Chapter 22: Sister-in-law's Warning

"Do not call me Aunt!" Cui Jin interrupted her coldly.

Looking at Cui Jin’s stern expression, Cui Mingzhu felt a pang of anxiety. In all the years she had spent in the Shen household, this was the first time her aunt had ever been so severe with her. It was true, then: blood was thicker than water. Whenever she had a conflict with Shen Ningyuan, her aunt would always take Shen Ningyuan's side.

Thinking this, Cui Mingzhu lowered her head to hide the jealousy and resentment in her eyes. She should have known long ago that the Shen family never truly regarded her as one of their own.

"Mingzhu, for the time being, you should focus on recovering. As for assisting with the management of the Shen household, let your sister-in-law take over for now," Cui Jin said, letting out a sigh. As she looked at Cui Mingzhu’s hand, her heart began to ache again. Yuan'er had been far too reckless; Cui Mingzhu's hand was practically ruined. It remained to be seen if it could ever truly heal.

Cui Jin’s intention was for Cui Mingzhu to rest, but in Cui Mingzhu's eyes, this was merely a pretext for Cui Jin to strip her of her authority. If she could no longer help manage the household, how was she to continue siphoning money for Ji Yunchuan?

At this thought, Cui Mingzhu hurriedly waved her hand, speaking with urgency. "Aunt, my injury is fine! My sister-in-law is pregnant; how can we burden her with these matters?"

"But your injury..."

"I am fine, Aunt!" Cui Mingzhu held up her other, uninjured hand. "This hand may be ruined, but this one is still perfectly fine. You don't need to worry about me!" She emphasized, "Aunt, I only want to do something for this family. I don't want others saying I am just an idler being kept by the Shen family."

Her tone was dejected as she spoke. Hearing this, Cui Jin felt an even greater sense of pity. "Mingzhu, I am only worried about your injury and fear that overexertion will hinder your recovery," she said earnestly.

But Cui Mingzhu would not hear of it. Without a moment's hesitation, she refused. "Aunt, please, I am fine. Only by doing something for the Shen family can I feel at ease." She reached out and grabbed Cui Jin’s hand eagerly. "Aunt, please, let me contribute. You are always busy with the merchants outside, and you don't have the energy to manage the household affairs as well. My sister-in-law is pregnant and must not be overworked. If I don't step up at a time like this, who will?"

Cui Mingzhu gazed at Cui Jin with pleading eyes. Seeing her persistence, Cui Jin could no longer refuse and nodded. "I know you want to help, but you must act within your limits. Do not let your injury worsen, do you understand?"

Cui Jin sighed. "As for this hand... rest assured, I will find the best doctor and use the finest medicine to ensure it heals properly."

"I am fine, Aunt," Cui Mingzhu replied, shaking her head with an air of dutiful obedience.

Just then, the household physician arrived. Upon seeing the injury, he was startled and exclaimed, "This hand... how could it be crushed so severely?"

Cui Jin asked nervously, "Doctor, can it be saved?"

"Madam, allow me to examine it first." The physician set down his medicine chest and stepped forward. When he instinctively reached for her wrist to take her pulse, Cui Mingzhu pulled her hand away. The doctor paused, and she quickly explained, "My hand hurts too much; please, examine the injury first!"

Cui Jin added, "Yes, examine the hand first."

The physician said nothing and proceeded to examine the injury as requested. However, during the examination, his gaze flickered toward Cui Mingzhu’s abdomen every few seconds, a strange expression crossing his face. Seeing this, Cui Mingzhu grew tense, instinctively pressing her other hand firmly against her belly.

After a thorough examination, the physician breathed a sigh of relief. "Fortunately, the bones and tendons are intact. It is a severe flesh wound, but it looks more frightening than it is. With time, it will heal."

Cui Jin felt a weight lift from her heart. Thankfully, the hand was not ruined; otherwise, she would have been plagued by guilt forever.

But the next moment, the physician added, "However... such a severe flesh wound will almost certainly leave scars. This hand..." He left the sentence unfinished, but both Cui Jin and Cui Mingzhu understood his meaning immediately.

Cui Mingzhu’s eyes turned red, and tears streamed down her face. "If it leaves scars, will it be very ugly?"

The physician remained silent, which was as good as an admission. Seeing her on the verge of sobbing, Cui Jin hurried to comfort her. "Zhu'er, don't worry. I will find the best ointments; I won't let your hand be scarred!"

"Really? Aunt..."

Cui Jin hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Really."

The physician proceeded to dress the wound, causing Cui Mingzhu to wail in agony, her face covered in tears and snot. Cui Jin stood to the side, feeling deeply distressed, and turned away to wipe her own eyes. Yet, to Cui Mingzhu, this display of sympathy was nothing more than hypocrisy. If Cui Jin truly cared for her, she would punish Shen Ningyuan instead of putting on an act here. With that thought, Cui Mingzhu added another grudge against Cui Jin in her heart.

After the physician finished, Cui Mingzhu felt as though she had lost half her life. Her four fingers were tightly wrapped in white cloth, making them look like four stuffed dumplings. The physician gave a few instructions about keeping the wound dry before leaving the courtyard.

Noticing that the physician had seemed hesitant to speak as he left, Cui Jin felt a lingering sense of unease. After saying a few words to Cui Mingzhu, she followed him out of the courtyard. She caught up to him along the corridor of the front hall.

"Madam?" The physician stopped and looked at her.

"Sir, you seemed to have something left unsaid earlier. Is there some hidden trouble with my niece’s injury?" Cui Jin asked, her voice tight with anxiety.

The physician shook his head. "The young lady’s hand is fine, but her stomach..."

"What is wrong with her stomach?" Cui Jin interrupted before he could finish.

The physician looked at her with a peculiar expression. "Madam, don't you find the young lady’s stomach to be unusually large?"

"What?" Cui Jin’s complexion changed instantly. Though the physician had spoken obliquely, she understood his implication. Without a second thought, she denied it. "Impossible!"

Seeing her reaction, the physician chose not to press the matter further. However, as he departed, he offered one last warning: "Madam, I did not take her pulse, so I cannot be certain. But the young lady’s stomach is indeed abnormally large. Just to be safe, you should find an opportunity for me to take her pulse."