Qi Yue removed her mask and looked at the family members nearby.

“Miss Qi, are you saying that even with surgery, this leg might not be saved?” the woman dressed in silk asked.

Qi Yue nodded.

“Consider it carefully—do you want to proceed or not?” she asked.

The woman looked at the people beside her, then at the man lying on the bed.

“Well, let’s go look elsewhere first,” she finally said.

“You need to hurry. Don’t delay,” Qi Yue said without trying to persuade them to stay.

The group of patients bustled out of Qianjin Hall.

Previously, people had only seen patients being carried into Qianjin Hall; it was quite rare to see them being carried back out. People on the street couldn’t help but point and whisper.

“It seems everyone has finally come to their senses,” one of two men walking side by side said with a smile upon seeing this.

“Exactly. If the miracle doctor isn’t so miraculous, why should everyone continue letting her practice on them?” the other laughed.

“Business has been good lately, hasn’t it?” the first one smiled.

“Not really, just so-so,” the other replied. “Can’t compare to you, having that physician with such excellent pulse-reading skills holding down your clinic.”

“I wouldn’t dare claim that. Can’t compare to that physician at your place who’s so skilled with golden needles,” the other hurriedly replied modestly.

The two men chatted and laughed as they walked past Qianjin Hall, seeing that the interior was no longer as bustling as before. They felt completely satisfied, exchanged glances, and both broke into smiles.

“Class is starting, class is starting,” Hu San called out. Several busy disciples quickly put down their work and happily headed toward the back.

“Did you finish yesterday’s emergency medicine homework?”

“I finished it, but I don’t know if it’s right or wrong…”

The disciples chatted as they entered the classroom. Inside, Qi Yue was holding a charcoal stick, writing and drawing on the whiteboard.

“Time to collect homework,” one disciple called out.

The charcoal stick made scratching sounds on the whiteboard. There were quiet murmurs from disciples who hadn’t finished their homework, sounds of pushing and shoving as they joked about something unknown. The summer windows were wide open, and wind from under the tree shade swept in and circulated through the room.

For a moment, Qi Yue seemed to return to her university days. She turned around and looked at the classical indoor setting and classical people before her.

Seeing her turn around, the chattering disciples quickly stood properly at their respective desks, looking at her with eyes full of respect and eager anticipation for new knowledge.

“We’ll continue with emergency medicine. Starting today, we’ll begin discussing consciousness disorders and coma,” Qi Yue said. She tapped the wooden stick in her hand and turned to point at the whiteboard.

The clear female voice echoed through the courtyard from the window.

The busy disciples in the courtyard walked with light steps.

“Business has been poor lately, but why does Master seem even happier?” Zhang Tong asked in confusion, standing under the eaves.

Hu San frowned, muttering and calculating something.

“Yes, yes, what’s wrong with Master? Before, she treated patients without hesitation, but now she actually lets patients make their own decisions, and as a result, they all decide to leave…” he said. “We’re losing money again this month…”

“Sharpening the knife doesn’t delay the woodcutting,” Liu Pucheng said from behind.

Zhang Tong and Hu San quickly turned around to bow and greet their master.

Liu Pucheng looked toward the classroom. Since the last trace of worry had vanished after the seriously injured farmer died from his untreatable wounds, his concerns had completely disappeared.

After finishing class, Qi Yue still needed to visit the Marquis Dingxi’s residence to do a follow-up visit for Madam Xie and remove her tubes.

“I just don’t understand why they wouldn’t stay here. They should have at least waited until after the tube removal,” A’Hao muttered.

Since they were going to the Marquis Dingxi’s residence, Qi Yue specifically brought A’Hao along so she could see her parents.

A’Hao was a house-born servant; without Great Madam Xie’s permission, she absolutely couldn’t have left.

“Just look at what time this is. It’s all for their sake that we have fewer hospitalized patients, and instead of staying here to support our reputation, they hurriedly ran away,” A’Hao continued to pout. “Not as good as Young Master Wang, who goes so far as to recommend people from his area to come here for treatment.”

Hearing her mention Young Master Wang, A’Ru turned back to glare at her.

“It’s true though,” A’Hao quickly fell silent but still muttered reluctantly.

Qi Yue smiled as she looked back.

“Yes, Young Master Wang was thoughtful,” she laughed.

But the Prince also showed loyalty, A’Ru sighed quietly to herself. He just wasn’t as considerate and thoughtful, which ultimately made him less appealing.

When Qi Yue entered, Madam Xie’s room was in chaos.

Led by Great Madam Xie, the Xie family members filled the room, confronting the Marquis Dingxi, while Concubine Zhou was crying on the floor.

“…Marquis, Marquis, please agree to Old Madam’s wishes and send me away…” she sobbed with her face covered.

The Marquis Dingxi stood unmoved in anger.

“This is unreasonable! When did it become your place to make decisions about my household!” he shouted.

“Oh my, Marquis, look how you’ve spoiled this concubine. You’ve already angered one to death, and this one nearly lost her life too. Do you still want to keep her?” the eldest aunt said.

These words struck the Marquis Dingxi’s sore spot, and he slammed the table and stood up.

“Fine! If you want to take her away, then take her away! But once you take her, don’t ever come back!” he said with a dark expression.

“Marquis, you can’t! This concubine can leave, but Madam cannot leave. If word gets out, what will people say about you, Marquis…” Concubine Zhou grabbed the Marquis Dingxi’s robe corner and cried.

“Let them say whatever they want! It’s better than having others make decisions for my own household!” the Marquis Dingxi sneered.

Great Madam Xie struck her cane once, ending the chaos in the room.

“Then it’s settled,” she said.

The steward’s voice came from outside the door.

“Miss Qi has arrived.”

This announcement immediately made the room even more tense.

“Oh my, my dear lady, it’s been so long since we’ve seen you,” the eldest aunt was the first to rush out.

The Marquis Dingxi was about to follow but was tripped by Concubine Zhou.

“You, you, quick, quick, go out through the side room,” he said urgently, suddenly thinking of something.

Concubine Zhou, still kneeling on the floor, felt both ashamed and angry. Before she could say anything, the impatient Marquis Dingxi grabbed her up and pushed her away.

Seeing the Marquis Dingxi’s behavior, the Xie family members were somewhat dumbfounded. Just moments ago he had been cherishing this concubine in his palm, but now that a former daughter-in-law had arrived, he was hurriedly sending her away like dismissing a beggar.

Great Madam Xie smiled with some bitterness.

She had heard that the young mistress ran this household, and the Marquis obeyed his daughter-in-law’s every word.

And this daughter-in-law was irreconcilably opposed to Concubine Zhou.

This woman was a healer—fundamentally pure-hearted and benevolent. If she had still been managing the household, Madam Xie would have at most sulked and perhaps wouldn’t have developed such a dangerous illness.

The door curtain lifted, and Qi Yue walked in.

Great Madam Xie looked at the approaching woman with mixed feelings.

Madam Xie had been determined to eliminate her quickly, but unexpectedly, instead of eliminating her, she herself had nearly lost her life.

“Yueniang, it’s only been a short while since we last met, but…” the eldest aunt said, pulling Qi Yue along. “…If you had been here, how could today’s events have happened…”

Great Madam Xie sighed and glared at her son nearby.

Understanding between mother and son, Master Xie quickly found an excuse to take Madam Xie away.

Imperial Physician Zhou, who had been hiding somewhere enjoying his leisure, immediately appeared and watched intently without blinking as Qi Yue removed the tracheostomy tube from Madam Xie’s neck.

If Great Madam Xie hadn’t been there to stop him, he would have reached out to examine Madam Xie’s neck.

A’Ru handed the written nursing instructions to Great Madam Xie, but before she could read them, Imperial Physician Zhou snatched them away, making her so angry she wanted to hit the old man with her cane.

Madam Xie was awake but turned her head away, refusing to look at Qi Yue.

Qi Yue naturally didn’t look at her either, and after applying medicine, she washed her hands.

“Yueniang, the banquet is all prepared,” the Marquis Dingxi said busily from the side.

Qi Yue looked up and smiled at him.

It had been so long since she had smiled at him, and the Marquis Dingxi was overjoyed.

It seemed this woman was in a good mood…

“The kitchen made all your favorite dishes…” he hurriedly added.

“No need,” Qi Yue smiled, watching A’Ru pack up the medicine box. “Farewell.”

Despite smiling so agreeably, her words were a refusal. The Marquis Dingxi couldn’t quite process this.

“Yueniang,” he hurriedly caught up with her. “Great Madam Xie insists on taking my wife away, saying… saying I can’t take good care of her at home.”

Qi Yue hadn’t expected him to blurt out such a statement. She turned back in surprise to see the Marquis Dingxi looking aggrieved.

She couldn’t help but find it amusing.

“Post-operative care for this condition is troublesome and important. It’s better to prioritize the patient,” she finally said.

The Marquis Dingxi immediately felt relieved.

“Yes, yes,” he nodded.

Qi Yue said nothing more and turned to leave.

“Yueniang,” the Marquis Dingxi called out again.

This time Qi Yue didn’t stop but waved her hand.

“For emergencies, please contact Qianjin Hall,” she said.

Watching the woman leave the courtyard, the Marquis Dingxi stamped his feet in frustration.

“Where’s Yuncheng?” he shouted angrily.

“Haven’t seen the Prince since early morning,” the steward said.

Just as he finished speaking, Chang Yuncheng came in.

“Where did you go!” the Marquis Dingxi shouted at him immediately.

“I was reading,” Chang Yuncheng replied.

“Oh my heavens, you’re not taking any exams—what are you reading!” the Marquis Dingxi glared and shouted. “Usually you refuse to read no matter how much we beg and force you, and now you’re reading at a time like this!”

Chang Yuncheng said nothing.

“Go quickly, go quickly! Yueniang just left—hurry and see her off,” the Marquis Dingxi said urgently, pushing him with his hand.

“Men and women should maintain proper distance. Why should I see her off?” Chang Yuncheng said, not moving.

“What proper distance? Is she a stranger? She’s your wife…” the Marquis Dingxi said anxiously.

This word always sounded jarring and painful.

“Father, she is not my wife,” Chang Yuncheng looked up at him. “I don’t have… a wife.”

The Marquis Dingxi wanted to say more.

“Father, please stop bothering her,” Chang Yuncheng said, bowing to him before walking into the house.

Bothering her? How was this bothering her?

The Marquis Dingxi stared in bewilderment.

Eventually, the Marquis Dingxi agreed to let the Xie family take Madam Xie away. Upon hearing the news, Chang Chunlan brought Yan’er to see her off.

Naturally, Madam Xie knew that Chang Chunlan had given birth to a child with a cleft lip. She curiously watched this little girl walking over, young but dressed in fine clothing and jewelry, surrounded by several maids and servants.

“Ah, children shouldn’t go in there…” she whispered to Great Madam Xie. “…It’s inauspicious after all…”

Before Great Madam Xie could respond, a servant by Yan’er’s side heard this.

“Let’s go,” she said without another word, pulling Yan’er away. “Places where people might die are unclean. We’re not going in.”

This statement made Great Madam Xie’s face darken.

“What kind of way is that to speak?” Madam Xie called out.

“What kind of way is that for you to speak!” Great Madam Xie glared at her and shouted.

Madam Xie was publicly humiliated and turned her head away.

“Really, just a little brat, but look how these people protect her—they don’t even respect others anymore…” she muttered. “This Liu family really has no manners.”

The servant really did pull Yan’er away from entering Madam Xie’s room. Yan’er didn’t mind and played with the maids in the courtyard, but found it boring.

“I’ll go find Uncle’s wife,” she said.

The maids and servants saw nothing wrong with this and immediately followed.

Seeing Chang Yuncheng walking over from a distance, Yan’er quickly ran to him.

“Uncle,” she called out.

Looking at this little girl as bright as sunlight, Chang Yuncheng smiled.

This was that woman’s work…