Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(97)

“You…DARE…BREAK MY ARM!”

The words chilled them to the bone. It was only after he kicked that Feng Xin realized what he had done, and his face changed, but Mu Qing’s face changed more. It was one thing for them to detest Qi Rong behind his back, but for a personal guard to transgress this badly and accidentally break the arm of royalty, that was something completely different!

Xie Lian had his hands full with that child when it happened, and the path behind him was packed with onlookers—dodging the blow wouldn’t be easy, but he would have managed it fine given the chance. But Qi Rong had come at him with such aggression and so little warning that Feng Xin moved too fast without thinking, and Xie Lian didn’t have the chance to stop him. Now everything was in even more of an uproar, and Xie Lian didn’t have time to think. His clothes were getting soaked with blood—if they delayed any longer, the child might die right there.

Xie Lian made a split-second decision, inhaled deeply, and shouted in a clear voice, “Everyone, if you were pulled into this incident today, please record any damages or losses. I will take all responsibility without fail!”

Then, he turned to Feng Xin and Mu Qing.

“I need to save the child first. Take Qi Rong away, and don’t let him cause any more havoc outside.”

Done with his instructions, Xie Lian ran toward the palace with the child in his arms. Feng Xin heard the command, his expression back to normal, and he picked up the raging Qi Rong before following Xie Lian.

The soldiers guarding the palace gates thought it was strange to see the crown prince racing back, having left such a short while ago, but of course they didn’t dare obstruct him. Thus, Xie Lian ran straight for the imperial medical office and made Feng Xin and Mu Qing wait outside the door with Qi Rong under arrest while he entered the infirmary alone.

The crown prince rarely returned to the palace and rarely gave orders, so the imperial doctors naturally rushed over with due haste.

Xie Lian placed the young child in a chair and said, “Thanks in advance, everyone. This child was beaten by several adults, stuffed in a sack, and dragged through the streets. Please check if there are any head injuries first, that’s the most important thing.”

Neither royal nor noble had ever brought in a wild, dirty babe for them to heal before, but the imperial medical team also knew they needed to do whatever they were told to, and they acknowledged Xie Lian’s direction with a chorus of “yes, yes, yes.”

One of them said, “Put your hands down first, little one.”

Although the child had been docile in Xie Lian’s arms up until now, he started struggling then and firmly covered the right side of his face, refusing to drop his hands. No matter how competent the imperial doctors were, if the patient would not cooperate, there was nothing they could do. The doctors looked to Xie Lian.

“Your Highness, how…?”

Xie Lian raised a hand. “He’s probably afraid of strangers. It’s fine, let me.”

The child was sitting in a chair and Xie Lian couldn’t be level with his eyes, so he bent forward and tilted his head.

“What’s your name?”

The child’s large eye stared at him intently, his obsidian-black pupil reflecting a snow-white silhouette. This gaze, if it must be described, was exactly as Feng Xin had said—possessed by the devil. It shouldn’t be the gaze of a child.

It was a while before the child bowed his head.

“…Hong…”

His voice was tiny and soft, a little mumbled. It was like he didn’t want to tell or that he was slightly embarrassed. Xie Lian only sort of heard the word “hong,” the color red, then asked another question.

“How old are you?”

“Ten,” the child replied.

Xie Lian was only asking offhand, hoping to lower his guard, but hearing the child’s shy response of “ten,” he was taken aback. I thought he was only seven or eight, but he’s ten? This child is extremely malnourished and emaciated.

After a pause, Xie Lian smiled softly. “The doctors will see to your wounds now. Don’t be afraid and lower your hands, okay?”

That child heard but hesitantly shook his head.

“Why not?” Xie Lian asked.

He was silent for a long time before replying, “Ugly.”

His response was just that one word, and no matter how Xie Lian coaxed, he refused to remove his hands. Xie Lian promised that he wouldn’t think him ugly, that he wouldn’t look, but not even turning around would do the trick. What obstinance at such a young age! Without much choice, the imperial doctors could only ask him a few questions, have him recognize a number of fingers, make sure he didn’t feel faint or have any headaches, check that he was perfectly conscious of what he saw and what he thought, and attend to his physical wounds.

As the imperial doctors worked, they all appeared confused, clicking their tongues in awe. Xie Lian stood guard on the side, and hearing their sounds of wonder, he asked, “How is he, everyone?”

One of the imperial doctors asked, in spite of himself, “Your Highness, did this child really get beaten and dragged along the roads in a sack?”

Xie Lian was speechless for a second. “Why would that be false?”

The imperial doctor replied, “If that really is the case, then…amazing. I have never seen anyone so tenacious. He has five broken ribs and a broken leg, and many other injuries big and small. But despite all of that, he’s remained conscious this entire time and can even hold a conversation while sitting upright. Even adults would find that difficult, never mind a ten-year-old child!”