After handing the unconscious Yunyi over to Physician Sun and Du Ruhui, Li Shimin wiped away the poisoned blood remaining at the corners of his mouth and walked to the man being restrained by Duan Zhihong, extending his hand. “Hand over the antidote!”

The man stared at Li Shimin, his eyes full of unwillingness. That arrow could clearly have taken Li Shimin’s life, but Yang Yunyi had suddenly appeared and ruined this perfect opportunity. How hateful!

Seeing him remain silent, Li Shimin grabbed his collar and said coldly, “I’ll say it once more—hand over the antidote, or although I don’t like using torture, I’ll have no choice but to do so!”

Meeting Li Shimin’s icy gaze, the man suddenly laughed. “I have poison, but the antidote… there is none. Li Shimin, I’ll be waiting for you and that demoness on the road to the underworld!”

His words made Li Shimin sense something was wrong, but it was already too late. The man grabbed Duan Zhihong’s blade and forcefully slashed his own throat, immediately dying. The other men all did the same—in just a few breaths, not one remained alive.

Duan Zhihong and the others were extremely vexed, but it was too late to say anything now. After searching their bodies and finding no antidote, they had people carry away the corpses for burial.

After completing all this, Li Shimin came to Physician Sun’s side as he was administering acupuncture to Yunyi. Not daring to disturb him, he waited until the physician stopped his ministrations before asking, “How is it? Can she be cured?”

Physician Sun said, “The arrow was coated with strychnine. Fortunately, the Second Young Master promptly drew out the poisoned blood and bound her upper arm, preventing the poisoned blood from attacking her heart. I’ve used acupuncture to force the remaining poisoned blood in her body toward her arm. Once the poisoned blood flows out completely, then taking a few doses of medicine will make her fine.”

His words made Li Shimin breathe a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Thank you for your hard work, Physician Sun.”

“The Second Young Master is too kind.” As he spoke, dark red poisoned blood began seeping out again from the wound that had stopped bleeding, though this time it flowed very slowly, drop by drop. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the poisoned blood finally stopped dripping.

After bandaging Yunyi’s wound, Physician Sun said, “There, take her to rest in camp. I’ll go prepare the prescription now. When she wakes up, brew the medicine according to the prescription for her to take, twice daily. After three days, the strychnine’s toxicity will be completely eliminated.”

“Good.” Du Ruhui agreed and was about to carry Yunyi back to the tent when Li Shimin said, “Let me do it instead. You go with Physician Sun to get the medicine.”

Li Shimin carried Yunyi all the way into the tent. After carefully placing her on the bed and covering her with a nearby blanket, he gazed at that pale face and said softly, “I came this time clearly to repay the life-saving debt I owed you from the past, so that from then on we would be even, with no favor or resentment between us. But the result… I owe you yet again.”

“Ever since you left Honghua Prefecture, I’ve often wondered—if you weren’t an assassin, if you weren’t the killer who caused Xuanba’s death, what would have become of us? Would we have…” At this point, he couldn’t help but reach out to caress that all-too-familiar face. Toward Yunyi, he did have feelings—otherwise he wouldn’t have let her go back then. He murmured, “But alas, there are no ‘what ifs’ in the end…”

After gazing for a long while, Li Shimin rose and left. Outside the tent, he happened to see Du Ruhui approaching. Seeing his empty hands, Li Shimin asked puzzledly, “Where’s the medicine?”

“Physician Sun discovered we were missing one ingredient. He’s gone to the nearest county town to buy medicine and should return soon.” Hearing this, Li Shimin nodded. “Perfect timing—there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

“Please speak, Second Young Master.” Facing Du Ruhui’s words, Li Shimin said, “Brother Du, have you ever thought of achieving great deeds in this chaotic world?”

Du Ruhui, being extremely perceptive, immediately understood Li Shimin’s intention. “The Second Young Master wants me to serve under you?”

“Not serve under me, but serve the Li family.” Li Shimin said, “Brother Du is intelligent and perceptive, good at observing and understanding matters. If you were to simply retire in Taiyuan, it would be such a waste. If I could gain Brother Du’s assistance, it would be a blessing for the Li family and for the world.” The two incidents of breaking the siege at Dragon Gate and cleverly repelling Yuwen Zhiji had made Li Shimin clearly see Du Ruhui’s value. This was a rare talent—losing him would be a great regret.

Du Ruhui remained silent. Actually, when he had passed the imperial examinations and entered court as an official, he had also thought of making some achievements. Unfortunately, his sovereign was tyrannical by nature and showed no concern for the people’s lives. The court officials were corrupt and colluded with each other—he simply couldn’t accomplish anything. Even later when he gained the Wang family’s support, it was of no avail. After all, the Sui Dynasty’s defeat was not something he or even a Wang family could change.

“What does Brother Du think?” Li Shimin’s voice pulled him back from his contemplation. He said slowly, “I’m honored by the Second Young Master’s regard, but I fear the general won’t accept a former minister of the Sui Dynasty like me.”

Seeing his tone soften, Li Shimin quickly said, “Father has always cherished talent and would never turn someone away because of their background. Moreover… Brother Du, have you forgotten that Father himself is also a former minister of the Sui Dynasty?”

His words made Du Ruhui laugh despite himself. “Indeed, indeed—I nearly forgot about that.” After a pause, he bowed with cupped hands. “I’m honored by the Second Young Master’s esteem. If the general doesn’t reject me, Du would be willing to do his part for the people of this world!”

Seeing his agreement, Li Shimin was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his approval. “When I see Father, I’ll immediately discuss this matter with him.”

Du Ruhui nodded, then thinking of recent events, said, “About Liu Wen’s matter—how does the Second Young Master plan to handle it?”

Hearing this, the joy in Li Shimin’s eyes was swept away, replaced by an indescribable heaviness. “To tell the truth, I don’t know either. Because Father is busy with government affairs, I’ve followed elder brother since childhood. It can be said that apart from Mother, he’s the person closest to me. I never would have imagined that one day he would want to put me to death, even using poisoned arrows.”

“Some people value emotion, some value righteousness, some value profit. It can only be said that the Second Young Master and the Crown Prince are not the same type of people. If this isn’t stopped, I fear… this is only the beginning.”

Li Shimin’s eyes trembled as he said in a heavy voice, “I understand what you mean, but… he is my elder brother after all. I don’t want to be too ruthless.”

Du Ruhui understood his inner struggle and said no more. That evening, Yunyi, who had been unconscious all day, finally opened her eyes. Du Ruhui, who was sitting beside the bed, saw her open her eyes and smiled. “You’re finally awake—otherwise this medicine would need reheating again.”

After adjusting to the light before her eyes, Yunyi said hoarsely, “What happened to me?”

“You were poisoned with strychnine. Fortunately, the Second Young Master promptly drew out the poisoned blood for you, and with Physician Sun’s superb medical skills, your life was saved.” As Du Ruhui spoke, he took the medicine that Ruyi handed over. “Now that you’re awake, quickly drink this medicine. Physician Sun said this strychnine is highly toxic—if it’s not completely eliminated, it could harm your body.”