Chapter 16: Damn Your Nonsense! If You Can't Cure It... Pay with Your Life

The servants of the Wu family now saw clearly—this was no unknown official beaten in the palace and carried out by the imperial guards. This was their master! The Wu family’s servants, all in a panic, rushed forward to confirm whether the person on the stretcher was truly their lord. Upon seeing him, chaos erupted! The servants wailed and cried out in despair.

“Oh my goodness!”

“It really is our master.”

“Honorable soldiers, what crime has our lord committed?”

“Quick, send two men!”

“Hurry and inform the steward inside the mansion.”

“And don’t forget to notify the lady and young master… tell them the lord has returned.”

“Remember to tell the lady that our lord is seriously injured.”

“My heavens! There’s blood all over the official residence!” The servants gathered in a flurry, chattering anxiously.

Fortunately, the steward arrived swiftly and took control of the situation. Seeing their master unconscious, he hurriedly asked the imperial guards, “Honorable soldiers, why hasn’t our lord awakened yet?” From their account, the steward learned that the master had lost consciousness on the way back due to exhaustion.

Relieved that his master was still alive, the steward breathed easier. Had his master seen the disorderly chaos of the servants gathered outside, he would surely have been furious and punished the careless lackeys harshly. The steward scolded the servants briefly but had no time for a thorough reprimand. He directed the guards to carry their lord into the courtyard, sent for a doctor, and dispatched people to fetch the lady and the young master.

Soon after, the Wu family’s courtyard and even the outer compounds were in complete disarray. The lady of the house and the legitimate son berated the doctors who had arrived, blaming their poor medical skills. Cries, curses, and wails echoed throughout the general’s mansion. The doctors dared not respond and endured the scolding silently. Were it not for the overwhelming power of the Wu family, they would have fled long ago. Besides, the general’s castration was no fault of theirs. The lady’s accusations were unjust.

The lady of the house collapsed over Wu Shanggui, sobbing and haunted by the doctors’ words. Her lord could no longer live as a man. How could she, a secondary wife, endure the days ahead? The only heir was the legitimate son from the late primary wife. How could she compete with that boy for the honor of the general’s household?

Her voice hoarse from wailing, tears soaking the sheets, her heart aching with despair, she cursed, “Who is the wretch who did this to my lord? How could they leave him in such a state?” Forget bearing Wu Shanggui’s child—he was now crippled, unable to lead troops or fight in battle. The family’s wealth and prestige might soon be lost. With no hope of offspring, even the family’s fortunes were at risk. How could she not harbor hatred?

At that moment, the steward reported, “Madam, young master, the imperial physicians have arrived. They come by the emperor’s order to treat our lord’s wounds.” The steward’s words were like a lifeline to all present.

“Where are the doctors? Bring them in at once!” Even the eldest son, seeing hope, dashed outside to escort the doctors in.

Shortly after, the eldest son led the imperial doctors inside. The lady hurriedly rose, making way for them. “Gentlemen, please come and examine my lord!” Tears streamed down her face as she broke into fresh sobs.

“You fools! You call yourselves the best doctors in the city, but I spit on that!” she shouted. “If my lord can’t be saved, none of you will escape punishment!”

Though directed at the other doctors, the imperial physicians understood this as a deliberate warning. The job was already difficult, and now their faces grew even grimmer. The eunuch in the emperor’s court had already mentioned the condition of General Wu. They knew well there was little hope of a full recovery—at most, they could prevent infection and save his life.

But with the lady’s fierce and sharp tongue, the imperial doctors could not speak plainly. They carefully explained, “General Wu’s wounds will require medication over some time before showing any improvement.”

“What? There really can be improvement?” The lady grasped one doctor’s sleeve tightly, pressing for confirmation. “You mean my lord won’t truly become a eunuch?”

Her eyes locked on the doctor’s, her grip tightening. “Damn you—just tell me!”

The doctor trembled and wiped sweat from his brow. “This… it’s hard to say. Even if Hua Tuo were alive, there would be no guarantee. We will, of course, do our utmost.”

The lady cut him off sharply, “Don’t give me that nonsense! Even if my lord can’t be a man, you will fix his limbs and tendons properly. Otherwise—don’t think the Wu family has no one to answer to!”

Another physician stepped forward, trying to relieve his colleague. “Please, Madam Wu, don’t be agitated. General Wu’s injuries are severe. Even with treatment, progress must be gradual. We were sent by His Majesty himself and will do everything possible. Should we fail in our duties, the emperor will hold us accountable.”

The physicians, sent by the imperial court and personally appointed by the emperor, naturally would report directly to His Majesty on the general’s condition. For a mere inner residence woman, a childless secondary wife, to threaten imperial officials showed a reckless ignorance of her place.

The lady caught the meaning behind their words. Though unwilling, she released her grip and sneered disdainfully. “So it is: when the rabbit dies, the monkeys scatter…” Now that her lord lay crippled, these doctors began to look down on them. Had he still held military power and prestige, these men would never dare behave so insolently.

Suddenly, a weak voice came from the bed: “Cough… water…”

“Look—our lord is awake!”