Chapter 8: Not a Pushover to Be Kneaded at Will

The man reached out to grab Qin Hanxiao, but before he could, Young Master Huang the Seventh stepped in front of her.

She noticed the young master’s neck and ears were flushed red, perhaps from anger.

"You all worry about this and fret over that, but why don't you come up with a solution? Where is the doctor who can cure Mother? You are always asking who will take responsibility for this or that, but if you keep delaying and something happens, who will answer for it?"

The group was left speechless, exchanging awkward glances. The middle-aged man said uncomfortably, "We are only being cautious for Mother’s sake. If you could find a famous physician, we wouldn't stop you, but we cannot allow this woman of unknown origin to take such a risk."

Young Master Huang gave a cold laugh, filled with helplessness and disappointment. He turned to ask Qin Hanxiao, "Are you certain you can wake my mother?"

Qin Hanxiao was, of course, certain. "I am. But if we delay any longer, I can no longer guarantee it."

Having received a definitive answer, Young Master Huang spoke directly to the middle-aged man. "Big Brother, I know what you want. I promise you, if she cannot cure Mother, I will voluntarily request to split the family estate and will not compete with you for the inheritance."

"Seventh Brother, that’s not what I meant at all." Although the middle-aged man did not admit it, his attitude was clearly less aggressive than before.

Young Master Huang began ushering everyone out. "Enough nonsense. All of you, get out."

Even Master Huang was sent out, leaving only an elderly maid and two servant girls behind. He asked Qin Hanxiao one more time about the necessary supplies, then had them prepared. Once the servant girl brought warm water, Qin Hanxiao turned her back to the others, added drops of spiritual spring water, and fed it to the old Madam, then pressed a slice of ginseng under her tongue.

Soon after, the silver needles were brought in. Qin Hanxiao told Young Master Huang, "Leave two people here to assist. You wait in the outer room, and unless I say otherwise, do not let anyone in to disturb us."

"Very well. Proceed with the treatment; I will handle everything else." Young Master Huang left and closed the door.

Initially, it was quiet outside, but half an hour later, there was a commotion, though it was quickly suppressed. An hour passed before Qin Hanxiao removed the silver needles and sent the elderly maid to deliver the news.

Drenched in sweat, Qin Hanxiao collapsed into a chair, only feeling better after drinking a cup of tea infused with the spiritual spring water.

The Huang family rushed in, all vying to crowd around the old Madam’s bed. Their expressions varied upon seeing her awake, but a moment later, they all began to weep, lamenting how worried they had been. Young Master Huang, however, could not push through the crowd; he only caught two glimpses of his mother from behind the others, confirming she had truly awakened.

Old Madam Huang looked around at her children and grandchildren but did not see her most beloved youngest son. "Little Qi."

Only then did Young Master Huang squeeze through the crowd, crouching by his mother’s bed so she could see him easily. Everyone else remained standing.

Watching the dense crowd surrounding the old lady, Qin Hanxiao spoke bluntly. "Everyone, please disperse. You are blocking the old Madam from getting fresh air. She is still weak and cannot handle all this wailing."

She did not seek out conflict, nor did she wish to involve herself in other people's family affairs, but she was not a pushover to be bullied. Perhaps she had offended some people the moment she stepped inside, but she was not one to fear trouble. Indeed, as the Huang family left, several gazes landed on her—some probing, others malicious.

Young Master Huang spoke a few more words to his mother, instructed the staff to take good care of her, and then invited Qin Hanxiao to a side room to rest.

"I have yet to ask your name, Madam."

"My surname is Qin," she replied. "You may simply call me Madam Qin."

Young Master Huang bowed deeply to express his sincere gratitude and asked carefully about the old Madam’s condition. Qin Hanxiao wrote out a prescription; the ingredients were ordinary, but the true keys were the spiritual spring water and the acupuncture.

"I will need to perform acupuncture on the old Madam again in two days. After that, we shall see how she progresses over the month."

Young Master Huang now pinned all his hopes on her, so naturally, he agreed to everything she said. As long as his mother could recover, he would do anything. He asked her to stay for a meal, but Qin Hanxiao checked the time and saw it was well past noon; she worried her family would be anxious if she didn't return.

She declined, saying, "I have many chores at home, so I cannot stay. I will return the day after tomorrow."

"Then I shall have a carriage take you home, and I will send someone to fetch you again in two days." Seeing his sincerity and realizing a carriage would be faster, she agreed.

Young Master Huang had someone bring out one hundred taels in banknotes. "The remaining one hundred taels will be yours once the month is up."

Qin Hanxiao had expected she wouldn't receive the full two hundred at once, as she had only just woken the old Madam. However, this hundred taels would solve her immediate needs; at the very least, she wouldn't have to worry about the medicine for Pei Yuantang and the White family.

After confirming the amount, she accepted it and said, "Very well."

On her way out, she passed through the garden and saw a courtyard full of vibrant, competing flowers. She couldn't help but pause to admire them. Young Master Huang stopped as well. "My mother loves flowers, especially camellias and peonies, so I have collected these from all over. I only hope they bring her some comfort."

"Young Master Huang is truly filial." Qin Hanxiao wasn't just flattering him; the rarity of these breeds was evident, requiring not just wealth but time and effort. She loved flowers and had grown many herself, so she spoke a few words about them.

Young Master Huang immediately offered to give her some, his attitude firm and refusing to take no for an answer. It was finally agreed that he would send them along when he came to fetch her in two days.

When Qin Hanxiao arrived back at Shanghe Village, it was already late afternoon. She saw Yingying standing at the village entrance waiting for her.

"Young man, you can stop here. My niece is waiting for me." She pointed Yingying out to the driver and added, "When you come in two days, drive further in to the foot of the mountain at the very end. My husband's surname is Pei; anyone there can tell you where I live."

Yingying spotted her, and her tense expression and furrowed brow instantly relaxed. She ran toward her, shouting, "Second Aunt, you're back!"

The villagers had been saying that her Second Aunt would run away just like her mother had, abandoning them. While waiting at the entrance, many had told her she was wasting her time, claiming her aunt had likely already fled. They said that a former young lady of wealth would never stay with a crippled man like her second uncle, and if she didn't leave today, she would eventually.

They were all lying. Her aunt hadn't left; she had come back.

The driver was hesitant. "The Seventh Young Master ordered me to ensure Madam Qin reached her home."

Qin Hanxiao realized he needed to drop her off to fulfill his duties. She waved for Yingying to climb into the carriage. "Did you come here just to wait for me, Yingying? Thank you. Come on up, we'll go home together."

Yingying had never been in a carriage and was a bit afraid of the large horse, hesitating to approach. Seeing this, Qin Hanxiao climbed down and lifted her into the carriage.

As they traveled from the village entrance to her home, many villagers watched the spectacle. "Pei's second wife, did you go to the provincial capital?"

"Yes," Qin Hanxiao replied.

"How are you back in a carriage? Did you strike it rich?" another asked. "I don't mean to pry, but with your mother-in-law and husband both bedridden, you still go to town all the time, and you're even extravagant enough to ride in a carriage. You really should think more about them."