The grain carts reached the mill depot after dark. One axle needed a second pin, but the load was intact. Yan returned to White Orchard with the broken banner under Wei’s arm and a darkening bruise across his shoulder.
Qinghe met them at the clinic door. “Sit down.”
Yan sat on the low stool while she loosened the strap of his outer shirt. The blow had left a deep bruise near the collarbone. It did not appear to have broken the bone, but the pressure had gone through his guard.
“Can you lift your arm?” she asked.
He raised it halfway and stopped at the sore point. “That’s as far as it wants to go.”
Qinghe checked the joint and pressed along the bone. Yan winced once. “No fracture. The tissue is bruised, and there’s swelling under the edge of the shoulder.”
“I can use Returning Spring Palm.”
“Yes. Guide the healing through the bruised area, then rest the arm while it finishes.”
