"I'm surnamed Su," Su Qibai said calmly, his gaze fixed on the woman before him. He was intensely curious about how she had managed to rescue him.
"I don't know where Master Su resides, nor why you were being pursued. You can't imagine how shocked I was when I saw the scene," Wu Caiwei said, feigning appropriate alarm.
Even if he didn't say it, Su Qibai could imagine how brutal the scene must have been. By the time he woke up, he had already concocted his story. He sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice, "I'm from Yuzheng. My family are merchants. It's a shameful family matter, really. I've told my elder brother countless times that I have no intention of competing for the position of family head, but he just wouldn't believe me, which led to this misfortune."
Wu Caiwei knew he wasn't telling the truth. As far as she knew, there were no major merchant families surnamed Su in Yuzheng. Moreover, the people pursuing him that night were clearly well-trained, unlike what he described as simple merchants. However, she also understood that everyone had their secrets, and sometimes, knowing less meant living longer.
"To be honest, the night I rescued you, we were also attacked. I was no match for them and was severely injured. I've been recuperating for so long, and my complexion is still so pale. It'll take me at least two months to recover."
Wu Caiwei could tell that Su Qibai's background was not simple. Having just arrived in this world and being unfamiliar with her surroundings, she needed some assistance. Since she had indeed saved him, she intended to make him indebted to her.
Su Qibai was astonished. He had initially been guessing how she managed to rescue him, assuming she had helpers. He never expected it to be her alone. He realized that even if she claimed her martial arts were inferior to his pursuers, she was undoubtedly a master, rare in this era. It was then that he noticed her pallor, which was indeed paler than usual.
"Fortunately, I happened to have some sleeping powder on me when I went out. I caught them off guard and managed to save my life."
Wu Caiwei had initially not intended to reveal this, but even if he didn't recall it now, he would surely guess she possessed medical skills if she managed to save his life amidst such a pursuit. Rather than let him guess, it was better to tell him directly.
Su Qibai could imagine the danger of that moment. He quickly took out a jade pendant and cupped his fists in a gesture of respect, promising, "Thank you, Madam, for saving my life. If there's ever anything you need from Su, please take this jade pendant to the Yifeng Inn in Yuzheng and speak to the proprietor. We will do our utmost to assist you."
"I hope I never have to seek your help," Wu Caiwei said, accepting the jade pendant without ceremony. She had taken a great risk in saving him, and the medicine she used on him was priceless. It was only right to seek some compensation.
Of course, she hadn't come solely to claim payment; she also wanted to check on his injuries.
Although he guessed that she had bandaged his wounds and changed his dressing during his unconscious state, he had felt no shame then. Now, seeing her calm expression, he felt awkward and fidgety. He decided to lift his robe, forcing himself to overcome his embarrassment.
Wu Caiwei could easily discern his thoughts; his ears had indeed turned red. However, in her eyes, he was simply a patient. She diligently examined his wounds, reapplied the medicine, wrote a new prescription, and then left after reminding him to rest well.
A short while later, a maidservant, following Wu Caiwei's instructions, brought over freshly brewed medicine. After Su Qibai drank it, the room fell silent again. Soon, a figure flickered in and knelt upon seeing him. "Master, I arrived late."
"When did you follow me here?" Su Qibai narrowed his eyes and asked calmly.
"Reporting to Master, this subordinate discovered your whereabouts three days ago. However, at that time, you were unconscious, and that Madam's martial arts were formidable. It was not wise to alert her.
Furthermore, upon examining your wounds, I realized that Madam is a master of the healing arts. Therefore, I remained nearby to protect you. In the past few days, we have dealt with four groups of people. Hearing that there was activity here today, I surmised you had awakened and rushed to visit you."
The man lowered his head, explaining his recent unusual behavior, fearful that his master might suspect him. After all, from the previous incident, it was evident that there was an insider among them.
"Make arrangements. We will depart in three days and continue our journey to the capital," Su Qibai wanted to seek revenge immediately, but he felt his strength was not yet fully recovered. He decided to rest for a few more days. Moreover, since she mentioned that the lady who saved him was a master of the healing arts, he wanted to obtain some medicine from her.
"Yes, this subordinate will make the arrangements immediately." The man, hearing his instructions, breathed a sigh of relief. His master was still willing to use him, indicating that he was not highly suspected.
Two days later, when Wu Caiwei came to visit him again, he presented her with two thousand taels of silver and expressed his desire to purchase some medicine from her.
Although he was unaware of her true identity, their two encounters had left him with a very good impression. His status was not low, he posed no threat to her, nor did he engage in idle chatter.
Wu Caiwei considered herself a good judge of character. She could sense a faint sense of gratitude in his words, indicating that he was a person who remembered kindness. These were precisely the kind of people she liked the most.
She did not refuse and directly tucked the silver into her embrace. That afternoon, she brought him a large assortment of bottles and jars. Su Qibai looked at them in disbelief and pointed at himself, "Are all these for me?"
Wu Caiwei nodded and smiled, "Since you've given me two thousand taels of silver, I should certainly provide you with something of equal value. This includes antidotes, medicine for internal injuries, and some tonics. The purposes are all labeled on the bottles, and I'll write them down for you shortly.
For some reason, I felt an affinity with you the moment I met you, so I've inadvertently given you more. Of course, if anyone else wanted to obtain medicine from me, a single pill would be worth a thousand taels of gold. You are an exception."
Su Qibai's lips twitched involuntarily. If she had given him only a few pills for two thousand taels of silver, he might have believed it. But seeing her earnest expression, she didn't seem to be joking.
He knew the severity of his injuries. Since she could save him, she was reliable. At worst, he could find some people to test these medicines upon his return and see if they were as effective as she claimed.
Su Qibai accepted her kindness with gratitude and quickly thanked her, stating that he would be leaving the next day and hoped she would keep what happened there a secret.
Even without his request, Wu Caiwei would not have divulged any information. After all, his identity was highly sensitive. She wasn't unaware of the numerous experts hidden around the courtyard, all tasked with protecting his safety.