"Returning to Before Husband's Castration" 《回到老公自宫前》Chapter 41

 Ding Wu was Wei Cai Wei’s childhood friend, they both grew up in the exile lands of Tieling.

It seemed to Wang Da Xia, they weren’t just ordinary childhood friends!

They’ve suffered together, helped each other, their emotions were deep—it was clear from the last few days when Wei Cai Wei had poured her heart and soul into curing the poison of the flamingo flower stamen from within Ding Ru Kui.

After taking medication Ding Ru Kui’s throat returned to normal after two days, Wei Cai Wei even found all kinds of excuses to prescribe medication to supplement Ding Ru Kui’s body, taking his pulse and checking his tongue, looking after his health, and talked about hers and Ding Wu’s lives in Tieling with him.

However Ding Ru Kui had been imprisoned by Lu Bing for ten years, his family had been torn apart, he had lost all hope in trust so he still didn’t trust Wei Cai Wei.

Ding Ru Kui kept quiet, his attitude indifferent, Wei Cai Wei was still friendly, treating Ding Ru Kui like he was her elder relative.

Wang Da Xia fought for her, scolding Ding Ru Kui for not knowing what was good.

If Wei Cai Wei treated me like this, no, even if half of this, I would wake up every night with a smile!

Wei Cai Wei said, “...he’s been locked up for ten years, he’s used to deceit and treachery, anyone’s heart would have turned cold, how can he easily believe in someone he had never met before? I treat him well because of my adoptive parents and Ding Wu, without them, I would have died already. I’m like this, repaying kindness with kindness, repaying…a grudge with a grudge.”

Wang Da Xia finally shut up, if he continued they would have ended up fighting, she wanted to ask how Ding Wu was good to her, but he didn’t dare.

Like how he was extremely scared of ghosts, if there were movements in the wardrobe, he would rather cover his face with the quilt than dare to check the wardrobe and allow himself to have a good night sleep.

His instinct was to flee, as long as he doesn’t open the wardrobe, whether there is or there isn’t, it would exist.

That’s why Ding Wu’s existence was like the “ghost” in the wardrobe.

Wang Da Xia didn’t mention him, so he didn’t exist.

Living his life as usual.

But now, the “ghost” in the wardrobe, Ding Wu, had pushed the door opened and entered himself! 

And at a glance he was a strong and powerful “evil ghost”.

He wore a blue round neck gown which was faded to almost white, however he didn’t look unpresentable in them, he still had some air of sophistication, his brows and eyes were similar to Ding Ru Kui but he was better looking than his father.

Don’t they say Tieling is a bitterly cold place which lacks food and clothes? Considering his height and built, looking like an immortal, he doesn’t look like someone sent to exile rather he had gone on holiday.

Wang Da Xia went back with his oar, secretly following Ding Wu, carefully observing his rival, know yourself, know your enemy, only then can you be victorious.

Ding Wu was taller than him by a head, Wang Da Xia reassured himself, he was twenty-two years old, I’m only fourteen, I still have time to grow, I will definitely surpass him in the future.

I’m wealthier than him, he really is in a sorry state, I am a minor employee of the embroidered uniform guards, he is just someone in exile who will return to Tieling after he has confirmed Wei Cai Wei’s identity, he won’t stay in the capital for long.

As for appearance…Wang Da Xia insisted his and Ding Wu’s face had their own merits, it was a draw.

Wang Da Xia secretly observed him all the way, one reason was to compare himself to his rival, of course, it was a subjective judgement by himself, there was no value in the comparison.

He gave himself too many and too high points, like a frog expanding it’s lung.

Ding Wu arrived at Lu Bing’s courtyard, Lu Bing could already walk, he had taken imperial physician’s suggestion, he practise Wudang mountain’s shadowboxing, moving like clouds and flowing water.

Ding Wu had been supported by his father before, he was a candidate for the Imperial Examination proposed by a tributary state, so he didn’t need to kneel in front of officials, but after he was sent to exile he lost everything, as a commoner, he had kowtow to Lu Bing.

Ding Wu knelt on a mat: “This commoner Ding Wu has come to the capital under the order lord commander.”

Wang Da Xia discovered even kneeling Ding Wu looked good, like a bamboo stuck in the mat.

Lu Bing deliberately gave him the cold-shoulder to judge his temperament, after a moment he then said: “Stand and speak.”

“Thank you lord commander.” Ding Wu stood up, taking a step to the side, his gaze on his hands, waiting for instruction.

Most people who had been exiled would have all their edge and arrogance flattened, acting as a yes man, seeing such an influential official as Lu Bing, most would act like a slug and kowtow asking for forgiveness.

Ding Wu looked like he wouldn’t be surprised with anything.

It seemed ten years in exile, Wei Nan Shan and his wife had brought him up very well.

Lu Bing finished looking over Ding Wu, his gaze fell on Wang Da Xia, “Aren’t you going to Zhengyangmen Xiyan river to practise for the dragon boat race? Why have you come back?”

Xiyan river was the moat around Zhengyagmen, the embroidered uniform guard’s yamen was very close to Zhengyangmen, it can be reached by going through Jiangmi lane, Wang Da Xia took this route by foot to and from.

Wang Da Xia was used to lying, “I forgot to bring my oar.” When he had come in just now he had hidden the oar in the grass.

This guy was good at major things but unreliable in smaller matters, Lu Bing said: “Call doctor Wei over.”

Wei Cai Wei was just reading <The various words of a female doctor>, she was happy hearing what was said, closing her book she ran over in quick steps, leaving Wang Da Xia behind.

Wang Da Xia’s expression changed: Forgetting me because of Ding Wu.

Wang Da Xia caught up with her with long strides, Ding Wu heard footsteps, his indifferent face held a smear of happiness, he walked to the door, waving his hand at Wei Cai Wei, “Ban Xia!”

Wang Da Xia was angry, “What are you calling out for, so rude, shortening my name in half, I’m called Da Xia, not Ban Xia.”

Wei Cai Wei ran over, looking closely over Ding Wu before turning around to explain, “Ban Xia is a type of medicine and is my nickname.”

Wei Cai Wei was the formal name when Ding Wu helped her set up her own household, she had chosen the name herself, he usually called her by the nickname Ban Xia.

When Lu Bing saw how familiar they were when they met, he knew Wei Cai Wei had not been lying.

Seeing Ding Wu call her intimately by her nickname, Wang Da Xia burned with jealousy, like someone who had been wronged, he complained to Lu Bing, “Lord Lu, now that Ding Wu is here, he has already confirmed doctor Wei is the adopted daughter of Wei Nan Shan and his wife, then does it mean doctor Wei is cleared of suspicions of impersonation?”

Lu Bing nodded, “It seems to be so.”

Wang Da Xia pointed at Ding Wu: “He has already finished his duty, he ought to return to exile Tieling.”

Wang Da Xia urged the two soldiers who had brought Ding Wu to the capital, “Thank you for your hard work, your job is done, I’ll trouble the two of you to take him away.”

It was rare for them to be sent on a task in the capital, their bottoms hadn’t even warmed up, no, they hadn’t even sat down before they had to go back?

The two Tieling embroidered uniform guards looked at each other in dismay, they hadn’t even been able to see the capital, how could they go back and brag to their brothers.

Seeing Wang Da Xia was acting like this, Wei Cai Wei turned cold, “Aren’t you going to practise for the dragon boat race? Why haven’t you left yet?”

So meddlesome! Go and row your boat, splash your water, why did you come here!

Ding Wu bowed to Lu Bing, saying: “This commoner hasn’t seen my father for ten years, I beg lord Lu to be magnanimous, please allow me to see my father.”

Wang Da Xia urgently wanted to chase him away, he said: “You’ll leave after seeing him?”

Ding Wu said: “Yes, I beg lord to make this wish come true.”

Wang Da Xia asked: “You have no other requests?”

Ding Wu said: “This commoner is still in exile, I have to return to where I have been banished, it is my wish to see my father, I don’t dare ask for more.”

Wang Da Xia became happy rather than angry, he even blinked at Wei Cai Wei: See, Ding Wu only has his father in his heart, he basically doesn’t care how you’ve been doing in the capital.

Wei Cai Wei basically didn’t notice Wang Da Xia’s gaze, she asked Lu Bing too, “I beg lord to fulfil his wish, if lord Lu has anything to ask of this woman in the future I would even jump into scalding water and plunge into raging fire without hesitating.”

Lu Ying who had kept quiet all this time said: “Lord Lu, doctor Wei has been helpful, let’s grant her wish.”

Lu Bing was actually waiting for Lu Ying to speak up, he wanted Wei Cai Wei to owe Lu YIng so she would be easier to order about in the future.

Lu Bing nodded, “Let’s do as leader Lu says.” His gaze fell on Wang Da Xia, “Why are you still not going to practice? The twenty four boat race in the capital, we embroidered uniform guards have taken first place each year, first prize in the lottery, we have to be first this year too, go quickly!”

Wang Da Xia wanted to hang back for a little bit, but Lu Bing was chasing him away, he wanted Ding Wu to return to Tieling after meeting Ding Ru Kui and be separated from Wei Cai Wei for thousands of miles, to avoid problems.

Thinking about this, Wang Da Xia relaxed, carrying his oar he went to go rowing.

In the underground prison.

Under Wei Cai Wei’s utmost care, Ding Ru Kui had already gotten better, he had gained more weight than before, he was painting right now, it was the moon he had seen when he had left the prison that night to make offerings to Wei Nan Shan and his wife.

The moonlight was very pretty, especially because he hadn’t seen the moon for ten years.

After Ding Ru Kui finished painting he moved the chair to the table, climbing up both of them, his hands touching the ceiling.

Ding Ru Kui strained to stick the painting of the moon onto the ceiling, then he climbed back down, lying on the mat he pretended he was admiring the full moon.

“Father.” A voice called.

Ding Ru Kui didn’t move, he continued to admire the “moon”, he had been locked up for ten years, many times had such illusions appeared.

“Father, I came to see you.”

Ding Ru Kui’s body stiffened, he turned his head to look, when they had separated his son had only been twelve years old, his face filled with childishness as he watched him being led away by the embroidered uniform guards, he only knew how to cry and run after the prisoner carriage.

How long were the legs of a twelve years old, after chasing for half the street, he was tired and fell onto the ground before being helped up by Wei Nan Shan.

Now ten years had passed, the young boy was a young man, he was a lot better looking than he had imagined, tall and sturdy, he stood behind the iron bars, reaching out with both hands, “I came to see you, that jug of shaoxing wine under the tree, I’m still waiting to dig it out with father.”

Ding Ru Kui burst into tears, he got up from the bed, without wearing his shoes he rushed over to tightly grab his son’s hands…

That night, Wang Da Xia came back carrying his oar, he first went to see Wei Cai Wei but found Wei Cai Wei’s room to be empty, even the book <The various words of a female doctor> was missing from the table! 

What happened?

Wei Cai Wei rushed to find Lu Ying, Lu Ying was dealing with matters for her father, her head peaked out from behind the mountain of files, “Oh, she went home.”

Lu Ying said: “Since her identity has been confirmed, she ought to be allowed to go home, the embroidered uniform guards can’t keep an innocent woman here. Besides a friend is visiting from afar, she needs to go home and be a good host, welcome him with food and to wash off the dirt.”

Wang Da Xia was stunned, “Which friend?”

Lu Ying said: “Of course it’s Ding Wu.”

“He hasn’t left yet? He went to doctor Wei’s home?” Wang Da Xia threw aside his oar, jumping on a fast horse he travelled from the south to the north of the city, hurrying to Tianshui lane.