Chapter 9: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 9: Let’s Bathe Together
Duke Qing turned to Zhan Yuan.
Zhan Yuan immediately stepped forward, “Your Highness.”
Duke Qing nodded and pointed to the two children, “Take them back to the inn first.”
Regardless of everything else, treating their injuries and getting something to eat was the most important thing.
As for the origins of the so-called sister? He wasn’t like Feng Xuanrui, a child who would easily bring someone home. But given that she was a pitiful child, it was best to take care of her first.
Duke Qing finished speaking, snapped his fingers, and a sleek, valiant warhorse appeared from the darkness.
The horse nuzzled Duke Qing gently, and he patted its neck dismissively, “Alright, take them back.”
Zhan Yuan responded softly and lifted Feng Xuanrui and Suisui onto the horse.
The warhorse was strong and tall, so carrying the two children was easy. However, they needed to be kept safe, as falling off might cause injury.
Thinking of this, Zhan Yuan lowered his voice as much as possible, “Hold on tight, don’t fall off. We need to get back quickly and treat your injuries.”
Seeing the children nod obediently, Zhan Yuan felt a soft spot in his heart. He thought: perhaps it was rare for this young master from the Qi family to be so obedient.
Zhan Yuan led the horse back to the inn at a brisk pace.
A doctor had accompanied them, and once they returned, the doctor examined them first.
Upon discovering that Feng Xuanrui’s ankle was severely sprained and swollen, the doctor was shocked.
“Oh dear, what happened? How did you twist it so badly? Let me see, don’t move around, don’t move!”
“Little master, if you keep moving, it’ll leave a lasting problem. I won’t be able to handle it!”
…
Physician Liu was very talkative, and Feng Xuanrui covered his ears quietly.
Despite his disheveled appearance, he was determined to take a bath first.
Physician Liu couldn’t argue with him, and after a careful examination found no wounds, reluctantly agreed, “Be careful, don’t put weight on that leg.”
“A simple wash will do!”
…
Feng Xuanrui’s bath was straightforward, but Qing Shan and Qing Shui were terrified. They feared the young master would come back by himself, so they sent some men out to search. The two of them waited anxiously at the inn.
Seeing Feng Xuanrui return, they nearly clung to his legs and cried.
Now that Feng Xuanrui wanted a bath, they were very attentive and busy.
However, it was a bit more complicated with Suisui.
There were no maidservants at the inn.
Duke Qing was here on official business, and his entourage consisted only of deputy generals and attendants. Feng Xuanrui had quietly followed, and it wasn’t until they had traveled over a hundred miles from the city that Duke Qing discovered this additional “troublemaker” in his party.
Sending them back? That would delay matters.
So, he had to bring them along.
Feng Xuanrui’s party included only four guards and Physician Liu with his two apprentices.
For Suisui, a little girl, it wouldn’t be appropriate to have these men bathe her, would it?
Zhan Yuan found several guards, but they ran away quickly when they heard the task. Finally, Physician Liu heard about it and rolled his eyes, “This isn’t anything special; it’s up to me!”
Zhan Yuan: ?
This wasn’t the attitude he had when facing the Sixth Young Master!
Physician Liu, being an old man, saw only two types of people: the sick and the healthy.
So, in the end, Physician Liu was the one who bathed Suisui.
At first, Suisui was unwilling.
Of course, it wasn’t because of the gender difference; Suisui was still too young to understand such things.
Mainly, she was reluctant to be separated from Feng Xuanrui. Among these people, the only one she was familiar with was her brother.
Others...
Even though she didn’t sense any malice, she was scared!
The system understood this more clearly. Rather than just fearing separation from Feng Xuanrui, Suisui was more afraid of being abandoned again.
Feng Xuanrui, still a child, didn’t understand this but was heartbroken seeing Suisui’s tears.
He comforted her and, after seeing her smile through her tears, decisively declared, “Let’s bathe together!”
Zhan Yuan: ???
No, Young Master, you’re already ten years old! You’re not as small as a little girl to bathe together!
Though the Daxia dynasty was open-minded and didn’t have strict gender separation rules, having children of different ages bathe together seemed excessive.
Zhan Yuan had his concerns but didn’t know how to say it.
In the end, Physician Liu came up with a solution: “How about this—two tubs, you bathe next to each other, but with a screen in between. Suisui is a girl, and it might be embarrassing for her if you stare.”
Feng Xuanrui reluctantly agreed to this arrangement. After comforting Suisui again and seeing her smile, they finally separated.
After all the commotion, Feng Xuanrui finally settled into a small bathtub, letting out a contented sigh.
Thinking back on the day’s events, it was quite thrilling!
Meanwhile, Suisui was undressing next to him, curiously eyeing the steaming wooden tub.
She had never bathed in hot water before—at least not in her memory.
During the New Year, her cousins were bathed in a broken wooden tub by her aunt, washing off the year’s grime.
But Suisui had never had such a bath; even the dirty water used by her cousins wasn’t given to her.
Suisui had to use cold water for a simple wipe and only bathed in the river when it was warmer.
Now she could have a hot bath?
Suisui bit her lip, unable to believe it.
Physician Liu had initially planned for Suisui to bathe herself under his supervision. While doctors might not differentiate between genders, considering Suisui had just encountered bandits, she might have reservations or fears about adult men.
To take care of the child’s feelings, Physician Liu decided to be extra considerate.
However, when Suisui removed her beggar-like clothes, revealing her scarred and bruised body, Physician Liu was stunned.
Seeing the little girl cautiously ask, “Is this water for me?”
Physician Liu’s heart ached, as if soaked in vinegar. He wished he could slap himself for his earlier thoughts.
How could someone be so cruel to such a young child?
Suisui’s left arm was a dark purple from bruises, indicating recent injuries.
Such cruelty to a child?
Physician Liu was infuriated and jumped up on the spot!
**(End of Chapter)**
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