The young man was taken aback for a moment before forcing a smile and saying, "Then... I won't take this job..."
"Then you won't need your head anymore."
The young man sighed and then said, "Fine, I'll give it a try."
As he spoke, he stood up and said, "First, carry him into the inner room. I'll need to re-dress his wounds."
Hearing this, Chu Yu helped Wei Yun up and supported him as they moved inside. The man turned back to the little girl and said, "Go get them a wheelchair."
The girl acknowledged the order. Chu Yu carried Wei Yun and placed him on the bed in the inner room, then sized up the young man and asked, "May I ask your name, sir?"
"Shen Wushuang," the young man replied as he pulled out a white cloth from the side. The cloth was covered with silver needles of varying lengths, and next to it hung a rack filled with blades of different sizes.
The young man took one of the blades, held it over a flame for a while, then soaked it in alcohol before saying calmly, "That was my apprentice just now, also my niece, Shen Jiaojiao."
Then, he turned to Chu Yu and said, "Go out and tell Jiaojiao to inform her mother to prepare a medicinal bath for your husband."
Chu Yu was momentarily stunned, recalling Wei Yun's instructions when they entered the city, and nodded before stepping out. Just then, she encountered the little girl pushing a wheelchair inside.
Chu Yu relayed the message to Jiaojiao, who nodded and said, "Alright."
As she spoke, she pointed to the well and said to Chu Yu, "Then fetch some water inside."
Chu Yu acknowledged and went back to fetch a wooden basin, filling it with water before returning.
Meanwhile, Shen Wushuang had unwrapped Wei Yun's bandages in the room. When Chu Yu entered, she saw Wei Yun lying on the chair, his clothes completely open. She set the water down and was about to leave when Shen Wushuang stopped her, saying, "We're short on hands. Come and help."
Chu Yu hesitated in her steps, and Wei Yun said with difficulty, "Sir, let her—"
"She's your wife. What's there to be afraid of?"
Shen Wushuang glared at Wei Yun. "My sister-in-law and apprentice are still fetching water to prepare the medicinal bath for you. Who else am I supposed to ask?"
Wei Yun's expression stiffened, but Chu Yu turned back and calmly looked at him, saying, "It's alright, Xiao Qi."
Then she stood beside Shen Wushuang and said, "Sir, just tell me what to do."
Shen Wushuang didn't respond but proceeded to remove Wei Yun's clothes, covering only the essential areas. His body was covered in wounds, the previously bandaged injuries now mixed with sand and pus, presenting a gruesome sight.
Seeing the wounds, all other thoughts fled Chu Yu's mind as she listened to Shen Wushuang's instructions: "Towel."
Chu Yu wrung out a towel and handed it to Shen Wushuang, who used it to clean Wei Yun's wounds while Chu Yu continuously prepared fresh towels for him.
Once the wounds were cleaned, Shen Wushuang began disinfecting them with alcohol. Wei Yun remained silent throughout, his expression unchanged, and even looked up at Chu Yu to say, "Don't worry, it doesn't hurt."
Chu Yu held the medicine for Shen Wushuang, her eyes downcast as she stayed quiet. Shen Wushuang scoffed lightly, picking up a small knife from the side and saying nonchalantly, "I'm going to remove the rotten flesh now. Don't cry out in pain."
Wei Yun glanced at Shen Wushuang and let out a derisive laugh before turning his head away, completely indifferent. Shen Wushuang's temper flared, but his movements remained as gentle as possible as he cleaned the rotten flesh, muttering, "Fine, fine. Let's see how tough you really are."Both Wei Yun and Chu Yu could tell that Shen Wushuang was bluffing, but they didn’t comment further. After Shen Wushuang finished removing the necrotic tissue, he applied medicine to Wei Yun’s wound and rebandaged it. Then, he waved at Chu Yu and said, “Carry him and follow me.”
Wei Yun was actually in excruciating pain, though he showed no sign of it on his face. But after all the torment, cold sweat had drenched his body. Chu Yu carried Wei Yun and followed Shen Wushuang, who spoke as they walked, “There’s nothing seriously wrong with him otherwise, but his leg was delayed for too long. You were afraid he’d lose too much blood, so you tied it too tightly, and now the meridians are practically ruined. Starting today, he needs to soak in a medicinal bath daily. After each bath, you’ll massage the acupoints I’ll show you for half an hour.”
“Will he recover fully?” Chu Yu asked worriedly.
Shen Wushuang pondered for a moment before replying, “That depends on luck.”
Then, he added casually, “Now that Great Chu is at war with the Northern Di, who knows how it’s going. How did you end up here?”
“We came to the Northern Di for trade, but the war broke out suddenly. We were robbed on the way and had to flee,” Chu Yu lied offhandedly.
Shen Wushuang didn’t press further. Instead, he remarked, “Judging by your accent, you’re from Hua Jing?”
“Yes,” Chu Yu replied thoughtfully. “Are you as well?”
Shen Wushuang chuckled, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. “Indeed.”
After walking a stretch with his back to Chu Yu, he slowly said, “I wonder when Emperor Chunde will meet his end.”
“You…” Chu Yu hesitated. “Why are you so certain about His Majesty Chunde…?”
Shen Wushuang glanced at her and drawled, “Because I know he let a big fish slip through.”
An ordinary person might not have grasped the meaning behind Shen Wushuang’s words, but Chu Yu immediately realized that the “big fish” he referred to was likely Zhao Yue from back then.
Surname Shen… and a physician.
Chu Yu quickly sifted through her memories of people from that time and vaguely recalled that there had been a renowned chief physician surnamed Shen in the Imperial Hospital. Later, he had vanished without a trace, said to have returned home to observe mourning.
Chu Yu hesitated but ultimately didn’t ask.
In truth, it wasn’t hard to guess. Back then, when Gu Chusheng and The Eldest Princess had protected Zhao Yue, they must have had help. If Shen Wushuang had shielded Zhao Yue back then, he likely had a close relationship with him. If he were to learn Wei Yun’s identity now, it might spell trouble.
Chu Yu didn’t dare say too much, but she felt somewhat reassured about Shen Wushuang’s medical skills, given that the former chief physician Shen had been quite renowned. Still, she remained cautious around him.
The three arrived at a room where Shen Jiaojiao stood guard at the door. Inside, a woman in Great Chu-style attire—a blue-and-white dress with magnolia jade earrings—stepped out, looking elegant and refined.
The moment Shen Wushuang saw her, his face lit up with a smile as he approached. “Sister-in-law, were you tired?”
The woman smiled gently. “It was nothing. The medicinal bath is ready. Let the young master and his wife go in first.”
“Alright.” Shen Wushuang nodded and reminded her, “I made you some red date porridge, Sister-in-law. Don’t forget to eat it.”
Her face flushed slightly as she replied softly, “You’re so thoughtful.” With that, she left with Shen Jiaojiao.
Wei Yun and Chu Yu found the exchange between the two somewhat odd, but Shen Wushuang turned back to them nonchalantly and said, “Alright, go on in.”
Without another word, Chu Yu helped Wei Yun into the bathtub.She didn't dare look at him. Shen Wushuang leaned against the wall with crossed arms, smiling as he said, "I must say you two are really strange. How long have you been married, yet you're still this awkward with each other?"
Both Wei Yun and Chu Yu were embarrassed. After helping Wei Yun into the water, he looked up at Shen Wushuang and asked, "Does she still need to help with anything else?"
"No, I'll administer the acupuncture now. You soak for half an hour, and later I'll teach her the massage techniques."
Wei Yun nodded and said to Chu Yu, "You should go rest for a while then."
Chu Yu had wanted to leave for some time and quickly made her exit. After she left, Shen Wushuang came behind Wei Yun and patted his back. "Lean forward a bit."
Wei Yun obediently leaned forward, exposing his back. Shen Wushuang took out the needles and began placing them on Wei Yun's back, casually remarking, "Are you two really married? Have you even consummated the marriage?"
After a moment of silence, just as Shen Wushuang was about to tease further, Wei Yun spoke: "My wife is naturally shy. I hope you won't make such jokes in the future."
Shen Wushuang thought for a moment and nodded. "Fair enough. My sister-in-law was shy too. Alright, I won't tease you anymore."
Wei Yun remained silent. After a while, he asked, "What about your brother?"
"My brother?" Shen Wushuang's voice carried a hint of bitterness. "He's dead."
Wei Yun lowered his eyes. "My condolences."
"It's fine," Shen Wushuang chuckled. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. We didn't do anything wrong, so why should I hide it?"
"If anyone's at fault," Shen Wushuang inserted another needle into Wei Yun's back, his eyes turning cold, "it should be them."
After some thought, Wei Yun finally asked, "May I ask how your brother passed? If there's any vengeance to be had, perhaps I could help in the future."
"You can't help."
Shen Wushuang's voice was flat. "In Hua Jing, you're just a wealthy merchant, aren't you?"
Wei Yun stayed silent. The other man continued indifferently, "I used to have some standing in Hua Jing. I've met most of the top officials and nobles there, so don't try to fool me."
"But the political landscape in Hua Jing has changed drastically. Perhaps your enemy has already fallen from grace?"
Wei Yun probed carefully. Shen Wushuang paused in his needlework. After a moment, he slowly asked, "In that case... do you know what became of The Eldest Princess?"
Wei Yun was inwardly shocked—was Shen Wushuang's family grievance related to The Eldest Princess?!
Then it occurred to him that Shen Wushuang must have been involved with Zhao Yue's affairs back then. His brother's death might be connected too. If Zhao Yue had later hidden under The Eldest Princess's protection, perhaps he wasn't asking about her, but Zhao Yue!
So he replied slowly, "The Eldest Princess's current whereabouts are unknown."
"Oh?"
Shen Wushuang restrained his tone. "The Eldest Princess was always adept at navigating political waters. No matter who became emperor, she should have remained untouchable. How could her whereabouts be unknown?"
"The Great Chu has undergone a regime change. Emperor Chunde was executed, and now it's the Zhao family's rule."
Shen Wushuang's hand stilled momentarily. He looked up, his voice icy. "What did you say?"
"Qin Prince Heir Zhao Yue led troops to capture Hua Jing, restoring the Zhao family's rightful rule. He has now ascended the throne in Hua Jing. After his coronation, The Eldest Princess disappeared without a trace."
Wei Yun turned slightly to observe Shen Wushuang's reaction and said calmly, "You didn't know?"
Shen Wushuang's hand holding the silver needle trembled slightly. After a pause, he looked at Wei Yun and sneered, "Weren't you asking who my enemy is?"
"Let me tell you—"Shen Wushuang slowly inserted the needle into Wei Yun's back, his voice icy. "My elder brother died at the hands of the new emperor, Zhao Yue. You want to help me? Look at me now—do you think I still can?"
"He didn't die even when he was in dire straits back then. How can I take revenge now?!"
"Why not?"
Wei Yun spoke calmly, leaving Shen Wushuang stunned. He hadn't expected this young man to show not a trace of fear, even after hearing such words.
Wei Yun looked at him and said lightly, "Coincidentally," a cold smile curled at his lips, "my father and brother also died by his hand."
Shen Wushuang stared at him blankly. Wei Yun turned his head away and spoke evenly, "Wei Yun, Marquis of National Stability, greets Lord Shen."
Wei Yun!
Shen Wushuang's eyes widened abruptly, the needle in his hand forgotten as he halted the treatment.
Author's Note:
Reader: Author, are all the side characters you write this good-looking?
Mo Shubai: Sorry, but a beauty-obsessed pen is hard to control.
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