“What happened to you?” Chang Yinglan rushed over upon hearing the news, her face etched with worry.

Qi Yue took the warm towel A’ru handed her and dabbed her face; only then did the foggy feeling begin to recede slightly.

“Don’t even ask. Mother wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so I stayed to wait on her. When I tried to catch a quick nap, I somehow slept straight through till dawn. Now, both mother and son think I’m utterly wicked and practically want to eat me alive,” she said with a slight laugh.

Chang Yinglan was surprised she could still manage a smile.

“Sister-in-law, why were you so sleepy?” she couldn't help but ask.

Right, I shouldn’t have been that tired…

Qi Yue frowned.

“When the adults are talking, why are you interjecting?” Madam Chen shot her daughter a look and said, “And why ask such a thing?”

This wasn't a pleasant matter, and despite whatever she might be feeling inside, she still had to muster the energy to deal with her…

Chang Yinglan managed a weak smile, quickly bowed, and excused herself, leaving only the two of them in the room.

“You foolish girl, he is angry, shouldn't you hide away? That man has no sense of measure when he strikes. If you get hurt, no one will pity you, and you’ll be the one suffering,” Madam Chen sighed, looking at Qi Yue.

Qi Yue smiled.

“But don't I still have Auntie to dote on me?” she replied cheerily.

Madam Chen gave her a chiding look and composed her expression.

“You don’t need to force yourself to curry favor with your mother,” she stated.

To hear such words, Qi Yue was quite surprised. Wow, didn't Madam Chen seem on very good terms with Madam Xie?

“Forget it, just don’t stay in this house either,” Madam Chen added, sounding almost to herself.

“What?” Qi Yue didn’t understand.

“Nothing,” Madam Chen looked up and offered a smile. “I was just about to speak with the Marquis’s wife to invite you to come home with me for a visit.”

Qi Yue looked at her, astonished.

“My sister-in-law has been unwell since last year. We called in many doctors, but none could cure her. My mother passed away too early; as the eldest sister-in-law, I must step in,” Madam Chen explained. “So, I hoped you could examine her.”

Qi Yue gave a soft "Oh."

“However, I’m afraid I’m not suitable,” she clasped her hands and smiled. “I’m actually not very skilled in internal medicine. Injuries and external trauma are manageable, but without another doctor assisting, I’m out of my depth.”

Madam Chen pursed her lips in a slight smile, taking it as modesty.

“In any case, don't overthink it. Since they dislike you, let them dislike you,” she said. “You don’t need to waste effort trying to please them anymore.”

“It’s not exactly like that,” Qi Yue started, “Actually, it’s really nothing…”

Pausing there, she quickly stood up.

“Oh no, I still have to perform the operation on Yan'er! I was so angry I forgot!” She smacked her head and hurriedly took her leave from Madam Chen.

“How can you proceed with an operation when things are like this?” Madam Chen rose to say.

“What kind of big deal is this?” Qi Yue laughed, clearly unconcerned.

Madam Chen was filled with astonishment. This isn't a big deal?

“I can’t postpone it any longer. One faltering attempt and the second will surely fail. I’ve delayed it from yesterday until today; if I push it further, Yan'er is young, and her spirit might not bear it,” Qi Yue said, quickly adding, “Auntie, don't worry, I’ll talk with you again later,” before darting out with A’ru.

The commotion quickly reached everyone in the manor. Chang Chunlan sat in her room, wiping her eyes and weeping incessantly.

“This is all for me…” she cried.

Concubine Huang sighed.

“It’s not for you,” she corrected.

“Concubine, if it weren't for performing Yan'er’s surgery, the Young Mistress wouldn't be so distracted,” Chang Chunlan sobbed. “Don’t try to console me; I know everything.”

Concubine Huang shook her head and reached out to gently stroke the head of Yan'er, who was leaning beside her, blinking and listening.

“Auntie, can’t you operate on me anymore?” Yan'er couldn't help but ask.

“Of course, I can,” Concubine Huang smiled reassuringly at her.

“I think it’s better to wait. The Young Mistress isn't in the mood,” Chang Chunlan choked out.

As soon as her words fell, the sound of a maidservant speaking was heard from outside.

“Eldest Miss, Granny Huang, the Young Mistress sent me to fetch Yan'er.”

The three in the room were startled and looked towards the doorway, where Quezhi was approaching with a cheerful smile.

“Little Miss, haven’t you eaten?” she inquired further.

Chang Chunlan was momentarily stunned, but Yan'er was already nodding vigorously.

“Wonderful! Let’s go, the Young Mistress’s carriage is already waiting,” Quezhi chirped, extending her hand. “Are you scared?”

Since becoming self-aware, the rejection from the outside world had overshadowed every fear in the little girl. To be able to play under the sun without a mask, to prevent people from having to look down and avoid her gaze, even walking through mountains of knives or seas of fire seemed like a blessing to this child.

Yan'er hesitated not at all, immediately placing her hand in Quezhi’s.

Conversely, Chang Chunlan felt a sudden inability to draw breath, her legs growing weak.

“I… I…” she couldn't speak.

“The Young Mistress said, perhaps the Eldest Miss should wait at home?” Quezhi said with a slight smile.

Chang Chunlan took a deep breath.

“No, I will follow,” she declared, taking a step forward.

Early that morning, people on the street noticed something unusual at the Hall of a Thousand Talents. While other shops were opening, they were nailing boards over their entrances. Several disciples stood at the door, apologizing to those who came seeking treatment or medicine.

“We are attending to urgent business today and are closed for the day,” the disciples would state.

What kind of urgent business could a pharmacy have? People outside pointed and murmured about the Hall of a Thousand Talents.

Inside the inner courtyard, the disciples stood anxiously, watching the room before them.

“What is this nonsense! Surgery! Sterilization!” Little Doctor An stood at the very edge, looking thoroughly disgruntled. “Hey, I said, be careful when you move my father… If anything happens, I’m not done with you all…”

Why won’t they let me in!

They say I’m scared? What a joke! I’m less afraid than that woman!

Scared!

I’ve lived this long and still don’t know what fear means!

The door to the room opened, and Hu San, clad in surgical scrubs, mask, and cap, appeared, startling Little Doctor An.

“What is this? Dressed up like a ghost,” he shouted.

The disciples in the courtyard glared at him and hissed in unison.

“Quiet down! They’re operating inside!” Hu San yelled back.

He wasn't afraid of this so-called Little Doctor An. Why should he be? Even his own father called their master ‘Master.’ By that logic, he was the man's martial uncle!

Thinking of this, Hu San looked upon the man, who could be his father, with unexpected affection.

“The surgery has begun. Everyone can come in to watch. Look through the small window; no loud noises are allowed,” Hu San announced.

The disciples, already instructed, nodded quickly and filed in orderly rows.

Little Doctor An looked left and right, then followed, raising his foot.

Hu San blocked him.

“Martial Nephew,” Hu San said with a placid grin, “You really shouldn’t come in.”

Little Doctor An snorted.

“Why can’t I come in… What did you just call me?” he demanded, staring at the younger man before him.

Hu San grinned widely.

“Haven’t introduced myself. My surname is Hu, name Jin Kui. I am Young Mistress Qi’s eldest disciple. Oh, what a coincidence, your father and I are both in the Jin generation…” he chuckled.

Little Doctor An spat in contempt. Don't even mention that! Mentioning it just makes me furious!

Father is truly… truly senile! Taking a master! What master is there to take! What does this woman have to warrant taking a master! It’s just some broken secret formula; if she won’t share it, fine! We aren't going to die if we don't have that one formula!

“Get out of the way,” he shoved Hu San aside and stepped inside.

“Don't blame me for not warning you. If you haven't seen this kind of surgery, it’ll scare you stiff…” Hu San didn't mind, feeling quite smug for having gained the upper hand verbally, and chuckled from behind.

The disciples inside were already lined up, peering through the small window lattices towards the opposite side.

Scared! Little Doctor An scoffed, flicking his sleeve.

“Make way, make way,” he ordered.

One disciple, clearly timid, quickly moved aside.

Surgery! What is that thing! Making such a mystery of it!

Little Doctor An edged forward.

In the room on this side, thanks to the opening in the roof, the light was abundant. Only one bed was set up—a very strange bed—with two long tables extended on either side of the head, laden with trays of scalpels, scissors, basins, a brazier, and jars.

Four people stood by the bed, all completely covered in gowns—hands and feet included—wearing caps that concealed their faces, leaving only their eyes visible. One could only distinguish male from female by their build.

In a corner of the room, a woman and Old Doctor An stood watching, unblinking.

“Fixation complete…” Qi Yue said, holding out her hand.

The man beside her immediately took the syringe she offered.

“Mucosal scalpel…” Qi Yue commanded.

Coffin Boy placed a knife into her hand.

“Hook, sponge…” Qi Yue continued speaking.

Coffin Boy was already using tweezers to pick up a cotton pad.

Qi Yue lowered her head and slowly sliced open the mucosa.

Hearing the woman beside him breathing more and more rapidly, Old Doctor An finally let out a low gasp and leaned against the wall upon seeing the child’s exposed mouth and nose turn bloody and mangled.

Outside, low sounds of shock gradually began to rise as well. Because the surgical setup was angled for the disciples to observe for teaching purposes, most of them could clearly see Qi Yue using her knife and scissors to divide and integrate the flesh around the mouth and nose.

Indeed, the stimulation was visceral. Except for the few who had seen such things beforehand at the Yi Zhuang (mortuary), others couldn't help the color draining from their faces. This sensation was different from the severe injuries they were accustomed to seeing.

Finally, someone let out a loud shout.

“Wha—what… kill… murder…”

At the same time, a trembling voice called out.

This noise startled those inside. Everyone except Qi Yue and Coffin Boy turned to look.

Hu San stepped forward and delivered a sharp slap to Little Doctor An.

“Drag him out!” he commanded in a low voice, putting on the airs of a senior martial uncle.

Two disciples promptly seized the now trembling Little Doctor An. His body went limp, and he didn't resist as he was led out.

“Scared like a rabbit…” Hu San shook his head, adopting an air of composure and stability as he moved to Little Doctor An's vacated spot, peering inside, completely forgetting the terror he himself felt at the Yi Zhuang.

Old Doctor An withdrew his gaze, turning his wheelchair slightly closer, trying to see more clearly.

A'ru, who was guarding the blood pressure monitor and stethoscope, immediately waved frantically at him.

Old Doctor An stopped hastily, leaning forward intensely to watch.

Except for the occasional clinking sound of instruments being passed, the entire space, inside and out, fell so quiet that even the sound of breathing seemed to cease.

Recommended: Lihua Bai’s "The Medicine Hand Returns to Spring"

Ning Xianbi, transported to this era, concealed her golden finger to live well and conform to customs, only to meet a tragic end with her husband favoring a concubine over her.

Reborn in this life, she has no reservations. In this life, she will live life to the fullest, unafraid of being called abnormal or impossibly brilliant. She harbors no thought of revenge; she only desires to live happily, coldly watching that family fall from grace.

But—who would expect life to be so capricious? In this new life, the scum of a man she cursed turns out to be utterly devoted to her, loving her with a devotion that defies death.

Please, just roll away nicely, won't you? Who the hell cares about a youthful hero, high-ranking royalty, or an ocean of love? But… but what about the imperial marriage decree?

This is going to kill me.