Chapter 56: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 56: How to Repay a Life-saving Favor?
Physician Liu had ordered a very hearty meal, with many dishes that catered primarily to the tastes of the two children, favoring sweet and sour flavors. However, he also ensured there was plenty for the rest of the group, especially since they relied on these strong men for their protection.
During the meal, Physician Liu didn't immediately begin eating but instead focused on coaxing little Suisui to eat. Although her fever had subsided, her appetite remained lackluster. She had managed to drink some porridge in the morning, but by lunchtime, she barely managed to force down a few bites under the concerned gaze of Physician Liu and her brother.
For dinner, Physician Liu had ordered a sweet and nourishing pumpkin and red date millet porridge, hoping to stimulate Suisui’s appetite. With a touch of rock sugar added, the sweet flavor finally enticed her into eating a bit more. At first, she needed Physician Liu to feed her, but seeing that everyone else was eating on their own, Suisui politely said, "Grandpa Liu, I can feed myself. You should eat too before your food gets cold."
Physician Liu, already fond of the little girl, felt his affection for her deepen even more after the landslide incident. He began to think about how he could convince the families of Prince Qing and Prince Qi to let him take care of her himself once they returned to the capital. While his motivation wasn’t purely to bask in her good fortune, he did feel a deep desire to care for her.
Despite this desire, Physician Liu knew that Suisui would be better off with her brother, Feng Xuanrui, either in the Prince Qi's estate or the Prince Qing's household. Both would provide her with a better life than he could. Moreover, Physician Liu often worked with the Prince Qi's family, which meant he could still see Suisui frequently if she stayed there.
While these thoughts ran through his mind, he showed no outward signs of his intentions, still smiling as they ate. As they dined, Physician Liu recounted the events of the previous day, making sure everyone understood the gravity of what had happened. He reminded them how Suisui’s illness had delayed their journey, ultimately saving them from the landslide. Had they been on schedule, they might have been among the injured or worse.
Feng Xuanrui, now fully understanding the danger they had narrowly avoided, felt a wave of fear. He imagined the rocks crashing down on people and carriages with such speed that no one could have escaped. Grateful for his sister’s presence, he picked up a piece of braised pork from his plate, intending to give it to her.
Before he could place it in her bowl, however, he noticed Physician Liu’s warning gaze and quickly remembered that his sister needed to eat light for a couple more days. Embarrassed, Feng Xuanrui laughed and explained, "I was just showing it to her. She’ll be able to eat it in a few days."
Suisui, who had been quietly sipping her porridge, didn’t understand all the talk about landslides and good fortune. She only knew that to recover quickly and not be a burden, she needed to eat and rest as much as possible. When she saw her brother trying to give her the braised pork, she smiled shyly and said, "Brother, I’m not craving it."
Despite her words, she couldn’t help but swallow at the sight of the tender, fragrant pork. The rich flavor, paired with rice, was something she remembered fondly. Noticing her reaction, Physician Liu’s heart softened, and he dipped a piece of the meat in the sauce before placing it in her porridge. "You can try the flavor now. Once you're better, you can eat more."
Suisui’s eyes lit up as the vibrant orange of her porridge was accented with the rich, glossy sauce. She beamed at Physician Liu and said sweetly, "Thank you, Grandpa Liu! I’ll get better soon!"
Touched by her gratitude and determination, Physician Liu gently patted her head, his heart a mix of joy and sadness. "Eat up before it gets cold," he encouraged.
After finishing the porridge, Suisui felt content, though her brother, Feng Xuanrui, was still worried that she hadn’t eaten enough. He continued to hover, asking if she was full. Only when she patted her small belly in confirmation did he relax.
After dinner, Physician Liu and his apprentices quickly helped the children wash up and settle into bed. Exhausted from the day’s journey, Suisui fell asleep almost immediately, not even hearing the system’s voice or a bedtime story before drifting off.
Watching the children sleep soundly, Physician Liu smiled and signaled for Qingshan to keep watch before he quietly left the room. Instead of heading to bed himself, he made his way to find Prince Qing.
Physician Liu was determined. Whether it was pure coincidence or something more mystical, the fact remained: Suisui’s illness had saved their lives. It was a debt of gratitude that should not be taken lightly, and he intended to ensure the child received the protection and care she deserved.
Prince Qing was surprised when Physician Liu appeared at his door that evening. He, too, had been thinking about how to repay the child. Regardless of whether the events were coincidental or supernatural, Suisui had saved their lives, and he couldn’t ignore that. The problem was, how exactly should one repay such a life-saving favor?
As Physician Liu stepped inside, Prince Qing greeted him, still pondering this question.
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