Chapter 82:

At the Wu family’s dining table, Wang Qijing was lost in thought, her mind wandering. Her grip on the teacup slipped, and as she set it down, it clinked loudly against the bowl, producing a sharp sound.

The noise instantly drew everyone’s attention. Wang Qijing snapped back to reality, realizing what she had just done. Her face flushed red as she nervously glanced at her mother-in-law and father-in-law seated at the head of the table.

She hadn’t meant to. Ever since Han Lanyi had mentioned *that* matter, her thoughts had been scattered.

She wanted to seek out that doctor, but fear held her back. This hesitation and timidity had become her norm in recent years.

Mother Wu—Gou Shanyu—frowned in displeasure, scanning the table before resuming her meal with an air of dignified indifference, as if nothing had happened.

Seeing that the family matriarch had not spoken, the others dared not comment either. They kept their eyes fixed on their rice bowls, eating in silence.

Only the second daughter-in-law, Qiu Wan, lowered her head, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips, her eyes glinting with schadenfreude.

The Wu family dining table had always adhered to strict etiquette. Talking during meals was forbidden, and any clattering of utensils or audible chewing was considered unacceptable.

In essence, at this table, everyone was like a pre-programmed robot—no independent thought required, just a quiet, well-mannered completion of the meal.

Fortunately, such dining scenes occurred only once a month since the Wu family’s three sons had married and moved out. If it were a daily occurrence, someone would surely have cracked under the pressure.

These rigid dining rules had been established by Gou Shanyu, the family matriarch. Born into a strict scholarly family, she embodied the typical traits of literati—rigid, uncompromising, and obsessed with propriety.

Making such a loud noise at the table was bound to provoke her displeasure. The only reason she hadn’t reprimanded Wang Qijing immediately was that she couldn’t break her own rule of maintaining silence during meals. But once the meal was over…

Wang Qijing spent the rest of the dinner in anxious anticipation. Even though her husband, Wu Zewei, squeezed her hand several times in reassurance, it did little to ease her tension.

The moment Gou Shanyu set down her bowl, everyone else followed suit. Servants swiftly cleared the table.

Gou Shanyu picked up the napkin beside her plate, dabbing her already spotless lips with practiced elegance. She cast a glance at Wang Qijing and said, “Come with me.”

Then she rose and left the dining room. After her departure, the other men of the Wu family—except Wu Zewei—also excused themselves. They were busy men, and this family gathering had been a rare occasion.

At those words, Wang Qijing’s heart leaped into her throat. Clenching her sweaty palms, she lowered her head and obediently followed Gou Shanyu.

Wu Zewei watched his wife’s retreating figure with concern, rising as if to follow, but Qiu Wan’s voice stopped him.

“Zewei, think carefully about Mother’s temperament. If you go after them now, neither of you will come out unscathed.” Qiu Wan’s tone was deceptively kind, her expression one of sincere concern—the perfect image of a caring sister-in-law.

Her words made Wu Zewei hesitate. He knew his mother’s nature all too well.

Seeing her brother-in-law’s indecision, Qiu Wan’s eyes flickered with disdain.

*Tch. Spineless men—a Wu family specialty. The only exception in this household is Father-in-law.*

The reason for Qiu Wan’s deep-seated malice toward Wang Qijing was simple: jealousy.

Qiu Wan came from a middle-to-lower-class family in the capital, one with no real influence. Had she not attended the same university as Wu Shaolin, the Wu family’s second son, she would never have had the chance to mingle with the upper echelons of society.

In university, her beauty and cultivated talents had made her a campus goddess. She reveled in the admiration, growing increasingly addicted to the attention.

Later, by chance, she befriended a girl from a powerful family, through whom she met Wu Shaolin.

Perhaps it was the lighting that day, but the moment she saw Wu Shaolin’s bright, sunny smile, she was smitten. Her heart raced, screaming, *This is the man.*

But such circles were not meant for a girl from an ordinary family. The more time she spent with them, the more inferior she felt.

The more inferior she felt, the more she resented her background. In truth, her family was well-off—not wealthy, but comfortable, able to afford anything she desired.

Yet after falling in love with Wu Shaolin, her family’s shortcomings became glaring. No matter how popular she was at school, in the eyes of these people, she was nothing.

So she worked tirelessly to improve herself, forcing herself to read dense tomes she’d once ignored, cultivating the grace of a socialite, all to please Gou Shanyu.

Finally, she succeeded in winning Gou Shanyu’s approval to enter the Wu family. That moment had been pure bliss.

She had imagined a future of leisurely luxury as a wealthy matron. But marriage revealed her husband’s true nature—indecisive, careless, and utterly indifferent to her. Instead of receiving affection, she had to coddle *him*.

Worst of all was her mother-in-law’s relentless nitpicking.

She had thought Gou Shanyu’s demands before marriage were extreme, but after marriage, she realized they were just the beginning. Beyond the absurd dining etiquette, even posture—sitting, walking—had strict standards.

Back then, the Wu brothers still lived together. While her husband was away at work, she was left alone to face the impossible Gou Shanyu.

She still didn’t know how she had endured those days without losing her mind.

Then her younger brother-in-law married. His wife, Wang Qijing, came from an impressive family, and Gou Shanyu adored her even before the wedding.

Watching Gou Shanyu happily prepare for the wedding, Qiu Wan burned with envy.

Every time she saw Wang Qijing’s cheerful, carefree smile, her jealousy deepened.

*Why didn’t she suffer like I did? Why does she get to have a better family? Why… is she so happy?*

She seethed with resentment but could do nothing. Until fate intervened—Wang Qijing couldn’t conceive.

It was a godsend.

So Qiu Wan began subtly poisoning Gou Shanyu’s mind, dropping hints here and there, never overtly, never too often. Gou Shanyu never suspected her motives, but the seeds of discord took root.

Now, the situation had escalated.

Honestly, Qiu Wan was pleased.

*What good is a prestigious family if you can’t bear children? In Mother’s eyes, that flaw outweighs all virtues.*

The eldest daughter-in-law, Xiang Yanwen, chimed in gently, “Zewei, don’t worry. Mother won’t *eat* Qijing.”

Wu Zewei glanced between Qiu Wan and Xiang Yanwen before reluctantly sitting back down, though his gaze remained fixed in the direction his wife and mother had gone.

Qiu Wan caught Xiang Yanwen’s earnest expression and smirked derisively, turning away.

*Don’t think I don’t know. This ‘virtuous’ sister-in-law despises Wang Qijing just as much as I do.*

Perched stiffly on the living room sofa, Wang Qijing sat ramrod straight, her voice timid as she asked, “Mother, what did you want to discuss?”

Gou Shanyu sat with her hands folded on her lap, her posture impeccable even on the soft cushions. Her expression was stern as she said, “We’ll set aside the incident at the table for now. What about your condition? Has it improved?”

Wang Qijing knew what she was really asking: *Can you bear a child yet?*

But her condition remained unchanged.

She lowered her head. “It’s the same as before.”

Gou Shanyu’s brow furrowed. “After all this treatment, there’s been *no* progress? Perhaps the doctor is incompetent. Find another.”

“…Yes.” Wang Qijing didn’t dare argue with her domineering mother-in-law, nor did she dare mention that her doctor was a leading specialist in the field.

On the way home, Wang Qijing stared blankly out the window at the passing plane trees, feeling as barren and hopeless as their leafless branches.

But trees would sprout anew in spring. Where was *her* hope?

Wu Zewei kept stealing glances at his wife, his heart aching at her despondency. He wanted to comfort her, but the root of her misery silenced him.

That night, lying in bed beside her sleeping husband, Wang Qijing lay awake, as she had so many nights before.

Insomnia had become her norm in recent years, contributing to her premature aging.

Staring at the ceiling, she suddenly recalled Han Lanyi’s suggestion.

Han Lanyi’s face and Gou Shanyu’s stern expression flickered in her mind. Finally, she made up her mind—she *would* seek out that doctor. No matter what, it was a chance. The worst outcome was no change at all.

~

“Dr. Qin, your treatment worked wonders! Since you examined me last time, my headaches haven’t returned.” The elderly man across from Qin Chaoyu grinned toothily, his nearly toothless mouth stretched wide.

Qin Chaoyu finished taking his pulse and withdrew her hand. “That’s excellent news, Uncle. After one more month of medication, you’ll be fully recovered.”

The old man nodded shakily, then suddenly slapped his forehead. “Ah, my memory! Dr. Qin, I brought you some fruit. You treated me without charging much, and the medicine was affordable too. I’d feel guilty if I didn’t do something. It’s not much, just a token of my gratitude.”

He bent to retrieve a large bag of fruit he’d left by the door. It looked heavy—how had he carried it all the way here?

You Yingzhi hurried to help with the bag.

After placing it on the table, the old man patted You Yingzhi’s shoulder gratefully. “Thank you, young man. You’ve got a good heart!”

Then, to Qin Chaoyu: “You *must* accept this, Doctor.”

“Uncle, you shouldn’t have spent money on this. I didn’t do much—just gave you some time. You should keep the fruit for yourself, to nourish your health.” Knowing he was a widower with limited means, Qin Chaoyu couldn’t bring herself to take what might be half his monthly food budget.

“No! This is my wish. Wang Zhida owes many things in life, but never a debt of gratitude! If you refuse, you’re forcing me to owe you. You’d rob me of peaceful sleep and hearty meals!”

At that, Qin Chaoyu had no choice but to accept.

Throughout the exchange, You Yingzhi had watched her with reverent admiration.

*This is Dr. Qin—brilliant, compassionate.*

As the old man prepared to leave, You Yingzhi rushed to escort him out. Returning, he exclaimed, “Master, you’re truly incredible!”