Chapter 1166: Chapter 1002: Injured

"Uncle Qin, quickly open the door. Remember! We mustn’t panic and disrupt our plans. Be calm and handle it," Sue instructed Uncle Qin once more.

Uncle Qin steadied his nerves, turned to open the door, but then was stopped by Sue again. Sue noticed Uncle Qin’s collar was a bit untidy, and only then did she nod, signaling him to open the door.

Uncle Qin pulled the latch open forcefully, letting out a huge yawn.

"Ah! Dear Lords! What’s this?" Uncle Qin’s eyes, initially bleary with sleep, opened wide upon seeing the visitors.

At this moment, he had a hint of fear on his face, helplessly looking at the three government officers outside.

"Are you called Huang Gaozhong?" The leading soldier glanced at Uncle Qin, then looked down at the dossier in his hands.

This was the government’s archival registry, which contained not only the populace and names of each household but also noted basic physical traits.

The owner of this house, Huang Gaozhong, was a man in his forties. His ancestors weren’t particularly wealthy, but they did manage to retain some modest estates. By Huang Gaozhong’s generation, much of it was squandered by descendants, leaving only two small courtyards. This was one of them.

Uncle Qin felt a chill in his heart and quickly gestured, "Lord! I’m just renting Mr. Huang’s courtyard; I couldn’t afford such a residence in the Capital."

The leading individual saw Uncle Qin’s fearful demeanor and gradually eased his guard.

Though this person’s age seemed similar to Huang Gaozhong’s, the facial record in the registry did not resemble him, and his stature wasn’t as tall.

Upon observing this person wearing finely washed cotton clothes, albeit without patches, but with a somewhat disheveled appearance, likely due to hurried dressing when opening the door.

They frequently carried out such search duties, so they were meticulous about minute details.

"How long have you been renting this courtyard?" The foremost officer pushed past Uncle Qin and began to walk into the courtyard.

"Lord! It’s been three to four months. I heard the Imperial City was prosperous and thought to engage in some small trade, intending to seek relatives in the Capital. Who knew I couldn’t locate them as they had moved away long ago. With no choice, since I was here, I stayed."

Uncle Qin rubbed his hands, smiling obsequiously.

"What trade are you in? What’s the relative’s surname and name? How many people are in your household? Have them all come out."

The foremost officer consecutively asked three questions, while the other two surveyed the courtyard.

This was merely a small courtyard, with only some stacked firewood and two small ginkgo trees planted within.

Such small courtyards are common in the South City, arranged very ordinarily.

"I and my wife set up a small stall at the street corner in the west, selling some wontons. We’ve been doing that for over two months and haven’t met you Lords before, but we do know Lord Cui, who often comes to our stall for wontons."

The three government officers relaxed slightly upon hearing him mention Lord Cui.

Wasn’t Lord Cui their colleague, Cui Da? They were colleagues, and since he recognized their colleague, there should be no issue.

"We usually don’t patrol this area, today we’ve been temporarily transferred here." One person finally offered an explanation as his demeanor softened.

"Three Lords often come to my stall to eat wontons. This craft was taught by my mother, who hails from Jiangnan, and our wontons differ from those in the Northern area. You must try them; I assure you I won’t charge."

Upon Uncle Qin saying this, the expressions of the three instantly melted like ice, softening quite a bit.

"We’ll surely try them; no need for you to treat us. Your small business doesn’t earn much."

Though they spoke this way, the vendors on that street didn’t dare charge them a Copper Coin upon seeing them.

They naturally treated them, but it was merely a polite gesture in speech.

"Although we are acquainted, we have official duties, so we must handle matters accordingly. Just now, I asked your origin, your relative’s name, and where is your wife? Why hasn’t she come out yet?"

The other two were a bit reluctant to waste time here, considering leaving. But one insisted that even for formality’s sake, they must check inside, otherwise, should they really let an assassin slip away, they would surely face consequences.

Moreover, the Lord at the alley entrance was still waiting in the carriage; how could they dare act carelessly?

Thus one person began urging again.

"I’m from Xia Guan Prefecture, and besides my wife, I’ve brought a niece along this time. Relatives..."

Upon mentioning relatives, Uncle Qin paused. They hadn’t come to the Capital to find relatives per se, and if he randomly sited a name that wasn’t in the registry, wouldn’t it arouse suspicion?

He regretted mentioning seeking relatives in the Capital.

"Uncle! What’s happened?"

A voice suddenly emerged from inside, prompting the three government officers to simultaneously direct their gaze towards the entrance. The melodious voice akin to a yellow oriole exiting a valley, was indeed uttered by a young girl.

...

In the silent depths of the dense forest, the sound of flowing water was particularly clear.

"Cough!" A person took a deep breath, followed by a cough.

"Prince! Are you alright?" Jin Canling was clutching his arm, his brow furrowed and lips pale.

Blood was seeping from the arm he covered, staining his sleeve red. His clothes were drenched, and even frost was forming on his hair.

Yet he was disregarding the pain and cold, looking anxiously at the man seated on the ground.

Prince Gong inhaled sharply; his clothes had been removed at this point. There was a half-foot-long wound at his waist.

Prince Gong took out a porcelain bottle from his attire, intending to apply medicine to the wound. Jin Canling, overlooking his arm injury, hurried forward, assisting Prince Gong in cleaning and dressing the wound.

"Fortunately, the wound is not deep. But jumping into the river earlier left you soaked through, risking catching a cold. It’s uncertain when they’ll locate us; if delayed, I fear you’ll develop a fever."

Jin Canling sighed, such cold weather, they escaped upstream along the river, reaching this place, causing the Prince’s lips to turn purple from the cold.

Jin Canling’s movements were swift, and before long, he finished bandaging the wound.

"Prince, you rest here a while; I shall find some dry twigs and leaves. We’re drenched, need to light a fire to fend off the cold."

Prince Gong nodded, placing his sword by his side, signaling Jin Canling to proceed.

These damp clothes sticking to one’s skin were quite uncomfortable, not mentioning the biting cold, and were detrimental to the wound.

After Jin Canling left, Prince Gong began pondering on the recent attack.

He and his accompanying subordinates had been dispersed, leaving only Jin Canling by his side.

The sudden attack caught him off guard. He was careful all the way without encountering any obstruction. Who would’ve expected an ambush near the Capital!

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