10. Evoking shock and pity

The moment they took off her shirt everyone gasped and went silent. Her whole body was covered with bruises.

Lady Hong just pressed her lips and started to clean up some of the wounds. Then she took some salve on her fingers and put over the wounds.

Even tho she did that really carefully and softly, Shu Ya winced from the pain. But as salve started working she relaxed and just started mumbling.

"What's the point of living?... death is so much more comfortable..." From all the things she mumbled, those words were clearest.

Their hearts went cold hearing such words from a small child. To wish to die even before living...

Lady Hong's eyes became wet and she quickly dabbed her eyes with a silk handkerchief. ''Life must be really hellish for her if she feels that way.''

The three young men stood frozen outside the door and heard everything that happened inside. Even the words from a feverish child. The youngest balled his fists until his knuckles became white and started shaking in anger. She was a noble girl that suppose to be pampered and treated well, eating proper meals, wearing proper clothes...

Just moments before they asked servants about what actually happened to her and when they heard about it, all three were stunned by the insidious things that happened throughout the day. On the end, they heard she had just an old dress that looked more like a floor mop and couldn't wait to take a bath they almost started cursing.

The doctor came back rushing with the prepared medicine.

He pushed them apart to get inside and rushed to the bed where already delirious child waved with her hands. ''[repare alcohol! Even if it hurts her we have to lower her fever. Quickly!''

Servants rushed out and brought pot with alcohol. As soon he opened the pot, heavy smell enveloped the whole room, making everyone dizzy. He looked at Lady Hong and pointed at Shy Ya. ''From top to bottom. Rub in the alcohol. It's the fastest way to get the heat out of her body. When you are done call me in.''

He rushed out and closed doors. Soon after painful groan could be heard as they touched the wounds. Some of the wounds still haven't healed, so when the cloth with alcohol even got near them, it started to feel painful.

Not long after it became silent again and a voice called in. ''We are done. You can enter.''

Fine beads of sweat could be seen on a child's face. He touche her head and nodded. ''Now feed her medicine.''

Lady Hong took the warm bowl with medicine and with spoon-fed to the child. But as soon the bitter medicine started spreading her mouth, Shu Ya unconsciously pressed her lips and muttered. ''Bitter, so bitter...''

No matter how much Lady Hong tried to give you medicine... Shu Ya just didn't take it. Lady Hong looked at the child in desperation as the young voice spoke near her. ''Mother, give me the bowl. I will give her.''

Lady Hong stood up and gave her youngest son the bowl but then almost fainted as she saw him holding Shu Ya's face fiercely and pouring the medicine into her mouth.

The child started coughing and between breaths, he again poured medicine. Over half of the medicine was spilled but the doctor nodded in satisfaction. ''I know that you think this is cruel, but what your son did was the best option. Lady Hong, she could die if she doesn't take medicine. Boy, you stay by her side and feed her every shichen.''

The young man nodded as he took a wet cloth and wished roughly all the medicine from her face but then stopped. A bit of her neck was shown and bluish marks could be seen peeking on her pale collar bone. And it was as it seems big. He froze for a moment but then gave the cloth to the servant and with pressed lips looked at his mother.

''I will be back to give her medicine again. I'll go to the kitchen and ask them for some honey so afterward the taste of medicine won't be so hard.'' He saw his mother nodding and turned around and rushed out.

The other two followed him and when he was close to the kitchen he started shaking. His older brother grabbed him on his shoulder and turned around. ''What is it?''

With enraged expression, he pointed at his neck. ''It was not my intention but I saw a huge blue bruise on her neck...And it went down to chest... By the way, it was placed there it resembled shoe print. Someone stomped on her chest...''

The two young men understood why he was so angry and became silent.

Shu Ya breathed evenly now and the fever started going down. The youngest son tapped on her shoulder and smiled at her. ''Mother. We will be here. Go rest. If there is any change we will send servants to wake you up. If you faint a swell, Shu Ya, this child will feel bad. I think she lived through enough.''

Lady Hong sighed and pressed her fingers on Shu Ya's forehead. ''Her temperature went down but the doctor said that it might come back. Let servants rub her body with alcohol and give her medicine again. But don't be so rough, please. She might have bruises on her face from pressure.''

He had to admit he was too rough so he nodded. ''I will do as you said. But she still needs to drink her medicine. Tonight we will watch over her.''

Lady Hong was about to leave when she stopped. ''Where is your father?'' Just now she realized he was not there.

''He found new clues about some case and had to rush out. Don't worry. He has enough guards with him.'' They comforted her and she left while mumbling. ''Fool... idiot... night time...''

When she was gone they sat by Shu Ya\s side and waited.

On the other side, Lord Ka smiled at the brunch of people that begged for mercy. He came back to their residence and gathered them again. ''You bunch forgot to tell me couple details about Lady Bai's death...''