Er Yin wait for physician Meng to come check on her. They talk about what should be done. The next day, physician Meng goes to find the Duke. He tell him the issue that Yi Jin is having.
"So you are saying that man is now not able to run nor walk at least for another year?"
"Yes, the stab is deep. He is now recover but his leg is numb. He have no feeling and he probably have to use the walking crane for a long time. The feeling will return one day but i don't know when."
"Besides that, it seems like he have nightmares when he shut his eyes. So he remain awake throughout the night. I have been feeding him some sleeping medicine to allow him to sleep well at night along with scented candles but all these have to be adjusted back to his normal state.... If i am not wrong, your highness, you should understand his conditions."
The Duke look at physician Meng who is bowing. He too suffer from the nightmares at night and choose to stay awake till the morning comes. Yin Jin and him suffer from the same guilty conscious of killing and taking away lives with their blade in hand. He tap his finger on the table gently.
"So what do you suggest?"
"Release him from the army."
"Will be be better?"
"With the compensation from the military. He should be able to live well enough. Besides that, he will be away from the battlefield, his mental health will be better."
"Let me think about this. Have you talk to Yi Jin?"
"Yes your highness, I did talk to hee... i mean him. I did advise him the outcome if he continue to drag his poor health into the life of a solider."
The Duke look away and wave his hand. The physician bow and walk out of the tent. The Duke look at his map that lay on the table. He too wish to stop fighting in the battle ground but there is no choice given to him when he is the only son who inherit the title and the job. The sword is given to him at the age of ten when his father died on the battle ground. He became the leader immediately and lead his men to victory with the support from his father's soldiers. Now they are mostly retired but in court they are still active and his alliance that he needs. He cannot stop till he pass the sword and title to the next capable one.
Er Yin wait for the Duke to come look for her. She sit on the bed and stare at the window curtain. He walk in to see his solider in daze. One leg wrap with a bandage as thick as the one on his chest. Appearly the one on the chest have erupted as well. So his wounds are never heal properly. He wonder how to leave this young man alone when he can't take care of himself mentally and physically. He clear his throat loudly and Er Yin look at him. Imeadiately raise the hands together and greet him.
"How are you today?"
"Greetings your Highness! I am feeling fine."
"Good. i have personally arrange for the rest of your salary and other items like bulk of clothes to be send to your home in YangTze."
"Thank you Duke Yan."
"Hmm and did Luo Ming tell you that we have to go back capital these days?"
"Yes sir, he did."
"Good. Next three days, we will move back. Just Luo Ming, you and me. The rest will continue to work here."
"Why am i going? I am useless now..."
"No you are not. Besides that you need to go to the capital and receive the gifts personally from Prince Jun. He wants to thank you for your afford on saving him."
"What about the rest of the men?"
"They already receive their portion. You will see him in the capital."
"After that... do i leave..."
"No. Just stay in my mansion. There is nothing much to do in my mansion. You only stand guard at either the entrance or at my bedroom. That is all. Any fight? No one dare to fight in my mansion. So there is nothing to do but stand still and get paid... besides that, you have another year to complete the contract."
Er Yin suddenly reminded of the contract that she sign. She look down and nod her head. There is no where she can run till the contract ends.
The group moved with their horses to the capital. Er Yin who is walking with her crutch insist on mounting on her horse. She is help onto her horse with Luo Ming holding on the rein for her. Physician Meng is worry as he watch her mount on the horse. He had prepared lots of fresh bandages and medicine for her. He look at her with worry eyes. Er Yin did not know what to say but she ensure him that she will stay alive till the end of contract. She thank him before leaving. He watch as the group slowly ride away. He sigh as look up the sky.
The Duke who is riding ahead occasionally look behind. He see that Luo Ming is holding on the rein of the horse which Yi Jin is sitting on. Yi Jin looks like he is dozing off but his hands are holding on the front of the saddle. He gives a hand signal to lower the speed they are at. With the new speed thay are travelling, it takes them nearly late evening to arrive at the capital. The group stroll along the street hungry as there are more people walking around in the evening. The Duke mansion was in a chaos to start cooking as news of the Duke is in the capital. The chefs cook furiously.
That night Er Yin stand at the same place where she stay for the first night. She cannot sleep again. She watch the stars with the sound of the drum beats banging at the back ground. The Duke who is walking towards his library see his officer sitting in on the pouch staring at the sky. He stare at Yi Jin for awhile before Luo Ming call him. He then then turn to walk into his room and close the door.