Actually, no matter what happened, it wasn't perfect. Even if Zhao Changming received his due punishment and served several years in prison, so what? Sun Haiyang was already dead; when a person dies, the light goes out, and the family is heartbroken. Whether they can get through this is uncertain. Xu Meixuan was also the same; even though she found her child, the wound in her heart wouldn't lessen any bit. The trust she had in her husband and mother-in-law for several years turned out to be nothing but wolves in sheep's clothing.
With these news, the busy Gu Qin could only find some solace.
The licensing examination for a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner does not have a fixed date. She had just registered recently, and the exam would start in a few days. It was almost June 10th, and Gu Jia would take the college entrance exam on June 24th.
The TCM practitioner qualification exam is divided into two levels: Practitioner and Assistant Practitioner. Gu Qin was taking the Practitioner level exam. This exam was quite complicated. One needed either a recognized degree from a TCM university or to have studied under a master. Gu Qin said she had a master, but it had to be recognized by the state. There was no choice but to ask He Dechang for help. He was a well-known TCM practitioner, and Gu Qin nominally became his disciple. However, there were some issues with her age. Even with a master, one still needed a high school education and a year of internship in a medical institution.
Gu Qin did not meet these requirements, but TCM practitioners were more lenient. Actually, exceptions could be made. If someone had real talent and an outstanding student, they could be allowed to take the exam.
This was also thanks to He Dechang's help. Otherwise, Gu Qin would not have been able to take the exam. Those veteran TCM doctors and examiners were not easy to fool. Anyway, after He Dechang said something, they agreed to let Gu Qin take the exam as an exception.
The exam was on the 13th, and the location was in Beijing. So, Gu Qin had to go to Beijing. Qin Xiansheng also knew about this and accompanied her. He had been in Beijing before and was familiar with the city.
Gu Qin planned to go directly by plane the next day. Originally, she intended to take the train, which would take about ten hours. She never thought of flying. To her, air travel was too scary. In her time, how could she have imagined such a mode of transportation that could fly in the sky? Therefore, when she first became Gu Qin, she was very resistant to flying.
Apart from airplanes, she also disliked elevators and living on higher floors, feeling scared looking down, commonly known as acrophobia.
However, Qin Xiansheng, knowing that she was going to Beijing for the exam, booked a first-class ticket for her. He told her that flying was fast and not tiring, and they could go sightseeing in Beijing early.
In the evening, Gu Qin packed her things. The exam lasted for two days, and she might stay a few days longer. By the time she returned, it would definitely be the 20th. She only brought a few clothes, as it was getting warmer, and she only needed two skirts for changing. Other than that, she brought items needed for the exam. She didn't bring much, just a small suitcase.
Cheng Yinxiang was still a bit worried, "Qin Qin, will you be okay alone? Do you want me to accompany you? I can leave the cosmetics shop to the employees."
The cosmetics shop had already opened and was doing well. It was very busy every day, closing at eight or nine in the evening.
Gu Qin replied, "Mom, really, you don't need to come. Brother Qin is accompanying me. He's from Beijing and knows the place well. Don't worry. If you have time, you can go check the villa on Mount Dai. The Jiang family gave me a villa as a reward. It was recently renovated, with furniture and everything. I've aired it out for some time. You can go see what else is missing, like pots and pans. If you're still not sure, you can hire someone to test the formaldehyde levels. Once everything is fine, you can move in on a good day."
Mount Dai's villa? Cheng Yinxiang was stunned. Everyone in Mount Dai City knew about this villa. It was described in a few words: expensive, beautiful environment, area for the wealthy. She knew her daughter had helped the Jiang family, but she didn't expect them to give such a villa as a reward. Didn't they say they gave two million yuan? Before Cheng Yinxiang could ask, Lu Qingrong laughed, "Wife, you underestimate Qin Qin. Now she's a famous feng shui master in Mount Dai. She charges hundreds of thousands for consultations. The Jiang family gave her the villa as a reward because she helped them a lot. Moreover, her fame is such that the feng shui of the villa was checked by her. That's why the villa area sold out within a month. It has something to do with Qin Qin. They should give her the villa."
Lu Qingrong's business had also moved to Mount Dai. Initially, starting was difficult. He had heard about Qin Qin's reputation in the business world and knew people respected her greatly. He had heard many stories about her, but he handled his business matters himself and never talked about his relationship with Qin Qin to outsiders.
Cheng Yinxiang was still in a daze. Even if she spent over a million yuan on her business, a villa worth millions was still too much for her. She might never earn that much in her lifetime. Fortunately, she knew her daughter was different now and didn't say much. She repeatedly reminded her to be careful in Beijing, bring enough money, and call home if anything happened. She kept talking until it was late at night, then let her go to sleep.
The flight was at ten in the morning the next day. Gu Qin got up, packed her things, went to Brother Qin's house for breakfast, and had dim sum for the first two months, now trying other cuisines.
At ten, she boarded the plane on time. Sitting in the airplane, she felt fine, except for some discomfort during takeoff. Once it flew, it was much more comfortable than trains or cars. However, looking at the clouds outside made her dizzy, so she didn't dare look out the window and slept the whole way with an eye mask.
Upon arriving in Beijing, Gu Qin was somewhat impressed. Compared to Beijing, Mount Dai seemed like a small town. She wasn't criticizing her hometown; it was just a feeling.
For the first time in Beijing, Gu Qin didn't know her way around. Qin Xiansheng first took a car to take her to a hotel near the exam venue. They booked two rooms next to each other. The flight took only about an hour, and it was lunchtime. Qin Xiansheng took her to eat roast duck and some famous Beijing snacks.
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Gu Qin had a good appetite and followed Qin Xiansheng hand in hand, exploring and eating all afternoon. She consumed a lot while cultivating, so eating more didn't lead to fat accumulation.
The exam started on the 13th. Gu Qin had reviewed enough and wasn't in a hurry. She spent two days in Beijing with Qin Xiansheng.
On the 13th, she went to the exam venue early. Gu Qin was probably the youngest candidate. The ages ranged from twenty to fifty or sixty.
Gu Qin looked like a young girl, so she attracted attention when entering the exam room. Before the exam started, there was a fingerprint check to verify identity. Large exams or the college entrance exam now used fingerprints to prevent impersonation.
After sitting down, a girl in her twenties nearby looked at her several times and finally couldn't help asking, "Little sister, how old are you?"
Gu Qin didn't respond. She knew she entered the exam room using some connections. Even if there were special cases, outsiders didn't know. If it spread, it would only say she used privileges. Seeing she was silent, the girl didn't ask further.
The Practitioner exam lasted two days. The first day was a written test, with a total of six hundred questions. This day tested theoretical knowledge. The next day would be practical experience, where candidates had to personally undergo tests, such as pulse diagnosis and acupuncture points.
The first day's exam was divided into two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each lasting two and a half hours. Time was not tight, and the questions were multiple-choice. Gu Qin did them very quickly. She knew the knowledge too well, like other aspects of divination, fate, no, physiognomy, which had deeply imprinted in her mind and become part of her life and body. She would never forget them. Plus, she had reviewed for one or two months, so within half an hour, she had completed all the questions.
The exam was very strict, as it involved human lives. Each exam room had several invigilators. Their ages ranged from thirty to fifty or sixty. There were four invigilators in Gu Qin's room, two elderly men, a forty-something man, and a woman in her thirties.
Their eyes often fell on Gu Qin. When they saw her submit her paper after half an hour, they were shocked. The oldest elder said sternly, "Young lady, this is a TCM Practitioner exam, not a joke. You finished in just half an hour? Don't you want to check your answers?"
Gu Qin smiled and said, "Teacher, I checked once and found no mistakes. These questions are simple. I have been studying TCM since childhood, and it's part of my brain. I can't forget it, so half an hour is enough."
The elder snorted, disliking Gu Qin's arrogance, "How old are you, daring to say such things? We have studied our whole lives and don't dare say such things. We don't dare claim that we can answer all these questions correctly, let alone say that these knowledge points have become part of our brains. At your young age, you are so arrogant. I think you don't have the qualifications to be a doctor."
Gu Qin sensed that the elder was deliberately targeting her. She didn't know this elder, only He Dean did. Considering her special circumstances for taking the exam, it might be due to He Dean's relationship that the elder targeted her. The elder looked old, probably an experienced TCM doctor. Gu Qin respected teachers and elders, so she didn't get angry and said calmly, "Teacher, don't be upset. What I said is true. When the results come out, Teacher will know. Why make things difficult for me now and delay everyone's exam?"
The elder looked at the other candidates, who indeed looked up at them. The elder pursed his lips and remained silent. The woman in her thirties hurriedly said, "Okay, you can go out first. The teacher isn't targeting you intentionally. We just don't like overly arrogant candidates. Even if you're really smart, you should take the exam seriously. Half an hour..."
The woman shook her head.
Gu Qin didn't speak and went back to her seat to pack up and left.
The woman whispered to comfort the elder, "Teacher, don't be upset. I don't know what Old Master He did. He's usually a humble person, but he took such a disciple. She doesn't meet the conditions, yet insists on taking the exam as an exception. We thought a young girl would at least be cautious about the exam, but instead, she treats it like a joke. Teacher, don't worry. If this girl fails the exam, she won't pass, and we can't let her harm others. The physician license involves life and death..."
This elder and He Dean were both renowned figures in the TCM community, considered great masters. They were both accomplished and famous for their treatment methods. They weren't necessarily rivals but had some pride and arrogance. However, they were decent people without ill intentions, maintaining a superficial harmony. Recently, He Dean said he had taken on a disciple years ago, who had graduated and wanted to take the exam. Due to age restrictions, he hoped for an exception.
This elder naturally disagreed, thinking He Dean's disciple was too young. However, He Dean knew his own medical skills and that he couldn't match this girl. If she could obtain the license earlier, it would benefit the public. So, he insisted. He Dean was a respected figure in the TCM community, and most people agreed, except this elder. After being persuaded, he thought if this young disciple truly had the ability, she could obtain the license sooner. If not, he wouldn't let her pass.
They originally expected a boy, but it turned out to be a girl. In this era, there were more male TCM practitioners. For a young girl, the elder was dissatisfied. Later, seeing her finish the exam in half an hour, he became even more dissatisfied. He thought even if she was a true genius, she shouldn't be so arrogant at such a young age. How could she practice TCM? But he never imagined that Gu Qin's abilities were above these great masters. So, what if she was a bit arrogant? Moreover, Gu Qin wasn't arrogant; she felt that spending the remaining two hours idly in the exam room would attract more attention. She didn't expect to be misunderstood.
Gu Qin didn't care. After leaving the exam room, Qin Xiansheng was waiting outside. He had found a black car again, which he had been using to take her around for food and entertainment. Seeing Gu Qin leave so early, Qin Xiansheng didn't seem surprised. He helped her fasten her seatbelt and asked, "Where do you want to go play?"
Gu Qin shook her head, "I don't want to go out anymore. We can just walk around. It's time to rest back at the hotel. We'll go back to the hotel after lunch and return to the exam hall at two o'clock."
Qin Xiansheng took Gu Qin around, bought a lot of local specialties, had lunch, and rested back at the hotel. At two, they returned to the exam hall. She came out after half an hour again, and this time, the elder just hummed and didn't say anything.
The second day was the practical exam, much harder. Gu Qin had no sense of urgency and even ate street food with Qin Xiansheng at night, returning to the hotel to wash up and sleep at nine.
The exam venue for the second day was different but still close. Gu Qin arrived early. The exam was conducted by teachers who asked questions on the spot. In previous years, models were given, and candidates had to locate specific acupuncture points. Or they had to diagnose a person's condition by observing, listening, and asking questions.
Entering the exam room, the same invigilators were present. Each candidate had a desk. When called, they went up and listened to the teacher's instructions. This exam was scored on the spot. Even if your written exam score was high, you still had to pass this part.
There was no significant difference between this exam and the previous one. Invigilators called candidates to perform acupuncture. Many candidates were eliminated in this section, as it was difficult to locate the points accurately, especially in front of these invigilators.
Candidates were called by their numbers. Gu Qin should be in the middle position. The candidates called before her were nervous. The invigilators told them the points and asked them to start. Several candidates hesitated and couldn't insert the needles. Some even inserted them incorrectly, taking a long time to find the correct points. Only a man in his thirties performed well.
When it was Gu Qin's turn, the elder suddenly said, "I'll test this student myself." He wanted to test Gu Qin in person. After sitting down, he casually named several points on the arm, relatively obscure points rarely used, which wouldn't harm the body but could help clear the arm's meridians.
However, accurate insertion was necessary. Incorrect insertion could be harmful. Gu Qin suspected the elder was targeting her, as others used models. Even so, many students were nervous. Performing on a real person was even more nerve-wracking. But Gu Qin was Gu Qin. Her understanding of acupuncture points was profound. She had no sense of urgency.
Gu Qin didn't hesitate, picking up several needles and inserting them casually. The elder named five points, and Gu Qin picked up five needles, inserting them casually within two seconds. All five needles were accurately placed on the elder's arm. The other candidates might not have noticed, but the veteran invigilators knew that Gu Qin had hit all the points correctly.
Hitting the points was normal, but if she lacked the skill, she wouldn't have been recommended by Old Master He. With ten points, she acted without hesitation, completing them within less than two seconds, perfectly aligned and neither too light nor too heavy.
The elder was stunned, his gaze complex. He always thought this girl was clever but realized she had genuine skills. This technique was something he couldn't achieve in his lifetime, even with his experience. Although he was fast, he couldn't match her speed. He initially thought the girl was arrogant but now realized she truly deserved it.
But this technique, even her master He Dechang might not be able to achieve. How did she manage it?
The woman in her thirties asked,