She instinctively wanted to look after and care for her, and trusted her words completely. Hearing Song Bingqing agree so readily, Song Qiyu grew anxious. “Sister, we don’t even know whether this kid is telling the truth. How could you agree?”
At the word “kid,” Jiang Chan raised an eyebrow slightly. Her disguise seemed quite effective. She had even fooled this foolish fellow Song Qiyu.
Song Bingqing’s reaction was the opposite. Hearing him say “kid,” she looked at her brother as though he were an idiot.
What was wrong with his eyes? This was clearly a young girl. Had something clogged his vision? But seeing Jiang Chan’s amused expression, Song Bingqing swallowed those words.
“Brother, we’ve sought treatment for so many years. Now that there’s finally a glimmer of hope, I don’t want to let it pass.”
She sighed. “Even if I keep holding on, I won’t last much longer. I’m going to die either way, so I might as well gamble. If I win, I can live safely and healthily. If I lose, it doesn’t matter. Having lasted this long is already more than I could ask.”
Jiang Chan almost wanted to applaud. This woman was truly bold, lacking neither courage nor strategy. Even she was beginning to admire Song Bingqing. There was a certain charm about her.
Now she could begin to understand Xianyue’s wishes. Logically, Xianyue and Song Bingqing should have been rivals in love. Later, Xianyue had spent so many years as her substitute. Why did she feel no resentment toward Song Bingqing?
In the end, Song Bingqing herself was deeply compelling. She was so intelligent and broad-minded that others could hardly bring themselves to envy her. They could only admire her.
“Sister…” Song Qiyu clenched his fists, as though she were about to die that very moment.
Jiang Chan blew the foam from her tea. “Don’t act as though this is a final farewell. I can guarantee that even if I can’t cure her, your sister’s condition won’t become worse than it is now.”
Whatever else Song Qiyu wanted to say was stopped by that remark. He glared resentfully at Jiang Chan but maintained a respectful manner. “Doctor, then I entrust my sister’s treatment to you.”
Jiang Chan gave an insincere smile. “Of course, of course.”
She loved it when someone disliked her but still had to ask for her help. It felt wonderful. Jiang Chan lifted her nose smugly, then suddenly grew serious.
“Your sister’s condition is already severe. She was born with deficiencies, and her internal organs never developed properly. Although all kinds of medicinal herbs have kept her alive over the years, they’ve done little more than preserve her last breath.”
“Moreover, her intricate, constantly working mind has accelerated her physical decline.” Jiang Chan glanced at the composed Song Bingqing and bluntly pointed out that she thought too much.
Song Bingqing raised an eyebrow. This little girl was very direct. Although unpleasant to hear, it was true. Her father and brother were both careless about details. Many matters required her planning and mediation. Otherwise, how could the Song family have maintained its place in the martial world for so long?
“As for her treatment, I’ll write a detailed plan later. If you’re worried, you can show it to another doctor. But let me be clear: if you bring another doctor in midway, I will withdraw completely.”
Jiang Chan was not so arrogant as to believe her medical skills were unrivaled. Song Bingqing was delicate and precious to her family. Treating her carried risks for Jiang Chan too.
Besides, the Song family could hardly be expected to entrust Song Bingqing to her without concern. She had proposed this approach to reassure them.
Song Bingqing had not expected someone so young to handle things so maturely. But after hearing her proposal, she refused without hesitation.
“There’s no need. Over these years, I’ve sought treatment countless times and long since lost hope. You’re the only doctor willing to take on my condition. I trust you, Doctor Xianyue.”
Seeing Song Qiyu about to speak, she stopped him. “Brother, I’ve decided. I’ll explain to Father. Don’t worry. Doctor Xianyue wouldn’t say this without being very confident.”
Jiang Chan’s expression brightened. “I like speaking to decisive people. I think I’m starting to like you.”
Song Bingqing smiled slightly, understanding without giving anything away. “I’m starting to like you too.”
Song Qiyu blinked. Where was this going?
On the way home, he unusually chose the carriage instead of riding. He still could not understand. What had his sister and that kid meant by their last exchange? Were they exchanging private declarations? But that kid was far too young, wasn’t he?
Seeing her brother keep frowning, Song Bingqing felt helpless. No wonder Xianyue said she thought too much. With her brother this foolish, if she did not keep an eye on him, he could be sold off without even realizing it.
“Brother, you still haven’t worked it out?”
“I just don’t like that kid. Taking liberties with you, openly and subtly. Is my sister someone he can set his sights on?” Song Qiyu spoke resentfully. If not for Jiang Chan’s exceptional medical skills, he would have lost his temper and dragged Song Bingqing away long ago.
“Brother, next time, you really should ask Doctor Xianyue to examine your eyes. How did you mistake a young girl for a boy?”
Song Qiyu almost bit his tongue. “You mean that was a girl? How is that possible? Dressed in all that dark clothing, what about her looked like a girl?”
He frowned. “No, a girl that young could be a fraud. We’re going back to find her right now!”
Song Bingqing grabbed him as he started to rise. “Can’t you sit still quietly? Medical skill has nothing to do with gender or age. You were far too rude to her today.”
He looked sheepish. “I thought she was a boy trying to take advantage of you.”
Song Bingqing smiled bitterly, and the carriage fell quiet. She was only fifteen herself this year. Raised in the inner chambers of her home, her knowledge and experience were naturally far less than they would become after her life’s upheaval.
But even now, her intelligence and perceptiveness were clear. As Jiang Chan organized her treatment plan, a faint smile suddenly touched her lips.
Those eyes were sharp. Song Bingqing had recognized her as a girl at a glance. Where exactly had she given herself away?
“Sister, how did you tell Xianyue was a woman?”
Sitting in the carriage, Song Qiyu was tormented by curiosity. However he looked at Xianyue, he had seen a boy. How had his sister known?
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