Chapter 41: An Immense Favor

Yun Wei stood frozen in place.

For the first time, she truly understood what her elder sister meant.

Her identity was no longer simply Yun Wei — the youngest daughter of their father.

She was the future Marquis Wuding.

A title stained with the blood of three brothers.

A title watched by countless eyes in the capital.

But even so—

“Big Sister,” Yun Wei said hoarsely, “are you telling me… that because of politics… I should just watch Father die?”

Yun Xiang’s fingers trembled slightly.

She did not answer immediately.

Of course she didn’t want their father to die.

Of course she wanted a miracle.

But she had lived long enough to know that miracles always came with a price.

“Yun Wei,” she said softly, “this world is not only about feelings. Once you inherit the Marquis title, every choice you make will ripple outward. You cannot think only as a daughter anymore.”

“I am thinking as a daughter!”

Yun Wei’s voice cracked.

“And as long as Father still has breath, I will not give up!”

Her eyes turned red, but they burned with determination.

Seeing this, Yun Xiang closed her eyes briefly.

When she opened them again, the tenderness had returned — but so had a trace of resignation.

She turned to Shen Yu.

“Medical Officer Shen,” Yun Xiang said, bowing slightly — a gesture far too respectful for someone of her rank to give so easily.

“Forgive my earlier rudeness.”

Shen Yu returned the bow calmly.

“There is nothing to forgive. Eldest Miss is only being cautious for the Marquis Mansion.”

Yun Xiang studied her carefully.

The girl truly was young.

Too young.

And yet there was no panic in her gaze, no eagerness to curry favor, no hint of fear in a house that was practically preparing for a funeral.

Only composure.

“If you intervene today,” Yun Xiang said slowly, “you understand what it means, don’t you?”

Shen Yu nodded.

“I do.”

“And you are still willing?”

“I am a physician,” Shen Yu replied evenly.

“If there is a chance, I must try.”

There was no grand declaration.

No ambition.

No calculation.

Just a simple answer.

For a long moment, Yun Xiang said nothing.

Finally, she stepped aside.

“Then… I will trouble Medical Officer Shen.”

Yun Wei inhaled sharply, relief flooding her face.

“Thank you, Big Sister!”

Yun Xiang gave her a faint smile.

“Don’t thank me yet. If Father survives, you will owe Medical Officer Shen a debt heavier than Mount Tai. Remember that.”

Yun Wei nodded firmly.

“I will remember.”

Shen Yu turned to Yin Qiu.

“Bring the medicine box.”

Yin Qiu immediately stepped forward and handed it to her.

The chaotic sounds of the mansion seemed to dull as Shen Yu walked toward the innermost chamber.

Servants stopped mid-step.

Officials turned to look.

Imperial Physicians frowned at the sight of a young girl entering the sickroom.

Whispers began to spread:

“Who is she?”

“A newly appointed Medical Officer, they say.”

“So young?”

“Does she really think she can treat an Intestinal Abscess?”

Inside the chamber, the smell of medicine and decay hung heavily in the air.

Marquis Wuding lay pale and drenched in sweat, his breathing shallow and uneven.

Several Imperial Physicians stood nearby, their faces grave.

One of them glanced at Shen Yu with visible irritation.

“What is this? The Marquis’s condition is critical. This is no place for children.”

Yun Wei stepped forward coldly.

“This is Medical Officer Shen. She has my permission.”

The physician hesitated.

Shen Yu did not argue. She walked to the bedside and began her examination.

She pressed gently along the abdomen.

The Marquis winced even in unconsciousness.

The swelling was severe.

The infection had progressed dangerously far.

Yun Wei’s hands clenched tightly at her sides.

After a long moment, Shen Yu withdrew her hand.

She exhaled softly.

Yun Wei’s heart nearly stopped.

“How is he?” she asked, voice barely audible.

Shen Yu looked at her.

Her eyes were steady.

“There is still time.”

The entire room fell silent.

“But,” Shen Yu continued, “if we are to save him… I will need to operate.”

The word struck the room like thunder.

Operate?

On a noble?

In this era?

The Imperial Physicians stared at her as if she had gone mad.

“Impossible!” one of them snapped.

“Abdominal incision is certain death!”

Shen Yu remained calm.

“If we do nothing, he will die within hours. If we operate, he has a chance.”

She turned to Yun Wei.

“You must decide.”

Outside the chamber, the sounds of funeral preparations continued faintly.

Inside, life and death hung by a thread.

Yun Wei looked at her father’s pale face.

Then at Shen Yu.

Then back at her father.

Her voice trembled — but only for a second.

“Do it.”

Yun Xiang, standing at the doorway, closed her eyes.

The die had been cast.

From this moment on—

The Marquis Wuding and Medical Officer Shen would share the same fate.