Just when Shao He felt a chill in her heart, the child resting in the chair suddenly began to cry again.
"Don't cry, baby." Shao He picked up the child, and her icy heart was enveloped by the child's cries at this moment.
The chill in her eyes, too, seemed to glow in the candlelight.
"Mother will stay with you," she said hoarsely, "We mother and child will never be crushed by adversity; as long as I'm here, I can ensure you stay out of harm's way..."
Yun Qian beside her came to a slight pause.
Watching Shao He's gentle profile illuminated by the candlelight, he started to speak again, "Miss, what are your plans moving forward?
Shao He's pale lips were tightly pressed together as she bowed slightly towards him with the child in her arms.
"Miss, you needn't do this!"
Yun Qian quickly raised his hand, intending to help Shao He back to her feet.
But Shao He looked up at him with determination in her eyes.
"You've seen my medical skills. If I agree to stay and provide free consultations for a month, would you let my child and I stay here?"
At her words, Yun Qian's pupils abruptly shrank!
"Naturally, I am willing!"
His tone was trembling with excitement.
"There's no need for free services! Your medical skills are so exquisite, Miss, having you stay here is a blessing for the people here! I can pay you ten pieces of silver per month, and I will also cover all your living expenses. Would you be willing to accept?"
"Alright," Shao He felt warmth in her heart, yet her face showed no change.
Yun Qian had already guessed her identity, and now he was still willing to take the risk of offending the Marquis's Mansion to let her stay. She would naturally remember this kindness in her heart.
...
Three days passed in succession.
During these days, Shao He personally attended to patients in the clinic.
Her medical expertise was profound, and over these three days, many people from other towns and villages came seeking her reputation.
On this day, the people formed a long queue, and Shao He looked down as she diagnosed them.
"Next."
She handed the prescription to the patient she had just seen.
A man in coarse clothing was pushed in front of her.
The man had a mask on his face that muffled his voice, and Shao He could not see his true features when she looked up.
However, as soon as the man spoke, Shao He couldn't help but frown slightly.
"I heard that Miss is skilled in medicine. I wonder if you might cure my legs?"
Shao He did not reply but cast a glance at the man's legs, then lifted her gaze to the masked man and asked, "Your voice sounds somewhat familiar to me. Could we have met before?"
Pei Huaian's mouth curved slightly, his deep and magnetic voice slowly rising as his eyes focused intently on Shao He.
"I have no recollection."
Upon hearing this, Shao He thought to herself that his voice indeed sounded vaguely familiar, but then again, she saw over a hundred patients a day; it was normal to mistake someone, so she did not dwell on it.
Seeing that she did not persist, Pei Huaian extended his hand towards her, "In that case, I'll trouble Miss to have a look."
Shao He nodded and placed her hand over his pulse. After a moment, her expression turned grave.
"Your condition..."
"What about it?"
Seeing her hesitation, Pei Huaian couldn't help but press for an answer. He had grown accustomed to his chronic leg illness over the years; it didn't matter to him whether it could be cured or not; he just wanted to come and see for himself.
"Do your legs feel excruciating pain that is hard to bear whenever it rains, like countless silver needles pricking your knees?"
A look of surprise flashed through Pei Huaian's eyes, and he suppressed the astonishment welling up in him, "Miss is truly a skilled doctor, able to discern so much from my pulse and symptoms."
Shao He laughed lightly, "You flatter me, sir; I only know a little."
Pei Huaian, faced with her modest words, shook his head with a smile, "If you can diagnose the illness in my legs with just a brief examination of my pulse, I'm afraid you won't find a better doctor than you in the entire Capital City."
"Hehe..."
Shao He chuckled softly, not letting the praise get to her head; after all, she considered such a minor ability to be insignificant.
"Now that Miss is aware of my condition, when can the treatment begin?" The smile on Pei Huaian's lips never faded, in fact, it only widened.