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

Dean Qiu led Gu Xiao into his own carriage and headed towards Qinghe Village.

Dean Qiu repeatedly instructed, "We are very grateful to Doctor Qian this time. You heard what Doctor Qian said just now. The most important thing during this period is to take good care of your right hand. Don't worry about anything else. I know you are worried about the consultation fee. The academy can easily afford 30 taels of silver. You don't need to feel guilty."

Gu Xiao still insisted: "I cannot accept a reward without merit. The consultation fee is considered as a loan from the academy, and I will definitely repay it in the future."

Dean Qiu was a righteous man who treated him with sincerity, and Gu Xiao silently kept the kindness in his heart.

Dean Qiu was even more relieved to hear Gu Xiao's words. "This winter, the imperial court will hold an additional county examination, which will be presided over by the county magistrate of Fulin County. I just asked Doctor Qian. Although your right hand cannot be restored, these fixing devices can be removed, and you can take the exam with your left hand."

After the county examination comes the prefectural examination. Passing both the county and prefectural examinations makes one a candidate for the imperial examination and qualifies them to participate in the subsequent provincial and ministerial examinations. The county and prefectural examinations are held in the county seat and prefectural seat, respectively, and are presided over by county and prefectural officials. The ministerial and ministerial examinations are held in the provincial capital.

Dean Qiu had already made plans for Gu Xiao. This winter, he would take the county examination, and next February, he would take the prefectural examination to obtain the title of Tongsheng (a student who has passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). After passing the prefectural examination in April, he would become a Xiucai (a scholar who has passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). With Gu Xiao's abilities, the county, prefectural, and academy examinations would not be difficult. Dean Qiu was confident that Gu Xiao could pass them smoothly and could participate in the triennial provincial examination, also known as the autumn examination, next August.

The autumn provincial examination is far more difficult than the county, prefectural, and academy examinations. At that time, scholars from all over the province will gather in the provincial capital to compete. Dean Qiu has full confidence in Gu Xiao's talent, who is the greatest hope for Tiande Academy and even the entire Fulin County in the autumn provincial examination.

Of course, while we had high hopes, we couldn't be sure he would get it right the first time, mainly because we were worried about Gu Xiao's health.

The autumn imperial examination consisted of three sessions, each lasting three days and nights, for a total of nine days and nights, with two changes of venue in between. The examination not only tested candidates' academic abilities but also their physical fitness and stress tolerance. In previous years, there have been instances of candidates going insane during the autumn imperial examination.

When the carriage entered Qinghe Village, it was not yet completely dark, attracting the attention of many villagers.

"Isn't this the carriage that came looking for Gu Xiao last time?"

"Oh, I remember he was the headmaster of some great academy."

Why is he here again?

"This is another home visit, isn't it? They really value Gu Xiao."

Some of the village children shouted, "Big carriage! Big carriage!" and ran after the carriage.

The adults in the family called out, "You little rascals, come back here right now!" But their bodies betrayed them, and they ran out to see what was going on.

The carriage slowly headed towards Liu Yan's old house. The old house was located in a remote area on the edge of Qinghe Village. Not long ago, almost no one in the village would have come here.

But now, a long queue has formed outside the old house, with about a dozen villagers chatting and laughing together, creating a lively atmosphere.

Liu Xiong and Huang Zhenzhu were distributing today's wages in place of Liu Yan.

Liu Xiong: "Wang Wu, this is your wages for today, 15 coins. Count them."

Wang Wu happily accepted the money and laughed, "No need to count it, you counted it more carefully than we did, there can't be any mistake."

Since the last blunder, Liu Xiong has become even more cautious in his work. "I can't be careless. Please double-check to make sure there are no mistakes."

Then, turning to the next villager, he said, "Dali, you worked an extra hour yesterday to rush the work, and you didn't even eat dinner properly. Here's 17 coins for you."

A man named Wang Dali held up 17 coins, counted them, and grinned broadly, saying, "Working with Brother Xiong is great. The more you work, the more you earn. He never lets us work for free."

He had barely finished speaking when a loud female voice rang out, “That’s right! I told you that Brother Xiong is generous and open-minded, unlike that family, who are so calculating. They would come to your door to ask for a refund if you borrowed a little salt from them. The Liu family is no ordinary family. Brother Xiong and Sister Yan are both extremely capable and are destined to enjoy a life of luxury.”

The speaker was Big Mouth Juan, Wang Dali's wife. She was known throughout the village for her love of gossip, and her lips, like her nickname, were thick and large.

Everyone laughed. The family Da Zui Juan was talking about was Old Lady Nie, who was notoriously stingy in the village.

The villagers behind Wang Dali joked, "Hey, Big Mouth Juan, I remember when Liu Yan and Nie Erzhuang were having a divorce, you didn't say that. You didn't believe back then that Qianqian saved the magistrate and got a reward. You've forgotten so quickly."

Big Mouth Juan's smile froze. She glanced at Liu Xiong's expression and quickly slapped her mouth lightly. "It's all because of my loose tongue. I didn't think before I spoke. Thinking about it carefully, how could Qianqian, that smart and lucky girl, lie?"

Big Mouth Juan flattered him and acted obsequiously, which made Liu Xiong feel a little embarrassed.

During this time, he helped Qianqian lead everyone to build the house, and everyone's attitude towards him became more and more amiable each day.

Huang Zhenzhu helped count the copper coins, her expression impassive, but she was secretly pleased. Lately, the villagers' attitudes towards the couple had changed drastically.

Originally, because Liu Xiong's family had no connections, some villagers looked down on Liu Xiong and her. But now they always call her Brother Xiong and Sister Pearl, and their attitude is much better. They praise Liu Xiong all the time.

Of course, a wife is happy when her husband is praised, and Huang Zhenzhu knew that this was all thanks to Nie Qianqian.

"Hey, look over there, a carriage is coming."

As everyone was talking, a large carriage slowly pulled up at the entrance.

The carriage driver jumped off the carriage first, helping a distinguished-looking old man down, followed by a familiar face: Gu Xiao.

Seeing that Gu Xiao's arm was wrapped in gauze, Liu Xiong had no mind to pay wages. He quickly stepped forward and asked anxiously, "Gu Xiao, what happened to you? Is your arm injured again?"

Dean Qiu: "What is this?"

Before Gu Xiao could speak, Liu Xiong answered first, "I am his uncle."

Dean Qiu explained, "Gu Xiao wasn't injured. He went to Jishetang to treat his hand ailment. You must take good care of Gu Xiao during this time and make sure he doesn't move his right hand recklessly."

Huang Zhenzhu recognized him as the dean of Tiande Academy, whom she had mentioned before, and boldly asked, "Dean, can Gu Xiao's hand be healed?"

Dean Qiu exclaimed, "It can be cured!" His joy was palpable.

Liu Xiong and Huang Zhenzhu both looked delighted; they were genuinely happy that Gu Xiao's hand could be healed.

Because of Dean Qiu's imposing presence, no one dared to come closer, and they discussed it in hushed tones in the back.

"This hospital director really values ​​Gu Xiao. He even took him to Jishetang to treat his hand ailment and personally delivered him home."

"The Nie family has always said that Gu Xiao is disabled, but they just don't want to pay for his treatment."

"Once his hand ailment is cured and he passes the imperial examinations, the entire Liu family will truly rise to prominence."

"The Nie family always talks badly about Gu Xiao behind his back, saying things like he cheated. I think they're just fooling themselves, afraid that their eldest grandson will be outdone."

As darkness fell, a few stars hung in the night sky. Dean Qiu escorted Gu Xiao home and then left. Everyone else received their wages and went home for a hot meal.

Beside the old house, a figure slowly emerged from behind a withered, crooked tree.

Nie Wenye stared intently at the lights that had come on in the old house, his face contorted with rage, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, like the most ferocious lone wolf on the grassland.

His hand is actually getting healed?!