Chapter Twenty-One: Grievances and Benevolence

Duke's Mansion

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Hiss..." Qin Muchuan gritted his teeth, trembling all over as beads of cold sweat streamed down his forehead.

"My dear husband, you really are pitiful," Gu Qiulan said, covering her face with a handkerchief. "Uncle Ning, my husband's arm should be fine, right?"

"It's just dislocated," Dr. Ning replied, supporting Qin Muchuan's arm. With a sharp crack, the bone snapped back into place. Qin Muchuan promptly fainted.

Gu Qiulan cradled him in her arms. "Ah, my husband's constitution is truly weak. Uncle Ning, do you have any medicines to strengthen his body?"

"Well, exercise is best. But since his arm has just been set, he shouldn't overexert himself. It's best he rests for a few days." He went on to list some precautions, preparing to leave when Gu Qiulan quietly said, "Uncle Ning, about today's matter... perhaps it's best not to alarm the Duke. After all, he's getting on in years; as juniors, it's not right for us to trouble him. This counts as our filial piety, mine and my husband's."

Qin Muchuan's... filial piety?

Dr. Ning wiped his sweat; that was certainly unique.

"Rest assured, young madam, harmony in the family is the true principle. I understand these things," Dr. Ning said, stroking his beard. "I wonder how young master Sun's injuries are. I'll go check on him."

"These minor wounds hardly require your attention, Uncle Ning. My maid Qiaoyun has already tended to young master Sun," Gu Qiulan replied with a smile. And she gave him special attention... Heh heh, serves him right for causing trouble!

For some reason, a chill ran down Dr. Ning's spine. Since Gu Qiulan said so, he didn't insist.

In the guest room of Mingyue Pavilion, Sun Ruosi clung to his quilt, curled up in the corner of the bed, trembling. The door creaked open, and he cried out in terror, "Don't come any closer!"

"Coward," Qiaoyun said indifferently. She'd only used a few tricks, and yet he was reduced to this. Qin Muchuan was more of a man by comparison.

Gu Qiulan waved her hand, signaling Qiaoyun to stand aside, then approached with Linglong.

"Young master Sun, don't be afraid. My maid may be a bit rough in temperament, but look, your wounds are already bandaged, aren't they?"

Had she not mentioned the bandaging, Sun Ruosi wouldn't have been so disturbed. At the reminder, he shrieked as if he'd seen a devil. Gu Qiulan turned helplessly—hey, did you drive this boy mad?

Qiaoyun: →_→ I know nothing...

Gu Qiulan: ...

Sun Ruosi hugged the quilt, desperately hiding hims