Walking a bit further, perhaps they could catch up. Gu Beichen began to complain as soon as he started running.
"Stop dawdling and hurry after them."
Gu Beichen could no longer wait and eagerly continued to chase.
Murong Jinyun, hiding in the dark, cautiously peeked out. She increasingly felt that the figure on horseback resembled Gu Beichen. She tentatively called out, "Gu Beichen... Gu Beichen..."
"It feels like I heard someone calling me, the voice is so familiar."
Lu Shi tightened his grip on the reins and listened carefully for a moment, but no sound came.
"Did you mishear? This desolate place has no ghosts, let alone people."
It was estimated that Gu Beichen was too nervous and might have misheard.
"No, there must be someone. That voice sounds exactly like Murong Jinyun."
He would never mistake Murong Jinyun's voice; she had to be nearby.
Gu Beichen cautiously moved towards the source of the sound. He would not let go of any clue now. He had to find Murong Jinyun's whereabouts.
As the figure grew closer, Murong Jinyun became even more certain that it was Gu Beichen. She quickly emerged from her hiding place, "Gu Beichen... I'm here... Gu Beichen..."
Hearing Murong Jinyun's clear voice and seeing the figure he longed for, Gu Beichen's tension of many days instantly relaxed. He rushed towards Murong Jinyun with an unbearable eagerness.
He pulled her into his arms, a feeling of having lost and found again filling his heart.
"Gu Beichen, you... loosen your grip a bit, I can't... I can't breathe."
If Gu Beichen continued to hold her like this, she would be suffocated.
"Are you alright? Are you injured?"
He asked anxiously, his gaze scanning Murong Jinyun. Once he confirmed she was not hurt, his restless heart finally settled down.
He had initially suspected that Murong Jinyun had left willingly. But the moment she threw herself into his arms, all his doubts and suspicions vanished without a trace. Now, all he wanted was to take her back and be with her.
"I'm fine, you're finally here. I thought... I thought you wouldn't come looking for me."
Ever since she was taken away by Baili Xi, she had been wondering when Gu Beichen would come to save her. The longer it took, the more her anxiety grew, and the more she worried that Gu Beichen might not come for her.
Would he misunderstand that she had followed Baili Xi willingly? Would he misunderstand her?
The moment she saw Gu Beichen with her own eyes, all her doubts and suspicions were cast aside.
Finally, Gu Beichen had arrived. All her efforts were not in vain, and she had not trusted the wrong person.
"Silly girl, as long as you don't leave, I will never let you go."
He had already decided that he would only have one wife in this life, and that was Murong Jinyun. Even if the heavens and earth were to collapse, they would never be separated again.
He no longer cared about anything else. He only wished to be with Murong Jinyun for eternity.
"As long as you are still willing to marry me and let me be your wife, I will never leave you."
Leaning in his arms, Murong Jinyun felt an unusual sense of peace. Her heart was so full that it had no room for anyone or anything else.
"Young Master, Princess, this is not a place for lovey-dovey talk. Baili Xi's men might catch up soon. We should return to the capital first."
Lu Shi, who had endured it for a long time, finally interrupted their affectionate moment somewhat sheepishly.
This was truly not a place for them to express their love. If they lingered any longer, they might not be able to leave. It was most important to return to the capital while they had the chance.
"Yes, let's return to the capital first."
With that, Gu Beichen pulled Murong Jinyun onto the horse. The top priority was to return to the capital.
"Young Master, you take the Princess back first. I will continue to pursue Baili Xi."
The young general had given strict orders not to let Baili Xi return to Xiliang, as it would lead to endless trouble.
Now that the Princess was in their hands, Baili Xi had lost his most important bargaining chip.
"Baili Xi is heading east. Please spare his life."
Murong Jinyun revealed Baili Xi's whereabouts. She understood clearly that if she allowed Baili Xi to continue his actions, innocent civilians would suffer. Therefore, she could only let Baili Xi go.
"Thank you, Princess, for the information."
After seeing Gu Beichen and Murong Jinyun off, Lu Shi led his men to track Baili Xi's whereabouts.
...
"General, the Princess has not returned yet. Could something have happened?"
Baili Xi put down his dagger. It had been nearly half an hour since she was supposed to return, and there was still no sign of the Princess, which was indeed worrying.
"Go and see how the Princess is." He uneasily instructed a nearby maid to check.
"Yes, General."
The maid had only walked a few steps when she cried out loudly, "General, it's bad... it's bad, the Princess is gone."
Baili Xi angrily punched a nearby tree trunk, causing leaves to fall.
"Send people to pursue them. Make sure to bring the Princess back."
Princess... are you truly going to abandon me!
"Your subordinate obeys."
As several guards mounted their horses, they were struck by arrows shot from afar and fell from their horses.
Baili Xi immediately drew the sword at his waist and deflected the incoming arrows.
"Who is lurking around? Come out and fight!"
"General Baili is indeed heroic, but unfortunately, you are destined to lose today."
Lu Shi and his men surrounded Baili Xi's group tightly. "General Baili, surrender and your life will be spared."
"Hmph... Ling Mohan fears death and is willing to be a coward, sending you to your death. Come on, let's see how this general slaughters you all!"
No longer wanting to waste words with Baili Xi, Lu Shi directly ordered him to be captured.
Baili Xi, worthy of being a general who had fought on the battlefield, held his ground against more than ten attackers. However, even the strongest fists could not defeat four hands. After a few rounds, Baili Xi was already exhausted.
Lu Shi put on his sleeve arrows and aimed at Baili Xi.
"Attacking from behind, truly despicable."
Baili Xi directly pulled out the arrow from his arm. Such a minor wound could not harm him at all.
"Come on, show me what real skills you have."
The more he fought, the braver he became. Baili Xi's killing intent was fully ignited. However, he felt an abnormality in his body. He felt weak all over, and his sword seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.
"General Baili, stop struggling. That arrow earlier was coated with Ruan Jin San (softening powder)."