Zheng Qian went to the Lu residence.
She was respectfully led by Lu Jiu to the courtyard of the Lu family's Old Master. Inside, many people were already seated—all of them men.
As she entered, every gaze turned toward her.
Holding her cat in her arms, Zheng Qian met each of their eyes in turn, smiling faintly as she nodded.
Instead, it was the men who grew embarrassed and looked away.
Her gaze was strikingly bright—so much so that, though her features were not exceptionally beautiful, no one dared look at her directly for long. Her eyes alone seemed to push them back.
What kind of woman was she?
Such luminous eyes suggested strength and dominance.
Thus, Zheng Qian gained the upper hand in presence from the very start.
Old Master Lu had expected a delicate young lady. Seeing her so poised and composed—her brows carrying a hint of authority almost like that of a royal princess—he felt an inexplicable sense of awe.
Zheng Qian was invited to the seat of honor.
The cat in her arms settled quietly on her lap, calmly observing its surroundings.
After exchanging a few polite words, Zheng Qian spoke directly:
"I have never claimed to be a 'disciple of the Ghost Physician.' That title was forced onto me by others. Taking advantage of your Lu family's name is indeed my fault."
Old Master Lu asked, "Who is your teacher?"
"My master said my medical skills are still mediocre and would bring him disgrace, so I am not allowed to speak of him until I achieve something. Besides, he has already passed away."
The Lu family members were speechless.
This is considered mediocre?
"As for saving Young Master Wen, the method is actually quite simple," Zheng Qian continued. "I can teach it to you."
The room stirred in shock.
In traditional medicine, knowledge was passed down only within one's lineage. Outsiders were never taught, and prescriptions were even more closely guarded secrets.
Yet Zheng Qian was offering to teach them openly. What was she hiding?
As if reading their thoughts, she added:
"I cannot name my master, and my skills did not appear out of nowhere—I simply cannot explain them. Many people have borrowed Lu Qi's 'Ghost Physician disciple' title. I'd like to borrow it too. Old Master Lu, just pretend you don't know and don't expose me."
So that was her intention…
It was a somewhat excessive request. If she turned out to be a fraud, the Lu family's reputation would suffer.
"You don't need to acknowledge it," Zheng Qian said. "Just don't deny it. Remain silent. In return, I will teach you the techniques of cardiac resuscitation. If I have more medical cases in the future, I will also answer your questions."
Eyes lit up across the room.
Did she possess even more miraculous skills?
Old Master Lu thought of her brother Zheng Chi, and of Wen Zhao. Her medical methods were strange—almost supernatural.
Her existence would only add to the mystique of the Lu family's legacy, not tarnish it.
He made a prompt decision.
"We agree to your request."
No one dared object.
Zheng Qian then prepared to demonstrate.
"You," she said, pointing at Lu Jiu.
Lu Jiu stepped forward again.
"Your Ninth Young Master Lu knows my fiancé, and has some acquaintance with my younger brother. If not for his invitation, I would not have come," Zheng Qian said.
Behind her back, she winked at Lu Jiu.
She was deliberately elevating his status.
Lu Jiu was overwhelmed with gratitude, nearly ready to kneel and kowtow.
"Lie down on that door panel. Everyone else, gather around and observe."
The crowd quickly surrounded them, packing the space tightly.
Zheng Qian crouched down beside Old Master Lu and began explaining how to determine whether a patient was in shock or merely unconscious.
"If it's shock, immediate rescue is required."
"First, open the airway. This step is crucial."
She demonstrated—one hand lifting the neck, the other pressing the forehead to tilt the head back and open the airway—drawing murmurs of amazement.
"Truly ingenious," Old Master Lu remarked.
"That's the first step. Next is mouth-to-mouth breathing to assist respiration. You all know this part… Should I demonstrate?"
Everyone fell silent.
Lying on the board, Lu Jiu's face and neck turned red. "N-no need… I've seen it before. Just explaining it is enough."
"Good," Zheng Qian said.
She then taught them how to perform chest compressions—how much force to use, the proper technique, how many compressions before giving breaths.
Her explanation was extremely detailed.
Someone nearby was already taking notes.
"And in cases like Wen Zhao's," she added, "when the limbs and lips turn bluish, it means the shock has lasted too long. Compression and breathing alone won't be enough—I used medication."
"What medicine?" Old Master Lu asked eagerly.
Zheng Qian smiled faintly. "Old Master, that's not quite fair, is it? When your Lu family treats patients, you don't freely share prescriptions either."
She wasn't being secretive—she simply couldn't explain the origin of modern drugs.
Old Master Lu fell silent, slightly embarrassed by his own urgency.
"This is a private discussion among physicians," Zheng Qian continued. "Since I'm teaching you, I must explain everything clearly. Otherwise, if you encounter a case like Young Master Wen's and act rashly, you may ruin your own reputation.
"For early-stage cases, use my method. But once the extremities turn blue, do not attempt it without medication. In such cases, survival is nearly impossible without drug assistance."
Old Master Lu looked at her thoughtfully.
She was indeed sincere—if she said she would teach, she explained every aspect thoroughly.
She truly meant it.
He had seen people die the moment they stopped breathing. But she claimed that even after breathing ceased, a person could still be revived.
That alone was extraordinary.
Now, when summoned by the Empress Dowager Hu, he would finally have something to report. The thought pleased him greatly.
"It's getting late. I'll take my leave," Zheng Qian said. "Old Master, we have an agreement?"
"As long as you do not damage the Lu family's reputation, we will not make things difficult for you."
Zheng Qian thanked him.
With that, their arrangement was settled.
For now, she could continue wearing the title of "Ghost Physician's disciple" as a buffer.
She was in a good mood.
As she prepared to leave, Old Master Lu personally escorted her out. When his sons and the other physicians also tried to follow, he stopped them and said only to Lu Jiu:
"Ninth, accompany me to see Miss Zheng off."
Lu Jiu was overjoyed.
His grandfather remembered him—and even his rank in the family.
Perhaps he was finally rising in status.
He quickly agreed.
As Zheng Qian and Old Master Lu walked, they continued discussing medical matters. She modestly stated that she excelled in trauma care but was less capable with internal illnesses.
"If it's an emergency, you may call for me as well. After all, I'm practically one of the Lu family now," she joked. "Lu Qi is your ancestor from centuries ago. If he's my ghostly master, then by seniority, you should all call me ancestor too. No need to be polite among family."
Old Master Lu: "..."
We only agreed not to expose you—not to acknowledge you as his successor. Don't push your luck.
He looked at her, utterly speechless.
"Just joking, Old Master. Don't be angry," Zheng Qian laughed it off.
She then bade farewell, took her maid and her cat, and boarded her carriage.
The grandfather and grandson stood at the gate, watching her leave, neither moving for a long while.
Even after her carriage disappeared into the distance, they remained there, lost in thought.
At that moment, another carriage pulled up in front of the Lu residence…