Resplendent – Chapter 379

Chapter 379: Severed Tendon

After traveling for five days under the scorching sun, Gu Ye felt like she was about to be roasted into dried meat. Just as she thought she couldn’t endure it any longer, they finally arrived at the banks of the Daliao River.

The flowing river water was clear and transparent, resembling blue crystal with ripples. Waves layered upon each other, pushing towards the shore, gently lapping against the rocks beneath Gu Ye’s feet, splashing tiny droplets and forming small whirlpools.

The river breeze blew in, carrying a refreshing coolness that felt soothing against the skin. The stifling heat in Gu Ye’s chest gradually dissipated with the breeze, and her mood lightened.

Not far away, at the pier, a large ship was anchored. The ship had four decks and nine masts. According to the old captain beside Gu Ye, this ship was a flat-bottomed ‘Wind-Propelled’ vessel. It had a shallow draft, allowing it to navigate both deep and shallow waters, with low resistance and fast sailing speeds. The masts could carry twelve sails, and the anchor alone weighed over a thousand pounds, requiring more than a hundred sailors to operate!

She didn’t really understand much about ships, but she found it impressive to listen to! The sailors on board were helping the Gu family’s servants load luggage onto the ship. In addition to the Gu family’s belongings, there were also supplies prepared by Yin Mei.

The master had instructed that the future lady feared the heat, so ice was essential. As a result, a large compartment on the ship had been converted into an ice cellar, where large blocks of ice replaced the sand and gravel used for ballast. Along the route, ice was also a crucial supply at the replenishment stations.

“Captain, something bad has happened! Dongzi injured his hand while moving ice blocks; the sharp edges cut his tendons, and the ship’s doctor says his right hand might be ruined!” A dark-skinned young man rushed over anxiously to report the accident to the captain.

This ship was the property of the Hidden Soul Palace, responsible for transporting goods between the north and south. The more than a hundred sailors on board were not ordinary sailors; they were all skilled members of the Hidden Soul Palace. 

Dongzi was the captain’s grandnephew. The captain had never married or had children, so he had adopted this grandnephew from the clan to carry on the family line.

He raised this descendant as his successor, and if nothing went wrong, the position of captain of the ‘Junlan Hao’ would belong to Dongzi in a few years. As soon as the captain heard that his grandnephew had severed the tendons in his right hand, he became anxious. He quickly apologized to Gu Ye and strode toward the ship.

Preoccupied with worry for his grandnephew, he didn’t notice that Miss Gu was following closely behind him, heading toward the scene of the incident as well.

Dongzi was settled in a cabin on the second deck. When he saw his granduncle arrive, a faint smile appeared on his pale face as he reassured him, “Grandpa, don’t worry! I’m fine!”

“How can you possibly be fine?” The old doctor accompanying the ship, who was an old friend of the captain, frowned and shook his head slowly. “Old buddy, your grandson’s tendons in his hand are completely severed. He won’t be able to use his right hand at all from now on. Fortunately, the major blood vessels nearby weren’t injured; otherwise, it could have been life-threatening.”

Dongzi’s eyes dimmed, yet he still forced a smile, revealing his white teeth, and said to the captain, “But I still have my left hand! Grandpa, when you get too old to move, I can still take care of you with one hand, so don’t worry!”

The captain slapped him on the head. “Is this about taking care of me? With my savings, I could hire a whole bunch of servants without needing you at all! You rascal, you’re always so clumsy—now look at the trouble you’ve gotten yourself into!”

The captain cursed under his breath, but tears of pain shimmered in his eyes. His grandnephew had been meticulously trained by him, excelling in both martial skills and sailing experience compared to any ordinary sailor. He also knew how much effort Dongzi had put into all of this. Years of hard work had suddenly turned into nothing; how could Dongzi possibly still smile?

“Brother Yang, is there really nothing that can be done for Dongzi’s hand?” The old captain, aware that it was hopeless, still asked desperately.

Doctor Yang slowly shook his head and sighed, “My medical skills are limited, and I truly cannot help. I once read in an ancient medical text from a previous dynasty that Hua Tuo had miraculous techniques for suturing tendons and skin. Unfortunately, those techniques have been lost for a long time…”

“I can heal his hand!” A crisp voice belonging to a young girl came from behind the two.

Doctor Yang and the old captain turned to look, and it was none other than the main character of this escort mission—Miss Gu, who had been on the master’s mind.

Although the old doctor was skeptical, he said, “Miss, this isn’t an ordinary injury. The tendons control the hand and fingers; even if the wound appears to heal after being severed, the hand will no longer be able to move freely…”

“The tendons are severed; just reconnect them!” Gu Ye replied as if it were as easy as drinking a glass of water when thirsty or having a bowl of rice when hungry.

Doctor Yang frowned, wanting to offer some caution, but he swallowed his words instead. Forget it; Dongzi’s hand was already like this, so let the young girl fuss over it as much as she wanted. It couldn’t get any worse! Why should he make this delicate guest unhappy?

“Yue Yuan, where’s my medical kit? Prepare for the surgery!” Gu Ye instructed the round-faced maid behind her. Yue Yuan hurried off to the third-floor VIP cabin to get the young lady’s medical kit.

Yin Mei finished arranging the luggage and quickly came over. Considering his position, he was the top supervisor among all the members of the Hidden Soul Palace, one of the four highest-ranking officials besides the hall master. The captain, Doctor Yang, and Dongzi all stood up and bowed to him.

Yin Mei looked at Dongzi’s bloody right wrist and patted his shoulder, saying, “How did it end up like this? But you’re lucky; you encountered Miss Gu. When she was eleven, she once reattached a hunter’s son’s tendon. Now that guy can go up the mountain and into the water without any issues!”

Is that true? Aside from Doctor Yang, who had reservations, both the old captain and Dongzi displayed excited expressions. 

Dongzi claimed not to care, but who could truly be indifferent after losing a hand? He pretended to be unconcerned, not wanting to make his granduncle worried.

“Miss, are you… are you really telling the truth?  My grandnephew’s hand is still salvageable?” The captain’s voice trembled slightly, his eyes shining with hope.

“Of course!” With the medical kit delivered, Gu Ye changed into surgical attire and prepared to sterilize the surgical instruments. “As long as he’s not afraid of pain or discomfort during the rehabilitation, he’ll definitely be able to recover completely!”

Tears finally streamed down Dongzi’s face as he hugged his granduncle with his left hand, sobbing, “Wuwu… Grandpa, I won’t be disabled anymore! My hand is saved! Miss, I’m not afraid of pain or hardship; just let my hand recover, and I’ll do anything!”

“Alright! Quickly wipe your tears and get ready for the surgery!” Gu Ye shooed away the onlookers, leaving only Yue Yuan to assist her. Doctor Yang lingered reluctantly, wanting to see firsthand how Miss Gu would reattach the tendons!