CWTGD Chapter 35 - Dog bites Dog

When the imperial physicians were hurriedly dragged to the Tang Residence, they almost dropped their medical kits in the rush.

When the people from the Chief Eunuch Xiao's faction went to the Imperial Medical Bureau, they acted with such urgency, as if someone had died. The commotion they caused alerted the entire Bureau. Word quickly spread that the young lady from the Song Guogong Manor, who had caused an uproar recently and nearly fell to her death, was beaten so severely by the people from her own family that she vomited blood.

The physician, whose robes were almost torn in the frenzy, was initially annoyed and assumed that the severity had been exaggerated by Xiao's men. However, when he arrived and saw the young lady lying in bed, even his experienced eyes were startled. He hastily put down his medical kit and rushed forward.

"Who would dare be so cruel? They seem intent on ruining this young lady's face," he remarked.

"It was... it was the Old Madam..." Hua Wu sobbed. "Please, physician, my lady has nothing left. I beg you, at least save her face." The physician gasped at her words.

The injury on Tang Ning's face was indeed severe. In just a short period of time, the mark left by the Old Madam's slap had worsened. Half of her face was swollen beyond recognition, and the previously injured areas had split open from the swelling. To make matters worse, Xiao Yan had instructed his men to exaggerate the injuries, so blood streaked across her entire face, causing even the physician to feel uneasy.

"This..." The physician turned to Xiao Yan. "Chief Eunuch, Lady Song's injuries are indeed severe. I... I cannot guarantee there won’t be scars."

Xiao Yan’s eyes turned cold. "Do your best to treat her. Ask for whatever medicine you need," he ordered.

The physician quickly nodded and agreed. After cleaning and treating Tang Ning’s facial wounds with external medicine, he diagnosed her pulse. He found that her vital energy was weak due to blood deficiency, compounded by a cold illness, and worsened by the severe beating that had made her vomit blood and faint, as Hua Wu had tearfully described. The physician detected no abnormalities, but his heart grew heavier at the cruelty of the Song family.

After leaving behind prescriptions for the injury and medicine, the physician returned to the Imperial Medical Bureau, still trembling at the thought of Xiao Yan’s cold demeanor.

When his colleagues gathered around, curious, the physician could only shake his head.

"The Song Guogong Manor is ruthless. That young lady is just a child, and her face has been beaten to the point where it’s nearly destroyed. On top of that, her vital energy is weak and she’s suffering from a cold illness. When I arrived, her maid was nearly faint from crying..."

"Was it really the Old Madam who did this?" someone asked.

"Who else could it be? I heard that she and Madam Song went to Jiyun Alley earlier today to confront the young lady over the impeachment of the Song family men yesterday. They tried to force her back to clear up the rumors about the concubine-born daughter. But the young lady, terrified of the Song family’s eldest son, refused to return, so the Old Madam struck her."

The surrounding physicians were in an uproar.

"That’s her own granddaughter, isn’t it?"

"Yes, her legitimate bloodline! How could she be so heartless?"

"Pfft, what’s so special about a legitimate granddaughter compared to the heir's legitimate grandson? The eldest son of the Song family was scolded by the emperor because of that young lady. And the second branch of the Song family has been dead for years. No amount of sentiment for the dead can compare to the living. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have allowed the concubine-born daughter to pose as a legitimate one and openly bully the legitimate daughter," one of them scoffed.

Everyone present expressed their disdain for the Song family’s actions. Even if Song Shulan was from the second branch, a concubine-born daughter was never something to be flaunted. Most families would hide such a situation, but the Song family acted as though possessed, openly engaging in such disgraceful behavior, tarnishing their scholarly reputation.

Someone lowered their voice and said, "Chief Eunuch Xiao is furious this time. After all, he recently recognized Lady Song as his adopted sister. Yet the Song family dared to go to Jiyun Alley and harass her. Chief Eunuch Xiao not only broke the Old Madam’s arm but also decreed that no physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau are to attend to the Song family."

Another person sneered, "It’s not just the Imperial Medical Bureau. I’ve heard that other medical clinics in the capital were also warned: anyone who dares to tend to the Song family will find the Black Armor Guards knocking at their door the next day."

Who would dare provoke Chief Eunuch Xiao? He’s a bloodthirsty demon!

Just then, someone hurried inside with an invitation in hand. "Oh, all the esteemed physicians are here. I’ve just received a message from Song Guogong Manor, saying the Old Madam is ill and they wish to invite a physician to attend her..."

The room suddenly became tense, and people quickly started making excuses.

"I don’t have time; I need to go to the palace to see Consort Xin."

"My elderly mother is sick; I need to go home to care for her."

"Don’t look at me; I have to check Old Lord Luo's pulse. It was scheduled long ago."

"My son broke his leg; I can’t delay..."

In an instant, the once-crowded Imperial Medical Bureau scattered, leaving only a young physician behind.

As the messenger handed the invitation to him, his face grew tense, and he immediately covered his mouth and began coughing dramatically.

"Cough, cough, cough... I think I’ve caught a cold. I’m feeling dizzy... I really can’t go."

The doorman thought, "Sir, your face looks perfectly healthy. You're faking it way too obviously."

The servants of the Song family waited outside for a long time. Eventually, the messenger who had gone inside came out alone, with no physician following behind.

Looking apologetic, he said, "You’ve come at an unfortunate time. There’s no one available at the Imperial Medical Bureau today. All the physicians are occupied."

"Not a single physician?" The Song family servant was incredulous.

The Imperial Medical Bureau man shook his head. "There were some physicians here earlier, but the only one left just fell ill himself. I suggest you try the other clinics in the capital. If it’s not urgent, other doctors can handle it just as well."

The message was returned unchanged. The servant of the Song family had no choice but to leave. When he turned around, intending to invite someone from the city’s medical halls, he never expected that after running through the entire capital, he wouldn't find a single doctor available for a house call.

At the Song family, Song Hong angrily overturned the items on the table.

“In this vast capital, you're telling me we can't find a doctor? No one at the Imperial Medical Bureau, and not a single doctor in any of the city’s medical halls?! Have all the doctors died off?!”

The servant, who was hit, quickly knelt down to beg for mercy. The steward of the Duke's residence quietly said, “Master, please calm down. It’s not their fault. They really did search the entire capital. They inquired at all the pharmacies and medical halls, but either the doctors were already out on calls, or those scheduled to work today didn’t show up.”

“I managed to find an old acquaintance and slipped him some silver to get information. It turns out someone had given advance notice, forbidding anyone from treating the Song family.” Song Qin’s lips trembled. “Was it Xiao Yan?” The steward, Chen, nodded. “The people from the Duke Supervisor’s residence said that it was Supervisor Xiao who injured the old madam’s arm. Anyone who dares to step foot in the Song family to treat her today will find the Black Armored Guard at their door tomorrow.”

Everyone in the capital knows that the Black Armored Guard under Xiao Yan’s command are mad dogs. Not only do ordinary people avoid provoking them, but even the high-ranking court physicians wouldn’t dare cross Xiao Yan. Otherwise, how could it be that not a single physician was available at the Imperial Medical Bureau?

Many saw that the court physicians hadn’t left their homes, yet the Song family, despite their status, couldn’t get a single one to come?

“That damn eunuch Xiao Yan has gone too far! He’s trying to force Grandmother to her death!” Song Jinxiu’s eyes turned red with anger. Overcome with fury, he turned to leave, but Song Qin grabbed him by the arm.

“Jinxiu, where are you going?”

“I’m going to the Imperial Medical Bureau to find someone. I refuse to believe there is no justice in this world. Grandmother is a titled noblewoman, and the old matron of the Duke’s residence. If the bureau won’t send someone to treat her, I’ll go to the palace and file a complaint. I don’t believe a mere eunuch like Xiao can truly cover the sky with one hand. Can the whole capital be terrified of one cruel, heartless eunuch?”

Song Qin held tightly to Song Jinxiu’s arm. “Don’t be foolish. If the Imperial Medical Bureau wanted to help, they would’ve already sent someone. Forcing them won’t work. Besides, the physicians in the bureau have many connections to court officials and concubines in the palace. If you offend them by filing a complaint, never mind Xiao Yan for now, you’ll make enemies of the entire bureau.”

Their personal backgrounds aside, the court physicians have enough political ties to cause trouble for the Song family. Offending the Imperial Medical Bureau would be an unwise move.

“So, are we just supposed to sit here and let that bastard Xiao torment our family and watch Grandmother die in pain?” Song Jinxiu shouted in anger. “You may fear Xiao, but I don’t. If it comes to it, I’ll beat the drum at the Gate of Complaints…”

Smack!

Song Qin, his face dark with anger, yanked Jinxiu back and threw him aside. When Jinxiu collided with the table and cried out in pain, Song Qin, fuming, cursed, “You think you’re smart? You think you're the only one who knows what to do in this family?”

“You think I’m willing to watch Grandmother suffer? You think I want to give in to that bastard Xiao? But have you considered how all of this started? Grandmother went to Jiyun Alley and attacked Tang Ning. Many people saw her injure Tang Ning so badly she spat blood, only to be thrown out by Xiao Yan afterward.”

“Do you realize that people outside are cursing our Song family, calling us cruel and shameless? They’re accusing Grandmother of being unkind and our family of being heartless, of bullying a helpless orphan girl!”

“You dare to question me now? Why didn’t you think about the consequences when you caused trouble at the mountain retreat? If you’d used your brain for even a moment—never mind bringing Tang Ning back to the capital—even if you’d just sent a servant to take her to Lingyun Temple, the Song family wouldn’t be in this mess!”

“You caused this problem, and now you dare to scold me for being afraid?” Song Qin, consumed with anger, spoke without thinking.

“If you hadn’t caused this mess, would Grandmother be suffering now? If you’d shown some sense at the retreat, none of this would’ve happened!” Jinxiu’s rage faltered, his face paling.

Song Qin was equally furious. When Song Shulan first returned, and the eldest brother wanted to place her in the second house, Song Qin had already sensed trouble. But he couldn’t persuade Old Madam Song and Song Hong, and for the sake of the impending inheritance of the duke's title, he had to comply. They even forced things into Shulan’s hands to make her seem like a concubine-born daughter.

Everything had finally quieted down, and Tang Ning had agreed to keep her in the residence. All they had to do was keep her safe and later arrange a suitable marriage for her. But they treated her like a treasure and repeatedly let her fight with Tang Ning. Jinxiu even foolishly threw Tang Ning aside and nearly killed her in a fit of anger.

Now, he had the nerve to accuse Song Qin of cowardice?

In his fury, Song Qin blurted out, “Now you want to stand up for Grandmother, but why didn’t you think at the retreat? If you had just thought for a moment, you wouldn’t have left Tang Ning behind, and the Song family wouldn’t be in this bind.”

“You made this mess, and you dare question me?!”

Jinxiu’s face went pale as he whispered, “I didn’t mean to…”

“Tell that to Tang Ning, if she’s willing to believe you!” Song Qin spat bitterly.

Song Hong was also angry at Jinxiu’s recklessness, but what’s done is done, and no amount of rage would help now. He turned to Song Qin and said, “Enough. Is this the time to dig up old grievances? Things outside are already chaotic, and Mother is still unconscious. What’s the point of arguing about the past?”

Seeing Song Qin’s clenched brows, Song Hong restrained his temper and said, “Brother, I know you’re upset with Jinxiu, but no matter how angry you are, we have to focus on the present. Mother cannot have anything happen to her. If she does, we’ll all face mourning duties, and the future of the Song family will be ruined.”

Song Qin’s face changed slightly. “But the doctor…”

“We will find a doctor,” Song Hong said in a low voice. “Take my letter and go to the Lu family. They have a physician who treats the women of their household. Bring him back to tend to Mother, at least temporarily, to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

"The Lu family would really be willing to get involved in this?"

"They have no choice but to get involved. Lu Zhinian was part of what happened at *Qingshan. If Tang Ning is heartless toward the Song family, do they think Lu Zhinian can escape unscathed? Besides, today's incident involved Xiao Yan. He assaulted a titled lady of the court and harmed a noblewoman from the Song family. Lu Chongyuan would be thrilled to hear about this." Xiao Yan had long held grudges against the noble families, and the Lu family would be eager to seize such an opportunity. No matter the reason, for Xiao Yan to strike a court-appointed woman was clearly wrong. The Lu family would never pass up such a perfect chance.

Song Qin finally realized and quickly said, "Big brother, you're truly wise. I'll head to the Lu family right away."

Only then did Song Hong turn to Song Jinxiu and say, "You stay here and take care of your grandmother. Don't go out and stir up trouble."

"But, father…"

"I have other matters to attend to." This time, Song Tangning had really torn apart her relationship with the household. Even though Zou Shi had returned sobbing, she had relayed half of what had happened. She and the old madam had injured Tang Ning, and Xiao Yan had thrown them out of Jiyun Alley. It wasn't hard to imagine that rumors must already be flying outside.

Xiao Yan wasn't someone easy to deal with, and Tang Ning wasn't as obedient as she once was. He had to handle certain matters properly to avoid unexpected trouble.

As Song Hong hurried off, Song Qin also left with the letter to visit the Lu family. Meanwhile, Song Jinxiu stood behind the screen, looking at the unconscious Song old madam, biting his lip, unable to understand how things had come to this.

Everything had been going so well not long ago. Tang Ning had even been affectionately calling him "brother" and acting sweetly towards him. But why had she changed so much after they returned from Qingshan?

He hadn't meant to abandon her in the forest. He just hadn't expected Lu Zhinian and Xie Yin to leave her unprotected. He had only been careless for a moment...

But why was Tang Ning holding onto this and refusing to let go? Why did it have to turn into such a mess?

"Tang Ning…" Song Jinxiu murmured softly, his heart filled with resentment.

They were siblings by blood—why was she so heartless?

Outside, Song Shulan stood behind a pillar, watching the pale-faced Song Jinxiu inside, her lips also turning pale.

She had thought that with the old madam personally stepping in, they could bring Tang Ning back. At the very least, she expected they could ruin Tang Ning’s reputation and salvage some of the situation. But she never imagined that even the shrewd old madam would be brought down by Tang Ning.

She bit her lip hard, silently cursing "useless old hag" in her heart, her eyes filled with hatred.

Why was Tang Ning so lucky? Born into wealth and luxury, still enjoying protection even after being cut off by Song Jinxiu and the others. And now, an adoptive brother had appeared to shield her? Why did she always have the kind of backing that others could only dream of, ruining the perfect situation Song Shulan had painstakingly created?

Song Shulan’s nails dug into the wooden pillar as she seethed with jealousy over Tang Ning’s connection to Xiao Yan and fury over her own unfortunate circumstances.

If the Song family truly fell, what would she do?

A flicker of panic flashed through her eyes, but as she looked at Song Jinxiu inside the room, the fear quickly subsided.

No matter what, Song Jinxiu must be on her side!

Song Shulan straightened her clothes, deliberately making her hair a bit messy, and then rubbed her eyes with a handkerchief until they were red, creating the look that Song Jinxiu had always pitied most. She softly cried as she entered the room.

"Brother…"

"Shulan?"

"Brother, what should I do? Tang Ning is so heartless… I'm so scared…" She wept bitterly, and Song Jinxiu, full of concern, gently supported her. "Don't be afraid."

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*Qingshan - The mountain where Tangning was abandoned

T/N: Shulan is annoying but she’s the weakest villain in this story.
You can read ahead to chapterr 60 here

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