Chapter 49: Miss Lang Jiu’s Skill

After the doctor who had examined Shen Peng came out, he took a look at Lang Jiuchuan’s forehead injury and prescribed a decoction to invigorate blood circulation and dispel bruising, hesitating to speak further.

Shen Qinghe and his wife grew anxious. “Is there something wrong with his broken hand? Should we apply some medicine to help mend the bones and strengthen the tendons?”

Their concern was genuine, especially Shen Qinghe. In the Marquis’s residence, he had solemnly promised Lang Zhengping that he would safely return Lang Jiuchuan, yet now she was injured—her forehead wounded and hand broken. These were not minor injuries easily concealed; anyone could see them at a glance. How could he not feel guilty?

Moreover, the one who injured her was his own wife, which made him even more culpable. Lang Jiuchuan was the only daughter of the late General Anbei, and if anything happened to her, wouldn’t the Shen family become eternal foes of the Lang family?

The accompanying doctor said, “The dislocation can be reset without issue. If you want, some medicine can be used as well.”

“Then use it.”

“No need.”

Shen Qinghe and Lang Jiuchuan spoke simultaneously.

Hearing Lang Jiuchuan refuse the medicine, Mrs. Shen frowned. “Miss Jiu, you should still take the medicine. Once a bone is broken, even if reset, the root is damaged. If not treated properly, when you grow old, cold and rainy days will bring rheumatic pain.”

Lang Jiuchuan smiled faintly. “There’s no need for you two to worry. I know well what’s best for me. Whatever happens in the future, it won’t be because of your care.”

Seeing her say this, both Shen Qinghe and Mrs. Shen frowned deeply.

This child was stubborn indeed.

The doctor looked at Lang Jiuchuan and said, “Miss, your constitution is very weak. Your pulse is thin and feeble, your qi and blood both deficient, showing signs of decline. You must take care of yourself meticulously, or your lifespan will be greatly affected.”

Hearing this, Shen Qinghe’s heart skipped a beat. She was indeed frail, but to have the doctor confirm it was true weakness brought a complicated feeling.

Both of them turned to look at Lang Jiuchuan, who remained calm, as if nothing had happened, her face devoid of sorrow or desolation.

“Thank you, doctor. I will keep this in mind,” Lang Jiuchuan said with a smile, expressing her gratitude.

After the doctor left, Lang Jiuchuan said, “My body is not the issue. Your son is the real concern. Let’s go see him.”

Mrs. Shen suddenly snapped to attention, having forgotten about her son, and hurried to the bedroom.

In the bedroom, another calming incense was lit. Shen Peng leaned against the soft cushion, staring blankly at the bed curtains. Hearing movement, he turned his head and, seeing the people trailing behind his parents, his eyes shrank slightly.

Jiang Zhi crouched in front of him, his two paws trying to lift the blanket covering him, but Lang Jiuchuan stopped him. “What are you doing?”

“I want to see if he’s been cursed. That brutal attack just now looked so painful that it hurt to watch.”

Lang Jiuchuan’s face darkened. “Be a tiger and come back here.”

Jiang Zhi sheepishly returned, crouching on her head. With a mental tug from Lang Jiuchuan, he was pressed deep into her spiritual core.

Unable to bear it any longer.

“Peng’er, you scared your mother to death,” Mrs. Shen said tearfully, coming to the bedside and grasping Shen Peng’s hand.

Shen Peng gave a weak smile. “Father, mother, I am unfilial.”

He had been tormented so much lately that he had lost his spirit and vitality. His cheeks were thin and pale. Compared to Lang Jiuchuan, the two were truly evenly matched.

“It’s not your fault. How could I blame you?” Mrs. Shen wiped her tears, looking down at her hand, then glanced at his abdomen.

The doctor had said earlier that fortunately, the injury was stopped in time and the root was not damaged; otherwise, that area would have been ruined. Even if he recovered, he might never regain his strength.

They owed thanks to Lang Jiuchuan. It was a mystery where such strength came from in her frail body to restrain him.

After just one incident, Mrs. Shen’s gaze toward Lang Jiuchuan softened considerably. Whether or not she truly had the ability to resolve the strange affliction on her son, she had already taken the initiative to save him once.

“Thanks to Miss Jiu,” she said gratefully, looking at Lang Jiuchuan.

Shen Peng looked over as well, his ears reddening slightly.

Lang Jiuchuan stood aside. “The self-harm you attempted earlier was caused by the evil energy within you, which made you lose your mind. There’s no need to blame yourself.”

Shen Qinghe furrowed his brows. “But Peng’er has never acted like this before. He has been losing his essence and vitality day by day, so why suddenly this?”

Lang Jiuchuan said, “This is also what I meant when I said your son’s situation is urgent.”

Shen Qinghe was startled.

“What do you mean?” Mrs. Shen asked sharply.

Lang Jiuchuan took down the talisman hanging by the bedside and glanced at it. “What is evil but something dark and malicious? It disrupts one’s mind and character. If this darkness grows to a critical mass, it can directly take his life.”

She looked up at Shen Peng. “You should be grateful that your mother’s kindness and virtue protect her body, and your father’s integrity and uprightness as an official have earned the respect of the people, accumulating a righteous aura. Only because of this can their descendants be shielded. Otherwise, you would already be walking the path to the underworld.”

Although he knew he was in deep trouble, hearing Lang Jiuchuan’s words—essentially a death sentence—not only Shen Peng himself but also Shen Qinghe and his wife turned pale, their faces drained of all color.

Shen Qinghe said in a low voice, “But you said this came from me first. I should be the one to endure this suffering. Why is it Peng’er who suffers? He clearly never went to that daughters’ stronghold.”

“Sir, you are a good official.”

Shen Qinghe was speechless.

How did this serious topic suddenly turn into praise? It felt oddly uncomfortable.

Shen Qinghe straightened his back and chest slightly, glancing sideways at her. “Well then, say more.”

“You have spent years petitioning for the people and serving with integrity. Your righteous spirit is undeniable. Your current post involves frequent interrogations at Xing Prison, a place filled with malevolent energy—a combination of harsh and bloodthirsty spirits. Being surrounded by this for so many years, you naturally have absorbed some of this energy. It’s like a general who has slain countless enemies on the battlefield, covered in the aura of bloodshed. Such an aura not only terrifies humans but also frightens common evil spirits. Hence the saying ‘to command without anger.’ I imagine when you are serious, you inspire fear.”

“Yes, he’s scary when he’s not smiling. When he was posted away before, people even used his name to scare children,” Mrs. Shen immediately added.

Lang Jiuchuan continued, “You have the aura of sternness protecting you, so the evil entity doesn’t dare approach you directly. But using you as a medium to harm those around you is not impossible.”

She looked over him, lightly tapping the imperial bell at his waist, and asked, “Have you lost anything over at the daughters’ stronghold that you luckily recovered?”

Shen Qinghe stiffened suddenly, his expression changing slightly. “Yes.”

He looked at Mrs. Shen. “What about that eighteenth-son wooden pendant Peng’er carved himself for me?”

Mrs. Shen stood and went to the wardrobe, pulling out a bundle. She rummaged inside and found a string of pendants.

“Ah!”

Seeing the item, Mrs. Shen let out a scream, flinging the string of pendants at Lang Jiuchuan’s feet.