“That… having the tubes isn’t enough; there’s something else even more crucial,” she stated.

Liu Puching and the others turned their gaze toward her.

“The blood-typing test strips,” Qi Yue said, shaking her head. “That, I’m afraid, cannot be manufactured.”

Without knowing the blood types, a transfusion wasn't a life-saver; it was a death sentence.

Hearing her say such things no longer surprised Liu Puching; he paid it little mind. Didn't this young woman also claim the anesthetic couldn't be made, yet they managed to produce it anyway?

“Young Lady?” Later, when Hu San heard Liu Puching utter that address, he was startled. “Master, my Master…”

Liu Puching cleared his throat and mumbled an excuse about misspelling the word, quickly moving past it. A doctor could easily tell whether a woman was a young lady or a married matron. This Madam Qi, how could she be… But this wasn't his place to probe, and Liu Puching quickly dismissed the thought.

Excited, the group immediately got to work, fetching paper and pens. However, Qi Yue was unaccustomed to using a brush.

“Find me a goose feather or a duck feather,” she requested, as she simply couldn't sketch with a brush pen.

The others didn't know why she wanted these items, but when she spoke, they followed the instruction without question. Thus, Hu San and Zhang Tong hurried out and soon returned, each clutching a handful of goose and duck feathers. They watched as Qi Yue selected a knife to trim the quills, then dipped them in ink and began sketching and drawing on the paper, their eyes widening in amazement.

“This… this… can also be used for writing?” Hu San stammered out.

“What’s the big deal? Even a tree branch can be used to write,” Qi Yue replied without looking up, intent on sketching the apparatus.

This time, she started by drawing the tubing, the bag, and the siphon, wanting to see the results of what they could fashion first. After finishing the drawings, she explained to Hu San exactly how to use it and what kind of effect was required.

Liu Puching and the others listened intently.

“So, if we have this, we can save a great deal of time during surgery, like the last time?” he inquired.

During the last internal bleeding incident, Qi Yue had used gauze and cotton to absorb the fluid, which was naturally much slower than a siphon. Of course, what she was sketching now was the simplest, manually-crafted siphon based on the principles of modern hospital equipment. Even so, this was better than using cotton.

“Save a little time if we can save any,” Qi Yue nodded and replied. Looking at the drawing she had completed, she let out a breath, unable to hide her excitement.

“Let’s try making these things first,” she said, a hint of excitement in her eyes. If this proved feasible, could more equipment be manufactured?

Hu San carefully put the blueprints away.

“Keep them safe,” Liu Puching instructed him.

Hu San nodded. “Rest assured, Master, I know what to do.” His expression was solemn, as if bearing an enormous responsibility.

Liu Puching nodded again, then looked back at Qi Yue.

“I haven't yet asked Madam Shao what brings you here today?” he asked.

“I wish to study traditional Chinese medicine, so I have come to seek apprenticeship,” Qi Yue said with a smile.

Liu Puching chuckled and repeatedly demurred.

“To what extent has Madam Shao’s learning progressed?” he asked, stroking his beard.

Qi Yue tugged at the corner of her mouth—no level yet…

“I see,” Liu Puching mused again. “Then we shall begin with the theory and principles.”

When Qi Yue returned home with the books Liu Puching had given her, the day was nearly dark. She responded to the respectful greetings of the attending servant at the door with a smile for each.

“Today was truly delightful,” she told A’ru, watching as Quezhi, having learned of her return, personally came forward with a young maid to take the bundle from her hands.

“What good news does Madam Shao bring?” Quezhi asked with a smile, tentatively reaching for the bundle in her hand.

Qi Yue handed it over without hesitation. Quezhi let out a relieved sigh; thankfully, Madam Shao treated her as before.

“What the heart wished for came true, and even things I hadn't thought of have materialized,” Qi Yue laughed.

Quezhi didn't understand what she meant, but she knew smiling along was the correct response. “That is only natural; Madam Shao is a blessed person, so naturally, her wishes come true,” she replied cheerfully. “As Madam Shao instructed, I have brought Miss A’hao back.”

As Qi Yue stepped inside, she saw A’hao standing timidly in the corner by the wall. In the short time they had been apart, the girl had completely transformed. The vivacious, little magpie-like girl had become a startled little rabbit. Seeing Qi Yue enter, A’hao instantly dropped to her knees with a thud.

Qi Yue hurried forward a few steps and pulled her up.

“A’hao, I am sorry,” Qi Yue said, her nose stinging with emotion. Sorry for easily sending you away. Sorry for thinking I was doing what was best for you. Sorry for frightening you.

A’hao grew even more terrified by her words, holding back loud sobs, though tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

“This servant, this servant, brought trouble to Madam Shao…” she managed to say through her tears.

“No, you didn't cause any trouble,” Qi Yue said, wiping her tears. “If you want to cry, cry loudly. After this time, I will not let any of you cry again.”

A’hao looked at her, and finally let out a great burst of weeping.

As the morning light streamed in, Quezhi entered with hot water just as Qi Yue had finished fixing her hair. The large bronze mirror reflected her towering, cloud-like high chignon, adorned with a dazzling, golden Eight Treasure hairpin.

“Sister A’hao truly does an exquisite job with hair,” Quezhi marveled, coming over to examine it from all angles. “No wonder Madam Shao insisted on having you return.”

A’hao, standing quietly in her plain, light-colored jacket, modestly lowered her head.

“It is because Madam Shao is beautiful,” she murmured softly.

“But even a beautiful jade requires a skillful craftsman to carve it well,” Qi Yue smiled, picking up a pomegranate-red crystal earring and putting it on.

Quezhi dared not chatter anymore, taking a towel to help A’hao wash Qi Yue’s face.

When Qi Yue had finished her toilette and walked out, A’ru had already arranged breakfast with the young maids. After the meal, no stewardesses waited outside, indicating that the Marquise had already taken over the household management. Warm sunlight pooled on the large kang bed by the window. The room held two charcoal braziers. Though it couldn't compare to modern central heating or air conditioning, it was quite comfortable.

Qi Yue opened the book Liu Puching had given her, took a deep breath, and opened it.

“Good. Now I can study in peace,” she said.

She had only read a couple of lines when she heard voices in the courtyard.

“…Something has happened…”

Qi Yue couldn't help but sigh, raising her eyes to look out, where she saw two maids speaking with Quezhi and A’ru, who were blocking their way. At A’ru’s signal, their voices lowered, but their expressions grew increasingly panicked. A’ru and Quezhi looked the same, instinctively turning to look toward the room.

“What is it?” Qi Yue pushed open the window and asked.

“Madam Shao, the Heir asks you to come to the Madam’s residence right away,” the two maids quickly said.

“Is there a matter?” Qi Yue asked. If the husband requests your presence, must you ask why?

The two maids were momentarily stunned. “We do not know, but… it seems there is an uproar inside…” one maid recovered faster and replied.

Qi Yue let out a breath. Truly troublesome. She snapped the book shut.

Outside the gate of Rong’an Courtyard stood a collection of old wet-nurses and maids, all standing silent with hands hanging down. As Qi Yue reached the doorway, she could hear crying coming from inside.

“…If you must attack someone, attack me directly…”

“…It was me… I set the fire… I wanted to kill Yue Niang…”

Qi Yue froze upon hearing that last sentence as she stepped inside. She looked at Concubine Zhou, kneeling on the ground, clutching her chest and weeping loudly.

Inside the room, Lady Dingxi, Madam Xie, sat upright. Chang Yuncheng and numerous siblings stood huddled near the corners of the walls. Concubine Zhou knelt on the floor.

“What about the items searched from that girl’s room?” the Marquis of Dingxi looked grimly at the few scorched pieces of paper laid out on the table. “…Take care of your family… without worry…” He read aloud from the scraps of paper, then slammed a hand on the table. “And the pendant found in the corner on the night of the arson—she has already confessed. What more can you say for her?” he demanded.

Xie shi turned her prayer beads and gave a cold laugh.

“A dog one raises, does it dare do such things without the master’s command?” she said coolly, glancing at the Marquis. “My Lord, do you truly believe it?”

The Marquis of Dingxi naturally did not believe it, but he truly couldn't convince himself to disbelieve.

“Heir, if you cannot find the truth, you cannot just throw this filth onto our heads,” Concubine Zhou said, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she looked at Chang Yuncheng.

Chang Yuncheng didn't even glance at her.

“Harm Yue Niang? Me, harm Yue Niang…” Concubine Zhou patted her chest, half-crying, half-laughing. She looked toward Qi Yue, who had just entered. “Yue Niang, I want to harm you? In this household, I am the one who would harm you?”

In this household, Concubine Zhou was related to the Old Madam, and Qi Yue Niang had been brought in and doted upon by the Old Madam. If one were to speak of Qi Yue Niang’s relatives, it would naturally be the Old Madam and Concubine Zhou.

“Yuncheng, have you made a mistake?” The Marquis of Dingxi understood this perfectly and looked at Chang Yuncheng.

“I don’t know,” Chang Yuncheng replied. “I only look at the evidence, not the person.”

“Evidence is dead; people are alive. Couldn't someone have deliberately placed these items with A’jin?” Chang Yunqi said coldly.

“With so many people here, why would they plant it specifically with the attendant of the Concubine?” Chang Yunhong chimed in, looking at Chang Yuncheng. “Everyone knows the relationship between the Concubine and the Eldest Sister-in-law. This is… this is too far-fetched, isn’t it?”

“If it’s the most unlikely thing, then it’s the least suspected, isn’t that right?” Chang Yuncheng said, looking at his two brothers.

“If Big Brother means that, then many people here are worthy of suspicion,” Chang Yunqi sneered coldly.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became tense and sharp.

“It was I who told A’jin to go there. I was merely worried about Yue Niang, afraid she might be frightened and do something rash there. How could that lead to the conclusion that she met the villainous servant who harmed Yue Niang?” Concubine Zhou cried, weeping and beating her chest. “This is excellent, truly excellent! Not only is Yue Niang killed, but they can also destroy us in the process—it’s so clean!” As she finished, she glared fiercely at Xie shi.

“Harm us? You certainly overrate yourself,” Xie shi sneered coldly. “I fear dirtying my own hands.”

The Marquis of Dingxi felt a splitting headache coming on and was about to say something when a frightened maid’s voice rang out from outside.

“Something terrible has happened…” A maid rushed in, kneeling and bowing deeply. “A’jin is dead…”

At these words, everyone in the room was stunned. Dead…

Before the others in the room could react, Qi Yue rushed out first, followed closely by Chang Yuncheng.

“Where?” Qi Yue called out as she watched Chang Yuncheng stride past her.

Chang Yuncheng paused, reaching out and grabbing her arm. After gripping it, he seemed to realize something and slid his hand downward, taking hold of her hand instead. Qi Yue blinked in surprise as Chang Yuncheng pulled her along, walking quickly.

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