Chapter 5: Chapters Five to Seven: Is the Eldest Miss a Scoundrel?

A woman giving birth is halfway into the gates of hell; this was no exaggeration. Listening to the commotion coming from the delivery room, Qin Liuxi closed her eyes.

Qi Huang glanced at the hourglass. After tossing and turning all night, dawn was nearly breaking. Basins of blood were being carried out one after another, yet not a single cry of a newborn could be heard; instead, the movements inside were growing fainter and fainter.

"Miss, I'm afraid..."

Qin Liuxi had already stood up. Before she could even take a step, someone stumbled out of the room. It was her eldest aunt, Qin Meiniang, who had been sent back home after the Qin family's misfortune. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her face was deathly pale.

"She... she can't deliver. The doctor, where is the doctor?" Qin Meiniang's lips were covered in blood crusts and dry skin; she was utterly lost.

Qin Liuxi walked in quickly. Seeing her, the midwife looked as if she had seen a savior and said urgently, "Eldest Miss, the Madam has fainted!"

Old Mrs. Qin was swaying precariously. She bit the tip of her tongue again and looked at Qin Liuxi, saying, "What are you doing coming in here, a young girl? Get out, quickly! Go fetch a doctor to give your Third Aunt acupuncture."

Madam Wang also hadn't expected Qin Liuxi to be so bold for a young girl. She said wearily, "Xi'er, the delivery room is covered in blood and filth. Listen to Grandmother and go outside first."

Ignoring the smell of blood lingering in her nose, Qin Liuxi walked to the bedside. She took Madam Gu's wrist to check her pulse, then let go. Seeing the earrings the woman was wearing, she took them off. "Are these Third Aunt's? I'll take them as my fee."

Seeing her take the earrings and tuck them into her pocket, everyone stood agape.

Old Mrs. Qin's rage surged. Pointing at her, she shouted, "You... you, you!"

She gasped for breath, looking as if she might faint from anger at any moment. Which girl in her family was such an ill-mannered brat who didn't know how to act in such a situation?

"Xi'er, apologize to Grandmother immediately." Seeing how furious the old lady was, Madam Wang was surprised by Qin Liuxi's behavior, but she knew better than to add fuel to the fire. She only said to Old Mrs. Qin, "Mother, the child must be frightened senseless. Please forgive her!"

"Sister-in-law, it doesn't look like she's frightened; it looks more like she's shallow and greedy," Madam Xie sneered gloatingly.

"Second Sister-in-law!"

Finding the noise irritating, Qin Liuxi glanced at them and said, "Stop shouting. Except for the midwife, all of you wait outside—if you want to see Third Aunt deliver a healthy child."

Everyone froze. What did that mean?

Madam Xie let out a scoff. She really did look a bit foolish now!

"Qi Huang, Ranxiang, prepare the talismans."

"Yes."

Qin Liuxi had already taken a box out of her chest. Upon opening it, a row of gold needles of various sizes was revealed. Seeing everyone standing there motionless, she looked over. "Why haven't you left yet?"

Her tone was cold, showing no respect for the elders present.

Old Mrs. Qin scolded sternly, "What do you think you're doing? This is no time for your nonsense. Get out immediately and fetch a doctor."

"There is no doctor."

Old Mrs. Qin was stunned. What?

"If she wants to deliver safely, only I can help her." Qin Liuxi had already pinched a gold needle.

Looking at the needle shimmering under the candlelight, Old Mrs. Qin's heart skipped a beat. "You... you intend to perform acupuncture on your Third Aunt?"

"Xi'er, you know medicine?" Madam Wang and the others were also skeptical; they had never heard of this.

"You brat! What medicine do you know? This is pure madness!" Old Mrs. Qin was incensed. She blocked Qin Liuxi, her face full of disbelief.

How old was this girl? She had been raised in the old residence all this time; when did she ever learn medicine?

She was playing with the lives of her Third Aunt and the unborn child!

Qin Liuxi's patience vanished. They didn't believe her?