Chapter 25 The Child of the Lei Family

Chapter 25: The Lei Family's Children

Lei Xun's scolding was clear-cut, and the surrounding commoners immediately began to murmur, all pointing fingers at Zhang Cheng for being ungrateful and abandoning his wife. Yet, Zhang Cheng's expression showed no sign of panic; he gesticulated wildly, shouting back at the people around him.

Lei Xun was unwilling to keep arguing. Firstly, he knew Lei Li was in the adjacent study and didn't want him to hear more of this unpleasant history. Secondly, if the commotion grew too loud, he feared Cui Nanshan and Lei Tan in the back might hear. Lei Tan had only been two when he came to the Lei family and had forgotten all these matters; learning of them now would only cause unnecessary distress. Cui Nanshan, moreover, was laid up in bed. Given his temperament, hearing this would surely upset and sadden him. Therefore, Lei Xun had no time to properly tend to the knife wound on his hand. Enduring the pain, he stepped forward and said, "Enough. I've made myself clear. Lei Li and Lei Tan are the children of the Lei family, entered into our family register. If you don't leave now, I'll call the Patrol Officer to arrest you."

Zhang Cheng refused to give up. "Does whatever you say go? For all anyone knows, your family line is dying out, so you seized this chance to kidnap my two boys! They are my own flesh and blood; every single strand of their hair is mine! If you insist on not returning them, come with me to see the magistrate. I'd like to see the court rule that kidnapping is no crime! If you see reason now and obediently return the children to me, I can even give you some silver as thanks for feeding them these past few years. But if you remain obstinate, by the time we reach the authorities, that silver will be gone."

Lei Xun let out a cold laugh and was about to speak when Lei Ding parted the crowd and came over from the side. Seeing Lei Xun's arm already soaked red with blood, his expression immediately darkened. He had just come from the prefectural office and hadn't gone far on his way back to the clinic when he ran into a neighbor from the same street. The young fellow recognized Lei Ding and kindly warned him that there was trouble at home. Hearing this, Lei Ding hurried back as fast as he could, arriving earlier than usual. Seeing his father injured and someone confronting Lei Xun at the door, if he hadn't been unsure of the situation and feared hitting the wrong man, he would have already taken action.

Lei Xun reached out and grabbed him, stopping him from acting rashly. Lei Ding could only barely suppress his rage for the time being and went over first to examine Lei Xun's injury.

Seeing another person arrive from the family and noting Lei Ding's tall stature and cold, stern expression—which didn't look easy to provoke—Zhang Cheng's earlier bluster diminished by a third. He took a few steps forward and said in a low voice, "Gentlemen, please think carefully. These are, after all, someone else's children. Compared to their biological father, who would truly care for their adoptive parents, manage household affairs, and provide for you in life and see you off in death? Or in the future, when the two boys grow up, wouldn't the family estate have to be handed over and divided among those with a different surname? It would be better to let me take them away. Firstly, it would fulfill their filial duty, sparing them from being cursed by the world for not supporting their biological father. Secondly, it would save you, Lord Lei and your husband, from future trouble, avoiding 'no child is filial by the parent's long sickbed.' Thirdly, it would also save you, young master, some trouble. What do you say?"

Lei Ding paid him no heed, asking Lei Xun instead, "Father, was your injury caused by him?"

Before Lei Xun could speak, Zhang Cheng cut in, "Speaking of this injury, it was Zhang Yun—oh, I forgot, his name has been changed now, to Lei Li—it was Lei Li who stabbed you with a knife. Sir, look, no matter how well you treat him, what use is it?"

Wu Qiu had just calmed Lei Li and settled him in the small study. He had fetched a basin of clean water and brought out clean gauze, preparing for Lei Xun to clean his wound. While in the back, he hadn't heard Lei Ding return and was suddenly relieved to see him, feeling for no particular reason that all troubles could now be smoothly overcome. But mindful of the crowd, he didn't dare be overly intimate with Lei Ding. He only said with pleasant surprise, "Big Brother is back! This man has been making a scene at the clinic for half a day, insisting on taking Yue Er and Tan Er away without listening to reason. He even forced Yue Er to injure himself with a knife. If Lord Lei hadn't acted quickly, Yue Er's face might be ruined by now!"

Lei Ding hesitated no longer. He grabbed Zhang Cheng's wrist, twisted it behind his back, pushed his shoulder, and forced him to his knees on the ground.

Wu Qiu knew Lei Ding was also worried about him, afraid he might be frightened or bullied. He wanted to tell Lei Ding that he was also safe and sound, but felt their relationship hadn't been explicitly stated to the elders yet, so saying it directly might be too blunt. That's why he paused once in his words, adding 'we.' Lei Ding understood what Wu Qiu meant and was completely reassured. He said to Zhang Cheng, "You want to see the magistrate? Fine, then we'll accompany you all the way. Come on, let's go to the prefectural office with me."

Lei Xun, however, was somewhat hesitant. He feared that if this became public knowledge through the authorities, in the future, when Lei Li and Lei Tan went out, gossipy people might use this matter to spread rumors and slander them. Zhang Cheng, an experienced merchant, was extremely shrewd. He saw through Lei Xun's concern at a glance, seized upon his deep love for his sons, and instead grew more brazen. He got up and tried to pull Lei Xun. "Alright, let's go! To the magistrate!"

He was vicious and ruthless, specifically targeting Lei Xun's injured arm. How could Lei Ding let him get near Lei Xun? He gripped Zhang Cheng's wrist tightly. "What are you trying to do? I'll go with you. That's enough."

Wu Qiu chimed in from the side, "Let them all leave? Do you want to see the clinic without a physician on duty, leaving the commoners' illnesses unattended?"

This statement prompted the surrounding commoners to agree in unison. Zhang Cheng couldn't say anything more and shot Wu Qiu a hateful glare.

Lei Ding used great force to pinch his chin, turning his head aside. "Keep your eyes in check!"

On the other hand, Lei Xun still couldn't make up his mind. Lei Ding quickly said, "Father, there's nothing to worry about. Don't we still have that thing? Is it stored in Dad's chest? If we don't bring it out for this matter, when will we use it? In my opinion, it's better to fetch it and take it before the prefect as well, to make him give up."

Hearing this, Zhang Cheng felt somewhat uncertain. When he returned to Yongning City, he had met a witch doctor outside the city who told him about the clinic's situation. The witch doctor also said the Lei family had no proof of adopting the children. As long as Zhang Cheng insisted they had kidnapped Lei Li and Lei Tan and sent some silver to the prefect's home in advance, even seeing the magistrate wouldn't prevent him from winning. But now, hearing their words, it seemed they had other preparations.

Could it be that he was deceived by that witch doctor named Wu Peng? Zhang Cheng thought to himself.

Naturally, he hadn't fully believed Wu Peng's words. He had wandered around Yongning City for two or three days, thinking he had familiarized himself with the clinic's situation. He heard that Cui Nanshan at the clinic had been seriously ill these past few days, and the Lei father and son were all worried and overworked. Taking advantage of the previous commotion caused by Zhao Wen and Zhao Wu, he felt the clinic hadn't recovered yet. So he prepared his arguments, planned how to make a scene, and came to the clinic's door.

Back then, he had despised Wen Niang for her background as a musician, lacking a respectable family background, yet he coveted the money in her hands. With sweet talk, he deceived Wen Niang into marrying him. At that time, Wen Niang was young and beautiful, could earn a lot of silver by playing the qin, and was deeply in love with him. He said hiring a woman to do laundry and cook at home was too expensive. Wen Niang, who had previously kept her qin-playing hands from touching household chores, learned to manage household affairs for him. He said he wanted children, and Wen Niang gave birth to two sons in succession, even at the peak of her career. Later, Zhang Cheng saw Wen Niang's circumstances had greatly declined. He felt he should find a proper family's daughter or a young man to settle down with. So he told Wen Niang he was going to Jiangnan to do business and needed some capital. He took almost all of Wen Niang's savings, only saying he would send someone to fetch her to live with him in three months.

But Wen Niang never waited for him to return in her lifetime.

In Jiangnan, he married the daughter of a grain shop owner. Unexpectedly, after several years of marriage, they had no children. The girl also had a fiery temper, absolutely forbidding him to take concubines or have secret lovers outside. Only then did he remember he still had two sons left in Yongning City. Using the pretext of a business trip, he came all the way to Yongning City to find the children and take them back, so they could support him in his old age later, and perhaps even get a share of the grain shop's wealth because of it.

By now, the onlookers, seeing their argument had ended, dispersed considerably, leaving only a few waiting to see if they would really go to the magistrate. Taking advantage of the smaller crowd and no one paying attention, Wu Qiu quietly sidled up to Lei Ding, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear, "I think this man has a malicious appearance and deep cunning. He probably came prepared. Brother, you must be extra careful."

Lei Ding smiled and also whispered into Wu Qiu's ear, "I've noted it. Qiu Er, don't worry. Father is still somewhat worried. Later, after I leave, help me persuade him."

While no one was looking, he used his body to shield Wu Qiu and kissed his ear.

Afraid his blush would be too noticeable or someone might see, Wu Qiu shot Lei Ding a shy yet reproachful look and said softly, "I... will wait for you to return."

Lei Ding knew Wu Qiu meant he would wait for him at night, so he nodded with a smile. Just then, Lei Xun came in from the backyard, and the two didn't speak further. Wu Qiu went up to greet him and saw blood had flowed out again on Lei Xun's arm, staining most of his sleeve red. He quickly took the things from Lei Xun's hands and passed them to Lei Ding, then helped Lei Xun sit down.

Lei Xun still wanted to give a few more instructions, but Lei Ding had already dragged the man away.

Wu Qiu ran to the study to call Lei Li. Lei Li's eyes were slightly swollen, making him look even more pitiful. Seeing Wu Qiu, he hurriedly asked, "How is it? Let me go out and see!"

Wu Qiu comforted him, "Your big brother is back. He's already taken that man to the authorities and told Lord Lei to stay home. You can go over if you want."

Before his words even finished, Lei Li had already run out. Reaching the main hall, he saw Lei Xun sitting at the table, carefully wiping his wound. Seeing such a large red stain on his clothes, Lei Li felt even more distressed. He ran over, knelt with a thud at his feet, buried his head in his lap, and cried, "Father, it's all my fault. I caused this trouble and even got you injured. You can punish me however you want, just don't abandon me. I don't want to leave you and Dad. Don't let Zhang Cheng take me and my brother away."

He cried and spoke, his tears almost dried up, his eyes sore, constantly rubbing them with his hands. Lei Xun felt even more upset hearing his words. He hurriedly told the child to get up, comforting him, "Alright, don't cry. You are my child. Who else would you go with? Crying more will hurt your eyes. Come on, don't kneel."

Usually, it was Cui Nanshan who was closer to the two children. Although Lei Xun wasn't strict in front of the children, he wasn't as openly affectionate as Cui Nanshan. But now, he also pulled Lei Li up, just like that day nine years ago, drawing the child into his arms, patting his shoulder to comfort him.

Lei Li said softly, "Mm... about today's matter, Father, don't tell Dad and my brother. I don't want them to know..."

Lei Xun smiled. "You're instructing me now? Our Yue Er has grown up, knows to be considerate. Don't worry, I naturally won't tell them."

He sighed again. "But once this reaches the authorities, it will inevitably stir up public discussion. In the future, if you hear anyone saying crazy things, don't take it to heart. Our family's life has nothing to do with others."

This was precisely what Lei Ding wanted Wu Qiu to persuade him about. Wu Qiu took the opportunity to reply from the side, "Lord is right. The quality of one's own family life certainly isn't determined by others' gossip. However, there's one thing: if we don't go to the authorities this time and settle the matter privately, it might instead arouse neighbors' suspicions, and rumors could become even more numerous and intense. It's better to go openly to the prefectural office for a debate, letting everyone see, with the authorities as witness, that Yue Er and Tan Er are the Lei family's sons. Afterwards, no one would dare question it again. Moreover, right now, the authorities rely on several clinics in the city to combat the epidemic. Naturally, they won't disregard facts and easily offend us. Lord, please rest assured."

Lei Xun laughed. "You young people think quickly. Qiu Geer's words are very reasonable. Enough, let's not talk about this anymore. Yue Er, go fetch the fishbone needle and mulberry bark thread, then prepare the anesthetic decoction. After that, come help me suture the wound."

Lei Li wiped his tears. "Me? But Father, I... I don't know how..."

Actually, his medical skills were sufficient to suture this wound, but he was too upset and somewhat afraid. Lei Xun held his hand, stopping him from rubbing his eyes, and comforted him, "Who else but you? This position is difficult for me to needle myself. Should we wait for your big brother to return? Or go call your Dad and brother? Only Yue Er can do it. Don't be afraid, go on."

Lei Li didn't dare delay any longer. He steeled himself, agreed, and hurried off. Not long after, he returned, first bringing the anesthetic for Lei Xun to take. But when he picked up the needle again, he was still somewhat afraid, his hand trembling violently.

Lei Xun held his hand. "Don't shake. Steady."

Because he still needed to see patients at the clinic later, the anesthetic dosage had to be somewhat reduced. Lei Xun's complexion wasn't good, but he worried Lei Li would be scared, so he tried his best not to show it. How could Lei Li not know? But if he cried, tears would blur his vision, so he mustered all his concentration to be careful, making himself forget to cry. Each stitch felt as if it passed through his own heart. Only after finishing the suturing, bandaging Lei Xun's wound, and wiping away the blood did he feel relieved, speechless, standing aside wiping his eyes.

Wu Qiu stood watching from the side, too nervous to speak. The smell of blood grew strong again, making him feel a bit dizzy and nauseous. Coincidentally, a patient came in just then. He quickly got up to attend to them first, respectfully asking them to wait a moment. He went to prepare the account books, tidied up the tables and chairs that Zhang Cheng had messed up, waiting only for Lei Xun's wound to be dealt with so he could immediately begin treating the patient.

Lei Xun sent Lei Li back to wash his face, then looked at Wu Qiu's figure, thinking, these past few days, it's been thanks to Wu Qiu and Yang Shu being here; otherwise, the clinic really wouldn't have been able to manage.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Late again (prostrating in apology). This chapter counts for the 10th. There will be another update tonight.

Why are there so many antagonists... This was originally just a small-scale story, but looking through it today, there are so many antagonists ().

Also, Lei Ding really, works so hard! After this matter is over, let him enjoy some peace and comfort.