ling Zhili is several hundred miles from here; can you walk back? If you cannot descend the mountain, you will have to feed the wolves"

This is still not understood, encountering a chaotic army. In such tumultuous times, what does it mean for a girl to encounter a chaotic army? Everyone understands.

Xiangxiang retreated continuously, no longer daring to say much, and turned to run back to Murong Li's tent

She pounded the clothes rhythmically, and after a long time, she quietly asked, "You all... will take me back, right?"

Her father, Guo Tian, followed closely behind, reaching out to embrace Xiangxiang and Guo Chenshi, tears streaming down his face: "No more crying, no more crying, it's good that you are back. Let's go home first"

After dawn, soldiers came in and searched Murong Li's clothes in preparation for washing. Xiangxiang changed into another robe, which should also belong to Murong Li. However, last time Murong Li did not say anything, so she boldly wore it.

Murong Li's clothing has several torn areas. There is a sewing kit in the camp, but among these warriors, as long as their clothes are wearable, who would be willing to sew? Murong Li is not particular about it, mainly because he is situated in Yilu Mountain, where purchasing supplies is inconvenient

On the day of her arrival at the camp, she could not ride a horse. No one dared to take her; Murong Li placed her on his horse. The horse ran swiftly, and she clutched tightly at his clothes, catching a glimpse of his expression before switching to grasping the horse's mane.

Before the words could leave his mouth, Murong Li coldly shouted: "Shut up!"

When the old master Yu fell ill due to anger, the Yu family also experienced a dramatic decline

Xiangxiang found the sewing kit, threaded the needle, and mended all the tears in his clothes. Outside, the soldiers were counting the days until their return to the capital, and she was counting too. The army will return to Jinyang City; they will pass through Lingzhi, right

She paused slightly and replied with hope: "Lingzhi, Liaoxi Lingzhi"