Chapter 507 — Before and After
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
No one in the room spoke; a dead silence reigned.
Only the young, uncomprehending Yuan Heng poked his head out from his grandmother's arms and called out in a clear voice, "Uncle," shattering the stillness of the room.
Gu Yu lifted his head, his eyes red and still somewhat wet.
"Yuan Heng!" He forced a smile. "It's your uncle who has failed you." As he spoke, tears glistened at the corners of his eyes.
Dou Yan shot Duan Bing a look and said, "What sort of talk is that? We're already endlessly grateful that you could come all the way from Tianjin. This was never yours to control—so why take it all upon yourself? Get up this instant! Squatting on the floor like that—if your nephew sees you, he'll laugh at you."
Duan Bing and Chen Lanxu had already stepped up, one on each side, to haul him to his feet. Duan Bing said bluntly, "Since you know something has happened on our side, have you notified the Heir Apparent? Has the Prince of Liao truly entered the palace as they say?"
Gu Yu let the two of them pull him up, looking somewhat dazed, and said to Dou Yan, "It was the two curs my aunt left at my side who gave themselves away. I only learned of my cousin's affair yesterday, and at once found an excuse to have them both detained. I rode posthaste for the capital, but I was still too late—the city gates were already shut. Even with the pass the Emperor bestowed on me, I could not get in. Then I recalled that a few days ago Tianci had mentioned that you and your son were taking refuge from the heat at the Xiangshan villa, so I decided to come and see you both. I never imagined—"
He bowed his head in anguish.
In other words, Gu Yu had never had the chance to warn Song Yan!
Everyone's expression darkened.
Yuan Heng began to cry uneasily for his "Mama."
Dou Yan went over and took her son in her arms.
Chen Lanxu pressed her lips together, stepped forward, and saluted her. "Madam, rest easy and leave the Young Master to us! As long as a single breath remains in us, no one will harm a hair on his head."
Dawn was near. If they could hold out until daybreak, there was a chance they might break through the encirclement and find a way into the city to reach Song Yan.
Only by reaching Song Yan could the siege of the Xiangshan villa be lifted.
But at the thought of being parted from her son, Dou Chu's heart ached beyond bearing.
She hesitated a moment, then with tears in her eyes kissed her son's little cheek and handed Yuan Heng to Chen Lanxu.
Gu Yu understood at once what they meant to do.
He straightened his back and stepped forward. "Sister-in-law, let me escort Yuan Heng into the city."
"No!" Dou Yan shook her head without a moment's thought. "You're too conspicuous a target! You should find a way to slip out of the villa and get word to your cousin Tianci—that's what matters."
By the time word reached him now, it would likely be too late.
Gu Yu said this in his heart, but did not dare speak it aloud to Dou Yan.
"Then let me stay here with you, sister-in-law!" A savage light came into his eyes. "They want you to be a guest at the Prince of Liao's residence—"
"It's not as bad as you imagine!" A surge of emotion rose in Dou Yan's heart, and she urged him gently, "They only want to seize me and Yuan Heng to threaten your cousin Tianci."
Before she could finish, screams and roars erupted from outside.
Everyone exchanged glances.
Terrified, Yuan Heng twisted in fear, wanting Dou Yan to hold him.
Dou Yan took her son in her arms, while Gu Yu had already drawn back the curtain and was looking out.
"Sister-in-law!" he cried in transports of joy. "Someone's come to save us!"
At a time like this, who could still come to their rescue!
"Ah!" Dou Yan was half doubtful, half believing, and ran over with an anxious heart to look.