A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

Zhang Zhongjing sighed inwardly: Just as I thought, this Lady Nie's master is very likely a medical master from a reclusive family.

He's made a fortune! He has dedicated his life to the study of medicine, and if he can further improve in this field in the rest of his life, he will die without regrets.

Such an opportunity is rare and hard to come by. If we can keep Nie Niangzi at the clinic and watch her practice medicine, we will surely benefit greatly. If we are lucky enough to meet the reclusive master behind her, we might even be able to become his apprentice. Judging from the fact that Nie Niangzi has such medical skills at such a young age, this master must be a rare medical genius.

He grew more and more excited as he thought about it, and tried his best to suppress his joy. He stroked his beard and spoke in an even more polite tone, "I have another matter to discuss with you, Madam Nie. My clinic, Jishetang, would like to invite you to practice medicine at our clinic. What do you think?"

Nie Qianqian: "Do you see patients at the clinic?"

Tang Jincheng was slightly surprised to hear this. Although he knew that Nie Niangzi was skilled in medicine, he did not expect that Director Zhang would attach such importance to it.

Zhang Zhongjing: "That's right. Although you are young, you have unique medical skills. If you can come to Jishetang to practice medicine, you can help more people. Of course, Jishetang will pay you the consultation fee you deserve."

Nie Qianqian pondered; it was indeed a good suggestion. She could return to her old profession of treating patients, earn money from consultations, and moreover…

Qianqian pictured her husband in her mind, recalling how he stood in court, arguing for her and Liu Yan, his upright posture and calm, confident demeanor. But his right hand... was completely immobile.

If she could practice medicine at Jishetang, she could find a way to treat Gu Xiao's right hand.

With that in mind, Nie Qianqian readily agreed, "No problem, but I have a few requests that I hope the curator can grant."

Zhang Zhongjing: "Speak freely."

Nie Qianqian: "Firstly, my master is living in seclusion, so I cannot be too high-profile. I do not use my real name or show my true face when I practice medicine at Jishetang. Secondly, my consultation fee is 2 taels of silver per consultation. If I encounter difficult and complicated diseases, the consultation fee will be increased accordingly. Of course, if I cannot cure the patient after consultation, I will not charge the consultation fee."

When Zhang Zhongjing heard the second consultation fee of 2 taels of silver, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. 2 taels of silver was more expensive than his own medical fees as the curator. But when he heard that she would not accept the fee if she could not cure the patient, his brows slowly relaxed.

Two taels of silver per treatment is not cheap, but if it can truly cure even his difficult and complicated illness, then the money is well worth it.

He couldn't help but think of the wife of the important figure he had treated in the provincial capital. If Madam Nie's medical skills were truly so superb, he could take her to the provincial capital to treat her.

Zhang Zhongjing: "I can agree to both of these. Are there any other requests?"

Nie Qianqian thought for a moment, "There's one more small matter. Because my master is a low-key person and his whereabouts are elusive, my family doesn't even know he exists. In the future, when I come to the town clinic, I need to find a reason. How about I tell everyone that I'm Director Zhang's newly accepted apprentice doctor?"

Zhang Zhongjing quickly waved his hand, "This won't do. How can my wife's medical skills be limited to being just a lowly apprentice doctor?"

Nie Qianqian: "There is no end to medicine. Director Zhang's medical skills are superb, his knowledge is extensive, and his experience is profound. I believe I can learn a lot from him in the future. How can I not be your little medicine apprentice?"

If someone treats me with respect, I will treat them with even greater respect. Zhang Zhongjing treated her politely, so she didn't mind giving him a few compliments in return. After all, she would be working at the clinic, so of course she had to flatter her boss.

Sure enough, everyone loves to hear nice things, and Zhang Zhongjing's face lit up with joy. "In that case, it's settled then."

The four chatted for a while longer before Nie Qianqian and Magistrate Tang prepared to take their leave.

After the two left, Doctor Huang asked with some concern, "Director, this Madam Nie is so young, can she really take on the responsibility of seeing patients, and the consultation fee is as much as two taels of silver."

Zhang Zhongjing took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "The truth cannot be hidden, and falsehood cannot be made true. I have been practicing medicine for many years and I believe I have some ability to judge people. The confidence that Nie Xiaoniangzi has when talking about medicine cannot be faked."

"Although her consultation fee is expensive, she herself said that if she cannot cure the patient, she will not charge the consultation fee. What is there to worry about? If she is capable, what is two taels of silver in consultation fees? There are wealthy people in the town or the provincial capital who spend thousands of dollars to seek medical treatment."

Dr. Huang: "You're not talking about that lady who's temporarily staying in the provincial capital to recuperate, are you?"

Zhang Zhongjing sighed and said, "That lady's illness is indeed difficult to treat. Her health was already poor, and she has been suffering from excessive worry for many years. The doctors in the provincial capital are all helpless."

"If Madam Nie's medical skills are exceptional, perhaps she could..."

"That's a story for another time..."

Nie Qianqian followed Lord Tang out of the clinic. She intended to thank him again and then say goodbye, but Lord Tang called her back.

"Madam Nie, I have a question for you. Is your husband, Gu Xiao, studying in town? Is he able to pass the imperial examinations?"

Nie Qianqian was taken aback when she realized that Lord Tang would ask about Gu Xiao.

Tang Jincheng: "To be honest, as the magistrate of Fulin Town, I need to pay attention to the selection of talents in the town. In previous years, Fulin Town has not produced good results in the provincial examinations. Today, I saw that Gu Xiao spoke in court with reason and evidence, and his knowledge was profound. He is a good prospect, so I asked him."

Nie Qianqian shook her head, "No, he only copied books at Tiande Bookstore in town. He never went to the academy to study, nor did he pass the imperial examinations."

Tang Jincheng couldn't help but feel sorry for Gu Xiao. If he had been able to study, his grades would likely have been quite good. He guessed that Gu Xiao's inability to attend school was due to his family's poverty, as the Nie family hadn't provided the financial support for his education.

Tang Jincheng: "Whether you are unable to study due to lack of funds, I can help you with that. I can write to Tiande Academy to recommend Gu Xiao and waive some of the fees."

Nie Qianqian's eyes lit up when she heard this, "How much can be exempted, and for how many years?"

Tang Jincheng was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but smile. His direct and frank speaking style was exactly the same as when he first met her.

Even after learning that he was the county magistrate, he maintained the same manner of speaking and interacting with him. Having grown accustomed to others being cautious in his presence, he enjoyed talking to such a straightforward person.

Looking at Nie Qianqian's still youthful face, and thinking that the girl was probably about the same age as his son, he couldn't help but feel a bit of affection for the younger generation.

Tang Jincheng: "With my recommendation, all tuition fees should be waived. As for how many years? If Gu Xiao can pass the imperial examination within three years, then those three years can be waived entirely. My wife should have more confidence in Gu Xiao."

Nie Qianqian subtly pursed her lips. "Three years to pass the imperial examination and become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations)?"

It wasn't that she lacked confidence in her husband; in fact, she seemed to have too much confidence. She believed that if Gu Xiao could study at the academy, he would pass the county-level examination next April and become a scholar.

If Tang Jincheng knew what she was thinking, he would inevitably laugh at her for being young and ignorant. From starting her studies to passing the imperial examination at the county level in just over half a year? That was a fantasy; the entire Great Yu Dynasty couldn't find such a talent.

Nie Qianqian: "Thank you, Lord Tang. I will go back and discuss this with my husband."

Lord Tang: "There's one more thing. Is Gu Xiao's right arm temporarily injured?"

Lord Tang stopped speaking. If it weren't for the temporary injury that prevented him from moving, but rather the fact that his right hand was crippled, then he would indeed be unable to take the imperial examination in this lifetime.

Nie Qianqian patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, it's a piece of cake."

With the medical space available, she was confident that she could definitely cure Gu Xiao.

Lord Tang was relieved. "That's good, that's good."

After the two parted, Nie Qianqian kept this matter in mind, pondering to herself that her husband's failure to go to school and the Nie family's refusal to provide financial assistance were only part of the reason. Gu Xiao himself seemed to be resistant to this matter. What was the real reason?