Encouraged, Ling Wan's confidence soared. "I understand, sister-in-law. I will study diligently from now on and strive to save lives and heal the wounded just like you."
Ling Wan's greatest wish was to be like Feng Jin, and she was determined to work tirelessly towards that goal.
"Madam, the freshly brewed flower tea is ready. Have a cup to soothe your throat."
Upon seeing Feng Jin, Yun Niang had rushed to make tea, timing it perfectly for a cup.
"Thank you," Feng Jin accepted the cup and thanked her. She took a sip of the flower tea, her lips and teeth filled with a light floral fragrance.
The tea was brewed exceptionally well, its aroma rich and lingering.
"Yun Niang, this tea you've brewed is truly excellent."
"As long as Madam likes it," Yun Niang said with a smile. Her father had owned a teahouse when he was alive, and it was there she learned her tea-brewing skills. After her father's death, the family fell into decline, and her mother sold the teahouse, bought a piece of farmland, and raised her.
Feng Jin's gaze swept over Yun Niang. The scars on her face had long since faded, making it difficult to believe that the woman now smiling so radiantly had once borne such an unsightly scar.
"Where are Doctor Wei and Yan Yu? I don't see them." Feng Jin looked around but couldn't spot the two.
After Yan Yu recovered from his injuries, Feng Jin had him stay to help at the clinic, providing him with a place to stay.
"Doctor Wei is seeing a patient, and Yan Yu has gone to the market to buy groceries," Yun Niang explained their whereabouts.
Feng Jin stayed at the clinic for a while, looking through some account books. Just as she was about to leave, a man dressed as a servant, a young lad, rushed in clumsily.
"Is Young Madam Ling here?"
Hearing the voice, Feng Jin looked up. "What do you need me for?"
Seeing Feng Jin, the young lad knelt before her with a thud. "Young Madam, please save me!"
This cry for help completely bewildered Feng Jin. She quickly helped him up. "What do you mean by 'save me'? Whose household are you from?"
"Young Madam Ling, I am Sheng Jiu, a personal attendant to Young Master Sheng San. My young master's heart condition has relapsed. Please, Young Madam, save my young master's life!"
With that, Sheng Jiu attempted to kneel and kowtow to Feng Jin again, but she quickly stopped him, startled.
"Where is your young master now? Take me to see him."
Feng Jin checked her medical kit to ensure everything was in order before picking it up. Taking a step, she turned back to look at Ling Wan. "You come with me."
Ling Wan was taken aback at first, then quickly nodded in agreement. "Alright."
"Young Madam, the carriage is ready outside."
Sheng Jiu walked ahead, ushering Feng Jin and Ling Wan into the carriage.
The carriage traveled at a rapid pace. Sheng Jiu continuously urged the driver to go faster, fearing that any delay might worsen Sheng Xubai's condition.
Upon arriving at the Sheng residence, Sheng Jiu leaped from the carriage and quickly set up the steps for Feng Jin and Ling Wan to disembark.
As Feng Jin stepped through the gates of the Sheng mansion, she felt an oppressive atmosphere. Everyone around bowed their heads, silent and somber.
"Young Madam, this way," Sheng Jiu led the way quickly.
"Sister-in-law, perhaps I should wait outside and not go in for now."
Ling Wan felt the atmosphere was strange and a sense of unease began to stir within her.
"I asked you to come to help me. What are you afraid of?" Feng Jin patted Ling Wan's shoulder, reassuring her. "Don't be afraid, everything will be alright."
"Young Madam, we've arrived," Sheng Jiu announced, stopping at the entrance of a courtyard.
The courtyard was densely packed with people, and intermittent sobbing could be heard from inside the house.
Ling Wan's heart gave a jolt, and she tightly followed Feng Jin inside.
"Master, Madam, this is Young Madam Ling. It was she who saved the young master previously," Sheng Jiu stated respectfully from the side.
A beautiful woman sitting by the bed wiped away tears from her eyes and looked at Feng Jin, scrutinizing her. First, she showed a hint of surprise, then her face was filled with suspicion.
"You saved Xu Bai?"
Feng Jin naturally detected the doubt in her tone. "It was indeed I who saved your young master."
"Enough, don't keep asking questions. Hurry and move aside so she can examine Xu Bai."
A middle-aged man standing nearby quickly pulled the woman aside, clearing a space.
"Young Madam Ling, I implore you to save my son's life," Sheng Boyun said, cupping his hands in a respectful bow.
"Let me examine your son's condition first before I make any pronouncements."
Feng Jin knew something about Sheng Xubai's heart condition. It could be said that he was already nearing the point of exhaustion.
The fact that they had sent for her now, she surmised, was because the previous physicians had exhausted all their options for his ailment, and they were seeking her to try.
Feng Jin sat by the bed and felt Sheng Xubai's pulse. The pulse was weak, shallow, and faint. His complexion was even paler than when she had seen him yesterday, and his lips had lost all color. Anyone unaware would have assumed he had already passed away.
"What is my son's condition?" Madam Sheng asked anxiously.
Feng Jin withdrew her hand and replied plainly, "When you sent for me, I assume a doctor had already given their verdict. Madam Sheng, why do you ask me again?"
Madam Sheng's face paled, and her body swayed. If not for Sheng Boyun supporting her from behind, she would have collapsed to the ground.
"Is my son truly beyond saving?" Sheng Boyun asked, his voice agitated.
Feng Jin paused, her eyes darkening. She said in a low voice, "Not necessarily. I have one more method that might save him, but it is extremely risky, and I only have a one-in-four chance of success."
The most critical factor was that Sheng Xubai's condition had been neglected for too long. No one could have a hundred percent chance of saving him. Even if she exerted all her efforts, her chance of success was only one in four.
"A one-in-four chance... then... then if it fails, won't it be... won't it be..."
"Exactly as Young Madam suspects. If it fails, your son will..."
Feng Jin could not bear to finish the remaining words. Sending a child to their death before their parents was the most cruel fate.
In the past, Feng Jin had a pragmatic view of life and death, believing that everyone eventually faced death. For those suffering from incurable illnesses, perhaps living without dignity was the most agonizing experience.
However, since having her two children, Feng Jin found it difficult to face matters of life and death. The former materialist began to feel insecure and anxious about emotional matters.
"Master... Xu Bai... he!"
Madam Sheng could not accept this. She was even more unable to make a decision that would determine Sheng Xubai's fate, a mother's most cruel predicament.
Sheng Boyun sighed, his eyes reddening. He suppressed the tears that welled up, struggling to make a decision.