Inside the ruined temple, Su Xiuer and Xiao Bao were fortunate for the moment.
The beam that fell was blocked by a wooden cage, and the wooden bars, which Su Xiuer had hacked at dozens of times, also "cracked" and broke.
Su Xiuer temporarily tucked the butcher knife back into her waist, used brute force to pry open the broken bars, and carried Su Xiaobao out of the wooden cage.
Above their heads, the beam creaked again, threatening to fall at any moment.
The fire outside the temple had formed a circle, with the only escape route being the river behind the temple.
Jumping into the river offered a slim chance of survival; not jumping meant certain death.
The fire reached her back, burning the injured areas, causing Su Xiuer to grit her teeth in pain. In a moment, she made her decision: "Xiao Bao, are you scared?"
Su Xiaobao, held protectively in Su Xiuer's arms, didn't know what Su Xiuer intended, but instinctively nodded: "With you here, no matter what happens, Xiao Bao isn't afraid."
Su Xiuer's heart clenched fiercely. Without further hesitation, she resolutely charged towards the gap, holding Su Xiaobao.
Splash!
Su Xiuer and Su Xiaobao plunged into the water, swallowed by the river.
As the night pressed down on the river's surface, carrying a scent of fish and blood, the man's sword had already moved, slicing through the throat of the black-clothed person before him.
Beside him, a man in green clothes, an arrow in his shoulder, knelt on the ground. He swept his gaze towards the more than ten black-clothed assassins who were closing in again, his voice tight: "Young Master, you must leave!"
The man didn't respond. His fingertips hooked the sword hilt and turned it halfway. As he withdrew it, streaks of blood followed.
Moonlight fell on his profile, his jawline as cold as carved ice. When his gaze swept over the assassins, it held no trace of emotion.
The assassins' screams rose one after another. Ye Jiu watched, his heart burning with excitement.
He thought, as expected of his family's Prince Dongjing's heir, known as the "God of War," he was still fierce despite his old wounds not having healed.
This time, he had left the Northern Territory with the Young Master, secretly returning to the Capital City to investigate the military fund embezzlement.
He hadn't expected the news to leak beforehand. Before even reaching the Capital City, they were ambushed and separated from the Young Master. Later, the Young Master hid in a peasant family's home in Taolin Village to recuperate, and he had already arrived in the Capital City.
He had only reunited with the Young Master yesterday, and unexpectedly, they were attacked again today.
Shen Hui's brow didn't even furrow. His sword was so fast it left only afterimages. Though his actions were those of killing, they exuded an almost indifferent composure.
In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the last assassin clutched his chest and fell by the riverbank.
Shen Hui sheathed his sword and said calmly: "Clean it up."
Ye Jiu responded.
Shen Hui had already turned and walked towards the river.
He took off his blood-stained outer robe and threw it onto the grass by the bank. His white silk inner garment clung to his back, and a new wound could be vaguely seen on his shoulder blade.
The river water reached his ankles. He bent down, scooped up water, and splashed it on his face.
Suddenly, ripples appeared on the river's surface. Shen Hui's gaze turned cold as a figure shot out from the water, almost brushing his face.
Splashes of water drenched him.
The woman held a child in her arms. Her soaked clothes clung to her, outlining her figure. Wet hair stuck to her cheeks, with a few strands still holding water weeds. Yet, water droplets slid from her jawline, down her neck, and into the dark opening of her collar, making her appear both disheveled and vibrantly alive.
Shen Hui's eyes darkened, and the cold aura around him dissipated.
The scalded areas on Su Xiuer's body, now soaked in water, felt as if pierced by ice picks, and her mouth was filled with the fishy smell of water weeds.
She dragged Su Xiaobao out of the water, uncomfortably spitting out the murky water that had entered her mouth. Upon clearly seeing the man's face before her, her tense expression relaxed slightly.
"Shen Hui..."
She was utterly exhausted. The two words escaped her lips, and she could no longer hold on. Her eyes closed, and she began to fall back into the river with Su Xiaobao.
Shen Hui's thin lips pressed together. He raised his strong, firm hand and simultaneously embraced Su Xiuer and Su Xiaobao, his long legs striding forward to carry them both ashore.
"Young Master, isn't this the peasant woman and her child from Taolin Village?" Ye Jiu, hearing the commotion, rushed over after abandoning the half-buried corpses.
Shen Hui glanced at Ye Jiu, who was approaching, his gaze darkening. He pulled his outer robe over, first wrapping it around Su Xiuer's body, which was revealing due to her wet clothes.
Ye Jiu noticed Shen Hui's action and was slightly surprised.
When had his Young Master ever been so considerate towards a woman? But thinking that Su Xiuer was their Young Master's lifesaver, he felt somewhat relieved.
Ye Jiu knew that Su Xiuer had come to the Capital City with her child to find her husband, and also knew that Su Xiuer's husband had become the Top Scholar. Seeing Su Xiuer's current state, he guessed that the man must have changed his mind.
"Promoted to an official rank, gained great profit, and lost his wife. This village woman is truly pitiful."
Ye Jiu shook his head sympathetically.
Shen Hui offered no opinion, merely casting a cold glance at Ye Jiu.
Ye Jiu immediately and wisely retreated to continue dealing with the corpses.
Meanwhile, Dong Mei and Dong Song also arrived at the ruined temple in the suburbs with a group of Dark Guards from the Princess Manor.
Seeing the ruined temple, which had already turned into a pile of rubble, a cold glint appeared in Dong Mei's eyes.
The Eldest Princess preferred quiet. Furthermore, because she had announced that the Princess was in seclusion, for over a decade, no one had set up stalls on the street in front of the Princess Manor. Even pedestrians passing by would choose to take a detour.
They spent a considerable amount of time before they managed to find out from a passerby that a woman and child had encountered thieves in front of the Princess Manor today.
Following this clue, they searched all the way here, only to witness this scene again.
"Miss Dong Mei, we only found this inside the ruined temple." A Guard presented a piece of scorched remnant cloth.
Dong Mei took it. Dong Song stared at the remnant cloth and immediately exclaimed: "Blue and white fabric, this is what the beautiful older sister was wearing today. Aunt Dong Mei, that beautiful older sister must have been to this ruined temple. Could something have happened to her?"
Dong Song's expression turned anxious again.
Dong Mei also felt that the matter was not simple. She could only blame the young lady for not leaving anything behind except for the hairpin she had given.
She glanced at the turbulent river beside them and ordered: "Search. Search within a hundred-mile radius. Bring her back alive if found, or her body if dead."
The next day, at daybreak.
"Xiao Bao..."
Su Xiuer woke up from a nightmare. Opening her eyes, she found herself lying on an unfamiliar bed, her clothes having been changed.
Looking up, she saw that the room's furnishings were simple and worn.
Before she could even get up, the room's door was pushed open.
A tall man with handsome features, dressed in blue cloth clothes, entered carrying a tray.
"You're awake!" His voice was as clear and cold as a deep pool, and his words were few.
"My clothes..." Su Xiuer sat up, her fingers tightening on her collar, and she hesitantly looked at the man.
Shen Hui placed the tray on the table and turned back, responding with an "Mm."
Su Xiuer hesitated, her furrowed brow gradually smoothing out, and finally waved her hand with relief.
"Never mind, it's fine that you changed my clothes. It was all for saving my life anyway. When I saved you, I saw you naked too, so we're even now."
Su Xiuer was magnanimous, but Shen Hui frowned. However, he didn't explain.
Instead, Ye Jiu, who was leading Su Xiaobao into the room, stumbled on the threshold and almost fell.
What did she mean by "saw you naked too"?
This peasant woman was so shameless.
His Young Master was noble; how could he take advantage of a mere peasant woman?
Last night, he had clearly gone to find an Auntie nearby to help change the medicine on her clothes.
Why didn't the Young Master explain? It was so annoying.
Su Xiaobao, however, didn't notice any of this. He broke free from Ye Jiu's hand and rushed to Su Xiuer, hugging her legs tightly with his small arms.
"Mother, you're finally awake! Xiao Bao was so worried about you!"
Su Xiuer stroked Su Xiaobao's head and squatted down to examine him carefully. Seeing that Su Xiaobao only had a few minor burns, she breathed a sigh of relief and stood up to thank Shen Hui.
Shen Hui's expression was calm. He pulled out a chair and sat down: "Next, what are your plans?"
Su Xiuer lowered her eyebrows. Hearing his tone, she understood that Shen Hui had guessed her situation.
Late at night, encountering Shen Hui in the woods by the river. Although she had been exhausted and fainted last night, she had smelled a scent of blood.
What Shen Hui was involved in was definitely not simple. She didn't want to know, nor did she want to drag Shen Hui into her affairs with Wei Mingze, as the Minister's Estate was not to be trifled with.
Su Xiuer remained silent. Su Xiaobao, however, became serious and, in his milky voice, preemptively answered: "Uncle Shen, Mother said she wants to find a handsome new father for me!"
After speaking, he looked up at Su Xiuer again, blinking his big, round eyes and acting spoiled: "Mother, why don't we let Uncle Shen be our father? Uncle Shen is handsome..."
Before Su Xiaobao could finish speaking, Su Xiuer quickly reached out and covered his mouth. Her toes curled tightly, wishing she could dig a hole in the ground.
She looked up and forced a dry smile: "A child's innocent words, Young Master Shen, please don't mind."
Shen Hui slightly narrowed his eyes, making it impossible to discern his expression.
To end the topic as soon as possible, Su Xiuer said hurriedly: "I plan to return to Taolin Village."
Shen Hui paused, then nodded: "That's fine too."
Hearing this "fine too," a hint of bitterness rose in Su Xiuer's heart.
The common people cannot fight against officials. Those who know their limits are wise. Perhaps everyone would think this way.
But she had almost died.
She absolutely could not swallow this insult.
Su Xiuer's emotions sank for a moment, and then she heard Shen Hui say again: "You fell into the river last night, and you have multiple burns. Why don't you rest here for a few more days?"
Su Xiuer looked up and saw the concern in Shen Hui's eyes, her heart warming. Uninhibited, she raised her own strong, powerful arms.
"No need, I'm very strong. I could even carry you with one hand right now."
Shen Hui hadn't forgotten the day he was injured and picked up by Su Xiuer.
Su Xiuer had lifted him with one hand, carrying him over her shoulder as if he were a pig.
He had never felt so humiliated in his life.
Shen Hui cleared his throat: "...Your strength has always been great!"
After eating breakfast, Shen Hui handed her a cloth bag containing clean medicine and a bulging bag of silver.
"Taolin Village is far away. Use this on the way."
Su Xiuer took it, her fingertip accidentally brushing against Shen Hui's finger.
Shen Hui's gaze deepened, and he unnaturally turned his face away, saying faintly: "Be careful with everything."
Su Xiuer and Su Xiaobao stood in the middle of the road, watching Shen Hui and Ye Jiu ride away. She then turned, took Su Xiaobao's hand, and joined the people entering the city through another gate.
"Mother, didn't you tell Uncle Shen that you were going back?"
Su Xiuer looked at the people queuing to enter the city and stroked Su Xiaobao's head: "Do I look like someone who would let herself be wronged? If I just went back like this, wouldn't people laugh their heads off?"
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