Even if they were captured alive, such a suicide soldier would only commit suicide in front of everyone and would never say a word.

With this corpse, they could at least report back.

Zou Yunqi ordered the Imperial Guards who followed behind to collect the thief’s corpse while checking He Yanxiu’s injuries. “How are you feeling, Lord He?”

“It’s nothing, just a superficial wound.” He Yanxiu threw the arrow on the ground.

The arrow had been flying towards him, and to lower his guard, he had tucked it under his arm, feigning injury. However, the arrowhead was sharp, and in his haste, the arrowhead had torn his clothes, drawing only a little blood.

“Even superficial wounds should be carefully treated to prevent festering,” Zou Yunqi said. “However, His Majesty has already set off for the palace, and the Third Prince is seriously injured. The imperial physicians who accompanied him have likely all gone back with him. Lord He should return to the capital for treatment as soon as possible.”

“I will arrange for someone to escort Lord He back immediately.”

“No need to trouble Commander Zou so much. A doctor I know lives closer to here than back to the capital. I can go there.” He Yanxiu said with a smile. “My servants are waiting at the foot of the mountain. Commander Zou, please attend to your own business. I’ll take my leave now.”

With the Third Prince in such a state, everyone’s attention was on him. This matter could be considered resolved satisfactorily.

Having diligently attended to state affairs these past few days, He Yanxiu felt quite exhausted and needed a few days of rest.

His current injury was an excellent excuse.

Even so, Zou Yunqi still sent some men to escort He Yanxiu down the mountain first, while he and the others took the assassin’s corpse back to report.

He Yanxiu met up with Xing’an at the foot of the mountain.

Xing’an was startled to see the large hole in He Yanxiu’s brocade robe. “Second Master, are you injured?”

“Yes.” He Yanxiu mounted his horse and pulled on the reins. “Let’s go.”

“Where are we going, Second Master?” Xing’an was surprised to see that He Yanxiu wasn’t heading to the capital with the others.

“Since you’re injured, you naturally need to see a doctor.” He Yanxiu rolled his eyes at Xing’an.

Xing’an’s question was unnecessary.

See a doctor?

Xing’an suddenly realized.

Wasn’t Miss Su a doctor?

Second Master was going to Qinghe!

“Second Master is absolutely right. Xing’an nodded excitedly and urged his horse to follow.

Qinghe wasn’t far from here, and even though they hadn’t rushed along the way, the sun hadn’t completely set when the master and servant arrived.

Upon learning that He Yanxiu had been injured while apprehending an assassin who had attempted to kill the Emperor and that his clothes were in such a tattered state, Su Yujin hurriedly removed his upper garment to examine his injuries.

Seeing Su Yujin’s furrowed brows and frantic movements, He Yanxiu felt uneasy. “How are my injuries?”

“Fortunately, Second Master arrived quickly,” Su Yujin replied without looking up. “If Second Master had arrived any later…”

He Yanxiu became even more anxious upon hearing this.

Was the arrowhead poisoned?

Su Yujin used a cotton swab to wipe away the remaining medicine, saying softly, “This wound will heal on its own.”

He Yanxiu was speechless.

Touching his nose, He Yanxiu explained, “Anyone capable of assassinating the Emperor must be a desperate criminal. Poisoned arrowheads are common. I was worried and came to see you. Since you’re alright, I’m relieved.”

“Second Master, please rest assured, your injuries are not serious. I’ve already applied medicine, and you will be fine in a couple of days.” Su Yujin reassured him. She then went to find a new set of clothes for He Yanxiu to change into.

The clothes were made by a tailor in Qinghe, according to He Yanxiu’s measurements. The craftsmanship and fabric quality couldn’t compare to the clothes He Yanxiu usually wore, but Su Yujin was thinking of clothes for emergencies, so she prepared one or two sets according to the thickness of clothes for each season.

The clothes He Yanxiu was wearing now were newly made recently, and the width and length were quite suitable.

The only problem was that the fabric was indeed a bit inferior to what he had at home.

It wasn’t that Su Yujin was careless or unwilling to buy him better fabric; it was just that Qinghe was too close to the capital, and many wealthy people, to show off their power and status, went directly to the capital to buy clothes and jewelry. Therefore, the best fabrics sold in the shops in Qinghe were only slightly above average.

The fabric he was wearing was probably the best Su Yujin could afford.

It seemed that next time he couldn’t just give Su Yujin silver notes and gold; he should also prepare some practical items.

For dinner, Su Yujin made a clear mutton stew with cabbage, radish chunks, lotus root chunks, and tofu, eating it over a charcoal stove. Finally, she had a bowl of braised noodles, which was very filling and delicious.

Because Su Yujin had said the injury would take two days to heal, He Yanxiu readily stayed for two days.

Su Yujin did her best, preparing three different meals a day for He Yanxiu.

He Yanxiu was satisfied with his meals, but he didn’t forget something important—to fulfill the promise he made to Su Yujin when he returned to the capital last time and return her indenture.

When Su Yujin received the thin piece of paper from He Yanxiu’s hand, she felt a moment of disorientation.

Since arriving in this world, her identity had been that of a concubine, a servant. Over the past two years, she had gradually adapted to and even become accustomed to this status and had been accumulating wealth, hoping to retrieve her indenture soon so she could live a carefree life.

Now, having received her indenture and having her record cleared at the yamen, she was free, achieving her initial small goal—it was almost unbelievable.

Seeing Su Yujin staring blankly at the indenture, He Yanxiu continued, “I’ve had people searching everywhere for your family, but it’s been quite a while, and there are no leads yet. I’ll let you know as soon as I get news.”

Su Yujin was stunned.

The Second Master wanted to help her find her family?

First, he returned her indenture, and now he wanted to help her find her family. Was the Second Master rewarding her for her diligent service over the past two years, repeatedly curing his illness?

“Thank you, Second Master.”

Su Yujin thanked him repeatedly.

To be fair, the Second Master was indeed a master who genuinely treated his servants well, and he deserved her respect.

Whether she was free or not, she should serve the Second Master properly.

Overjoyed at receiving her indenture, Su Yujin made some rice cakes in the afternoon, and in the evening, she made a lot of candied walnuts, fish skin peanuts, and other snacks for He Yanxiu to take home.

After seeing He Yanxiu off, Su Yujin took her indenture and, with Ai Cao, went to the yamen to cancel her record and obtain a new household registration.

Seeing the fresh red seal on the registration paper, Su Yujin’s smile stretched to her ears. That evening, she took some dishes and fine osmanthus wine from Huibinlou Restaurant and went home to have Ai Cao and Liu Momo drink a couple of cups with her.

(End of Chapter)

---