“Wenqing, it’s truly wonderful that you’re better now—thank heavens!” Yin Nianhui, Jin Wenqing’s sister-in-law, sat by the bedside, patting her younger sister-in-law’s hand with a relieved expression. She was a dignified woman with neatly coiled black hair, not a single strand out of place. Her well-maintained face bore light makeup, and she wore an elegant beige dress, her every movement exuding grace.
Jin Wenqing now looked radiant and full of vitality, a stark contrast to the frail, critically ill woman she had been just two months prior.
“When the news of your recovery came, your brother couldn’t contain himself. If I hadn’t reminded him it was the middle of the night, he might have rushed over that very day,” Yin Nianhui said with a chuckle, sharing her husband’s amusing reaction in an affectionate tone.
Yin Nianhui harbored no dislike for Jin Wenqing, nor had there ever been any of the petty conflicts common between sisters-in-law. When she married into the family, Jin Wenqing was already engaged to Xiong Lunbing, with the wedding date set. There were no conflicts of interest, and since Jin Wenqing wouldn’t be staying at home for long, Yin Nianhui saw no reason not to foster a good relationship—especially since the family Jin Wenqing was marrying into would benefit the Jins. Even if Jin Wenqing had a difficult personality, Yin Nianhui would have tolerated it for that reason alone, let alone the fact that Jin Wenqing was actually quite pleasant.
This wasn’t to say Yin Nianhui was calculating—she was simply the epitome of a capable matriarch. The Jin parents had chosen her as their eldest son’s wife in part for this very reason.
Listening to her sister-in-law, Jin Wenqing could easily picture her brother’s reaction that night, and the thought amused her.
But glancing at her well-behaved young son beside her, she felt the need to preserve her brother’s image in the boy’s eyes. “Big brother was just overly concerned. He cares deeply for his family, and after I’d been ill for so long—even losing hope at one point—it’s understandable he’d forget everything else upon hearing good news.”
“Alright, alright, I know you two are thick as thieves. I won’t say another word,” Yin Nianhui teased before shifting the topic. “By the way, which doctor treated you? Their skills must be extraordinary!”
At this, Jin Wenqing perked up. “The doctor who treated me is named Qin Chaoyu. Her medical skills are incredible, especially her acupuncture. Every time she treated me, I felt like I was lying on a beach chair, feeling the sea breeze, breathing in the salty air, basking in the warm sun—so relaxed I could barely stay awake.”
“That sounds miraculous!” Yin Nianhui murmured, then asked curiously, “Qin Chaoyu? Who is she? I’m not very familiar with the medical field, so I’ve never heard of her.”
“She’s not a well-known doctor. In fact, she hasn’t even graduated from university yet.”
“What?” Yin Nianhui gasped, then grew furious. “What was Lunbing thinking, letting an ungraduated student treat you? What if something had gone wrong? I need to have a word with him!”
She made to stand up, ready to storm out and confront Xiong Lunbing.
“Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law!” Jin Wenqing quickly grabbed Yin Nianhui’s hand, shaking her head to stop her. “Please, sit down and let me explain. Though she’s still a student, her medical skills weren’t learned at university. Before treating me, she cured Old Master Gu and the Lian family heir. It caused quite a stir in our circles. We suspect her knowledge comes from a master. Nowadays, Doctor Qin is highly regarded among us.”
Jin Wenqing paused, then added with a self-deprecating smile, “Besides, given how bad my condition was, it couldn’t have gotten much worse.”
Yin Nianhui squeezed her sister-in-law’s hand sympathetically. She knew all too well the suffering Jin Wenqing had endured—counting the days in despair, surrounded by nothing but bleakness, waiting helplessly for death. She still remembered the look in Jin Wenqing’s eyes during those visits—so heart-wrenching it stole her breath.
“Let’s not dwell on the past. They say those who survive great calamities are destined for fortune—yours is still ahead of you!”
Xiong Rongming, Jin Wenqing’s son, hugged his mother’s arm in silent comfort.
Jin Wenqing exhaled. “You’re right. Forward, always forward!”
Seeing her sister-in-law’s spirits lift, Yin Nianhui swiftly changed the subject. “What illness did the Lian heir have?”
Vaguely, she recalled hearing the Lian heir had been paralyzed after a car accident years ago, though she wasn’t sure.
“Paralysis.”
A thought struck Yin Nianhui, and her heart raced with excitement.
This was a heaven-sent opportunity!
After chatting a while longer, Yin Nianhui excused herself, mindful of letting Jin Wenqing rest.
She found her husband to reassure him about his sister’s recovery.
Jin Weidao, as head of the Jin family, was constantly busy. Though his primary reason for visiting Yuzhou was to see his sister, an unavoidable banquet had forced him to send his wife ahead.
Relieved to hear his sister had truly recovered, Jin Weidao finally relaxed.
The couple stayed in Yuzhou for four or five days before returning to the capital.
Back home, Yin Nianhui remembered her conversation with Jin Wenqing.
She called out to her husband as he headed upstairs, “Weidao, wait—there’s something I need to tell you.”
Pausing, Jin Weidao turned, curious. He respected his wife deeply and knew she wouldn’t delay him without good reason.
Settling on the sofa, he rubbed his temples, exhaustion evident. “What is it?”
Jin Weidao was a handsome man with the refined air of a scholar, his gentleness edged with authority—unlike Lu Yaoqing’s innate softness. His demeanor commanded respect.
Noting his fatigue, Yin Nianhui pressed on. “When I spoke with Wenqing, she mentioned her doctor—a young woman with extraordinary skills. Before treating Wenqing, she cured the Lian heir’s paralysis!”
Jin Weidao grasped her implication instantly.
He narrowed his eyes, thoughtful.
Recently, Han Yixun, eldest son of the Han family patriarch, had been shot in the spine during a mission, leaving him paralyzed. As the Han family’s chosen successor and a military prodigy, his injury was a devastating blow.
The military, guilt-ridden, had offered to promote him to major general, but without recovery, he’d still face retirement—a catastrophic loss for the Han family, a powerhouse of political and military influence.
If they could present a doctor capable of healing Han Yixun, the rewards would be immense.
The opportunity to elevate their family was tantalizing.
But caution prevailed. “We must verify this doctor’s abilities before approaching the Hans. One misstep could be disastrous.”
Yin Nianhui nodded. “You’re right—I was too hasty.”
Hasty?
Who wouldn’t be, with such an opportunity at hand?
Unable to wait, Jin Weidao spent the night strategizing, then dispatched trusted aides to investigate at dawn.
Now, he could only wait anxiously for their report.
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