Chapter Twelve: I'm Sorry, Master Yan!

However, midway through the treatment, Yuan Hongyu’s speed in inserting the needles began to slow dramatically. In the end, when faced with the final few acupoints, Yuan Hongyu found himself utterly unable to proceed.

These last few acupoints were located on the head and were the most crucial positions in the entire treatment process. According to Yuan Hongyu’s method, as the number of needles increased, the demands on the strength and depth of each subsequent needle became ever more exacting. By the time he reached the final needles, even Yuan Hongyu’s exceptional skill could no longer guarantee that he would insert the silver needles to the precise depth required with any significant degree of success.

He watched helplessly as the flush of color that had finally returned to Fan Qing’er’s face began to rapidly fade, threatening to render all previous efforts futile. At last, Yuan Hongyu turned around.

“Master, I’ve done all I can,” he said, his tone thick with remorse, feeling he had failed Yan Yuanqing’s trust.

But Yan Yuanqing merely waved his hand lightly. “Very good. To have come this far is already proof enough of your abilities.”

Seeing Yuan Hongyu suddenly stop, and noticing his daughter’s condition worsening once more, Fan Yongfeng could no longer remain calm.

“Master Yuan, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you continuing the treatment? Look at my daughter—her condition is deteriorating again! Please, hurry and continue!” Fan Yongfeng pleaded anxiously.

But now Yuan Hongyu wore a troubled expression. He glanced at Yan Yuanqing beside him, clearly wanting to say something, but the words caught in his throat. He hoped Yan Yuanqing would step in, but he had also heard the criticisms and slander others had voiced about Yan Yuanqing earlier.

“Lord Fan, I am powerless. Only if my master intervenes personally is there any hope of saving Miss Qing’er’s life!”

“This…” Fan Yongfeng had not expected that, in the end, everything would hinge on Yan Yuanqing. Was it possible that Yuan Hongyu truly wished to become Yan Yuanqing’s disciple? The very thought seemed absurd—a medical luminary in his sixties or seventies taking a young man barely in his twenties as his teacher? Who would ever believe such a thing if word got out? Moreover, he, a man of Fan Yongfeng’s stature, would have to humble himself before a mere youth—would he not become a laughingstock?

Fan Yongfeng was torn.

“My lord, it’s only an apology. What could possibly be more important than Miss Qing’er’s life?” Yuan Hongyu urged. “I can see my master’s temperament clearly. If you do not apologize, he truly will harden his heart and stand by, indifferent!”

These final words from Yuan Hongyu were the straw that broke the camel’s back. If Yan Yuanqing really stood aside, would his daughter not be left to die helplessly in her bed?

“Master Yan,” Fan Yongfeng said, suddenly stepping forward, cupping his fists and bowing deeply, “earlier I was blind to your abilities, and even spoke to you with disrespect. I beg you, please overlook my faults and save my daughter this once!”

This act showed that this man, whose influence ran deep throughout Cangzhou, was willing to lower his head for the sake of his beloved daughter’s life.

“You just humiliated me moments ago, and now you think a single sentence can make it all go away?” Yan Yuanqing’s gaze was cold and detached, as if devoid of any emotion. “I do not consider myself a saint. This is not enough.”

Fan Yongfeng’s mind raced for a solution, and sweat began to bead on his brow.

“Someone, prepare thirty million in gifts to thank Master Yan for his life-saving grace!” Fan Yongfeng called out decisively, making his choice without hesitation. If he didn’t make a sacrifice now, would he wait for his daughter to die before using this money to bury her?

Soon, the servants of the Fan family lined up, carrying large and small chests before the assembled crowd.

“Master Yan, these are my gifts to you as an apology. I hope you can forgive my earlier neglect. As for the cost of the treatment, name your price and it will be paid separately!”

The moment these words left his lips, the whole room erupted in astonishment.