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In the Tian family of Ping’an Town, half an hour ago, Lu Songli had someone return the borrowed carriage from her elder brother.
The Tian family was somewhat puzzled, not understanding why the carriage was returned so quickly. Just then, when Lu Zhiyuan came back to get something and saw it, he naturally had to ask about it.
The person who brought the carriage back was Chen Rong. He quickly explained the situation, not going into too much detail, just giving a rough overview to give the young master an idea.
Just hearing this, Lu Zhiyuan was both shocked and angry. “This stubborn girl, she found someone lying in ambush and didn’t even say a word, she just went to handle it herself, she’s so bold!”
Lu Zhiyuan was both shocked and angry.
Madam Tian did not say anything. She was also terrified just now. Her younger sister’s courage was too great. Such a big matter, she handled it all without a fuss, and the key point was that she succeeded! This was unbelievable.
Chen Rong quickly added, “Young Master, Second Miss was not alone, the future Second Young Master was also there.”
Qin Sheng’s skills were easily convincing, and Chen Rong was one of those convinced by him.
“Young Master, Madam, Second Miss said to be careful during this time, to be vigilant of unfamiliar people suddenly appearing around you, and to take good care of the young master and young miss.” After saying this, Chen Rong quickly left.
Lu Zhiyuan paced back and forth in the courtyard.
Madam Tian was dizzy from his pacing. “Alright, alright, she has done it, what can you do to her?”
Lu Zhiyuan said resentfully, “When I go back, I must tell my parents about her!”
Unfortunately, when he went back and complained to his parents, Lu Desheng looked at his son with disdain, thinking, “It must be that the eldest son is too useless, so the daughter doesn’t tell him about her plans. It must be like this.” Lu Desheng subconsciously ignored the fact that he was also being kept in the dark. His daughter kept it from him because she was afraid he would worry, not because she thought he was useless.
At that time, Lu Desheng also advised Lu Songli, saying, “Daughter, what your elder brother said makes some sense. Although your elder brother is a bit useless, he can still be useful. At least the tasks he is given can be completed without any discount. Next time you have something to do, just order him around.”
This was something Lu Zhiyuan never expected.
But that’s a story for another time.
In the end, Zhao Bin was brought back to the Zhao residence by a passing kind-hearted person in a cart. After being mistreated, Zhao Bin bravely offered a large sum of money to the farmer who came to investigate after hearing cries for help, which finally led to him being brought back.
As night fell, the farmer finally brought Zhao Bin to the Zhao residence following his directions.
Zhao Bin lay on the cart, barely covered with sparse straw, with one leg hanging at an awkward angle. Not to mention how heartbroken Madam Luo was when she saw this scene.
“Fourth Son, Fourth Son, tell Mother, who did this to you?”
At this moment, Zhao Bin was running a high fever, breathing heavily, and the pain in his left leg caused him to emit uncontrollable groans of agony.
Madam Luo’s cries made him open his eyes, and he said with difficulty, “Mother, where is Father?”
“Your father is in the study. I have already sent someone to fetch your father, and he will be here soon. Son, tell Mother, who did this to you, Mother will risk her life to avenge you.”
“It was Lu Songli—” These words were uttered by Zhao Bin through gritted teeth.
“It’s her, it’s actually her? The wicked woman!” Madam Luo couldn’t believe that her own son had been harmed by her like this.
Next, Madam Luo cried uncontrollably, cursing the culprit fiercely, “God, open your eyes and send down a thunderbolt to strike that wretched woman dead!”
At this moment, Zhao Yutan received the news and rushed over in a daze.
Zhao Bin lay lifeless on the bed, feeling filthy.
Zhao Yutan couldn’t believe that her once spirited younger brother had turned into this. In an instant, she cried uncontrollably, wishing she could swap places with him. Why did her loved ones have to endure such a fate! Oh Heavens.
Then she heard her mother’s curses and knew that all of this was caused by Lu Songli. She regretted deeply. If only she had advised him more when she found out he was going to cause trouble for Lu Songli, this tragedy wouldn’t have happened.
At this moment, Zhao Wenkuan also arrived.
As soon as Madam Luo saw him, she started accusing him, “Sir, look at Fourth Young Master, all because of that wicked woman Lu Songli! She’s too heartless, look at what she did to Fourth Young Master’s leg!”
As soon as Zhao Bin saw him, his eyes lit up, and he expressed the request that had been lingering in his mind, “Father, I want to tear Lu Songli to pieces! And Qin Sheng too!”
“Alright, I promise you!” The suffering of his son made the usually tough Zhao Wenkuan’s eyes turn red.
“What? Qin Sheng is involved in this too?” Madam Luo exclaimed sharply.
Ignoring Madam Luo, Zhao Wenkuan looked around and didn’t see the doctor. He couldn’t help but ask, “Has the doctor been sent for?”
Zhao Yutan replied, “I’ve sent someone to fetch Doctor Cheng.”
Zhao Wenkuan nodded. Doctor Cheng had a good relationship with the Zhao family, and they provided him with an annual offering to take care of the health of the main members of the family. Moreover, Doctor Cheng was trustworthy.
“Father, Ding Wen and the others need to be dealt with!” Even though Zhao Bin was in great pain, he still remembered to deal with those servants.
“Don’t worry, I know what to do.” Cold light flashed in Zhao Wenkuan’s eyes. He wouldn’t show mercy to those servants who had insulted his son.
“And the old man from the farming family who brought me back.”
“Alright, I promise you.”
Doctor Cheng soon arrived at the Zhao residence. After treating Zhao Bin, he left with his medical kit and gestured for Zhao Wenkuan to follow.
“The young master’s leg has been severely injured three times, the attacker was extremely ruthless. The lower half of the young master’s shin bone is shattered. Even if the bone and wound heal, it may still affect his mobility.” In fact, he may never be able to walk again.
After Doctor Cheng finished speaking, he sighed inwardly. This Zhao Bin was truly finished.
Zhao Wenkuan felt heavy-hearted after hearing this but still said, “Doctor Cheng, please think of a solution. My son is still so young, as parents, we can’t bear to see him like this. What will his future be like?”
Doctor Cheng declined, “I’m really powerless in this matter. Master Zhao, you should seek other experts.”
In the end, Zhao Wenkuan could only helplessly say, “Doctor Cheng, please prescribe some painkillers for him. Treat him first. As parents, it’s hard for us to watch him suffer.”
Finally, the doctor prescribed Zhao Bin with medication for his injuries, pain relief, and some fever-reducing medicine. He personally treated his leg injury but couldn’t attend to the other wounds.
Just after dealing with his leg injury, Zhao Bin began to throw a fit, yelling, “Get out! Get out, all of you!”
As soon as he saw the medicine for his wounds, Zhao Bin remembered being held down by the servants in that dilapidated house, recalling the humiliating scenes. Moreover, the painkillers prescribed by Imperial Physician Cheng were utterly ineffective! Even after taking them, the pain was still excruciating!
Although he despised Lu Songli beyond measure, the medicine she had given him back then worked almost instantly to stop the pain and bleeding. In comparison, the painkillers from the Imperial Physician seemed far inferior, so it was no surprise that he was dissatisfied.
Imperial Physician Cheng left with a grim expression, and Zhao Wenkuan could only try to comfort him, urging him to be more understanding of the patient’s mood, and then saw him off.
As soon as Zhao Wenkuan returned, he was grabbed by Madam Luo, who asked, “Husband, the father and daughter of the Lu family are so arrogant—don’t we have any way to deal with them?! Our son shouldn’t have to suffer this injustice!” She was now fixated on avenging her son. Previously, Lu Desheng had falsely accused people, leading to the demotion of several officials associated with the Zhao family. Now, Lu Songli had harmed her son, stirring up both old and new grievances.
Zhao Wenkuan remained silent.
Madam Luo burst into tears, “My poor son, are we just going to let her get away with this? We could approach Pei Qingtian, or if that doesn’t work, we could appeal to the Emperor for justice.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Bin strongly objected, “Father, we can’t do that. This matter must not be made public. I—I’d rather not live.”
“Don’t worry, son. I know, and I promise this will not be made public.” Zhao Wenkuan quickly reassured him, then turned and angrily rebuked Madam Luo, “Enough! Are you trying to drive our fourth son to his death?”
If this matter were to be exposed, his son would be utterly humiliated and might even wish for death. He could already imagine how many people would flock to witness and gossip about it, whether in the courtroom or the royal court. They’ve seen plenty of people missing limbs, but a grown man being assaulted by so many—now, that they haven’t seen before. His wife truly wasn’t very clever!
Suddenly reprimanded, Madam Luo’s tears abruptly stopped.
After her daughter, Zhao Yutan, quietly explained the situation, Madam Luo finally understood. She hesitated and asked, “Can’t we just focus on our son’s leg injury?”
Zhao Wenkuan sneered, “Even if we don’t mention it, do you think the Lu family won’t? They’ve already accused us. Do you think the Lu family won’t bring it up?”
“Are we really just going to swallow this humiliation?” Madam Luo muttered gloomily.
Of course not. Since Lu Songli had ruined his son, he would never let it go!
Zhao Wenkuan went back to his room, changed his clothes, and then left for the Xie family’s residence. When he set out, it was already the hour of Xu (7–9 p.m.), but he couldn’t afford to wait any longer.