Gu Qingyan had been in poor health since childhood and was frequently ill. Madam Xu was never someone who could care for others.

So, for all these years, it had been the wet nurse, Madam Liu, who looked after him. Their bond ran deep—closer than that of a mother and son.

Many times when Gu Qingyan woke from a serious illness, the first person he saw was Madam Liu.

Madam Liu originally had a son, but when the boy was three years old, a lapse in the family’s care led to him falling into water and drowning.

Because of that, she had a huge falling out with her husband’s family, blaming them for living off her earnings each month yet failing to even look after a three-year-old child.

From then on, Madam Liu devoted herself entirely to caring for Gu Qingyan.

When Gu Qingyan learned of this, he spoke with Madam Xu, saying he wanted to ensure Madam Liu would be cared for in her old age. At the time, Madam Xu readily agreed.

In gratitude, Madam Liu cared for him even more attentively—better than she would her own son.

Gu Qingyan often felt that without her meticulous care, he wouldn’t have survived his many serious illnesses.

But who would’ve thought…

Of course—if Madam Xu could drive even him out, how could she possibly tolerate Madam Liu?

Cuìhóng sniffled. “Madam Liu couldn’t take it and went to plead with Madam. Somehow she ended up angering her and was beaten and thrown out.”

“She didn’t want you to worry, so she forbade us from telling you.”

Gu Qingyan immediately grew anxious. “Where is she now? Cuìhóng, take me to her.”

Cuìhóng wiped her tears and led him out. They weaved through several alleys, going deeper into increasingly rundown areas. Eventually, they stopped at the door of a dilapidated house.

“This is Madam Liu’s family home. She had nowhere else to go, so she returned here.”

Before they even entered, a sharp and venomous voice rang out from inside:

“A married daughter is like water spilled—there’s no reason for you to come back and eat off your brother. Either get out or hand over silver. Otherwise, this house won’t have you.”

“You don’t even have a son—someone cursed to be childless. You’ll rely on my son to care for you when you’re old, and you still won’t give us money? Planning to take it to your grave?”

“Unlucky wretch! If you won’t hand over the money willingly, don’t blame me for getting rough.”

“Nanny!”

Gu Qingyan kicked the door open with one foot.

The shrill woman turned to see them and began to curse. “Where’d this little bastard come from, breaking down my door? You’d better pay for it before thinking of leaving.”

“If you’ve got the guts, go report me to the yamen. I’ll wait right here.” Gu Qingyan shot her a cold glare that immediately silenced her.

The woman jumped in fright, then suddenly realized who he was. Her tone changed in an instant. “Oh dear, it’s like a flood rushing into the Dragon King’s temple—family not recognizing family. Aren’t you the young master of the Li family? Are you here to take my sister home to enjoy a good life? I’ve been looking after her these past few days—if not credit, at least give me a tip for my trouble.”

Gu Qingyan couldn’t be bothered to listen to her drivel. He stepped past her into the house, only to find Madam Liu lying on a straw-covered earthen bed.

On such a cold day, she didn’t even have a blanket—just lying there like that.

“Young master—” Madam Liu gasped when she saw him and fainted on the spot.

“She’s burning up. She has a fever.”

Gu Qingyan immediately picked her up and headed out. “To the clinic!”

The shrewish woman tried to block him, but Cuìhóng stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face. “You dare bully someone from the Li family? Are your eyes blind, dog?”

The woman trembled and didn’t dare move again.

As they walked away, the woman spat in their direction. “Fine, don’t ever come back! But once you land in my hands again, you’ll suffer for sure.”

Gu Qingyan didn’t get far before his strength gave out—his body just too weak to keep going.

Cuìhóng caught up and, seeing his condition, immediately crouched down to carry Madam Liu on her back and ran ahead.

“Young master, I’ll do it. You follow.”

Even just keeping up was exhausting for Gu Qingyan—he was breathless after only a few steps. Watching Cuìhóng run without even panting made him painfully aware of his poor health.

[Qingzhou Prefecture Medical Hall sign-in point discovered. Sign in for 2 points?]

Two points?

Gu Qingyan was surprised but didn’t have time to think. He shouted, “Doctor! Please, save her!”

The resident physician was startled by their urgency and quickly came over. “Bring her in.”

After checking her pulse, the doctor let out a sigh of relief.

“She’s fine—just passed out from emotional distress. She’ll be all right once she wakes up.”

He pressed a pressure point, and Madam Liu slowly regained consciousness. When she saw Gu Qingyan, her heart ached. “Young master… you’ve suffered.”

Gu Qingyan could only smile helplessly. Why did everyone think he was the one suffering?

He hadn’t suffered at all—he’d just spent the night in a top-tier inn room worth three taels of silver.

He sat down and took her hand, reassuring her gently. “Nanny, I’m fine. Everything will be okay.”

“Doctor, she was also beaten. Could you take a look?”

Madam Liu shook her head. “They pitied me and didn’t go too hard. I’m fine. But young master, what will you do now? That Madam is so heartless.”

Her tears fell again, and Cuìhóng followed suit, both sobbing.

The doctor glanced at them and coughed lightly. “The injuries aren’t serious. I’ll prescribe a few doses of medicine to help her recover faster.”

“Please do,” Gu Qingyan said quickly.

“No—don’t waste money on me. I’ll be fine in a few days.” Madam Liu tried to stop him.

Gu Qingyan gently pressed her down. “Doctor, please go ahead. I can afford the medicine.”

The doctor, seeing the situation, tactfully left to give them space.

Madam Liu was full of concern, but all she could do was grip his hand and stay silent for a long moment.

“It’s all my fault. I couldn’t protect you… That woman…”

Gu Qingyan sighed. No matter how long Madam Liu had served, she was still a servant—there was no way she could persuade Madam Xu.

Seeing his downcast expression, Madam Liu thought he was heartbroken and hurried to comfort him.

“Don’t be afraid, young master. I’ve saved up some money over the years. Take it for your living expenses. I can always go out and wash clothes or cook for others to earn more.”

She took a cloth bundle from her chest and unwrapped it: bits of silver, some banknotes, a few pieces of jewelry—all the savings she’d accumulated over the years.

It totaled at least twenty taels—not a small sum.

Even though she’d been scolded by her sister-in-law and needed medicine herself, she hadn’t spent a single coin. Yet now, she handed it all to Gu Qingyan.

Though Madam Xu had turned on him, Madam Liu and Cuìhóng were truly devoted.

Gu Qingyan was suddenly at peace. Relationships depend on fate—perhaps he and Madam Xu were simply not fated to bond. Fifteen years together, and they still had no real affection.

But with Madam Liu and Cuìhóng, there was genuine connection. Even if he was no longer a young master, they still cared deeply for him.

This time, he didn’t refuse—he accepted the bundle.

“Nanny, will you come with me? Let’s go to Lingchuan County.”

Gu Qingyan gently embraced her.
“I’ll take you as my godmother, and I’ll take care of you when you’re old. Come with me, alright?”

Nanny Liu was so overwhelmed with emotion that she couldn’t even speak—she just kept nodding fervently.

After a long moment, tears streamed down her face as she finally spoke.
“Alright, alright… I never thought, at my age, I’d gain another child.”

“Young Master, I’ll go with you. I’ll take good care of you. I won’t let you suffer.”

Gu Qingyan chuckled.
“Mother, I’ve already renounced the Li family. You should call me by my name now.”

“Qing… Qingyan,” Nanny Liu called out the name she had repeated countless times in her heart. Her pain seemed to fade away, and her spirit lifted.

Cuihong sniffled. She wished she could go with them too. But she had signed a contract of servitude, and she still had a mother and younger brother to care for. Even if she wanted to leave, she couldn’t.

Caught between overwhelming sorrow and joy, Nanny Liu soon couldn’t hold on any longer and drifted into a deep sleep.

Gu Qingyan panicked and called for the doctor.

“She’s just exhausted,” the doctor said. “Don’t wake her—let her sleep. She’ll be fine after some rest.”

The doctor handed over the medicine.
“Boil it down from three bowls of water to one. Each packet can be brewed twice—once in the morning and once in the evening. She should be better after finishing it.”

Gu Qingyan nodded repeatedly.

In the end, it was Cuihong who helped carry Nanny Liu to the inn. Luckily, Room One—reserved for nobility—was spacious enough for two people to stay comfortably.

Cuihong still had duties to attend to and couldn’t stay long. As she prepared to leave, she was clearly reluctant and worried.

The innkeeper’s assistant patted his chest and reassured her,
“Don’t worry, miss. Leave the medicine boiling to me.”

Only then did Cuihong take her leave.

Gu Qingyan looked over at Nanny Liu and saw that she was sleeping soundly. His thoughts drifted back to the two-point sign-in spot at the medical hall.

Everywhere else only required one point, but the medical hall needed two. Could there be something special about it?

---

[Host: Gu Qingyan]
[Age: 15]
[Points: 2]

Points increased daily, and he still had enough silver for now. Should he go test it out?

With his mind made up, Gu Qingyan hurried back to the medical hall.

[Qingzhou Medical Hall Sign-In Spot detected. Spend 2 points to sign in?]

[Yes!]

[Sign-in successful at Qingzhou Medical Hall. Medical Skill obtained.]

Gu Qingyan gasped. A skill! He had actually gained a skill!

He noticed that his personal interface had changed—there was now a new section for skills.

---

[Host: Gu Qingyan]
[Age: 15]
[Points: 0]
[Skill: Medical Arts – Beginner Level 0%]

---

Clicking on the skill brought up a prompt:

[Start skill tutorial? During the tutorial, the host will enter deep sleep. It is advised to begin in a safe environment to prevent adverse consequences.]

Gu Qingyan took a deep breath and decided to return to the inn first. No matter how excited he was, he couldn’t just collapse in the street.

“Young man, what’s the matter? Is your mother feeling unwell?” the doctor noticed him.

Gu Qingyan was in a great mood and replied loudly,
“My mother is fine! Doctor, your medical skills are truly amazing—I’m here just to thank you!”

He gave the doctor a deep bow, then turned and ran off.

The doctor looked baffled for a moment before smiling warmly.
“What a good child. I hope they live well from now on.”

Gu Qingyan ran all the way back to the inn. Upon entering the room and seeing Nanny Liu still asleep, he quickly leaned against the table and opened the skill interface.

[Medical Skill Tutorial begins.]