Chapter 396: I Can Only Take One Person Away
Hearing Ye Lu’s subordinate’s words, the man leading the troublemakers immediately looked offended. He raised his hand, pointing directly at the speaker, his tone full of arrogance and aggression.
“If you have a problem, say it! Do you really think we’re afraid of you?!”
Before he could say another word, Yu Luo swiftly slapped his arm away and coldly warned him.
This simple action infuriated the man even more!
Immediately, the group behind him moved to draw their weapons—but Yu Luo’s people were ready. In a split second, every guard in Luo City had already drawn their swords, standing in tight formation around her.
The hundreds of eyes from both sides locked onto each other, tension crackling in the air.
Meanwhile, Luo Yi and the others quickly stepped in front of Yu Luo, forming a protective wall around her.
“Hah! You’re acting all tough? It’s obvious you came here looking for trouble.” Yu Luo smirked, her gaze piercing. “Fine, I’ll tell you the truth. That gambling hall you’re accusing? It’s owned by a prince from Dongfeng Kingdom. Do you really think he’d scam you for ten taels of silver? If you want to stir up trouble, at least come up with a better excuse. Luo City has strict laws—no fighting or rioting is allowed. Since you attacked my men, don’t expect us to show mercy.”
As she spoke, she stepped back slightly, raising her hand.
“Arrest them all. No one leaves.”
At her command, the Luo City guards—who had been holding back until now—finally launched into action.
The entire street turned into chaos as guards and criminals clashed.
At the same time, reinforcements arrived. Luo City’s reserve forces, led by Tao Ming, quickly blocked the entire street, sealing off all exits.
Shopkeepers, already familiar with the city’s laws, immediately stepped forward to keep bystanders inside. No one was allowed to go outside and interfere.
Within moments, the main street became a battleground.
Meanwhile, archers positioned on the city walls had already drawn their bows, prepared to rain arrows upon the troublemakers if necessary.
But while the chaos unfolded outside, a suspicious figure quietly slipped into a nearby alley.
His destination?
Luo City’s prison yard.
With most guards occupied, security at the prison worksite had been significantly reduced.
The figure—none other than Yu Xiaoxuan—easily avoided the remaining patrols, scaled the wall, and snuck inside.
There, three frail women were struggling to push a millstone, their bodies exhausted from endless labor.
Old Madam Chen, once dignified, now had completely white hair. Her body was weak, and because of a poorly treated arrow wound, she limped with every step. She looked decades older than before.
Beside her, Concubine Lan, formerly a beauty, had been reduced to a haggard old woman. Though her fox-like features remained, deep wrinkles lined her face.
And then there was Yu Meiyao—her once delicate hands, which used to play music and paint, were now covered in callouses. Her fair skin had darkened from hard labor, making her look no different from a common village girl.
The three women, barely able to stand from hunger, were just hoping for nightfall—so they could at least receive their second meal of the day and finally rest.
But just as they were about to collapse from exhaustion, a familiar silhouette suddenly appeared in front of them.
Their eyes froze, their faces pale with shock—and then, in an instant, joy erupted on their faces.
Yu Meiyao was the first to cry out, her voice trembling.
But before she could scream in excitement, she snapped her hands over her mouth, muffling her sobs to avoid alerting the guards.
Chen Shi, her aged eyes cloudy, raised her calloused hands, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.
She still couldn’t believe it.
“Grandmother.”
The moment Yu Xiaoxuan spoke, his voice choked with emotion, Chen Shi burst into tears.
Despite everything, she had loved him dearly in the past. Seeing her now—reduced to this state—his heart ached.
She opened her mouth to sob loudly, unable to contain her pain any longer.
But before she could make a sound, Yu Xiaoxuan lunged forward and clamped a hand over her mouth, silencing her.
Her howls of grief were reduced to muffled sobs, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Realizing her mistake, Chen Shi nodded quickly, signaling that she would stay quiet.
Lan Shi, though overcome with emotion, was the first to regain composure.
Throwing aside her chores, she rushed up to him, looking toward the prison gates before lowering her voice.
“Second Young Master, why are you here?!”
“Auntie Lan,” Yu Xiaoxuan hesitated, his voice serious, “I can only take one person with me. The guards are still stationed outside, so I can’t take you all at once. I’m sorry—but Grandmother is in the worst condition. I have to save her first. I promise I’ll come back for you and Meiyao later.”
The joy on Concubine Lan’s and Yu Meiyao’s faces vanished instantly.
His words hit them like a bucket of cold water.
“What?!”
Yu Meiyao’s face drained of color, and she frantically grabbed his arm.
“Brother, you can’t leave us behind! If you only take Grandmother, they’ll find out immediately, and we’ll be severely punished! Do you have any idea what they’ve already done to us?! If you leave now, we’ll be whipped bloody!”
Concubine Lan’s face was ashen, her eyes filled with terror.
“Second Young Master, please—don’t abandon us. We’ve been suffering under Yu Luo’s cruelty! If you only take your Grandmother, we won’t survive!”
As she spoke, she moved subtly, blocking the exit—making it clear she wouldn’t let him leave without them.
Yu Xiaoxuan hesitated.
He wanted to save them all.
But realistically, escaping with even one person was already risky.
And if he had to choose between the two…
His mind spun in turmoil.
But he didn’t have much time.
If he didn’t act now, they’d all be caught.
