"The Qí Niángzǐ from Qiānjīn Hall in Yǒngqìng Prefecture, the one treating the plague..." Li Tóng quickly explained.

"Utter nonsense!" his elder uncle snapped, his voice deep. "What does this have to do with Duke Déqìng! What connection is there?"

"But, Niángzǐ Qí is treated as an honored guest by the Chén family," Li Tóng hastened to say. Technically, this wasn't a lie; Madam Chén indeed treated Qí Niángzǐ as an honored guest. He had merely offered some polite refusals, and Madam Chén had made things difficult for him with blunt insistence.

This statement gave his uncle and the others pause.

Was it true?

"Uncle, did Empress Xiàocí of the previous dynasty ever mention that Grandfather had 'hot blood' and needed to watch his diet?" Li Tóng suddenly recalled something and rushed on.

Success or failure depended on this single sentence!

As expected, his uncle started.

"Just now, I didn't believe that physician, nor did I introduce myself, so I politely declined. That Madam Chén immediately asked my surname—Li—then mentioned Grandfather's name, and spoke those exact words," Li Tóng continued.

"Which Madam Chén?" his uncle asked.

"The one Chén Wǔ calls 'Little Aunt'," Li Tóng said.

At these words, his uncles and even his father exchanged glances, their expressions becoming solemn.

"It's her..." one uncle whispered. "Chén Shì Xuěniáng."

"Exactly. She was often kept close by Empress Xiàocí back then," the elder uncle nodded. "Empress Xiàocí truly did say that to Father."

Given this confirmation, the matter was settled.

"In that case, we cannot afford to slight her," the elder uncle mused for a moment. "Take my visiting card and personally invite her from Duke Déqìng's residence."

Li Tóng eagerly stepped forward to take the card, but his uncle intercepted it.

"Give it to Young Master Jǐn; he should go," the uncle instructed.

Young Master Jǐn was Li Tóng's elder brother, not the eldest son, but a legitimate son.

Li Tóng watched dumbfounded as the card was taken away.

"Enough, you may leave now," his father stated.

But, but...

Li Tóng stood outside the door, still somewhat lost.

So, it was no longer his concern?

Li Tóng looked back, his eyes stinging slightly.

So, for someone like him, even if an opportunity arose, he couldn't hold onto it.

Duke Déqìng's household quickly received the visiting card from Elder Scholar Lǐ's family. This time, the person who received them was not Chén Wǔ, but the Young Duke, Chén Ānmíng.

Upon hearing Young Master Lǐ Jǐn's request, Chén Ānmíng looked surprised, but he did not shout like Chén Wǔ; instead, he smiled and said he needed to consult his family first.

Lǐ Jǐn felt no sense of being slighted. Those miracle doctors were usually very haughty—like Zhōu Màochūn. The more seriously the Chén family treated this, the more formidable Qí Niángzǐ must be. He waited happily.

The Young Duke relayed the matter to his family, who were all greatly astonished.

"This Qí Niángzǐ has just arrived, and Elder Scholar Lǐ's family is already inviting her. Has her reputation grown that large?" Madam Chén Fāng was very surprised.

"Didn't Xuěniáng say she was critically ill before? It seems she’s completely fine now. This must be Qí Niángzǐ’s doing," Third Master Chén nodded.

So that was it—a life-saving debt required treating her as a paramount guest.

Now everyone understood.

"Then hurry, we must not be slow either," Madam Chén Fāng said, looking at the Young Duke. "Take your father’s visiting card and go personally fetch Xuěniáng. Use the family carriage to bring her over."

The Young Duke, having received permission, happily went out and asked Lǐ Jǐn to return, saying Qí Niángzǐ would arrive momentarily.

Both parties parted ways contentedly.

As Duke Déqìng's carriage set out, Qí Yuè also departed.

"It's probably just enough time for that child to say goodbye to his family," she commented, glancing at the sky.

"You are truly thoughtful," Ārú chuckled.

"That child clearly isn't favored at home. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sought me out after just a few words from Fàn Yìlín. He clearly didn't fully believe it himself. If I had gone with him abruptly, I would have faced embarrassment, and he would have been even more mortified," Qí Yuè explained.

Ārú looked at her and smiled.

"What are you smiling at?" Qí Yuè asked.

"I want to say something, but it sounds a little funny," Ārú said, covering her mouth.

Qí Yuè gave her a look.

"Then keep it bottled up," she instructed.

"Wife has grown up, and her temper has gotten so much better," Ārú laughed.

"What are you talking about," Qí Yuè snorted, slightly raising her chin, and gracefully boarded the carriage with the help of a respectful maid. "This is called Fàn'ér (style/bearing)!"

Ārú couldn't help but laugh out loud, reaching out to nudge her, then sitting down with her medicine box.

The accompanying maid could only click her tongue in amazement.

If that's how a personal maid behaves, wouldn't she get beaten to death...

The carriage driver, seasoned in navigating the capital, knew the residence of Elder Scholar Lǐ well and soon stopped at the Lǐ compound gate.

"Looking for Young Master Tóng?" the gatekeeper scrutinized them.

This beautiful woman is looking for Young Master Tóng?

Young Master Tóng's status is low, so the person seeking him shouldn't be of high standing either.

"Yes, I am the physician he invited," Qí Yuè said with a smile.

"Young Master Tóng invited a physician too?"

"Didn't Young Master Jǐn go to invite a doctor?"

"Just tagging along to join the excitement?"

The gatekeepers murmured amongst themselves in surprise.

Qí Yuè remained composed, waiting quietly for them to finish speaking.

Because the Emperor was greatly concerned about Elder Scholar Lǐ's illness, the Imperial Academy of Medicine took it very seriously, ensuring a doctor visited daily.

Dǒng Lín’s expression was grim as he alighted from the carriage.

Wú Shān carefully followed behind, holding a medicine box.

"Sir, it’s not that I was useless, but the owner of the gold shop refused to reveal the client's identity, so I couldn't find out anything about that woman," he murmured aggrievedly.

Useless fool, Dǒng Lín cursed inwardly, yet he was also slightly surprised. He knew gold shops maintained confidentiality for certain patrons, but usually only for those of status; those without status had nothing to hide.

"Sir!" Wú Shān suddenly cried out.

Dǒng Lín, deep in thought, was startled.

"She, she, she..." Wú Shān stammered, pointing ahead with a look of terror.

Dǒng Lín followed his gaze and saw two young women standing before the Lǐ residence gate. One was tall, exquisitely graceful, and immediately drew the eye.

Though he had only seen her from a distance once, a woman of such striking beauty was naturally unforgettable.

Dǒng Lín narrowed his eyes.

So, the one he searched for everywhere had appeared right here...

"...What medical hall are you from? How can you be a physician, being a woman?" The gatekeeper was still speaking slowly, grinding his teeth.

"Qí Niángzǐ?"

A voice interjected, cutting off the gatekeeper.

The voice was unfamiliar, and Qí Yuè turned to look, seeing a middle-aged man standing before her—a man with a square face, dignified attire, and a composed demeanor.

She didn't recognize him...

"Are you Qí Niángzǐ from Qiānjīn Hall in Yǒngqìng Prefecture?" Dǒng Lín asked again.

Has my reputation truly become that widespread?

Qí Yuè looked slightly surprised.

"And you are?" she asked politely.

"I imagine my senior brother didn't mention me to you?" Dǒng Lín said with a smile.

Qí Yuè instantly understood.

Liú Pǔchéng certainly hadn't mentioned him. If Old Doctor Ān hadn't told her, she wouldn't have known that the seemingly ordinary Liú Pǔchéng had a medical mentor and a junior martial brother serving at the Imperial Academy of Medicine.

"You are Teacher's junior martial brother," she stated, a hint of surprise in her tone.

Dǒng Lín nodded.

"You're in the capital? Has my senior brother also arrived?" he inquired.

"No, Master said he would come in the eleventh month," Qí Yuè replied.

"It’s Master's death anniversary," Dǒng Lín acknowledged.

The gatekeeper didn't recognize Qí Yuè, but he recognized Dǒng Lín and respectfully invited him in.

"Official Dǒng, please hurry in. Official Gōng and the others are already inside," the gatekeeper said.

Dǒng Lín nodded and started to walk in, but paused, looking back at Qí Yuè.

"You came to..." he asked.

"I'm here to see a patient," Qí Yuè replied with a smile.

"They said Young Master Tóng invited her," the gatekeeper added.

Dǒng Lín didn't know Young Master Tóng; he only recognized the young masters in the Lǐ family with true potential and promise, so this one could easily be dismissed.

He truly wondered how she was found—did she promote herself?

Yes, everyone in the capital knew of Elder Scholar Lǐ's illness. This woman had proclaimed herself number one at Qiānjīn Hall in Yǒngqìng Prefecture; was she planning to do the same here in the capital?

But this was the capital, not Yǒngqìng Prefecture.

Dǒng Lín smiled faintly and nodded.

"Very well, you should take a look too," he said. "Perhaps you might have a solution."

"I wouldn't dare presume; I'll see first," Qí Yuè responded.

She wasn't being humble at all...

Dǒng Lín paused briefly, then sneered inwardly.

Just as he had heard, this woman was arrogant and impetuous.

But that made things easier; a person like this would fall right into any trap he set.

"Don't be so modest. Senior brother often praises you," Dǒng Lín said with a smile.

"Did Teacher mention me to you?" Qí Yuè asked, turning back curiously.

Of course not.

"Even if Senior Brother didn't mention it, Qí Niángzǐ's name is known throughout the world now; who doesn't know you?" Dǒng Lín said smilingly.

This statement could be interpreted as Liú Pǔchéng having mentioned her, or as him not mentioning her; it depended entirely on one's own interpretation.

Qí Yuè smiled.

"Please, you go first," she yielded.

"Don't be so formal. Now that you're in the capital, if you need anything, just tell me," Dǒng Lín said kindly. "What brings you here this time..."

"Just visiting relatives," Qí Yuè answered briefly.

"If your accommodation isn't convenient, the Imperial Academy of Medicine oversees a few inns. You can move there to save expenses," Dǒng Lín offered.

"Thank you, my lodging is fine," Qí Yuè replied with a smile.

They conversed as they walked, soon arriving at Elder Scholar Lǐ's chambers.

Entering the courtyard, a strong medicinal scent permeated the air, and the people moving about had solemn expressions.

Inside the room, three men were already speaking in low tones.

"Official Gōng," Dǒng Lín stepped forward and bowed.

Qí Yuè saw one of the elderly men in official robes turn and nod. Dǒng Lín greeted the other two but did not bow, suggesting they were of equal rank.

"...You've arrived at a good time. Come and see if this dose of medicine needs adjustment?" Official Gōng asked.

Dǒng Lín replied with an affirmative and stepped forward.

Qí Yuè stood to the side, ignored, listening to the doctors debate prescriptions—a stream of obscure medical jargon. During this time, Dǒng Lín was completely engrossed, seemingly forgetting that he had brought along a junior martial niece...

Qí Yuè didn't mind. She looked up toward the room beyond the hanging curtain.

"Is Elder Scholar Lǐ inside?" she quietly asked a maid passing by, who was holding a spittoon.

The maid didn't know who she was, but seeing that she could enter this area meant she wasn't ordinary, so she nodded quickly.

Qí Yuè signaled to Ārú and proceeded inward.

Inside the room, three or four attending maids moved quietly, changing water and wiping surfaces.

**Lying on the bed was an elderly man, about seventy, emaciated, somewhat delirious, and breathing heavily.

When the maids saw her enter, they froze.

Who was this woman?

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