Chapter 732: Burdened Heart
Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations
Bao Linjiang discarded the cloth, frustration evident in his tone, “Do you have any idea how worried everyone was, searching all over Tongzi County for you?
And here you are, without saying a word to anyone. What if something had happened to you?”
Rong Shiyu was startled by Bao Linjiang’s outburst, guilt rising within her, “I-
I’m sorry, it wasn’t intentional.”
Bao Linjiang, ignoring Rong Shiyu’s apology, took a piece of paper and wrote down that Rong Shiyu had been found. He sent it back to their companions in
Tongzi County via a carrier eagle.
Then, he glanced at Rong Shiyu without saying anything and left straight away, fearing he might lose his temper further if he stayed.
Rong Shiyu felt panicked and regretful. Had she known it would end this way, she would have told Bao Linjiang immediately upon his arrival. Now, with Bao
Linjiang so angry, what should she do?
She asked Chu Qingyan, “What should I do now?”
Chu Qingyan was also taken aback by Bao Linjiang’s fury, not expecting him to
be so terrifying. She swallowed hard, “I-I don’t know.”
in desperation, Rong Shiyu said, “Qingyan, please help me think of a way to
calm Bao Linjiang down.”
After pondering, Chu Qingyan suggested, “Maybe you should apologize sincerely? After all, it wasn’t intentional.”
“Would that work?” Rong Shiyu, recalling Bao Linjiang’s anger, was hesitant.
“I already apologized, but Bao Linjiang didn’t even listen to me.”
Chu Qingyan responded, “Try it, we don’t have any other options.”
Rong Shiyu shook her head, rejecting the suggestion, “I won’t go back for now.
I’ll stay here to avoid the storm until Bao Linjiang isn’t angry anymore.”
Chu Qingyan couldn’t help but think how complicated the adult world was, “So
you plan to just let things stay this way?”
Rong Shiyu, troubled, replied, “What else can I do?”
Bao Linjiang rode back to Shuiyun County. Yuan Hongjun noticed his furious demeanor and raised an eyebrow.
“Who made you so angry?”
“You know, you really should control your temper. With Rong Shiyu being such a delicate lady, she’d be scared to death seeing you like this.”
His words struck a chord with Bao Linjiang, who suddenly remembered how frightened Rong Shiyu appeared when he lost his temper. He began to feel a twinge of regret.
Why did he get so angry after finding her?
Bao Linjiang chased Yuan Hongjun away like he was chasing a fly. He said impatiently, “Don’t be a busybody. Go away.”
But Yuan Hongjun wasn’t about to walk away, seizing the opportunity to tease further, “Little Abalone, are you so agitated because you have special feelings for Rong Shiyu?”
The comment hit a nerve, and Bao Linjiang bristled, “Don’t talk nonsense.
That’s not true.”
“Look at how defensive you are; something’s definitely off,” Yuan Hongjun leaned in closer to Bao Linjiang, “Actually, this might be a good thing, a winwin situation.”
Bao Linjiang, speechless, pushed Yuan Hongjun away, “Leave, or I really might
end up hitting you.”
Yuan Hongjun, with a knowing look, said, “Did you ever ask why Rong Shiyu ran off to Chu village?”
Bao Linjiang was stumped, “I didn’t ask.”
Yuan Hongjun was at a loss for words, “Just calm down and think about why you’re acting so out of character.”
Bao Linjiang climbed onto a tree and sat against the trunk, one leg bent with his arm resting on his knee, staring into the distance, lost in thought with a heavy heart.
In the Chu Village.
After class, Chu Qingning made her way to the house where Yu Wanwan lived.
As she approached, Third Aunt, carrying a basket of vegetables, came by. Seeing Chu Qingning, she quickly pushed the basket into her hands, “Qingning, I’ve picked too many vegetables. Take them home and eat them, will you?” Chu Qingning tried to refuse, “Third Aunt, we already have more vegetables at home than we can eat. You should keep them.”
Third Aunt insisted, pressing the basket into Chu Qingning’s hands, “Your family hasn’t begun picking vegetables yet; I’ve seen it. Be a good girl and take them.”
With no other choice, Chu Qingning accepted Third Aunt’s kindness, “Third
Aunt, I’ll bring the basket backto you later.”
Third Aunt smiled and nodded, “Alright.”
Continuing towards Yu Wanwan’s courtyard with the vegetable basket, Chu Qingning was immediately greeted by a rich scent of herbs.
Zhuang Ziqian was categorizing the herbs Chu Qingning had asked him to buy into bamboo sieves.
Seeing Chu Qingning, Yu Wanwan waved at her, “Qingning, you’re here.” Hearing this, Zhuang Ziqian called out, “Doctor Qingning, I’ve bought all the herbs you listed. Please check if there’s anything amiss.”
“Sure.” Chu Qingning placed the basket at the entrance and walked into the courtyard.
The herbs were of excellent quality, freshly harvested and dried.
Good herbs aren’t hard to come by, but obtaining high-quality ones requires status. Zhuang Ziqian and Yu Wanwan appeared to be no ordinary nobility. “Master Zhuang, these herbs are excellent. Now, cut them into pieces with scissors to make them easier to put into the pot.
“Okay.”
Yu Wanwan offered, “Should I do the cutting?
Zhuang Ziqian pulled Yu Wanwan to a seat, “The scissors are sharp. What if you cut your hand? Just watch.”
Chu Qingning didn’t know what to say.
Yu Wanwan felt like she had become a porcelain doll, fragile to the touch, “The divine doctor said I need to exercise more for my health.”
Chu Qingning thought to herself, too mushy, “Wanwan, come help me weigh these.”
“Okay.” Yu Wanwan moved away from Zhuang Ziqian and walked towards Chu Qingning…
Zhuang Ziqian turned to look at Yu Wanwan with a particularly soft gaze. After a moment, he joined them in processing the herbs.
Soon, the kitchen was filled with a unique aroma of medicinal herbs and chicken.
Inhaling the fragrance, Chu Qingning thought to herself, maybe I’ll stew a pot of medicinal chicken for my family tomorrow, “Let it simmer on low heat for half an hour, and then it will be ready to eat.”
Zhuang Ziqian thanked her, “Doctor Qingning, thankyou.”
“No need.” Chu Qingning took her vegetable basket and headed home.
Shuiyun County.
As the prosthetics were gradually fitted, everyone showed disbelief. They had seen prosthetics before, but those were crude and reportedly uncomfortable.
However, they felt none of that discomfort; on the contrary, it was as if the prosthetics were originally part of their bodies.
Especially for one who had received a leg prosthetic, it felt as though he could sense walking on the ground. He could walk steadily without a cane, and once he put on trousers and socks, one couldn’t even tell he was wearing a prosthetic.
The soldiers, except for those who had to lie down, all gathered in the courtyard to solemnly thank Chu Qingzhi. Their gratitude was beyond words.
Chu Qingzhi responded, “Rest for a few more days. Once I’ve arranged things at the workshop, I’ll have someone come to notify you.”
Wan Haonan earnestly said, “Divine doctor, our bodies are no longer in discomfort. Let us help.”
Luo Hongping also spoke, “We’re all simple folks. After resting for so many days, we’re restless. Divine doctor, we might not be able to do heavy work, but we can handle lighter tasks.”
After a moment’s thought, Chu Qingzhi agreed, “Then rest well today. Come to the entrance of Chu village tomorrow morning, and I’ll arrange tasks for you.”
Everyone responded in unison, “Yes, divine doctor.