Serena Feng took up her needles and, under the expectant gaze of the crowd, pricked all ten of Imperial Physician Victor Yuan’s fingers until blood welled forth.
Next, she firmly tugged at Imperial Physician Victor Yuan’s ears until they flushed crimson, then pierced each earlobe twice, drawing two drops of blood from each.
The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley watched, puzzled, clearly waiting for Serena Feng to explain, but she pretended not to notice and simply kept a focused, professional air.
This bloodletting rescue method is an emergency treatment for stroke, and its effectiveness is guaranteed.
Seeing this unfold, the crowd’s chatter died down; one by one, they stared at Serena Feng as if seeing her for the first time.
In fact, most of these people didn’t know Serena Feng at all—they’d only heard the rumors.
Lately, Serena Feng has been a storm-center—rumors about her have swirled in every possible version, one wave barely subsiding before the next breaks.
But rumors are just rumors. Watching her calmly perform emergency care on Imperial Physician Victor Yuan, the crowd couldn’t help but see her differently.
To repay evil with virtue—how bad could someone like that really be?
In the crowd, a few people quietly edged away, knowing their chance was gone and hoping to slip out unnoticed.
General Warren Yu shot a look at his men, who silently blended into the crowd and discreetly arrested several rumor-mongers without causing a stir.
After the bloodletting, Imperial Physician Victor Yuan’s condition improved significantly—his mouth was no longer twisted, and his complexion looked much better.
The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley nodded repeatedly, full of approval. “Excellent, excellent—Doctor Feng’s rescue technique is truly impressive.”
Serena Feng, looking both anxious and delighted, replied, “It’s all thanks to your help, Valley Master. Without you, I couldn’t have managed it alone.”
Serena Feng wore a modest expression and bowed to the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley with the respectful gesture of a junior.
In this era of strict seniority and rank, she couldn’t afford to overstep. Besides, she’d already made enough of a splash today; pushing further would be too much.
“Doctor Feng, don’t be so modest. Even without me here, you could have handled it just fine.” The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley accepted the gesture without hesitation.
For a doctor, reputation is everything. Once your name is ruined, who would dare seek your help again?
Just like in the modern world—if you get caught up in a medical dispute, your career is basically over.
In ancient times, doctors held high status, and few understood medicine. Even if a patient died, you could blame the illness itself. But in the modern world, that excuse doesn’t fly.
If you get hit with a medical lawsuit, not only will your license be revoked, you could end up in prison.
I remember one of my old mentors used to say: If you choose medicine, you’re already halfway into jail. When you practice, you must be extra cautious—if you’re not confident about a case, it’s better not to treat than to risk it.
“He moved, he moved! Imperial Physician Victor Yuan moved!” Someone close by had been watching him and, seeing his fingers twitch, shouted excitedly as if it were their own father.
“He’s awake! He’s really awake!”
“Doctor Feng is incredible—she actually brought Imperial Physician Victor Yuan back!”
“If you ask me, Doctor Feng is the best. She saved Imperial Physician Victor Yuan without holding a grudge. If it were me, I wouldn’t care if he lived or died—a stubborn old man like him.”
“Tch, with a heart like yours, how could you be a doctor? Doctor Feng is a real Bodhisattva.”
The crowd’s opinion swung completely. Imperial Physician Victor Yuan’s reputation was utterly ruined—he’d never regain his footing in the capital.
Serena Feng let out a quiet laugh, saying nothing more.
She never expected these people to stand by her unwaveringly; as long as the rumors were broken, that was enough.
With the soldiers’ support, Imperial Physician Victor Yuan managed to stand, his old face flushed bright red, a look of awkwardness and humiliation flickering in his eyes.
Serena Feng could tell he regretted it. But so what?
She couldn’t bring herself to be soft-hearted, and she certainly wouldn’t let an opponent off easy. So...
Serena Feng said, all business: “Imperial Physician Victor Yuan, I’m a doctor, not a charity hall. I charge for my services—ten taels of silver for the consultation. Of course, if you don’t want to pay, that’s fine. You didn’t ask me to treat you; I acted on my own. But this is a one-time thing. I don’t like owing people, and I don’t like people owing me.”
Doctors charging for treatment is only natural.
Forget all that sentimental nonsense about favors. These days, nobody’s soft-hearted enough to hand out free medicine and money. One or two cases, maybe, but ten or a hundred? Even the richest doctor couldn’t afford that.
Don’t think all doctors are cold-blooded—it’s just that there’s no other way. The higher-ups don’t help, there are too many poor people, and medical care is expensive. If you tried to save everyone who couldn’t pay, your salary wouldn’t last.
That’s why Serena Feng chose to work at a military hospital—there, nobody ever had trouble paying for treatment.
She couldn’t help everyone, so she simply avoided seeing them. Out of sight, out of mind.
Imperial Physician Victor Yuan had been feeling grateful, but after hearing Serena Feng’s words, he could only roll his eyes in exasperation.
“Imperial Physician Victor Yuan, you’d better take care of yourself. If you have another stroke, it won’t be just ten taels for the consultation.” Serena Feng said coolly, deliberately trying to rile him up.
“Women and petty men are impossible to deal with! Just you wait, Serena Feng—I’ll have my people bring you the money, not a coin short.” Victor Yuan snapped, his face dark, and stormed off.
He couldn’t bear to stay here any longer.
But as soon as he stepped out of the soldiers’ cordon, he was surrounded by townsfolk, all pointing and whispering.
Stuck in the crowd, Victor Yuan didn’t dare move. Faced with their accusations, he couldn’t say a word in defense. Luckily, servants from the Yuan household rushed over and managed to rescue their master.
Watching Victor Yuan flee in disgrace, Serena Feng almost burst out laughing.
In the end, those who harm others only bring ruin on themselves!
But remembering her reputation for kindness, Serena Feng held back, letting only a faint smile curl her lips.
General Warren Yu nodded to her, signaling that today’s business was mostly settled and the rest would be handled by others.
Serena Feng nodded, bowed respectfully to the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley, then bowed again at the gate of Feng Manor, looking every bit the wronged heroine:
“The innocent will be cleared, the guilty will remain tainted. Rumors about me have come one after another lately, and I have no interest in explaining further. Justice lives in people’s hearts—I believe you all will restore Serena Feng’s good name, and the honor of the Feng clan.”
With that, she bowed deeply, then—under everyone’s gaze—turned and walked resolutely into Feng Manor.
The whole place was silent. No one stopped her, no one spoke—a crowd simply watched Serena Feng go.
The remaining doctors thought about stepping forward, but remembering what happened to Victor Yuan, they shrank back.
Serena Feng left, but it wasn’t over yet—next came the Wang family’s turn. Serena couldn’t publicly hunt down the troublemakers, but the Wang clan could.
Lord Wang Su strode out, his face dark and his words razor-sharp. He announced he would sue anyone who slandered the Wang clan—no mercy.
After finishing, he marched back to the Wang estate in full view of the crowd, radiating authority.
The Wang family’s servants had already received the news—the front gate was flung open, red banners stretched for miles, and the clan elders and relatives all came out to greet him. It was a spectacle.
Like a farce, the scene began with a bang and ended with a flourish. Everyone saw how it started, but no one could have predicted the ending…