Koi Fubao: Being loved by everyone on the road to escape from famine

Chapter 213 Nowhere in sight

However, Gu Tingxuan's stubbornness and his doting as an elder brother made him finally compromise.

In addition, since he was still recovering, many things had to be done by Gu Tingxuan.

Seeing Gu Tingxuan lowering his head with an embarrassed look on his face, Gu Huairen broke the silence at the right time: "Since Master Fan and Miss Xiao have already mastered the map, I'm sure you two have some plans in mind. Why not tell us about it?"

Fan Yanmu already had a plan in mind, and this map was the key to realizing his grand ambitions.

He planned to return to the border where his father was guarding, inform his father of this information, and use this map as an opportunity to secretly organize troops, go deep into the heart of East Chu, attack Huanglong directly, capture the leader of East Chu alive, and prevent him from attacking Xiliang again.

But considering that there might be spies around, he did not reveal the details.

"I'm still considering the specific use of the map."

Fan Yanmu said in a deep voice, and nodded slightly, signaling Xiao Zhixue to properly put away the wooden box containing the map.

The secret of the map had been revealed, and there was no reason for them to stay any longer.

Fan Yanmu stood up and bowed, "General Gu, please take care of yourself. We will take our leave now."

Xiao Zhixue and Ying Yi accompanied him in saluting and bidding farewell to Gu Huairen.

Gu Tingxuan hurriedly followed him out, reluctantly seeing him off.

Fan Yanmu carefully helped Xiao Zhixue into the carriage and followed closely behind.

As Ying Yi drove away slowly, Gu Tingxuan's figure looked particularly lonely in the wind. He did not look away reluctantly until the carriage completely disappeared from his sight.

On the way back, Xiao Zhixue wanted to give the map to Fan Yanmu for safekeeping, but he declined: "It would be more appropriate for you to keep the map for the time being. It would be inconvenient for me to carry it with me. You can hand it over to me when I need it."

Fan Yanmu's trust in Xiao Zhixue does not need to be expressed in words, and Xiao Zhixue can also deeply feel this silent support.

She silently put the wooden box and the map into her space ring, and the carriage fell into silence.

Fan Yanmu's gaze involuntarily fell on Xiao Zhixue's gentle face, as if he could not see enough of it.

Xiao Zhixue felt the burning gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she gently lifted the car curtain and turned her attention to the window.

At this time, heavy snow began to fall from the sky again. She stretched out her slender hands, caught a few snowflakes, and watched them gradually melt in her palms. A gentle smile appeared on the corners of her mouth.

Fan Yanmu stared at the silhouette of Xiao Zhixue's profile, his heartbeat inexplicably quickened, with a hint of sweetness mixed in with his panic.

Feeling his gaze, Xiao Zhixue coughed lightly, pulled down the curtain, and cleverly changed the subject: "Next, do you have any specific plans?"

In fact, from the moment the iron hoofs of the Eastern Chu Kingdom ruthlessly trampled on the border of the Western Liang Kingdom, a seed of returning to the southwest military camp was quietly planted in Fan Yanmu's heart.

After wandering for a long time, the affairs of the land he was in charge of were gradually coming to an end. An indescribable sense of responsibility drove him to return as soon as possible to report everything to his strict but loving father.

What's more, the remnants of Xuan Yutang are still lurking in the dark, waiting for an opportunity like a poisonous snake. Once they are allowed to escape to Dongchu, the secrets of Xiliang, those secrets that concern the fate of the country, are likely to be out of control like a bursting dam.

The time of return was approaching quietly, but whenever he thought of parting with Xiao Zhixue, the feeling of being unable to let go was like a huge rock pressing on his chest, making it difficult for him to speak.

At this moment, when this unavoidable topic was finally brought up, Fan Yanmu's eyes were deeply fixed on Xiao Zhixue, as if he wanted to engrave every subtle expression of hers in his heart.

Xiao Zhixue felt the weight of this gaze. She understood that the time of separation had finally come, but she did not expect it to be so soon.

When she heard Fan Yanmu's words, her heart suddenly tightened, an indescribable sadness surged in her heart, and she was full of reluctance for the impending separation.

She knew very well that as the heir to the Marquisate, Fan Yanmu had the heavy responsibility of defending the border on his shoulders, and being able to meet him was the biggest surprise given by fate.

A barely perceptible lingering look flashed across Xiao Zhixue's eyes, but she soon lowered her eyes, trying to hide this emotion.

Fan Yanmu keenly captured this subtle emotional fluctuation, and it was as if a stone was thrown into the lake of his heart, causing ripples.

In order to retain her, he mustered up the courage to make an invitation: "Why don't you come with me to the southwestern frontier, and let me introduce you to my father and let him see the most important woman in my life."

He looked at Xiao Zhixue with expectation, hoping that she would nod in agreement so that they would not have to face the pain of separation.

He believed that when his father saw the smart and gentle Xiao Zhixue, he would be pleased with his son's choice.

However, Xiao Zhixue's answer was so firm and resolute: "No, I can't abandon my family and follow you to the war-torn military camp."

Family ties prevent Xiao Zhixue from making a decision easily.

Fan Yanmu's heart was suddenly filled with loss. He had thought that Xiao Zhixue would be willing to go with him.

This separation seems to indicate that we won't see each other again for a long time.

For Fan Yanmu, Xiao Zhixue is the only love of his life, and he is unwilling to let her go so easily.

Therefore, he eagerly proposed another plan: "You can take your family to the southwest, and when you get there, I will arrange a safe and comfortable place for you to live."

Xiao Zhixue imagined in her mind the scene of her family following her to the border, but what followed was deep worry.

Wars break out frequently in border areas. If the border is lost and the East Chu army pours in like a tide, how can she ensure the safety of her family?

In comparison, although the place where they are now is also risky, it is at least dozens of miles away from the front line. If anything unexpected happens, there is still a possibility of escape.

Recalling last night, Fan Yanmu successfully captured the general Du Xuwei of Dong Chu with his wisdom and courage, forcing the Dong Chu army to retreat temporarily.

If it weren't for this strategy, they would have probably been caught up in the war by now. How could they have sat so calmly in the carriage and talked about the uncertainty of the future?

Although Xiao Zhixue had not personally experienced the hardships and dangers of the southwestern border, she had heard about them, and she did not dare to easily put her family in such danger.

This was not a doubt about Fan Yanmu's ability, but she knew very well that she could not do such a thing as gambling with the lives of her loved ones.

What's more, although the feelings between her and Fan Yanmu are deep, they are not to the point where they must be with each other.

Time may dilute everything, and if both of them are well, it is also a good ending.

Thinking of this, Xiao Zhixue smiled faintly and tactfully rejected Fan Yanmu's kindness: "Forget it, I really enjoy this free life now. If you get tired of staying in one place, you can move to another place to continue living. Isn't that a kind of fun?"