In the dead of night, Xize stepped out of the farmhouse courtyard, leading a horse. As she was about to mount, a sneer came from behind.
"You promised your life was mine, but you, girl, seem to lack integrity. Planning to sneak away on your own?"
Xize turned around, her face slightly embarrassed, and approached Qin Liusi, bending her knee in a bow. "Master. I am not intending to escape, but rather to attend to some matters first."
"Such as disposing of those corpses your servants collected?" Qin Liusi chuckled. "A noble descendant like you, indeed, possesses great courage."
Xize's expression changed slightly as she looked at Qin Liusi, surprised. How could she know?
"Wondering how I knew?" Qin Liusi laughed. "I guessed, but it seems my guess was correct."
This young master really was quite intriguing.
"Let's go," Qin Liusi said, moving towards another horse.
"You, Master?" Xize asked.
"I must accompany you. If you were to flee or meet with an accident, who would compensate me?" Qin Liusi patted the horse beside her, which obediently knelt down.
Xize felt a complex mix of emotions. She wasn't foolish and understood that Qin Liusi wasn't truly afraid of her fleeing, but rather of something happening to herself, right?
How could there be someone like this in the world?
Like warm sunshine, effortlessly warming the heart.
"Doctor Qin," Qizhen also stepped out.
Seeing him, Qin Liusi said playfully, "Ah, young Master Qizhen, at such a tender age, do you have kidney problems? Is that why you need to use the restroom at this hour?"
Qizhen's face darkened, grinding his teeth. "Thank you for your concern, Doctor Qin. My kidneys are in excellent condition." Glancing at the others, he added, "Since Doctor Qin can't sleep, why don't we hit the road together and arrive at Ningzhou sooner?"
Xize instinctively looked at Qin Liusi, tightening the reins.
"That works too. Since we're going in the same direction, and I'm too lazy to turn back," Qin Liusi said. "Go wake them up and arrange them in the carriage."
The last part was directed at Xize.
Xize fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
...
Under the cover of night, the group set off. In less than an hour, they arrived at the hill where Xize and the others had been attacked. Dawn was approaching, casting a faint light over the gruesome scene in the forest, where bodies lay scattered and blood still lingered in the air.
"Uncle!" Pingzi rushed to kneel beside one of the corpses.
By the torchlight, Fire Wolf saw the body of the middle-aged servant he had questioned yesterday. In just one night, he had become a corpse.
Xize approached and knelt down, bowing three times.
Qin Liusi scanned the surroundings, calculating on her fingers, then stood on a small mound, beckoning to Yingnan with a smirk.
"Chenpi said you're free, so come and help me dig a pit!"
Yingnan looked at her demonic smile and thought, No, I'm not free, please spare me!
Qizhen faintly guessed what was going on, raised his chin towards Yingnan, and gestured to a few others to join Qin Liusi to dig the pit.
Qin Liusi walked over to Xize and said, "Given the urgency of the situation, even if we take their ashes with us, it will take time. It's better to bury them on the spot. This burial site is also considered auspicious. You can relocate their graves to their hometown later if you wish. If not, their heroic spirits can rest here, bringing blessings to future generations."
Xize looked up at Qin Liusi, tears welling up in her eyes, overwhelmed with gratitude. She knelt deeply before her.
"Rise," Qin Liusi said, lifting her up. "The heroic spirits who defend their homeland should not be left exposed in the wilderness, wandering aimlessly in death. They deserve peace."
Qizhen, on the side, was somewhat astonished. Looking at those bodies, defenders of their homeland, were they soldiers?