Chapter 4: Strange Indeed! Peculiar Truly!

Looking at the shocking wounds covering Shen Xuan’s body, everyone present was utterly stunned.

Only now did they realize that the suffering Shen Xuan endured in Sima’s detention was far more brutal than they had imagined...

“I don’t know. I didn’t do it on purpose!” Qin Shujun’s face was flustered, the torn cloth in her hands becoming a burden she couldn’t decide whether to keep or discard.

“My son, you have suffered so much!” Lady Song stepped forward, her eyes filled with pity as she looked at Shen Xuan’s injuries, her voice trembling with an unrestrained sob.

“The servant is fine, just some minor wounds. Thank you for your concern, Madam.” Despite the fresh blood flowing from his body, Shen Xuan’s tone remained calm and polite, showing no signs of distress.

A trace of sorrow flickered in Lady Song’s eyes, as if her heart had been painfully tugged.

Her hand trembled as she lifted it, wanting to touch the wounds but fearing it might hurt Shen Xuan. Ultimately, she reluctantly lowered her hand and spoke anxiously, “With injuries like these, how could you possibly be alright?”

She then turned sharply to the dazed Qin Shujun and shouted, “You reckless girl, this is all your doing! Hurry and bring Lang Zhong here!”

“Alright!” Qin Shujun nodded dazedly and turned to leave.

Standing nearby, Qin Shaotian’s eyes darkened with malice as he saw Lady Song’s concern for Shen Xuan.

In no time, Qin Shujun returned, leading an elderly man at a brisk pace.

“Madam,” the old man greeted Lady Song with a bow.

“Doctor Liu, no need for formalities. Please come quickly and examine my son’s injuries,” Lady Song urged anxiously.

“Madam, please calm yourself,” Doctor Liu said as he carried his medicine box over to Shen Xuan and began inspecting the wounds.

“This!” Doctor Liu’s eyes widened involuntarily as he took in the countless scars covering Shen Xuan’s body, his aged face filled with disbelief.

“Doctor Liu, is there something wrong with Xuan’er?” Lady Song’s heart tightened at the doctor’s expression, and she hurriedly asked.

“If an ordinary person suffered such injuries, they would have perished long ago. Yet this young friend can still walk. In all my years of practice, I have never seen anything so miraculous,” the old man shook his head, his voice full of awe.

“So my son’s condition isn’t as dire as it seems?” Lady Song’s heart raced with anxious hope.

Even Qin Shujun’s gaze toward Shen Xuan carried a hint of worry upon hearing Doctor Liu’s words.

“Wait a moment. Let me first take this young friend’s pulse,” Doctor Liu said, extending his aged hand to grasp Shen Xuan’s wrist without hesitation.

As time passed, the doctor’s expression grew stranger, occasionally shaking his head and frowning. Lady Song watched anxiously, her nerves fraying.

When Doctor Liu finally released Shen Xuan’s wrist, Lady Song hurriedly asked, “Doctor Liu, how are my son’s injuries?”

“Strange! Remarkable! Although the wounds appear severe, the pulse is strong and vigorous, no different from an ordinary healthy person. In fact, his constitution seems even more robust. Truly unheard of, truly unheard of!” Doctor Liu’s voice brimmed with wonder as he gazed at Shen Xuan as if he were a rare treasure, his eyes sparkling with amazement.

“Doctor Liu, are you joking? Xuan’er’s injuries are so severe—how could he be stronger than normal?” Lady Song’s face was full of disbelief; she thought the doctor was teasing her.

She was not alone in her skepticism. Everyone else looked at Doctor Liu doubtfully. After all, Shen Xuan was still bleeding—how could he possibly be fine?

“Hmph! Madam, do you doubt my medical skills? Although this young friend’s injuries look serious, they are only frightening on the surface and have not penetrated the vital organs. With a few prescriptions and rest, he will recover soon enough,” Doctor Liu said coldly, annoyed by their suspicion.

“However, under normal circumstances, such external wounds would inevitably harm the lungs or heart. Yet why...” His voice trailed off as he began to doubt himself.

Upon hearing Doctor Liu’s assessment, Lady Song was relieved and quickly instructed the servants to change Shen Xuan into fresh clothes.

At this moment, Qin Shujun’s brows furrowed sharply, as if she had come to a realization. Pointing at the freshly bandaged Shen Xuan, she accused, “So, Shen Xuan, you inflicted these injuries on yourself in advance, using them to win everyone’s sympathy through such unscrupulous means!”

“You misunderstand, Princess. I have already said my wounds are not serious,” Shen Xuan said calmly, his expression unchanged.

“What do you mean by that, Shen Xuan? Is it wrong for your mother to care for you?” Qin Shujun’s gaze grew increasingly hostile.

“I did not mean that,” Shen Xuan replied, meeting Qin Shujun’s glare—one filled with hatred—as he raised his head without a hint of fear.

“Then what do you mean? Shen Xuan, I was right about you—you’re still a ruthless, good-for-nothing just like before!” Qin Shujun’s eyes locked onto his calm gaze, only fueling her anger.

“Enough, Jun’er, stop it. Xuan’er is your brother. Mother believes he wouldn’t do such a thing,” Lady Song’s expression darkened as she quickly stepped in to defend Shen Xuan, addressing Qin Shujun sternly.

“Mother!” Qin Shujun was unwilling to yield and wanted to say more, but at that moment, Qin Shaotian walked over with a smile and said to Lady Song, “Mother, please do not be angry. I also believe our brother Xuan wouldn’t do such a thing. Sister was just anxious and spoke carelessly. We’ve wasted enough time here. Grandfather must be growing impatient. We should hurry.”

“We’ll deal with you later,” Lady Song said with a slight improvement in her mood, though her tone remained displeased.

“Hmph!” Qin Shujun snorted coldly, unable to understand why her mother would defend this outsider. Shen Xuan increasingly irritated her.

Lowering his head, Shen Xuan paid no mind to the farce unfolding before him. He and these people had never belonged to the same world. The only reason he had returned was to reclaim his household registration and documents.

Once he had them, he planned to stay far away from these people—preferably never to meet again.

Led by Lady Song, the group soon arrived at an elegantly decorated residence.

Inside, an elderly man with white hair and beard approached and bowed to Lady Song.

“Greetings, Madam, Princess, and Young Master.”

“Doctor An, has my father’s condition improved at all today?” Lady Song asked respectfully.

This elderly man was the imperial physician, a renowned master healer in the capital. Without the Empress’s decree, even Elder Qin, a veteran general with countless merits, would find it nearly impossible to summon Doctor An.

“Sigh. The old general is, after all, aged and bears countless old injuries from his youth. At this age, I fear he may not have much time left,” Doctor An sighed mournfully. The old man’s hidden wounds were too many; if treated too aggressively, the medicine might do more harm than good.