Ribs

This sort of scene was common enough on television. Seeing her awkward expression, Song Qingshu immediately understood and pretended not to know. "Sister-in-law, are you worried that going there and back will take too long? Long illness has made me something of a doctor, and I know how to set bones too. If you don't mind, I can set your bone first, then we can pursue that scholar."

"How could that do?" Madam Hu's pretty face instantly flushed red as cloth. She stammered, "You and I... men and women should keep their distance. How would that be proper..."

"Fei'er's life hangs by a thread. It is only because all my meridians are severed and I cannot save him myself that we must rely on you. Men and women should not touch; that is propriety. But when one's sister-in-law is drowning, one may pull her out by the hand; that is expediency. If Brother Hu's spirit is watching from heaven, he would not blame you either," Song Qingshu said gravely.

Madam Hu found his words rather muddled, and her expression turned strange. Brother Hu was naturally bold and forthright. Of course he would not mind in this situation. But I am a woman—I mind very much.

"That scholar seemed to say he was going to use Fei'er to test medicine..." Seeing that she was still hesitating, Song Qingshu could not help adding fuel to the fire.

Madam Hu's heart skipped a beat. In the end, a mother's instinct overcame a woman's shyness. Clenching her silver teeth, she said, "Uncle... Uncle, please promise me that from this day forward, you will completely forget everything that happened today."

"Of course." Song Qingshu's expression became solemn. "Sister-in-law, in a moment I will cover my eyes with a strip of cloth. I will not see even the slightest thing I should not see."

Madam Hu finally let out a breath of relief and nodded almost imperceptibly. "All right, then."

An unnoticeable smile appeared at the corner of Song Qingshu's lips. He tore off a strip of cloth and blindfolded himself. Seeing this, Madam Hu shyly began unfastening her clothes one piece at a time.

As the rustle of clothing reached his ears, Song Qingshu imagined what a breathtaking sight lay before him. But too much was as bad as too little; he did not dare pull away the cloth over his eyes.

"Uncle... I'm ready..." Madam Hu said timidly.

"Sister-in-law, bear with it." Song Qingshu reached out and felt around.

"Ah! What are you doing? My ribs are lower down..." Madam Hu was both embarrassed and aggrieved, tears nearly spilling from her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Song Qingshu hurriedly apologized. Watching The Return of the Condor Heroes had not been for nothing—he had never expected to get a chance to try on Madam Hu the move Yang Guo had used on Lu Wushuang.

He did not dare go too far. With tremendous willpower, he finally set Madam Hu's ribs properly.

Once she had dressed, Song Qingshu removed the blindfold. Before him was a pretty face so red it seemed about to drip blood. Madam Hu forced herself to remain calm and said, "Let us leave quickly. Saving Fei'er is what matters."

Song Qingshu smiled in satisfaction. "Sister-in-law, that scholar mentioned testing medicine. He must have some connection to the Poison Hand Medicine King."

Madam Hu nodded, worry written across her face. "Though I was injured in our fight because I lost my composure after falling into his trap, that scholar's martial arts truly surpass mine. Now that he is connected to the Poison Hand Medicine King, I fear that even if I catch up to him, I may not be able to save Fei'er." The more she spoke, the sadder she became, looking as though tears might fall at any moment.

"Sister-in-law, that is exactly what I wished to say. Although I am badly wounded now and lack even the strength to tie up a chicken, I can teach you a martial art. Once you master it, you should be no weaker than that scholar." Seeing her grief, Song Qingshu felt an inexplicable pang of heartache.

"Uncle knows martial arts?" Madam Hu looked at Song Qingshu in surprise. Seeing how frail he appeared, she had always assumed he was merely a scholar.

"I used to know a little." Song Qingshu nodded slightly, unwilling to explain further. "Sister-in-law, I have a White Python Whip Technique here..."

Madam Hu's eyes lit up. The more she listened, the more miraculous she found this whip technique. Since she already used a long silk sash as her weapon, the two complemented each other. In only a short while, she had already grasped the basics of the White Python Whip Technique.

"Uncle, this whip technique of yours is exquisitely profound. It must be an exceptionally superior martial art in the martial world. I truly do not know how to thank you for such a generous gift." Madam Hu's confidence in rescuing Hu Fei increased by several degrees, and she looked at Song Qingshu gratefully.

"Sister-in-law, Brother Hu and I were sworn brothers. His son is my son. So long as Fei'er can be saved, what does one martial art amount to?" Song Qingshu said righteously. "If you truly wish to thank me, I have another whip technique here. In the future, when Sister-in-law is feeling kind, please give me some pointers so we can practice it together."

Madam Hu's ears reddened. Failing to notice the lewd implication in the latter half of his words, she secretly spat to herself. Everything about Uncle is good, except that he speaks so carelessly. What does he mean, Brother Hu's son is his son? Then as Brother Hu's wife, does that mean I am his wife too?

Rather than search aimlessly for that scholar, Song Qingshu and Madam Hu discussed it and decided to find Medicine King Manor first. Judging by that man's tone, he seemed to have a close connection with Medicine King Manor. Perhaps they could find some clues there.

After riding for more than ten li, they arrived at a place where not a blade of grass grew. Madam Hu's expression became grave, but Song Qingshu was overjoyed. "Sister-in-law, judging by this, Medicine King Manor must be nearby."

Madam Hu nodded, dismounted, and tied the horses to a nearby tree. "Medicine King Manor is fraught with danger everywhere. Why let these two horses lose their lives?"

Song Qingshu laughed. "Not only is Sister-in-law as beautiful as a fairy, she also has such a bodhisattva's heart. You are simply Guanyin reborn."

Madam Hu cast him a charming sidelong glance and pouted coyly. "Uncle is teasing me again~"

Song Qingshu was accustomed to her icy manner. This sudden display of tenderness left him utterly entranced.

Noticing Song Qingshu's expression, Madam Hu's neck reddened slightly. She took out a silk handkerchief and tied it over her face, covering her mouth and nose. She casually handed one to Song Qingshu as well. "Uncle, Medicine King Manor is full of poisons. It is safer to cover your mouth and nose."

Song Qingshu caught the handkerchief and lifted it to his nose. Its delicate fragrance refreshed his spirit. Yet instead of tying it over his face as Madam Hu had, he merely smiled faintly. "The Poison Hand Medicine King's use of poison is so extraordinarily subtle. If covering one's mouth and nose were enough to guard against it, then his nickname would be meaningless."

Seeing that he did not cover his face, nor return the handkerchief to her, but merely sniffed it before tucking it into his own robe, Madam Hu felt both embarrassed and angry, though it was not convenient for her to show it.

"I didn't expect you to be fairly knowledgeable. You are not as useless as you look." At that moment, a little girl passing by stopped and stared at him.

Song Qingshu saw that she was dry and skinny, with sparse yellowing hair, though her pair of eyes were exceptionally bright. He immediately understood. "The two of us have business with Master Wuchen and would like to pay him a visit. I hope this young lady can point us in the right direction."