Chapter 558 A Cut on the Shoulder

Chapter 558: A Shoulder Wound

Bai Xiaofeng's face fell as she scolded, "What could possibly be so urgent on such a joyous day? You gave me quite a fright! Collect yourself and explain clearly!"

the servant quickly apologized, "...Young Master Yongbai has been injured and is bleeding heavily. He was carried back and is now resting in his usual courtyard in the outer residence."

Bai Xiaofeng grew even more frantic than the servant. "How on earth did Young Master Yongbai get injured?!"

the servant replied, "...I don't know the specifics."

Bai Xiaofeng pressed urgently, "Has this news reached First Madam? She's pregnant—surely you didn’t recklessly alarm her?!"

the servant hurriedly replied, "Of course not... Knowing that today it's Second Madam and Third Madam who are in charge, I sent for a physician while rushing here to inform you."

Bai Xiaofeng frowned, too anxious to ask further, and hurried toward the outer residence.

Xingxing had already whirled to instruct Zhao Ying, "Go to my courtyard and fetch my medicine chest! And you know where I keep the golden trauma powder in the east chamber."

Zhao Ying responded swiftly, "I'll run the whole way!"

True to her word, Zhao Ying dashed off immediately after replying.

Xingxing, Bai Xiaofeng, and Su Rouer rushed to the outer residence. Before they even stepped inside, they heard Yu Yongbai's voice—strained with pain but feigning ease—as he tried to comfort a young woman: "Miss Gong, Miss Gong, don’t cry. The bleeding looks worse than it is, but it’s really not deep. I barely feel any pain..."

Gong Qingniang's voice trembled with sobs, "Stop talking!... I don’t need comforting!... Just lie still!"

Yu Yongbai let out a "Hey," seemingly about to say more.

Bai Xiaofeng and Su Rouer, though slightly embarrassed as elders, coughed pointedly to announce their arrival before stepping in.

The voices inside fell silent at once.

Feigning ignorance of what she’d overheard, Bai Xiaofeng called out pointedly, "Brother Bai, we heard you were injured. Are you alright? Your Third Aunt and I, along with your cousin Xingxing, came to check on you."

After this, she exchanged a glance with Su Rouer before entering the room.

By then, Gong Qingniang had risen to greet them.

Her eyes were puffy and red-rimmed—clearly from crying heavily.

Gong Qingniang didn’t recognize Bai Xiaofeng or Su Rouer but knew Xingxing, who quickly made introductions: "Miss Gong, this is my Second Aunt and Third Aunt."

"Second Aunt, Third Aunt, this is Miss Gong."

Gong Qingniang bowed respectfully, her face filled with shame. "...Second Madam, Third Madam, I’m truly sorry. If not for me, Yu Yongbai wouldn’t have been hurt..."

At this, Yu Yongbai from inside immediately protested, "No, it was me—Hsss!"

Xingxing ignored the rest and hurried inside.

Bai Xiaofeng gently took Gong Qingniang’s hand, stopping her from breaking down again, and helped her up. "Miss Gong, don’t upset yourself. Let’s first see how Brother Bai is doing. Xingxing is very skilled in medicine—he'll be fine."

Tearfully, Gong Qingniang nodded and followed Bai Xiaofeng and Su Rouer into the inner chamber.

There, Yu Yongbai lay on the bed, his chest soaked with blood from a wound near his shoulder. His face was pale from pain, the gruesome sight shocking even those prepared for it.

Even Bai Xiaofeng and Su Rouer recoiled at the sight.

Bai Xiaofeng hurried to Yu Yongbai's bedside, her voice trembling: "Young Bai, how did you end up like this?... Luckily, the servants didn't inform your mother, or she'd be heartbroken seeing you like this!"

Yu Yongbai looked guilty and said hoarsely, "Please help me keep it from my mother for now, Second Aunt..."

Before he could finish, Bai Xiaofeng urgently interrupted, "Alright, alright, don't speak anymore. Just seeing your wound hurts me—I get it, I get it! Hush now and rest, child!"

Xingxing was already instructing the maid to fetch scissors. With the Yu family present, Gong Qingniang didn't dare approach but couldn't suppress her worry for Yu Yongbai. She stood helplessly outside, her gaze uncontrollably fixed on him.

Bai Xiaofeng and Su Rouer exchanged a glance—it seemed these two had deep feelings for each other.

The maid quickly brought the scissors, and Xingxing briskly instructed, "Second Brother, your wound is stuck to your clothes. I'll cut them away—stay still and tough it out."

Yu Yongbai managed a faint smile. "Alright."

Xingxing carefully cut the fabric around the wound. Just then, Zhao Ying, who had sprinted back, arrived with Xingxing's medicine chest. Using clean cloth and her own remedies, Xingxing meticulously cleaned the area around the wound, only to discover a gash so deep it nearly reached the bone.

Judging by the shape, it must have been a slash from behind.

Xingxing had a pretty good guess now.

She took out a blood-replenishing pill and popped it straight into his mouth. "Second Brother, take this."

Yu Yongbai complied without question.

Still, Xingxing explained, "That pill replenishes blood and energy. The wound missed anything vital, but you've lost too much blood—you'll need to take this daily to build your strength back."

Bai Xiaofeng and Su Rouer, though unfamiliar with medical matters, felt some relief at "didn't hit any vital areas." They nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, he needs to build his strength back!"

"Second Brother, next I'll need to clean inside the wound," Xingxing said, her heart breaking. "It might hurt. Should I give you a cloth to bite?"

Yu Yongbai, pale-faced, put on a brave face. "Don’t fuss—just do it."

Xingxing asked again, "Are you sure you don't want to bite down?"

Yu Yongbai refused to lose face in front of Gong Qingniang and insisted.

Seeing this, Xingxing proceeded as gently as possible, disinfecting the wound—but the moment the medicated cloth touched it, Yu Yongbai's face twisted in agony, and he let out a pained yell.

Xingxing hesitated, tears pooling in her eyes. "Second Brother, do you want the cloth now?"

Yu Yongbai clenched his teeth, grinding out, "N... no..."

Gong Qingniang, unable to stay back any longer, rushed to the foot of the bed—careful not to obstruct Xingxing—her face as pale as Yu Yongbai's from blood loss, eyes brimming with tears, on the verge of breaking down.

Xingxing sniffled, her voice trembling. "Just hang in there a bit longer, Second Brother. I'll finish cleaning the wound."