The man living in the Chen household whom Li Tong did not know was also a source of great curiosity for him. Of course, Fan Yilin hadn't told him that Qi Yueniang was the young mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi, or rather, the former young mistress, since divorce was hardly a matter of pride for a woman; he only needed to flaunt what was worth flaunting, like leading the Qianjintang to combat the epidemic.

“Is her medical skill really that amazing?” he asked again. This was the tenth time he had posed the same question on their journey.

Fan Yilin halted his steps. “Little Li, do I, Fan Yilin, look like such an unreliable person?” he asked with an overly earnest expression.

Apparently so... Li Tong curled his lips.

“Let me put it this way.” Fan Yilin, perhaps sensing his question had cast a shadow on himself, quickly added, “It is rumored in Yongqing Prefecture that there is an ironclad rule: trust Lady Qi, and you will surely find safety, promotion, and wealth.” Li Tong couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter. “I understand,” he said, patting Fan Yilin’s shoulder.

“It’s good that you understand. So, this time you’ve invited Lady Qi, and I guarantee your heart’s desire will be fulfilled.

Think about it: your old man, whom so many capable people couldn't help, but the Lady Qi you invited cured him. Won’t your contribution be massive?

Who would dare treat you lightly at home after that? Guaranteed promotion and wealth.” Fan Yilin said, resting his arm on Li Tong’s shoulder with satisfaction.

Li Tong offered a wry smile of thanks. “I just wonder how much incense money this Lady Qi will demand?” he asked, feeling around his person.

“I don’t have much money.” “Money, money, among us people... Ah, blast it.” Fan Yilin snapped back to attention, eyes wide.

“What incense money? Lady Qi isn’t a fortune-teller.” “You were just talking about a fortune-teller,” Li Tong laughed.

“A divine physician,” Fan Yilin corrected. Li Tong raised his hands in surrender.

“Fine, a divine physician. In any case, I thank you.” He looked at Fan Yilin sincerely.

“Though you are unreliable, I understand your good intentions.” Fan Yilin kicked him. “Stop the nonsense.

You’ll eventually know the great kindness I’ve shown you,” he grumbled. “Hurry up, hurry up.” The two men had now reached the mouth of the alley.

“Changkukou Street, this was the former residence of Martial Lord Wushun…” Li Tong observed the area. “Nonsense.” Fan Yilin glared at him and shoved him inside.

“It’s all still under the Chen name. Say what you should say, and don’t say what you shouldn’t.

Be careful your own old man doesn't die from illness only to be implicated and killed by you.” This showed that despite being a dissolute fop or a mere glutton, as descendants of the powerful families under the Son of Heaven, political acumen was an innate instinct. Li Tong fell silent.

The two stopped before the decaying main gate. “Are you looking for me?” Qi Yue asked.

At that moment, she had just been directed by the Second Madam to bathe and be scented by the maids, having every inch of her, down to her toenails, freshly attended to. “A male guest?” the Second Madam frowned.

“See no one.” Qi Yue quickly intervened. “It’s Young Master Fan Yilin…” she said quickly.

“Lord Wang Tongye’s son-in-law; the Wang family owes me a favor.” “A favor?” The Second Madam smiled faintly. “Or perhaps an improper notion?” Qi Yue smiled but said nothing.

Although she knew the Second Madam genuinely cared for her, this girl was unaccustomed to being restrained, especially in the name of love. “Let him come in.

See what urgent matter he has with me,” she stated directly. The Second Madam paused.

Since agreeing to grow closer to her, Lady Qi had always been docile in her presence. This direct contradiction was a first.

Then, she chuckled to herself; indeed, this child had always been stubborn. Otherwise, she wouldn't have defied her mother’s wishes back then to marry Chang Yun.

She decided to say no more. Fan Yilin and Li Tong entered and immediately spotted the two women seated in the room.

Li Tong was somewhat surprised, recognizing the young, beautiful woman as the one Fan Yilin had encountered outside the tavern. However, preoccupied with his own worries, he shifted his gaze to the elegantly seated madam.

She appeared serene, carrying a touch of fragility, around forty years old. She does have a bit of that detached, otherworldly air of a fortune-teller...

Just as this thought crossed his mind, Fan Yilin was already bowing and offering greetings. “Greetings, Madam Chen,” he said with a slight smile as he bowed.

Although Madam Chen didn't particularly like him, since he was invited by Qi Yueniang, she couldn't slight him out of respect for Qi Yueniang’s face. She nodded and gestured for them to sit.

Hearing the madam speak, Li Tong, who had been bowing alongside Fan Yilin, was surprised. Wasn't her surname Qi?

Was this her husband's surname? “Lady Qi,” Fan Yilin greeted Qi Yue as well.

Li Tong’s eyes widened again. What?

This young woman… For someone her age, whether as a divine physician or a fortune-teller, she seemed far too young! Where was the credibility?

“What business do you have with me?” Qi Yue asked him with a smile. “It’s this, my brother here has a patient at home,” Fan Yilin explained, glancing at Li Tong, who was still staring, and he cleared his throat nervously.

Li Tong snapped back to attention and managed a wry smile. Truly, desperate times call for desperate measures...

“Yes, my grandfather has been ill for quite some time. Even the Imperial Physicians have examined him, yet they are helpless.

Brother Fan suggested that the Lady might be able to try, so I have come without invitation. Please forgive the intrusion,” Li Tong said.

In these few words, his meaning was perfectly clear. First, his grandfather had been seen by the Imperial Physicians, indicating a person of high status.

Second, even the imperial doctors were at a loss, suggesting a severe condition. Third, the phrase "might be able to try" implied that she could simply decline gracefully without needing to attempt a cure.

Qi Yue looked at him with eyes curved in a smile. Madam Chen offered a faint smile.

“Your surname is Li?” she asked. Li Tong affirmed it.

“Is Li Huaiqing ill?” she inquired. Li Tong affirmed again.

His grandfather had served as an official for so many years; who in the capital didn't know him? Even the women hidden in deep chambers were no exception.

“I recall that the late Empress Xiaoci of the previous dynasty mentioned that your grandfather suffered from excess internal heat and needed to watch his diet. It seems he has followed that advice well,” Madam Chen said with a smile.

Her implication was that it was remarkable he had only fallen ill now. Li Tong immediately stood up the moment she mentioned the Empress Xiaoci, and upon hearing her finish, he was even more astonished.

He was merely the son of a concubine; meeting his grandfather in person was rare, let alone knowing what the Empress Xiaoci had told him. His face flushed with embarrassment.

The young lady from the Duke of Deqing’s house was clearly no ordinary woman confined to the inner chambers... He had been presumptuous.

“Which noble house do you hail from?” Madam Chen asked next. In truth, she already knew the answer.

Qi Yue had seen enough; this young man had spoken one sentence, and Madam Chen had thoroughly shamed him with a few more. “What is the illness?” she quickly interjected, reaching out to tug Madam Chen’s sleeve.

Madam Chen merely smiled and remained silent. Li Tong breathed a sigh of relief.

“He has always been healthy. A few days ago, during lunch, because I was busy, I ate too quickly and was choked by half an egg yolk.

His heart actually stopped beating at that moment,” he recounted. Qi Yue listened intently.

“…Later, Imperial Physician Gong urgently administered acupuncture and revived him. The yolk was eventually swallowed, but he still suffers from difficulty breathing and is unconscious,” he finished.

Qi Yue nodded. “What is your grandfather’s past medical history?” she asked.

Li Tong paused briefly, then understood the implication. “Nothing significant.

Grandfather has always been very healthy,” he replied. “Just occasional light colds, which passed with some simple medicine.” Listening wasn't enough; she needed to see.

Qi Yue nodded and pondered for a moment. Since Fan Yilin had opened the door, and out of respect for Wang Tongye, she couldn't let Fan Yilin take back his words.

“Very well, I will go take a look. Only then can I determine if a cure is possible,” she stated.

Li Tong quickly rose to thank her. “I have other matters to attend to, so I will visit in the afternoon,” Qi Yue added with a smile.

Li Tong subtly relaxed again, and Qi Yue gave him an understanding smile. “Don’t worry, Lady Qi is very capable,” Fan Yilin said with a touch of pride as they left.

Whether Lady Qi was capable or not, Li Tong wasn't sure yet, but Madam Chen was definitely formidable. However, having been put in his place, he felt surprisingly more hopeful about the fortune-teller Fan Yilin had introduced.

A person from the Duke of Deqing’s lineage could not possibly be a quack. “Brother Fan, thank you.

I will treat you another day. I must hurry back to inform my family now; otherwise, if people arrive at our home and my family is unaware, it would be utterly rude,” he said quickly.

“Hurry on now, hurry on. Lady Qi has a sharp temper,” Fan Yilin warned him considerately.

He recalled that when he had mistakenly apprehended her apprentice, she had laid siege to his father-in-law’s manor. Li Tong left in a rush.

Backed by the prestige of the Duke of Deqing’s name, he felt much more confident when speaking to his family. Compared to the reluctance and gloom on his way there, his steps now felt almost buoyant.

I must have struck pure gold this time! Li Tong entered his home and first sought out his father.

“Father is at Grandfather’s place,” one of his elder brothers said irritably. “Do you think everyone else is as idle as you?” Li Tong lowered his head and remained silent.

He was idle because they didn't allow him to participate... He was never good at arguing, so he simply walked away quietly.

Before he could exit the courtyard gate, someone called out to him. At the entrance to the second courtyard, a girl of about fifteen or sixteen was waving at him.

This was Li Tong’s full sister. “Brother, Mother said that because everyone is worried about Grandfather…” she whispered, eyes red, not needing to finish what they were all worried about.

“…they must immediately settle the marriages for all the children in the family, otherwise, the three years of mourning will delay everything.” Tears welled up, and she reached out to pull Li Tong’s arm. “Brother, I don’t want to marry that consumptive ghost from Shanxi…” she cried.

As an unfavored daughter of a concubine, marriage was her only leverage. Li Tong’s face was anxious and pained.

“Alright, don’t worry. I promise I will find an opportunity to speak to Father,” he assured her.

But he had no idea if such an opportunity would ever arise. Li Tong looked down at the hope shining in his sister's eyes.

Due to Li Huaiqing’s illness, the atmosphere in the entire Li family was somber. Li Tong finally received permission to see his elder uncle.

His father and all his other uncles were present in the room. “What is it?” his father asked directly.

The elder uncle and the others didn't even lift their eyes. A son of a concubine with mediocre talent was simply kept fed and housed; not worth much attention.

“I—I have invited a doctor. She said she could come look at Grandfather; perhaps there is a way,” Li Tong murmured, still somewhat timid facing his father.

As expected, Li Tong’s father snorted through his nose. “Get out,” he said quietly.

“Father, she is a doctor from the Duke of Deqing’s house,” Li Tong had no choice but to invoke that name. The name proved its power.

Li Tong’s father froze, and the other uncles looked up. “The Duke of Chen’s household?” the elder uncle asked.

“Yes,” Li Tong replied, overjoyed. “I have already met her; she said she would come this afternoon.” The men looked toward the elder uncle.

“How did you manage to invite a doctor from the Duke of Deqing Chen family?” the elder uncle asked Li Tong. This was likely the first time he had truly looked at his nephew.

“I—I, Young Master Fan Yilin introduced me. He said she is the divine physician of Yongqing Prefecture…” Li Tong began, but was interrupted by his uncle.

“What? Which divine physician?” he demanded, thinking he had misheard.