Is this a reunion of old acquaintances, perhaps? First Wang Qingchun, and now Auntie Zhou.

Or perhaps it’s the grand comeback of old enemies? Why are these people who slunk away now returning so brightly adorned? Wang Qingchun was in his official robes, and even Auntie Zhou was dressed in luxurious attire now; if one didn't look too closely, one might mistake her for the Marchioness of Dingxi out for a stroll.

“Yue Niang.” Auntie Zhou approached slowly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, her expression one of profound sorrow and pity, as if reuniting with long-lost flesh and blood.

Truly… Disgusting… Qi Yue felt goosebumps rise all over her skin.

She averted her gaze, said nothing, and walked away.

“Yue Niang.” Auntie Zhou called out a few times from behind, but Qi Yue had already left her in the dust.

Liu Pucheng was more skilled with bone injuries, so treating this patient didn't keep Qi Yue busy.

While Liu Pucheng managed the ward, she took over the outpatient clinic.

Qianjintang bustled, yet remained orderly.

She dismissed Auntie Zhou’s matters; what did it have to do with her? She refused to believe Auntie Zhou dared to venture out of the Marquis of Dingxi’s estate to cause trouble for her again! But the woman was formidable; her ability to stage such a turnaround proved that relying on men was futile.

Qi Yue shook her head and sighed, then immediately smiled.

Xie Shi must be having a difficult time now, but that had nothing to do with her.

How one lived was their own affair.

Over the next few days, the various bottles and jars Qi Yue had commissioned from Hu San were gradually completed.

“I still find it somewhat absurd,” Qi Yue laughed, touching her ear.

“How can this be possible?” “How is it impossible?” Liu Pucheng asked, bewildered.

Qi Yue merely smiled, unable to fully articulate it.

“This medicine is called Penicillin,” she paused to think before saying.

“It is extracted from Penicillium mold.

I told you before that what causes our illnesses are various bacteria.

Not all these bacteria are harmful; they actually inhibit one another.

So, medicine, to some extent, is bacteria.” “It’s like mutual restraint, fighting poison with poison,” Zhang Tong remarked.

Qi Yue nodded.

“Penicillin is extremely potent; it is a type of bacterium that can kill other bacteria.

In other words, it prevents pathogenic bacteria from surviving, thus posing no harm to the body, and achieving a curative effect.

The effect is remarkable—so remarkable, in fact…” She looked at the others, holding up a finger, “For the nanny with puerperal sepsis last time, injecting this into the body could completely control the condition within an hour or two.

For things like gonorrhea, syphilis, the plague, pneumonia, puerperal fever, and so on, it can cure them with ease.” However, when these ailments were listed, the onlookers did not display the shock Qi Yue had anticipated.

“What is gonorrhea?” Liu Pucheng inquired.

“Syphilis? The plague? The disease carried by dead rats? Puerperal…” “Enough, enough,” Qi Yue interrupted, raising a hand.

She knew some of these diseases had spread from foreign lands, so perhaps they hadn't even been recognized yet.

Explaining them all would take half a day.

“In short, it is incredibly powerful; it was once called 'golden life-saver,'” she stated crisply.

Liu Pucheng and the others showed excitement.

“However, that is only if it can be effectively extracted,” Qi Yue added, spreading her hands.

“For now, everyone shouldn't hold out too much hope.” “But it was discovered by someone, wasn't it?” Liu Pucheng asked with a smile.

Qi Yue rolled her eyes.

True, but out of so many people in the world, only a handful had managed to research it.

She, Qi Yue, was no pioneer in physics or biology… But she was standing on the shoulders of many predecessors.

Perhaps… “Very well then, let’s work hard.

If we can truly obtain this medicine, then we will…” Qi Yue clasped her hands.

“We will create history…” Everyone was pleased, but they still lacked the profound excitement Qi Yue had imagined.

“What does creating history mean?” Hu San asked diligently.

“Nothing,” Qi Yue replied dejectedly.

The glassware was soon complete.

Since there was a precedent for extracting injectable solutions, these items were not difficult to manufacture; even the culture medium was readily available.

Qi Yue was not treating this as something achievable immediately; for the time being, she preferred to rely on Chinese medicine injections.

“It took ten years from the initial discovery of this medicine to finding a high-purity extract,” Qi Yue murmured.

“If I could create an effective injectable within a year, that would truly be immense luck.” Since this was a long-term project, they decided to build a laboratory.

To obtain sufficient mold, and because of the pathogenic testing involved, it had to be located far from the city.

When Wang Tongye came to Qianjintang for treatment, he overheard his disciples discussing their plans and enthusiastically offered his country residence outside the city.

“Didn’t the lady want melons?” he asked with a smile.

“Our family has an entire melon patch, and not just that—we have an orchard too, growing plums and oranges…” Qi Yue was instantly drawn in by the mention of the fruit.

Upon visiting and confirming that Wang Tongye's family did not reside there permanently—it was purely a cultivation estate used by stewards and servants during harvest season—she found it ideal.

It was reasonably distant, wouldn't disturb anyone’s daily life, and was rich in resources.

Qi Yue paid the rent and leased the Wang family estate.

After a period of renovation, she moved the laboratory for Chinese medicine extract injections there as well.

“Let’s call this Qianjintang’s pharmaceutical factory,” she said with a smile.

Baskets upon baskets of melons and sour oranges were brought in, and Qi Yue personally directed how they should be stacked.

“Put the ones that spoil the fastest here,” she commanded.

“These can all be made into medicine?” Wang Qian’s voice came from behind her.

Qi Yue turned, first spotting Wang Qian, then the small head that quickly retreated behind him.

“Hey, hey.” She hurried over.

“Little terrors aren't allowed here.

This isn't a place for playing.” Wang Qiao'er peeked out from behind her father, glaring furiously at Qi Yue.

Although she didn't know what a 'little terror' meant, she knew it wasn't a compliment.

“There are bacteria here.

If you have a wound and it gets accidentally infected, it will be disastrous,” Qi Yue said sternly.

“In severe cases, it could be fatal; at best, they’ll have to saw off an arm or a leg.” This frightened Wang Qiao'er so much her face turned pale, and she spun around to leave.

Wang Qian also looked surprised.

“Then, Madam, aren't you doing something very dangerous?” he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

“Being a doctor is like being a soldier; it’s like fighting a campaign, so naturally, there is danger,” Qi Yue laughed.

Wang Qian looked at her smile and shook his head.

“One’s body and hair are gifts from one’s parents; one must be cautious,” he advised.

“Father,” Wang Qiao’er called from a distance, clearly displeased that her father wasn't following her.

“I returned to hear that Madam was here, so I specifically came to visit,” Wang Qian said, ignoring his daughter, and continued, “Since I am here, I must extend the hospitality of the host.

I have prepared a small amount of wine, which I hope Madam will accept.” Qi Yue smiled.

“However, I seem to have rented this place.

Therefore, it is I who should be offering the host’s hospitality now,” she countered.

Wang Qian smiled and extended his hand.

“It is better to accept than refuse,” he said with a slight bow.

Qi Yue shook her head and smiled, watching him with a somewhat scrutinizing gaze.

Wang Tongye’s proposal of marriage later turned out to be for show, not serious, but was Wang Qian perhaps a little too…? “Lord Wang, isn't your official work demanding? Don't officials from outside the region have to stay at their posts during festivals?” she asked, taking the lead to guide the way.

“I returned precisely because of official business,” Wang Qian replied, pulling a sheet of paper from his sleeve.

“Last time, I was fortunate enough to benefit from Madam’s kind decree.

After implementing it within my jurisdiction, everyone compiled some questions.

They wished to ask Madam themselves, but I feared disturbing you, so I consolidated them and brought them back.” Qi Yue was astonished and instantly thrilled, forgetting any self-conscious musings about his intentions.

“Really?” she asked happily, radiating the joy of a child receiving praise.

Wang Qian smiled faintly and handed her the paper.

“Of course, it is true.

How could everyone fail to see Madam Qi’s meticulous sincerity?” he said.

Qi Yue’s eyes narrowed with a rare blush.

“This, this, it’s nothing, nothing at all, I’m flattered,” she laughed, momentarily overwhelmed with happiness.

These matters had been met with coldness, even hostility, in Yongqing Prefecture.

Although Qi Yue never voiced it, she had been quite hurt.

She hadn't expected that when one door closed, another would open, with Wang Qian taking the initiative to implement her work.

“Truly, thank you,” she said, bowing to Wang Qian with genuine sincerity.

“You’ve gone to much trouble.” “Your happiness is reward enough,” Wang Qian replied, not being overly polite.

Qi Yue paused, looking at him with a measure of guarded scrutiny.

“Consider it compensation for the valuable item damaged by my granddaughter,” Wang Qian quickly added with a smile.

“It settles a debt in my heart, as it were.” Qi Yue immediately brightened.

“Oh, your sentiment is incredibly sincere!” she laughed heartily, glancing around conspiratorially, her eyes twinkling.

“Far better than your grandfather’s compensation!” Wang Qian smiled without speaking.

A true young master would never speak ill of his elders behind their backs.

Qi Yue praised him a few more times.

“We don't need to rush this; I’ll look at it later.

For now, I must personally prepare a feast to show my regard,” she said, glancing at Wang Qiao'er, who was glaring at her from nearby.

“And, of course, for this little terror as well.” Where there was Qianjintang, there was good food, and this pharmaceutical factory was no exception.

Soon, Qi Yue set up a grill by the pond outside the estate, laying out mats.

Wang Qian sat on the ground, while Wang Qiao'er stood under a tree some distance away.

“Father, I want to go home!” she shouted loudly.

Wang Qian ignored her and accepted a skewer of grilled meat from Qi Yue.

“Lemon-grilled meat,” Qi Yue said with a smile.

A fine sheen of sweat dotted her nose from the exertion, catching the dappled sunlight with a healthy gleam.

She grinned, “Actually, it’s green-tangerine juice.

Tastes quite good.” Wang Qian smiled, took a bite, and nodded.

“Hey, kid—is that child too scared to eat?” Qi Yue called out to Wang Qiao’er.

Wang Qiao'er stomped over, grabbed a skewer of cooked meat from the plate, and devoured it in one gulp.

Her eyes lit up, but she quickly turned away with a sniff.

“Don’t complain about a stomachache when we get back; no one will believe you.

Things made by a doctor only kill germs, they don't cause illness,” Qi Yue teased.

Wang Qiao’er, realizing her thoughts had been exposed, huffed again and looked away.

Wang Qian looked up and smiled at Qi Yue, and she returned the smile.

“Madam,” A’ru’s voice sounded from the side.

A’ru is here? Qi Yue looked over happily.

“A’ru, you’ve arrived at the perfect time, come join us…” she began to say with a smile, following the sound of the voice, only to have the word 'us' catch in her throat, freezing her in place.

Heavens, was she seeing things? Chang Yuncheng stood beside A’ru, watching her quietly.

Three chapters finished for today, but it seems like everyone isn't very impressed (^__^) hehe...

Ultimately, it depends on the plot alignment to get votes, haha.

So let's look forward to quality over quantity.

Normal updates resume tomorrow.

Finally, I recommend a friend’s book, Fierce Beauty by Mu Shuiyou, and Noblewoman—it’s substantial enough to binge-read.

There is a link on the page; everyone should check it out.

RS