Chapter 34

What was drawn on the picture was a fiery red phoenix standing on one leg.

So Qiu Jinning had been fated to suffer this calamity. Qin Chu silently clenched her fists, a wave of helplessness rising in her heart.

The two little maids were crying beside her, sobbing and choking, each more breathless than the other, as if competing to see who could cry harder.

Qin Chu pressed down the heaviness in her heart and forced a smile. “Enough, you two. Isn’t it just an injured leg? My legs and feet have been inconvenient since childhood, but haven’t I still lived just like anyone else, hopping around every day?”

Guanzi froze, snot and tears still hanging from her face. That was right. Miss had been lame since childhood, but after all these years, she had never seemed worse than anyone else. Miss was unrivaled.

Luyao sobbed once. Not only did she not stop, she instead burst into loud wailing. “But our Miss won’t be able to hop around anymore!”

Qin Chu: “…”

At some point, the crying outside the door had woken the person inside. Qiu Jinning stared at the bed curtains, listening to the voices outside. She seemed completely unaware of the pain coming from her right leg, letting cold sweat soak her clothes. Her pale face did not show a single ripple.

Qin Chu signaled for Guanzi to take the weeping Luyao out of the eastern side courtyard, then turned and [stolen content]returned to the room. Seeing that Qiu Jinning had woken, she carefully asked, “You’re awake? Do you feel uncomfortable? The doctor said your right leg hurt the bone, so it would be best not to move recklessly.”

She truly could not bear it. She could not bear to tell the person on the bed the truth.

Qiu Jinning pressed her lips together and said nothing, raising her eyes to look at her.

“A hundred days are needed for injuries to tendons and bones. You’ll need to recuperate for some time before you can get out of bed. Don’t worry, it will definitely get better.” Qin Chu’s heart was uneasy as she observed Qiu Jinning’s expression, afraid she would be unable to accept it.

Qiu Jinning still did not speak. Looking at Qin Chu’s nervous face, she suddenly laughed softly. “I injured my right leg, while your left leg is inconvenient. Does that not complement each other nicely?”

Qin Chu could not quite laugh. She had come to comfort someone, so why did it feel as if she was the one being comforted instead?

She tugged at the corners of her mouth, sat by the bed, and looked at the bandaged wound on Qiu Jinning’s neck.

“Does it hurt? Don’t be so foolish in the future. Your own body is the most important thing.”

“A little. It is fine.” Qiu Jinning smiled faintly, her tone calm.

Qin Chu’s heart soured. The corner of her mouth drooped, and she [unauthorized copy]nearly could not hold back her tears. She quickly turned her head away and endured it. “Don’t worry. Before your leg recovers, I will be your right leg. Wherever you want to go, I will carry you there.”

“Qin Chu, I’m a little tired.” Qiu Jinning answered and slowly closed her eyes, as if she really was tired.

Only after the person by the bed got up and left did she open her eyes again. She stared blankly at the bed curtains, tears filling her eyes and silently flowing down.

Outside the door, Qin Chu had Guanzi invite a skilled carpenter over. She worked hard to recall the structure of a modern wheelchair and drew a design. After working with the carpenter for half a day, the beginnings of a jujube-wood wheelchair finally took shape.

Guanzi watched curiously from the side. “Miss, what kind of chair is this? Why does it have wheels like a carriage?”

Qin Chu explained patiently, “It’s called a wheelchair. In the future, Miss Qiu can use it to move around. At first, we’ll push her so she can get used to it. During this period, you absolutely must not run your mouth. We’ll talk about the leg later. Otherwise, I’ll punish you to clean latrines for the rest of your life.”

Thinking of Qiu Jinning’s smiling mouth, Qin Chu’s heart ached with bitterness. That hateful Second Prince had harmed her to this state, yet he was merely confined for a year.

Don’t talk about being demoted to Commandery Prince Ping. A commandery prince was still imperial nobility. What kind of punishment was that? It did not hurt or itch.

Unfortunately, she was alone and weak, unable to do anything.

Qin Chu took a deep breath. For the first time, she felt a yearning for power. If only she had the ability to protect Qiu Jinning. At that time, she would never allow anyone to harm Qiu Jinning in the slightest again.

Thinking this, she patted the wood shavings off her body. “Guanzi, go inquire about everything related to Commandery Princess Anguo. Also prepare a generous gift and accompany me to visit the commandery princess’s residence.”

Although she did not have power, the Qin family had money. Wealth moved people’s hearts.

Qin Chu made up her mind to work hard at building a good relationship with Commandery Princess Anguo.

At the commandery princess’s residence.

Hearing the guard outside report that a young lady named Qin Chu was requesting an audience, Commandery Princess Anguo smiled at the woman in purple beside her, her tone indulgent. “Wanyuan was still thinking about her yesterday, and today, she has already been brought here by your hopes. When you speak later, be careful.”

The commandery princess’s wife was surnamed Wei, given name Ziwan. She glanced sideways at Commandery Princess Anguo. “Do you think I’m as old and muddleheaded as you? I know what matters. Hurry and prepare some food to receive the guest.”

Qin Chu entered the commandery princess’s residence and was led to the pavilion in the rear courtyard.

By this time, Commandery Princess Anguo and her wife, Wei Ziwan, were already seated in the pavilion. The stone table was filled with a dazzling array of tea and snacks.

“Qin Chu greets Commandery Princess Anguo.”

“Come sit quickly. This is my wife, Wei Ziwan. You can just call her Aunt Wei.”

Qin Chu looked at the woman in purple beside her. Before coming, she had learned about the commandery princess’s residence. This commandery princess’s wife had once been the eldest princess of the Western Island Kingdom. On the road to a marriage alliance, her country had fallen. Because of her city-toppling beauty, she had attracted disaster and had eventually been exiled to the border. Later, somehow, she met Commandery Princess Anguo before the latter had acknowledged her ancestry and returned to the imperial family. The two supported each other and became partners. For many years, they had been deeply loving, and it could be considered a beautiful story.

Qin Chu hesitated for a moment, then softly called, “Aunt Wei.”

Wei Ziwan smiled and answered, “Mm. Good child, quickly sit beside me and let me have a proper look at you.”

She smiled kindly, her face full of relief, as if she had finally resolved some regret.

Commandery Princess Anguo silently rolled her eyes. And she had said she knew what mattered. Did this woman know that she was smiling so widely her teeth were about to fall out?

Qin Chu sat down and saw this commandery princess’s wife hurriedly pour tea for her and pick up pastries for her, like an elder in the family, her gaze lovingly studying her.

For a moment, Qin Chu was a little stunned. It seemed surprisingly easy to form connections with the powerful. She had not even done anything yet, and someone was already caring for her so much. Could it be that she looked very likable?

Qin Chu dazedly ate the tea and pastries, thanking [stolen content]her repeatedly. “Thank you, Aunt Wei. I already ate before I came.”

Looking at the plate piled full of pastries, Qin Chu suddenly felt very full. She should not have eaten before coming.

Wei Ziwan looked at her with a smile. “Eat more. Look how thin you are.” She had clearly been a plump baby when she was little.

A strange feeling surfaced in Qin Chu’s heart. This commandery princess’s wife seemed far too good to her, making her feel as if the person before her was not someone she had met for the first time. For some reason, she felt a little close to her.

Wei Ziwan was moved for a moment. She reached out to hold Qin Chu’s shoulder and gently stroked it. “Your body is too thin. Don’t leave today. Just stay here for a few days and let Aunt Wei nourish you properly.”

“Cough, cough, cough—Madam, the tea is getting cold.” The corner of Commandery Princess Anguo’s eye twitched, and she could not help reminding the person who had nearly lost her composure. Did she know what mattered or not?

Wei Ziwan glared at her and completely ignored her. She patted Qin Chu’s arm and smiled. “Don’t mind this old muddlehead. Stay here with peace of mind. No one in this residence will dare gossip. Let Aunt Wei dote on you properly.”

Qin Chu blinked, unable to react for a moment.

Was the commandery princess’s wife… feeling sorry for her?

This pity came out of nowhere, without reason. Could she really be that likable?

“Thank you for your concern, Aunt Wei. There is still a patient at home, so I cannot leave for the time being. I will definitely come disturb you another day.”

As soon as Wei Ziwan heard her say there was a patient at home, she hurriedly asked, “Who is ill?”

Hadn’t that woman passed away from illness many years ago? Could it be Qin Chu’s father? That was not right either. It seemed that person had not come to the capital.

Qin Chu moved her brows slightly, glanced at Commandery Princess Anguo, and said faintly, “It is Qiu Jinning, my intimate friend.”

Wei Ziwan keenly noticed her glance toward Commandery Princess Anguo and immediately frowned. She looked toward the person who was only focused on drinking tea, her eyes asking: What exactly is going on?

Commandery Princess Anguo’s expression stiffened. “I have also heard about Qiu Jinning’s matter. This time, the imperial family has wronged you. In a while, I will have Imperial Physician Han go with you to take a look.”

She had heard about the matter between Qiu Jinning and the Second Prince. After learning that Qiu Jinning had injured her leg, she had gone early to inform the Imperial Medical Bureau. Imperial Physician Han, the院使 of the Imperial Medical Bureau, was a reliable person with excellent medical skills. Ordinary people truly could not invite this chief physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Many years ago, Commandery Princess Anguo had once helped Imperial Physician Han’s father. Imperial Physician Han was someone who valued affection and gratitude, so his relationship with her was quite good.

Hearing Commandery Princess Anguo say this, Qin Chu hurriedly stood and thanked her. Read on BaiLianTales“Many thanks, Commandery Princess.”

Ordinary doctors among the people naturally could not compare to imperial physicians. Perhaps Qiu Jinning’s leg could still be saved.

Seeing this, Wei Ziwan pulled her back down and said unhappily, “How can one imperial physician be enough? Have everyone from the Imperial Medical Bureau go.”

“Cough, cough. Madam, Imperial Physician Han is the院使 of the Imperial Medical Bureau and has the best medical skills. Having him go is enough.” Commandery Princess Anguo cleared her throat and sighed inwardly. Qiu Jinning was the phoenix maiden, and news of her injured leg was not suitable to spread.

Could it be that Madam was the one who had grown old and muddleheaded?

“What if he cannot cure her? It is still better to find more doctors to look.”

Commandery Princess Anguo looked helpless. “Madam—”

Seeing the two of them go back and forth, Qin Chu could not help falling silent. Wasn’t she the one who cared about Qiu Jinning’s injury? Why did it feel like these two were even more anxious than she was?

After chatting for a while, Qin Chu said goodbye at the right moment. Wei Ziwan held her arm and walked her all the way to the gate. “I’ll accept the gifts. Take this. From now on, you don’t need to report your arrival when you come to the commandery princess’s residence. Just treat it as coming back to your own home. If you dare not accept it, I’ll have someone return everything you brought.”

Overwhelmed by favor, Qin Chu accepted the small token.

Watching her leave with Imperial Physician Han, Commandery Princess Anguo sighed. “Madam, you went too far today.”

Wei Ziwan glared fiercely at her. “You’re the one who has grown old and muddleheaded. Do you really think those three brats surnamed Zhou are your actual nephews? You can’t distinguish between insiders and outsiders at all. You already said Qin Chu and that Qiu Jinning have deep feelings, yet you still didn’t know to protect them a little.”

“I left early. Who would have expected the Second Prince to have that much nerve? If I had been present, I definitely wouldn’t have let him act recklessly.” Commandery Princess Anguo explained, feeling a little regretful in her heart too. If she had known earlier, she would not have left so soon.

“Hindsight. Look how capable you are. They’ve already bullied them right under your nose, yet you’re still hesitating and worrying. I’ll put my words here: if anyone bullies them again, I’ll divorce you.”

“Madam—”

“Don’t call me that. Soon I won’t be your madam anymore. Sooner or later, I’ll remarry.”

The two bickered as they turned back into the residence. The guards of the commandery princess’s residence remained perfectly calm, long accustomed to such scenes.

Their commandery princess was often shouted at by Madam while having her ears pulled. A small matter. All small matters.

After returning to the Qin residence, [unauthorized copy]Qin Chu looked at the somewhat familiar-looking Imperial Physician Han and thought inwardly, It can’t be that much of a coincidence, right?

Then she heard Imperial Physician Han say, “Speaking of which, my ancestral home is also Jiuqu County. After my father retired and returned to his hometown, he went back to Taohua’an Town. In the future, perhaps you may run into him.”

Qin Chu thought, We already have. Isn’t he that Divine Physician Han from Taohua’an Town? Before retiring, he was an imperial physician, and father and son also looked so similar. It definitely couldn’t be wrong.