As a healer, Gu Qianying had always been confident and unwavering in her commitment to saving lives.
She slightly raised her voice, withdrawing the threat from Madam Bai’s neck. “Master Bai, I know my repeated visits have disturbed your peace. While I am associated with Bai Yu Feng, please remember that I am a physician. A physician’s first priority is to save a life, not to make things convenient for others.”
“Of course.” Gu Qianying smiled, a hint of joy in her eyes. “Master Bai, since you know I am affiliated with Bai Yu Feng, you can likely guess my intentions, can’t you?”
Bai Hong appeared anxious, his eyes glinting with a hint of coldness. He did not doubt Gu Qianying’s abilities. If she were an ordinary person, she would not have been able to detail his daughter’s illness, its origins, and the treatment plan with such accuracy. He had spent years searching for a female physician. This person possessed profound medical skills and was a woman. If it weren't for Bai Yu Feng, he would never have hesitated.
“Can you truly cure my daughter?”
Gu Qianying spread her palms, smiling leisurely. “Naturally. Master Bai, do you not trust me yet?”
Bai Hong chuckled, stroking his beard lightly. “Not at all. Such a good opportunity, I certainly cannot miss it.” He flicked his sleeve, his figure straightening slightly, and signaled to a nearby guard. He spoke with a stern tone, “What are you waiting for? Escort our esteemed divine physician inside to treat the eldest young lady. You must provide all conveniences during this time.”
Bai Hong’s swift change in attitude surprised even Gu Qianying. She raised her eyebrows, slowly dusting off her sleeves, and said to Bai Hong, “Master Bai, I finally understand why your status within the clan is so high.”
Bai Hong let out a cold laugh. “It is better for you not to know such confidential matters.”
Gu Qianying’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Yes.”
After Gu Qianying left with the household servants, only Madam Bai and Bai Hong remained. Madam Bai, filled with worry, tightly clutched her husband’s sleeve, her eyes glistening as she looked ahead. She said, “Husband, this matter is not easily handled. Do you truly intend to entrust it to that woman?”
Bai Hong sighed softly. “If we don’t entrust it to that woman, who else do you think we can find?”
Madam Bai fell silent, then gave a bitter smile. “Husband, you are right. We likely have nowhere else to turn.”
Gu Qianying arrived outside Bai Tian Guo’s room. Seeing Gu Qianying, Bai Tian Guo’s face showed worry, and she quickly concealed the red spots on her face, speaking with great embarrassment, “Miss, please do not waste your efforts. I fear my condition cannot be cured.”
Hearing Bai Tian Guo’s despondent words, Gu Qianying felt pity for the young lady. She quickly went over and sat beside Bai Tian Guo, her slender fingers gently resting on her shoulder. For someone afflicted with a hidden illness, they would undoubtedly fear meeting others, as being different could easily lead to trouble and judgment. This, in turn, caused many to develop psychological distress. Rooted in this mental anguish, and with multiple complications, the illness would worsen. This created a vicious cycle that no one could break.
Gu Qianying spoke in a soft, gentle voice. “Miss Bai, I came here voluntarily, specifically to treat you. If I did not have a hundred percent certainty, I would not have come.”
“Is that true?” Bai Tian Guo’s body stiffened. Her previously listless eyes finally showed a flicker of emotion. She excitedly grabbed Gu Qianying’s arm. “Do not lie to me.”
Gu Qianying smiled leisurely, her lips curving slightly. “Miss, do you trust me?”
Bai Tian Guo nodded heavily. She wanted to believe. Gu Qianying’s words of absolute certainty were her only hope. She chose to believe that the person before her could heal her, that she could live a normal life.
In the following days, Gu Qianying was very busy, performing acupuncture on Bai Tian Guo and researching medicinal formulas. Since the medicinal herbs in the area were cultivated, their efficacy was not ideal. She also specifically ventured into the mountains to search for authentic medicinal herbs for Bai Tian Guo. These herbs were highly effective and would greatly enhance the treatment’s results.
Due to her busy schedule, Gu Qianying could not attend to other matters and had to stay at Bai Hong’s residence for several days. One day, as she returned from gathering herbs, preparing to give Bai Tian Guo a medicinal bath, her toes had barely touched the threshold when she heard sounds of crying from within. The mournful cries made Gu Qianying’s heart ache. She gently knocked on the door and cautiously peeked her head in. “Miss, are you inside? Why are you crying? May I come in?”
Upon hearing Gu Qianying’s voice, Bai Tian Guo immediately stopped crying. With red-rimmed eyes, she rushed over in a flustered manner. Embarrassed, she poured Gu Qianying some tea. “I am truly sorry. I thought I could control my emotions, but it seems I cannot. I’ve made a fool of myself by crying.”
Gu Qianying had heard of Bai Tian Guo’s experiences and felt sorry for her. She sat in front of her. “Miss, we have spent many days together, and it has been very pleasant. In my heart, I already consider you a friend. If you have any unhappiness, you can tell me.”
Bai Tian Guo bit her lip. Since falling ill, she had no close female friends. If something troubled her, she could only bear it silently, never daring to speak to others. She nervously raised her eyes. “But such trivial matters, if I speak of them, wouldn’t it be my fault?”
Gu Qianying frowned and shook her head. “Miss, do not be so self-deprecating. Everyone has their share of unhappiness, and they choose not to speak of it due to their circumstances, bearing it alone. A person’s capacity is limited; can it truly bear such immense resentment?” Gu Qianying spoke persuasively, guiding Bai Tian Guo.
Bai Tian Guo lowered her gaze, and after some thought, she finally agreed to speak. She let out a heavy sigh, saying with great distress, “Actually, I was not happy when I got married. They only liked me for my status as the eldest young lady of the Bai family, not for myself.”
“They only wanted me to bear children and bring wealth to their family. Apart from that, I was like a non-entity, ignored and belittled by them. Since I fell ill, my husband’s family stopped pretending to be human and simply sent me back to my maiden home. Tell me, isn’t that humiliating?” She covered her face and wept, saying mournfully again, “I never want to go out and see anyone again. As soon as I go out, they say I am abandoned, unwanted, and with this appearance, no one will want me!”