Chapter 12: Who Is the Man That Appeared?
The female doctor now fully understood Song Shiwei’s condition.
She sat down on a low stool and motioned for Song Shiwei to lift her foot onto her lap. “Let me first take a look at the sole of your foot, then we’ll see how to treat it.”
Without any hesitation, Song Shiwei placed both feet on the doctor’s legs. “Thank you, Doctor.”
Blood stains were faintly seeping through the sole of her foot, mingling with dirt and grime from the shoe’s sole.
The doctor gave her a long, deep look—such a strong and noble lady, enduring such pain without a single cry.
“Your shoe sole has stuck to your foot. I’ll need to slowly cut it apart with scissors, clean it thoroughly, then apply medicine,” she explained.
“This will be very painful. Can you bear it?”
Song Shiwei smiled and nodded. “Doctor, please just focus on the treatment. I can endure the pain.”
She didn’t notice Song Mingting’s slight tremor beside her. His younger sister had suffered so much without uttering a single complaint.
It was he, the second brother, who felt useless.
The doctor instructed the medicine boy at the door to bring the necessary supplies and powders, then told Song Shiwei, “You should rest your foot for two days.”
Song Shiwei’s expression remained unchanged. “Thank you, Doctor, but my situation doesn’t allow me to rest.”
The doctor said no more, only giving careful instructions on care.
Song Shiwei listened attentively.
At the end, she suddenly remembered something. “Doctor, may I ask if there are shoes that are more durable?”
As a noble lady from a prestigious family, she had always worn the finest clothes and shoes, with countless pairs of embroidered shoes.
The doctor nodded. “Yes. You can visit the shoe shop and buy shoes suitable for walking.”
“Also, if you pad the soles with two layers of something soft, it will be much more comfortable.”
Song Shiwei thanked her and planned to visit the shoe shop shortly.
During this time, she inquired about the prices of various items to avoid being overcharged.
The doctor spoke carefully and even pointed out a few reputable shops.
Song Shiwei took half a tael of silver from her sleeve and pressed it into the doctor’s hand. “Thank you for your advice, Doctor. I’ll trouble you again soon. Please do accept this silver.”
To her, anything solvable with silver was no trouble at all.
More importantly, spending a little silver to gain great returns was the most worthwhile investment.
The doctor’s smile brightened. “Rest assured, Miss, I will take good care of your family’s injuries.”
Song Shiwei felt reassured.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the medicine boy entering with supplies and frowned slightly, rare visitors in this place.
The doctor asked him to fetch warm water.
Then, she picked up the scissors and carefully began cutting open Song Shiwei’s shoe, watching her closely.
At first, Song Shiwei didn’t feel the pain.
But when the scissors neared the wound, her body trembled involuntarily.
The wound had fused with the shoe, and even the slightest tug caused sharp pain.
Raised in luxury, Song Shiwei had never endured such suffering before. No matter how prepared mentally, the pain made her grit her teeth.
It was only the second day, yet it was already this bad. She wondered how she would manage the coming days.
“Please bear with it, Miss,” the doctor comforted, sensing her distress. “It will hurt, but I must cut it off; otherwise, it will fester.”
“If it festers, it will be even worse.”
Just as Song Shiwei was about to respond, a hand appeared before her, accompanied by her second brother’s voice.
“Little sister, bite my hand.”
Song Mingting stood with his back to her, offering his right hand.
Song Shiwei pushed his hand away jokingly, “Second Brother, your hand stinks.”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” she said, signaling the doctor to continue.
Seeing her steady composure, the doctor resumed cutting.
The more she cut, the more the pain intensified.
It felt as if the wound was being torn open repeatedly—excruciating, deep pain.
Her complexion paled, beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead, and her hands trembled uncontrollably.
She bit her lower lip tightly, barely suppressing the sounds of pain.
It hurt terribly.
The doctor admired her fortitude.
Even strong men would scream in such circumstances, yet this young lady remained silent.
Examining the sole of her foot, the doctor said, “Miss, the injury isn’t severe; mainly, the blisters have burst.”
“With proper medicine and care, it will heal well with no scarring.”
Song Shiwei was indifferent to scarring—it was on the sole of her foot and not life-threatening. “Thank you, Doctor.”
After tending to the wound, the doctor gently wiped her foot clean with warm water.
The process was painful.
Song Shiwei’s face was almost translucent white, her vision darkening by moments, sustained solely by willpower.
Once cleaned, the doctor examined the sole again.
After confirming no further issues, she sprinkled the medicinal powder carefully onto the wound.
When the powder touched the wound, Song Shiwei nearly pulled her foot back, but she restrained herself.
Pain!
It was like the sting of salt on a fresh wound.
Yet after that brief pain, the wound felt much soothed.
“Please endure a little longer, Miss,” the doctor explained. “This medicine disinfects. With this hot weather, preventing infection is crucial.”
After applying the medicine, she wound gauze gently around the injury.
Song Shiwei was drenched in sweat.
She exhaled deeply, summoning her strength. “Alright.”
Once bandaged, the doctor said to Song Mingting, “Young Master, you must carry your sister to the shoe shop.”
Song Mingting immediately knelt before Song Shiwei. “Little sister, I’ll carry you to buy shoes.”
Just then, the shopkeeper entered with several large packages of medicine.
“Here are the medicines you purchased—things you might need on the road.”
He handed the packages to Song Mingting with both hands. “I used waterproof cloth; as long as they’re not soaked, they’ll be fine.”
Understanding the importance of these medicines, Song Mingting carefully stored them. “Thank you, shopkeeper.”
He hoisted Song Shiwei onto his back and steadily walked out.
Song Shiwei lay weakly across his back, easing the lingering pain.
The doctor followed, carrying her medicine box, speaking quickly, “I will head to the post station ahead of you. Do you have any instructions?”
Song Shiwei thought a moment. “If anyone troubles you, Doctor, don’t hesitate to stand your ground.”
The doctor nodded knowingly. “Very well, I’ll head to the post station now.”
With that, she went straight there.
Song Mingting carried Song Shiwei to the shoe shop recommended by the doctor.
It was an ordinary yet clean and tidy shop.
Shelves displayed various styles of men’s and women’s shoes, mostly durable types.
“What would you like to buy?” the shopkeeper greeted them warmly, showing no difference in attitude despite their appearances.
Just as Song Shiwei was about to speak, an unfamiliar male voice called out to them.
“Miss Song, Young Master Song.”