Rebirth of the Medical Maiden

Lin Wanqing stood at the shed's doorway, watching Zhao Xuan vanish into the night. She rubbed her wrist—the stick she'd swung still tingled her palm. Glancing at the welt on his forehead, she smirked inwardly: Cold as ice, but he didn't snap after that whack. Interesting guy.

She stepped back inside, shut the door, and sat cross-legged, diving into her "Medical Soul Realm" and "Wheel of Fate." These powers hit like a lightning bolt—she needed to master them fast before tomorrow's banquet. Lin Xue'er's threat loomed, and Zhao Xuan's visit hinted this wasn't just a family squabble—it could be their chance to flip the script together.

Closing her eyes, she touched the jade pendant. Purple light spilled out, enveloping her. With a thought, her mind plunged into a bizarre realm—floating herbs, shimmering springs, and glowing specks like fallen stars. "This is the Medical Soul Realm?" she murmured. "Feels like a VR game!"

She grabbed a hovering purple herb, sniffing it—Purple Dawn Grass, a legendary cure-all. Her heart leapt: A drug lab in my head? Jackpot!

Hua Tuo's voice echoed: "Medical Soul Realm—enter dreams, probe souls, heal with elixirs. With my legacy, heal the world, defy fate."

"Enter dreams?" Lin Wanqing's eyes lit up with a wild idea—why not peek into Xue'er's head? She waved a hand; a spring morphed into a misty mirror showing Xue'er's bedroom, her stepsister fast asleep.

"Here we go!" Lin Wanqing grinned, diving into the mirror. Next second, she stood in Xue'er's dream.

Xue'er lounged in a lavish palace, clad in a phoenix robe, smug as a queen. Lin Wanqing, cloaked in shadow, sneered: Dreaming of royalty? Bold.

With a flick, the palace warped into a grim forest—black clouds, howling winds. Xue'er jolted awake, panicking. "Where am I? How'd I get here?"

Lin Wanqing's voice drifted, ethereal: "Lin Xue'er, your sins catch up today."

Xue'er paled, shrieking, "Who's there? Let me out!"

Lin Wanqing laughed coldly. "Confess—why harm me? Who's your ally?"

Xue'er snarled, "Lin Wanqing, you wretch! How'd you invade my dream?"

Stepping into view, Lin Wanqing said calmly, "I rule this dream. Spill it—who's behind your schemes?"

Xue'er's eyes darted, but she steadied. "I don't know what you mean! Release me, or Father'll kill you!"

Lin Wanqing sighed. "Stubborn." With a wave, a giant python slithered out, hissing toward Xue'er.

Screaming, Xue'er crumbled. "Stop! I'll talk! It's Li Fugui, the city merchant—he's plotting with me to steal the Lin family's secret!"

"Secret?" Lin Wanqing frowned. "What secret?"

Xue'er quaked. "The Lin Clan Manual—it promises long life, maybe immortality. Li Fugui swore I'd be his wife if I got it!"

Lin Wanqing sneered. "Selling out the family for a guy? Pathetic."

Xue'er spat, "What do you know? Without this, you'd drag me down!"

Purple glinted in Lin Wanqing's eyes as the Wheel spun. "Hate me? Enjoy being dragged then."

Red welts erupted across Xue'er's face, spreading fast, itching like mad. She clawed at them, wailing, "What'd you do? Stop it!"

Lin Wanqing shrugged. "Your dream, your mess." She vanished.

Xue'er thrashed, sores multiplying, until she woke, clutching her face. Finding it clear, she sighed—yet dread lingered.

Lin Wanqing snapped back, grinning slyly. She'd uncovered Xue'er's plot and planted a nightmare seed—Xue'er's reality would soon mirror her terror. "Li Fugui, huh? This banquet's getting spicy," she whispered.

Next morning, Xue'er shuffled into the dining hall, black circles under her eyes. Lin Wanqing sipped porridge, chirping, "Xue'er, rough night? You look awful."

Xue'er glared, snapping, "Mind your business! I dreamed my face was a mess—ugly as a ghoul!"

Lin Wanqing feigned shock. "Ouch, tough break. Dreams can hint at reality—watch out!"

Xue'er's gut twisted, but she huffed, "Don't jinx me! Tonight's banquet, I'll shine as the Lin star!"

Lin Wanqing smiled, plotting. Tonight, she'd steal the show.

Dusk fell, and Lin Manor blazed with lanterns, guests swarming. The annual Lin Clan banquet celebrated lineage while masking power plays among kin. This year, Emperor-granted groom Zhao Xuan's presence added stakes—Lin Wanqing's betrothed was the talk.

Dressed in simple elegance, Lin Wanqing glided into the hall. Her reborn beauty—snowy skin, delicate features, ethereal aura—stunned onlookers.

"Who's that beauty?" a noblewoman whispered.

"Lin Wanqing, the eldest," another replied, shocked.

"The reject? No way!" Gossip buzzed.

Xue'er, spotting her, burned with envy, teeth gritted. Time to crush her.

"Sister, dolled up to snag a suitor?" Xue'er called loudly, drawing eyes.

Lin Wanqing smiled serenely. "Just here to honor the clan, Xue'er."

Xue'er smirked. "Honor? You? Show us a talent then, trash!"

Lin Wanqing hesitated playfully. "I… don't know any."

Xue'er pounced. "Then dance! They say you lumber like a hog—hilarious!"

Laughter erupted. Lin Wanqing's eyes flashed purple. "Dance? Fine—but you go first."

Xue'er blinked, then gloated, "Watch me!" She twirled center-stage, graceful, earning applause.

Mid-spin, a welt bloomed on her cheek, spreading like wildfire. She froze, shrieking, "My face!"

Guests gaped—her beauty morphed into a pocked horror show.

"Monster!" a child wailed.

Xue'er, mortified, fled sobbing, screams echoing.

Lin Wanqing stood calm, smiling. The Wheel had turned her nightmare real—a perfect smackdown.

Zhao Xuan, watching, murmured, "Lin Wanqing, your tricks are sharp."

She winked. "Just a little 'makeover' for her, General."

He chuckled, ice melting. "You're a wild one."

Her heart fluttered— the Wheel showed them battling in a tomb, love thick. Blushing, she teased, "After the feast, free? I've got something to show you."

He paused, nodding. "Sure."

They slipped to the back courtyard. Lin Wanqing stopped by an old tree, pressing it. "Know the Medical Soul Realm?"

Zhao Xuan raised a brow. "Sounds mystical."

She grinned, tapping the trunk. Purple light flared, pulling them into a surreal space—herbs afloat, rivers winding, stars twinkling.

He gaped. "What's this?"

"My realm," she said. "I craft drugs, peek secrets, twist fate here. Tonight, see my resolve."

A wave conjured a vision: Zhao Xuan, poisoned, near death; Lin Wanqing, golden needle in hand, defying doom.

He squinted. "The future?"

She nodded. "The Wheel says we're tied."

He smirked after a beat. "Flirting or recruiting?"

"Both," she quipped. "Trust me, we're partners."

He stared, then softened. "Alright, I'm in."

(End of Chapter)