The twenty-third bonus chapter is complete, I’ve paid my debt, no more donations allowed… Right, she’d landed a huge plum job, this wasn't some dream, and the things she’d done wouldn't just vanish upon waking. Qi Yue surveyed the courtyard full of maids and matrons, shaking her head and offering a slight smile.

“No need for formality, it’s been ages since we’ve all met, so just chat amongst yourselves, don’t be constrained,” she said with a laugh. The courtyard instantly came alive.

“Young Mistress, you need to rest properly, you must be worn out, you’ve lost weight…” The eloquent older serving women crowded forward, speaking all at once. “Young Mistress, you don’t need to fret over the task, if even the slightest thing goes wrong, this old servant will slap her own face and pack to leave this place,” the less articulate ones declared sternly from the side.

“Young Mistress, we missed you terribly,” Quezhi grabbed Qi Yue’s sleeve, alternating between tears and laughter. In the chaotic press, A’ru was pushed aside.

She didn’t say anything, just watched the crowd enveloping Qi Yue and offered a smile of her own. Regardless of who wished it or not, after this incident, the Young Mistress’s standing in the Dingxi Marquis’s residence was absolutely secure.

Unless she chose to leave, no one could drive her out. The thought flashed through A’ru’s mind, causing her to pause momentarily, feeling a strange stirring in her heart, though she couldn't quite place why.

Meanwhile, Qi Yue heard something that made her burst into a clear, ringing laugh. A’ru shook off the thought and turned her attention back to the commotion.

While things were lively around Qi Yue, Liu Pucheng’s Thousand Gold Hall was even more bustling. “Stop arguing, everyone!

My master hasn’t arrived. Esteemed seniors, please come back another day.” Liu Pucheng’s second apprentice was sweating profusely as he addressed the room packed with people.

People seeking medical attention peered in from outside the door and were visibly startled—why had nearly every doctor in Yongqing Prefecture gathered here? “Is this a doctor’s convention?” people asked one after another.

The place was so jammed that normal consultations were impossible. “When will Doctor Liu arrive?” Some of the more impatient ones blurted out the question, while others, more reserved, simply watched without speaking, yet showed no intention of leaving.

“My master is overly exhausted and needs to rest at home. When he returns, this disciple will certainly pass on your message,” the second apprentice replied, wiping his brow.

“What about the others? Weren’t there two assistants sent to your hall?

It would be good if they could come out and meet us too,” someone shouted. The second apprentice offered an apologetic smile.

“They are all tired too. Master told them to rest for a few days…” Before he could finish his sentence, another figure walked in from outside the hall.

By now, the second apprentice was so used to seeing faces that adding or subtracting one made little difference; he glanced away, then froze and looked back—this person… “Look at this mess!” Hu San leaned against the counter, a look of profound disapproval on his face, addressing the clerk who was fetching medicine. “A place for seeing patients, how did it turn into a temple fair…” The medicine clerk’s mouth dropped open as he stared at Hu San.

Hu San was dressed in a brand-new robe, wearing a new hat, and carrying a new medicine satchel on his back. The second apprentice’s jaw also dropped as he stared blankly.

The others noticed the shift in attention and followed their gaze. “Who is this poorly-dressed fop trying to look respectable?” They all asked in unison.

“Hu…” The medicine clerk started to say ‘Hu San’ as usual, but the name caught in his throat, changing involuntarily. “Senior Apprentice Brother… why are you here?” “What?

I’m not allowed to come?” Hu San retorted, glaring. The clerk immediately forced a respectful smile, even grabbing a towel from nearby to affectionately pat Hu San’s arm.

“Senior Apprentice Brother, I meant you’ve worked hard. Why not rest a few more days,” he said smoothly.

Hu San shook his head with feigned modesty. “What hardship?

It’s Master and the Eldest Apprentice Brother who have labored. I was merely assisting my Master…” He continued, “They worked hard, they should rest.

I should get back to work at the shop as soon as possible. I couldn't help with the C-section surgery, but I can’t just do nothing at the shop either…” When the words “C-section surgery” reached the ears of everyone present, the scene fell silent for a beat, then erupted into a roar, and Hu San was instantly swarmed.

“You went too…?” “…Did you see it with your own eyes?” “It really was an abdominal incision?” “Is your master truly that Young Mistress of the Marquis’s residence?” “Is the Prefect’s son alive or dead?” Countless questions rained down on Hu San, the noise chaotic, saliva flying. The medicine clerk and the second apprentice standing nearby instinctively covered their ears, wanting to flee.

But as Hu San was submerged by the intense, focused gazes of inquiry and the relentless waves of clamorous questions, he felt every hair on his body stand on end. It was like plunging into scalding water on the coldest winter day—so intensely comfortable that he nearly wept.

Father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—did you see this? Your Hu San has achieved something today; our Hu family has achieved something today.

“Quiet, quiet! If you have things to discuss, take them to the back!

Don’t disturb the patients seeking treatment,” he commanded, waving a large hand. His words immediately silenced the noisy crowd.

This feeling was absolutely magnificent! Hu San’s heart bubbled over with elation.

“…Please, follow me to the back,” he said, smoothing his brand-new clothes, his mind once again confirming the wisdom of spending money on new attire. Otherwise, being remembered by everyone for this first time in his life while wearing old rags would have been miserably pathetic.

Hu San walked toward the back first. “Try to keep your embellishments in check,” the second apprentice said softly, unable to watch any longer.

“Got it, got it,” Hu San chuckled sheepishly. Watching Hu San enter the back courtyard, the remaining crowd surged after him in a rush.

As Hu San recounted his tale, the previous torrent of overlapping questions gradually subsided, until finally, only his voice remained. “…To tell you the truth, it was perilously close at that moment…” Hu San, basking in the heat of so many blazing eyes, felt sweat break out across his body.

He rolled up his sleeves, took off his hat, and gestured exaggeratedly as he spoke to the crowd. “…This is how the cut was made…” The onlookers instinctively held their breath.

Though they were all doctors or apprentices and had seen plenty of blood and flesh, hearing Hu San describe it still sent shivers down their spines. Slicing open a belly!

A living person’s belly! “After cutting it open, you find the rupture and stitch it up like this.

And that’s that,” Hu San concluded. Having been built up so high, the abrupt dismissal with this simple sentence left the crowd looking thoroughly aggrieved.

“How did you find it? How did you stitch it?

How could a cut-open belly not result in death?” everyone demanded. Hu San grinned slyly.

“Ah, well, that is a secret of our school,” he declared with affected profundity. The crowd collectively let out a sound of derision.

“What secret school? You don’t know anything…” “…You’re just making that up; anyone could say that…” “…Clearly, you didn’t see anything…” “…What school?

What school are you talking about? What kind of lineage do you belong to…” “…Who are you trying to claim as your master, you mere rag-and-bone laborer…” No matter what they said, Hu San simply maintained his air of cultivated detachment, watching the crowd with a faint smile, refusing to utter another word about the surgical details, despite the threats and temptations.

After venting their frustrations for a while, the crowd eventually lost interest and began to disperse. “However,” one of the more composed men observed, glancing at Hu San before addressing the others, “It is confirmed: there really was an abdominal incision.” They had all examined the Prefect’s son; it was indeed an incurable condition.

To save him would require a legendary divine physician like Bian Que or Hua Tuo. “There truly are masters in the world with such skill,” the others murmured, unable to help but look toward the direction of the Dingxi Marquis’s residence.

“Just what is the background of that Young Mistress…” A beggar rising to become a Marquis’s noble wife, capable of performing the abdominal technique of the divine physician Bian Que… “If a beggar could really achieve this, I’d rather be a beggar for eight lifetimes!” someone muttered under their breath. In contrast to Hu San, who felt refreshed after dealing with the throng, Qi Yue stretched languidly after the managing matrons finally took their leave.

“Talking too much is quite tiring too,” she commented with a slight smile. “Young Mistress, you spoke much less today than usual, so why do you say you’re tired from talking?” Quezhi whispered to A’ru.

Her state of mind has changed, A’ru thought silently, glancing at Qi Yue. Previously, this woman displayed curiosity and inquiry when facing the people and things in this environment.

But now, all that was gone from her expression; instead, there was a distinct distance. She truly has to treat the dream as reality now.

It must be hard to adjust. “Since you are all here, tidy this place up again.

Bring the Young Mistress’s bedding and hair ornaments from the storehouse,” A’ru bypassed the topic and instructed. Quezhi paused in surprise.

“She’s staying here?” she asked. A’ru gave her a look.

“Qiutong Courtyard burned down. The other courtyards still need sorting,” she explained.

“Um, Sister A’ru, I heard…” Quezhi quickly whispered, “The Heir Apparent has already prepared rooms for the Young Mistress…” A’ru faltered and glanced at Qi Yue. Qi Yue was gazing at the sky, lost in thought, her demeanor looking relaxed and unburdened.

“A’ru,” she called out suddenly. A’ru responded promptly.

“Come with me for a short visit,” Qi Yue requested. A’ru was surprised but nodded without asking any questions.

“It’s chilly outside; I’ll fetch a cloak,” she said, walking past Quezhi. “Do as I say.” Quezhi acknowledged with an ‘oh’ and watched the two women depart.

“Young Mistress, where are we going?” A’ru asked. “To…” Qi Yue paused in thought before replying, “To pay a call on the Second Madam.” The Second Madam?

The West Wing? A’ru was quite astonished.

The West Wing was equally surprised; this was the Young Mistress’s first time stepping into their domain. Even when the Old Madam was alive, the Second Madam had extended invitations for festivals and holidays, but they had always been politely declined due to various excuses.

The gate servant hurriedly escorted her inside personally, and everyone quietly observed the Young Mistress they had long heard of but rarely seen. Looking at the woman—tall and slender, with high coiled hair, wearing an off-white long robe with a pink collar, draped in a brilliant red phoenix-feather cloak—who possessed an aura of quiet elegance.

Setting aside her innate grace, it was no wonder the Old Madam loved her so dearly. Moreover, with the current rumor spreading throughout the estate that the Young Mistress was the heir to a divine physician, anyone claiming she was of beggar origin would surely be laughed out of court.

A beggar? Have you ever seen a beggar who looked like this?

Never mind her beauty; with medical skills like hers, why would she ever need to beg? People would be fighting to press money into her hands… This Young Mistress must have an extraordinary history… As Qi Yue walked into Second Madam Chen’s courtyard, Chen Shi was already standing beneath the covered walkway, supported by two maids.

Her frail countenance showed a mix of shock and elation, and only when she saw Qi Yue step through the entrance did she seem to believe the news was real. “Yue Niang…” She took a few steps forward and called out, “Why have you come?” Whether from excitement or frailty, her body weakened, and she nearly stumbled, saved only by the tight grip of the maids on either side.

Qi Yue immediately hurried forward, reaching out to steady her. Indeed, only this woman showed genuine, heartfelt concern for Qi Yue Niang.