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His life was saved by his elder brother’s sacrifice of his legs.

So now, knowing that there was a cure for his brother’s legs, but his brother refused to receive treatment, how could Lian Bao not be agitated?

His brother was indeed correct, seeing him in such a state was even more distressing than death.

But he had grown up now and understood that being ignorant came at a cost; he was no longer as stubborn and willful as before.

Whenever he impulsively wanted to do something risky, the memory of that past scene would come to mind and allow him to calm down and think more thoroughly about his actions.

For example, turning over the clues he found to the Internal Guard Bureau early on was a decision he made. He had thought about investigating on his own, to achieve great merit, but after careful deliberation, he decided not to do so.

Being overeager for quick success could bring disaster, a lesson his brother had taught him.

Lian Musu could tell by Lian Bao’s manner that he had heard and guessed everything.

He opened his mouth to say something.

Lian Bao walked over, interrupted him, and knelt down with tears in his eyes and a smile, saying, "If Elder Brother refuses to get treated, then Xiao Bao will break his own legs to return them to Elder Brother."

When Lian Changhe and Lian Wanzhen saw Lian Bao, they stopped talking. Their love and care for him was no less than that of Lian Musu. Anytime something involved Lian Musu’s legs, they would avoid discussing it with Lian Bao, fearing that it would cause him to overthink.

Seeing Lian Bao’s actions now, they were shocked and went to help him up without giving a second thought to Lian Musu’s top score.

Divine Doctor Huang was listening to the fact that Lian Musu had scored top marks in the Taiyuan Prefecture, but showed no sign of it, which he found admirable.

He also thought this family was very interesting.

None of them, not the mouthy son, the pretty-faced boy, nor the eldest brother built like a calf, asked about the exam results when the eldest returned home.

It wasn’t until just a moment ago, almost as an afterthought, that someone casually inquired.

The lame boy also had an interesting reaction, never once considering mentioning it, as if it was normal, completely unconcerned.

Seeing the pretty-faced boy Lian Bao kneel down and say those words, Divine Doctor Huang was taken aback for a moment. There was a story within this lameness. From what he heard, was it the pretty-faced boy who had caused the lame boy’s injury?

And the feeling of guilt in the pretty-faced boy’s heart, begging the lame boy to seek treatment?

He thought to himself that Su Ran had raised her sons well, brothers being respectful and affectionate, very good - the whole family was good.

Their ancestors must have been kind and benevolent people.

If the couple from the Marquis’s Mansion knew that their daughter had such a home, with so many relatives by her side, they would surely rest in peace.

Lian Bao was very stubborn and refused to get up, just gazing steadily at Lian Musu, waiting for an answer.

If Lian Wanzhen tried to physically help him up, he flatly said unless they tied him up, he would just kneel somewhere else at another time, continuing until Elder Brother agreed to receive treatment.

Lian Changhe and Lian Wanzhen had no other choice but to turn to Lian Musu, seeking help with their eyes.

Lian Musu let out a deep sigh and called out, "Xiao Bao..."

Lian Bao shook his head and interrupted, still smiling, "Elder Brother, just tell me whether you’ll get treatment or not. Don’t say anything else; I understand."

Even finding their little sister wasn’t as urgent as Elder Brother getting his leg treated. As long as she was safe, it didn’t matter where she was; they would eventually find and see her.

As for avenging and clearing their name, it couldn’t be done in a short time, but Elder Brother’s leg couldn’t wait.

It was urgent. Didn’t he know how much pain Elder Brother was in?

He was very aware and also understood the deeper meaning of the physician’s words: without treatment, Elder Brother’s condition would only worsen until he was completely crippled.

Lian Musu remained silent.

Lian Bao continued, "Elder Brother, I’ve grown up now. I’m not the same Xiao Bao as before. I can take care of our family now. I know all the things you’re worried about. Just trust me this once, believe in me just this time."

If something went wrong, he would take care of Elder Brother for a lifetime. If they kept delaying, there might never be another chance to treat Elder Brother’s leg.

Lian Musu quietly looked at Lian Bao, realizing in his heart that Lian Bao was determined to make him seek treatment, otherwise he really would do as he said and break his own legs.

He walked over slowly, like any normal person, and arrived beside Lian Bao, using both hands to help him up, "Big brother isn’t doubting you, it’s just that..."

His heart ached for his younger brother, who had to bear such a heavy burden. If something really went wrong, with his leg useless and inconvenient for walking, confined to the yard every day, how could he share the load?

Lian Bao’s throat felt tight, he simply shook his head with resolute unwillingness to rise.

Lian Musu felt both moved and comforted in his heart; his third brother had truly grown up.

He smiled, "Big brother hasn’t refused you. Big brother promises, get up now."

"Really?" Lian Bao couldn’t believe it. The one thing he had longed for was big brother’s leg to heal. The more he cared, the more apprehensive he became. Hearing Lian Musu’s promise, he was even more incredulous.

Lian Changhe exclaimed with delight, "That’s wonderful!"

Lian Wanzhen slapped Lian Bao’s shoulder and, laughing heartily, pulled him to his feet, "Xiao Bao, when has big brother ever lied to us? Just stand up. If big brother has promised and can’t do it, I’m still here, aren’t I? I’ll help you hold him down and make big brother treat his leg."

Lian Bao looked towards Lian Musu.

Lian Musu, helpless, nodded and looked at him with a smile.

Only then did Lian Bao truly feel it was real and began to smile genuinely and sincerely from the depths of his heart.

Lian Changhe smiled too. His wife had awakened, his eldest son’s leg could be treated, and his little girl was safe and sound. He felt content; despite having suffered much over the years, he felt that heaven had been fair to him. As long as his family was together, nothing else mattered.

Lian Wanzhen laughed openly, his laughter infectious to everyone around.

He had been suffocating these past days, seeing his father and the others with gloomy, worried faces made him anxious, and sometimes he even felt guilty for laughing. Laughing one more time seemed like a disservice to his mother.

Suddenly, he remembered the event of Lian Musu earning the top rank, and he couldn’t help bringing it up, loudly praising his big brother for indeed being big brother, managing to ace those indecipherable texts, it was incredibly impressive.

Lian Musu chuckled; his second brother’s aversion to studying seemed unlikely to change.

Lian Changhe laughed along and, in the midst of his mirth, suddenly realized the noise they were making and quickly told everyone to keep quiet, not to disturb the main house.

For the moment, the father and his three sons shared a very relaxed atmosphere.

Divine Doctor Huang, standing to the side, had been completely ignored. This simple family was quite touching, but had he agreed to treat the leg?

How times change! Even if he merely took a pulse, he was worth a fortune, not to mention treating someone. Ordinary nobility couldn’t even find him, let alone seek his services.

If his son hadn’t mentioned that pretty-faced fellow who belonged to His Majesty, and if that fellow hadn’t formally introduced his son to the current enlightened monarch, he wouldn’t have come so willingly.

And this simple family, especially this lame boy, just didn’t appreciate his worth.

Youngsters these days, truly clueless!

He cleared his throat with force.

Only then did the Lian family father and sons remember this important person, hurrying over to invite his help with the treatment, with Lian Musu bowing and following with apologies.

Divine Doctor Huang stroked his beard, now utterly satisfied inside. He said indifferently that since they were asking him to treat, then he would do so. He would prepare first. Once his son had a day off, with his help, he would then invite Lian Musu to his mansion for treatment.

Having Huang Zude as an assistant was naturally better than the average person, but he had his own selfish motives too.

Treating bruises, fractures, and setting bones had always been Huang Zude’s weak points.

With such a golden opportunity, especially with a leg that, despite being broken and misaligned, could still walk, such a case was hard to come by, and of course, he would teach Huang Zude on the spot.