Qin Xiao's leg had passed the optimal window for treatment.
After examining him, Chu Qianli did not offer a specific plan, only stating she would research it upon returning.
From cautious hope to ultimate disappointment, Qin Xiao was once again let down.
Chu Qianli knew what he was thinking, but she wasn't going to say anything until a treatment plan was finalized.
Qin Xiao ordered his men to escort her away and to present her with the consultation fee.
Chu Qianli accepted it without refusal, storing it in her system.
Upon returning to the Duke's manor, she discovered the news of her participation in the Xuan Princess selection had already spread like wildfire.
"Chu Qianli, you shameless wretch, how dare you?"
Chu Feixue was always the first to confront her.
This time, however, Chu Huaiyu was with her.
It seemed these two had been plotting for a long time before Chu Qianli's return.
Chu Huaiyu also approached, saying softly, "Fifth Sister, this… is truly not good. You've completely disgraced our Duke's manor."
Her words, always gentle and demure, were undeniably laced with blame, unlike Chu Feixue's overbearing demeanor.
Chu Qianli ignored Chu Feixue, her gaze fixed on Chu Huaiyu.
Chu Huaiyu flinched as if startled, retreating behind Chu Feixue.
Chu Qianli scoffed, "I am a free woman now. What I do has nothing to do with you?"
"Even if you're free, who doesn't know you're an abandoned woman?"
Chu Feixue stepped forward, shielding Chu Huaiyu behind her.
She sneered, "Don't bully Huaiyu. If you have a problem, take it out on me!"
"How amusing. Aren't you the ones with the problem? What problem do I have?"
Her gaze swept over Chu Huaiyu again.
She retracted the sharpness in her eyes and walked past them.
Chu Feixue chased after her, grabbing her sleeve, "Chu Qianli…"
"Are you looking for a beating?" Chu Qianli flicked her hand.
Chu Feixue, completely caught off guard, was swept away by her palm strike, crashing heavily into Chu Huaiyu, who stood not far behind.
Chu Huaiyu subtly shifted her position.
As Chu Feixue flew past her, she landed on the ground with a thud, immediately crying out, "Ah, murder! Murder! Help, Chu Qianli is trying to kill me! Help!"
Guards from nearby rushed over.
Strangely, Han Zhan was not by Chu Huaiyu's side today, which was a rare sight.
"Miss Huaiyu, what happened?" As the daughter of Long Qianyue, the guards immediately paid their respects to Chu Huaiyu first.
In noble households, there was a clear distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Concubine-born daughters like Chu Feixue and Chu Qianli held little status in the manor.
Chu Huaiyu glanced at Chu Qianli, then at Chu Feixue.
Afterward, with tears welling in her eyes, she slowly walked towards Chu Feixue.
"Fifth Sister… Fifth Sister is too bullying! Sixth Sister, are you alright?"
Chu Feixue didn't understand what was happening. It seemed Chu Qianli was about to smash into Chu Huaiyu just moments ago.
She had been worried about hurting Huaiyu.
But for some reason, just as she was about to hit Chu Huaiyu, Chu Huaiyu suddenly seemed to vanish behind her.
She hadn't truly vanished, it was more like… like she had teleported.
Yet, looking at her, she was still so delicate, walking slowly as if she might fall with a gust of wind.
How could she possibly know how to teleport?
Had she been mistaken just now?
"I'm in so much pain…" Chu Feixue wailed, slowly getting up with the help of Chu Huaiyu and the guards.
Looking at Chu Qianli, that wretched woman had already swaggered away.
She had hit someone and felt no remorse at all! She just slipped away! How outrageous!
"Huaiyu, what's going on with Han Zhan lately? Why isn't he appearing when you're in danger? Doesn't he really like you anymore?"
Chu Huaiyu's expression changed, her face slowly dropping.
A flicker of hatred crossed her eyes.
Chu Feixue was clearly doing this intentionally. If she alone hated Chu Qianli, it wouldn't be enough.
Chu Huaiyu had to hate Chu Qianli to the core as well!
Therefore, she feigned ignorance and said, "The last time I saw that scoundrel Han Zhan, the way he looked at Chu Qianli was so reluctant!"
"Huaiyu, you need to keep a good hold on Han Zhan. Don't let Chu Qianli seduce him!"
"Moreover…" Chu Feixue stared at Chu Huaiyu's increasingly pale face, her own expression darkening. "Moreover, Chu Qianli is free now. What if she actually accepts Han Zhan…"
"How could Han Zhan want a used woman?" Chu Huaiyu suddenly looked up.
The look she gave Chu Feixue was filled with undisguised killing intent.
Chu Feixue was so terrified by her gaze that her legs went weak, almost making her stumble back.
"Huai… Huaiyu, I…"
Chu Huaiyu realized she had lost control again.
The hatred and killing intent in her eyes vanished in an instant.
She looked at Chu Feixue and said softly, "I… I don't know, Sixth Sister. I don't feel well. I… I'm going back."
Looking pitiful and on the verge of tears, even her retreating back was so fragile it would evoke sympathy from any man.
Chu Feixue glanced at the guards around them. Indeed, they were all staring after Chu Huaiyu as if mesmerized.
But she had truly seen a fleeting darkness and killing intent flash in Chu Huaiyu's eyes just now.
It was a chilling aura that could freeze one's blood.
A truly terrifying presence…
But how was that possible? Had she been mistaken?
Chu Huaiyu… how could she possess such a terrifying side?
… After Chu Qianli returned that day, she began researching Qin Xiao's treatment methods.
If she had treated him immediately after returning from Phoenix Mountain, when the flesh hadn't yet grown, the effect would have been much better.
Now, to implant a steel plate, without the aid of diagnostic instruments, she feared she might injure his nerves.
Furthermore, the steel plate had to be made of the best materials…
She searched for a long time on Taobao but couldn't find anything suitable.
She could only buy the materials and grind them herself.
This process took up more than half the day.
When she came to her senses, it was already evening.
Looking up, she saw dishes on the table. It turned out Fu Ning had come earlier to bring her food.
She had been too engrossed in grinding the steel plate and hadn't paid attention.
Chu Qianli put her tools away and immediately went to eat.
However, before she could even sit down, the door was suddenly pushed open.
A strong scent of alcohol wafted in with the night breeze, so potent that Chu Qianli felt as if she had already had a couple of drinks.
Looking up, she saw a tall figure stumbling in.
With bleary, drunken eyes, he stared at her small, delicate face, his expression filled with a dark melancholy. "Why?"
Suddenly, he lunged forward, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her violently. "Tell me, what is it you truly want?"