“Stop!” commanded the soldiers ahead. Xu Lu, in his haste, paid no attention to who they were. He tightened the reins and tried to force his way through, planning to break through the formation.
“Reckless fool.” A guard beside the general, seeing Xu Lu’s horse not yielding and charging towards them, drew his bow and shot an arrow. With a “whoosh,” the arrow struck the horse’s front leg. The horse, running fast, suddenly collapsed, throwing Xu Lu far into the roadside bushes.
“Clang,” swords were drawn, and soldiers rushed over, placing their blades at Xu Lu’s throat. Xu Lu was captured. He was tied up and brought before the general. Xu Lu looked up, recognizing the familiar face. The general was none other than Liu Buqun, the future son-in-law of the Xu family. It turned out that Guo Wei had proclaimed himself emperor, with the country named Zhou. Liu Buqun was one of his fierce generals, having fought with him through many battles. Guo Wei harbored ambitions to unify the realm, sending a million-strong army southward, with Liu Buqun as the central commander, capturing various states in Huainan. Liu Buqun was returning to the capital when he encountered Xu Lu.
“Master?” Xu Lu said in confusion, confirming that the young general was indeed his future master. Xu Lu was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. “Master, with you here, we can…”
Liu Buqun also recognized Xu Lu, having visited the Xu residence several times. Seeing Xu Lu’s tears, Liu Buqun helped him up, puzzled. “Why are you crying?”
“Master, the young mistress, she’s been taken by a wicked young master.”
“What?” Liu Buqun was alarmed.
“Master, please, you must save her; otherwise, it will be too late.” Liu Buqun mounted his horse, removed his armor, changed into casual clothes, whispered instructions to his deputy, and then rode off with Xu Lu towards the city.
Soon, they saw the city gates. They spurred their horses, quickly reaching the inn where the Xu family servants were staying. Xu Fu’s injuries had been treated by a doctor, who prescribed some medicine for his wounds and advised rest. Cuilian, kneeling beside him, was crying, realizing the gravity of the situation with the young mistress kidnapped and the butler severely injured. How was the young mistress now, without her?
“Cuilian, you shouldn’t have let the young mistress leave the mansion.”
