Chapter 43: The Love Between Husband and Wife, Iron-Blooded Tenderness in the Republic of China
Before starting, the old Chinese doctor cleared the room.
Mr. Li, the apprentices and others went out to avoid suspicion, leaving only Jiang Yu and Rong Zhen.
A Cui brought a basin of water and helped Rongzhen take off her shoes and socks, revealing a pair of pale feet with inward-turned toes.
Because I had just washed my feet carefully last night and I didn't walk much during the day, there was no odor on my feet, which avoided some embarrassment.
However, Rongzhen still washed it first and dried it with a towel before letting Jiang Yu start.
In order to get closer, Jiang Yu grabbed her two white and tender little feet with one hand and held them in his arms.
The moment their skin touched, Rongzhen felt a tingling and itching sensation spreading, and instinctively wanted to break free and pull it back, but he held her down.
Jiang Yu warned: "Don't move, it hasn't started yet."
Rongzhen had no choice but to endure it and try her best to control the expression on her face.
The old Chinese doctor looked away to avoid suspicion and began to guide Jiang Yu step by step to complete the bone diagnosis.
Jiang Yu followed the instructions, his slender fingers sliding along the bones from his ankles bit by bit. The thin calluses on his fingertips brought out shivers, and the warm touch felt as hot as fire.
Rongzhen was already sensitive, and now she reacted uncontrollably.
As he moved, the blush gradually spread from his ankles to his toes, and then quickly flew from his toes to his cheeks.
In the end, Rongzhen felt like a cooked shrimp. She lowered her head and clutched the hem of her skirt tightly, not daring to look at Jiang Yu.
But their current posture inevitably made him appear in her sight at all times.
Yu Guangzhong's lowered starry eyes were covered by thick eyelashes, making it impossible to see his emotions. His rosy thin lips were slightly raised in a tiny arc. The joints of his fingers, which were removed from the bandage for convenience, were distinct, and clear scratches could be seen on them. The wounds had already solidified, leaving only faint red marks.
Rongzhen used this to divert her attention and try to relax her body.
Jiang Yu's fingers just happened to press on an important acupoint, stimulating her so much that she couldn't help but cry out: "It hurts!"
It was painful and numb, and I felt like my whole foot was not my own.
The old Chinese doctor immediately asked Jiang Yu to take note of this place, and took out a pen and ink and asked him to draw the shape and direction of the bones he felt.
Rongzhen was able to escape for a moment, only to find that he was sweating profusely and was more tired than those who actually worked hard, both physically and mentally exhausted.
"Miss, hold on a little longer and drink some water." A Cui served her by the side, first wiping the sweat off her face and then feeding her a cup of tea.
After they were done, Jiang Yu also finished his painting, and then they continued.
After several rounds, Rongzhen found several points on her right foot that needed correction, especially in the toes.
Because the force exerted by the shoes on that area is the greatest, and the damage has been caused over the years, except for the middle toe which is relatively intact, the bones and tendons of the other four toes have more or less problems.
After looking at the drawn skeleton diagram, the old Chinese doctor shook his head and commented: "Your deformity is already considered deformed. If you don't want to affect your walking posture in the future and not suffer from rheumatic bone disease when you are old, it is best to correct it now while you are young." In the end, he praised Rongzhen's decision to free her feet.
Otherwise, these problems will only get worse over time, instead of disappearing just because she doesn't put her feet down.
Ah Cui was very relieved, "Thank goodness the young lady has come to her senses and decided to let go."
Jiang Yu washed his hands and asked, "How can she correct this? Will it be very painful?"
The old Chinese doctor said that you will definitely suffer a little, but when it comes to problems with the bones and meridians, you can't be too hasty and you have to proceed slowly and steadily.
So the pain won't be too great, but it will take a while, and it's estimated to take about half a year to see the results.
As for how to correct it, it is naturally a two-pronged approach of applying plasters and wearing correction tools.
When Rongzhen heard that it was similar to modern methods, her confidence increased.
Isn't it just a matter of spending some time and suffering a little? What she lacks the least now is time, and she is not afraid of suffering a little.
In times of war, having a pair of healthy feet that can run away at any time is equivalent to having a few more lives, so paying a small price for it is nothing.
Rongzhen didn't say what she was thinking, but her positive attitude towards cooperation was obvious, and the old Chinese doctor couldn't help but nod when he saw it.
Although the old Chinese doctor was very confident that he could cure her foot, the most crucial thing was that she herself was proactive and cooperated well, so that the final effect could be achieved in the best possible way.
"Don't worry, doctor. I will follow your advice." After making the promise, Rong Zhen thought of the scars on Jiang Yu's hands, and asked the old Chinese doctor for medicine and new bandages.
Jiang Yu took the medicine and prepared to apply it casually, not even wanting to put on the bandage.
Rong Zhen stopped her and said, "Let me help you. It would be a shame if you don't apply medicine to such beautiful hands and leave scars."
"Does it look good?" Jiang Yu let her snatch the ointment and bandage, then lowered his eyes to stare at his hand. He didn't think it looked good at all. He just remembered how many lives it had saved, and how it was already stained with blood.
Even if those people deserved to die, these were still a pair of murderous hands, ugly and smelly.
He threw it away in disgust, but Rongzhen pulled him back and held him to apply the ointment.
The brown cream felt cool when applied to the skin, but soon a hint of heat appeared after it was slowly spread across the skin.
Jiang Yu glanced at his big hand, then shifted his gaze to the slender hands holding it, quietly feeling the touch and temperature they conveyed.
They are so clean, warm, and soft like a white cloud under the clear sky, without a speck of dust.
This is the most beautiful hand.
Jiang Yu suddenly grabbed it with his backhand, as if he was holding this beauty.
Rongzhen subconsciously pulled away and asked curiously, "What's wrong? Did I hurt you accidentally? Sorry, I will be more gentle."
She didn't actually use much force, just applied it gently and softly, but she didn't expect him to suddenly have such a big reaction.
"It's okay." Jiang Yu said in a low voice, spreading his hands to let her continue.
The old Chinese doctor had already turned around to prescribe medicine and pick herbs, and was too busy to pay attention to the "love between husband and wife" here.
Ah Cui saw it all, covered her mouth and smiled, then tiptoed out with the basin of water.
When Mr. Li saw her come out, he immediately asked, "Are you done inside?"
"How can it be so fast? You just wait outside and don't go in to disturb them." A Cui didn't want them to disturb the relationship between the young lady and the son-in-law, so she deliberately acted like a maid and gave them a warning.
But Mr. Li was a man who could see through her little thoughts at a glance.
Considering that someone was in danger of breaking out, he didn't point it out right away. After a moment, he raised his voice and asked into the house, "Shenzhi, are you okay?"
"Wait a moment." Jiang Yu responded from inside until Rong Zhen applied ointment on both of his hands and bandaged them.
At this time, the prescription and medicinal materials prescribed by the old Chinese doctor were ready, and he began to use plaster, iron wire, cotton and other materials to measure Rongzhen's feet and make custom correction tools.
Rongzhen took off her shoes and socks again and adjusted them while trying them on, making it more inappropriate for outsiders to see them.
Mr. Li and his friends had no choice but to continue waiting outside.
After several adjustments, Rongzhen finally felt that it was okay, but then she discovered that she couldn't wear shoes after wearing the gadget.
The old Chinese doctor asked his disciple to find her a pair of women's cloth shoes as a temporary solution. Not only were the soles thin and her feet cold, but they were also not very comfortable to wear.
Rongzhen didn't say anything and called A Cui back to pay the bill.
Before he even took out the money, Jiang Yu dropped a bag of silver coins.
Rongzhen: "...I'll return it to you when I get back."
Jiang Yu replied, "No need," and asked Mr. Li and others to come in and push him out.
A Cui quickly put away her old shoes and helped Rong Zhen catch up.
Rongzhen wore braces on her feet and the shoes she wore didn't fit her feet well, so even with A Cui's help, she couldn't walk fast.
When she finally arrived outside, Jiang Yu and the others had already gotten into the rickshaw they had called and were ready to go home.
Mr. Li was sitting in the same car with Jiang Yu, and was talking to him about something. Both of them looked very serious.
Rongzhen knew that something might have happened to them, so she quickened her pace and got into her own car.
Ah Cui was a little confused by this situation. Hadn't they been fine in the house before? Why did it look like they were arguing again now?
Ah Cui climbed onto the rickshaw and tried to ask Rong Zhen, "Miss, what happened to your uncle? Are you having a fight?"
Rongzhen was puzzled: "Nothing happened. How did you know we were having a quarrel?"
"Look at my son-in-law's attitude. He was so warm to you one moment, and the next moment he became so indifferent."
Rongzhen: "I think you're overthinking it. Something might be wrong with him."
And they had never been warm at all, let alone had a quarrel.
As the two of them were whispering, the rickshaw turned around and started running, but it was not heading back to the mansion.
Ah Cui quickly realized something was wrong and leaned over to Rong Zhen to ask, "Miss, this is not the way home. Where are you taking us, uncle?"
Rongzhen didn't know either, so he patted her hand to comfort her temporarily.
Jiang Yu and his companions' car was running very fast in front, going straight through the busy traffic and heading towards the bustling area.
The carriage that Rongzhen was riding in was following closely behind. The driver was panting and was sweating all over even in the thin clothes in the winter.
A Cui and Rong Zhen discussed how long Dazhu could pull the cart, whether he was as good as other drivers, etc.
Rongzhen was chatting with her casually when she suddenly stopped and saw the car in front suddenly stopped.
Rongzhen's car slowed down and slowly pulled to a position parallel to it.
Ah Cui saw the scene in front of the car and covered her mouth in shock: "What are they doing?"
Rows of young men in long gowns passed silently down the street, each holding a square sign with the eight characters "Expel the Tartars, Return China to Us!" inscribed on it. The solemnity of the procession drew people to stop.
A Cui seemed to be infected by the atmosphere, and quickly shut up and waited quietly.
Rongzhen saw many people standing on both sides of the street, all watching with the same expressions as them, some solemn, some sad, and some indifferent. Their reactions varied, but they all remained silent, watching the parade go away.
"Alas, he's just a weak student who hasn't even graduated yet. What's the point of protesting?"
A sigh from someone broke the silence, and everyone began to talk about it.
The rickshaw then started moving again. Rongzhen didn't have time to hear more information. The street that the parade had just passed by was left far behind.
Ah Cui seemed to be shocked by the scene just now. After listening to everyone's discussion, she asked Rong Zhen with a slightly complicated expression: "Miss, do you think there is any point in them doing this?"
Rong Zhen pondered, "Yes, but it's unnecessary. If bloodshed occurs and someone is accidentally killed, both the loved ones will be sad and the enemies will be happy."
Although this tactic may work initially, it can only be used once or twice, but not three times. Sooner or later, it will intensify the contradictions and escalate the conflict.
Rather than trying powerlessly to force the authorities to compromise and become hated, it would be better to strengthen ourselves as quickly as possible and work hard to save the country.
Political power comes from the barrel of a gun, and truth always exists within the range of a cannon. Only when we become strong can we dare to change the world.
Jiang Yu's car had been driving alongside theirs for some time. After hearing this, he glanced at her with a thoughtful look on his face.
Rongzhen saw him and asked immediately, "Where are we going?"
Jiang Yu looked up at her feet wearing ill-fitting shoes and said simply, "Go to the shoemaker's shop."
As he finished speaking, the rickshaw turned a corner and the shoemaker's shop was right in front of him.
In a shop with very simple decoration, the cabinets and shelves are filled with all kinds of handmade shoes, both men's and women's.
The shopkeeper came to greet them personally and treated them graciously: "What kind of shoes would you like to buy? Do you want ready-made or custom-made?"
Jiang Yu pointed at Rong Zhen with one hand and said, "Find her some loose and comfortable ones, and get a few more pairs."
"Okay, we have some ready-made soft women's shoes. Take a few more pairs—"
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