Pei Huaian struggled to sit up, shook Shao He’s body, and cried out anxiously, "Shao He... Shao He..."
Shao He slowly opened her eyes and met Pei Huaian’s panicked, worried gaze with a smile, saying, "I’m fine..."
Having said that, Shao He then fainted.
Pei Huaian roared uncontrollably, his cries heart-wrenching.
Ah Mo rushed over with others in tow.
"Go, get Yun Qian here! Hurry!" Pei Huaian bellowed.
Yun Qian soon arrived to examine Shao He, and after confirming there was no danger to her life, Pei Huaian finally let his heart rest, collapsing into a chair.
"Master, you should lie down and rest, I will watch over Doctor Shao for you."
Pei Huaian waved his hand in refusal, insisting on sitting by the bed, gazing at Shao He’s pale face filled with tender pity and guilt. He softly caressed her slightly cold cheek, murmuring, "I’m sorry... I failed to protect you, it’s me..."
"I will definitely find out who’s behind this!"
Pei Huaian’s gaze was filled with determination, his face fierce to the extreme, his body emanating a terrifying chill.
Shao He had been asleep for three days and nights without waking.
Pei Huaian kept vigilant care of her, not sleeping day after day, yet still full of energy.
"Master, if you don’t treat your wounds, they will become infected sooner or later," Ah Mo urged.
"Get out!" Pei Huaian scolded, harsh and unceremonious, startling Ah Mo into a hasty retreat.
Pei Huaian took a clean, warm cloth and gently wiped the sweat from Shao He’s brow, speaking softly and gently, "You’ve been unconscious for three days, if this continues, your body won’t be able to take it. Don’t you want to see Xiao Linzhang?"
"These past few days, he’s been crying and asking for his mother. Don’t you usually dote on him the most? How can you bear to let him keep this up?"
"Be good, don’t sleep anymore, listen to me..."
Pei Huaian coaxed patiently, yet Shao He remained with her eyes closed, unresponsive.
Pei Huaian gave a wry smile of helplessness, sighed, and said, "Well then, let’s just say you’re exhausted! When you wake up, I’ll take you back home."
Having said these words, Pei Huaian continued to watch Shao He silently until the sunset slanted westward, then he stood up and walked out of the room.
"Is dinner ready?" Pei Huaian asked.
"Everything is prepared," Ah Mo replied respectfully.
"Hmm, bring it here."
Abbot Yuan Hui had been living quite comfortably in the jail these past few days, and just when he thought he would be safely released, Pei Huaian arrived at the yamen.
"Amitabha!" Abbot Yuan Hui greeted him with a joyous clasping of hands, a pleasant smile on his face.
"Amitabha, what brings Donor Pei to visit this poor monk today? Truly an honor for me!"
Pei Huaian glanced indifferently at Yuan Hui and said, "I’m here today because there’s something I need the Abbot’s help with."
"Speak, Donor Pei! As long as this monk is capable, I will not decline," Abbot Yuan Hui responded with a beaming smile.
Pei Huaian’s lips curved slightly as he said, "I know of the Abbot’s renowned reputation in the Capital City, but I wonder how the public would react if they knew the Abbot they worship was actually a bandit leader."
"What? What do you mean by that, Donor Pei? I am a high monk who has attained the Way; how could I become those ordinary commoners’ bandit?" Abbot Yuan Hui asked, frowning.
Pei Huaian remained noncommittal, casually saying, "Does the Abbot still remember which village it was that you fled from to the Capital City that night?"
Upon hearing this, Abbot Yuan Hui was stunned and after a moment, he abruptly looked up at Pei Huaian, asking in surprise, "You... you... "
Pei Huaian replied with a faint smile, "Me what?"
Abbot Yuan Hui glared at Pei Huaian, teeth clenched; he had never anticipated that Pei Huaian would use public resentment to punish him.
"Donor Pei, this move is too malicious, utterly despicable, and vile!"
Pei Huaian snorted with disdain, "The feeling’s mutual. How could I dare to brazenly send the Abbot to the Metropolitan Governor’s yamen without sufficient evidence?"
Pei Huaian paused for a moment, then continued, "Not only that, but I’ve also sent someone to follow the Abbot. All your actions could not escape my sight."
Abbot Yuan Hui looked at Pei Huaian in shock, seemingly unable to believe his words.
He could never have imagined that, hidden so securely that even the Imperial Court officials perceived nothing amiss, it was only Prince Pei Huaian, so young, who could have guessed the truth.
"I wonder if Abbot Yuan Hui is curious about how I uncovered your secret?" Pei Huaian asked with a smile playing on his lips.
Abbot Yuan Hui remained silent, simply staring intensely at Pei Huaian.
"It was I who led the mission to annihilate the bandits that year," Pei Huaian said gravely.
A moment of astonishment flickered over Abbot Yuan Hui’s face before he furrowed his brows and asked, "What?"
"The very person who was ordered to capture you, was also me," Pei Huaian stated emphatically.
Abbot Yuan Hui wanted to argue, but Ah Mo already opened the door to the cell and reached out to tear open the clothing on his chest, revealing the tiger head tattoo on his torso.
With his complexion turning pale, Abbot Yuan Hui staggered back two steps and fell to the ground.
Pei Huaian knelt down leisurely and looked at Abbot Yuan Hui, asking, "What have you got to say for yourself, Abbot Yuan Hui?"