Chapter 45

Eldest Madam Xiao, covering her mouth while crying, managed to say “thank you,” and Old Madam Xiao also gave Xi Junning a deep bow.

“Thank you, Young Master, for saving the bloodline of the Xiao family.”

“Thank you, Young Master!”

Huo Rou and the other members of the Xiao family followed suit with their own bows.

Xi Junning avoided returning Old Madam Xiao’s formal salute and gently supported her as he said, “Old Madam, there’s no need for such courtesy.”

“Father was once rescued by you—sheltered in Black Cloud Camp for three years. When I was just a child, my father always spoke of your kindness and promised that he would repay the debt if he ever met you again.”

“Every member of the Xiao family is brave, and even aside from General Xiao, the favor you did for my father is worth every effort on my part. I will do my utmost to protect the child in the womb of the Third Young Madam.”

Old Madam Xiao was startled by his words. “You are…?”

“My father is Xi Qian.”

Instantly, Old Madam Xiao’s eyes grew wide. “You’re the son of that little crybaby?”

Xi Junning smiled gently. “Exactly. My name is Xi Junning.”

As Old Madam Xiao looked upon the striking young gentleman before her, memories flooded back. She recalled the small child who had stayed in Black Cloud Camp for three years, crying with snot and tears—three fits of weeping a day. That child was Xi Qian.

She had been friends with Xi Qian’s father in the martial world, and when vengeful enemies later slaughtered the Xi family, she arrived in time to save only the half-grown Xi Qian. At that time, Xi Qian wasn’t even as tall as her legs. Having witnessed his parents’ murder and crying night after night, and perhaps because she was his rescuer, the little boy clung to her like a tail, never straying even for a moment.

One time, she led a group to seize territory and left a sleeping Xi Qian in the camp. When she returned, she found him crouched at the gate with tears streaming down his face. The moment he saw her, he clutched her thigh and bawled inconsolably, no matter how she tried to comfort him.

Back then, Old Madam Xiao was barely in her teens and had no experience raising a child—yet, in her muddled way, she ended up treating Xi Qian as if he were her own for three years. It wasn’t until relatives from the Xi family eventually took him away that she never saw the child again. She never imagined that, after several decades, she would meet someone from the Xi family again—and that he would be the son of that little crybaby.

“Good, good child. I never expected the little crybaby’s son to turn out so handsome—you are far more striking than your father!”

Xi Junning chuckled lightly. “I take after my mother.” As he listened to Old Madam Xiao refer to his father as the little crybaby, his peach blossom eyes shone with amusement.

“My father left Black Cloud Camp, and soon after, he was taken back to Ganping by our uncle. By a twist of fate, he joined Medicine King Valley as an apprentice to the Grand Master to learn medicine.”

“He later returned to Black Cloud Camp—but by that time, you had already accepted amnesty and moved to the capital.”

Old Madam Xiao laughed. “And your father now?”

“He passed away two years ago.”

“How could that be…” Old Madam Xiao gasped in astonishment.

Xi Junning’s expression remained calm as he explained, “After my mother bore me, she fell gravely ill. My father devoted over ten years of his life trying desperately to extend her life, but ultimately, even his efforts could not defy fate.”

“After my mother passed, he was inconsolable in his grief—and after barely six months, he too departed from this world.”

Seemingly untroubled by these past sorrows, he turned and consoled the saddened Old Madam Xiao further, “When my father left, he did so with a smile. He said he was finally going to see my mother—he was truly happy. His only regret was that all these years he stayed at Medicine King Valley for her sake, he never had the chance to see you again.”

“I have occasionally come to the capital over the past two years and had others keep a discreet watch by the General’s Mansion. Knowing that the illustrious Xiao family was thriving, I refrained from disturbing you—until a little over a month ago when I heard about General Xiao’s troubles, I hurried here to the capital.”

When he later met Su Jinyuan that day, he had only been in the capital for two or three days, still pondering how best to see Old Madam Xiao. Who would have thought that fate would have him cross paths with Su Jinyuan—the same young lady who had come seeking medicine?

Xi Junning’s decision to help Su Jinyuan was not only—or even primarily—because he found her intriguing, but also because of his bonds with Old Madam Xiao. Otherwise, why would the esteemed young master of Medicine King Valley stoop to assist Su Jinyuan in “coercing” Yang Hong?

Even Su Jinyuan clearly realized that such a windfall wouldn’t simply fall into her lap. It turned out that Xi Junning was indeed an old acquaintance of the Xiao family—only, the person in question wasn’t Xie Yunyan, but the old madam.

Even if she hadn’t shown herself, Xi Junning would still have helped the Xiao family and rescued Wei Wanyun. Yet this fellow stubbornly put on the airs of some lofty sage who said, “If you don’t request me, I won’t go even if you beat me to death,” and in the end, she was forced to kneel before him.

Su Jinyuan’s expression went dark.

Old Madam Xiao, recognizing that the man before her was the son of an old acquaintance, happily stopped insisting on further thanks. After a few words of reminiscence and inviting Xi Junning to stay at the residence temporarily, she went inside to check on Wei Wanyun.

After the other members of the Xiao family had departed, Xi Junning, holding a clean handkerchief with which he had dried his hands, offered it to Su Jinyuan. Su Jinyuan remained expressionless.

“What’s wrong? I’ve rescued someone—what’s with that look on your face?” she asked.

Su Jinyuan let out a cold laugh. “I’ve already thanked Young Master Xi.”

Xi Junning was left speechless. Wasn’t it promised that as long as he rescued someone, she’d agree to anything?!

Just moments ago, all that ingratiating servility was there—now, this stinking girl has turned her back on him. It seems everything she said before was nothing but lies!

After Su Jinyuan went to see Wei Wanyun, she found that although she was still unconscious, her complexion was no longer as ashen.

Eldest Madam Xiao and Huo Rou stayed by the side to watch. The Old Madam Xiao went next door to see Xie Yunyan.

Second Madam, her eyes red, called out, “Mother…”

“How is Little Sisth?” she added.

The moment she spoke, tears welled up once more in Second Madam Xiao’s eyes. “Ah Yan’s body has hardly a piece of uninjured flesh left—those people are so ruthless. They mean to take Ah Yan’s life.”

The injuries, the haggard and scarred wounds—their ghastly appearance nearly broke one’s spirit.

Old Madam Xiao’s eyes flashed with sternness. As she led Su Jinyuan inside, they saw Dr. Gao working on Xie Yunyan’s severed leg.

Xie Yunyan was draped in a long gown and covered at the front with bloodstained white gauze; without his trousers to hide him, the sight of his broken bone jutting out through the flesh was laid bare before everyone’s eyes. He clutched the edge of a nearby table with all his might, his knuckles blanching as he endured the pain.

In a low voice, Dr. Gao said, “Sixth Young Master, although I’ve treated your leg injury, a bone fragment is still embedded within the broken bone. I must extract this fragment and reset the bone—only then, once your bone heals, will it not affect your future martial arts training.”

“Please endure a little longer; if not, I will have to use some Drunken Heart Herb for you…”

“No need!” Xie Yunyan replied firmly.

Drunken Heart Herb can numb the senses and relieve pain—but it will also impair one’s mind. Having heard about it before, Xie Yunyan was naturally reluctant to use it. Instead, he simply reached out, gathered a folded piece of cloth, and stuffed it into his mouth as he hoarsely added, “Do it.”

Seeing this, Dr. Gao hesitated for a moment but had no choice except to extract the fragment forcibly. Although the broken bone had already been treated, it seemed the crude method had been deliberately concealed from outsiders. Pressing down on Xie Yunyan’s thigh, Dr. Gao began to remove the bone fragment. The moment the sharp fragment pierced into the leg bone, blood instantly seeped from between Xie Yunyan’s teeth. Large droplets of cold sweat streamed down his face, and as his phoenix-like eyes widened and bulged, the blue veins on his neck twisted into a menacing display.

Dr. Gao also began to sweat. As he tilted the bone fragment to extract it, fresh blood spurted out in an instant.

“Ugh!”

As the fragment scraped along the channels of the broken bone, Xie Yunyan let out a low roar, and his leg flinched reflexively.

“Quick, hold him down!”