Feng Feishuang watched Jiang Chan and Old Feng debate, his eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts. Four hours later, the clear, translucent Bone-Mending Ointment was finally ready. Once it cooled, Old Feng carefully applied it to his wrist.
At first, it merely felt cool. Within a quarter of an hour, however, Feng Feishuang frowned. Medicinal power seeped into his tendons and meridians, bringing both pain and itching.
His arm moved involuntarily. Old Feng cried out, “Don’t move! Your bones could grow crooked, and your right hand won’t work properly afterward.”
Jiang Chan took out her silver needles and rolled up his sleeve to expose the whole arm. A moment later, several needles stood in his forearm. He felt as though he had lost control of his right hand.
The pain remained, but however much it hurt, his arm no longer moved. What an exquisite torment. Old Feng watched Jiang Chan admiringly.
“You certainly have ideas, young lady. To think of this method! Very good.”
She propped her chin in her hand. “You’re simply too worried. You understand the principle. Couldn’t you do it yourself?”
He smiled. “You’re an interesting girl. If you didn’t already have a master, I’d want you as my disciple.”
She smiled without taking up the subject. Having Granny in Xianyue’s past was convenient. It explained her training and spared Jiang Chan an inexplicable background.
“This ointment is very effective. Leave each application on for three days, then replace it. After three applications, the bones should have largely knitted together. He’ll still need careful recovery afterward.”
Old Feng pointed at Feng Feiyang. “All this trouble is your doing, you brat. You dragged your brother into it. Without kindhearted Doctor Xianyue, you’d have ruined his life.”
Feng Feiyang lowered his head sheepishly. Jiang Chan enjoyed watching the lecture. His unhappiness made her happy. Hugging her teacup, she felt thoroughly comfortable.
Feng Feishuang remained composed, as though it had nothing to do with him. This was his younger brother. However much trouble he caused, he would still accommodate him.
“Doctor Xianyue, I have an awkward request. It’s nearly New Year. We’re old or injured, and have no money. Could you take us in for a few days? We’d like to return to the clan, but with Feishuang’s hand unhealed, I worry something might happen on the road.”
Jiang Chan had known Old Feng would ask. Facing such an elderly man, she could not voice her refusals. Sighing, she called, “Dongqing, show these guests to the rooms.”
“Doctor Feng, if you don’t mind, spend the New Year with us. All of us here are children without parents. Having an elder like you with us will be a rare experience.”
Dongqing ran over and bowed properly to her first. “Greetings, Master. Honored guests, please follow me. The rooms were cleaned a few days ago. Tell me if you need anything.”
As her eldest disciple, he was growing more organized in everything he did. He was another year older now, nine already. He could not embarrass his master.
They reached Feng Feiyang’s room first. Dongqing glared at him, but still conscientiously settled him in.
A little farther along the corridor, Feng Feishuang asked casually, “If Feiyang offended you, let me apologize, Little Doctor Dongqing. Please be generous and forgive him.”
Being called a little doctor improved Dongqing’s mood. Putting his hands behind his back, he said solemnly, “Alright. Since you’re his elder brother, I won’t hold it against him for knocking my sister and me unconscious.”
Suppressing a smile, Feng Feishuang replied, “Then thank you, Little Doctor Dongqing.”
“Of course, of course.”
Dongqing strutted about settling the three guests, then immediately ran to find Jiang Chan. With three extra people, what should they do about supper? It was already mealtime.
Holding a child in each hand, Jiang Chan headed toward the kitchen. Six other children were inside. The oldest was only ten, and the youngest five or six.
Rendong joined two six-year-old girls. These six were neighborhood beggars whom Jiang Chan had found well-behaved and simply kept at the clinic.
The two little girls tended the fire. The oldest child stood at the stove cooking, while the other three washed and chopped vegetables. Their movements were careful and somewhat unfamiliar.
Although she had taken them in, she did not support idleness. They helped with whatever tasks they could manage. In return, when she had time, she taught them whatever they wanted to learn.
The boy cooking, for example, had an exceptionally sensitive sense of taste and loved food preparation. Whenever Jiang Chan cooked, he watched eagerly. He practically lived in the kitchen.
He had learned several dishes from her and prepared them very well. Jiang Chan lacked Xiao Feng’s sensitivity to flavor. Once he could manage the stove, she simply handed it over to him.
He was now the clinic’s head cook. She only needed to offer advice. Verbal guidance was all she could provide. In actual cooking, he left her far behind. His sense of taste was extraordinary.
As she entered, the children stood. “Greetings, Master.”
Even Xiao Xue and Xiao Yun behind the stove rose and saluted. Smiling, Jiang Chan stood nearby and occasionally explained how to make different dishes.
Xiao Feng divided his attention between stirring the wok and remembering her instructions. He was the busiest person in the kitchen. “Master, these lion’s head meatballs look alright, don’t they?”
“Very good. The coloring is even too. I only explained once, and you worked it out. You really are talented!”
She never believed in relentless severity from teachers. Praise should be given where deserved. Sure enough, hearing her approval, Xiao Feng cooked even more briskly.
She only needed to explain a recipe, and he would investigate it himself the next day. Soon the new dish appeared on the table. After eating his cooking, Jiang Chan genuinely felt her own was inadequate.
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