No man would hesitate in such a situation.
What was it compared to becoming crippled?
Yet, he had flatly refused?
Or did he misunderstand her medical skills, thinking she could truly come up with other ways to detoxify him? While she was indeed a revered physician in the martial world, there were poisons she couldn't cure and illnesses she couldn't treat.
Their eyes met.
Suddenly, Qiu Lu's voice came from outside the carriage, "It's Liu Family Village! My uncle lives here. I didn't recognize it in the dark just now, but I know my uncle's home. We'll go there now!"
What luck!
This was too fortunate!
He had been worried about how to find a family without frightening them, and now they had found a familiar village!
Hearing this, Yun Shu felt a wave of relief. Having someone they knew would make things much easier.
Sensing Zhan Tian Ye's intense gaze on her, she sighed and said, "Give me another hour. I'll think about it more carefully."
If she couldn't find a solution, it wouldn't be about whether he wanted it or not. Without detoxification, his legs would be truly crippled, and he wouldn't live much longer.
He still had a glimmer of hope now.
As the carriage entered the village, guided by Qiu Lu, it soon stopped in front of a house.
Qiu Lu jumped off the carriage, knocked a few times, and called out for his uncle.
The village was very quiet under the night sky.
There was no sound at all. Fortunately, the houses were spaced far apart, so the knocking and his calls wouldn't be heard.
Soon, someone came to open the door.
A tall, burly man with a square face opened the door.
He didn't open it immediately, instead asking from behind the door who it was. Upon hearing Qiu Lu call out "Uncle," he quickly opened the door.
"Qiu Lu, why are you here?" his uncle asked in surprise.
Qiu Lu had been orphaned at a young age and had grown up being fed by many families. He later left home with Zhan Tian Ye. Over the years, whenever he had time, he would visit the relatives who had helped him. His uncle was one of them. Everyone knew Qiu Lu was in the capital as a guard for a noble, but no one knew who his master was.
"Uncle, let's go inside and talk," Qiu Lu said, his expression grave.
His uncle, being intelligent, knew the situation was serious and didn't ask further. He quickly opened the door wider, inviting Yun Shu and the others in.
Upon seeing Yun Shu and Zhan Tian Ye behind Qiu Lu, his uncle's expression grew more serious. He deliberately looked around before saying to Qiu Lu, "I'll take the carriage to the cow shed. We don't want anyone to see it! Have your aunt prepare something."
His uncle gave a nod to a middle-aged woman standing by the door, signaling her to arrange things quickly.
Qiu Lu knew his uncle and aunt were smart people and wouldn't need much explanation; they would understand what needed to be done.
As they walked in and were being shown to a room by his aunt.
A woman's voice suddenly came from inside the house, "Dad, Mom, do we have guests?"
As the woman's voice emerged, Yun Shu and the others saw her.
The woman appeared to be fifteen or sixteen years old and bore a resemblance to her aunt. She was a delicate beauty with a bold nature. Seeing strangers, she didn't hide but instead looked them over with her bright eyes.
Her gaze paused on Zhan Tian Ye with surprise.
Then, at her aunt's gentle reminder, the young woman came to her senses and looked at Qiu Lu, "Cousin!"
Qiu Lu smiled and nodded, "It's me."
Qian Le'er was overjoyed, "Cousin, why are you back all of a sudden?"
Then, her eyes strayed involuntarily towards Zhan Tian Ye, and then to Yun Shu and Jing Heng.
Yun Shu and Jing Heng had disguised themselves, appearing quite ordinary and unremarkable.
As for Zhan Tian Ye, his original appearance was too striking. Even sitting in a wheelchair, he could easily draw everyone's attention.
Zhan Tian Ye's face was cold, his eyes clear, and he showed no expression.
Yun Shu, however, was staring at Qian Yue'er, seemingly lost in thought, her red lips pressed tightly together.
"Ah, cousin, you're injured! Mom, cousin is injured!" Qian Le'er suddenly noticed the wound on Qiu Lu's arm. Although it had been bandaged, blood was still visible. She exclaimed in alarm.
At the same time, Qian Le'er and Aunt Qian saw bloodstains on the group.
Uncle Qian also walked in.
He looked respectfully at Zhan Tian Ye without a word, but quickly said to Aunt Qian and Qian Le'er, "Don't make a fuss! And don't draw attention!"
Seeing Qiu Lu's utmost respect for the man in the wheelchair, they knew he was Qiu Lu's master.
Aunt Qian and her daughter's expressions immediately changed, and they suppressed their surprise.
They understood that these guests were all important figures.
Qiu Lu said to Uncle Qian, "Uncle, we need something to eat."
It wasn't just him who was hungry; he was sure the Prince and Miss Yun would also be hungry. As for Jing Heng, heh! He had been so fierce earlier, perhaps he had drunk blood and wouldn't be hungry.
Uncle Qian immediately hurried to prepare something.
"Don't start a fire. Eat whatever you have, and just have some water," Yun Shu immediately stopped Uncle Qian. From his demeanor, she knew he was going to cook.
Starting a fire would only attract attention with the smoke.
Villagers usually slept early, and hardly anyone would be up in the middle of the night to start a fire to cook.
Uncle Qian was taken aback.
"Yes, Uncle, anything edible will do," Qiu Lu quickly added, echoing Yun Shu.
He had been too hungry and had been so caught up in the events of the evening that he had momentarily forgotten.
Furthermore, the Prince's face was pale, possibly a symptom of the poison from the hidden weapon. They needed to give Miss Yun time to detoxify him.
"Alright, I'll go to the kitchen and get something," Qian Le'er reacted quickly and efficiently. She immediately went out.
A short while later, they ate some dried biscuits.
Although they were cold, the tea was hot. After drinking the hot tea, eating the biscuits, and a few wild fruits, they felt warmer and regained their strength.
Yun Shu put down the tea cup. Her peripheral vision caught Qian Le'er looking at Zhan Tian Ye with a hint of admiration in her eyes.
She lowered her gaze.
She remained silent for a moment.
During her silence, she didn't notice Zhan Tian Ye looking at her.
After a moment, she raised her eyes and met Zhan Tian Ye's gaze.
Their eyes met. Yun Shu smiled and said, "I'll step out for some fresh air. I'll also apply medicine to Qiu Lu's wound first, and then change your dressing."
Saying this, she averted his gaze and walked out.
Upon hearing Yun Shu's words, Qiu Lu mumbled to himself, why go out to change bandages?
Despite his confusion, he followed her out.
Jing Heng, who had been by Yun Shu's side for many years, sensed that something was amiss with her. He immediately looked towards the door.
However, the door was closed.