“Father, shall we go in?” Young Physician An said.

Old Physician An nodded.

Young Physician An personally pushed the wheelchair while the workers at the entrance saw them and immediately approached.

“Please wait a moment, sir.” They said.

Young Physician An’s expression immediately darkened. What kind of medical hall was this? Upon seeing such customers, shouldn’t they immediately step forward to help carry the wheelchair? Yet they said “wait”—wait for what!

He snorted. Indeed, it was no wonder this was opened by that woman—as rude as she was!

Just as he was thinking this, he saw the workers quickly take two wooden boards from beside the door and place them over the threshold. One worker ran out.

“Sir, let me do this.” He said.

Young Physician An was stunned, but Old Physician An nodded with a smile.

The worker pushed him smoothly and steadily into the hall. Looking further, all the thresholds leading to the inner consulting rooms had been fitted with such boards.

“Are you here to see a doctor or get medicine, sir?” The worker asked.

Old Physician An hadn’t spoken, but was observing the interior of the hall. Though there weren’t many people inside at the moment, everything was orderly, and the layout was different from their usual medical halls.

“Oh, we specialize in treating injuries from falls and blows, so the layout is spacious and convenient for walking.” Seeing his inspection, the worker hastily explained.

Old Physician An nodded.

“So you’re here for…” The worker asked again.

“Is your master in?” Old Physician An asked.

Qianjin Hall operated under Liu Pucheng’s reputation, and people came mainly for him, so the worker found nothing strange about the elder’s question.

“Master is in the back hall. Please come this way to the consultation room, sir.” The worker said, personally pushing the wheelchair.

Just as they crossed the threshold, they heard lively sounds from the back hall.

“What’s this about? How can there be such commotion in a medical hall!” Young Physician An frowned.

“A new surgical table arrived, and our senior brothers are looking at it.” The worker explained.

What table?

A table was worth such a fuss and noise?

Really… the shop indeed reflected its owner!

“Surgery?” Old Physician An asked, looking toward the room where the commotion came from. “Young man, may I go take a look?”

The worker smiled apologetically.

“That’s not very convenient.” He said.

Each medical practice had its secrets. Old Physician An understood.

As they spoke, Qi Yue and Liu Pucheng emerged from that direction.

“Good, it’s usable. In that case, let’s perform this surgery tomorrow.” Qi Yue said.

Liu Pucheng nodded and said “good,” then suddenly looked up and saw them. At first he thought they were patients waiting for consultation, then he paused.

“Master An?” He said in surprise.

Qi Yue looked over with him, not understanding.

The elderly man in the wheelchair under the eaves nodded and smiled at them.

“Are you Master Meng’s eldest disciple?” Old Physician An asked Liu Pucheng.

Master Meng? Qi Yue looked at Liu Pucheng. Wasn’t his medical knowledge inherited from his family? So he had another famous teacher.

“Yes.” Liu Pucheng respectfully bowed to the elder. “That’s correct, disciple.”

Seeing them talking, Qi Yue said quietly, “You have a guest, I’ll leave first.”

Liu Pucheng bowed to her again.

“Young Madam, take care.” He said.

Young Madam? This title reached Old Physician An’s ears.

“This madam?” He couldn’t help but speak.

Qi Yue stopped and looked at him.

“Might you be the Young Madam of Marquis Dingxi?” Old Physician An asked.

Young Physician An’s eyes widened.

He was just wondering who this beauty was. From her dress and bearing she seemed to be from a wealthy family, but women from wealthy families wouldn’t come to medical halls. Yet her appearance and demeanor didn’t suggest she was a courtesan either…

The Young Madam of Marquis Dingxi?!

This was the Young Madam of Marquis Dingxi who had ruined their An family’s reputation?!

“Yes.” Qi Yue nodded at him with a smile.

Though she didn’t know who this person was, seeing Liu Pucheng being so polite, she naturally should be polite to someone who was courteous to her teacher.

“Young Madam, this is Old Physician An from Shanning Prefecture. He once served as Vice Director of the Imperial Medical Academy…” Liu Pucheng quickly introduced her in a low voice.

Hearing the first part, Qi Yue was stunned.

Shanning Prefecture? Physician An? Why did this sound so familiar…

Hehehe…

Young Physician An gave her a cold look and snorted.

“Young Madam, I’ve long admired your reputation.” Old Physician An said with a smile, bowing to her.

Qi Yue quickly returned the courtesy. Though she didn’t yet know whether this person’s intentions were good or ill, when someone was polite, she never responded with rudeness.

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.” She said.

“Wouldn’t dare!” Young Physician An had lost all pleasure in admiring a beauty. He couldn’t help but snort coldly, “What wouldn’t Young Madam dare to do!”

These words were impolite, and Liu Pucheng couldn’t help but pause.

How… did they know each other?

“Silence.” Old Physician An quietly reprimanded his son.

Qi Yue smiled.

“Nothing much. It’s just that what others wouldn’t dare to do, I sometimes happen to dare.” She laughed.

Well, not only did they know each other, but their relationship seemed particularly… bad.

Young Physician An was indeed made to flush with anger again.

“You dare? What do you dare? Nothing but using Marquis Dingxi’s mansion to bully people!” He said angrily.

Liu Pucheng’s expression changed slightly. This was bad…

“Oh my, you’re absolutely right. I did use Marquis Dingxi’s mansion to bully people.” Qi Yue laughed, “Go ahead and report it. Tell the whole world how I used my position to oppress others…”

Ridiculous!

Let’s see if you dare! Qi Yue looked at him with a smile.

This woman!

Young Physician An finally understood how those doctors had been encouraged to dare step on their An family to make their names!

This woman! This woman was indeed arrogant!

Didn’t she know what politeness meant?

As for whether he himself was polite, Young Physician An didn’t care at all. Women should all be gentle, virtuous, and never leave their inner chambers, shouldn’t they? What kind of woman was this woman!

“Kang’er!” Old Physician An sternly shouted.

This interrupted their confrontation.

“Apologize to Young Madam!” Old Physician An shouted again.

Young Physician An’s face was sullen and clearly unwilling.

“Don’t,” Qi Yue raised her hand with a smile, “We’re all intelligent people—let’s not do anything fake. It’s meaningless. Just like this is fine.”

Father, look at this woman! Young Physician An looked at his father, his eyes saying.

Old Physician An looked at her and smiled.

“Yes, Young Madam is right.” He laughed, ignoring his son.

Qi Yue smiled slightly, said nothing more, and lifted her foot to leave.

“Young Madam.” Old Physician An called to stop her again. “This old man has a favor to ask.”

Qi Yue stopped and looked at him.

“No need to ask.” She said, “Didn’t I say before? That illness isn’t anything special. Anyone with courage can treat it. Besides, specifically how to treat it—the prescriptions were written by those doctors. If you want to ask, you should ask them.”

She started walking after speaking, not waiting for Old Physician An to speak again.

“I didn’t lie. I really don’t know how to prescribe medicine. Physician Liu can testify.” She turned back to say, “If you don’t believe me, you should at least believe Physician Liu.”

She left with her maid after speaking.

Liu Pucheng looked at Old Physician An and quickly bowed.

“Sir, Young Madam spoke correctly.” He replied. “She indeed doesn’t know much about prescribing medicine.”

“I can see she doesn’t know much—having a mouth is enough!” Young Physician An was quite angry.

He had never encountered such a shrewish woman! And she was supposed to be the Young Madam of Marquis Dingxi! What kind of person was this! Clearly just a ruffian!

But that was right—wasn’t this Young Madam from beggar origins!

Really, Marquis Dingxi’s mansion had truly declined to dare marry just anyone!

Liu Pucheng’s expression changed slightly as he straightened up.

“Sir, Young Madam has a straightforward personality. She’s always polite to those who are polite.” He said.

What did this mean?

That this woman was only rude to those who were rude to her?!

Young Physician An looked at Liu Pucheng and laughed coldly. Indeed, birds of a feather! Even their way of speaking was the same!

“You’re Master Meng’s eldest disciple? Then Dong Lin, Director Dong, is your junior brother?” He asked.

Liu Pucheng nodded.

“Really? The eldest disciple of the Divine Healer Master Meng—how did you end up in this place? Your junior brother is already a sixth-rank director…” Young Physician An said with a half-smile.

“Get out!”

Before he finished speaking, someone shouted.

Young Physician An laughed coldly. Had he hit a sore spot? Was he getting angry?

“Get out!” Old Physician An shouted again.

Young Physician An paused, only then realizing it was his father speaking. His face couldn’t help but flush red.

“Father, I…”

Old Physician An pulled a stick from his wheelchair and struck out with it.

Young Physician An took the blow and left with a red face.

Seeing that Old Physician An didn’t protect his son, Liu Pucheng’s expression relaxed somewhat.

“I’ve made you witness something embarrassing. This son of mine has been spoiled and indulged since childhood while following me, making him arrogant and ignorant.” Old Physician An said, sighing, “I was obsessed with medical arts and didn’t discipline him. By the time I wanted to manage him, I could no longer control him.”

Liu Pucheng said nothing, only invited Old Physician An to sit inside while personally pushing the wheelchair.

The threshold leading to Liu Pucheng’s room had also been fitted with boards.

“I still remember seeing you once at your master’s funeral. I never saw you again after that. So you’ve been here all these years.” Old Physician An said.

“It’s hard to leave one’s homeland. At that time my parents were elderly and my wife and children were weak, so I returned home.” Liu Pucheng said.

Old Physician An nodded.

“I came here with a favor to ask.” He began.

“This junior wouldn’t dare.” Liu Pucheng quickly stood to attend him.

“I want to take this Young Madam as my master.” Old Physician An said.

Liu Pucheng was shocked.

What?

Meanwhile, Qi Yue had returned home and hurriedly washed up. By dinnertime, she rushed to Madam Xie’s room where Chang Yuncheng was already present. Seeing Qi Yue arrive punctually, he breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

“You go eat in your own quarters. I’m eating vegetarian today.” Madam Xie said.

“I’ll also…” Chang Yuncheng began to speak.

“You’ll also what? You never eat such things.” Madam Xie smiled slightly, looking at Chang Yuncheng, “Or are you afraid I’ll make things difficult for Yueniang and you’re worried?”

Chang Yuncheng immediately stood up.

“Mother, these words are truly an injustice.” He said.

“Go quickly. Mother is being kind, worried you won’t eat well. Don’t make mother worry.” Qi Yue smiled.

The smile on Madam Xie’s face became somewhat mocking.

“So I’m the unfilial one.” Chang Yuncheng laughed, bowing as he withdrew.

“Look, the daughter-in-law’s words still carry weight.” Madam Xie said teasingly to those around her.

But not one person dared to actually join in the jest.