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

The next morning, Jiang Muxin and Jiang Zheng'an tidied up their rooms, had a simple breakfast, and then went together to visit Wei Susu. Just as they reached the courtyard gate, Xie Mingyuan and his entourage arrived at almost the same time.

The maid Qiu Niang, who was guarding the door, hurriedly stepped forward and explained softly, "Master Xie, young master, young lady, the madam and master went to bed late last night and just got up this morning. They just finished breakfast. Once the room is tidied up, please come in."

Xie Mingyuan nodded, then asked, "By the way, Qiu Niang, has Doctor Qin Jichuan from the capital returned? I asked the steward of the manor this morning, and he said that no doctor surnamed Qin has visited."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Niang quickly replied, "Master Xie, you may not know this, but Doctor Qin arrived last night and entered Madam's room before Master and has already taken Madam's pulse."

Xie Mingyuan frowned slightly, his mind filled with doubt. His residence was always heavily guarded, and outsiders could never enter without prior notice. How had Qin Jichuan managed to get in so quietly? However, now was not the time to dwell on this matter, so he quickly pressed for an answer:

"What were the results of the diagnosis? And what about the lady's health...?"

After a night of calming down, Qiu Niang's emotions had stabilized, but she still couldn't help but sigh when the matter was mentioned, her voice carrying a hint of heaviness:

"Thank you, sir, young master, and young lady. Doctor Qin said... he is powerless to save Madam's illness."

As the words "too little, too late" were uttered, Jiang Zheng'an clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He had known for a long time that his mother was terminally ill, but when this cold diagnosis came from someone else's mouth, it still felt like a heavy hammer hitting his heart.

In my memory, my mother was always gentle and kind, while my father came from a poor family and was very strict with himself when he was studying. He never slacked off when teaching him his lessons. Only my mother was like the winter sun, always wrapping him in warmth, even though there was a lingering sadness in her eyes.

How could such a good mother leave him? He couldn't accept this fact and stood frozen in place.

Jiang Muxin had actually anticipated this all along.

But she didn't expect that the remaining time would be so short, only one year.

She suppressed the bitterness in her heart, but her reason remained exceptionally clear. She told herself: being sad now is useless. There is still a year left, and she must make good plans for her wedding.

If she waits until her mother passes away to observe a three-year mourning period, she will be past the prime age for marriage. Even if she is renowned for her talent, there will be many obstacles in finding a suitable husband.

Therefore, everything needs to be accelerated this year, and we must make sure to pave the way for our future.

Xie Mingyuan remained silent throughout, appearing calm on the surface, but deep in his eyes lay an unconcealable sorrow. However, he was ultimately an outsider, and could only suppress his emotions.

Before long, a commotion came from inside the house. Qiu Niang stepped forward and said, "The master and madam have finished tidying up. Please come in."

Once inside, Jiang Zheng'an suppressed his emotions and tried his best to appear calm and composed.

He knew in his heart that if his mother really left, his father's heart would most likely "die" as well, and then he would have to support the family.

As soon as Jiang Muxin saw Wei Susu, she couldn't help but sob softly.

Even though she was emotionally agitated, she did not lose the etiquette of a lady from a noble family. Her sobs were soft and discreet, without the slightest ostentation. As soon as a tear rolled down her cheek, she immediately wiped it away gently with a handkerchief. Only her shoulders trembled slightly, revealing her sorrow.

Although Wei Susu had seen her children separately before the New Year, she still missed them terribly when she saw them again.

She beckoned the two of them closer, carefully examining them. Her fingertips gently brushed against Jiang Zheng'an's sleeve, then touched Jiang Muxin's hair, softly instructing, "Don't be too sad. Life and death are predestined, and I've long since come to terms with it."

Once the two had calmed down a bit, Wei Susu brought up the plan she had discussed with Jiang Lingyang the night before: "I was thinking that after recuperating here for a while, I would go back to the capital with your father. Once we get back, the main thing is to plan for Muxin's marriage; we can't delay any longer."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Muxin's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes instantly reddened.

It turns out her mother still cared about her.

A tear slid down her cheek; her emotions were incredibly complex.

From a young age, she sensed the difference in her mother's treatment of her.

When her mother looked at her, her eyes were always veiled by a thin mist, as if she were looking at someone else through her shadow. Later, she finally learned about her origins—she had been adopted, and her mother always remembered her lost biological daughter.

She was still young at the time, and the news hit her like a boulder, making it hard for her to bear. But she dared not cry or make a fuss. She could only force herself to be more obedient and sensible, and desperately study poetry, calligraphy, painting, and calligraphy to make herself more talented.

She wanted her parents to be proud of her, and she wanted them to slowly forget the daughter who had been lost in the mountains.

She even speculated in her heart that if that daughter were still alive, she would most likely be an uneducated, coarse-tempered countrywoman, completely incomparable to her. Years passed, and there was still no news of that daughter; perhaps she had long since passed away. Only her father and mother clung to unrealistic fantasies and refused to give up the search.

At this moment, she clutched her handkerchief tightly, her voice choked with emotion: "Mother, you are so frail, why bother with my marriage? I would rather not marry than not stay by your side this year and take good care of you."

Wei Susu gently patted her head, her eyes full of love: "Silly child, how can your mother be so selfish? You are already of marriageable age. It is your mother who is not good enough. I did not plan properly for you before. Now I know that there is not much time left. This is the last thing your mother can do for you. It is also your mother's wish. Don't feel burdened."

She paused, then looked at Jiang Lingyang and Jiang Zheng'an, "Besides, I should go back to the capital for a visit. After I've settled Mu Xin's matter, I'll come back here—this will be my final resting place. Lingyang, Zheng'an, Mu Xin, you are my closest people, and I hope you can understand me."

Xie Mingyuan stood to the side, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly, muttering for a long time, but ultimately he didn't say a word.

He knew that he was ultimately an outsider in front of this family and had no right to interrupt.

Just then, a somewhat arrogant voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Hmph, if you keep going like this, you might only have half a year left instead of a year. With this back-and-forth travel, I think you'll probably die halfway through."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lingyang finally lost his temper and hissed, "Qin Jichuan!"

Qin Jichuan strolled in leisurely, shrugged, and said nonchalantly, "I'm telling the truth, but the truth is never pleasant to hear and is never well-received. If you want to cause trouble, go ahead, but I won't do acupuncture today, so as not to waste my time."

Jiang Muxin didn't show anything on her face, but she felt extremely disgusted with Qin Jichuan.

This Doctor Qin was in his thirties, unmarried, and extremely handsome, but he never gave her a kind look.

Every man in the world who meets her speaks softly and tries his best to please her. Only Qin Jichuan either ignores her or speaks bluntly and venomously, like a poisoned knife.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her dissatisfaction, clenched her handkerchief, and spoke softly:

"Father, Mother, when we went to Fulin County to look for our sister years ago, we happened to meet a doctor with superb medical skills. The villagers all called him 'Doctor Qian.' This man's medical skills are truly exquisite. At that time, he saved a woman in labor who everyone thought was beyond saving. Even Brother Shaoyang thought highly of him. Why don't we wait a little longer and hear what Doctor Qian's diagnosis is?"

Jiang Zheng'an's eyes lit up immediately: "That's right! And Doctor Qian too!"

“During the fight against the epidemic, I personally witnessed him treating the people. His methods were steady, decisive, and exceptionally efficient. He led the Jishetang team to fight the epidemic and single-handedly snatched the lives of an entire city from the jaws of death! With such superb and unique medical skills, he will surely be able to cure my mother!”

Qin Jichuan listened to their conversation, but curled his lip in disdain and sneered, "Can he cure it? If he says he can, then he's a charlatan!"