Crossing the famine to find the white moonlight

Chapter 387 Xie Linchuan's Identity Summoning

On a cool, clear morning, the thick fog surrounding the camp had not yet dissipated, and the air was filled with the scent of damp earth. Ye Wan and Xie Linchuan sat by the campfire, discussing their next strategy. Suddenly, a hurried messenger entered their sight, shattering the tranquility.

The messenger was a stern-faced middle-aged man with a serious look in his eyes. He walked up to Ye Wan and saluted, "General Ye, excuse me for disturbing you."

Ye Wan frowned slightly, stood up, and looked at the messenger, "Who are you?"

"I'm ordered to come here and deliver a message to General Xie." The messenger's tone was calm, but his words revealed a strong sense that could not be refused.

Xie Linchuan frowned slightly. Before he could speak, Ye Wan had already noticed something. She turned her eyes to Xie Linchuan, her eyes showing some uneasiness and curiosity. Xie Linchuan took a deep breath and nodded, "Go ahead."

The messenger handed a secret letter to Xie Linchuan and then slowly spoke: "General Xie, your family has learned of your presence here and has sent me to convey the news to you. The family hopes that you can return home, return to the court, and continue to fight for the interests of the family."

Xie Linchuan took the secret letter, his eyes instantly drawn to its contents, his brow furrowed. His family had always been a pillar of the imperial court, yet he had remained hidden in this wilderness, never revealing his identity to the outside world. The family's summons was something he hadn't anticipated, and the complex emotions surrounding it instantly roiled him.

Seeing this, the messenger seemed to sense Xie Linchuan's inner struggle and continued, "The family has prepared all the resources for you. We hope you can return to them and continue to shoulder the family's responsibilities." He paused and added, "The family also considers your current situation and is willing to provide you with sufficient support to ensure your safety."

Xie Linchuan's gaze drifted slightly into the distance, as if he saw those once-familiar palaces and towering walls, and heard those voices that once echoed in his ears. That was where he grew up, and it was his inseparable roots. But connecting with this past also meant he had to put on the heavy shackles again, accepting the invisible constraints of his family and the court.

Ye Wan noticed the change in Xie Linchuan's expression. She walked gently to his side and asked softly, "What do you think?"

Xie Linchuan looked up at her with a complicated expression, then he forced a smile, "It's hard for me to refuse the family's call."

Ye Wan was silent for a moment, her heart churning. She knew that Xie Linchuan always had deep feelings for his family. This wasn't just a blood bond, but also a sense of responsibility and obligation. However, she also knew that if Xie Linchuan returned home, he would once again be controlled by his family, and might even be forced to become a pawn of the imperial court. This would bring huge challenges to his personal freedom and their relationship.

"What are you going to do?" Ye Wan asked, staring at Xie Linchuan. Her voice was calm, but with a concern that could not be ignored.

Xie Linchuan took a deep breath and whispered, "I know this is an unavoidable test. The family's call is not just a personal call for me, but also a test of my future choices. I know that once I return to the family, I will never be able to escape their control." He paused, as if thinking about something. "But the power of the family and its impact on our future cannot be easily ignored. I must make a choice and cannot simply run away."

Ye Wan pursed her lips gently, a heavy feeling in her heart. She looked at Xie Linchuan's deep brows, which seemed to conceal endless pain and helplessness. She knew that Xie Linchuan's conflict and hesitation stemmed not only from his responsibility to his family, but also from his confusion about the future and his concern for her.

"You don't have to rush to make a decision," Ye Wan whispered. "We still have time. What's important is that you can clearly define what you want."

Xie Linchuan looked at her, a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes, "You're right, I need time."

Seeing that the two did not respond immediately, the messenger remained silent for a moment before speaking again, "Thank you, General. The family hopes that you will make a decision as soon as possible. If you decide to return home, we will immediately arrange for your safety and provide everything you need."

Xie Linchuan nodded, as if realizing that he could not delay the discussion of this topic. "I will respond to the family as soon as possible." He put down the letter in his hand, but his eyes lingered on the letter paper for a long time, as if he was thinking about something.

Seeing this, the messenger knew that the time had come, so he bowed slightly, turned around and left, leaving Xie Linchuan and Ye Wan there.

As night fell, Xie Linchuan and Ye Wan sat by the campfire. They stared at each other silently, the atmosphere heavy with emotion. Ye Wan lowered her head, her heart churning. She knew that Xie Linchuan's family summons was a tremendous test for them. Returning home meant starting over, but it also meant their future together could be completely altered.

She didn't know whether Xie Linchuan would choose to return home, whether he would give up his precious freedom for the sake of his family's responsibilities, nor could she predict what kind of test this choice would bring to their relationship. She only knew that she didn't want to be an obstacle to his return home, but she also didn't want to see him lose his freedom due to family pressure.

"Linchuan, will you go back?" Ye Wan's voice was a little soft, but it revealed deep concern.

Xie Linchuan didn't answer immediately, his eyes gazing into the distant darkness, as if searching for an answer. He knew this wasn't just a personal choice, but a decision for his future. How could he strike a balance between his family and Ye Wan, how could he avoid hurting either side? All of this weighed on him like never before.

"I don't know." He finally spoke, his tone revealing deep fatigue. "I have too many concerns and too many responsibilities. And you are my deepest concern."

Ye Wan's heart trembled as she heard these words, and the invisible pressure in her heart grew heavier. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said softly, "Whatever decision you make, I will respect you, but remember, your future doesn't belong to you alone."

Xie Linchuan turned his head and looked at her, his eyes filled with endless tenderness, "I know, Wan. No matter what the future holds, we will never let go of each other's hands."

However, he still couldn't shake off the call from his family, this responsibility, this bond, which seemed like a trial destined by fate.