Chapter 2: No free lunch

Mu Yingbao harbored a secret, one she couldn't share with anyone.

  She had been in this dynasty for just over three years. She still hadn't figured out how she came to be, but she'd finally stopped dwelling on it. She only knew that the original owner of her physical body had slipped and fallen into the river while washing clothes one evening. After being rescued and regaining consciousness, she was revealed to be Mu Yingbao. She retained none of the original owner's memories, so while others found it unusual, they simply assumed she was frightened by the water.

  Furthermore, Mu Yingbao was incredibly adaptable, raising no one's suspicions.

  Adopting the philosophy of making the best of a situation, she quickly settled in. When she felt homesick, she comforted herself by thinking of herself as studying abroad, though she didn't know when it would end.

  So far, aside from missing her modern family, she hadn't had any other worries.

  She was a doctor. Others who studied medicine first branched into Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, then chose a specialty—gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, surgery, internal medicine, and so on. But she, on the other hand, was a true all-rounder.

  Because her family had two generations of doctors, not just one in each generation, but at least two.

  Her grandparents were doctors, as were her parents. So, the bookshelves at home were filled with medical books. Other people's studies, besides books, also displayed antiques and other artwork. Hers was different.

  They had human skeletons—not just one. There was one in her grandparents' study on the floor above her, and another in her parents' study on the floor above her.

  Mu Yingbao had been looking at them for as long as she could remember, so she didn't mind them at all. They were just decorative objects, like vases or bonsai. But the first time she brought one home, her friend was so frightened that he turned pale and screamed non-stop. He ran a high fever for several days after returning home.

  His family were also highly educated. When the child's fever wouldn't go down despite injections and medication, they were so frightened that they took the nanny's advice and drove the child to the countryside to see a Taoist priest. And surprisingly, it worked.

  Mu Yingbao no longer dared to bring her friends home. In fact, even if she wanted to, she wouldn't have dared to go with her.

  Most of the daily conversations during Mu Yingbao's family gatherings revolved around medical cases. If anyone encountered a difficult or complicated case at work, the family would call for a consultation with experts.

  At family gatherings, other children would recite Tang and Song poetry or perform dances.

  But she was quite different. She could recite by heart the names of every bone in the human body, the locations of every acupuncture point, and the names and uses of various herbs.

  The Mu family was delighted and proud to have found a successful successor, but Yingbao herself always felt that others looked at her strangely.

  Growing up in such an environment, she seemed to have no choice but to become a doctor. Her years at medical university were truly comfortable.

  Why? Because she had already mastered everything they taught. She even knew things they didn't, thanks to her family having four expert teachers.

  While other students were poring over Pathology and Pharmacology, she was reading novels on her phone, playing King of Glory, and searching for new dessert shops and restaurants near school. Her teachers expressed frustration at her lack of focus, considering she was a medical prodigy after all.

  The only thing Yingbao took most seriously was anatomy class. She knew everything she needed to know, but she lacked practice.

  In her first anatomy class, out of 32 students, she was the only one who didn't vomit or turn away, and the only one who excitedly raised her hand and asked to try it herself.

  Because of this, she stood out at school. She had a good personality and many friends, both men and women, but no one of the opposite sex was attracted to her. Those with less financial resources felt unworthy of her, while those with better financial resources couldn't accept how a woman like her could be so excited about dissecting a cadaver.

  In reality, Mu Yingbao's excitement during her first dissection wasn't a lack of respect for the human body, but rather the opportunity to finally learn something that was so unfamiliar to her.

  After graduation, while many students' families were busy using their connections to arrange for their children to work at the city's largest hospitals, Mu Yingbao was the opposite. Several major hospitals in the city were vying for her through various channels.

  Yingbao chose one herself. It wasn't the largest hospital, but it was located in the heart of the city, near a food court with several international restaurants.

  In less than two years, she had become the hospital's backbone. Other doctors, after years of diligent work, might not even receive a professional title. But she, without a doubt, received it.

  They were reluctant, but they had to admit it; after all, her professional skills were there. She had a zero-failure record in performing risky surgeries that even experienced doctors like them couldn't guarantee!

  To the point where patients flocked to her, never bothering to see a specialist, simply for her.

  Naturally, when she performed her first surgery, the patient's family was deeply conflicted, wondering whether to trust this young, female doctor, who had recently graduated and reportedly finished her internship.

  However, all the doctors she consulted with said the success rate was low, while she claimed a 50-50 success rate.

  A single successful case was enough to bolster her reputation.

  Mu Yingbao's primary practice at the hospital was internal medicine, but other departments would later seek her help with challenging patients.

  Mu Yingbao never refused, and because she refused to accept red envelopes from patients, she was unsuccessful in getting pharmaceutical representatives to use their own medications through her. She only prescribed the most effective medications for her patients.

  As a result, she enjoyed a strong reputation both within the hospital and with her patients. Envious individuals, seeking to find fault with her, found it difficult to do so.

  Then, fate played a cruel trick on her, sending her back to ancient times.

  Mu Yingbao was well aware that women held a low status in ancient times. Her greatest talents were medicine and gourmet food, and her penchant for playfulness.

  She knew the first two would be practical in ancient times, and she could support herself with them. But she knew even more: ancient times were unlike modern times, and it would be difficult for women to work in public.

  So, in the three years since she traveled through time, she hadn't rushed into anything, simply waiting for an opportunity—the perfect one.

  Mu Yingbao, with her cheerful personality, felt that fate had been kind to her. She hadn't been thrown into a palace, a prince's mansion, or a wealthy family. While her living conditions weren't great, and she lacked the luxury of fine food and clothing, at least she wasn't subject to the intrigues of a life of intrigue.

  In that lawless land, an orphan, she relied on the services of many families, including a doctor. With her plans in mind, Mu Yingbao decided to study medicine with him. She also learned cooking at a restaurant, preparing herself for the future and avoiding suspicion when the time came.

  She saw the Mu family's visit as an opportunity, a chance to get out and broaden her horizons, to hone her adaptability.

  So, here she was!

  Mu Yingbao had made her decision on the way there. She knew that while she was a medical genius and a skilled cook, she wasn't good at scheming.

  Living alone in a family of her stature, relying solely on her medical and culinary skills wasn't a viable option.

  So, she decided to be low-key.

  For example, in the Mu family's mind, she was just a country girl who grew up in the countryside, without good upbringing, never tasted fine food, never wore fine clothes, and never seen the world.

  How wonderful! In front of two tables of people, surrounded by servants and maids, she didn't have to put on a tiring act of decorum or worry about her appearance.

  She could just eat whatever she wanted, and eat her fill. Had

  n't the Mu family's head, the prefect Mu, and his wife, Mrs. Dong, told the public that she was alone and pitiful, and that's why they brought her in?

  In that case, of course they wouldn't scold her for eating inappropriately. How could they have the heart to do that?

  Mu Yingbao didn't rush to analyze the family's real purpose for bringing her here. Since they had a purpose, the answer would become clear sooner or later. Although Mu Yingbao knew it was definitely not a good thing, she was certain that they had gone to such great lengths to bring her here not to get rid of her, and her life was not in danger.

  "Bao girl, don't rush back to the house. Take a walk in the garden with your aunt, and get to know your sisters better. It's better to get close to them." Mu Yingbao had just finished eating and put down her chopsticks when the eldest lady, Mrs. Dong, spoke.

  "Okay, okay, Yingbao also wants to get close to the sisters, but Yingbao is afraid that the sisters will dislike it." Mu Yingbao laughed inwardly, but responded happily and excitedly.

  Take a walk, get close to them? No one would believe it! Is this the beginning of the foreshadowing? Or will the answer be revealed soon? Mu Yingbao said that she was also looking forward to it...

  (End of this chapter)

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