Yet, a person determined to write a blood-stained letter in protest against Yang Xu shouldn't be as hesitant and fearful as the one before her eyes.

When Rong Shu had merely inquired about the incense burner, terror had instantly flickered across Li'er's face like a startled bird.

In her previous life, Gu Changjin had mentioned that Li'er didn't actually want to die.

Considering this scene before her, what else could Rong Shu not understand?

"Your mother was an admirable woman. If Miss Xu doesn't mind, I'd also like to pay my respects with a joss stick."

As she spoke, she removed her cloak and headed for the high table by the window.

Li'er's lips trembled, about to protest.

But just then, a sudden change occurred.

A flash of silver light appeared, and a nimble figure crashed through the window, heading straight for Li'er.

"Be careful!" Rong Shu instinctively shouted, throwing the warming hand warmer at the black-clad intruder.

With a sharp sound, the black-clad figure brushed aside the hand warmer and brushed past her, slicing a gap in the hem of her sleeve with his blade.

Although Rong Shu's interference momentarily disrupted the person's movements, they still swiftly lunged towards Xu Li'er.

Rong Shu picked up a perfumed box, ready to throw it again, but her waist suddenly tightened.

Gu Changjin wrapped an arm around her, the other gripping the black-clad man's shoulder, his expression grim.

The two engaged in a fierce exchange of blows.

With Gu Changjin holding her tightly by the waist, she moved with him. The scene in the room spun before her eyes, making her dizzy.

If he was going to fight, couldn't he set her down so she could find shelter?

She was about to vomit...

Spotting Xu Li'er standing there, dazed and motionless, Rong Shu suppressed the churning in her stomach and shouted, "Miss Xu, hide quickly!" This black-robed person was clearly targeting Xu Li'er!

No sooner had she spoken than everything before her eyes blurred once more.

Rong Shu: "..." Her stomach was about to rebel.

Fortunately, Chang Ji arrived promptly with several soldiers. Gu Changjin pushed Rong Shu towards Chang Ji and turned to engage the black-clad figure in combat.

With Rong Shu no longer hindering him, he began to gain the upper hand.

Realizing the situation was hopeless, the black-clad man retreated toward the window, pulled something from the bottom of the incense burner, and swiftly leaped out through the opening.

"Chang Ji!"

"At your service!"

Chang Ji, standing protectively in front of Rong Shu, felt a sudden lightness and immediately gave chase.

The room was in disarray. Gu Changjin's face was as dark as water as he surveyed Rong Shu from head to toe. He then picked up the cloak on the floor, tossed it at her, and said, "Take Miss Xu away from here."

Without hesitation, Rong Shu draped the cloak over Xu Li'er and hurriedly led her out of the inn.

Chang Ji returned, his face flushed with shame. "Master, he got away."

"Nonsense, let's return to Phoenix Avenue first."

Gu Changjin bowed and climbed into the carriage, pausing for a moment to glance once more at Rong Shu sitting across from him, his irritation intensifying.

Xu Li'er sat beside Rong Shu, staring anxiously at Gu Changjin, and exclaimed, "Sir is injured!"

Only then did Rong Shu notice the cut on Gu Changjin's arm, which seemed rather deep, with blood seeping through his clothes.

They were in her own magnificent carriage today, and she recalled Yingyue had placed a medicine box inside. Hurriedly searching under the side tables, she indeed found the box.

"Let me apply some medicine to you, Sir," she offered.

However, Gu Changjin looked at her and said, "Come here."

Rong Shu thought he wanted her to dress his wound and hesitated for a moment. As she lifted her gaze and noticed the increasingly grave look in his eyes, her eyelids twitched, and she could only hold the medicine box obediently and move over.

Gu Changjin took the box, rummaged through it, and pulled out a bottle of ointment for external wounds. He tilted his chin towards her left forearm and instructed, "Apply it yourself."

Lowering her eyes, Rong Shu realized that she too was injured. There was a faint trace of blood on her sleeve, but not much. It must have been a small cut, likely caused by the edge of the blade when her sleeve got caught.

Yet even a tiny cut can be painful, and she has always been someone who fears pain since she was young.

Back then, when she stumbled or bruised herself, her mother would always comfort her in various ways, nurturing her to be extra fearful of pain and rather pampered.

To be honest, if Gu Changjin hadn't pointed it out, she probably wouldn't have noticed this injury. But after his mention, the pain became immediately noticeable.

Rong Shu rolled up her sleeve, revealing a thin, long scratch on the inner side of her fair forearm. It wasn't severe—the bleeding was almost stopped—but applying medicine on it would undoubtedly cause some discomfort.

Rong Shu hesitated. Seeing her like this, Gu Changjin's inexplicable irritation was about to surface, visible in his eyes.

He wasn't usually someone who struggled to control his emotions, but at this moment, looking at that slender cut on her arm, heaven knew how much self-restraint he exerted to refrain from sarcastic remarks.

How difficult could it be to tend to such a small cut?

Why couldn't she be more decisive and promptly apply medicine to that damned wound?

Feeling his intense gaze, Rong Shu suddenly remembered that he was also injured and probably waiting for the same medicine.

No wonder a hint of impatience had crept onto his usually aloof face.

Certainly, she did not wish to delay others from attending to their wounds. Thus, she inhaled gently and scattered the medicine powder onto her injury, immediately feeling a searing pain. However, she endured it, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly.

When the pain subsided, she managed a weak smile and said to Gu Changjin, "My lord, my head is taken care of now. Please tend to your wound quickly."

She pushed the medicine bottle slowly towards him but remained still, showing no intention of helping him apply the medicine.

Rong Shu was both perceptive and self-aware.

Applying medicine was an intimate act, and with a simple thought, she knew he would dislike it. Likewise, she was unwilling as well.

Gu Changjin acknowledged her with a soft "hum," took the medicine bottle, but did not rush to apply it. Instead, his gaze shifted to Xu Li'er, fixing his eyes on her as he unexpectedly asked, "Miss Xu, what exactly was under that incense burner?"

Chapter 24

Since getting into the carriage, Xu Li'er had been in a state of constant anxiety. Gu Changjin's sudden question was like a spring thunderbolt, startling her so much that cold sweat broke out on her body.