Chapter 84: Little Protectors
The moon was high when the triplets stirred restlessly in their beds at Su Yanyue's modest home. Though they had fallen asleep listening to stories of clever foxes and brave generals, an unspoken unease woke them one by one.
Xiao Yuanzhi, the eldest by mere minutes, sat up first, eyes sharp even in the dark. "Something's wrong," he whispered.
Xiao Yuanqi rolled over and mumbled, "Father hasn't come back yet."
Xiao Yuanhao rubbed his eyes, but his small face was unusually serious. "And Auntie Yanyue hasn't either."
They exchanged glances—identical faces reflecting identical worry. Even at three years old, their instincts were fierce. Slipping from their blankets, they padded silently across the floor, eyes glinting in the moonlight.
Pushing the door open just enough to peek outside, they found the night eerily quiet. The cicadas had gone silent, the village lanes empty. A warm breeze carried the faintest trace of unfamiliar perfume—subtle, but enough to make Yuanzhi's nose wrinkle.
Yuanqi pointed to the small altar where their father had taught them to light incense. "Let's pray Father and Auntie come home soon."
But Yuanhao had other ideas. He picked up a wooden training sword Father had carved for them, swinging it with surprising precision. "Or we can go find them."
"Quiet," Yuanzhi ordered in a whisper, his gaze scanning the darkness like a seasoned scout. "We need information first."
They crept outside, tiny feet silent on the packed dirt. Near the tea shop, they spotted old Uncle Wu snoring on his stool, but further down the lane, two men loitered suspiciously, whispering in hushed voices. They didn't look like villagers.
The triplets dropped flat behind a water barrel, breathing in perfect unison.
"Boss said to wait for a signal from the marquis's men," one thug muttered.
"Yeah," the other sneered, "and if that woman doesn't accept their terms, we torch the shop as a warning."
The triplets' eyes gleamed with cold anger. No one threatened their Auntie Yanyue.
Yuanqi's mind raced. "We have to send a message to Father."
Yuanzhi nodded, pulling out a small carved whistle they'd begged from a traveling merchant weeks ago. "He said if we ever saw something bad, blow it. He'll hear."
He raised it to his lips and blew—so softly that only someone attuned to the night would catch it, yet piercing enough to carry far.
Yuanhao, meanwhile, slipped away to grab a basket of stones. "Just in case," he muttered, determined to defend their home.
From the shadows, they watched as the thugs started moving toward the tea shop. The triplets shared a nod, hearts pounding but eyes steady.
Suddenly, a tall figure emerged from the end of the street—Yu Shiming, his cloak billowing like a hunting hawk's wings. His dark eyes fixed on the intruders, voice low and deadly. "Step away from the shop."
The thugs froze, terror etching their faces. One tried to run, but Shiming's hand snapped out, grabbing him by the collar.
From their hiding spot, the triplets cheered silently, fists raised in triumph. Father had come!
As Yu Shiming dragged the intruders into the moonlight, he glanced around. His gaze caught three small heads peeking over the barrel. His eyes softened, and he nodded just once—a silent promise that everything was under control.
The triplets sighed in relief, hugging each other tightly. Auntie Yanyue might not be home yet, but they knew their family would always fight for her.