The young man hesitated, then forced a smile and said, “Then… I won’t take this case…”
“Then you can say goodbye to your head right now.”
The young man sighed and replied, “Alright, I’ll try.”
He stood up and said, “First, bring the patient to the inner room. I’ll treat the wounds again.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu helped Wei Yun stand and walk towards the inner room. The young man turned to the girl and said, “Go get them a wheelchair.”
The girl responded, and Chu Yu carried Wei Yun to the couch in the inner room. She looked at the young man and asked, “May I ask your name, sir?”
“Shen Wushuang,” the young man replied as he unfolded a white cloth filled with silver needles of various lengths. Next to the cloth hung a rack with blades of different sizes.
The young man took a blade, heated it over a flame for a while, then dipped it in alcohol. He said calmly, “The girl earlier is my apprentice and niece, Shen Jiaojiao.”
He then told Chu Yu, “Go out and ask Jiaojiao to tell her mother to prepare a medicinal bath for your husband.”
Chu Yu hesitated, remembering Wei Yun’s instructions at the city gate. She agreed and walked out, meeting the girl pushing a wheelchair.
Chu Yu relayed the message to Jiaojiao, who nodded and said, “Alright.”
She then pointed to a well and told Chu Yu, “You can draw some water and bring it in.”
Chu Yu agreed, fetched a wooden basin, filled it with water, and brought it inside.
By this time, Shen Wushuang had removed Wei Yun’s bandages. As Chu Yu entered, she saw Wei Yun lying on the chair, his clothes completely open. She put down the water and was about to leave when Shen Wushuang called her back, saying, “We’re short-handed. Come help.”
Chu Yu hesitated, and Wei Yun struggled to say, “Sir, let her…”
“She’s your wife, what are you afraid of?” Shen Wushuang glared at Wei Yun. “My sister-in-law and apprentice are preparing the medicinal bath for you. Who else should I ask?”
Wei Yun’s expression stiffened, but Chu Yu turned back calmly and said, “It’s alright, Xiao Qi.”
She stood beside Shen Wushuang and asked, “What do you need me to do, sir?”
Shen Wushuang said nothing as he completely removed Wei Yun’s clothes, covering only the essential areas. His entire body was covered in wounds. The previously bandaged injuries were now mixed with sand and pus, looking ghastly.
Seeing the wounds, all other thoughts left Chu Yu’s mind. She heard Shen Wushuang say, “Towel.”
Chu Yu wrung out a towel and handed it to Shen Wushuang, who began cleaning Wei Yun’s wounds. Chu Yu continuously prepared fresh towels for Shen Wushuang to use.
After cleaning, Shen Wushuang began disinfecting Wei Yun’s wounds with alcohol. Wei Yun remained silent throughout, his expression unchanged. He even looked up at Chu Yu and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not in pain.”
Chu Yu helped Shen Wushuang hold the medicine, keeping her eyes lowered without speaking. Shen Wushuang snorted softly, took a small knife, and said casually, “I’m going to remove the necrotic tissue. Don’t cry out in pain.”
Wei Yun looked at Shen Wushuang and chuckled, turning his head away, appearing completely unconcerned. Shen Wushuang felt his temper rising, but his movements remained as gentle as possible. As he cleaned the necrotic tissue, he said, “Alright, alright, let’s see how tough you are.”
Both Wei Yun and Chu Yu could tell Shen Wushuang was bluffing, so they said nothing. After Shen Wushuang finished removing the necrotic tissue, he applied medicine and rebandaged Wei Yun’s wounds. He then beckoned to Chu Yu, “Carry him on your back and follow me.”
Wei Yun was actually in severe pain, but he maintained a stoic expression. However, after all this, he was covered in cold sweat. Chu Yu carried Wei Yun on her back, following Shen Wushuang, who said as they walked, “He has no other major issues, but his leg has been neglected for too long. You were afraid he’d lose too much blood, so you tied it too tightly. The tendons and veins are almost ruined. From today, he needs to soak in the medicinal bath every day. After the bath, you should massage the acupoints I’ll show you for half an hour daily.”
“Will he be able to fully recover?” Chu Yu asked worriedly.
Shen Wushuang pondered for a moment before saying, “It depends on luck.”
He then asked casually, “Now that Da Chu is at war with the Northern Di, who knows how it’s going? How did you end up here?”
“We originally came to the Northern Di for trade, but when the war suddenly broke out, we were robbed on the road and have been fleeing ever since,” Chu Yu lied smoothly.
Shen Wushuang didn’t pursue the matter further. He only said, “From your accent, you’re from Huajing?”
“Yes,” Chu Yu replied thoughtfully. “Are you as well, sir?”
Shen Wushuang chuckled, a cold glint in his eyes. “Indeed.”
After walking a bit further 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 that Emperor Chunde…”
Shen Wushuang glanced at her and said leisurely, “Because I know he let one fish slip through the net.”
If it were someone else, they might not have understood the meaning behind Shen Wushuang’s words. However, Chu Yu immediately realized that the “big fish” Shen Wushuang referred to was likely Zhao Yue from years ago.
Surname Shen… studied medicine.
Chu Yu quickly searched her memory of people from that time and vaguely recalled a famous Imperial Physician Shen in the Imperial Medical Academy. Later, he disappeared, supposedly returning to his hometown to observe filial mourning.
Chu Yu hesitated for a moment but still didn’t ask.
It was clear that when Gu Chusheng and the Princess Consort protected Zhao Yue back then, they must have had help. If Shen Wushuang had protected Zhao Yue then, he likely had a good relationship with him. If he were to learn of Wei Yun’s identity now, it could be dangerous.
Chu Yu didn’t dare say too much, but she felt more at ease about Shen Wushuang’s medical skills, given the renowned reputation of Imperial Physician Shen from years ago. However, she remained cautious about this person.
The three arrived at a room where Shen Jiaojiao was waiting outside. A woman in a blue and white Da Chu-style dress, adorned with jade orchid earrings, walked out, looking elegant and refined.
Upon seeing her, Shen Wushuang’s face lit up with a smile. He approached her and said, “Sister-in-law, are you tired?”
She smiled gently and replied, “It’s nothing. The medicinal bath is ready. Let the young master and his wife go in first.”
“Alright,” Shen Wushuang nodded and instructed the woman, “Sister-in-law, I’ve prepared some red date porridge for you. Remember to drink it.”
The woman’s face reddened slightly as she softly said, “That’s thoughtful of you.”
She then left with Shen Jiaojiao.
Wei Yun and Chu Yu observed their interaction, feeling something odd about it. Shen Wushuang turned back to them nonchalantly and said, “Alright, go in.”
Chu Yu said nothing as she helped Wei Yun into the bathtub.
She didn’t dare look at him. Shen Wushuang leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, smiling as he said, “I must say, you two are quite strange. How long have you been married to be so awkward with each other?”
Both Wei Yun and Chu Yu felt embarrassed. After placing Wei Yun in the water, Wei Yun looked up at Shen Wushuang and asked, “Is there anything else she needs to help with?”
“No, I’ll apply acupuncture for you. Soak for half an hour, and later I’ll teach her how to massage.”
Wei Yun nodded and said to Chu Yu, “You can go rest for a while.”
Chu Yu had been eager to leave and quickly did so. After she left, Shen Wushuang came behind Wei Yun and patted his back, saying, “Move forward a bit.”
Wei Yun obediently leaned forward, exposing his back. Shen Wushuang took a needle and casually asked as he applied it to Wei Yun’s back, “Are you two married? Have you consummated the marriage?”
Wei Yun remained silent for a moment. As Shen Wushuang was about to tease him further, Wei Yun said, “My wife is shy by nature. I hope you won’t joke about this in the future, sir.”
Shen Wushuang thought for a moment and nodded, “I see. My sister-in-law is shy too. Alright, I won’t tease you two anymore.”
Wei Yun said nothing. 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. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright,” Shen Wushuang smiled. “It’s not something to be ashamed of. We didn’t do anything wrong, so why should I be afraid to speak of it?”
“If anyone’s at fault,” Shen Wushuang’s needle pierced Wei Yun’s back as his eyes turned cold, “it’s them.”
Wei Yun thought for a moment before finally asking, “May I ask how your brother passed away? If there’s a grudge to settle, perhaps I could help in the future.”
“You can’t help,” Shen Wushuang said flatly. “You’re probably just a wealthy merchant in Huajing.”
Wei Yun remained silent. Shen Wushuang continued calmly, “I used to do well in Huajing. I’ve met most of the top officials and nobles there. No need to try and fool me.”
“The situation in Huajing has changed greatly. Perhaps your enemy has already fallen from grace?” Wei Yun probed cautiously.
Shen Wushuang’s movements paused for a moment. After a while, he slowly asked, “Then, do you know what happened to the Princess Consort?”
Wei Yun was shocked. Was Shen Wushuang’s family grudge related to the Princess Consort?
But then he realized that Shen Wushuang must have been involved in Zhao Yue’s affairs back then, and his brother’s death might be related to this. If Zhao Yue had later hidden with the Princess Consort, perhaps Shen Wushuang wasn’t asking about the Princess Consort, but about Zhao Yue!
So he slowly replied, “The whereabouts of the Princess Consort are unknown.”
“Oh?” Shen Wushuang controlled his tone. “The Princess Consort was always adept at maneuvering. No matter who became emperor, she should have remained unshakeable. How could she just disappear?”
“Da Chu has undergone a dynastic change. Emperor Chunde has been executed, and now it’s the Zhao family’s reign.”
Shen Wushuang’s hand paused slightly. He looked up and asked coldly, “What did you say?”
“Prince Qin’s son, Zhao Yue, led an army to take Huajing, restoring the Zhao family’s legitimate rule. He has now ascended the throne in Huajing. After his coronation, the Princess Consort’s whereabouts became unknown.”
Wei Yun turned to observe Shen Wushuang’s reaction and calmly said, “Didn’t you know, sir?”
Shen Wushuang gripped the silver needle, trembling slightly. After a moment, he looked at Wei Yun and said with a cold smile, “Didn’t you ask who my enemy was?”
“I’ll tell you—”
Shen Wushuang slowly inserted the needle into Wei Yun’s back and said coldly, “My brother died at the hands of this new Emperor Zhao Yue. Do you want to help me? Can you do it now?”
“He didn’t die when he was in dire straits back then. How can I seek revenge now?!”
“Why not?” Wei Yun calmly replied.
Shen Wushuang was stunned. He hadn’t expected that even after saying all this, the young man showed no trace of fear.
Wei Yun looked at him and said coolly, “As it happens,” a cold smile curled his lips, “my father and brothers also died at his hands.”
Shen Wushuang stared at him blankly as Wei Yun turned his head and calmly said, “Wei Yun, Marquis Zhenguo, greets Master Shen.”
Wei Yun!
Shen Wushuang’s eyes widened suddenly, the needle gripped in his hand, forgetting to continue the acupuncture.