The Unhallowed Child

Su Ning gently but firmly grasped Xiao Hong's arm, guiding her towards the stables. "Xiao Hong, there's something I need to show you. Please, come with me."

Xiao Hong looked at him, bewildered by his urgent tone. "Alright, General."

As they rode off, Jiu Tian watched from the corner, his expression unreadable. "The more you interfere, the higher the price you may have to pay," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the retreating figures.

Once they reached a secluded cabin, Su Ning ushered Xiao Hong inside, his eyes alight with a mix of hope and trepidation. "Xiao Hong, I want to show you something," he said, his voice soft.

Xiao Hong followed him, still perplexed by the situation. "What is it, Su Ning? What's going on?"

Su Ning led her to a table covered in intricate carvings – delicate flowers, majestic animals, and scenes of lush landscapes. "I wanted you to see these," he said, his gaze searching her face for any sign of recognition.

Xiao Hong's eyes widened as she took in the beautiful craftsmanship. "They're exquisite," she breathed, her fingers tracing the delicate lines of a carved flower. As she held it in the moonlight, the gentle glow illuminated her face, and she became transfixed by the memories that began to flicker across the surface.

Scenes of a woman with soulful eyes, of lush forests and serene lakes, and a powerful yet graceful figure wielding a sword – all of it was familiar, yet unfamiliar to her. Xiao Hong stood in stunned silence, watching the memories unfold.

Su Ning watched her, his heart in his throat. He yearned to reach out, to hold her, to comfort her, but he remained rooted to the spot, ashamed to face the truth that had been revealed.

Finally, Xiao Hong turned to him, her eyes shining with a mixture of awe and confusion. "These memories... they're not mine. Is this... is this Yinou?"

Su Ning nodded, his eyes welling with tears. "Yes, Xiao Hong. The woman you see, the one with the soulful eyes – that is Yinou."

Xiao Hong's gaze drifted back to the glowing flower, her fingers trembling slightly. "Yinou..." she breathed, the name rolling off her tongue with a sense of familiarity.

"I showed you these carvings because I will be gone for a while, and I wanted to entrust this cabin and its contents to you."

Xiao Hong looked at him, her brow furrowed. "Gone? Where are you going?"

"I will be aiding those affected by the drought and the riots at the border," Su Ning explained. "My group and I, we are more suited to fighting than to the business of running a household. I thought you might be able to take care of this place in my absence. This place is special to me."

Xiao Hong's eyes widened, and she reached out, grasping his hand. "You speak as if you might not come back," she said, her voice soft and tinged with concern.

Su Ning turned to her, his face illuminated by the moonlight. "I will do my utmost to return. But the path ahead is uncertain, and I wanted to ensure that these precious memories are kept safe."

Xiao Hong's gripped his hand, and she stepped closer, her eyes searching his. "If you come back alive, you must fulfill a wish of mine in turn of taking care of this cabin," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Su Ning felt his heart skip a beat, the weight of her words and the intensity of her gaze leaving him momentarily speechless. "I will," he managed, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Xiao Hong released his hand, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Then it's a promise," she said, her eyes warm with a hint of longing.

Su Ning nodded, his own heart racing. "It's a promise," he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper.

With one last lingering glance, Su Ning turned and made his way towards the door, his mind whirling with a mix of emotions. As he stepped out into the cool night air, he couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation about the journey that lay ahead, and the uncertainty that surrounded Xiao Hong's true identity.

But the memory of her hand in his, and the promise they had made, filled him with a renewed sense of determination. Whatever the future held, he would return, and he would be ready to fulfill the wish that Xiao Hong had entrusted to him.