Before the old physician could speak, the other doctors beside him all began talking at once.
“If it’s not a scam, then what—are you saying it’s real?”
“Exactly! You just spout nonsense without thinking. Aren’t you afraid your lies will be exposed?”
“A mere country woman daring to come out and swindle people—believe it or not, we can report you to the authorities and have you thrown in jail!”
Wu Yulan crossed her arms over her chest. “You all pride yourselves on being knowledgeable, yet you’ve never even seen a cesarean procedure. What a disgrace to the medical profession!”
“You ignorant woman! Don’t tell me you actually know how to perform this so-called belly-cutting delivery?”
The old physician shook his head as well. “Cutting open the abdomen to deliver a child and the mother still lives? That’s pure fantasy. Miss, perhaps you’re just anxious to save a life. Admit your mistake properly, and we can still put in a good word for you.”
“Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”
As she spoke, Wu Yulan plopped herself down in the chair the maid had prepared for Master Liu.
Seeing her arrogant demeanor, the assembled physicians all frowned and shook their heads.
Just as they were about to persuade her again to keep a low profile and admit fault, Master Liu pushed the door open and stepped out.
A large patch of his robe was soaked—clearly from crying moments before.
Physician Jiang saw this and assumed that Madam Liu had already…
His throat tightened with bitterness. “Master Liu, if you must blame someone, blame me. Please don’t blame Sister Wu.”
Master Liu suddenly stared at him. Just when Physician Jiang thought he was about to be held accountable, Master Liu grabbed his shoulders excitedly.
“Physician Jiang, not only can I not blame you—I must thank you properly!”
Everyone was bewildered, and Physician Jiang was equally stunned.
“Master Liu, you…”
Overcome with grief and starting to speak nonsense?
Master Liu broke into a smile. “Physician Jiang, if you hadn’t brought Auntie Wu here in time, my beloved wife and son would have been in grave danger.”
“Master Liu, you mean…?”
Master Liu patted Jiang’s shoulder, then turned to instruct Steward Liu, “What are you standing there for? Quickly serve Auntie Wu some tea! And tell the kitchen to prepare some nourishing food for her!”
Having served Master Liu for many years, the steward immediately understood the outcome and hurried off with a beaming smile.
Seeing Master Liu’s attitude toward Wu Yulan and Physician Jiang, the other doctors exchanged uneasy glances.
The old physician asked in disbelief, “Master Liu, could it be… Madam Liu is still alive?”
Master Liu narrowed his eyes slightly at the group. Those quack doctors had nearly misled him earlier.
If he had listened to them and barged in, disturbing Auntie Wu, his wife and child might have…
At the thought, his tone turned cold. “Thank you all for your concern. Auntie Wu’s medical skills are superb—she saved both my wife and child.”
The doctors were utterly astonished.
“Master Liu, wasn’t it said she cut open the abdomen to deliver the child? Madam Liu can still be alive?”
“This… this is simply unbelievable!”
“Does such a heaven-defying technique truly exist?”
“No, impossible! Once the belly is cut open, how could a person still live?”
Master Liu shot that doctor a glare. “Physician Li, beyond the mountains are higher mountains, and beyond the skies are greater skies. Just because you can’t do it doesn’t mean others can’t.”
“Auntie Wu did indeed perform the abdominal delivery. My wife has already awakened, and my young son is safe and healthy.”
With Master Liu personally confirming it, Physician Li had no reason to doubt.
Realizing he had just witnessed such a procedure, his heart trembled with shock, unable to calm down.
At this moment, he desperately wanted to speak with Wu Yulan and ask how she had accomplished it. But remembering his earlier doubts and accusations, his mouth felt as though it were glued shut—he couldn’t utter a word.
Master Liu glanced at the stunned doctors and ignored them.
“Physician Jiang, thank you for introducing Auntie Wu to me.”
Physician Jiang had also been arranged a seat. He knew that the courtesy he now received from Master Liu was entirely because of Wu Yulan.
“Master Liu, I merely made the introduction. The one you truly should thank is Sister Wu—and your own courage.”
Wu Yulan gave a slight nod. “Indeed, Master Liu, it was your courage that saved your wife and child.”
Hearing this, Master Liu felt ashamed. Just moments ago, he had believed the other doctors’ words and doubted Wu Yulan.
Yet not only did she not hold it against him, she even praised his decisiveness. That only deepened his embarrassment.
Silently, he resolved to repay her well.
“Auntie Wu, I will remember this kindness. If you ever encounter trouble in Pingjiang Town that you cannot handle, come to me.”
The sincerity in Wu Yulan’s smile deepened. “In that case, I thank you in advance, Master Liu.”
Master Liu nodded slightly. “Auntie Wu, please rest well. After you’ve eaten, I’ll have someone escort you home.”
Wu Yulan followed the maid to rest.
The doctors, seeing her leave, eagerly tried to follow, but at a glance from Master Liu, a servant immediately stepped forward to block them.
“Doctors, thank you for coming. Your consultation fees will be settled—please take your leave afterward.”
But how could they be willing to go? They wanted to see with their own eyes whether Madam Liu truly lived, and how the wound on her abdomen had been stitched.
More than that, they wanted to hear from Wu Yulan how exactly this abdominal delivery was performed.
A heaven-defying divine technique—snatching someone back from the King of Hell himself. Just witnessing it was enough to boast about for a lifetime.
Master Liu had no time for them. After settling their consultation fees, he had them ushered to the front hall.
…
“Auntie Wu, this is your consultation fee. Please accept it.”
Master Liu held out a box with both hands.
Wu Yulan did not stand on ceremony. She accepted the box and felt its surprising weight. When she opened it, her brows jumped.