The young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence has made a wager! The young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence is going to treat a patient! The young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence is actually a physician! Of course, that’s not the crucial part. The crux of the matter is that the patient the young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence intends to treat has already been given a death sentence by every other physician—deemed beyond saving! When all other doctors have declared a case hopeless, the young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence claims she can cure him. Does she imagine herself to be an immortal, a Da Luo Jinxian? Does she think she can simply wave a finger and decide who lives and who dies? If that’s not madness, what is it?

However, some people don't see it that way. Circulating along with this news was the story of the Prefect’s son, who nearly died recently only to be saved by someone—and the person who brought the Prefect’s son back from the brink of death was precisely this young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence. If the outcome had been overwhelmingly one-sided, this affair would have been dismissed by the masses as the ridiculous joke of a lunatic. But if the outcome hangs in the balance, then for the onlookers, the situation becomes utterly thrilling.

“Master, I have made inquiries, and it is true—the young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence treated the Prefect’s son.” Wu Shan spoke, a hint of apprehension in his tone. A flicker of worry crossed Wang Qingchun’s face. Could this woman truly possess extraordinary skill? “Did you find out the specifics of the procedure?” he asked. Wu Shan nodded, his manner conspiratorial. “I found out. The young mistress performed an abdominal incision and suture technique, while Liu Pucheng administered tonics to stabilize the core energy. This is the prescription Liu Pucheng used at the time.” He pulled a piece of paper from his robe and handed it over. Wang Qingchun started in shock. The prescription was available? He felt a surge of agitated tension, almost unable to breathe, and took the paper with trembling hands, reading it line by line, character by character, reviewing it several times. Correct. Correct. These are all traditional decoctions designed to restore proper energy, dispel evils, and fortify the foundation. The dosages and combinations are precise, but in the end, they are nothing more than that—at least to Wang Qingchun. There was nothing remarkable about it. This meant that any physician of a similar caliber to himself would have prescribed the medicine in exactly the same way. This implied that the medicinal treatment during that episode was entirely Liu Pucheng’s doing. The young mistress possessed no miracle cure for bringing the dead back to life, only an exceptional aptitude regarding the exploration of the internal organs through abdominal access.

“Where did you get this?” Wang Qingchun asked. Medical prescriptions are inherently confidential documents, let alone one written with such clarity and detail, even noting the exact timing of use. This was practically a medical case file compiled personally by Liu Pucheng. “Liu Pucheng wrote this himself,” Wu Shan stated. Wang Qingchun was thankful he hadn't been drinking tea, or he would have choked on it instantly. “You… you… have you gone mad too?” He managed to compose himself, glaring at Wu Shan as he demanded. Wu Shan chuckled softly. “No, Master. It’s absolutely certain. I got this from the Qianjin Hall…” He lowered his voice. A mole within Qianjin Hall? That was Wang Qingchun’s first thought; such things were not uncommon… It seemed that knowing these details meant Liu Pucheng could not escape his predicament, so his disciples were scrambling to secure their own futures. “Is it truly so?” he still asked with lingering concern. How could the source who gave him this information be wrong? That person claimed to have interrogated Liu Pucheng personally, and moreover, Liu Pucheng had written it himself. The Imperial Medical Academy. Such a terrifying place—how could Liu Pucheng dare to lie? Wu Shan thought, solemnly nodding again. “Master, it is absolutely true. If you don’t believe me, you can compare the handwriting,” he suggested. Speaking of handwriting, Wang Qingchun slapped his forehead and diligently re-examined the paper. He recalled that the couplet posted at the entrance of Qianjin Hall was written personally by Liu Pucheng. Recalling it now, he saw the script matched the handwriting on the paper before him perfectly. All doubt vanished from Wang Qingchun’s eyes. If even Liu Pucheng couldn't save this patient with conventional medicine, what could the young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence—who only knew how to cut open bellies—possibly accomplish? Ultimately, she was merely trying to claim all the responsibility herself, intending to use her status as the young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence to evade accountability. “Since she is being so righteous, we shall grant her wish,” Wang Qingchun sneered, turning to Wu Shan. “You must spread this news as quickly as possible. The more exaggerated and sensational, the better. Let everyone know that the young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence has boasted she can heal the sick. If she loses, she must crawl on her knees from the Qianjin Hall to the city gates. We shall see what the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence plans to do then!” If she lost and refused to crawl, the Marquis of Dingxi’s reputation would be utterly ruined; if she lost and did crawl, the family’s honor would be equally destroyed. In any case, the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence was about to become infamous! This wasn't a deliberate targeting of the Marquis’s family—they only had themselves to blame for marrying such a daughter-in-law! Perhaps the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence truly needed an investigation.

“Investigate what?” Wu Shan asked, confused. “I hear this young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence was a beggar of unknown origin. They should investigate whether she was planted here by their enemies,” Wang Qingchun said grimly. “Otherwise, why would someone go to such lengths to destroy the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence?” Having said this, he dropped his stern expression and burst into booming laughter, clutching his stomach. Wu Shan joined in the laughter.

“Do you know what you are doing?” Liu Pucheng’s voice was hoarse as he shouted at Qi Yue inside Qianjin Hall. The onlookers who had gathered in Qianjin Hall had dispersed. The disciples were clearing away the smashed tables and chairs. Qi Yue, meanwhile, was attentively examining the injured man, flanked by glaring family members. She seemed not to have heard Liu Pucheng’s words. “…The simplest course of action would be to amputate the leg,” she said, standing up straight. “The chances of survival would increase significantly…” This statement instantly enraged the surrounding family members. Amputate the leg! How was that considered a cure? For a hunter, losing a leg meant life was worse than death! But wary of the guards posted outside, they dared not curse loudly, instead fixing the young woman with looks of fierce anger. Qi Yue paid them no mind. “However, given the massive blood loss, and without blood typing kits, I cannot administer a transfusion. Furthermore, the risk of wound infection would be extremely high…” she continued, expressing a slight regret. “Ultimately, it still requires broad-spectrum antibiotics and anti-inflammatories…” Only then did she look at Liu Pucheng. “Teacher, increase the dosage of those anti-inflammatory decoctions,” she instructed. But Liu Pucheng did not answer her. “Since you call me Teacher, you must show respect. You will come out of here with me immediately!” His face was ashen, and his body trembled. He pointed toward the exit with his uninjured hand and commanded. Qi Yue smiled. “Enough, Teacher. If you could go into the street right now and tell everyone that I severed the Prefect’s son’s…” she began. Before she finished speaking, Liu Pucheng’s face changed drastically, and he stopped her with a sharp cry. Looking around at the people in the room, Liu Pucheng broke out in a cold sweat. “You, you…” He was almost speechless from anger and fright. Qi Yue smiled as if nothing were amiss. “If you won’t, then neither will I,” she said. This child… Liu Pucheng looked at her, sighed dejectedly, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions. “This is different from that other time. Even if you told them, you saved a life then, so nothing happened. But this time, this time…” he said with a trembling voice, shaking his head at Qi Yue. Qi Yue shook her head too. “Teacher, it’s not for that. It’s not just to repay you for protecting me,” she said. Then what was it for? Liu Pucheng was stunned. Qi Yue smiled at him and the other disciples. “Because, there will always be someone in this world who needs to try new methods…” she said slowly. Those were the very words he himself had once spoken… Liu Pucheng immediately understood. Zhang Tong and Hu San'er also understood. I am not doing this for that favor, but for that principle. The other disciples, though initially confused, gradually grasped her meaning as Qi Yue spoke. “There is nothing wrong with trying new methods. Nothing in this world is guaranteed success; there will always be failures and successes. I want you to believe that what you did was not wrong—even if this particular instance failed, there is no need to fear. I will bear the mistakes, but you must steadfastly maintain your conviction and continue moving forward,” Qi Yue declared, taking a deep breath. “The path ahead of you is long; I do not want you to stop just as you take your first steps.” Liu Pucheng looked at her and nodded. “Then let’s get to it. This patient isn't dead yet; the battle isn't over. Let’s keep trying,” Qi Yue clapped her hands and called out loudly. “Yes!” Zhang Tong and the other disciples responded in unison. Liu Pucheng watched the disciples scatter to their tasks. His lips trembled, but in the end, he said nothing. He turned and approached the patient, placing his uninjured hand on the man’s pulse. “The pulse is thin and rapid…” he began to say slowly. Nearby, A'ru had picked up paper and a pen at some unknown point. She wrote the date and time on the top line before beginning to record the observations. After Liu Pucheng administered acupuncture, Qi Yue checked the patient's pupils and respiration. “Although he is unconscious, his pupils have not dilated, and his breathing has not ceased. There is still a chance for resuscitation,” Qi Yue noted. A’ru continued writing. “A’ru, go back and fetch my things. I need to stay here,” Qi Yue added. This declaration immediately provoked another objection from Liu Pucheng. “You are a woman, and moreover, the young mistress of the Marquis’s residence. How can you stay out overnight? Especially… in this pharmacy,” he protested. Is that so, Qi Yue frowned. “Then I will take the patient and everyone with me. We can go back to that courtyard in the Marquis’s residence,” she suggested. Liu Pucheng hesitated briefly. “That… might be inconvenient,” he murmured. “Also, Young Mistress, you should go explain this matter to the Marquis first. If news reaches him through other channels, it might be detrimental to you…” Qi Yue nodded; that was necessary. “Then I will return first and arrange for people to come and fetch you.” Qi Yue’s plan was simple, but this time she encountered trouble. Her carriage was blocked at the gate. “You won't let me in?” Qi Yue was surprised, drawing back the curtain to question the gatekeeper. The gatekeepers avoided her gaze. Behind them, Mama Su emerged. “Lady Qi,” she spoke, a faint smile on her face. Lady Qi? Qi Yue frowned. Mama Su had always been cautious; even if she harbored a deep hatred, her words and actions were never careless. Why would she address her as ‘Lady Qi’ immediately? “This is what the Marquis sent for you,” Mama Su said with a smile, relishing the look of surprise on the woman’s face as she shook a piece of paper in her hand and offered it over. A'ru reached out, took it, and held it out. Qi Yue accepted it and unfolded the document, her expression instantly turning to shock. A letter of divorce.