TRBDM -Chapter 234 Brothers Reunite

Clang! The long blade hit the ground. The assassin fell, eyes wide open, dying without peace.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Three arrows in quick succession struck three more assassins—precisely again.

Only this time, they didn’t hit the heart. They pierced the thigh, the left arm, and the right shoulder, respectively.

“Take cover! There’s an archer!”

The assassins abandoned their target and scrambled for the nearest shelter.

Xie Lan gasped, struggling to breathe. He had come so close to death.

Realizing reinforcements had arrived, he stared ahead in shock.

Under the sunlight, Xie Yu, dressed in sleek black combat gear, held a bow, drawing it taut. His aim was fixed on the assassin closest to Xie Lan.

Shhh—

The arrow struck true, piercing the heart. The assassin collapsed instantly.

“Fourth—Fourth Brother!”

Xie Lan’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth, hesitating.

He was so stunned he couldn’t even make a sound.

After two months apart, the brothers met like this, completely unprepared.

Sixty days and nights, and Xie Lan stood frozen, still exactly as he was—but… Xie Yu had changed.

Xie Lan barely recognized him.

Before him stood a young man with sharp features, posture straight as a spear, lines not yet fully formed but already carrying the weight of a mountain.

The soft, gentle fourth brother he remembered… how had he changed?

He had become so dazzling that Xie Lan could not look away.

“Third Brother.”

Xie Yu ran forward, agile like a small leopard.

“Third Brother?”

Xie Yu reached Xie Lan, face full of worry. He dropped to one knee and helped him up. “Are you hurt, Third Brother?”

Xie Lan shook his head mechanically. “No… no.”

“Sorry I’m late.”

Xie Yu glanced at the assassin corpses not far off. Rage surged in his chest.

Xie Lan snapped back to reality. There was no time to relish their reunion.

“Fourth Brother, Mother is in the bamboo grove, Eldest Sister and Second Miss Dou are in the Moyun Courtyard, Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law should be in the ancestral hall’s secret chamber.”

Xie Yu nodded immediately. “Got it. I’ll go rescue them.”

He turned to give orders: “Five of you stay here to protect Third Brother. The rest, come with me.”

Xie Yu had brought a hundred elite soldiers from the Princess’s mansion, accompanied by his masters.

The people from the Princess’s household were all battle-hardened warriors—well-trained and highly skilled.

With them present, the situation quickly turned.

Some assassins were dead, some injured, and a few had fled in the chaos.

Xie Yu entered the Moyun Courtyard and shouted, “Eldest Sister, all the assassins have been dealt with. You can come out now.”

Hiding inside, Xie Wanrou immediately recognized his voice. “It’s Fourth Brother. The Princess sent people to save us.”

She held Dou Shuxin’s hand and stepped out, seeing the courtyard littered with bodies and blood.

Besides unfamiliar assassins, many were guards and servants from the mansion.

Xie Wanrou’s eyes burned with emotion as she continued scanning.

“Wait… where’s Xiao Chuan? Fourth Brother, Xiao Chuan is missing.”

Xie Yu immediately ordered: “Go find Eldest Brother.”

Everyone scattered. Soon, someone found Xie Chuan unconscious behind a stone sculpture.

His back was covered in blood, the cloth plugging his wound completely soaked through.

They carried Xie Chuan inside, laid him on the bed, and began emergency treatment.

During the move, Xie Chuan mumbled drowsily, “Madam… don’t be afraid… Husband will protect… protect you and the child…”

Xie Wanrou and Dou Shuyao couldn’t hold back their tears.

Xie Wanrou choked out, asking, “Xiao Chuan, Shuyao… where is she?”

“She… is… in… the secret chamber…”

After saying this, Xie Chuan slipped completely into unconsciousness.

Hearing that Dou Shuyao was safe, everyone felt their hearts finally ease.

Xie Yu said, “Big sister, I’ll go to the secret chamber to bring my sister-in-law back.”

“Mm.”

Xie Yu headed out and just then ran into Wei Zhaorong and Xie Lan.

“Godmother, are you hurt?” Xie Yu immediately stepped forward, concern etched on his face.

Wei Zhaorong shook her head. “No, Lan’er distracted the assassins for me. I’m fine.”

“That’s good. Godmother, Third Brother, you go inside first. I’ll go get my sister-in-law from the secret chamber.”

“Mm, go ahead. We’ll wait for you.”

Xie Yu and Xie Lan exchanged a glance before he turned and left.

It was then that Xie Lan noticed something—Fourth Brother seemed taller now, his shoulders nearly level with his own.

As Xie Yu departed, Xie Lan’s gaze followed him until he disappeared at the end of the path.

Wei Zhaorong didn’t disturb Xie Lan, quietly waiting by his side. She knew he had many questions, but this wasn’t the time for explanations.

Xie Lan withdrew his gaze, reminding himself that the bigger picture mattered. He supported Wei Zhaorong and said, “Mother, let’s go inside.”

Xie Chuan had been gravely injured. From losing so much blood, he had fallen into a deep coma.

The estate doctor was doing his utmost to treat him.

But the other injured guards and servants also needed urgent care, and the Mingde Marquisate had only one estate doctor—he couldn’t be in two places at once.

Just then, Xie Yu returned, leading Dou Shuyao inside. “Godmother, I brought three doctors from the Princess’s residence. They are already treating the injured guards. Let the estate doctor focus on treating Fourth Brother without worry.”

“Good, Yu’er always thinks of everything.”

The assassination had come suddenly, and in such a short time, Xie Yu’s thorough foresight truly exceeded Wei Zhaorong’s expectations.

He had grown up so fast that Wei Zhaorong couldn’t help but marvel.

But all that was beside the point—saving Xie Chuan’s life came first.

Dou Shuyao came to the bedside, looking at Xie Chuan’s pale, lifeless face, tears streaming down her cheeks.

She seldom cried, but seeing him so white and weak tore at her heart, leaving her at a loss for what to do.

Xie Wanrou, her eyes brimming with tears, grasped Dou Shuyao’s hand. “Shuyao, I’m sorry. Xiao Chuan was hurt protecting me.”

Dou Shuyao, though heartbroken, shook her head. “No, Big Sister. Protecting family is his duty. Within a family, there’s no need to apologize. He did the right thing—I’m proud of him.”

Hearing this, Xie Wanrou couldn’t hold back her tears. “Yes… we’re family.”

Dou Shuyao wiped her eyes with determination and hugged Xie Wanrou. “Big Sister, don’t worry. He will pull through. Both the baby and I are waiting for him.”

“Mm, Xiao Chuan will be fine.”

The Marquisate was in chaos. Wei Zhaorong’s mind was on Xie Chuan’s injuries, but there were still many matters in the estate requiring her attention.

During the assassin attack on Anhe Courtyard, Nanny Qi had been separated from Wei Zhaorong. Fortunately, she had managed to hide in time and survived.

With Nanny Qi’s help, Wei Zhaorong could manage the estate affairs with less strain.

“Madam, Lord Jiang has arrived.”

Jiang Yuelin arrived at a brisk pace with his guards, entering Anhe Courtyard. “Madam, I’m late.”

Wei Zhaorong shook her head. “It was sudden. No one could have expected it. Yu’er’s men captured several assassins and sent them to the Dali Court for questioning.”

“Madam, leave it to me.”

With the Dali Court involved, everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.

As night fell, Xie Chuan finally passed the critical stage.

Everyone exhaled a long sigh of relief.

The estate doctor said, “Master needs to rest quietly. Everyone else, please leave—one or two may stay to keep him company.”

In the end, only Dou Shuyao and Xie Wanrou remained.