The Dong family gracefully exited the stage, and the National Medical Hall subsequently came under the firm control of the Xia family.
Upon assuming his position, Xia Ming expressed a desire to transfer Lin Xiao Tian to headquarters. However, Lin Xiao Tian politely declined.
Lin Xiao Tian’s roots were firmly planted in Jiangcheng, and he was unwilling to relocate to headquarters.
Xia Ming, being a shrewd individual, settled for a compromise. He appointed Xu Qing He as the head of the Qingzhou branch, entrusting him with the responsibility of managing all affairs within the Qingzhou jurisdiction.
Upon receiving the transfer order, Xu Qing He was filled with disbelief.
Given his age, he had no expectations of further promotion. The position of Qingzhou head was something he had never even dared to dream of.
After working at the National Medical Hall for a few days, Lin Xiao Tian finally had some time for rest.
During this period, in addition to treating Guo Lin Qing, Lin Xiao Tian spent most of his time accompanying Qin Yu Xiang.
One day, as the two were strolling in the Lin family courtyard, Xiao Ming suddenly ran up to them, announcing that the old matriarch wished to see them.
Lin Xiao Tian had only recently met the old matriarch. Why would she want to see them again so soon?
Despite not knowing the old matriarch's intentions, Lin Xiao Tian, accompanied by Xiao Ming, proceeded to meet her.
“Yu Xiang must also go,” Xiao Ming suddenly added.
“Hm?” Lin Xiao Tian was taken aback.
The Lin family’s old matriarch usually summoned only him. Why the sudden inclusion of Qin Yu Xiang?
“Did something happen?” Lin Xiao Tian inquired of Xiao Ming.
Xiao Ming looked at Lin Xiao Tian with a troubled expression. Lin Xiao Tian had been kind to him, even teaching him martial arts, making him feel like a master. However, his inherent duty was to serve the Lin family. Informing Lin Xiao Tian would constitute a betrayal, the consequences of which he could not bear.
Observing Xiao Ming’s dilemma, Lin Xiao Tian did not press further. He reasoned that the Lin family’s old matriarch would not intentionally cause them trouble, especially since they were currently reliant on him. Perhaps the old matriarch intended to discuss family matters and wanted Qin Yu Xiang’s input. This was Lin Xiao Tian's thought process.
Shortly thereafter, led by Xiao Ming, Lin Xiao Tian arrived before a pavilion.
Xiao Ming opened the door, and Lin Xiao Tian, with Qin Yu Xiang, stepped inside.
Soon, three figures appeared before them. Besides the old matriarch, a familiar face was present. Lin Xiao Tian had met this person at a previous birthday banquet. It was Qin Hai from the Qin family.
Standing beside Qin Hai was an elderly woman, around the same age as the Lin family’s old matriarch. She appeared even older.
She was seated next to the Lin family’s old matriarch, while Qin Hai occupied a less prominent position, indicating her superior status.
Qin Hai himself held a significant position within the Qin family, as evidenced by his attendance at the Lin family’s birthday banquet. The fact that this woman outranked him raised questions about her identity.
“Old Matriarch, you sent for me?” Lin Xiao Tian asked respectfully.
“Xiao Tian, Yu Xiang, please have a seat,” the Lin family’s old matriarch said, casting a meaningful glance at Lin Xiao Tian. “This is Old Matriarch Qin. Her elder brother is the current patriarch of the Qin family, the highest-ranking individual.”
“Old Matriarch Qin,” Lin Xiao Tian nodded politely.
Qin Yu Xiang also offered a greeting.
“Heh heh, no need for formality. Please, sit down,” Old Matriarch Qin said with a kind smile.
Yet, Lin Xiao Tian noticed that her gaze frequently and unintentionally lingered on Qin Yu Xiang.
Lin Xiao Tian felt a growing sense of unease.
“This must be Yu Xiang, then?” Old Matriarch Qin suddenly pointed at Qin Yu Xiang.
Qin Yu Xiang, being well-mannered, introduced herself to Old Matriarch Qin.
Old Matriarch Qin observed Qin Yu Xiang for a long while, murmuring, “No wonder, she truly resembles her.”
“May I ask what this is about?” Lin Xiao Tian asked, his gaze fixed on Old Matriarch Qin with a hint of suspicion.
Old Matriarch Qin returned to the present, smiling at Lin Xiao Tian. “Youngster, I mean no harm. I have come specifically to see Yu Xiang.”
Lin Xiao Tian blinked in surprise.
Why would the Qin family’s old matriarch suddenly wish to see Yu Xiang?
Seeing Lin Xiao Tian’s bewildered expression, the old matriarch continued, “It’s natural for you to have questions, but the truth is, Xiao Tian, Yu Xiang is a child of our Qin family.”
“What?” Lin Xiao Tian’s eyes widened. “A child of the Qin family? Do you have any proof?”
Lin Xiao Tian was not inclined to believe her so readily.
Qin Yu Xiang had lived in the countryside for so many years, enduring countless hardships. If she were truly a member of the Qin family, would they have abandoned her?
Especially during the time when Li Da Zhu fled their wedding, and Lin Xiao Tian was considered foolish. Facing so many dangers, the Qin family had made no move to intervene. If Lin Xiao Tian hadn't been lucky enough to inherit the Divine Farmer’s Medical Codex, Qin Yu Xiang could have suffered untold persecution.
Therefore, Lin Xiao Tian found it difficult to believe that Qin Yu Xiang hailed from the Qin family.
Old Matriarch Qin offered no rebuttal, instead handing Lin Xiao Tian a document. “This is a paternity test report. You may examine it.”
“I have compared it with all my direct relatives, and the results are conclusive. Yu Xiang is indeed a child of our Qin family,” Old Matriarch Qin stated with earnestness.
“I don’t believe it,” Lin Xiao Tian said, standing up abruptly.
“If Yu Xiang is truly a member of the Qin family, then why have you not sought her out until now? Why come to her now? Do you have other motives?” Lin Xiao Tian’s words were blunt.
Under normal circumstances, he would not have spoken so directly. But concerning Qin Yu Xiang, he was willing to cast aside all reservations. The idea of anyone taking Qin Yu Xiang from him was utterly inconceivable.
“I had a daughter,” Old Matriarch Qin suddenly said. “She passed away many years ago.”
“She fled her arranged marriage, eloped with an outsider, and later, we heard she was pregnant. However, when we eventually found her, the infant beside her had already died.”
“This was a family shame, so we did not delve too deeply. We merely brought her remains back to the family.”
“It was only later that we discovered it was not her child. Her true child was taken to the countryside by a bodyguard and raised as an ordinary farmer.”
“I am here to make amends for our past negligence and to bring Yu Xiang back home,” Old Matriarch Qin said sincerely.
Lin Xiao Tian frowned.
He knew who the bodyguard Old Matriarch Qin was referring to. It was likely the woman who raised Qin Yu Xiang – her mother. However, Lin Xiao Tian still harbored doubts. Paternity test reports could be fabricated; it would be a trivial matter for hidden families.
Moreover, if her story were true, the situation became even more complicated.
Firstly, if the Qin family was so benevolent, why did the bodyguard not take Qin Yu Xiang to the Qin family initially, but instead to the countryside?
And Qin Yuan – Lin Xiao Tian now understood. Qin Yuan likely knew that Qin Yu Xiang was a member of the Qin family, yet she never brought Qin Yu Xiang back. Considering recent events, she harbored hostility towards Qin Yu Xiang. If Qin Yu Xiang were to return to the Qin family, could her safety be guaranteed?