Chapter 46

Old Madam Xiao and Su Jinyuan quickly stepped forward. With one on each side, they held down Xie Yunyan. At that moment, his eyes grew bloodshot and seemed to bulge in pain, and the hand that had been clutching the table corner switched to gripping her arm.

Su Jinyuan felt that his grip was so forceful it nearly crushed her bones.

Dr. Gao deftly extracted the bone fragment. As he did so, Xie Yunyan’s wound split open again, and his entire body looked as if it had been soaked in water.

Although Su Jinyuan’s hand was stained with blood, she did not withdraw. Instead, she continued to support him while watching Dr. Gao reset his broken bone.

After applying medicinal paste to the wound and using a splint to secure his leg, Dr. Gao sighed in relief. “Alright, it’s done,” he said.

He continued, “Fortunately, someone had already treated Sixth Young Master’s leg before, so the meridians weren’t damaged. Once the leg bone is set, a month or two of rest should bring full recovery. However, during this period, you mustn’t rush to walk—you need to ensure the bone heals completely.”

“I will prescribe some medicine. Young Master must take it on schedule, and the dressing on the wound should be changed every three days. When changing the dressing, be careful not to touch the bone.”

Weakened, Xie Yunyan could barely speak.

Old Madam Xiao quickly said, “Many thanks, Dr. Gao.”

“Just following orders, Old Madam. No thanks are necessary.”

After that, Dr. Gao re-treated the lacerated wounds. Only after renewing the medicine and re-bandaging him did he turn to the two and say, “By the way, Madam, regarding Third Young Madam’s side…”

“It’s all fine now,” Old Madam Xiao replied.

Dr. Gao was astonished. “He really managed to save Third Young Madam’s child?” He then looked at Su Jinyuan in surprise, “Madam, where did you find this man? So young, yet his medical skill is so extraordinary!”

Su Jinyuan replied, “He is from Medicine King Valley.”

At the mention of Medicine King Valley, Dr. Gao suddenly realized, “No wonder…”

Medicine King Valley is regarded as a holy place of medicine, long renowned in the martial world. It is said that their secret techniques are never taught to outsiders—and that the valley’s inhabitants are eccentric, rarely mingling with the outside world. Thus, Dr. Gao had only heard of them but had never seen one with his own eyes.

If that young man truly is from Medicine King Valley, then it is not surprising that he possesses a secret technique capable of saving Wei Wanyun’s child. Moreover, his previously harsh and arrogant tone—perhaps meant to ward off those who might steal his knowledge—now makes sense.

Xie Yunyan, now regaining some strength, was also glad to hear that Wei Wanyun’s child had been saved.

As Su Jinyuan helped him sit, she said, “Dr. Gao, there is one more matter I’d like to ask your help with.”

Immediately, Dr. Gao inquired, “What are your orders, Madam?”

Su Jinyuan began, “After you return to the palace, His Majesty will surely ask about today’s events—the matter of the child in my younger brother’s wife’s womb…”

Dr. Gao’s expression changed slightly. “Madam, this matter must not be concealed. When Third Young Madam fainted, so many people were present. If you try to hide it from His Majesty, it simply won’t work.”

Su Jinyuan smiled gently. “Dr Gao, you’ve misunderstood—I’m not asking you to conceal this from the Emperor.”

She continued, “The Xiao family is not traitorous; having an heir is a blessing. Even if His Majesty learns of it, he will only be pleased for the sake of the Xiao family.”

For a moment, Dr. Gao was taken aback. “Then what is it that you intend?”

Su Jinyuan explained, “The child in my younger brother’s wife’s womb is not entirely safe. Master Xi said that whether the child survives will remain uncertain until half a month later. And even if the child does survive, it will be difficult for the pregnancy to continue to full term—the child may be inherently weak and unlikely to enjoy the longevity of a normal person.”

She went on, “I know that within the palace, there are many precious restorative items that can nourish the maternal body. Therefore, I would like you to ask His Majesty if the Xiao family might borrow some of these health supplements from the palace. We are willing to exchange money for them.”

Dr. Gao did not expect her to mean this. He agreed immediately, “Madam, rest assured—I will relay your message, and I’m certain His Majesty will approve.”

After all, all the male heirs of the Xiao family perished in Linchuan, and they had already suffered many unjust hardships. Now, only Wei Wanyun’s unborn child remains as the sole hope. Even Emperor Qing, wishing to preserve the dignity of his officials and ministers, would not refuse such a request.

After Dr. Gao left his prescription and instructions, Nanny Chen sent the patient away.

Once the outsiders were gone, Second Madam Xiao couldn’t hold it in and said, “Ah Yuan, why are you going to the palace to ask for things? The mansion still has money—if you need anything, just go buy it!” She resented the palace for its previous indifference and felt that Emperor Qing was heartless, not wanting any of his things.

Xie Yunyan, his voice slightly hoarse, replied, “Eldest Sister-in-law isn’t asking His Majesty for things; she only intends to tell the palace that the child in Third Sister-in-law’s womb might not survive. Even if the child does survive and is born safely, it may not be viable, let alone capable of inheriting the legacy of the General’s estate.”

Second Madam Xiao looked puzzled.

“His Majesty agreed to reopen the Xiao family’s case because Eldest Sister-in-law leveraged the garrison’s help—using Eldest Brother and his comrades’ corpses as bait to stir up public outrage against the Xiao family—and also, she undercut Duke Yu’s power by cutting off his hold on Luo Yu and Feng Kui. Forced by circumstances and intimidated by public sentiment, His Majesty had no choice but to reexamine the Xiao family’s case, yet he still spared Duke Yu. In that respect alone, Emperor Qing is not favoring the Xiao family.”

Xie Yunyan’s expression turned mocking as he continued, “The Emperor, with his cold and suspicious heart, has disregarded even years of loyal military contribution; he may not allow the Xiao family’s bloodline to continue and uphold the General’s legacy. Rather than let him harbor further doubts, it’s better to make him believe that this Xiao family child is a sickly wretch. That way, he’ll feel secure overturning the Xiao family’s case and bestowing generous favors without worrying that they might, in retaliation for the Linchuan incident, hold a grudge and suppress them.”

Second Madam Xiao understood what Xie Yunyan meant and immediately burst out, “That ungrateful, traitorous ingrate—if not for Big Brother, he would have long since perished at the Zhou Mountain Palace…”

“Enough,” Old Madam Xiao interjected. “Let’s not mention the past, and you’d do well not to say such things again lest someone use them against us.”

Second Madam Xiao’s eyes burned with anger as, through gritted teeth, she silently cursed Emperor Qing furiously.

After returning to the palace, Dr. Gao went to see Emperor Qing and delivered Su Jinyuan’s message. The very next day, the palace sent over a large shipment of precious medicinal herbs and restorative substances. Moreover, on that same day, news spread throughout the capital that Luo Yu had been beaten to death in the palace, Feng Kui had retracted his earlier statement, and the charges of collusion against the Xiao family had been completely cleared.

The Xiao family had finally turned their fortunes around.

As a continuous stream of rewards flowed into the General’s mansion, Duke Yu—the official who had originally overseen the case—was coldly treated by His Majesty, while Jiang Zicang, the Prefect of Linchuan, was arrested and the truth behind the defeat at Linchuan was soon revealed. Even those families who had once kept their distance from the Xiao family began to turn up.

In the front courtyard, the Xiao family set up a mourning hall displaying the coffins of Xiao Jin and several others. Those who had once scorned the Xiao family in their time of downfall seemed to have entirely forgotten their previous indifference; when they came to offer their condolences, each one appeared genuinely sorrowful, as if they were truly close to the Xiao family.

The members of the Xiao family found the whole scene extremely ironic. Then, when a servant announced that members of the Qi family were approaching, Second Madam Xiao immediately said, “Drive them out!”

Outside, Madam Qi, already spotting a few people standing inside, ducked low like a loach to avoid those in her path and barged in, exclaiming, “In-law, I’ve brought Lanzi over; she is also one of the Xiao family’s daughters-in-law.”

“Of course, a daughter-in-law would stay by her husband’s side during his wake!” Madam Qi added as she gave Qi Lanzi a nudge. Under the expectant looks of several onlookers, Qi Lanzi’s face flushed bright red and she shrank back, murmuring, “Grandmother…”