Chapter 8

A sharp blade had slashed the man's right leg, the wound deep enough to expose bone. An ordinary person would have found such pain unbearable, trembling with fear. But he had weathered countless storms of blood and death; this injury was nothing worth minding.

"Do not overthink it. The fault lies with the culprit. We have merely delayed our journey, and I fear further complications if the night drags on."

His long lashes lowered slightly, flickering in and out of the lamplight.

The handsome physician spoke at just the right moment, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

"The sweet broth is still warm. Brother Sizhi should drink it while he can." Holding the bowl, he brought it close to the man's lips, his smile teasing.

The man frowned, his voice icy. "Chen Chuangu, I think you have grown tired of living."

The handsome youth joined Chen Chuangu's side and urged, "Brother, I know you dislike sweet things, but you are injured now. It would be best to follow the physician's advice."

Chen Chuangu raised his brows and smiled. "Second Young Master speaks wisely indeed. Brother Sizhi, please."

The man glared at him for a long while before finally saying, "The sweet broth has gone cold. Leave it there."

"Hahaha!" Chen Chuangu handed the bowl to one of the sturdy servants. "Take it to the kitchen, warm it up, then bring it back for Brother Sizhi."

Only after receiving the handsome youth's approval did the servant reach out to take it. Yet the man on the bed suddenly snatched the earthen bowl away, held his breath, and drained it in one gulp. He tossed the bowl into Chen Chuangu's arms, wiped his lips with his sleeve, and glared at him fiercely.

"You two, attend to the Second Young Master's bath," the man instructed the two sturdy servants.

The servants withdrew upon receiving the order.

The handsome youth leaned against the bedside, his expression solemn. "Brother, please do not worry. Your body is more precious than worldly things. I only regret that I could not see Father's remains."

They had traveled day and night, changed their route, and narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. They had reached Linxi in Qingzhou and taken shelter in this house on a rainy night.

Qingzhou was roughly half a month's journey from Shengjing. Now that the man needed to recover here for at least half a month, a month would pass in total. By then, the situation in Shengjing might have turned upside down.

The white bird pecked at his sleeve with its beak, as though trying to comfort him.

The handsome youth stroked the bird's head. "Luckily, White Frost was clever enough to guide us."

White Frost tilted its head aside to avoid his hand, then flew straight onto the man's chest and lay there without moving.

"Second Young Master, the hot water is ready. Please bathe," the sturdy servant suddenly reported from outside the door.

The youth rose at those words. "Brother, rest and recover in peace. Go to sleep early."

The next morning, the cold rain had just stopped.

Water pooled in the hollows of the black roof tiles, dripping steadily from the eaves. Liu He returned from the morning market with a sack on his back, having bought a great deal of rice and grain at Rong Xi's instruction.

If anyone grew curious and asked, he would simply say that the young master and Zishi had hearty appetites, so they had bought extra to keep on hand. Seeing that the young master was plump and Zishi tall and strong, no one would think much of it.

He could tell that the five travelers were no ordinary people. They acted with great caution, and there had to be something suspicious about them. Fortunately, the house stood in a remote location, and they had arrived late at night, unseen by anyone.

He only wished to live out his life in peace and did not want to invite further trouble.

"Grandpa, the young master said we are having porridge this morning." Liu Zishi took the sack from him,

effortlessly

hoisting it onto his back.

Liu He smiled and nodded, and the two headed for the kitchen together.

Inside the kitchen, Rong Xi was cooking porridge over the stove. Remembering that one of the guests had lost blood from his injury, he intended to make a blood-nourishing porridge.

By midmorning, breakfast was served.

The five gathered in the guest room. Liu He and Liu Zishi, along with the two sturdy servants, carried in low tables. Lacquered trays had been neatly arranged atop them, complete with porridge and flatbread.

"The meal is simple. I hope you will excuse it."

Rong Xi had only intended to make a token gesture of hospitality before leaving. Unexpectedly, the injured man on the bed spoke first.

"Things were urgent last night. If there was any breach of courtesy, I hope the young gentleman will not take offense."

After a night's rest, the man's color had returned, making his features even more striking. Though he was offering an apology, his bearing remained imposing, as if he were accustomed to giving orders.

Rong Xi shook his head with a smile. His round face and ample flesh lent him an unexpectedly guileless, foolish look.

"My surname is Chen, and I am the eldest." The so-called First Young Master Chen glanced once more at the handsome youth. "This is my younger brother."

After his introduction, Chen Chuangu added, "I am a physician of the Chen family."

As for the two "sturdy servants," there was no need to explain them.

It sounded false at once, yet Rong Xi's expression did not change. "My surname is Rong, and I am the eldest. I will take my leave now and not disturb you as you eat."

After he left, Chen Chuangu suddenly burst into wild laughter.

"Young Master Rong truly is an amusing fellow!"

Having said that, he scooped up a mouthful of porridge and swallowed it, then raised his thumb in praise. "It truly is fragrant and sweet! Young Master Rong is so thoughtful. Knowing Brother Sizhi lost blood, he specially cooked this porridge. What a kind heart he has."

Second Young Master Chen sighed helplessly, long accustomed to Chen Chuangu's lack of restraint. "If Brother does not like sweet porridge, you may have some savory flatbread."

He too wanted to laugh, but seeing how pitiful First Young Master Chen looked, he instructed the servant, "Bring some tea."

The servant departed upon receiving the order. Shortly afterward, he returned carrying a tray. Cups were arranged upon it, and he poured three cups for the three members of the Chen family.

First Young Master Chen could only wash down the flatbread with water, without touching a single mouthful of sweet porridge.

After the meal, the servants cleared away the lacquered trays and went to the kitchen.

Rong Xi had already finished eating and was preparing to stew pork bone soup. Seeing that one bowl of porridge had not been touched at all, he could not help asking, "Which young master does not eat porridge?"

The servant's expression did not change. Hearing the question, he answered honestly, "The eldest young master does not like sweet foods."

Rong Xi did not know whether to laugh or cry. His good intentions had truly gone awry.

"Young Master Rong's kindness is appreciated by my master." Gratitude appeared on the servant's face.

Rong Xi chuckled softly and asked again, "Does he avoid bone soup as well?" Bone soup could also replenish blood; if First Young Master Chen still did not like it, there was nothing he could do.

The servant froze for a moment. "I will go ask."

The tall figure left, and the corners of Rong Xi's lips lifted.

The servant did not know First Young Master Chen's preferences, yet stayed closely at Second Young Master Chen's side. This group truly was interesting.

Author's Note:

Our eldest young master is both beautiful and kind-hearted~ Hahaha.

The sturdy servant arrived at the guest room and saw the young masters discussing matters. He hesitated, unsure whether to speak.

Chen Chuangu had sharp eyes and asked, "What is it?"

After the servant repeated Rong Xi's words, he waited quietly for an answer, only to hear Chen Chuangu clutch his stomach and laugh again. "If I were Young Master Rong, why would I bother with such idle matters?"

As he spoke, he saw First Young Master Chen's darkening expression and laughed even more teasingly.

Second Young Master Chen, however, caught something and asked curiously, "Are you saying Young Master Rong personally prepared the soup?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chen Chuangu's brows rose. "The breakfast porridge was made by him as well?"