Liu Chenglin wanted to go in and help, but Qingying refused, so he could only wait in the courtyard.
However, instead of receiving Doctor Qin's diagnosis, he was met with a punch from Liu Chengfeng.
Liu Chengfeng grabbed his collar and questioned, "You knew she had a lung disease, yet you still pushed her into the water. Liu Chenglin, what were you thinking?"
"I didn't do it on purpose! Let go!" Liu Chenglin forcefully broke free from his restraints and raised his hand to touch the bloodstains on his lips.
He sneered sarcastically, saying, "Big brother is truly a good big brother. He treats even his father's mistress's daughter as well as his own sister."
"Shushu is someone I've watched grow up since she was little; she's like my own sister!"
"Hehehe~ Your own sister? She doesn't remember? Have you forgotten too, brother? What was the reason your real sister died?"
Liu Chengfeng froze, standing there, opening his mouth but choking back a word.
He frowned, his expression filled with painful conflict. After a long while, he said, "But...it wasn't Shushu's fault..."
"Is that so? What did Liu Shushu do wrong? She should have been the beloved eldest daughter of the General's Mansion, a noble lady of a prestigious family, but instead she was forced to live a life of wandering and homelessness among the common people, while the daughter born to the person who caused her to fall into this predicament lived a life of luxury under her identity."
It took Liu Chengfeng a moment to realize what he meant, and he stared at him blankly. "You just said that Shushu was living a life of wandering... Could it be that she didn't die?"
"Yes, she is still alive and well."
"Where is she?" Liu Chengfeng grabbed his shoulder, his excitement overflowing.
Liu Chenglin shook his head and said, "I don't know where she is now either."
"What do you mean by that?" Liu Chengfeng's happy expression froze instantly.
"I met her in Medicine King Valley. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence when I heard her name. Later, I discovered by chance that she really was Liu Shushu. She was wearing a longevity lock that her uncle had made by hand, a birthmark on her left shoulder, and a scar on her ankle. I believe I am not mistaken."
He paused, frowned, and said, "But before I could bring her back to confirm in person, she left a letter and left. This time, I rushed back because I found out about her in the capital. But in this vast world, it is really not easy to find someone."
Liu Chengfeng gradually calmed down, pondered for a moment, and said, "This matter is not suitable for making a fuss. After all, Shushu has been missing for so many years, and we all thought she was dead. Now that there is suddenly a trace of her, I don't want my grandmother and parents to worry before we are completely sure."
Liu Chenglin curled his lips into a slight sneer, "You just don't want Liu Qingying to be upset, right?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Whether it's nonsense or not, my brother knows best. In any case, I will find her and bring her back to be recognized as a member of the family. As for that Liu Qingying, you can deal with her yourselves." With that, he turned and left.
Liu Chengfeng stood in the courtyard for a long time without moving. The leaves of the trees, which were gradually turning yellow, rustled in the wind. He looked at the lights in the courtyard and listened to the sounds coming from inside. Suddenly, he thought of what Liu Chenglin had said about being displaced and homeless, and a faint sadness welled up in his heart.
After a moment, he sighed softly, turned and left.
...
Qingying's lungs were filled with water, leaving her extremely weak. Doctor Qin exerted a great deal of effort to expel the water from her lungs and administered a strong medicine, which finally saved her life. However, she will need to recuperate for a while.
She endured the agony until dawn before finally being able to sleep.
When Doctor Qin stepped out of the courtyard, he was still a little dizzy. When he looked up, he saw dark clouds overhead, a cool breeze blowing, and the old trees in the courtyard gradually becoming desolate, with yellow and green leaves falling to the ground. He sighed and said, "It seems that the weather is about to change."
Upon seeing this, the young apprentice carrying the medicine box beside him said, "Master, let's hurry back. Maybe we can still get back inside before the rain starts."
Rainy days like this are perfect for sleeping.
Doctor Qin glanced at him and said disdainfully, "All you do is sleep. Have you finished copying the prescription I asked you to copy yesterday?"
"Not...not yet..."
"Then why aren't you in a hurry?"
"Oh dear, Master, I haven't slept a wink all night. I'll need to get enough sleep before I can continue copying."
"Lazybones, when will you ever graduate from your apprenticeship at this rate?"
“Then I won’t go out. I’ll stay by my master’s side for the rest of my life and take care of him until his death.”
The master and apprentice walked further and further away as they talked.
The rain that day was unusually heavy, pouring down as if a bucket of water had been poured over the city from the sky, enveloping the entire capital in a misty drizzle.
Liu Chenglin left the city early in the morning, and Liu Hui personally escorted him to the city gate. The father and son remained silent the whole way. It wasn't until the very end that Liu Hui managed to say, "Be careful and have a safe journey."
Liu Chenglin bowed respectfully to him and said, "Father, please take your time." Then he got into the carriage.
Liu Hui watched the carriage drive away silently until it disappeared completely into the rain before limping back.
Liu Chengfeng also left home early in the morning, taking a scroll to Prince Yu's residence.
Wei Dongchen and he had been friends for many years. He could enter and leave the Prince Yu’s mansion without needing to announce his arrival, just like he was returning to his own home.
"Oh, you came in such heavy rain, did something important happen?" Wei Dongchen saw that he only raised his eyelids slightly and leaned against the daybed without moving.
Liu Chengfeng shook the rain off his shoulders, sat down opposite him, placed the scroll in his hand on the small table, and said, "I came here today to ask you for a favor."
"It's rare that you would actually take the initiative to ask me for help." He raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his face. "Tell me quickly, what thorny issue has stumped our young master Liu?"
Liu Chengfeng unfurled the scroll and presented it to him, saying, "Help me find someone."
Wei Dongchen finally sat up straight and carefully examined the painting. The painting depicted a woman with a slender figure, dressed in a dashing red dress, with willow-leaf eyebrows, almond eyes, cherry lips, and a thin, pointed face. Her appearance was both charming and sharp.
"She's quite a beauty... What? Has Young Master Liu fallen for her?"
He was given a sharp rap on the head as soon as he finished speaking, making him wince in pain.
Liu Chengfeng said irritably, "What nonsense are you talking about? This is my sister!"
Wei Dongchen rubbed his forehead and cried out, "Can you go easy on me? What if you ruin my handsome face? How am I going to compensate you!"
Then, pointing at the painting, he asked, "Isn't your sister Liu Qingying? Where did this one come from? Does your father have another mistress?"
"No, this is my own sister, my biological sister!"
Wei Dongchen looked completely bewildered.
Liu Chengfeng sighed: "This is a long story."
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