Chapter 89: The Lu Family Publicly Acknowledges the Ghost Physician's Disciple
The silence shattered in an instant.
The Marquis of Jing'an's eyes bulged like copper bells, as if they might pop right out of his skull.
The Old Madam froze completely, her face blank for a moment as she stared at the kneeling descendants of the Lu family. She almost thought she was dreaming—
This was the Lu family.The Lu family that even powerful nobles sought to curry favor with.The legendary physicians of the Lu clan.
And now… they were kneeling before Zheng Qian.
Had they all gone mad?
The Third Madam and Third Young Master were equally stunned. Mother and son turned at the same time to look at Zheng Qian, disbelief written all over their faces.
What had she even done?
She had only saved Wen Zhao and falsely claimed to be the Ghost Physician's disciple—so why were they bowing to her?
Weren't they here to demand an explanation?Weren't they here to stop her from impersonating their ancestor?
These were doctors who saved lives—had they lost their minds?
Zheng Yutan, on the other hand, had gone deathly pale.
"Good heavens… the eldest daughter of the Marquis' estate really is the Ghost Physician's disciple.""I heard she can bring the dead back to life.""She can even fix broken legs!""That's the Lu family—look! Even the Old Master is kneeling. This must be real.""Miss Zheng is incredible… even the Lu family bows to her.""I heard the second miss is very beautiful, but honestly, the eldest is far more striking."
At that moment, Zheng Qian stood there, languid and enchanting, a snow-white cat resting in her arms. Her violet robes added a touch of allure, and the red mole between her brows stood out vividly.
She seemed untouchable—graceful, transcendent.
Meanwhile, Zheng Yutan struggled to control the twisted expression on her face. Her features contorted with malice, her lips curled and eyes sharp. No matter how heavenly her beauty once was, it could not withstand such ugliness.
Compared to Zheng Qian's poised elegance, the two younger girls of the third branch looked immature and unformed.
The contrast was stark.
Zheng Qian was undoubtedly the most beautiful.
Aura mattered. When someone carried themselves with confidence and success, they naturally appeared radiant and dignified.
Hearing the crowd's praise, Zheng Yutan's fury deepened. Her expression grew even more vicious.
Several onlookers noticed and quietly averted their gaze, already judging her as sharp-faced and mean-spirited.
Fifth Young Master Zheng, meanwhile, jumped around like an excited monkey.
"You're recognizing my elder sister as your ancestor? Does that mean you admit she's the Ghost Physician's disciple of Lu Qi?"
"Yes," Old Master Lu answered solemnly."The eldest Miss Zheng once nearly died by hanging. During that moment between life and death, her soul encountered our ancestor Lu Qi and inherited his medical arts. The generational gap is too great, so we can only address her as 'Old Ancestor.'"
The crowd erupted in shock once more.
Of course, some doubted.
But the Lu family offered no further explanation.
Old Master Lu turned respectfully to Zheng Qian."Old Ancestor, please come to the Lu residence and offer incense to our forebear."
Zheng Qian nodded.
She stepped down the stairs and glanced at her family."Father, I'll be back shortly."
"I'm coming too, Elder Sister!" Fifth Young Master immediately jumped to her side.
"Alright."
The Lu family had already prepared carriages. Zheng Qian boarded with them and left the Marquis' residence.
After they departed, the crowd slowly dispersed.
Only the Zheng family remained, standing at the gates, unable to move, overwhelmed with complicated emotions.
No one spoke.
A cold snort from the Old Madam finally broke the silence.
"If she wants to go to the Lu family, let her!" she snapped."This Marquis' residence is too small to hold her!"
Zheng Yutan gently supported her."Grandmother, please don't be angry."
At that moment, a maid spoke up boldly from the side.
"Old Madam, the eldest miss has brought great honor to the household."
Everyone turned—surprised to see it was Lian'er, a concubine maid from Zheng Run's quarters.
Unfazed, Lian'er smiled brightly."Did you notice just now? The people on this street looked at the Marquis and at you with such admiration. Having such an extraordinary eldest miss is surely a result of your fine upbringing."
The Old Madam paused.
Then, a trace of pride quietly surfaced in her heart.
"…She's just bold. Hmph. Let her be," the Old Madam said.
As she turned away, a faint smile of satisfaction tugged at her lips.
Perhaps… the crowd really had admired them?
The Marquis himself seemed convinced, stroking his chin with poorly concealed pride.
Zheng Yutan watched them both—and her heart sank.
She suddenly realized…
Zheng Qian might rise in favor within the family—and push her aside.
Meanwhile, Zheng Qian followed the Lu family to their ancestral hall.
At the highest position stood the spirit tablet of Lu Qi.
She offered incense and bowed.
Since the Lu family passed down medicine through generations—father to son, master to disciple—Zheng Qian now stood as their grandmaster's master.
After the ceremony, the others dispersed, each harboring their own thoughts.
Many were unconvinced—but none dared oppose the Old Master's authority.
Fifth Young Master was led away for tea.
Zheng Qian, however, was invited into Old Master Lu's study.
"…I truly didn't expect you to give me such a grand reception," Zheng Qian said with a smile."I thought you might at most acknowledge me privately."
Old Master Lu remained serious."The Lu family always keeps its word. But beyond fulfilling the agreement, I have something I wish to ask of you, Old Ancestor."
Zheng Qian quickly waved her hands."Please don't call me that inside the house—you're embarrassing me. Outside, do as you must, but at home, you're still elders. Let the younger generation call me that if needed, but you mustn't."
Old Master Lu did not dwell on it.
"You wish to ask about Lu Shu's treatment?" Zheng Qian guessed."You were present that day."
"No," he replied gravely."I wish for you to evaluate a medical text."
He brought out a book.
"I want to know… should this book be enshrined—or destroyed?"
Zheng Qian hesitated."I'm not very familiar with your medical traditions. I only know some emergency techniques—I may not be qualified to judge."
Old Master Lu assumed she was being modest and handed it to her anyway.
She flipped through a few pages—
—and froze.
Shock flashed across her face.
Old Master Lu watched her carefully."You've seen this before?"
"Yes," Zheng Qian said slowly."These are all records of surgical procedures… Were they left behind by Lu Qi?"
Old Master Lu nodded, his gaze heavy.
"We've always told the outside world that Lu Qi left no medical texts—that he looked down on his descendants. But the truth is… he left many."
His voice grew heavier.
"Yet every time our ancestors followed these records, patients died. Again and again. Eventually, no one dared to use them. Our current medical knowledge comes from later generations—not from Lu Qi."
He looked at her, eyes filled with pain.
"But your methods are identical… and yet you succeeded. Why? Where did we go wrong?"
Zheng Qian straightened slightly, her expression turning serious.
"You only made one mistake."
"What mistake?" Old Master Lu asked urgently.