Chapter Fifty-One: Kneel and Give Thanks!

The traditional medicine hall was as bustling as ever. However, the moment Yan Yuanqing stepped inside, the entire atmosphere shifted abruptly. The clan members of the Shi family who worked there, until just now still laughing and chatting merrily with their colleagues or with outsiders who had joined for employment, fell silent as soon as they saw Yan Yuanqing. Only a scant few dared to whisper quietly to those beside them.

“Have you heard? Something major happened in the family a few days ago. I heard Shi Chengren was about to seize the position of clan leader, and he nearly succeeded, but this useless son-in-law suddenly appeared and put a stop to it!”

“Really? That useless son-in-law? How could he possibly have such power? He can't even beat one of Shi Chengren’s henchmen, can he?”

“It’s true! If you don’t believe me, just ask anyone in the family after work today. Anyone you pull aside will tell you it’s real!”

“Heavens, how did that useless son-in-law pull it off? Could it be we’ve all misjudged him? Or did he deliberately hide his strength all this time and only reveal it now?”

“Who knows? But from now on, we’d better keep our distance from that guy if we can. He’s definitely provoked Shi Chengren this time, and I doubt anything good will come of it!”

The people around whispered among themselves, and Yan Yuanqing could hear snatches of their conversation, but he paid them no mind. They were small characters, people who would muddle through life under the family’s protection, never destined for any moment of glory or distinction.

For Yan Yuanqing, as long as Shi Yurou did not look at him with prejudice, that was enough.

Now, only two people in the world still held significance for him—one, his father, whose fate remained unknown; the other, Shi Yurou. That alone showed how important she was in his heart.

“Announcement!” Just as Yan Yuanqing sat down, a man in the Shi family uniform rushed breathlessly into the hall, shouting as he ran, instantly drawing every eye in the place—including Yan Yuanqing’s, who watched to see what the man was about.

To his surprise, the man knelt directly before him, causing a stir throughout the hall.

“Announcement! Yan Yuanqing is hereby promoted to Chief Physician of the Shi Family Traditional Medicine Hall, with all rights, salary, and benefits equal to the Hall Master! Approved by Shi Tianhe!”

His voice was loud and clear, carrying even to those working outside the hall. The place fell utterly silent; not a soul dared utter a word, stunned by this sudden turn.

Yan Yuanqing—Chief Physician of the Medicine Hall?

The staff member handed the letter of appointment to Yan Yuanqing.

But then Yan Yuanqing’s brow furrowed. Why, after handing over the document, did the messenger remain motionless?

With a solemn expression, the staff member intoned, “Such grace from the family deserves your kneeling gratitude—should you not give thanks?”

At these words, Yan Yuanqing finally understood. So this was Shi Tianhe’s design: on one hand, appointing him to a position of authority to harness his talents for the benefit of the hall; on the other, compelling him to publicly declare his loyalty to the Shi family, and to do so before all.

If he complied, he would be openly declaring to all members of the Shi family that he still submitted to Shi Tianhe.

This, Yan Yuanqing would never do. It was nothing short of a deliberate affront to his dignity and his very self. He was not the kind of man who would sell his pride for power or money.