Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

Chapter 417: Chapter 416: Extinguishing the Fire

The moment the main house, with its three bright and two dark rooms, caught fire, the flames shot skyward.

There wasn’t much rain in Lindong during the summer, and the climate was dry. The villain had poured oil, and for a moment, the two large vats of water in the courtyard were not enough to suppress the raging fire.

As the night wind gradually picked up, the fire spread. It wasn’t just the rear houses that were affected; the side wings, and even the premises on both sides of the government office, were also threatened.

Du Huarang and Du Yuntao rushed back, followed by the soldiers who were busy extinguishing the fire.

But the water supply was limited. Even though the nearby residents brought water from their homes, it was still barely enough.

After confirming that his family was safe, Du Huarang let out a long sigh of relief and instructed Mu Lianxiao and Du Yuntao to first settle the women and children, while he stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, directing the firefighting efforts.

The fire started in the rear office, and although the front office wasn’t burning, the rolling heatwaves were uncomfortable.

However, since it was already dark and the city’s order hadn’t been restored, they had to make do for the time being.

Having just faced the vicious fire and the dagger’s flashing silver blade, being able to escape unscathed was already a great fortune. No one complained about anything.

The three children, carried by the wet nurse, were no longer crying or fussing.

Madam Yan was moved to a couch. When Madam Yang asked her a few questions, she forced a smile and shook her head, ”Mother, I’m fine, but Fifth Aunt she...”

Both of them turned their eyes toward Yunluo.

It seemed that Yunluo had somewhat regained her senses, sitting on a chair in the corner.

Mu Lianxiao squatted in front of her, holding her hands tightly.

Though it was summer and the heat waves were sweeping through, Yunluo’s hands were icy cold, as if it were winter.

This was because she was scared to the core. Mu Lianxiao felt a sharp pain in his heart and softly said, ”Yunluo, don’t think about it anymore. You see, we’re all fine.”

Yunluo’s eyes shifted and she gave Mu Lianxiao a smile. She was smiling, but there wasn’t a hint of cheer in her eyes, which were deep and dark, bottomless.

Mu Lianxiao cupped Yunluo’s cheek, gently brushing his thumb past the wound caused by a porcelain shard.

The slight prick of pain made Yunluo’s body tremble. She lowered her gaze to Mu Lianxiao and said, ”Princely Heir, go help Uncle, I’m fine now.”

Mu Lianxiao pressed his lips together.

The room was crowded. Even if he wanted to comfort Yunluo properly, he had to consider others.

Besides, Madam Yan bedridden; Mu Lianxiao staying inside all the time was inconvenient.

”Brother Yan has fallen asleep, you take a rest, I’ll go to Uncle, and I’ll be back later.”

Mu Lianxiao released Yunluo’s hands, stood up, and went to Madam Yang, ”Aunt, I’ll leave Yunluo in your care.”

Madam Yang nodded.

Mu Lianxiao left the room, and Du Yuntao soon followed him out.

The two exchanged a look, knowing that this was not the time for sentiments of the heart.

Because of their worries about their wives and children, about their families, they needed to clean up the situation quickly and couldn’t afford any delay.

The fire in the back courtyard had been contained, though it couldn’t be extinguished immediately, at least it wasn’t spreading to other places.

After exchanging a few words with Du Huarang, Du Yuntao and Mu Lianxiao led the soldiers out of the prefecture to settle the situation in Xuancheng.

Mu Lianxiao went to Guishu Alley, and there was no one left in Mr. Liu’s courtyard. The furniture they had brought ostentatiously that day had been left behind, but the people were nowhere to be found.

Since the city gates were closed yesterday afternoon, except for Mu Lianxiao, the gates of Xuancheng had not been opened.

Mr. Liu’s family couldn’t leave the city, most likely they were hiding somewhere.

Everything in the small Mu Family courtyard at the end of the alley was as usual.

Knowing that Yunluo, her mother, and children were not in the courtyard, no one took any action against the Mu Family’s servants.

Hong Jinbao’s family saw Mu Lianxiao return, aware that their masters were safe, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Members of Hong Jinbao’s family said, ”We didn’t disappoint Madam’s trust, everything at home is as usual.”

After spending almost an hour, the huge fire in the government office was finally extinguished.

The main house was burned until only the charred black roof beams and columns remained. The West Wing was also affected, with the northern room nearest to the main house mostly burned down.

The large buckets of water poured over during the extinguishing left the remaining houses in a messy state.

Du Huarang shook his head; before repairs, the back courtyard couldn’t accommodate anyone.

At the second watch of the night, Du Yuntao and Mu Lianxiao returned successively. Seeing the scene, they both shook their heads.

”It’s fine for us men, but what about the women and children can barely endure it,” Du Yuntao said, wiping his face with his hand.

Du Huarang understood as well.

He had asked Madam Yang. Since midnight yesterday, the women hadn’t slept.

Terrified as they were today, if they cramped into that small room for another night, their bodies would likely not withstand it.

Mu Lianxiao pondered and said, ”How about going to Guishu Alley, at least there is water and hot meals. Let them tidy up and get to sleep early.”

To prevent any further disruptions in the city that night, soldiers and government officials had to patrol throughout.

The government office still required staffing; they discussed it and decided that Du Huarang would stay up for the first half of the night, and Du Yuntao would relieve him for the second half.

Mu Lianxiao wasn’t as familiar with the situation in Xuancheng as the two, so he didn’t interfere and stayed at Guishu Alley to protect the women.

Yunluo sat quietly in the corner, with Madam Yang talking to her gently, and she would occasionally nod or shake her head.

Madam Yang sighed inwardly, Yunluo seemed calm, but she was actually suppressing her fear, which wasn’t healthy.

Mu Lianxiao and others re-entered.

Du Huarang said, ”Let’s all move to Guishu Alley; staying here is not a solution.”

Madam Yang nodded at those words.

Mu Lianxiao walked to Yunluo, rubbed her forehead gently, and said, ”Yunluo, let’s go home.”

Yunluo raised her brows and smiled faintly.

The Mu Family’s little courtyard, small yet not too small, large, yet not too large.

Brother Duan and Siblings stayed in the east wing with Brother Yan. Madam Yang and Madam Yan, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, stayed in the west wing. The servants, old ladies, and nurses slept in bunk beds in the rear rooms and other places.

The front courtyard not only accommodated Du Yuntao and his son, but also many others like Jiuxi.

The kitchen was bustling with activity; fires were lit, water was boiled, and meals were prepared.

No one had much of an appetite, Madam Yan ate a little, wiped her face, and went to rest. Madam Yang only returned to the west wing after ensuring that the three children were asleep.

Mu Lianxiao led Yunluo back to the room. Seeing her hands were still cold, he instructed Jin Rui to fetch hot water.

”Soak in the hot water for a while, I’ll go to the front and return shortly.”

Yunluo responded.

When her whole body was submerged in the hot water, the warmth slowly, slowly returned.

She soaked for a long time. Her ten fingers wrinkled, yet she still asked Jin Rui to add more hot water.

Feeling utterly exhausted, Yunluo realized that even though she could move around earlier, once she curled up in the water, her calves wouldn’t stop trembling, as if about to cramp.

Jin Rui watched her with concern, ”Madam, would you like more water?”

After a hard pinch on her calf, Yunluo shook her head, ”No more soaking, help me up.”

She changed into clean clothes, smoothed her long hair, and pushed all the bad images from her mind, ”Are the children asleep? Where is the Princely Heir?”

”Brother Yan and the others are all asleep. Earlier, Madam Yang checked on them. Brother Yan and Sister are still young and don’t understand anything, they can fall asleep after crying. Only Brother Duan was frightened, but on the way back, Master coaxed him, and now he’s calmed down,” Jin Rui whispered softly. ”The Princely Heir is still in the front, seems to be discussing something with Master.”

Yunluo responded. Seeing Jin Lan coming in with a food box, she said, ”Everyone clean up and come over to have a meal with me.”