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The old Marquis was alarmed, “Is Ninth Prince’s injury severe?”
Chu Lingxuan shook his head, “The blade pierced his left shoulder, but it’s not serious.”
The old Marquis breathed a sigh of relief and then asked, “Was anyone spared?”
Chu Lingxuan explained, “They killed the assassins who were nearby, but there might be survivors at a distance. It’s hard to see the situation inside the restaurant. They wouldn’t have noticed Eleventh Prince and couldn’t have seen his face clearly. After all, there were many people in the restaurant, and there were several children as well.”
The old Marquis nodded and added, “You see, can Ninth Prince’s leg be completely healed?”
Chu Lingxuan said, “It’s hard to say. It’s been injured for ten years, and it’s a comminuted fracture. The muscles have withered. Unless there really is a miraculous medicine in this world, and unless it’s been obtained by a master, even the reincarnation of the famous doctor Hua Tuo couldn’t heal it.” He continued, “I hope Ninth Prince’s leg can be completely cured. If so, Eleventh Prince won’t be pushed into the forefront. I still think that although Eleventh Prince is clever, he’s not suitable for that position like Ninth Lord.”
The old Marquis whispered, “They both represent light and shadow, and one of them will eventually be pushed forward. If Ninth Prince’s leg gets better, everyone will be delighted. If not, when Eleventh Prince grows up, he will be brought back. Allowing the Yuan family’s bloodline to eventually take that position was a careful consideration by the Emperor. Let’s hope it happens as he desires. In that case, Mr. Yuan and the late Empress Dowager Yuan can rest in peace.”
Chu Lingxuan sighed, “The entire Yuan family was loyal and brave, yet their line was extinguished. Mr. Yuan had great military achievements but met such a tragic end. I also hope that one of these lords can ascend to the throne to comfort Mr. Yuan’s spirit in the afterlife… Those two, the mother and son, have exhausted all their scheming, but they cannot thwart their wishes. However, the Emperor’s health is not what it used to be, and it’s uncertain whether he can wait until Ninth Prince recovers or until Eleventh Prince grows up.”
…
After Chu Lingxuan and the old Marquis had left, the Golden Swallow was still tearfully chirping, saying, “Poor Dabao, your leg hurts, and my heart hurts too…”
Chen Feng wiped away Dabao’s tears, kissed him on the head, and whispered, “Be strong, my son. You’ll feel better soon.”
She picked up the Golden Swallow and entered the washroom, then the space. The Golden Swallow promptly pecked two small pieces of agarwood barks and gave them to Chen Feng.
Chen Feng pleaded, “Please, give me some green swallow’s nest. Let Dabao recover quickly and suffer less.”
“Mommy, I also hope Dabao gets better, but if he gets better too quickly, others might get suspicious. Agarwood bark can calm the mind, relieve pain, and help with bone healing.”
This was indeed a bit too outrageous and troublesome. She was so worried that she had forgotten this crucial point.
Chen Feng took the agarwood bark and the little creature out of the space and then left the washroom. She first lit a piece of green agarwood incense, which instantly filled the room with a deep and lingering fragrance. She then placed a piece of agarwood bark under Dabao’s bedding. The scent of the green agarwood incense was so strong that it masked the smell of the agarwood bark.
Gradually, Dabao stopped crying, closed his eyes, and his breathing became steady. Finally, he fell into a deep sleep.
Chen Feng breathed a sigh of relief and was about to go outside to inquire about Xue Dagui’s situation when Mrs. Wang, Chen Ming, and Lu rushed in, with Mrs. Wang already in tears. They asked, “What happened to Dabao? Where is he injured?”
Chen Feng gestured for them to keep their voices down and whispered, “He’s just fallen asleep. Keep your voices down.” She then quietly explained what had happened.
While Mrs. Wang and the others stayed with Dabao, Chen Feng went to the courtyard. Xue Dagui was still kneeling in the middle of the courtyard, wiping away his tears.
Approaching him, Chen Feng recounted the situation. Several burly men had suddenly rushed into the restaurant and started fighting, brandishing swords and knives. Furniture was thrown around, and the people present were terrified, screaming and fleeing in all directions. Xue Dagui had immediately shielded Dabao in his arms but couldn’t avoid being hit by a flying chair. The fight had stopped after about fifteen minutes, leaving several dead and some innocent bystanders injured. Fortunately, Master Chu had coincidentally been there and assisted in subduing the assailants. His guards went with the constables to report the incident at the county yamen. Additionally, Master Chu and the innkeeper, along with the injured, were taken to the medical center for treatment.
Chen Feng felt that Xue Dagui couldn’t be blamed for the incident and said, “Get up. It’s not your fault for the sudden accident. Just be more cautious in the future and don’t take Dabao to crowded places.”
Xue Dagui wiped away his tears, stood up, and added, “Young Miss, I think it’s a pity for Wang Laowu to work as a field hand. He should be the official guard in our family. If anything happens to you and Dabao in the future, he’d be more useful than me and Xiaoniu.”
“What do you mean?” Chen Feng asked.
Xue Dagui explained, “The two groups of people fighting were all highly skilled martial artists. When the incident happened, Wang Laowu was also dining at the restaurant. He has martial skills better than the old Marquis’s personal guards. He rushed over and snatched Dabao from my arms with lightning speed, even faster than Master Chu.”
Chen Feng thought of Wang Laowu’s unremarkable appearance, living in a thatched hut, looking disheveled, with thinning hair, unable to find a wife, yet had enough money to dine at a grand restaurant. Could it be that he was a martial arts expert?
If Dabao’s background was truly extraordinary, then it was highly likely that Wang Laowu also had a concealed and mysterious background.
She then said, “Let’s not speak of Wang Laowu’s martial skills. He’s living anonymously as a farmer, perhaps not wanting to serve anyone else. It’s a secret he doesn’t want to share, and we shouldn’t either.”
Xue Dagui nodded and went to rest in the backyard.
In the evening, an elderly white-bearded doctor was brought into Fengyuan. He is Doctor Jin, the best bone-setting physician from Qianjin Medical Center. He realigned Dabao’s bones, applied medication, administered injections, and prescribed medicine. Chu Lingxuan had him taken to Tangyuan to rest. The Chu family paid him handsomely to stay for a few days until Dabao was completely well before sending him back to Dingzhou.
Regardless of the payment, if Master Chu spoke, Doctor Jin wouldn’t dare to leave.
As Doctor Jin began to realign Dabao’s broken leg, Dabao cried inside the room, Chen Feng and Mrs. Wang cried outside, the Golden Swallow cried on a tree branch, even Chen Ming and Lu wiped away their tears. Dabao continued to sob even after the doctor left, his voice hoarse, “It hurts, hurts so much, mommy, mommy, will I be crippled…”
Hearing him speak this way, Chen Feng’s heart ached. She held his hand and comforted him, “You’re a brave little man. The pain will pass. Your little uncle went through the same and is perfectly fine now, not crippled at all…”
Chen Feng secretly added another small piece of agarwood bark to the medicine, had it brewed, fed it to Dabao, and after he gradually fell asleep, she dried her tears and quietly left the room with the others.