Chapter 556: Why, No Wound? |
Publish Time: 2026-07-11 17:32:00
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Miss Ruyi was really interested in the outside world. Probably because she had never left this place, she always wanted to see what it was like.
But she didn’t have that chance yet.
What was Jianghu like? What did freedom and justice really mean? These things weren’t for someone like her to know yet. One must know their limits. She wasn’t that little girl anymore—not that reckless child.
Such things depended on chance. Sometimes you met opportunities; sometimes you didn’t. That was fine. Miss Ruyi took it lightly. Other than her family, she thought everything else was unimportant.
…
Getting out more was good for her.
“Mother, has your leg been feeling better lately?” Wang Xingsheng asked.
Madam Wang answered, “It feels a bit tingly. It must be healing. That Mr. Chen truly has amazing skill. All these days, I haven’t felt a single bit of pain.”
Hearing this, Wang Xingsheng smiled. “Soon—it won’t be long now—you’ll stand on your own again.”
Madam Wang smiled warmly and took her son’s hand. “You and your father have suffered these years.”
Wang Xingsheng paused, then said, “Why say that, Mother? I haven’t suffered.”
Deep down, Madam Wang knew better than anyone how she’d burdened the family.
To heal her leg, thousands of coins had been spent. Wang Xingsheng should have taken imperial exams, but to tend to her and their noodle shop, he purposely got one question wrong in that year’s test. He stayed behind—caring for his mother, running the shop.
His father had searched everywhere, asked every famous doctor across the lands. Years passed, and his hair turned white.
Madam Wang felt guilt, but more than that—warmth. Marrying into the Wang family, she thought, was her life’s greatest blessing.
“Listen to your mother. These next few days, study well at home. Maybe you can still make the autumn exams.”
“Mother…”
“How could I not know you, Sheng’er? Even if you and your father never speak of it, I understand. You came from me.”
Hearing this, Wang Xingsheng’s eyes reddened slightly. He breathed deep, holding back emotion.
Forcing a smile, he replied, “Alright. As you say.”
Leaving Qingshan City, they reached the mountain path to see bright wildflowers bloom.
Madam Wang talked of Wang Xingsheng’s childhood, when she often brought him here.
“You used to pick flowers to place on my head. Always said I looked beautiful.”
“You’re still beautiful now.”
Madam Wang chuckled. “I’ve grown old, Sheng’er—what beauty? You must think about your own life too. Studies matter, but so does finding a wife.”
“Ah, a… a wife?”
Wang Xingsheng froze.
“It’s time.”
“Mother, I—”
“Later, I’ll help you look.”
Wang Xingsheng opened his mouth, speechless.
He didn’t want a wife yet.
“You should rest well first, Mother. After your leg fully heals…”
“Oh? Tired of my nagging?”
Wang Xingsheng laughed. “I’d never dare.”
As they talked, neither noticed the sparrow flying toward them.
Mid-sentence, Wang Xingsheng saw it swoop close.
“Mother, watch out!”
The sparrow neared the woman’s legs, pecking at a grain of rice stuck to the cloth bandage. But it pulled the cloth itself because—
The knot tied months ago was loose. With the sparrow’s bite, the bandage unraveled and slipped off.
Startled too, the sparrow flew off with its prize.
Wang Xingsheng panicked. “Mother!”
Madam Wang gasped.
Wang Xingsheng crouched down fast. He saw the long cloth bound around her left leg had fallen to her ankle.
Mr. Chen had warned them day after day—this bandage must stay for half a month before removal.
Now… now…
But when Wang Xingsheng looked at her leg, he froze.
Madam Wang also stared down, eyes wide.
Wang Xingsheng turned pale. He whispered, “Why…”
“…is there no wound?”
.
.
Wang Xingsheng rewrapped the cloth. Then, he quickly took his mother home.
“Sheng’er…”
Madam Wang glanced back at him.
Wang Xingsheng said, “Don’t tell Father yet. I’ll go speak with Mr. Chen.”
Madam Wang nodded, though added, “Take your father with you.”
Wang Xingsheng shook his head. “I’ll go alone.”
He was unlike his father. He spoke for himself—not the whole Wang family. If his words offended Mr. Chen, he alone would take blame.
After leaving Madam Wang at home, Wang Xingsheng hurried out.
He walked down to Chuanfeng Lane.
Halting briefly, he entered.
His thoughts raced: The cat who understood human speech that day… Miss Ruyi’s sure words… Daoist Priest Xuanchengzi at the lane’s end…
…and now—his mother’s woundless leg.
He breathed deep, stopping at Mr. Chen’s courtyard gate.
He raised a hand and knocked.
“Who is it?”
A voice came from within.
Ruyi opened the door, recognizing him. “You? How’s your mother? Is her leg better?”
Wang Xingsheng bowed. “Miss. It’s healing slowly, thanks to Mr. Chen.”
Ruyi grinned. “I knew he’d cure it! Come in.”
She went back inside, looking toward Mr. Chen as he sat relaxing.
“Uncle Chen, a guest is here.”
Chen Changsheng, writing in the courtyard, lifted his head.
Wang Xingsheng stepped forward, bowing again. “Greetings, Mr. Chen.”
“Sit, young master,” said Chen Changsheng.
Wang Xingsheng nodded, taking a seat.
Ruyi went to make tea. With no other refreshments on hand, this would do.
Chen Changsheng asked, “Has something gone wrong with Madam Wang’s leg?”
Wang Xingsheng said, “No… no issue. She has feeling in her leg. We think she’ll recover soon.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Then why this visit?”
Wang Xingsheng felt nervous. “Truthfully… I’ve come with a question. I need your guidance.”
“What question?”
Wang Xingsheng looked up. He opened his mouth but hesitated. No words came.
After a long pause, he found courage.
“When you healed my mother’s leg…”
“…was it truly medical skill?”
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