The clamor outside Qianjin Hall finally roused the sleeping Qi Yue. "Medical dispute?" she asked, surprised.

The news was shocking, yet it carried a faint, bitter tang. So, the practice of medicine demands relentless focus; one misstep, and all past successes cannot shield you from doubt.

Especially with her unconventional methods, so unlike anything seen before. This, then, is the razor's edge between success and failure...

"Don't go out there; just let them explain," A'ru stopped her. This situation was different from the previous confrontations, which were deliberately provoked during treatment—and those treatments ultimately succeeded.

This time, someone had genuinely died; it was a failure. Even if it wasn't their fault, often people only judge the outcome, ignoring the process.

If a real conflict erupts, then... "My patient, my affair; naturally, I must face it and resolve it," Qi Yue shook her head.

"Hiding is not what Qi Yue does! Besides, this isn't even malpractice!" As she rushed out, she overheard Chang Yuncheng saying that very thing, which instantly infuriated her, making her glare.

Did this brat think things weren't chaotic enough, intending to fan the flames and turn a simple patient-doctor conflict into a mass incident? Qi Yue strode over and grabbed his leg.

"Get down! What nonsense are you causing!" she commanded.

Chang Yuncheng didn't speak, simply dismounting his horse. "Stop messing around; I will handle my own business," Qi Yue insisted.

Chang Yuncheng didn't look at her. "This is not your business," he stated flatly, his gaze fixed coldly on the adults and children being driven back by the guards.

"This is my mother's business. My mother lives here; I cannot allow my mother to be disturbed." Qi Yue shoved him hard with the back of her hand.

Chang Yuncheng swayed slightly, finally turning his gaze toward her. "Besides charging forward like a headless chicken, what else can you do?" Qi Yue challenged, glaring and shouting.

Did he think she didn't know his intentions? Did he think she couldn't see he was deliberately drawing attention to himself to deflect the conflict?

This boy... She didn't know what to say!

Chang Yuncheng looked at her and offered a slight smile. "Nothing else," he replied.

Qi Yue was silenced again, feeling a strange, unexpected melancholy. She stopped speaking to him, turned back toward the crowd, and raised her hand.

"Everyone, listen to me!" she called out loudly. The Divine Doctor appears!

All eyes turned toward her. "Mistress Qi, did you really treat this person to death?" "Mistress Qi, why didn't this treatment work?" Seeing Qi Yue emerge, the crowd couldn't restrain their questions, shouting them out one after another.

The gazes cast upon her were different from the usual reverence and awe; these now carried significant doubt. After all, a dead body lay there, leaving little room for anything but suspicion.

Seeing her appear, Liu Pucheng and the others felt a strange sense of relief, mixed with deep shame. Since when had they grown so dependent on this young woman, as if her presence meant nothing was unsolvable?

It was truly embarrassing. Qi Yue looked at the crowd, her expression gentle and calm, and took another step forward.

"Everyone, please listen. This injured person was indeed admitted by us.

Qianjin Hall took in this patient the day before yesterday. Young woman," Qi Yue looked toward the family being dragged away by the guards and spoke loudly, "you must be well aware of your father's condition at that time..." It was less a statement for the family and more a broadcast for everyone present.

The appearance of the Divine Doctor carried significant weight; the noisy scene quieted considerably, with everyone looking at her, waiting to hear what she would say. But before Qi Yue could continue, another commotion erupted from outside.

"Make way, make way." Someone shouted loudly, clearing the crowd. "The Doctor is here..." The Doctor is here.

Qi Yue always wanted to laugh hearing that phrase, and this moment was no exception—though hers was a cold smirk. Wang Qingchun, I was wondering about you.

As expected, you wouldn't miss an occasion like this! Good timing!

Wang Qingchun, after maintaining such a low profile since arriving, finally emerged like a cat smelling blood... But he hadn't found meat; he'd found trouble!

Because bailiffs were clearing the way, the crowd quickly parted. Wang Qingchun, dressed in official robes, strode in with a grave expression, surrounded by his entourage.

He stopped at the entrance and, upon looking over, saw Qi Yue immediately. The woman stood at the door, chin slightly raised, offering him a faint smile.

To be fair, the woman was stunning. Especially when she smiled, Wang Qingchun, who considered himself worldly after mingling in the capital, had to admit her beauty could be called captivating.

It was because of this appearance that she was fawned over by those men. Doctor?

In truth, she was no different from the star courtesan of a pleasure house! Wang Qingchun inwardly spat a curse.

"Why has Lord Wang honored us with his presence? Have you come to fulfill our wager?

I had forgotten, Lord, you truly keep your word, a true gentleman." Qi Yue smiled lightly. This insolent wench dares to bring that up now!

Wang Qingchun felt a knot tighten in his throat, his hand, hanging by his side, clenched tight. A few chuckles arose from the surrounding crowd, though they were muffled.

After all, Wang Qingchun's official robes still commanded a certain awe among the common folk. However, though they dared not speak it aloud, no one minded watching a good spectacle, especially one this entertaining.

"I am here by Imperial command to inspect the state of medical affairs within the prefecture. I heard there was patient unrest here, so I came to inquire," Wang Qingchun stated loudly, cupping his hands toward the direction of the Imperial City, his face solemn.

"The Medical Doctor is in charge of all medical matters," his attendants quickly declared loudly. This was primarily directed at the family, intended to remind them that the upright Master was here and they could kneel and appeal their case.

"Get lost!" There was no appeal or cry for justice, only a curse. Everyone paused, looking at Chang Yuncheng, who stood tall on the steps.

A Medical Doctor—compared to a Royal Scion, he was nothing... But, for the moment, this "nothing" still held enough weight to be worth throwing around!

At least, it could soil the opposition a bit! In front of the populace, especially concerning medical issues, his mere utterance carried weight!

"Your Highness, the situation is that this is fundamentally a medical matter. This junior official must inquire, otherwise, I cannot report back to my superiors, the people, or the Emperor," Wang Qingchun said respectfully, bowing deeply.

"I don't care what..." Chang Yuncheng stated coldly, not even glancing at him. "Shut up!

Stand aside!" Qi Yue cut him off, glaring at him with a sharp reprimand, then turned to Wang Qingchun with a smile and a gesture of invitation, "Lord Wang, perhaps you'd like to come inside to talk?" Inside? What fun would that be?

Wang Qingchun sneered. "Let everyone hear it, lest they misunderstand," he stated sternly.

"My Lord, perhaps that isn't proper?" Qi Yue frowned slightly. See, see!

He's faltering! Wang Qingchun was thrilled.

So, even you have a day where you fear losing face! "What is improper about that?" Wang Qingchun declared loudly, turning to the crowd.

"If there has been a misunderstanding, we can clear Qianjin Hall's name." Of course, if there wasn't a misunderstanding, hmph... "It's just that I worry it might make things difficult for Your Lordship," Qi Yue said with a trace of reluctance.

It won't be difficult for you; I certainly won't make it difficult for you. Wang Qingchun sneered.

"This official will handle this impartially, without favoritism," he announced grandly. Qi Yue nodded.

"That is wonderful," she replied. "I was worried Your Lordship might hold a grudge and deliberately make things hard for me." What kind of talk was that?

Even if it were the truth, one shouldn't state it so bluntly. Wang Qingchun's face darkened slightly.

"Mistress Qi harbors petty thoughts," he said coldly, flicking his sleeve, unwilling to waste more words on her. He turned toward the family, who were struggling with the guards, stumbling on the ground, and forced a pleasant expression onto his face.

Before he could offer greetings, Qi Yue spoke again. "Then, young woman, please tell us.

How exactly did I treat your father to death?" Qi Yue asked. Too talkative!

Wang Qingchun cursed inwardly, maintaining his amiable facade as he looked toward the family. "You tell us, how did Qianjin Hall's quack doctor kill your father?" he asked.

The moment these words left his mouth, the disciples of Qianjin Hall changed color, and some, like Hu San, could barely contain themselves from leaping out to curse. However, this was expected, and they all offered cold smiles.

Quack killing people—it isn't true just because you say it! Seeing that the people of Qianjin Hall didn't riot, those accompanying Wang Qingchun looked slightly puzzled, then snorted dismissively, clearly intimidated by Wang Qingchun's current status.

They felt a surge of smugness and urged the family on. "Yes, tell us." "Speak up, don't be afraid; the Lord is here." "Killing people as a quack is an unforgivable crime, no matter how powerful your backing.

Don't be afraid..." Seeing this, Chang Yuncheng suddenly smiled. He slowly took a step back, watching the woman smile as she stepped forward.

The family only wept, the adults and children clinging to each other. The young woman who had been shouting so loudly moments ago now hung her head, refusing to say a word, as if deeply frightened.

Truly hopeless; given a ladder, they still can't climb! Wang Qingchun cursed inwardly, only managing to soften his expression further.

He opened his mouth, but the words came from Qi Yue. "Yes, tell us.

How did I treat your father to death?" Qi Yue asked, but without waiting for a reply, she continued, "Tell everyone how I treated your father, who was struck in the thigh by a plowshare, bleeding profusely, and then, when he fell, was pierced through the chest by a bamboo pole that fell from a corner wall." What! At these words, the people standing close exploded into an uproar.

Struck in the thigh by a plowshare, pierced through the chest by a bamboo pole! Anyone would consider it a miracle if this man lived!

Wang Qingchun's face also turned pale. What!

What? Qi Yue looked at him and smiled faintly.

"My Lord, forgive my ignorance and lack of skill; I cannot treat such a patient. I wonder if Your Lordship can?

If Your Lordship can cure him, I am willing to become your apprentice and... kneel before you." she said with a smile.

If the Lord can cure him, the word 'kneel' caused a noticeable skip in Wang Qingchun's heart. He didn't believe a word of what she said; he believed what she didn't say.

If the Lord cannot cure him, does that mean the Lord should kneel to me... Damn it!

Wang Qingchun could only think this one word. What is there to make a fuss about!

If he didn't die from that, he'd be a ghost! And then they rush over to ask why she killed him?

Scoundrel! This woman, this woman, did it on purpose!

Deliberately! Otherwise, why didn't she state it immediately?

Why the chatter about inviting him inside, about not being able to speak here? Ah, pah!

Not speaking here? Damn it, it clearly means it's not suitable to discuss behind closed doors!

She deliberately set a trap for him! He looked up at Qi Yue, and as expected, the woman offered a slight smile, yet every corner of her eye and curve of her lips conveyed one meaning.

Idiot... The end-of-month accounting is overwhelming; I still can't sort it out.

So today there will only be two updates. I have to work overtime; I apologize, and thank you for allowing me to pay my dues slowly.

Tears... Uh, don't be too generous with your votes for me anymore...

Really... too generous...

(Crying profusely) RS