The next day, Song Wenqing was woken up by a noisy commotion outside the door.
The person who had fallen asleep with an arm wrapped around his waist last night was already nowhere to be seen. He reached out to feel the space beside him; it was still slightly warm, meaning Pei Jinrong had probably not been awake for very long.
The sky was not yet completely bright. After putting on his clothes, he yawned, lit a lamp, and walked outside.
More and more people were running out of their homes. Not seeing Pei Jinrong anywhere, Song Wenqing suppressed his sleepiness and casually asked a fulang who had just returned from watching the excitement, “Brother, did something happen?”
Glad to have someone to share the gossip with, the fulang said enthusiastically, “I heard that down by the official road, a young man had too much to drink, ran into a snake, and got so frightened that he tumbled into a pit. Looking at how bad it is, his leg might be broken.”
“Down by the official road?” Song Wenqing became a bit more alert.
“Yes, exactly! Young Master Jin is there too.”
Upon hearing this, Song Wenqing immediately ran toward the official road according to the memory of his original body, leaving the dumbfounded fulang standing there in a daze.
By the time Song Wenqing arrived, one group of people was holding torches while another group had just lifted the groaning young man out of the pit. However, Song Wenqing’s gaze locked onto the youth sitting in the wheelchair. Seeing that he was unharmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Husband, why didn’t you tell me when you went out?”
Hearing Song Wenqing’s voice, Pei Jinrong’s indifferent expression finally began to crumble. He hurriedly threw the snake he was holding back into the pit, pouted, and said aggrievedly, “Ah Wen, I’m scared.”
The man who had just been pulled out of the pit looked at the snake that had been thrown back in, and his face turned deathly pale from fright. Seeing how quickly Pei Jinrong’s face could change, the surrounding villagers looked at Song Wenqing with eyes full of sympathy.
Did Brother Wen really not hear the rumors circulating in the village about Young Master Jin? Besides, the two of them just got married yesterday; since when were they so deeply in love?
Yet, the newcomer looked incredibly anxious. He circled Pei Jinrong twice to make sure he was alright before saying, “I’m here, don’t be afraid.”
Taking advantage of the situation, Pei Jinrong pointed at the snake, “It scared me to death just now. It crawled right up to me, and I didn’t dare move at all.”
“Next time you see a snake, strike its seven inches, or hide behind me and I will protect you.”
The village chief, who knew the truth, looked at Song Wenqing patiently coaxing Pei Jinrong and felt completely at a loss for words. Only the few of them present knew that Pei Jinrong had caught the snake incredibly fast and steady just moments ago. Even one of the experienced hunters who witnessed it called him an old hand.
After a long while, the village chief finally spoke up, “Brother Wen, why did a ger like you come out to join the commotion? Hurry up and go home.”
Before Song Wenqing could speak, Pei Jinrong cut in, “Ah Wen came out to look for me!”
With the couple playing good cop and bad cop, the village chief couldn’t find a way to argue back. He could only turn his gaze back to the young man who was sweating profusely from the pain.
“My leg, it hurts.”
“Has the herbalist doctor not arrived yet?” The young man on the ground was in severe pain, drenching his clothes in cold sweat as he wailed on the ground. Seeing this, the village chief felt a bit of pity and turned to ask the fulang who had been sent to call the doctor earlier.
The fulang had just run back and hadn’t caught his breath yet. Panting heavily, he said, “He might just be getting up right now. When I went to call him earlier, he was still asleep.”
The village chief nodded and comforted the young man on the ground, “Just bear with it a little longer. It will be fine once the herbalist doctor gets here.”
The young man asked with a trembling voice, “Chief, will my leg be crippled just like this?”
“How can you say that? The pit isn’t deep, so the bone inside shouldn’t be broken. Once the herbalist doctor comes and applies some medicine, you’ll be fine.”
The surrounding people didn’t show it on their faces, but in their hearts, they doubted how believable the chief’s words were. The medical conditions in their village were abysmal. Their village was lucky enough to have one doctor; several neighboring villages couldn’t find one even if they tried. Every time something happened in those villages, they had to come to Yunhan Village to invite him.
Over time, the herbalist doctor naturally became arrogant and conceited. However, what he could do was also limited. Usually, he just prescribed some medicine to condition the body. When it came to this kind of bone injury, it was honestly too difficult for him.
“Do you want me to take you back to rest?” Although Pei Jinrong’s right leg was perfectly fine, his left leg was still crippled. Fearing that Pei Jinrong might feel distressed by seeing someone else’s leg injury, Song Wenqing asked in a low voice.
“Don’t worry, Ah Wen. I’m fine.”
Hearing this, Song Wenqing did not insist further.
Not long after, a person carrying a medicine box came jogging over. Song Wenqing understood immediately; this person must be the herbalist doctor.
When he reached them, the herbalist doctor took out a square handkerchief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, caught his breath, and then squatted down to check the young man’s condition.
The village chief explained from the side, “Chuan Xiaoge had some drinks tonight, fell into a pit, and hurt his leg. Take a look at his situation; can his leg still heal?”
Chuan Xiaoge was still conscious. Seeing the herbalist doctor was like grabbing onto a life-saving straw. Choking back tears, he asked, “Doctor Li, is my leg going to be alright?”
The sky had already turned bright, and the distant barking of dogs could be heard. Doctor Li uncovered Chuan Xiaoge’s leg, and his brow furrowed tightly.
His leg was swollen and red, a bone was slightly protruding, and the calf was shifted slightly to the side. Doctor Li’s brow twitched. He lightly pressed on the kneecap, and Chuan Xiaoge instantly broke out into a painful cold sweat.
“My medical skills are lacking; I don’t dare lay a hand on this kind of bone injury!” After a long pause, Doctor Li stood up, sighed, and continued, “While there is still time, quickly take Chuan Xiaoge to the county seat to find a doctor.”
When the surrounding people heard this, their hearts sank. A doctor in the county seat wouldn’t be cheap; it would cost at least several taels of silver.
Chuan Xiaoge’s body stiffened. Going to the county seat to find a doctor would likely drain all of his family’s savings. Not to mention he still had an elderly mother at home, and he had just finalized his marriage agreement last night; where would he find the extra money to support a fulang?
This leg, he feared, could no longer be saved.
Gritting his teeth, he said, “Doctor Li, just use a splint to bind it up for me however you can.”
The villagers looked at each other, but it was the only option left. The conditions in their village were poor to begin with. If they really went to the county seat, whether the leg could be cured or not was one thing, but losing all their money would make it entirely not worth it.
At this moment, they suddenly heard Song Wenqing speak up, “Let me try.”
Chuan Xiaoge was startled. He looked up at Song Wenqing, seemingly not expecting him to say such a thing.
The villagers also looked as if they had seen a ghost.
Doctor Li recognized Song Wenqing. Thinking he was just making a joke, he spoke out mockingly, “I didn’t know Brother Wen had such skills. Now that you are a married fulang, it’s better to show your face in public less often.”
Song Wenqing gave him a cold look and said, “Is Doctor Li afraid that I will steal your spotlight, or are you afraid that I actually know how to do it?”
Having his thoughts exposed, Doctor Li’s face flushed between green and white.
Ignoring Doctor Li, Song Wenqing continued, “I previously learned a bit from a doctor my family hired. If Chuan Xiaoge doesn’t mind, why not let me reset it for you first before binding it with a splint?”
The lamp he had been carrying had long been extinguished, and more and more villagers were gathering to watch the commotion. Hearing Song Wenqing’s words, everyone began to waver.
They still knew what the Song family’s conditions used to be like. For Brother Wen to speak up so confidently, he must truly have some skills.
“But you are a ger after all!” the village chief said hurriedly.
Hearing this, Song Wenqing lowered his head to look at Pei Jinrong and asked, “Do you mind?”
Before he could finish his sentence, Pei Jinrong responded, “Ah Wen can do whatever he wants to do; no one will dare to stop you.” When he finished saying this, the surrounding people felt a sudden chill and immediately shut their mouths. Either way, it wasn’t a fulang from their own families, so why bother worrying about someone else’s business?
Song Wenqing nodded, walked forward, squatted down, and asked, “Chuan Xiaoge, I will only ask you one thing: do you still want this leg?”
Chuan Xiaoge already knew that Song Wenqing was handsome, but since Song Wenqing always liked to keep his head down, he had never seen him clearly before. Seeing him closely today, he actually dazed off for a moment and stammered, “Naturally I want it.”
Song Wenqing no longer hesitated. He lightly touched the knee joint, gradually increasing the pressure of his technique as the diagnosis in his mind became certain. As expected, it was a dislocation.
Immediately after, he began traction and extension, aligning the limb from its deformed position.
“Looking at your appearance, you’ve reached marriageable age. Do you have a sweetheart?” Song Wenqing asked aloud.
Hearing this, a crimson blush immediately crept onto Chuan Xiaoge’s face. His attention was completely diverted by Song Wenqing’s words, and he mumbled, “Last night, I was drinking with old father-in-law Wang from the neighboring village.”
Before anyone could react, Song Wenqing’s continuous movements were both fast and steady. Everyone only heard a sharp crack, and Chuan Xiaoge let out a sharp cry.
Before the surrounding people could process what happened, Song Wenqing was already using his hands to gently massage and condition the damaged tendons and vessels around Chuan Xiaoge’s knee.
After a moment, he asked, “Try it now. Has it eased up a bit?”
With soft hands resting on his leg, Chuan Xiaoge’s mind had long since wandered off. Following Song Wenqing’s words, he subconsciously moved his foot and said in pleasant surprise, “My foot can move?!”
Song Wenqing curled his lips into a smile, turned around, and looked up at the dazed Doctor Li, asking, “Doctor Li, did you bring a splint with you?”
Only then did Doctor Li snap out of it. He hurriedly took out a prepared splint from his medicine box, “Yes, of course I have one.”
Compared to his initial disdain, his tone now carried a hint of respect. Looking at Song Wenqing’s technique just now, it was clear he had been properly trained. Forget about comparing him to the doctors in the county seat; even in the capital city, it would be hard to find many people with such skills.
Although he was arrogant and conceited, in the presence of someone with true ability, only submission remained in his heart.
Seeing Doctor Li’s shift in attitude, the surrounding villagers also immediately looked at the man fixing the splint for Chuan Xiaoge with newfound respect.
They had approached this with the mindset of treating a dead horse as if it were alive, but who would have thought that Brother Wen really possessed such capabilities?
“In a moment, have Doctor Li prescribe you a dose of medicine to promote blood circulation and remove stasis. After you go back, eat more meat and eggs to properly nurse your body,” Song Wenqing instructed gently.
Chuan Xiaoge nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with immense gratitude. If it weren’t for his current inability to move, he would have practically knelt down.
“Thank you so much for today, Brother Wen. I will definitely repay you properly in the future.”
Song Wenqing waved his hand, turned to the village chief, and said, “Chief, although Chuan Xiaoge is fine now, he still cannot walk. I’ll have to trouble you all to carry him back.”
The village chief’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. He had never imagined that Song Wenqing possessed such a skill. Previously, he thought that after Father Song and Mother Song passed away, Song Wenqing probably wouldn’t survive for long either.
“Brother Wen, since you have this ability, why don’t you open a medical clinic?” the chief suggested.
Song Wenqing didn’t say anything, merely pursing his lips into a smile. A medical clinic would definitely be opened, just not right now.
He currently didn’t have a single penny to his name. His only relatives were the original owner’s maternal aunt’s family, but that family was incredibly stingy. Forget about lending him silver to open a clinic; it would be a miracle if they didn’t try to strip away whatever he had left.
Seeing Song Wenqing’s mood turn low, Pei Jinrong lightly tugged at his clothes and said, “Ah Wen, I feel dizzy and a bit unwell. I want to go home.”
Only then did Song Wenqing snap back to reality and pushed Pei Jinrong’s wheelchair to leave.
Once the two had walked far away, someone in the crowd finally spoke up.
“Even though Brother Wen seems to have some skills, being married off to Young Master Jin means his future days probably won’t be easy!”
“Did you guys see that? Young Master Jin looked like a completely different person in front of Brother Wen.” As he spoke, a man even imitated Pei Jinrong’s behavior, pulling at the clothes of the person next to him and pinching his voice to say, “Ah Wen, I’m scared.”
This caused the surrounding people to burst into roaring laughter. The man who was being treated as Song Wenqing kicked the person who was mimicking so enthusiastically, saying half-amusedly, “Be serious.”
Hearing their banter, the village chief also laughed along for a bit. After directing a few large, burly men to carry Chuan Xiaoge back, he waved his hand and said, “Disperse, everyone disperse. Those who need to go to the fields go to the fields, and those who need to go to the market go to the market.”
Which family in the village wasn’t busy? With those words, everyone scattered.