Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Guo'er, calm down.

Judge Iron Hand did not live to see the next day's sun.

Once outside the secret chamber, Yang Guo showed no mercy, stabbing the man in the heart. Such a traitorous spy, who colluded with the enemy, was only a menace to be kept alive.

The three of them quietly left Qianjintai through the back door.

Back at the inn, Huang Rong immediately called over the waiter and asked for writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Her expression was solemn as she picked up her pen and wrote rapidly. The letter was written in the Beggars' Sect's unique slang; to outsiders it was nothing more than a mundane account of everyday life, but only a Beggars' Sect disciple could understand the urgency within.

"Guo'er, go to the dilapidated temple at the west end of town." Huang Rong sealed the letter and stamped it with wax. "Find a beggar named 'Lai Tou San' and give him this. Tell him, 'The old beggar wants to eat beggar's chicken.'"

"Understood." Yang Guo took the letter and turned to leave.

Looking at the boy's tall and straight back, Huang Rong breathed a sigh of relief, but the worry between her brows did not disappear.

Xiangyang.

If that defense map had actually leaked, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Although we intercepted this copy, who knows if there are any backups? Just how far have the Mongols infiltrated?

Brother Jing is straightforward and doesn't understand these subtleties. What if he gets tricked by someone...?

"Mother, I'm hungry." Guo Fu rubbed her stomach, interrupting Huang Rong's thoughts.

Huang Rong turned around and looked at her daughter's carefree face, feeling a wave of helplessness. Just now, she had been crying her heart out in the secret room, but as soon as she came out, she forgot all about the danger.

"All you ever think about is eating." Huang Rong tapped her forehead. "Pack your things, we'll leave when Guo'er gets back."

"Huh? So soon?" Guo Fu grumbled, dissatisfied. "I haven't finished shopping yet."

"What are you doing wandering around! You almost lost your life!" Huang Rong said sternly. "This time you have to listen to me. Set off for Zhongnan Mountain immediately to take your Brother Yang there. I have to rush back to Xiangyang to help your father."

Guo Fu shrank back after being yelled at, and dared not utter another word.

She secretly glanced at the doorway.

How come I never noticed before that Yang Guo... doesn't seem so annoying?

Just now at Qianjintai, he did look rather...imposing. Much better than those two sycophants, Da Wu and Xiao Wu, who only follow him around like shadows. Besides, he's quite handsome too.

Not long after, Yang Guo returned.

He also brought back a carriage.

"Aunt Guo, the carriage is ready." Yang Guo entered, beads of sweat on his forehead. "There are thick cushions in the carriage, and we've also prepared dry food and water. We need to get on our way quickly, so we won't stop for long."

Huang Rong was somewhat surprised.

This child is so thorough in handling matters.

"Thank you for your hard work." Huang Rong picked up her bundle. "Let's go."

The carriage was spacious.

Yang Guo acted as the coachman, sitting outside driving the carriage. Huang Rong and her daughter sat inside.

The wheels rolled on, driving out of Shuangqiao Town.

Huang Rong leaned back on the soft cushion, closing her eyes to rest. The cushion was extremely thick, clearly made with care, reducing the bumpy ride by more than half.

"Mother, why has Yang Guo suddenly become so diligent?" Guo Fu lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at the figure in front of her waving a horsewhip.

"He's always been sensible; you've never really paid him any attention before." Huang Rong didn't open her eyes. "This time, it's all thanks to him; otherwise, do you think you would have come out unscathed?"

Guo Fu pouted: "That's what he should do. Father has raised him for so many years."

Despite saying that, her eyes never left Yang Guo's back.

The sun was setting in the west.

The carriage stopped by a stream.

"Aunt Guo, let's rest for a while. The horse needs a drink of water too." Yang Guo jumped off the carriage and deftly moved a footstool down.

He lifted the curtain and reached out to help Huang Rong.

"Watch out, there are stones on the ground."

Huang Rong took his hand and got out of the car.

"You've been working hard all day, take a rest," Huang Rong said gently, withdrawing her hand.

Yang Guo grinned: "I'm not tired. It's my blessing to serve Aunt Guo."

That sounds nice.

Huang Rong was secretly pleased, but on the surface she scolded him, "Stop being so glib."

Yang Guo was not idle.

He ran to the stream, took his water bag, and found a clean, large rock to lay his outer garment on.

"Aunt Guo, sit here. It's sheltered from the wind and the sun."

Huang Rong sat down and watched Yang Guo busy himself with various tasks.

He took out some dry food, not the kind of hard, unpalatable flatbread, but rather some specially bought shortbread, which was still warm.

"Here you go." Yang Guo handed it to Huang Rong with both hands. "It's still warm."

Huang Rong took it and took a bite. It was crispy and crumbly, with a mouthful of sesame flavor.

"You eat too."

"I'm not in a hurry." Yang Guo turned around and went to get the water bag. "Fu-mei, you can get it yourself. It's hanging on the carriage shaft."

Guo Fu, who was waiting for Yang Guo to hand her the cake, was stunned.

Her outstretched hand froze in mid-air.

"Yang Guo! What do you mean?" Guo Fu's temper flared up. "Why should you hand it to me personally, while I have to take mine myself?"

Yang Guo turned his head innocently: "Miss, I have two hands, one to hold the cake and the other to hold the water, how could I have hands to serve you? Besides, you have hands and feet, do you need someone to serve you for such a small thing?"

"You!" Guo Fu was speechless with anger.

If it were Da Wu or Xiao Wu, they would have already broken the pancake into pieces and fed it to her.

"Alright." Huang Rong glared at her daughter. "How old are you? Don't argue with Guo'er. Go get it yourself."

Guo Fu's eyes reddened with grievance.

She glared at Yang Guo, jumped into the carriage angrily, grabbed the cold, hard steamed bun, and took a bite.

It tastes awful!

Yang Guo caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of his eye and sneered inwardly.

You want me to serve you? Dream on.

Lao Tzu had only one goal.

He unscrewed the cap of the water pouch, took a small sip himself to test the water temperature, and then handed it to Huang Rong.

"Aunt Guo, the water temperature is just right, please moisten your throat."

This series of actions was fluid and graceful, revealing meticulous and thoughtful consideration.

Huang Rong saw this and her heart stirred slightly.

Although Brother Jing is good to her, he is a rough man and doesn't understand such delicate feelings. Over the years, she has been both a father and a mother to him and has to manage the affairs of the Beggars' Sect. She has long been used to taking care of others.

Now, suddenly being pampered and cared for by such a junior, this feeling... is damn comforting.

"Guo'er, you're so thoughtful." Huang Rong took the water pouch and took a sip.

Sweet and refreshing.

"As long as Aunt Guo is happy, I'm willing to do anything." Yang Guo squatted down beside her, looked up, and said sincerely, "I don't have a mother, so I'll treat Aunt Guo as my own mother."

That one word, "Dear Mother," eased Huang Rong's guard even further.

"Silly child." Huang Rong reached out and tidied his sideburns, which had been ruffled by the wind.

Fingertips traced across the boy's forehead.

Yang Guo didn't dodge; instead, like a cat, he slightly narrowed his eyes, enjoying the touch.

His obedient appearance melted Huang Rong's heart completely.

On the shaft of a cart not far away.

Seeing this scene, Guo Fu suddenly lost her appetite for the steamed bun in her mouth.

That's my mother!

Why are you acting like your mother?

And Mother, why does she smile so gently at Yang Guo? She's never been this gentle with herself!

A strange sour feeling welled up in Guo Fu's heart.

She didn't even know what she was being bitter about. Was it that she was bitter about her mother being too good to Yang Guo? Or that she was bitter about Yang Guo only being good to her mother and ignoring her?

"Hey!" Guo Fu couldn't help but shout, "How much longer are we going to walk? It's getting dark!"

The pleasant atmosphere was shattered.

A hint of displeasure flashed in Yang Guo's eyes, but it disappeared in an instant.

He stood up, dusted off his hands, and said, "Miss is right. Let's hurry on our way and try to reach the town ahead before dark."

He resumed his submissive demeanor, but his aloofness towards Guo Fu was obvious to everyone.

……

The journey became increasingly difficult over the next two days.

The further north you go, the higher the terrain becomes, and the more rugged the road becomes.

Yang Guo continues to play the role of the impeccable "good nephew".

Get up early to fetch water, warm up milk before bed, keep a soft mat in the car, and remove fish bones from your meals.

His care for Huang Rong was simply outrageous.

That kind of kindness isn't deliberate flattery, but rather a subtle and gentle care.

For example, right now.

A roadside inn, dust flying everywhere.

Yang Guo wiped the bench three times with his sleeve to make sure there wasn't a speck of dust before inviting Huang Rong to sit down.

The chopsticks were scalded with boiling water.

The teacup was one he carried with him; he didn't use the broken bowl from the shop.

"Aunt Guo, these wild vegetables are a bit old, so I asked the shopkeeper to add some pork cracklings. Please try them; they have a unique flavor."

Yang Guo picked up a piece of wild vegetable with his chopsticks and placed it in Huang Rong's bowl.

Looking at the emerald green wild vegetables in the bowl, Huang Rong felt a warm glow in her heart.

These past two days, Yang Guo has practically spoiled her to the point of turning her into a useless person.

Even back on Peach Blossom Island, Brother Jing had never been this meticulous. Brother Jing was a great hero, with the world on his mind; these kinds of trivial matters were always her concern.

Now that the roles are reversed, she actually finds...it quite enjoyable.

"You eat too, don't just eat for me." Huang Rong picked up a piece of meat and gave it to Yang Guo.

"Thank you, Auntie." Yang Guo smiled brightly.

Guo Fu, who was standing to the side, was poking at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks.

The rice was undercooked and hard.

She looked at the wild vegetables in her mother's bowl, then at Yang Guo's smiling face, and felt a sour taste in her stomach.

"I want to eat wild vegetables too." Guo Fu reached out with her chopsticks to pick them up.

The plate is empty.

The last bit, it all went into Huang Rong's bowl.

Guo Fu's chopsticks missed their target and struck the edge of the plate with a crisp "ding".

"That's all," Yang Guo said calmly. "If Miss wants some, I'll go to the kitchen and see if there's anything left."

"You!" Guo Fu slammed down her chopsticks. "I'm not eating!"

"Fu'er!" Huang Rong frowned. "When you're traveling, why be so particular? If you don't eat, then go hungry."

Guo Fu felt so wronged that tears welled up in her eyes.

My mother has changed.

My mother used to love me the most, but now that Yang Guo is here, she can't stand anything about me.

Yang Guo is a vixen!

No, it's a male fox spirit!

He came specifically to seduce the mother!

Guo Fu became increasingly angry as she thought about it, and got up and ran out.

"Fu'er!" Huang Rong wanted to chase after her.

"Aunt Guo, please continue eating. I'll go check on her." Yang Guo pressed Huang Rong's hand. "The child is just throwing a tantrum; a little coaxing will do the trick."

Huang Rong sighed, "This girl is spoiled by me. Thank you, Guo'er."

"It's no trouble at all."

Yang Guo got up and slowly strolled out.

He found Guo Fu near the stable.

Guo Fu was wielding a tree branch, whipping the hitching post mercilessly while cursing, "I'll beat you to death, you Yang Guo! I'll beat you to death, you stinking beggar!"

"Young Miss, what did this wooden stake do to you?"

Yang Guo leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, looking at her with a half-smile.

Guo Fu was startled and turned around, her face still streaked with tears.

"Mind your own business! Get out of my way!"

"I didn't want to get involved," Yang Guo shrugged. "But Aunt Guo was worried about you and sent me to check on you so you wouldn't get carried off by wolves."

"I don't need your fake kindness!" Guo Fu wiped away her tears. "You act all high and mighty in front of Mother, but behind her back you just bully me!"

Yang Guo took two steps closer.

He was a head taller than Guo Fu, and he looked down at her from above.

Sunlight shone on his profile, outlining his sharply defined features. He had striking eyebrows and bright eyes, and a mischievous smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Guo Fu's heart skipped a beat.

That bastard... why is he so close?

"I bullied you?" Yang Guo chuckled. "Miss, let's be reasonable. Did I hit or scold you along the way? On the contrary, you've been calling everyone a servant and a beggar. I'm only letting you off the hook because of Aunt Guo."

"You...you're deliberately ignoring me!" Guo Fu managed to utter this after a long pause.

"Ignore you?" Yang Guo raised an eyebrow. "Then what do you want me to do with you? Like Da Wu and Xiao Wu, following you around like a leech every day?"

He suddenly leaned down and whispered in Guo Fu's ear.

"Young lady, aren't you tired of that kind of man yet?"

The hot air blew onto Guo Fu's ears.

Guo Fu trembled, her face instantly turning bright red.

She instinctively stepped back, her back pressed against the stable railing.

"You... what nonsense are you talking about..."

Yang Guo's voice was deep and magnetic, "Aunt Guo is a heroine among women, with unparalleled wisdom and resourcefulness, and I naturally respect her. As for you..."

He reached out and gently patted Guo Fu on the shoulder.

"If you want people to respect you, stop acting like a spoiled princess. When you can stand on your own like your mother, I, Yang Guo, will naturally look at you differently."

After saying that, Yang Guo turned and left.

Guo Fu was left standing there alone.

My heart was pounding wildly.

Just a moment ago, the aura emanating from Yang Guo, that domineering yet contemptuous gaze...

It actually made her legs feel a little weak.

"Who...who cares if you look at me differently!"

Guo Fu shouted something into the air, but her voice was so soft it sounded like a mosquito's buzz.

She touched the shoulder that Yang Guo had patted earlier.

It seems a bit hot there.

Back in the store.

Huang Rong had finished eating.

"Have you appeased him?" Huang Rong asked.

"Yeah, Fu-mei didn't sleep well and is fussy," Yang Guo casually made up. "She's outside watching the horses right now."

Just then, Guo Fu came in.

This time she didn't make a fuss or lose her temper.

He simply lowered his head, silently sat back down at the table, picked up the chopsticks he had just dropped, took a bite of the cold, undercooked rice, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Huang Rong glanced at Yang Guo in surprise.

What kind of bewitching potion did this kid give Fu'er?

Why has this cat, which was just bristling, suddenly become so well-behaved?

Yang Guo winked at Huang Rong, his face showing an expression that said, "I have a brilliant plan."

Huang Rong couldn't help but laugh.

This child is not only sensible, but also capable.

Even a troublemaker like Fu'er can be tamed.

if……

A thought suddenly popped into Huang Rong's mind.

If Yang Guo is truly of good character, then in the future...

But she nipped the thought in the bud as soon as it crossed her mind.

In fact, Guo Jing had long ago proposed to marry Guo Fu to Yang Guo, but he had previously refrained from doing so because Yang Guo was Yang Kang's son.

But a few days ago, Yang Guo had a heart-to-heart talk with him and he realized that the child already knew the truth and had no qualms about it. His previous worries vanished completely.

But the thought of marrying Guo Fu to Yang Guo made her feel empty and uncomfortable.

It was as if a precious treasure had been stolen.

"Let's get going now that we've eaten," Huang Rong said, standing up. "Let's try to reach Zhongnan Mountain as soon as possible."

The carriage continued on its way.

The atmosphere in the carriage became somewhat awkward.

Guo Fu stopped chattering and started stealing glances at Yang Guo, who was driving the carriage, from time to time.

Huang Rong closed her eyes to rest, but in her heart she was thinking about how to make arrangements once she arrived at the Quanzhen Sect.

Yang Guo hummed an unknown tune as he cracked his whip.

The scenery along the way was beautiful.

The people are just right.

He glanced through the swaying carriage curtain at the still-attractive figure inside.

A barely perceptible smile curved at the corners of his lips.

The road is long and far away, and I will search up and down.

The word "seeking" is exquisite.