Zhang Da entered and saw the shattered pieces on the ground and Qiuxiang, who was trembling in fear. He immediately knew Fengyu was angry. Fengyu opened her eyes, her rims slightly red, though her emotions had gradually calmed.
"Miss, their skills are exceptional, true masters of assassination. This matter is far from simple." Fengyu, as a daughter of the Feng Family, had mostly dealt with merchants since taking over the business in the Capital City. The Feng Family wasn't particularly outstanding among the aristocratic families, but Feng Changlin held a third-tier official rank, deterring merchants from directly challenging the Feng Family. Fengyu handled matters with tact and restraint, never cornering people, thus it was unlikely she had provoked an assassination attempt.
"Do we have any clues?" Fengyu asked softly.
Qiuxiang refilled Fengyu's teacup and placed it beside her. Zhang Da pulled out a broken arrow from his sleeve and handed it to Fengyu. "Miss, all we have is this broken arrow. Its four-sided tip identifies it as military-grade. The heavy rain washed away all traces, leaving us no leads to investigate."
Fengyu examined the arrow carefully. Such arrows were common in the military, made of iron, whereas civilian arrows were typically made of bamboo and bronze. This was no ordinary assassination—who would want her dead?
"Could it be someone from Yiling Village hiring killers?" Qiuxiang asked.
Fengyu shook her head. "Village Chief Wang doesn't have such courage, and the County Magistrate won't look into this matter. I have a sense of what's going on. Keep the arrow stored safely. Are the personnel all properly settled?"
"Three of the deceased were Capital City natives. Among the injured, one is severely wounded, while two have minor injuries. Rest assured, Miss, I will handle things appropriately."
"The families of the deceased, whether they have parents, wives, or children—aside from the settlement fees, make sure you visit frequently and assist them in any way necessary. If you face difficulties, come to me." These escorts had been loyal to her for three years. Among the deceased, one had recently married and had a child. The young man had even cheerfully brought her a basket of red eggs, prompting Fengyu to gift the child a specially crafted golden locket. Thinking of their bright smiles, Fengyu felt an ache in her heart.
The escort agency arrived quickly. Fengyu instructed Zhang Da to arrange the journey back to the city, leaving the remaining investigation to the County Magistrate and the manor staff. Nanny Liu held her hand, her eyes red with worry, imploring Fengyu to be extra cautious and avoid venturing out in the coming days to prevent further harm. Fengyu reassured her calmly. With multiple injured, she arranged for three carriages, and Lin Xiao insisted on sharing one with Fengyu. Her hesitation led to Lin Xiao invoking the favor of saving her life, leaving her no choice but to agree.
The journey from the manor back to the Capital City took several hours. After the torrential storm, the mountain roads were uneven, causing the carriage to move slowly. Lin Xiao sat across from Fengyu, glaring at her with a resentful expression like an aggrieved spirit. Fengyu, helpless, asked, "How is your injury now?"
"Miss Feng San finally remembered to show concern for my wounds?" Lin Xiao remarked sarcastically. "Very well. I'm still alive, after all."
His blood loss had left his face pale. Fengyu softened at the sight. She disliked owing favors, especially one involving her life. "Why did you save me?" she asked.
"Fengyu, you truly have no heart. For saving you, I nearly gave my life, and you don't even offer a word of concern—only to ask why I saved you. Can't I simply be someone with a warm heart, eager to help without needing reasons or justifications?" Lin Xiao snapped, clearly provoked, and began scolding.
Fengyu stared at his outburst in bewilderment. "You've always teased and humiliated me at the Imperial College. We've never been on good terms. Under such circumstances, wouldn't it have been normal for you to steer clear of my troubles?"
"I..." Lin Xiao blushed furiously, his ears turning red. Fengyu eyed him in confusion as his frustration boiled over. "Fine. I must have lost my mind. I should have stood by and let those people kill you."
"Why are you angry?" Fengyu asked innocently.
"Why, why, why? All you know is to ask why!"
Fengyu had another "why" ready but held back upon seeing Lin Xiao nearly leap out of the carriage in anger. He shouted in exasperation, "Fengyu, you're a block of wood!"
Fengyu was completely confused but also mindful that his wrath wasn't good for his health. She smiled at him gently, saying, "Thank you for saving me."
Lin Xiao's wound began aching faintly again. Infuriated by Fengyu, he felt stifled. Yet as he looked at her gentle smile, like sunshine breaking through a stormy sky, his anger inexplicably dissipated. He arrogantly asked, "For saving your life, is your gratitude only verbal?"
"Shall I give you money?" Fengyu tried tentatively, knowing money was her favorite possession and giving it away would demonstrate genuine sincerity.
Lin Xiao's just-subsided anger instantly flared up again. "Who needs your money? Do I look poor? Who cares about your filthy coins?"
Fengyu was puzzled and clarified earnestly, "I have plenty of money."
Lin Xiao clutched his chest. "..."
One day, he felt, Fengyu would send him to his grave. The truth was, Fengyu couldn't fathom why he was angry. She disliked owing favors and believed repaying with money was the best solution. In her mind, human debts should be settled with wealth. If Lin Xiao was dissatisfied, it was only because she hadn't offered enough.
"Fengyu, money can't buy everything," Lin Xiao stated.
"What can't it buy?"
"Me!" Lin Xiao pointed to himself. "No amount of money can buy me!"
"Why would I want to buy you?" Fengyu asked.
Lin Xiao's wound throbbed painfully as his frustration reached its peak, sweat breaking out coldly. Fengyu grew mildly alarmed, asking if he was alright. Lin Xiao didn't want to respond, but Fengyu pulled out a blue medicine bottle from the cabinet, pouring out a single pill. "Lin Xiao, this medication is specifically designed to ease pain. Take one, and you'll feel better."
Without doubting her, Lin Xiao swallowed the pill but immediately began finding fault again. "If you had this medication, why didn't you give it to me earlier?"
Fengyu hesitated, thinking to herself that the medicine had been crafted for her by Master Miao Yun, using rare ingredients and significant funds—it was incredibly precious. She hadn't wanted to give him any. Telling the truth might offend him, so she replied casually, "I forgot. I just remembered."
Lin Xiao decided to initiate a cold war with her. Unless Fengyu spoke first, he swore not to utter another word to her. Seeing him closing his eyes to rest, Fengyu breathed a sigh of relief, finally enjoying a moment of quiet.
The carriage rolled steadily toward the Capital City. Lin Xiao hadn't anticipated that Fengyu truly wouldn't talk to him. After a while, he felt the urge to speak but restrained himself, instead lifting the curtain to look at the scenery outside. Fengyu hadn't slept all night and was exhausted. After last night's storm, the day was now sunny, with a clear autumn breeze and radiant skies. Fengyu leaned her head back, dozing off like a wobbling doll. Lin Xiao glanced at her occasionally, half amused and half annoyed, muttering to himself, "Looks like she's just tired."
He let the curtain fall back and shifted closer to Fengyu. She was too exhausted to notice as she leaned blindly onto his shoulder—the very one where his injury lay. Lin Xiao instinctively frowned but didn't wake her.
Before entering the city gates, Fengyu and Lin Xiao separated. The escort agency ensured their safe return to the Feng Family, where everyone finally felt relieved. Qiuxiang and Chunlu settled down. The carriage stopped at the front gate, and the bodies of the protectors had already been sent back to their respective families. Zhang Da planned to visit personally, and Fengyu secretly handed Chunlu 200 taels from the private ledger to give him as compensation. Zhang Da was deeply grateful, knowing this money would ease the families' burdens and allow them to live a more comfortable life.