Ji Qingwu had traveled to this world,but only her soul had made the journey.

  She had taken possession of the body of a noblewoman’s daughter. Coincidentally, that young lady also bore the surname Ji and looked exactly like her, but this Miss Ji had gone missing as a child and was later adopted by an old herbalist living in the mountains.

  If the people arriving were members of the Ji family…

  Ji Qingwu’s heart began to race.

  If there was one thing she could claim as a strength, it was that whatever she feared most would inevitably come to pass. Her woman’s intuition was uncannily accurate.

  Take that night, for instance, when she tied the man to the bed—though they had only consummated their union once. Yet as she stumbled out of the military tent, her hips and legs aching, she knew she would surely conceive.

  Ji Qingwu paused what she was doing and looked toward the doorway.

  To keep out the wind, sand, and insects, she had specially hung a white gauze curtain at the entrance to the clinic.

  The visitor reached out to part the curtain; a pair of black official boots stepped into the main hall first, revealing a tall, young man with a handsome profile.

  The woman waiting by the entrance saw him enter and respectfully addressed him: “Your Excellency.”

  Ji Changlin nodded slightly.

  “Just as Your Excellency predicted, this Fifth Doctor is a capable man. My condition is a deficiency in the fetal belt,exactly the same diagnosis as that of the renowned physician Yue Xi in Lin’an City.”

  At first glance, Ji Qingwu could tell that the official before him was a talented young man; he had a well-proportioned face and an exceptionally upright demeanor.

  Ji Changlin first clasped his hands in a bow: “Doctor Wu, my surname is Ji. I am passing through this area on official business in Nanchu. Having heard the locals speak highly of your medical skills, I wished to ask you to examine a relative of mine.”

  Ji Qingwu felt a flutter of unease in her heart, but her expression remained composed.

  She cast a glance at the woman dressed as a lady and said deliberately coldly, “If that is the case, why bother testing me, sir? But Nanchu is ten thousand li away from Lin’an City,the journey is long, and I am the last person who wishes to go through such trouble.”

  He scrutinized Ji Qingwu from head to toe. Though this female physician was not strikingly beautiful, she possessed a gentle demeanor—especially that soft, delicate voice and the graceful figure that even her plain brocade robe could not fully conceal.

  However, her fingers were clenched tightly at that moment, and she clearly looked deeply troubled, as if harboring many secrets.

  Ji Changlin grew suspicious and continued, “Doctor Ji, Nan Chu is, after all, a wild and untamed land. From your accent, I gather you are also from Lin’an. Now that the new emperor has reigned for three years, the people of Lin’an City live in peace and contentment. Why not return to your hometown?”

  The ruler of the Great Liang Kingdom had been depraved and tyrannical; even when she first arrived through her journey, the kingdom was already in a state of decline.

  Now, the new emperor of Beili had taken control of Lin’an City.

  Ji Qingwu hadn’t paid much attention to this news, but the streets and alleys were abuzz with talk of how peerlessly valiant this new emperor was.

  He led the Eight Capital Garrisons across the river, launched a surprise attack on the enemy, beheaded their leader in their own camp, and dealt with traitors and remnants of the old regime with thunderous severity.

  Seeing her deep in thought, Ji Changlin continued to encourage her: “With your medical skills,

you’ll have no trouble making a living in Lin’an. If you need any help, the Ji family has many shops,we can rent them to you at a low rate, or send staff to assist you with the arrangements.”

  To offer her such a generous benefit right off the bat.

  Just who in the Ji family is infertile?

  Ji Qingwu twirled her little finger and said softly, “Minister Ji, perhaps everyone loves the splendor of the capital, but I prefer the unique scenery of a small frontier town.”

  Ji Changlin raised an eyebrow and walked over to sit across from her.

  He had already quietly taken the clinic in thoroughly. He noticed a picture book sitting on the corner of the table,a primer specifically designed for young children.

  This doctor must have a child of three or four at home.

  He asked, “Oh? Have you completely given up on your child’s future?”

  Ji Qingwu’s expression froze,he had actually figured out she had a child.

  But her daughter wasn’t at the clinic right now.

  Since arriving here, she’d been busy making a living, so she’d found a trustworthy family to take her in.

  During the day, she would send her precious little girl, Jiu Jiu, to be looked after by the family, while she worked at the clinic; in the evening, she would bring her back to live with her.

  Ji Changlin casually picked up the picture book on the table, flipped through a few pages, and said thoughtfully, “ “A parent who loves their child plans for their long-term future. A small picture book is insufficient as a primer; we really ought to find a proper teacher.”

  Ji Qingwu’s throat felt dry. She licked her lips, picked up the teacup on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.

  If there was one drawback to living in Nanchu, it was that her Jiu Jiu was already four years old,the very age when a child should be sent to school for their early education.

  However, the people here had to focus first on staying alive and putting food on the table; the matter of a child’s upbringing naturally took a back seat.

  Ji Qingwu had always hoped to find a good tutor for Jiu Jiu, so that she might at least learn the principles of how to make a living and find her place in the world.

  Seeing her expression soften, Ji Changlin continued, “I surmise, Madam, that your youngest child is indeed at the age where she needs guidance in her studies. Why not return with us to Lin’an City, so you may be reunited with your family?”

  The moment she heard the word “family,”

  for some reason, Ji Qingwu’s mind immediately conjured up that man’s face.

  She shook her head vigorously, only to find Ji Changlin staring at her thoughtfully.

  A bead of sweat formed on Ji Qingwu’s forehead. She picked up the linen cloth from the table to wipe it away, revealing a wrist so white it was almost blinding.

  Ji Changlin watched as a brown stain spread across the cloth. He leaned in slightly, the corners of his mouth curving upward. “Doctor Ji, why are you afraid to show your true face?”

  This man must be a fox reincarnated as a spirit!

  Ji Qingwu’s secrets were crumbling one by one before him.

  Annoyance flashed in her eyes. “Your Excellency, this humble woman simply prefers this style of makeup and attire. Is that against the law?”

  “Of course not.”

  In the town on the border between the two countries, there were many people who had fled famine, and thus, most were refugees.

  Ji Changlin’s tone turned stern as he said, “However, do you and your child have household registration documents? Is your residence here legal? Those without documents will be expelled from the border and subjected to facial branding.”

  Tattooing meant carving characters into bare skin,how could she possibly accept that?

  He was threatening her!

  Ji Qingwu might look delicate and fragile, but that was only because no one had provoked her yet.

  She slammed her hand down on the table.

  The square sandalwood table shattered under the force, sending splinters flying through the air.

  Unprepared for her immense strength,she had shattered the table with a single hand,Ji Changlin took a few startled steps back.

  The woman who had been treating patients earlier nimbly stepped in front of him—apparently his bodyguard—and scolded, “You insolent harridan! How dare you show disrespect to an envoy of Beili!”

  Ji Qingwu snorted coldly. Given his status as an envoy of Beili, it was no wonder he was eloquent and observant to the finest detail.

  She glared at the two men before her, showing not a trace of fear.

  Over the years, every time she cured a patient, she would exchange skills with the system. Most of the skills she acquired were for self-defense; relying solely on strength, the two of them combined couldn’t match her.

  Just as the tension reached a boiling point.

  A little figure emerged from behind the curtain.

  She looked to be about three or four years old, yet her steps were remarkably steady.

  The little girl had chubby cheeks and a naturally cheerful expression. Holding something in her hands, she took small, quick steps and ran straight toward Ji Qingwu.

  Ji Qingwu frantically signaled to her daughter.

 “Mommy!”

  A loud cry rang out.

  As if afraid that others wouldn’t know whose child she was.

  　Chu Chu: You can’t hide it at all; if you love someone, you have to shout it out loud