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She stepped out and indeed saw a girl standing on the opposite covered walkway, dressed in a brocade skirt and jacket, about her own age, with delicate eyebrows, phoenix eyes, lightly rouged lips, and an elegant posture that bespoke an air of wealthy nobility.

“Liu Yan,” she called out with a slight smile.

The voice was short and sharp, carrying a hint of boldness; if one hadn't seen her, they would never have guessed it came from such a delicate young girl.

Liu Yan ignored her and turned toward the dispensary.

Wang Qiao'er followed slowly behind.

“Why are you here?” she asked with a grin. “What a coincidence. The moment I arrive at Qianjin Hall, I run into you.”

Liu Yan'er pretended not to hear.

“Hey, I heard you were jilted in your engagement? Is that true?” Wang Qiao'er laughed. “But don’t be sad; you’re so ugly, you should have some self-awareness…”

Liu Yan'er raised her hand and flung the tray toward Wang Qiao.

Wang Qiao'er was already on guard and sprang aside.

“What are you doing, hitting people again!”

“You asked for it!”

“What, what?”

“What are you doing? Watch your young mistress!”

“You watch your young mistress first!”

The sounds of women arguing drifted from the back courtyard of Qianjin Hall. The disciples in the front hall remained composed, continuing their tasks, and even the patients who came for medicine showed no reaction.

In seven years, even the most surprising events became commonplace.

It wasn’t just within Qianjin Hall; everyone in Yongqing Prefecture was used to it. Whether it was a new piece of jewelry, a new play at the opera house, or even securing spots for spring or autumn outings—wherever these two were present, a clash was inevitable. The usual pattern was for the two young ladies to start the squabble, followed by the maids and serving women jumping into the fray. No one needed to intervene; once they tired themselves out, they’d clap their hands and disperse.

A few days later, the sound of hearty laughter suddenly erupted from the room of the elderly Madam Liu, who had been gloomy for days, startling the maids and servants waiting outside.

“It’s truly retribution. Who would want someone so ungrateful! No one wants him even when he’s offering himself as a son-in-law!” Old Madam Liu laughed heartily, feeling as if the pent-up frustration of the last half-month had completely vanished.

“Retribution? Nonsense, it’s man-made disaster,” Old Master Liu snorted. “Everyone knows that the Guo family, who was preparing the marriage proposal, had a meal with the First Master of the Wang family, and then canceled the engagement right after. Why then, and not sooner or later… A high-ranking official from the Wang family actually interfering with someone else’s marriage—it shows a true lack of decorum…”

Before his words were finished, Old Madam Liu smashed the tea bowl in front of her toward him.

“Decorum, my foot! Everyone is standing up for Yan’er, and you, her own grandfather, are you even related?” she shouted.

The old woman was clearly enraged to the point of confusion…

The maid accompanying Liu Yan couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, quickly covering her mouth.

Liu Yan, however, did not laugh; she was stunned silent.

The Wang family…

The next time Wang Qiao'er stepped into Qianjin Hall and called out, she found Liu Yan'er waiting nearby.

“You’re back again?” she said, lifting her chin playfully.

“I don’t need you to stick up for me,” Liu Yan said, looking rather subdued.

“Who’s sticking up for you? I’m just enjoying the show, that’s all,” Wang Qiao'er replied, settling down nearby.

Liu Yan lowered her head, saying nothing.

“The other party isn’t entirely wrong for breaking the engagement. Originally, a virtuous lady is desired by a worthy gentleman. Me, being so plain, relying on my family’s wealth to arrange a marriage wasn't exactly fair play. People strive for better circumstances; it’s not wrong for him to aim higher after achieving scholarly success,” she mused, looking at her hands and smiling slightly. “In the end, it seems our two families were the ones bullying others.”

“Who told them to bully you first? My father said you are a treasure,” Wang Qiao snorted in response.

“What treasure am I?” Liu Yan'er said, letting out a breath.

However, there was one person who often called her a treasure, the first person who not only called her that but truly treated her like one…

“If she were here, she would have already smashed that Widow Wang’s house to pieces…” Wang Qiao suddenly remarked, sitting in the small, medicine-scented resting room, looking through the tiny door into the main hall of Qianjin Hall. The disciples were moving about busily but orderly, yet the silhouette of that one woman was nowhere to be seen.

Liu Yan lowered her head, and tears splashed onto the back of her hand. She quickly raised her hand to wipe them away.

Silence filled the room, then suddenly there was some commotion outside.

“What is it?” Wang Qiao'er looked up, seeing the disciples rush toward the entrance, seemingly welcoming someone.

“Is that Hu San back? What’s with the big fuss…” she scoffed.

Before she finished speaking, Liu Yan had already stood up and rushed outside.

“Master Liu!” she shouted loudly, her eyes full of joy.

Liu Pucheng, bearing the dust of travel, looked over with a smile at the entrance.

“Master Liu, why were you gone so long this time? Did you find any more good things?” Liu Yan’er asked excitedly.

Liu Pucheng unburdened himself of the medicine box, basket, cloth bags, and other items one by one, handing them to the disciples while smiling at Liu Yan'er.

“Big Sister, I found something good this time,” he said. “I can perform your secondary repair surgery now.”

Liu Yan froze.

What?

“Big Sister, Madam Qi once said that yours would require several repairs to be complete,” Liu Pucheng repeated, smiling at her. “I can perform the second repair now, but I don’t know what the outcome will be. Big Sister, do you dare let me try?”

Liu Yan'er looked at Liu Pucheng, unable to stop her nose from stinging, her eyes welling up with moisture.

“Master Liu, you… you’ve been doing this for me…” she said haltingly, finally choked with emotion.

“You are a treasure, after all,” Liu Pucheng laughed, pulling out a strange-looking set of instruments, his face alight with delight. “If I can heal you, then more people like you will be able to keep their lives. To be reborn as a human is no easy feat.”

He looked at Liu Yan as he spoke.

“But, Big Sister, are you afraid of the pain?” he asked.

Liu Yan’s eyes were blurred with tears.

“Yan’er, are you afraid of the pain?” That woman bent down and smiled at her. “Because Auntie has to use a knife to cut open your mouth and then sew it back up.”

“Good child, Auntie will surely heal you. Our Yan’er will become beautifully lovely, enough to make others green with envy just by looking at her.”

Liu Yan raised her hand to wipe away the tears and nodded firmly at Liu Pucheng.

“Yan’er isn’t afraid,” she said, looking at Liu Pucheng. “Thank you, Master Liu.”

She lowered her head in a deep bow of thanks.

Thank you.

Thank you, Auntie…

Yan’er isn't afraid, Yan’er will surely become beautifully lovely.

Rest assured.

There is nothing to repay you with except more writing to express my thanks.

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