Reborn: The First Rank "Madam"

C11 – No, I’m Threatening You

Old Doctor had heard plenty of rumors along the way and was prepared to check the teenager’s pulse without asking too many questions. However, when the door closed, the teenager, who had appeared near death with a pallid face, abruptly sat up on the bed.

“Ah…” Even though Old Doctor was accustomed to witnessing grim scenes, this one took him aback. Could this be the end of the world?

But before he could recover from his astonishment, the teenager released his arm and retrieved a machete hidden beneath his armpit. Swiftly, he removed his clothing and produced a blood bag with a puncture.

Zuo Shaoqing poured the remaining blood from the bag into a basin beside the bed, instantly staining the water red. He used a cloth to wipe the blood from his body and carelessly tossed it into the basin. The scent of the pig’s blood nearly overwhelmed him.

After cleaning himself, Zuo Shaoqing stepped off the bed, extracted a bandage from Old Doctor’s medical kit, and wound it around his body several times. Along the way, he smeared some blood from the “wound” and applied ointment to his skin.

Having completed these tasks, Zuo Shaoqing reclined on the bed, bare-armed, and fixed his gaze on the astonished Old Doctor with a smile that held an ambiguous meaning.

“This… This…” Old Doctor widened his eyes, his beard quivering. He was at a loss for words as he gestured toward Zuo Shaoqing.

He had initially believed he was encountering a pitiable illegitimate son persecuted by his legitimate sibling when he rushed to the Zuo Family with a heart full of sympathy. However, what he ultimately witnessed was… As expected, the mansion harbored many secrets.

Zuo Shaoqing, who still held the machete, lightly flicked a finger against the knife, which still bore traces of wood chips. He sighed, “Doctor, how long do you think it would take for someone to recover from a stabbing with this kind of blade? Could there be concerns about infection in the wound?”

“This… Are you trying to fool me?”

Clutching the knife, Zuo Shaoqing leaped off the bed and pressed it against Old Doctor’s neck, chuckling sinisterly as he issued a warning, “I bet everyone in Youuxi Town already believes I got stabbed by Zuo Second Master, right? Even if you spill the truth when you leave here, who’s going to trust you? I could easily claim that the Left Lady bribed you.”

“You…” Old Doctor seethed with anger but found himself speechless in the face of Zuo Shaoqing’s accusations.

“You’re aware of the circumstances with the Zuo Family, aren’t you? If I hadn’t dodged in the nick of time, would that blade genuinely have pierced my chest?”

Old Doctor stood frozen, his thoughts racing: What’s the deal with the blood bag hidden beneath his clothes? This was undoubtedly a premeditated scheme.

“Honestly, there’s no need to feel sorry for anyone here. Just look at me, I’m on the verge of death, and not a single relative has bothered to check on me, not even my parents or siblings. I was pushed to do this,” Zuo Shaoqing lamented with a sigh.

He, who had always been delicate and obedient, now appeared pitiable, with his body wrapped in bandages. Scaring people away was a piece of cake for him.

“Let it go, let it go…” He sighed. “I’ve been a doctor for most of my life and have never done anything against my will!”

Zuo Shaoqing arched an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips. “Old Doctor, remember this well. Once you step out of this room, you must forget everything.”

Old Doctor’s fury seemed to reach its boiling point. “Now you’re giving me orders!”

Zuo Shaoqing shook his head lightly, “No, I’m threatening you!”

“If I were to reveal this to Madam Zuo, San Ye might not even get the chance to confront me.” Mrs. Xue knew that if she exposed Zuo Shaoqing’s plot against her own son, it wouldn’t be surprising if Madam Zuo took severe action against him.

Zuo Shaoqing maintained an unflinching gaze, menacingly gesturing a knife toward him. “Feel free to try!”

Eventually, the Old Doctor had to concede, with a sense of shock in his heart. “Your recovery will take a minimum of a month. During this time, you must eat, drink, and apply medicine for your wound. You’ll need to keep it hidden from others, but that won’t be easy.”

“I do have a method to ensure no one spills the beans.” There were only two servants under Zuo Shaoqing’s employ, and he could trust one of them completely. As long as Luo Xiaoliu valued his own life, he wouldn’t dare betray him.

While Zuo Shaoqing and the doctor reached an understanding on one side, Zuo Shaoling was skillfully pacifying Mrs. Xue on the other.

Upon escaping the supposed “crime scene,” his first action was to rush home and cling to Mrs. Xue’s arm in a spoiled manner. “Mother, what if I’ve done something wrong?”

Mrs. Xue had a special fondness for her younger son. Upon noticing that he was covered in dust, she initially checked if he was hurt and then inquired sternly, “What have you done to him this time? Don’t let your father find out, or there will be consequences.”

Zuo Shaoling held no fear of his father. Master Zuo had never laid a hand on him since he was a child. He held his neck and argued, “I can’t be blamed for this. That scoundrel dared to provoke me. A mere concubine dared to belittle me, so I had to teach him a lesson.”

Upon hearing that Zuo Shaoqing was involved, Mrs. Xue’s anger surged uncontrollably as she mumbled, “What!? How dare that rascal lay eyes on you? He’s as audacious as his shameless mother. I wonder who he really is!”

“Exactly!” Zuo Shaoling had mostly let go of his concerns. He hugged Mrs. Xue, trying to rile her up, “Mom, Dad has always favored him since he was young. Whatever happens, you must seek justice for me.”

“Alright, I understand. When have you ever been a trouble to me? Ling’er, you’re not a child anymore. To follow your elder brother’s example, you should try to be a bit more responsible.”Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m nov𝒆lb(i)n.c(o)m

Although Mrs. Xue adored her son, she also recognized that he was the more challenging one to support. She didn’t expect him to achieve anything significant in life; she’d be content if he just showed a bit more maturity.

Zuo Shaoling was eager to escape Mrs. Xue’s lecture, so he replied casually and attempted to make a quick exit.

Mrs. Xue called out to him from behind, “It’s been a while since you visited your grandmother. Take this opportunity to go home and say some kind words.”

Zuo Shaoling’s eyes brightened as he eagerly agreed. From a young age, he knew that if he could get rid of these two women in his family, his father wouldn’t have much sway over him.

However, visiting his grandmother wasn’t always straightforward. “Is Grandmother out of the Buddhist Hall today?”

Mrs. Xue shot him a resentful glance. “If she’s not out, you could at least speak kindly at the door, couldn’t you? It’s not like she’s perpetually secluded. Do you really think she’s permanently cloistered?”

Mrs. Xue sighed. Since the Zuo Family’s downfall, the old lady’s reputation had taken a significant hit. After settling in Youuxi Town, she gradually delegated household management duties and spent her days in a small Buddhist hall, immersing herself in the comforts of Buddhism. It remained uncertain whether her heart had truly embraced the Buddhist faith.