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

Dean Qiu was actually so disoriented by seeing Madam Qiu crying that he couldn't hear what Nie Qianqian was saying. He only heard the words "half a year" and thought that Madam Qiu had another six months to live.

Zhang Zhongjing was also stunned. He had never seen Dean Qiu so out of control. He hurriedly comforted him, "Ziheng, calm down! Doctor Qian said it will take another six months to cure him!"

Dean Qiu seemed to block out the outside world and continued to cry loudly until a weak voice said, "Ziheng, stop crying."

The sound was much quieter than Zhang Zhongjing's, but miraculously, Dean Qiu immediately stopped wailing upon hearing it, and the entire room fell silent.

Dean Qiu's voice was hoarse as he repeatedly called out his wife's name, "Huixin, Huixin..."

Mrs. Qiu had stopped crying and raised her hand to wipe away Dean Qiu's tears as usual, but this time the gesture was more gentle and tender, full of longing.

Fang Huixin: "Ziheng, I'm much better."

Dean Qiu stroked Mrs. Qiu's hand, murmuring, "I know you're in pain. Let's go home. There are still six months left, six months..."

Nie Qianqian almost fell again. Oh no, this person is deaf.

Fang Huixin then said slowly, word by word, "Ziheng, I meant I'm much better!"

Dean Qiu repeated, "Yes, you're much better! We still have six months, we can go..."

Suddenly, he stopped speaking, his eyes widening in disbelief, as big as saucers. He stared intently at Fang Huixin, afraid he was hallucinating, and cautiously asked, "You said, you said, you're much better?!"

Madam Qiu nodded emphatically, placing her hand on her chest again. "This area used to be excruciatingly painful with every breath, like it was on fire, and I couldn't stop coughing. But now..."

Mrs. Qiu took another deep breath. "It really feels much better. It doesn't hurt as much anymore."

Dean Qiu froze as if his pressure points had been struck, then suddenly stood up abruptly and grabbed Nie Qianqian with both hands, startling her. "Dr. Qian, my wife says she's much better. Her illness?"

Nie Qianqian patiently said, "As I just said, her illness is curable, but it will take six months to fully recover."

Dean Qiu: "It can be cured, it can be cured, Huixin, did you hear that? Doctor Qian said it can be cured!"

A tear slid down Fang Huixin's cheek, but she smiled and said, "I heard you. It can be cured. I can continue to stay with you."

Dean Qiu, disregarding the presence of outsiders, embraced Fang Huixin as if she were a lost treasure that had been found again.

Wang Shouren kept shaking his head, "Impossible, impossible, I don't believe it. In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Madam Qiu was already terminally ill. How could there be such a miraculous effect!"

He pointed at Nie Qianqian and said, "Dr. Qian, could it be that you used some potent medicine, like drinking poison to quench thirst? It essentially depletes your internal energy, which will only hasten Madam Qiu's demise."

Zhang Zhongjing angrily interrupted, "Shouren, what nonsense are you spouting! If you can cure it, you can cure it; if you can't, you can't. Doctor Qian wouldn't lie like that. It's pointless! A doctor should have a benevolent heart. Where is your benevolence? I'm afraid all that's left is a competitive spirit. If you're unwilling to acknowledge the strengths of others, you'll forever lose the chance to advance further!"

Dean Qiu finally recovered from his great joy and bowed deeply to Doctor Qian. "Madam said she feels much better. I believe what Doctor Qian said. He will definitely be able to cure Madam. I don't know how to repay this great kindness. I am deeply grateful to Doctor Qian for saving my life."

Nie Qianqian avoided his bow, saying, "It's a doctor's duty, Dean Qiu, you don't need to do that. Just pay the consultation fee as usual."

While everyone was immersed in such a warm, touching, and exciting atmosphere, Nie Qianqian's request to pay the consultation fee seemed out of place.

Dean Qiu almost couldn't straighten up from his bent back. At this moment, his thoughts were the same as Lord Tang Jincheng's. Cough cough, this doctor is really direct.

Director Zhang blushed. A doctor of his caliber would never directly ask for payment. He needed to maintain his authoritative image. How could someone like Nie Qianqian do that?

There was no other way; Nie Qianqian had to support her husband and their child.

Dean Qiu: "Of course, the consultation fee must be paid."

Nie Qianqian remembered the competition she had agreed with Wang Shouren earlier, in which she would provide free medical consultations for patients. She added, "Oh, by the way, I won't charge you for this consultation. I already discussed it with the hospital director. However, this illness will take another six months, so the consultation fees and medication costs for the later consultations cannot be reduced. Installment payments are supported."

Dean Qiu was somewhat amused and exasperated. “The kindness of Doctor Qian cannot be repaid with money. I will pay the consultation fee and medicine expenses in full. In addition, if Doctor Qian has any other needs, please feel free to tell me, and I will do my best to fulfill them.”

The value of a hospital director's promise goes without saying, and Nie Qianqian readily accepted it, saying, "Alright, I will remember Director Qiu's promise."

Gu Xiao is still studying at Tiande Academy, and he may need Dean Qiu's help in the future. Of course, he should keep the promise of a dean.

Dean Qiu: "As long as it doesn't go against my conscience or violate the law, I will do it for Dr. Qian even if it means giving away all my family's wealth."

For Dean Qiu, his vast wealth was nothing but external possessions, insignificant compared to Madam Qiu's life.

Nie Qianqian handed the prepared medicine to Dean Qiu, saying, "This is a medicine I personally prepared, a month's supply, for 50 taels of silver."

Although Dean Qiu was a high-ranking official, he was always poor. Nie Qianqian did not ask for an exorbitant price, nor did she deliberately lower the price because of Dean Qiu's status. 50 taels of silver was neither too much nor too little.

Dean Qiu took the medicine and promised to have his servant bring the money later. He thanked Doctor Qian repeatedly before preparing to leave. The three of them escorted Dean Qiu and Madam Qiu to the entrance of the clinic, watching the carriage drive away, each lost in their own thoughts.

Zhang Zhongjing praised Nie Qianqian's medical skills highly. He knew that Nie Qianqian must have extraordinary abilities, but her medical skills still greatly exceeded his expectations. She could treat tuberculosis. Just this one skill alone was probably something that no one else in the entire Dayu Dynasty could do. He was very glad that he had not looked down on Nie Qianqian because of her age, but instead invited her to practice medicine at the clinic.

He had been hesitant about taking Nie Qianqian to the provincial capital to treat that lady's illness, but now he realized that among all the people he knew, if anyone had the chance to cure the lady's illness, it would definitely be Nie Qianqian.

Wang Shouren looked absent-minded, staring blankly at Dean Qiu's carriage. He couldn't understand how Doctor Qian could possibly cure tuberculosis, or how anyone in the world could cure an incurable disease.

Who exactly is this Doctor Qian's teacher, that he possesses such medical skills, and why does he conceal his true appearance? If he is truly a reclusive master, why would he so directly demand worldly money?

Wang Shouren thought fiercely to himself: This Doctor Qian must be hiding a secret.

Nie Qianqian hadn't forgotten the bet they made earlier. "Doctor Wang, has something been forgotten?"

Wang Shouren came to his senses. Although he was unwilling, he had no choice but to fulfill his promise.

He said in a muffled voice, "Dr. Qian's medical skills are superb. I was just ignorant. I apologize to you."

The three stood at the entrance of the clinic, surrounded by people coming and going. The doctors and apprentices inside had been watching the situation closely. Wang Shouren's public apology was witnessed by everyone.

"What happened? Why did Dr. Wang apologize?"

"I know, I know, I just heard it. The two made a bet to see who could cure the next patient who came into the clinic. It seems that Doctor Wang lost."

"This Doctor Qian is so skilled!"

"He's definitely capable. Otherwise, why would Director Zhang invite him to practice medicine? You guys were just making wild guesses all along. You've been proven wrong."

"My face doesn't hurt, it's probably Dr. Wang's face that hurts."

As Wang Shouren listened to the discussion around him, his face grew darker and darker. He had never been so humiliated since entering the medical clinic. He had always been proud of his age and seniority, and losing the competition and having to apologize in public was a stain that he could never erase from his life.

Wang Shouren left with a gloomy face, his hands clenched into fists under his sleeves, his nails digging deep into his flesh. He turned around and fixed his gaze on Doctor Qian, who was talking to Director Zhang.

"Whatever secrets you're hiding, I'm going to dig them out!"

Nie Qianqian didn't care about Doctor Wang's mood. At this moment, she was in a great mood. She had been able to use her medical skills, earned 50 taels of silver, and received Dean Qiu's promise. It was truly a wonderful day for a working person.

Director Zhang led Nie Qianqian to his consultation room and said with a smile, "Dr. Qian's medical skills are truly extraordinary. I brought you here because I have important matters to discuss. I happen to have a difficult patient here. She lives in the provincial capital. This lady has been suffering from headaches for many years and often has suicidal thoughts. She has been troubled by her illness for many years and is internally empty. If she is not treated properly, she may not live for many more years. Her family has been searching for a good doctor but to no avail."

He lowered his voice and continued, "This lady comes from a very distinguished family, not an ordinary person. If she can be cured, the reward will be substantial."

Nie Qianqian regained her original voice, "Ahem, Director Zhang, why do you make it sound like I value rewards so much? Am I that kind of person?"

Director Zhang thought to himself, "I think you are the one!"

"Madam Nie is too kind. Madam Nie is certainly not such a shallow person. It's just that, among the people I know, only Doctor Qian truly possesses this ability!"

“I’m not going,” Nie Qianqian refused readily.

"Why? Why?" Director Zhang asked in disappointment.

"The provincial capital is too far away."

Director Zhang was taken aback. Why was Madam Nie acting so unpredictably? Was Daoyuan a reason for refusal?

"The establishment will naturally prepare a carriage for Lady Nie. I will personally accompany her there. If the carriage travels quickly, it will take no more than three days to reach the provincial capital."

Nie Qianqian was annoyed. Three days was a long time for Director Zhang, but for her, three days was a long time. It was not far at all, even though she was traveling by carriage.

Actually, she didn't stay because it was far away, but because of Gu Xiao.

Nie Qianqian: "Since Director Zhang knows about my family situation, I won't hide it from you. My husband's hand ailment is still not cured, and I must stay in Fulin County to cure it first. His imperial examination is imminent, and this matter cannot be delayed. It's easy to solve. Dean Qiu is the dean of the academy my husband attends. As long as Director Zhang mentions to Dean Qiu that I am good at treating external injuries, he will naturally bring Gu Xiao to me for treatment."

Curator Zhang was curious. Gu Xiao was Nie Qianqian's husband, so why did she need to go through such a roundabout way to treat him? However, unlike Wang Shouren, he knew everyone had secrets, and he wouldn't pry.

"Leave this matter to me. I will make sure that Dean Qiu brings Gu Xiao to see a doctor as soon as possible."

Nie Qianqian cupped her hands in greeting to Director Zhang, saying, "Let's discuss going to the provincial capital for treatment after my husband's hand ailment is cured."