Chapter 3: Your Leg Can Still Be Saved

He recalled the days of old, when their father would lead them, his sons, across the training grounds, teaching them the virtues of loyalty and courage, and hoping they would bring glory to the Marquis's estate. Back then, he had been full of vigor and ambition, like a falcon soaring across the vast sky, his heart brimming with heroic aspirations.

But now, his legs were crippled, and even his betrothal had been dissolved with such humiliating cruelty. Such a plight was like a sharp blade piercing his heart.

"I was meant to be the pride of the Marquis's estate, yet I have become a burden. But have no fear, Father; even with this broken body, I will rise from these depths. I will make those who belittle our house pay the price, restore our dignity, and never allow your illustrious name to be tarnished for long."

As he spoke, tears long suppressed finally overflowed.

It was not until Chu Jiuli silently knelt beside him and gently patted the back of his hand that the warmth of her touch, carrying a soothing strength, acted like a sliver of light, pulling him slightly from the quagmire of self-reproach and resentment.

Chu Jiutian took a deep breath and looked at his younger sister, his eyes reflecting both the bitterness of the humiliation suffered that day and a steadfast resolve for the future.

"Ninth Sister, don't worry. Your brother will pull himself together. Our estate has weathered many storms; how could we be easily crushed by the actions of such petty people? Though we are in dire straits now, as long as we stand together, we will surely restore the former glory of our house."

Chu Jiuli smiled faintly, but her eyes welled with tears—tears that held deep heartache for her brother, touched by his resilient character, and filled with earnest hope for the revival of their family. She was only sixteen; though she possessed a composure and courage beyond her years, deep down, she harbored the confusion and unease natural to her age.

...

At noon that day, the sky was so overcast it seemed as if it might collapse. The heavy vermilion gates of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor's estate slowly creaked open. Six pitch-black coffins were carried out, and the spirit banners fluttered weakly in the wind, as if narrating an endless sorrow.

Chu Jiuli, dressed in plain white mourning clothes, clutched the spirit tablets of her father and five brothers, walking at the very front. Every step was heavy; tears swirled in her eyes, yet she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

Chu Jiutian sat in his wheelchair, pushed by a servant behind the coffins. His gaze remained fixed on the vessels bearing his father and brothers, his face etched with grief and reluctance. His lips trembled slightly, as if a thousand words were choked in his throat.

On both sides of the street, many commoners stood silently to see them off. Their expressions were solemn; though no one spoke, their silent gazes were the most profound, yet sincere, comfort the estate could receive.

...

The autumn wind howled, whipping up fallen leaves that whirled in the air, as if whispering a lament for the departed.

...

After laying their father and brothers to rest, Chu Jiuli led the household back. The past prosperity had vanished like clouds and mist; the estate was now shrouded in a heavy silence. The wind sighed through the halls, telling a tale of tragedy and unyielding resentment.

Chu Jiuli stood before them all. Though her frame was slender and delicate, an intangible aura radiated from her. Her gaze swept slowly over everyone, her voice steady and powerful.

"Everyone, we shall engrave today's humiliation in our hearts. Yet, this is not the end for the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor's estate, but a chance for us to be reborn from the ashes! Our past glory was forged by the blood and sweat of our ancestors; how could it be tarnished by the petty schemes of the Earl of Changping's estate?"

"Though my father has passed, his heroic spirit is deeply rooted in our hearts. Now, the burden of the family falls upon our shoulders. Every person here is the backbone of this estate, the strength that prevents it from falling. Do not be discouraged by the coldness of the world, and do not let your vision be clouded by the hardships before us."

"In this time, we must hold fast to our principles. Young ones, do not indulge; reclaim your diligence, strengthen your bodies through martial arts, and sharpen your minds through study. Kin of the collateral branches, do not complain or retreat; we are one body, sharing both honor and shame. As long as our hearts and efforts are united, the foundation of our estate will be unbreakable."

"I, Chu Jiuli, vow here that I will give my all to lead everyone through this encroaching darkness and recast the glory of our house. One day, those who once belittled us and sought to trample our dignity will tremble in fear before our mighty presence, living in constant terror!"

Hearing these stirring words, the crowd felt their blood boil and their fighting spirit reignite. It was as if, in this bleak autumn day, a new and resilient power was slowly coalescing in the hearts of everyone in the estate.

After soothing their emotions, Chu Jiuli gave detailed instructions to her personal maid to carry out. Then, she pushed her brother’s wheelchair toward the depths of the garden. The autumn wind rustled, and the fallen leaves crunched beneath their feet, as if echoing their heavy hearts.

Reaching a secluded pavilion, Chu Jiuli stopped and sat slowly beside Chu Jiutian. She gazed at her brother and said softly, "Brother, do not dwell too much on today's events. Your health is what matters most."

Chu Jiutian gave a bitter smile. "Ninth Sister, how can I not be angry? The Earl of Changping's estate is so treacherous and heartless, yet I could only watch helplessly, unable to do anything, unable to even stand..."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted down to his lifeless legs, his eyes filled with desolation.

Chu Jiuli followed his gaze, paused for a moment, and asked softly, "Brother, how exactly were your legs injured?"

From a young age, Chu Jiuli had been scouted by a reclusive master who saw her extraordinary talent and rare bone structure. He had taken her to an ancient temple deep in the mountains to train. The days of cultivation were arduous and strict; she had to rise before dawn to practice breathing and meditation, studying martial arts and medicine. Besides her training, she would travel the world with her master to broaden her horizons.

However, the years in the mountains were long, and she could only return to the estate for a short stay during the Lunar New Year. Having rushed down the mountain upon hearing the news of her father and brothers' deaths, she had only been home for two days. With so many affairs overwhelming her, she had not yet had the chance to ask about her brother's injuries.

Chu Jiutian looked up, his eyes filled with bitter reminiscence as he slowly began. "In the battle at the Northern Frontier, the enemy was cunning, setting many traps. Though our troops fought bravely, we were gradually forced into a desperate situation. To cover my father and the soldiers as they broke through, I and a few brothers led a team of elites into the enemy lines, attempting to tear open a gap."

His voice trembled slightly, as if he had returned to that tragic battlefield. "In the heat of the fight, I was struck by a poisoned arrow from the enemy. Later, I was trampled by warhorses. By the time the battle subsided, I was severely wounded and unconscious. Though the military doctors did their best to save my life, my legs have had no sensation ever since."

Hearing the cause of his injury, Chu Jiuli’s heart was filled with pity. She asked, "Brother, have any other imperial physicians examined you since then?"

Chu Jiutian shook his head, his face full of bitterness. "Since the injury, several imperial physicians have examined me, even the Chief of the Imperial Medical Academy, known as the 'Death-Defying Divine Physician,' came. But even he could only shake his head and sigh, saying that the poison was too fierce and the nerves too severely damaged; that I managed to keep my legs at all was a stroke of fortune. The other physicians were even more helpless; the prescriptions they offered were merely restorative tonics, with no benefit to regaining sensation. I know they did their best, but to be crippled like this... I cannot help but feel unreconciled."

Chu Jiuli gently took Chu Jiutian's hand, her gaze firm and warm. "Brother, do not lose hope. In my view, your legs can still be saved."