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Liu Yuan smiled, his brows lifting. "It's merely fulfilling one's duty to the king for his wages. If the Emperor wishes to blame me, I shall accept it."

Liao Rao lifted his gaze to look at him, pausing for a long while before he let out a soft sigh. "I will not admit guilt."

If he confessed, those who followed him and his family would suffer because of him.

Dying on the battlefield was his best fate.

That blow from Wu Rimi to his abdomen was one he deliberately did not dodge.

Liu Yuan didn't expect Liao Rao to confess. Exiting the tent, he instructed someone to summon Gu Changjin. An hour later, a carriage slowly made its way from the main camp towards the inner city.

Rong Shu had also heard the massive explosion on Four Square Island.

The deafening noise startled countless citizens in the city out of their sleep. They rushed out of their houses in alarm, staring blankly at the distant flames for a long while.

"What has happened? This loud noise—could it be pirates have landed ashore?"

"No, that's not right. The fire is clearly in the direction of Four Square Island. Something must have happened there!"

"Could it be that General Liang is currently besieging Four Square Island? Patrol Chief Lu mentioned earlier that the pirates there won't hold out much longer!"

...

The citizens spent the entire day on edge, and it wasn't until dusk when a rider on a chestnut steed entered the city, bearing news of Four Square Island's destruction, that their hearts finally settled.

Amidst cheers and applause, drums and gongs clanged loudly, nearly shaking the newly risen moon from its place in the sky.

Rong Shu had just come from the City God Temple and, from a distance, spotted Gu Changjin on horseback, standing at the city gate, conversing with the people.

Under the moonlight, the chiseled face, adorned with a silver lamellar armor, appeared even more stern and strikingly handsome.

Crowds of commoners surrounded him, layer upon layer. Nobody knew what the man was saying, but suddenly, they began to strike their copper gongs, filling the air with an overwhelming "klang klang" that pierced the eardrums.

Many elders with white hair wept tears of joy while pounding their gongs.

Luo Yan strolled from the front and whispered into Rong Shu's ear, "Lord Gu is telling everyone that the pirates from Four Square Island retreated last night. General Liang led the warships in pursuit, even bombing the island. As of today, Yangzhou is officially lifted from its lockdown!"

The pirate attack this time had been fierce. The sounds of cannonfire on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival had filled people's hearts with fear. Shops within and outside the inner city were all shuttered, and many wealthy families, accompanied by their servants and guards, fled to other provincial capitals with their households.

For an entire month, the city's inhabitants had not known a single peaceful night.

Now that the pirates had retreated to Four Square Island and the siege on Yangzhou was lifted, how could the people not be ecstatic?

Rong Shu's heart was also surging with emotion.

In her previous life, Yangzhou had struggled until October. Even when they won the battle, it was a Pyrrhic victory.

This time, many of Yangzhou's citizens had survived, while it was the ruthless pirates who perished.

Bowing her eyebrows in delight, she said, "Today happens to be the fifteenth of August. The Moon Lady Festival will not be missed by the people of Yangzhou this year."

The evening breeze gently swept across her face, framing her features with a tender curve.

Gu Changjin's gaze slowly traced the curve of her smiling cheeks.

It wasn't his duty to bring the news to the inner city, but he had taken it upon himself to do so, making the journey personally.

He claimed it was to invite someone from the Spring Moon Building.

Yet he was aware of his selfish desire — to see her, to witness the smile on her face when she learned of the pirates' defeat and the lifting of the quarantine in Yangzhou.

Perhaps his gaze lingered a little too long, for the young lady instinctively turned to meet his eyes. They held each other's stare for a moment before she suddenly bowed to him with an open and sincere gesture.

Those who kindle hope in others deserve admiration.

She admired all those who safeguard their homeland.

Not just her; even Luo Yan, who had always seen Gu Changjin as a rival, couldn't help but raise her hand in a respectful salute, her expression solemn as if paying tribute to a fellow soldier.

This was an unexpected turn of events for Gu Changjin.

The last time he left the City God Temple, she hadn't even glanced in his direction.

He had anticipated that she would avoid him at all costs during this reunion.

But instead, she had bowed to him solemnly from across the crowd.

The sound of drums and gongs resonated, as if echoing in people's hearts.

Gu Changjin lowered his gaze, a deep, resonant laugh escaping his lips.

The oppressive ache that she had provoked in the wine cellar dissipated instantly.

He had always been a man of careful deliberation, accustomed to self-restraint and self-discipline. That moment of recklessness the other day was perhaps the only time he had lost control since Ah Chai's death.

When he woke up in the City God Temple, he had even wondered, what now?

He knew all too well the path he was treading, a road that could lead him to either the pinnacle of power or the depths of an irredeemable hell.

As he pushed open the door to the wine cellar and held her in his arms, Gu Changjin had made up his mind – he wanted her to wait for him.

Wait just a little longer.

But she clearly did not wish to.

Of course, why should she consent to such a selfish desire?

The moment he fell from his horse, he had intended to let things be.

In that instant, as he opened his eyes and saw her face, hearing her voice, his heart thumped wildly once more.

He could not let go; he simply could not.

So, what else could he do, Gu Changjin?

He surrendered.

Whether it meant resorting to underhanded tactics or relentlessly pursuing her, he was unwilling to release his grip on her.

It was the season when osmanthus blossoms revealed their golden pistils, painting the world with countless dots of yellow.

Under the half-lit moon, a few aged osmanthus trees near the city walls shed their golden petals like shattered gold at the hands of passing winds.

Gu Changjin pressed his legs against the horse's sides, its hooves clattering against the ground carpeted with golden flowers as they approached her carriage.

The man dismounted and spoke to the maiden about to enter the carriage, "Miss Rong, would you accompany me to the Spring Moon Building? I need to see Miss Lv Yi."

Lv Yi?

Rong Shu lifted her gaze in surprise, pausing her attention on his face for a moment.

The man's expression was exceptionally serious, bordering on solemn. His look was as open and sincere as it could be.