looked up, her eyes brimming with tears as she pleaded with Meng Jin Yao, "Madam Gu, you are an elder, a magnanimous person. Please don't be like Brother Xiu Ming. Brother Xiu Ming just can't accept...Qingqiu and Ningdong were so scared that their faces turned pale, and they cried out in surprise: "Madam!"

Meng Jin Yao instinctively turned her head, and saw a sharp sword stabbing towards her. She was so frightened that her pupils dilated instantly, and her blood seemed to freeze. A chill ran down her spine, and she regretted her impulsive actions. She closed her eyes resignedly, thinking that in her next life, she would be more cautious.

Just at this critical moment, another sword, like an arrow loosed from a bow, shot towards the sword in Hua Lingxiao's hand with lightning speed, emitting a resounding "clang."

Hualingxiao was shaken so badly that his tiger's mouth went numb, his long sword flew from his hand and landed on the ground. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted, preparing to bend down and pull Meng Jin yao up as a hostage.

Then, Gu Jingxi's movements were like lightning. With a flash, he appeared before him. He had no choice but to temporarily give up using Meng Jin Yao as a human shield, first dealing with Gu Jingxi. Immediately, he raised his hand to catch the palm strike that Gu Jingxi delivered.

Who knew Gu Jingxi was only bluffing The next moment, he was kicked in the abdomen and fell with a splash into the wishing pool.

Hua Lingxiao let out a muffled groan, covering the bloody wound on his chest. Despite countless crimes, he had always evaded justice, but now, facing this threat, fear finally gripped him. However, he immediately struggled to his feet, determined to keep running.

Several constables saw this and rushed forward, jumping into the wishing pool to apprehend the person. To save time, one of them knocked the person unconscious with a single chop of his sword.

At this time, Qi Yunwen also arrived with several constables. He saw that the criminals had been subdued and was stunned. He thought to himself: "So fast, if I had known this, I wouldn't have come. This non-stop rush has really worn me out."

Gu Jingxi glanced at him and said in a low voice, "You're late. Next time, be here earlier. When chasing after criminals like this, being even a little late could result in innocent people suffering."

"Well, you see, I was tricked by that flower thief," Qí Yùwen said with a smile. "He led me on a wild goose chase and left me empty-handed. Luckily, you arrived just in time, otherwise I wouldn't know when I could track him down again."

He said, moving to the unconscious Hua Lingxiao's side, and kicking him lightly with his foot. "Tsk, you're quite able to run aren't you Continue running if you can."

Gu Jingxi said lightly, "First take the person back to the cell and interrogate him thoroughly. I have some private matters to attend to, and I'll return to Dali Temple tomorrow morning."

Having said his piece, Gu Jingxi lifted the daring little girl up. He was about to scold her, but seeing her pale face, misty eyes, and trembling form, he swallowed his words back down.

Qi Yunwen, seeing this, only then noticed Meng Jin Yao and her two maidservants present. He was surprised and asked, "Yao Ling, what's wrong with my sister"

As he spoke, his gaze drifted between Meng Jinyáo and Huā Língxiāo, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. This Huā Língxiāo was notorious for being a flower thief; if someone was beautiful, whether a young lady from a noble family or a married woman, he would not let them go.

This Hua Lingxiao is quite skilled in martial arts and very good at hiding. The government has been unable to catch him. Because he has successfully escaped time and time again, he has become increasingly arrogant. He even leaves clues at the scene of the crime and dares to commit crimes in the capital. Tonight, they finally captured him.

Gu Jingxi met his gaze and knew what he was thinking. This concerned the young girl's reputation, and it couldn't be left to others to speculate. He immediately explained: "We were chasing Hua Lingxiao to Lingyun Temple when we happened upon Ayao. At that time, he was injured and knew he couldn't escape, so he took Ayao hostage. Fortunately, Ayao used her wit to escape unharmed."

Hearing this, Qi Yunwen let out a sigh of relief: "It's good that my younger sister is fine. Then please comfort my younger sister well, and we'll go back first.

The commotion had also alerted the monks in the temple. Qi Yunwen was just about to take the prisoner when he saw the abbot leading a group of ten or so monks rushing over.

When the abbot saw someone dressed as a law enforcement officer and another person fainted, being carried away by two officers on either side, he hurried forward to inquire of Qi Yunwen: "Amitabha Buddha, I dare ask, sir, what happened"

Qi Yumen said: "The Dali Temple's pursuit of criminals has disturbed the abbot, I am truly sorry."

When the abbot heard it was an official investigation, he didn't ask any more questions. Seeing Meng Jinyao and her two maidservants, he was a little surprised that the Dali Temple case was related to women. He asked a few questions and learned that they were incense-burning guests staying at the temple and happened upon the Dali Temple investigation. Seeing Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao standing together, he thought he was also an incense-burning guest. The abbot comforted Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao, the master and servant trio, seeing that they were fine, then led the arriving monks away.

After everyone else had left, only Gu Jingxi and her maidservant Meng Jinyao remained by the wishing pool.

Gu Jingxi said in a low voice, "Madam, let's return to our guest room."

Hearing the sound, Meng Jinyao came to her senses, nodded in response, and then raised her foot to prepare to leave. But her legs were weak and powerless. Just as she was about to lift her leg, her whole body went limp and she collapsed into Gu Jingxi's arms, clutching his chest tightly with both hands for fear of falling.

Gu Jingxi hurriedly reached out to hug her waist, pulling her into his arms. He asked with concern, "My wife, what's wrong with you"

Meng Jinyao's face flashed a blush, and she stuttered out a rather pathetic sentence: "Husband, I... my legs are weak."

Although she had escaped danger, the feeling of brushing shoulders with death still lingered in her heart. She had never been so close to death before; just a little bit closer and she would have perished. If Gu Jingxi's reaction had been even a moment slower, she wouldn't have had the chance to be speaking to him now.

Gu Jingxi rarely saw the usually composed young lady so vulnerable. His heart softened, but thinking of the girl's audacious actions just moments ago, his face darkened again.

Even he, who had weathered many storms, was so frightened that his heart almost jumped into his throat. He said angrily and amusingly: "You weren't afraid just a moment ago You dared to act bold in front of me, threatening to run off with other men and ordering me to prepare horses for you!"

Meng Jinyao was taken aback by his words. It sounded as if she were about to elope with a scoundrel! She chuckled awkwardly and said, "What I did just now was merely a temporary measure. I was trying to divert the other party's attention and find an opportunity to escape. My husband treats me so well; how could I possibly run off with someone else"

She fell silent, then raised her head slightly. Seeing Gu Jingxi's stern face and silence, she felt a twinge of nervousness. She loosened her grip on his collar nervously, and in a soft voice, called out to him: "Husband,"

This voice, "Husband," was soft and tender, with a drawn-out ending, long and melodious, like she was acting cute.

Gu Jingxi was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself: Was the young lady flirting with him

For a moment, he lowered his head to look at the girl in his arms. The little girl was looking up at him with expectant eyes, her bright eyes reflecting his image, filled with him entirely. Her gaze overflowed with reliance, but there was also a hint of barely perceptible unease within it.

Looking into those eyes, Gu Jingxi's heart skipped a beat involuntarily. A strange feeling arose in his chest, urging him to slightly bend down, one hand circling around her back and the other encircling her bent legs.

By the time he could react, the little girl was already scooped up in his arms, held securely against his chest.er own affairs.As the saying goes, "Chess mirrors a person." A person's character is reflected in their game of chess.When Gu Jingxi plays chess, his advances are interlocking, and his retreats are or...