Chapter 4: Shuddering with Fear

Su Xinyu lowered her eyes as she ate.

Her grandparents were long gone, and after her father and mother passed away, Su Xinyu was the only one left in the Su family.

As for her maternal family, her maternal grandfather and grandmother had also passed away years ago.

With no direct relatives left, she was indeed an orphan.

If she were to fulfill the marriage engagement set by her parents, only her uncle and aunt could step forward.

If she did not marry...

Regardless of whether she married or not, she had to plan out the path of her future life.

——

That night, the rain poured heavily.

Because she had napped during the day, Su Xinyu found it difficult to fall asleep.

Listening to the sound of the rain outside, it seemed as if the clashing of swords and fighting sounds were faintly mixed in; but upon listening more closely, they vanished, leaving only the sound of the rain.

She did not sleep soundly that night.

When she woke the next day, the sky was bright and the rain had ceased.

Thinking that she needed to buy some handy tools to make a living for herself in the future, Su Xinyu decided to head to the streets.

Before leaving, she said to Mu Rong, "Uncle, I want to stroll through the streets and grab some breakfast while I'm at it."

Mu Rong said with a smile, "That sounds good. There is a decent breakfast shop two streets away."

Upon arriving at the breakfast shop her uncle mentioned, as soon as Su Xinyu and Qinqi sat down, the conversation from a few tables away drifted into their ears.

An elderly man said, "Have you all heard? During the heavy rain last night, the Grand Secretary of the Court of Judicial Review, Lu Shaoqing, was seriously injured while investigating a case. His life hangs in the balance."

A middle-aged man nodded. "I heard. They say he was injured on the very street where the Mu family resides. By the time he was rescued and brought back to the Lu residence, he was already unconscious."

Hearing this, Su Xinyu asked, "Elder, Uncle, what is the name of this Lu Shaoqing you speak of?"

The elderly man replied, "Lu Chengxu, the son of the third branch of the Duke's Mansion."

The middle-aged man also added, "Before he became Shaoqing, he fought in wars during his youth and was a ruthless killer. Since becoming the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, his methods of handling cases have been draconian. Rumor has it he can even stop a child's crying; it makes people shudder."

A young man chimed in, "A figure like that must have enemies. It is not surprising that he sustained such heavy injuries."

Someone shook their head and sighed, "The Imperial Academy of Medicine has been trying to save him all night, yet even now, not a single physician has emerged from the Lu residence. It looks grim."

Qinqi snickered softly, "Lord Lu is cold, ruthless, and unsympathetic. He must have been targeted for revenge."

Su Xinyu's brows furrowed. So Lu Chengxu had such a reputation; no wonder he looked both cold and fierce.

And the sounds she heard last night were not a hallucination.

What was startling was that the incident occurred right next to the Mu family's residence. One had to realize that while the Mu family's street-side location was quite good, the prosperity of the capital was merely a surface appearance, while instability was its core.

In this way, her skills in surgery would have a place to be useful in this world.

The capital was filled with skilled craftsmen; she would likely find most of what she needed.

"Qinqi, follow me in a moment to buy some things."

"What does Miss want to buy?"

"Sheep intestines, cotton, linen, angelica, safflower, musk, sulfur, and so on..."

In ancient times, she would have to make her own suture threads. She would need to make some using plant materials, animal materials, and synthetic materials.

In addition, she would have to forge suture needles, scalpels, and other tools.

She would be busy today.

Qinqi frowned in confusion, "Sheep intestines? Miss, those are things you wouldn't even dare to look at in the past."

Su Xinyu smiled. "Times have changed."

——

In the Mu family courtyard.

Fallen leaves swirled, drifting to the ground, only to be caught by the wind and tumble through the air.

Mu Rong quietly called his son into the study and lowered his voice, "Haiyu, how would you feel about marrying Xinyu?"

Mu Haiyu was shocked. "Father, what are you saying? Doesn't Cousin Xinyu have an engagement with Lu the Sixth?"

"The engagement is void."

"Cousin Xinyu is the only daughter of my aunt and uncle. I already have a wife; if I marry her, wouldn't I be mistreating her?"

Thinking of Su Xinyu's exquisite face and charming figure, Mu Haiyu's face flushed slightly.

Mu Rong said, "That is why your father is thinking of letting you marry her as a secondary wife."

In this way, he would be able to face his sister and brother-in-law with a clear conscience.

"Your son will abide by whatever Father decides."

Mu Haiyu essentially agreed.

The mysterious manner of the father and son piqued Ma Manman's curiosity. She overheard a bit outside the study and, in a fit of rage, immediately went to find her mother-in-law.

In the main courtyard, Lady Niu and Mu Baoxia were chatting leisurely.

As soon as Ma Manman stepped into the courtyard, she raised her voice, "Mother-in-law and sister-in-law are quite comfortable, while all the unhappiness is dumped on me!"

"What madness are you acting out?" Lady Niu scolded.

"So it was Su Xinyu who had the engagement with Lu the Sixth. My sister-in-law and him are at most having an affair."

"I don't know exactly how their engagement was voided, but now that Su Xinyu cannot marry anyone else, Father-in-law wants Haiyu to marry her as a secondary wife."

Ma Manman threw a tantrum. "If someone makes me unhappy, I will make them unhappy!"

Lady Niu covered her daughter-in-law's mouth. "Your father-in-law does not yet know about the matter between Baoxia and Lu the Sixth."

Mu Baoxia admired the new ruby ring on her finger. "Don't worry, Sister-in-law. My mother has never liked Su Xinyu; she won't let her stay in our Mu family."

Ma Manman looked at her mother-in-law.

Lady Niu nodded, released her daughter-in-law's mouth, and advised gently, "Your mother and I are close confidantes. I treat you like my own daughter; how could I let others bully you?"

Only then did Ma Manman feel at ease.

At this moment, Su Xinyu was on the streets commissioning needles and blades and purchasing sheep intestines, angelica, and other items.

Upon returning to the Mu residence, she devoted herself entirely to making suture threads in the guest courtyard.

Aside from eating with the Mu family, she was busy during all other hours.

While assisting her, Qinqi raised a doubt, "Where did Miss learn such strange things?"

"I read about them in books," Su Xinyu said.

Qinqi was extremely impressed. "A clever brain is indeed useful." As she spoke, her voice turned melancholy. "I wonder how the Nanny and the Steward are doing?"

Su Xinyu sighed. "I hope they are well."

"If something happens to them, it will be useless for us to go back. It was so dangerous when we arrived at the capital," Qinqi said. "Miss should hurry and marry Young Master Lu. Then you can let your husband take charge and get rid of that bully."

"Qinqi, I forgot, what is Young Master Lu like? What does he look like?"

Please, let him not have a personality like Lu Chengxu's.

"Naturally, he is good," Qinqi smiled. "Both his appearance and character are excellent."

——

Three days later.

Su Xinyu had made quite a lot of suture threads of different materials, and it was also time to go to the streets to pick up the needles and blades, so she took Qinqi out again.

On the streets, people came and went.

In a blacksmith shop, Su Xinyu paid the money and collected the needles and blades.

Since they were forged in ancient times, they could not match the precision of modern ones, but they already bore the appearance of suture needles and scalpels.

Qinqi asked doubtfully, "Miss, can such small trinkets be used for self-defense?"

"I suppose so."

Su Xinyu carefully wrapped the tools, placed them in her pouch, and heard the voices of the public discussing Lu Chengxu again.

"It's been three days, and Lu Shaoqing still hasn't woken up."

"The Imperial Physicians are the best in the country, and even they are helpless. Lu Shaoqing won't wake up."

"The physicians are at their wits' end and have already suggested the Lu family prepare for funeral arrangements."

"It is said the Lu family is not giving up and has spent money to find a bride to marry him to bring good luck."

"That bride is truly pitiful; she'll be a widow as soon as she marries in."

The voices gradually faded into the distance.

(End of Chapter)