Chapter 12: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
**Chapter 12: Where Is Her Hair?**
Prince Qing, a seasoned warrior, reacted more swiftly than Physician Liu.
His hands moved faster than his thoughts, swiftly lifting Suisui into his arms. With practiced ease, he deftly rewrapped the loosened cloth and gently laid her back on the bed.
By this time, Physician Liu had also regained his composure. Though inwardly cursing the situation, he forced a smile and tried to comfort Suisui, "Suisui, fear not. Grandfather Liu is just here to take a look. Are you hungry? Would you like to rise and partake in the morning meal?"
Remembering the words Suisui had uttered instinctively before fully waking, Physician Liu felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. He quickly added, "Suisui, while you're here, there's no need for you to do any work. With so many adults around, there's no reason for a little one like you to toil."
When Suisui opened her eyes and recognized the familiar figure of Grandfather Liu, her anxious heart began to settle.
Though she was wrapped rather tightly by Prince Qing, she didn’t dare move. She obediently sat there and softly greeted, "Good day, Grandfather Liu."
After greeting Grandfather Liu, Suisui cautiously raised her head and glanced at the tall and imposing Prince Qing, who appeared rather stern.
With just one look, Suisui recognized him as the man who had saved her and her brother the previous night.
Yet, she didn’t know him.
She pursed her lips, then cautiously withdrew her head, remaining silent.
Hearing Suisui’s greeting, Physician Liu’s weathered face blossomed into a radiant smile, like a chrysanthemum in full bloom. He responded hurriedly, "Ah, ah, Grandfather is here. Suisui, are you hungry?"
Hungry?
In truth, she was. But she could endure it.
Suisui feared that if she ate too much, she would be cast out. In her uncle’s household, even drinking an extra sip of water would earn her a scolding from her aunt.
Realizing this, Suisui gently shook her little head, "I am not hungry."
Gurgle.
Yet at that very moment, her belly betrayed her with two grumbling sounds.
Hearing this, Physician Liu couldn’t help but laugh. As he laughed, tears threatened to fall.
He thought, *Indeed, I did not practice swordsmanship enough last night!*
This resentment still hadn’t been fully vented.
Now it sat uncomfortably, lodged in his chest.
Prince Qing stood to the side, watching this pitiful child, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
Last night, he had been preoccupied with urgent matters, and with the dim candlelight, he hadn’t examined her closely.
But now, seeing this child again, he recalled Physician Liu's words: *A five-year-old child with the bone age of a three-year-old.* This child’s uncle’s family must truly be heartless, rotten to the core!
Hmm, Physician Liu’s curses were quite justified.
If one couldn’t raise a child properly, then don’t bother raising one at all! Since they took on the responsibility, they should at least treat her like a human being.
Suisui’s head was bare, with a bandage wrapped around her forehead. Her little face was so thin that there wasn’t a trace of flesh on it. At first glance, she looked like a moving skeleton.
The men Prince Qing had sent to investigate had yet to return, so he still didn’t know the full details.
But at this moment, compassion stirred within him.
Suisui reminded Prince Qing of his own daughter.
If only that child were still alive...
Thinking of his daughter, Prince Qing closed his eyes briefly, hiding the darkness in his gaze.
When Physician Liu heard Suisui’s stomach growl, he couldn’t help but laugh again, "Suisui, if you’re hungry, you must say so, alright? Grandfather Liu has plenty of food here. You can eat as much as you like, no need to be afraid."
As they spoke, the voice of Physician Liu's apprentice, Diao, came from outside, "Master, the garments have been purchased."
Upon hearing this, Physician Liu softly reassured Suisui, "Suisui, wait for Grandfather for a moment. He’ll be right back."
As he rose, Physician Liu glanced at Prince Qing, "My lord, I trouble you to watch over the child for a moment. Apologies for the inconvenience."
The last three words carried a hint of personal grievance.
Prince Qing: ...
He hadn’t done anything, had he?
This child wasn’t even theirs. By normal reasoning, she should be sent back to her family.
Otherwise, wouldn’t her family be worried sick?
As for the hidden circumstances, those would need to be clarified before anything else.
Prince Qing felt utterly speechless. He turned his head, only to meet Suisui’s timid gaze, her eyes as pure and innocent as a newborn fawn’s.
Those eyes were so clear and clean that they seemed to banish all the world’s filth.
This made the Prince feel an unusual sense of discomfort. Looking at the little girl’s nearly reflective bald head, he frowned and asked, "Where is your hair?"
He had been wanting to ask earlier, but with Physician Liu constantly talking, he hadn’t found the chance.
Prince Qing’s voice was deep and raspy, carrying the weight of battle-hardened authority. This frightened Suisui, causing her to shrink back.
She averted her gaze and, like an ostrich, tried to tuck her head back into her body, wishing she could disappear into the cloth that wrapped her.
Physician Liu returned in a hurry, carrying the garments. Upon seeing this scene, his pent-up frustration broke free. "My lord!"
Though his rank prevented him from actually reprimanding Prince Qing, Physician Liu’s face darkened as he stepped forward, using his slightly plump body to block Prince Qing’s view.
Prince Qing: ?
He genuinely felt wronged!
However, he wasn’t the sort of person who liked to explain himself over trivial matters.
He was simply curious.
Watching Physician Liu change Suisui’s clothes, Prince Qing held back, but eventually couldn’t resist asking again, "Where is her hair?"
Even though he hadn’t looked closely last night, he was sure she had hair!
Physician Liu, while muttering complaints about the poor quality of the local garments, retorted irritably, "It was shaved off. Her hair was dry and tangled like straw, knotted beyond repair. If it hadn’t been shaved off, were we to wait for it to grow lice?"
Prince Qing was left speechless, turning away as he watched Suisui being stripped bare.
With quick hands, Physician Liu dressed Suisui in the new clothes, then pulled her aside to apply a yellowish medicinal ointment to her head.
The ointment didn’t have a strong smell, but its color wasn’t very appealing. Worried that the child might mind, Physician Liu explained, "Suisui, this is for hair growth. We’ll apply it for a while, and then switch to the black powder. When your hair grows back, it’ll be thick and glossy. It just won’t look very nice in the meantime, and you mustn’t touch it with your hands, understand?"
Suisui, still overwhelmed by the shock of the new clothes, was wide-eyed, almost unable to take it all in. Her gaze kept drifting towards the beautiful, soft garments.
Hearing Physician Liu’s words, Suisui quickly shook her head in a fluster, "I won’t, I won’t, Grandfather Liu."
Suisui wasn’t good at saying flattering words. All she could do was sit there even more obediently, without moving, letting Physician Liu tend to her as he wished.
The system, though capable of teaching her some tricks for dealing with people, refrained from doing so. Its role was to accompany and encourage the child, ensuring that her past shadows wouldn’t cloud her entire life.
Its mission was simple: companionship and encouragement, helping this precious child to find joy in growing up.
*Little darlings, may the Year of the Dragon bring you great fortune!*
(End of Chapter)
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