Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Translator: Silvery ButterflyUMHGAgXqvTExgUnxEtkEXdDIfNfvLu

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During the acupuncture treatment, thanks to the numbing medicine, Xiao Bao didn’t suffer too much, though he was drenched in sweat, soaking the entire bed.wkUjDocuiVLfJVTbazDNsKiRaWgIpN

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After the numbing effect wore off, the itching in his joints was unbearable, but compared to the excruciating pain of alternating between extreme cold and heat, this was much more tolerable. Xiao Bao even began to wonder if he could use the numbing medicine every time he had an episode.YLhohuCGJUhjERclvIMIutNMkSnsYo

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Que Siming, meanwhile, was obsessively using that pungent medicinal solution to wipe down every surface that had come into contact with Xiao Bao. He scoffed disdainfully, “If you keep using that stuff, you’ll end up a fool long before you become a cripple.” He paused, then added, “Actually, there’s not much difference between the two outcomes.”MVAlWqeHxKWvnnhvvyIbGYpHXCWbMS

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Xiao Bao’s face flushed red with anger. He could clearly feel that Que Siming had little regard for him. If this had been the old Xiao Bao, he would have been throwing a fit by now, and this level of dissatisfaction would definitely have led to a major outburst. But now, he had calmed down a lot. Besides, with his life on the line, he wasn’t in a position to go up against Que Siming.NTKrdbCIjeQSkYlvGHNMZPpmUdRYAM

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Despite the numbing medicine wearing off, Xiao Bao still felt drowsy, his mind foggy, and his body uncomfortable. Su Yin decisively pressed a sleep acupoint on him, letting him rest properly, then turned to glare at Que Siming. “I know dragging you all the way from Miaojiang wasn’t exactly pleasant for you, but you said you owe me, so pay up.”YfqsgbLKssIhrvRWsRbZpBJYbvgItO

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Que Siming, frustrated, threw the cloth he was holding onto the ground with a slap. “Su Yin, you really know how to push it, don’t you? I’ve been busy all day—what more do you want?”ZtEiQvBKnBivHfAFjothVBucxYFFHI

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“I want you to stay,” Su Yin said bluntly, not even blinking.HHFgdokYhWfLqkmohfUYXkHLqGDlJl

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Que Siming laughed in exasperation. “You really don’t see me as an outsider, do you? Stay? Stay for what? Do you have the Dali Yan? Without that, even the gods can’t save him.”JGFBeYJKrPIYlKYmLMtXNvZvfCSQRh

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“But if you stay, I’ll feel more at ease, and Xiao Bao will suffer less.”lnpKmTWyVqfbOHmFWfPdLunmszceup

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Que Siming’s tone was laced with sarcasm. “What does that have to do with me? I agreed to come and treat him, but without the necessary materials, I can’t do anything. So unless you gather what I asked for, it’s not my responsibility. I took time out of my busy schedule to come here—do you think I’m just sitting around doing nothing?”aSxufFRgAIoPDSebKfRMFeOqBOzzpw

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Su Yin stood up. “Just stay through the winter, until spring arrives.”uUANJAhKsCuTWXMlYyoBKnlykMKKdE

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Que Siming coldly responded, “No deal.”nApGXckDnfRqGOkVErYgUhTiRnSilr

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“Name your price. Whatever it is, just say it.”RITQIwfeFbJJndmfmcTFeQACPtPOYr

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Que Siming was about to retort when a knock on the door interrupted them. Su Yin glanced at the now peacefully sleeping Xiao Bao and said in a low voice, “Come in.”gzaCCMaMxzxvycdKJRKwiyPFJtgSyt

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It was actually Zhao Cai and Jin Bao who entered. Su Yin had sent them to escort Jin Xiao Bao’s parents to Jingxia Temple to offer incense. He had already spoken to the abbot there in advance, asking him to find a way to convince them to stay. If that didn’t work, Su Yin would personally persuade them, making it seem more natural.NOvpcCyfYLqfmPsIBuxUDBJSyeWyjY

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The two of them entered and bowed, and Zhao Cai said, “Young Master Su, my lord and lady have returned. The abbot kept urging them to stay at the temple to recuperate, saying they had a connection with Buddha and all that. They’re tempted but said they needed to return to discuss it with you, Young Master Su first.”FLAZatuJywsaAzXpzZIuJAIWJbcvUf

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Su Yin nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Once Xiao Bao wakes up, we’ll go over there. You two can…” Before he could finish his sentence, a dark figure flashed before his eyes and suddenly moved in front of Zhao Cai and Jin Bao. Before either could react, Que Siming had already grabbed Jin Bao by the collar with one hand and seized his chin with the other.gNyrgkakHoXdqmyocmdHFAFGuStgIJ

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Zhao Cai was shocked and raised his hand to strike, but Su Yin stopped him with a gesture. “Do not be rude. Greet Divine Doctor Que.”jpKgBLWZEhsaOFDkbDHkKezZLnKbWa

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Zhao Cai suddenly realized that this was the man who held the only hope for his young master’s recovery. He could only look on in confusion as Jin Bao, held immobile and turning red with suffocation, and the tall, ghostly figure of Que Siming, with his sinister mask and long, curling hair, stood before him.XjZilAgpvUnTnQcrDUzQsCgfQHOLeM

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Jin Bao was about to resist when he heard Su Yin’s voice and froze, not daring to move for fear that offending this person would doom his young master. But he couldn’t understand why this man was focusing on him, staring so intensely that it felt like the piercing gaze from the skull-shaped eyes of the mask was burning holes into him.KaahWnEWRhrVHxYctSRvBcgsujJSCd

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Que Siming hadn’t even bothered to put on gloves yet, and now he was directly grabbing Jin Bao’s collar and chin without seeming to mind the dirt. Instead, he carefully scrutinized Jin Bao’s face.NXeeRnWhggHLcrCQXBhmLztTNWoMQv

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The four of them stood in silence, the tension thick in the air, ready to explode at any moment.oDqlHOOGkPADTzcVvcKieJLrYovjXc

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Finally, Que Siming pushed Jin Bao away with a force that nearly sent him sprawling onto the ground. Turning back, he arrogantly said to Su Yin, “You want me to stay? Then I want him.” His slender, porcelain-white hand pointed unerringly at Jin Bao.ByaIgivBlkxNEoiygsVGdKNzAomYYJ

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Jin Bao stood helplessly in front of Su Yin, feeling lost without Zhao Cai by his side. He always became nervous and anxious around unfamiliar people, and without his young master’s presence, the pressure he felt when facing someone as imposing as Su Yin seemed to multiply. He was neither clever nor articulate, only feeling secure when following orders from his young master or Zhao Cai. When left alone, he was like a rabbit thrown into a kennel of dogs—while the dogs might not be interested in the rabbit, the rabbit couldn’t help but be terrified. He was especially afraid of saying or doing something wrong, unknowingly offending someone. His past experiences taught him that no matter how many times he was scolded, he never seemed to learn, and without Zhao Cai around, he didn’t even dare to speak.sVJAalQMsvRdgUwUOPDzARCRCmZshW

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Su Yin took a sip of tea, feeling a strange sense of forcing someone into a corner. He cleared his throat and said, “You don’t need to be so nervous, Jin Bao.” Even saying his name felt awkward and unfamiliar, as Su Yin had barely ever looked at Jin Bao directly. Jin Bao was like a shadow, always following behind Xiao Bao and Zhao Cai, rarely speaking and leaving little impression.LSiFhwqIvAdPlEWqboCDybiChJcQnG

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As for his appearance, Su Yin vaguely remembered him as being somewhat delicate-looking, especially when compared to the plump and slightly roguish Xiao Bao or the shrewd and calculating Zhao Cai. But looking closely now, his skin was tanned, and he had a straightforward, almost naive air about him, which could be considered endearing in its own way. That was about it—Su Yin couldn’t, for the life of him, understand why someone as proud and obsessively clean as Que Siming would take a liking to him.EcmMEpgutsIYSwicMjbSieIrgggNbN

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Could it be that he was thinking too much?eNuTZOsRZPJksnCBZGYytmePGPyqKf

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Jin Bao’s legs went weak under Su Yin’s gaze. First, a so-called miracle doctor wearing a deathly pale mask pointed at him and said, “I want him.” Then, the doctor turned and left, leaving Jin Bao called into a small dark room to face Young Master Su. His mind was in a muddle, unable to form a single clear thought. If only Zhao Cai were here… Zhao Cai… Zhao Cai…pLVtaSfbHZZAMUnzHzIOixdNouFSwb

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“…Jin Bao… Jin Bao!”JChiwNzOGesXtLgCLPwEMDNEDaphgR

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Jin Bao yelped, startled back to reality, and saw Su Yin frowning in displeasure. He realized that Young Master Su was calling him, and somehow his legs gave out, and he knelt before Su Yin with a thud.clDNfGCAnLMIGnniEFWJfGmcScbyli

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Su Yin frowned, wanting to laugh but suppressing it, and sipped his tea to hide his amusement. He said, “You heard just now that Miracle Doctor Que wants you to serve him.”pyBdCvWxPFqObrLRBmjWZWiuSXCEqN

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Jin Bao responded with an “Oh” and asked, “Why?”QZkraWPinMHCbEsAcQzoTGEHKDYIje

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Su Yin thought for a moment. “Maybe because you seem nimble.”PXIsybCuWzSKUTEDArCLGVDymZvCEs

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Jin Bao was puzzled. They had never met before, so how could the doctor know he was nimble at first sight? In fact, he was quite nimble because Zhao Cai always pushed a lot of chores onto him and went off to slack. But on the surface, it would definitely seem that Zhao Cai, who was talkative and good at reading faces, was the more clever one.agOPCKPyZiiTpCkoQwNEOEgiDAAqsR

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Before Jin Bao could voice his doubts, Su Yin started speaking rapidly.wLgpoucATyFYaujpzowonGPEqhOdik

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“Miracle Doctor Que has considerable renown in Jianghu. Serving him is a good opportunity for you.”BAqaXVQEatpaUrNXXDkayZtRKDSLGN

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“But…”IDHCbwKgPQnrBsJUIjawUOkOJkLYTL

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“Your young master still has Zhao Cai and several other servants to attend to him. You don’t need to worry about that.”CUBzrCKXyBgTFBKFLqcPzTUQUdptyK

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“But…”wiqOClFGTuaybLSVjhSmObMDPpCeLX

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“Miracle Doctor Que is kind and generous. He won’t make things difficult for you.”CPROEfUkrYigRoetHquLOVxtxxfNKh

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“I’m not worried about that…”mSahppsmEpRmyBiFVzrcrYSpOepuVc

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“Actually, both your young master and I tried very hard to keep Miracle Doctor Que from leaving. But if he insists on leaving, it won’t help your young master’s illness at all. If he has another episode, having Miracle Doctor Que around would spare him a lot of suffering. Don’t you care about your young master?”StGUstmvWeNoNBynjuENCrXBImxLbZ

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“Of course I do, but…”EDrIsQawZQIkPUFqZDfupTDVgRmRRR

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“Then there’s nothing more to discuss. In fact, Miracle Doctor Que plans to leave next spring. You won’t be with him for long, and since we’ll still be living together, you can visit your young master anytime, just like before. The only difference is you’ll be responsible for Miracle Doctor Que’s daily needs from now on.”jXZZEcKEqhoBlbGxLoNVeJEhBeMGBQ

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“I understand, but young master…”RLRcwdCyOysHFxIXoltSXGYpyaugPN

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“You just need to do your best. I’ll talk to Xiao Bao myself. You don’t need to worry about that.”SMnOVNFGQfYtduVylxyBNNJyVUnBuN

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Jin Bao let his hands fall despondently, recalling the time his father sold him to the Jin family for seven taels of silver. That feeling had returned.QrzBnyDMOdpEfuMPawZuKHcQZksnIu

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Seeing Jin Bao fall silent, Su Yin sighed inwardly and consoled him, “Rest assured, your young master won’t treat you badly. Once Miracle Doctor Que leaves, you can stay by your young master’s side again. But remember one thing: never anger Miracle Doctor Que. Whatever he says, you must do. If he leaves in a fit of anger, it would harm your young master.”BhzVJYRbtiMqifuoWJpfZGILynmEXI

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Su Yin’s tone grew more severe, frightening Jin Bao into a shiver. He quickly said, “Jin Bao wouldn’t dare. I’ll definitely serve Miracle Doctor Que with all my heart.”ElFmNRsUovxZNoiQoNlalboCIJlWlT

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“Good.” Su Yin nodded and said, “This Miracle Doctor Que has some peculiar habits. You must tolerate them and absolutely must not offend him. Do you understand?”OsQPdscfYtIQDZfSvdkenjFznNvGEY

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Jin Bao looked at Su Yin, bewildered. “What… what peculiar habits?”HjAUYggdnNatPCFFMegWqUNkgaFWzJ

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Su Yin replied sternly, “Since they’re peculiar, it’s not for outsiders to know. You just need to remember not to anger him and to obey his instructions. Otherwise, if anything happens to Xiao Bao, it will all be your fault.”SCtfshwxRZqdScUOwmrYjptHNIYdMq

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Jin Bao nodded repeatedly, unable to bear the guilt of causing his young master any harm. Besides, it was just one winter. Even if Miracle Doctor Que was exceptionally harsh, beating and scolding him, he could endure it. Compared to the suffering his young master endured, what was this?nUPJmtpIVsTpsDQmbMSXAneiOgzNAc

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Watching Jin Bao’s resolute yet sorrowful back as he left, Su Yin uncharacteristically showed a hint of sympathy.HYybxkWXavrgLBTaTmFGVutKfvYBzZ

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SB’s Note: Laura Wilke, thank you kindly for the Ko-fi! I’ve uploaded an extra chapter as a small thank-you—hope you enjoy it!TumRUqOWRyHVDxDAhKZxPDhPFKDqBN

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