Chapter 890: Li Yuzhu & Mu Yuanxiu Extra (06): Empress Dowager Hui, Long Time No See!

The following morning, when Mu Yuanxiu went to visit Old Master Baili, he saw that Guoguo and Baili Rui had also returned.

The two children saw Mu Yuanxiu and approached him with smiles.

"Little Uncle!"

"Uncle Mu."

Baili Rui, who had inherited his father Baili Huang’s build, was already as tall as an average adult at just twelve years old.

Wearing a dark robe, his face was like the bright moon, and his eyes like cold stars.

Ten-year-old Guoguo had also grown to be graceful and elegant. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She wore a blue men’s outfit with a felt hat and a short sword at her waist, looking energetic and heroic.

The two children looked perfectly matched standing together.

Mu Yuanxiu patted their shoulders and laughed, "It’s been a few years, you’ve both grown so much that I almost didn’t recognize you."

"Little Uncle, I heard from the people at Uncle Chang’s mansion that you’re here to provide support, right?" Guoguo asked.

"Uncle Mu, how many people have you brought?" Baili Rui was concerned about the number of reinforcements.

Mu Yuanxiu smiled slightly, "Xiao Rui, I’ve already informed your father. He will discuss it with you. You, young ones, must follow the arrangements of the adults."

Baili Rui furrowed his brows, "I’m not little anymore, Uncle Mu. I command a hundred-strong cavalry. Can’t you stop treating me like a child?"

"No matter how old you get, you’re still a child in front of Uncle Mu." Old Master Baili huffed, his face stern.

Baili Rui sighed.

Guoguo glanced at him and pursed her lips, smiling.

At this moment, the two Baili brothers, Baili Huang and Baili Ju, also arrived.

The Second Madam Baili, accompanied by the nanny, brought breakfast.

She took Guoguo, Baili Xin, and Old Madam Baili to eat in the inner room.

Mu Yuanxiu and the men of the Baili family accompanied Old Master Baili in the outer room for their meal.

Guoguo behaved obediently, continually chatting with Old Madam Baili with a smile.

Old Madam Baili sighed, "No matter how capable you are, you’re still a girl. Let Xiao Rui and the others go. Guoguo, have your meal and rest. Don’t go out of the city."

Guoguo clung to Old Madam Baili’s arm and teased, "I’m not afraid, Old Madam. There’s a formation I designed. If I don’t go, the soldiers wouldn’t know how to train."

Baili Xin, a year younger than Guoguo, looked at Guoguo with admiration, "Sister Li, can I go with you?"

"No, you don’t know martial arts, and you wouldn’t be able to run if you went." Guoguo waved her hand.

Baili Xin frowned, "Everyone’s busy, and I’m the only one with nothing to do."

Guoguo took her hand and said with a smile, "Who said you’re idle? Aren’t you preparing the medicinal herbs? That’s a very important task. Food and medicine are crucial during wartime."

Praised, Baili Xin instantly shifted from worry to joy, "Ah, yes, the work I’m doing is important too."

Old Madam Baili and Second Madam Baili exchanged glances, both sighing internally.

If there were no war, they could formally arrange the engagement between Guoguo and Xiao Rui next year, with the wedding the year after.

Guoguo was smart and sensible, and everyone in the Baili Mansion liked her.

But seeing the current situation, the war might drag on for a year or two, and the marriage would have to be postponed.

The two women then thought of the Beiyang army pressing close, with the three cities near Liangzhou City already fallen. They didn’t know how long Liangzhou City could hold out.

Not to mention organizing a wedding, survival itself seemed difficult.

In the outer room, Mu Yuanxiu was discussing matters with the men of the Baili Mansion.

Uncle Baili, Baili Ju, did not understand warfare and couldn’t help his younger brother, but he hadn’t been idle since the situation in Liangzhou City erupted.

He took his niece Baili Xin and several stewards from the mansion to prepare medicinal herbs, clothing, and food supplies.

With the outbreak of war in the Four Northern Cities, the once-frequent traders had all disappeared.

Liangzhou City had no incoming supplies, and with the numerous civilians and soldiers, resources were being consumed daily. Gradually, the prices of medicinal herbs and food rose sharply, and they became unpurchasable.

Mu Yuanxiu reassured them that medicinal herbs were on their way, enough for the city’s inhabitants for a few months.

The medicinal supplies he brought were all medicine pills made by Li Yuzhu or anti-inflammatory and hemostatic powders and solutions.

They were much more convenient than the traditional herbal soup prepared by army doctors.

And they didn’t take up much space in the convoy.

After breakfast, Mu Yuanxiu, Baili Huang and his son, and Baili Ju and his son, went to the study.

Guoguo also followed them.

The discussion turned to the war situation.

Mu Yuanxiu spoke of his plan.

He said he would secretly head to the Beiyang army with Xiao Shan’s people to meet the Empress Dowager.

Additionally, Baili Huang might send other people with Xiao Shan’s men, disguised as guards transporting goods, to the other three cities.

Xiao Shan’s people were familiar with dealing with the Beiyang people and could speak fluent Beiyang language, making it possible for them to infiltrate the cities.