Chapter 38: Chapter 21 Inn Waterway_2
The fire became uncontrollable, and the inn was filled with the calls and roars of people on the brink of death, which were chilling to the bone.
The hot air that hit her face was intense as it scorched Gu Changsheng’s cheeks, she pressed her son to her chest, her eyes unblinkingly fixed on the door that had been burnt beyond recognition.
Time seemed to stand still, carrying with it an oppressive fear that made it hard to breathe.
Another sound of something heavy hitting the ground, Gu Changsheng knew that the inn’s main roof beam had collapsed.
Within the flames, the inn, in a flash, became a living purgatory.
In her life, Gu Changsheng had never been in debt to anyone, she didn’t want anyone to die because of her. Life might be cheap in the eyes of the ancients, but in her eyes, it was incredibly precious, regardless of good or bad, noble or low, everyone had the right to live!
She placed her son in front of Han Qiu, Gu Changsheng looked up, this girl, whom she had bought for only fifty silvers, was born a noble lady of a general’s family, yet she had chosen her and swore undying loyalty. Gu Changsheng had never believed in vows or so-called loyalty, but now this girl was the only person she could trust. Uncommonly, Gu Changsheng bent her usually straight back, bowed deeply, and said solemnly, “Han Qiu, take care of him for me!”
Han Qiu was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered, she reached out and firmly grasped Gu Changsheng’s arm, shaking her head, “You, you can’t go.”
With such a fierce fire, entering meant certain death.
“Han Qiu, I can’t watch someone die because of me!” Gu Changsheng roared, turned, and broke away from the hand on her arm, rushing towards the inn.
He wouldn’t die, Xiao Cui wouldn’t either!
Before she could even enter the fire, a powerful force suddenly burst out from inside, mixed with burning wood chips, Gu Changsheng instinctively raised her hand to block.
A dark figure, accompanied by the heat of the fire, strode towards her. Seeing her, he paused briefly, but in an instant, grabbed her arm and swept her away from the fire.
Zhou Mu’s face was blackened as he dropped Xiao Cui, then turned to face Gu Changsheng and pointed towards the inn, “Are you out of your mind? Running there?”
If he hadn’t reined in his power in time, she would already be a dead body!
Seeing that he was unharmed, Gu Changsheng ran to Xiao Cui who had been thrown to the ground.
Only when Xiao Cui saw Gu Changsheng did she recover from her shock, a smile covered her dust-covered face, “My lady! My lady! I knew nothing would happen to you, my lady, here are your and the Young Master’s clothes.”
Gu Changsheng looked at the package in front of her in a daze, suddenly feeling a wave of emotion well up in her nose.
Xiao Cui’s body was scorched black by smoke and fire, even showing burnt marks in some places, yet the package was intact.
Clearly, Xiao Cui had protected it well.
“Are you stupid, have you lost your mind? It’s just a few clothes, and you risked your life to run back for them, do you not know that water and fire are merciless! Do you realize you almost didn’t make it back alive!” Gu Changsheng smacked the package hard; she didn’t deserve for someone to guard it with their life!
“My lady, don’t be angry, Xiao Cui is fine, Xiao Cui is all good.” Xiao Cui quickly got up, turned in a circle, still with a consoling smile on her face, “Without clothes, you and the Young Master would catch cold.”
Xiao Cui indeed wasn’t seriously injured, aside from her beautiful hair being burnt to a mess.
“Clothes! And you’re still talking about clothes, I didn’t even manage to grab the silver notes, all because I was worried something might happen to you, and yet you sneaked back for a few clothes, what are you thinking? Is your head filled with paste?” Gu Changsheng yelled at her, she was so close, so very close, this girl almost lost her life just getting clothes for her!
“Ah! Madam, you didn’t take the silver notes?” Xiao Cui exclaimed, her eyes wide, “Then what will Madam and the Young Master eat and use in the future?”
“Xiao Cui, how on earth did you grow so big? Wealth is just an external possession, if lost it can be earned again! But if life is lost, then truly there is nothing left!” Gu Changsheng sighed. She realized for the first time that the loyalty of ancient people could indeed be entrusted with their lives.
Without another word, she carefully checked for any injuries.
Fortunately, Xiao Cui had hidden in a corner propped up by fallen beams. Although her hair was burned, her body was not badly hurt, only her back and arms had been scorched.
“Mother, are we going to sleep on the streets tonight?” Little Meat Bun asked, nibbling his fingers, his voice soft and sticky.
Gu Changsheng glanced at the inn turned into a sea of flames, tenderly touched his little head, and realized they were the only ones who had escaped.
This fire was so fierce it was hard to believe.
Gu Changsheng firmly believed that behind every unexpected event, there must be a mystery.
This fire was too strange!
She turned to look at Zhou Mu, who was seething with anger, and in her eyes flickered a sharp glint. In the next moment, she scooped up her son from the ground, “Let’s go! Quickly!”
Such a huge fire would certainly alert the government office, and if everyone else died while they alone escaped, they would definitely be suspected of arson!
The shops on both sides of the street had obviously heard the commotion and lit their lamps, but it was too late for them to help put out the fire.Update by n0vgo. co
Gu Changsheng led the way at a rapid pace, with Zhou Mu trailing behind, one hand dragging Xiao Cui and the other gripping Dong Lei, frowning back at the inn before departing.
Han Qiu also turned back to glance at the inn with a sense of foreboding.
After running a distance, Gu Changsheng intuitively felt something was amiss. The fire had started abruptly, but still, someone had shouted, and she had also smelled kerosene.
Someone must have set the fire to force them out!
Slowing down to catch her breath, Gu Changsheng turned back to Zhou Mu, her expression full of melancholy, “Can we still make it in time to confront the government officials now?”
Government officials are much easier to deal with than assassins!
Zhou Mu shook his head, his face stern, “Returning will only bring harm to the innocent.”
Gu Changsheng did not ask anymore, ducked into a secluded alley, and as she ran, she looked back and said, “So we just sit here and wait for death then!”
Gu Changsheng had chosen a narrow alley, and if her guess was right, someone was definitely following them. Now, all she could do was choose a terrain that worked to her advantage.
High walls flanked the narrow alley. As Gu Changsheng looked at the tall wall blocking their path, indeed, it was as she had hoped.
Putting her son down on the ground, Gu Changsheng crouched down, cupped his little face with both hands, and spoke earnestly: “Son, listen, no matter what you hear, do not be afraid and do not open your eyes!”
Seeing her so serious, Little Meat Bun obediently nodded his head.
Feeling a sense of duty, Han Mo walked over, took his little hand, and retreated towards the corner of the wall.