Exile at the start? The princess is no ordinary woman.

So that's it, so that's it.

That makes sense. The Yang family ultimately failed because of their arrogance and overconfidence; one daughter ruined the entire family.

Thinking about this, Xu Huanshan felt he needed to properly discipline his child, lest he cause trouble outside without anyone knowing...

"You're not bad, kid,"

Xu Huanshan suddenly patted Xu Ruilin on the shoulder and said something that left Xu Ruilin completely dumbfounded.

No, what happened?

Did his dad praise him?

Is it going to rain red rain?

Why did you suddenly praise him?

This sudden compliment didn't make Xu Ruilin happy; instead, it made him extremely nervous and anxious. Was his father planning something big?

"Brother, brother, what do you think Father means by this? Why is Father acting so strangely today?"

"It's nothing, Dad's just praising you."

Xu Chengzhi offered no explanation and followed Xu Huanshan's steps further inside.

It's precisely because he was praised that this is abnormal.

"Sister, do you think Father was frightened by the treatment method for Mother that Consort Gu mentioned today? It's so abnormal..."

Xu Qingning was speechless. His second brother, who loved to cause trouble, was used to being disciplined and was now unaccustomed to not being punished.

Now that the Xu family members had returned to the main hall, it was time to discuss serious matters.

"Cheng'er, what do you think of the treatment method that Madam Jun mentioned?"

Xu Huanshan's words immediately silenced Xu Ruilin, who had been somewhat agitated, and a trace of worry appeared on everyone's face.

I don't know how to choose.

It's incurable; it can't be—she's his wife, their mother.

The treatment method was too risky; they simply couldn't imagine it...

Just then, Madam Xu walked in.

"Master, Cheng'er, Lin'er, there's no need to hide anything from me about my illness. Tell me about it. The acupuncture and medicine that Madam Jun mentioned can only provide temporary relief..."

Madam Xu was somewhat aware of her own illness, even though Gu Nanzhi's method had indeed provided some relief.

But she knew her husband and children well; it certainly wouldn't be that simple.

“Mother, there’s nothing wrong with it. You’ve already felt it yourself. Madam Jun’s medical skills are excellent; she can cure your illness.”

"Yes, Mother, Consort Gu's medical skills are excellent. You know, Young Master Jun used to have difficulty walking, and it was Consort Gu who cured him. Your little headache can be cured with just a few acupuncture treatments from Consort Gu."

Xu Ruilin affectionately took Madam Xu's arm to comfort her.

Xu Qingning also comforted her mother.

"Mother, don't worry. Sister Nanzhi said that you just need to take your medicine on time and have acupuncture treatment, and you will recover..."

No decision has been made yet. Gu Nanzhi's method sounded terrifying, so the father and sons tacitly chose not to tell the parties involved for the time being.

But the more this seemed to be the case, the more Madam Xu felt something was wrong. How could she not know her own husband, her own child, at all?

"Master, Cheng'er, Lin'er, Qing'er, do you think I don't know you? The more you act like this, the more it means there's a problem. I heard everything you just said. Tell me, what did Madam Jun say? How should it be treated? What are the risks...?"

A brief silence fell over the main hall; how could they possibly speak?

Xu Chengzhi finally broke the silence, telling Gu Nanzhi the truth.

"Mother, Lady Jun's method of treatment is frightening and horrifying..."

Madam Jun said there's something growing in your skull, which is the lesion causing your headaches. To cure it, you need to open your skull and remove the lesion.

If this method of treatment is not used, then acupuncture supplemented with herbal decoctions can only relieve the headache. However, Madam Jun said that the lesions will starve over time, and at that point, neither acupuncture nor herbal decoctions will be effective, and there will be no other treatment available…”

As Xu Chengzhi spoke, the others also lowered their eyes. Losing their wives and mothers was something they could hardly accept.

“Mother, Father and we children have never heard of a way to cure illness in this way, and we are very worried. How can a person live if their head is opened? Therefore, we have not given Lady Jun an answer…”

Madam Xu fell silent upon hearing this. No wonder her husband and child were so conflicted; now she understood.

Opening up her head is indeed frightening to hear, but if she hadn't been incurable, as Gu Nanzhi said, how many more years could she have lived?

And you also have to endure headaches...

After a long silence, Madam Xu asked again.

"Cheng'er, Madam Jun said that if only herbal medicine is used, how long can acupuncture maintain the effect?"

Xu Chengzhi looked at his mother with worry in his eyes and spoke with difficulty.

"Three to five years"

Madam Jun said that if the lesion worsens, it can deteriorate very quickly...

Madam Xu's thoughts sank. The past three to five years felt like a heavy stone weighing on her heart, and this stone weighed not only on her heart, but on the hearts of everyone in the Xu family.

"Did Madam Jun say how confident she was in the treatment method of opening the skull to remove the lesions?"

70%

70%

If she took the risk, could she spend a few more years with her husband and children? She hasn't even held her grandchildren yet, hasn't even seen her children get married...

"My lord, Cheng'er, Lin'er, Qing'er, please, Madam Jun, give it a try."

After a long silence, Madam Xu made her decision.

These words shocked everyone.

"Ningxiang?"

"mother?"

Unbelievable! They hesitated so much, and Mother actually made such a terrifying decision!

Madam Xu understood their surprise and said earnestly,

"My dear husband, Cheng'er, Lin'er, Qing'er, in the past two years, I've seen many doctors, but they all shook their heads or prescribed remedies that weren't very effective."

Now that Lady Jun can so clearly pinpoint the ailment and offer a treatment, why not trust her?

Mother believes she's a good person; she's a doctor, and if she can say it out loud, she must be confident...

Madam Xu has a very clear understanding of this point.

"Most importantly, your mother can't bear to part with you. Your mother hasn't been able to see you marry, have children, and establish your own families. Your mother hasn't been able to hold our Xu family's grandson in her arms."

So, your mother wants to give it a try, to take a gamble. Your mother wants to see you all get married, to see our Qing'er find a good husband and a good family...

Mother believes that Heaven will surely bless Mother…

Madam Xu's words made the atmosphere in the main hall even more somber. How could they not want that? They also wanted their father and mother to live to a ripe old age, so that they, as their children, could take care of them when they grew old...

"Mother, yes, Heaven will surely bless you, Mother..."