“Xianglian, how could you be so careless? I invited a doctor from the city. Let her take a look at your leg—this kind of injury must not be taken lightly!”
Chen Lang hurried forward, pushing through the crowd, his voice full of concern.
If she didn’t already know his true nature, she might have been deceived again.
Li Xianglian stared at him expressionlessly, her dark eyes seeming to pierce straight through his thoughts.
Chen Lang felt a jolt of unease at the hatred in her gaze.
But then he reconsidered—Li Xianglian loved him deeply. He must have imagined it.
Sure enough, she lowered her eyes and casually glanced at the “doctor” behind him, smiling gently. “Which clinic is this doctor from? Do you know how to set bones?”
Xu Caishan rolled her eyes inwardly.
Women were not allowed to practice medicine in this era. She had studied under a renowned doctor out of interest. If not for the young master’s request, she would never risk being discovered in disguise.
Only the young master knew her secret.
A trace of arrogance appeared on Xu Caishan’s face as she let out a disdainful snort.
Chen Lang heard the doubt in Li Xianglian’s words and leaned in to whisper, “Xianglian, don’t be willful. This doctor treats the county magistrate—she can surely heal your leg. Apologize quickly.”
It was true—she treated the county magistrate, after all she was his sister.
Knowing she couldn’t confront them directly, Li Xianglian clenched her hands. If she wanted a divorce, she would need to proceed slowly.
Without exposing anything, she said calmly, “So you are the magistrate’s physician. I’m afraid I cannot afford your fee. There’s no need to trouble you—I’ve already asked another doctor.”
Seeing her resistance, the villagers quickly carried her inside and waved Chen Lang away impatiently. “We’ve already called a doctor for Sister Li. You can leave.”
Xu Caishan had never been treated this way before and was instantly furious. She sneered, “I came all the way up the mountain, delaying the magistrate’s matters. I’ll report this truthfully so he knows how arrogant a mere scholar’s wife can be!”
In the past, Li Xianglian would have lowered herself, fearing harm to Chen Lang’s future.
But now, knowing their scheme, she suppressed a cold smile and gently tugged his sleeve, her eyes slightly moist. “It was my fault for not thinking it through. I’m just a village woman—how could I trouble a doctor like this? My son still has a high fever. Why not have the doctor examine him instead?”
Chen Lang loved her gentle demeanor. Gazing at her fondly, he touched her forehead. “Good Xianglian, I’ll have Doctor Xu treat our son right away.”
Xu Caishan followed him away unwillingly.
She knew Chen Lang’s true identity. These children would one day enter a noble household—treating them was far more worthwhile than treating this scheming woman.
Li Xianglian let out a long breath.
Soon after, the doctor invited by the villagers arrived.
Unlike Xu Caishan, he showed no arrogance. Without delay, he crouched down and carefully examined her injury.
Looking down, Li Xianglian saw that the doctor was strikingly handsome, his beauty almost androgynous. She was momentarily stunned.
Even kneeling, he did not seem humble or lowly. His back was straight, and though he wore coarse linen, it could not hide his refined, elegant bearing.
She was instantly reminded of when she first met Chen Lang.
Back then, his figure had looked just like this as he retrieved her stolen purse and walked away.
Young and naive, she had mistaken gratitude for love and rushed after him.
Now she realized his refinement had been nothing more than a poor disguise.
Something felt off.
She had been plainly dressed—why would a thief target her? And why would someone like Chen Lang help her for no reason?
It had all been staged—a deliberate act of “heroism.”
He had concealed his identity from the start, fearing he wouldn’t be able to shake her off later. What began as lust had led to marriage, and soon after, children.
Even her love had been part of a scheme.
“Excuse me.”
The doctor’s voice was clear and cool. As his hand brushed her calf and he prepared to set the bone, he paused and took out a clean cotton handkerchief from his wooden case.
He handed it to her.
“Miss, it’s new. Bite on it—it will ease the pain.”
Once she obediently bit down, he began.
“Mmm…” She clenched the soft cloth tightly, suppressing her cries.
A faint herbal fragrance filled her senses, gradually easing her pain.
Tears spilled uncontrollably, blurring her vision.
She vaguely saw the doctor lean closer and instinctively shrank back.
“My apologies, that was presumptuous. I noticed the herb beside you—it looks unusual. May I take a look?”
She quickly handed it over. “This one? You can have it.”
“That wouldn’t be right. This is Red Blood Seven-Leaf Ginseng, very valuable. I’ll exchange it for one tael of silver. Would you agree?”
She nodded quickly.
She had risked her life to gather this herb for Chen Lang, never knowing it was so valuable.
Yet when Xu Caishan saw it before, she had tossed it aside, calling it worthless.
Li Xianglian nearly ground her teeth in anger.
So it hadn’t been discarded—it had been taken by Xu Caishan.
“May I ask what it’s used for? I saw many on the mountain—could I sell them to you in the future?”
“It treats heart conditions. The more, the better. But your leg is injured—you shouldn’t climb the mountain. I have a guidebook for identifying and preparing herbs. You may borrow it and teach the villagers. If it’s no trouble, help me gather what’s listed—I’ll buy them all.”
She accepted the booklet carefully and declined the payment.
The villagers were overjoyed—who would have thought treating Li Xianglian would bring such an opportunity?
Her parents paid the consultation fee and even gave the doctor preserved meat and dried vegetables. He left under the villagers’ grateful gazes.
Li Xianglian looked out the window, trying to recall his face—it seemed familiar, yet she couldn’t place it.
Still, it gave her a strange sense of comfort.
No matter.
In a little over a year, the famine would come.
She had to get rid of Chen Lang quickly.
Retrieve the wooden hairpin, save money, store food, and survive safely with her parents.
Her parents prepared a meal to thank the villagers who helped her. Everyone gathered inside, chatting.
They spoke carefully, watching her expression.
With her eyes lowered, she appeared fragile and distressed.
Her parents gently stroked her head. “Lian’er, you still have us. At worst, just divorce that man!”
They had said this many times before. Everyone expected her to defend Chen Lang again.
But to their surprise, Li Xianglian nodded softly.
She raised her beautiful, calm face, her clear eyes carrying a faint smile.
Even the dim room seemed to brighten with her radiance.
A neighbor aunt stared in astonishment and said, “With looks like ours Lian’er, she could easily marry a successful scholar!”