Wen Ning rushed to the woman’s side. Somehow, strength surged through her as she pulled the woman out of her husband’s arms and commanded quickly: “Listen to me! Stand up—legs apart, shoulder‑width!”
The woman lifted her eyes with difficulty, clearly not understanding why she was told to do this.
Her husband, snapping out of his panic, cried in anger: “What are you doing—”
“If you want her to live, do as I say!”
Wen Ning’s sudden sharp voice rang out, imperious, like a deity holding dominion over life and death. For a moment, it stunned everyone around.
To the terrified woman, Wen Ning’s tone was like a lifeline. Instinctively, she obeyed, struggling to her feet and spreading her legs.
Wen Ning pressed close against her back, sliding her right thigh between the woman’s legs to support her. She wrapped her arms swiftly around the woman’s waist—left hand clenched into a fist placed two finger‑widths above the navel, right hand gripping the fist—and with all her strength, thrust sharply inward and upward.
Though Wen Ning’s body was smaller than the woman’s, she held her steady like an immovable anchor.
The crowd stared, dumbfounded at the strange scene.
Wang Cheng’an too stood frozen, unable to react.
The husband cried out in anguish: “What are you trying to do? Do you mean to kill Mei‑niang—”
But before he could finish, the woman suddenly gagged violently and spat out a large piece of bun.
The crowd gaped in shock. They watched as she gasped several times, then collapsed limply to the ground, the weight lifted from her chest. Already, the bluish tint on her face was fading, her breathing easing. Her husband no longer cared about Wen Ning. He threw himself forward, crying: “Meiniang, you… you’re alright?”
Weakly, she nodded. Wen Ning spoke calmly at the right moment: “Don’t crowd her. Give her space. Let her breathe fresh air.”
Only then did the crowd come back to themselves, staring in awe at the young woman who had just snatched another from the jaws of death.
What kind of strange, miraculous method was this? And yet—it worked!
The husband, overwhelmed, stepped back, then suddenly dropped to his knees before Wen Ning, kowtowing desperately. “Thank you, young lady! Thank you! You saved my whole family’s life!”
Even though Wen Ning had often been thanked by patients’ families, she had thought she’d seen every kind of gratitude. But this man’s fervor startled her. She quickly said: “No need for that. It was only a small effort.”
Seeing the crowd’s curious, admiring gazes, Wen Ning forced herself to remain composed, smiling lightly. “I have urgent matters. I’ll take my leave.”
Without waiting for the man’s cries about offering her a reward, she took Chunxi and walked steadily away. Originally, she had planned to find some way to make her name known—perhaps in front of a medical hall or pharmacy owner, to hook a few prospects and open a path for her career.
Today’s incident had been pure accident. Still…
After reaching a quiet corner, she turned to see Wang Cheng’an hurrying after her, his face still filled with shock.
Well, strictly speaking, Wang Cheng’an could count as one of the “fish” she had hooked—though working with someone familiar might prove troublesome.
Wang Cheng’an came straight up to Wen Ning, unable to remain calm, and blurted: “Yaoyao, that life‑saving method just now—where did you learn it?”
Wen Ning curved her lips slightly, using her usual excuse: “I read it in the medical texts my grandfather left me.”*
Wang Cheng’an’s eyes widened. “There are such medical texts? I’ve read plenty myself, yet I’ve never seen that method…”
Wen Ning replied: “Of course. My grandfather compiled those texts himself. In his youth, he traveled far and wide, studying medicine. The book records remedies and treatments he gathered from all over.”
In ancient times, the medical world was anything but open. Physicians guarded their formulas and methods like family treasures, passing them down secretly through generations.
Wang Cheng’an knew this well. Though shocked that Wen Ning had somehow inherited her grandfather’s skill, he didn’t press further. He only sighed: “No wonder. Master Wen’s medical skill was admired even by my own grandfather.”
Then, half in jest, he added: “If you were a man, I’d hire you as a resident physician at Shou’an Hall.”*
Had it been anyone else, Wen Ning would have seized the chance to discuss cooperation. But looking at Wang Cheng’an, she hesitated, then smiled. “Brother Wang, you jest. But if you’re willing, we can exchange medical knowledge sometime.”
If she spoke directly of wanting to work with Shou’an Hall, she’d have to explain why she, a married woman, wished to practice medicine. And her ambitions went far beyond simply treating patients.
Now was not the time to be frank.
Wang Cheng’an’s face lit up at her words. He looked at her deeply. “Of course. If you wish, you can come to Shou’an Hall anytime.”
Wen Ning smiled. “But today it seems we won’t get those lamb buns. If you’re busy, don’t mind me. Chunxi and I will finish strolling Tongtuo Street before heading back.”
It was a polite farewell.
Wang Cheng’an could only say: “Alright. Be careful out here.”
“I know.” With that, Wen Ning left with Chunxi.
Wang Cheng’an unconsciously watched her departing figure for a long while, silent.
Beside him, Jueming muttered: “Third Miss Wen has changed so much compared to two years ago. Not just her miraculous rescue just now—even her temperament seems completely different.” He thought privately: if she were like this back then, perhaps the old matriarch would not have opposed her entering the Wang household.
Wang Cheng’an said nothing more, only his gaze darkened. “Let’s go. Time to inspect Shou’an Hall.”
What they did not know was that everything had been witnessed by Heiying, who had been lurking nearby. Recalling Wen Ning’s rescue, Heiying was deeply astonished. Though Lady Wen had admitted to the Protector days ago that she knew “a little” medicine, it was clear now she knew far more than that.
Such a strange matter must be reported to the Protector.
Meanwhile, Wen Ning and Chunxi ate a simple lunch at a noodle shop, then finished exploring the rest of Tongtuo Street. She now knew clearly which medical halls and pharmacies were the largest. None, however, surpassed Shou’an Hall.
The old Shou’an Hall store dominated the busiest part of Tongtuo Street, arrogantly occupying three storefronts. When Wen Ning had stood outside earlier, customers streamed in without pause. Three resident physicians worked inside, each overwhelmed with patients. By any measure, cooperating with Shou’an Hall was the best choice.
On the way back to the Protector’s residence, Wen Ning pondered this. But upon arrival, she was startled to see Fang Wu waiting at the gate, face cold. The moment he saw her, he strode forward, eyes strange, voice icy: “Lady Wen, the Protector summons you.”
His gaze, full of disdain, practically spelled out: What trouble have you stirred up now?