Chapter 5: A Rising Medical Fame

After Lin Xue'er's banishment, the Lin household settled into tentative peace. Lin Wanqing's appointment as family heir sent shockwaves through the clan. Those who once mocked her now had to reassess this woman who'd transformed from a despised, overweight fool into the family's pillar.

At dawn, Lin Wanqing sat in the woodshed, holding The Lin Family's Heart Method, training under Old Master Lin's guidance. He sat beside her, advising, "Wanqing, cultivating this method demands a calm heart. Clear your mind and let the qi flow naturally."

Lin Wanqing closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing as instructed. A warm current rose from her dantian, spreading through her body, leaving her feeling lighter. She opened her eyes, beaming. "Grandfather, my qi feels stronger!"

Old Master Lin nodded approvingly. "Well done—you're the hope of our family. With your medical talent and this foundation, you'll achieve greatness."

But Lin Wanqing wasn't content to stop there. Being the heir was just a beginning—she needed a broader stage to prove herself. She resolved to spread her medical skills. Studying her books, she refined herbal formulas with modern knowledge, crafting pills and ointments. She also planned to open a clinic to treat common folk, building her reputation.

Days later, she took Xiao Cui to the market outside the mansion. Stopping before a modest storefront, she said, "This is where we start."

With her scant savings, she rented the place and hung a sign: "Mercy Clinic." She began seeing patients herself, drawing curious townsfolk on the first day.

"I heard there's a lady doctor here—can she really heal?" an elderly woman asked skeptically as she entered.

Lin Wanqing smiled warmly. "Auntie, where does it hurt?"

The woman clutched her waist. "This back pain's plagued me for months—medicine does nothing."

Lin Wanqing checked her pulse and used her heavenly eye, spotting a slight spinal misalignment. She inserted a silver needle into an acupoint, then gently massaged the area, easing the blockage.

Moments later, the woman stood, astonished. "It's gone! A miracle doctor!"

Word spread like wildfire, and soon a line formed outside the clinic. Headaches, coughs, even severe illnesses—Lin Wanqing handled them all with her modern expertise and heavenly eye, rarely failing. Within days, her name as a "miracle doctor" echoed through the market.

Meanwhile, Lin Xue'er hadn't given up. Cast out from the Lin family, she sought refuge with a wealthy merchant in the city, Li Fugui. Greedy and lecherous, Li Fugui took her in, lured by her beauty.

"Miss Xue'er, can that manual really grant immortality?" Li Fugui asked, rubbing his hands eagerly.

Lin Xue'er smirked coldly. "Of course. With it, you'll live longer and master unmatched martial arts. Together, we could dominate this region."

Li Fugui nodded. "I'll send men to steal it from the Lin family!"

Lin Xue'er's eyes glinted darkly. "Not yet—Lin Wanqing's in the spotlight now. We need a careful plan."

Lin Wanqing's clinic thrived, earning her newfound respect even among her clan. One day, a messenger arrived from Old Master Lin: "Wanqing, General Zhao in the city has heard of your skills and requests you to treat his mother."

"General Zhao?" Lin Wanqing's heart stirred. She recalled Zhao Xuan as a stern yet honorable man from her past life—a rare hero she'd never crossed paths with then.

Packing her medical kit, she headed to the Zhao residence. The mansion was imposing, guarded tightly. Inside the main hall stood Zhao Xuan, clad in armor, his gaze sharp as an eagle's yet softened by weariness. He bowed slightly. "Miss Lin, your reputation precedes you. My mother is gravely ill—please help."

Lin Wanqing returned the gesture. "General Zhao, you're too kind. Take me to her."

In the inner courtyard, an elderly woman lay pale and frail, her breathing faint. Lin Wanqing checked her pulse and, with her heavenly eye, diagnosed late-stage tuberculosis—a dire case.

She said gravely, "There's little time. I must act now."

Zhao Xuan nodded. "I trust you, Miss Lin."

Lin Wanqing inserted silver needles into the woman's chest acupoints and prepared a herbal decoction. As she worked, she pressed gently to clear lung congestion. After half an incense stick's time, the woman coughed up dark blood, her breathing stabilizing.

"Mother!" Zhao Xuan rushed forward, relief washing over him as she opened her eyes.

Lin Wanqing wiped her brow. "Lady Zhao is out of danger but needs months of rest."

Zhao Xuan bowed deeply. "Your skills are divine, Miss Lin. I'm eternally grateful."

Lin Wanqing smiled. "It's my duty—no need for thanks."

Their eyes met, and she sensed a flicker of warmth in his stern gaze, stirring something within her.

That night, Lin Wanqing returned to her clinic, only to find it trashed—shelves overturned, herbs scattered. Xiao Cui cried out, "Miss, masked men broke in and smashed everything!"

Lin Wanqing's eyes narrowed. Scanning with her heavenly eye, she detected lingering traces of dark mist. "Someone's getting restless," she said coldly.

(End of Chapter)