<h4>Chapter 344: Chapter 344 Qiao Xi Can’t Afford to Lose</h4><h4></h4>


    Aunt Qian shook her head.


    "Does Young Madam still want another bowl of red bean soup?" Aunt Qian didn’t know where to begin.


    Online opinions were overwhelmingly one-sided, with patients treated by Qiao Xi speaking up for her. Yet experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine looked down onymen, and a few technical terms would render ordinaryizens speechless.


    Now, aside from forums dedicated to Traditional Chinese Medicine, other news was being suppressed, with hardly any search terms avable.


    But the influential families were all waiting to see the results, and the unruly children of privilege were betting on this matter, just like thest time Huo Xingzhou and Xiang Huai had a horse race.


    Aunt Qian thought to herself to just wait another couple of days, and this would all blow over.


    Perhaps for the next few days, Young Madam would be staying at home to recuperate, and the truth would reveal itself during the tryout for the needle technique, wouldn’t it? Why argue with ignorant people now? Getting angry after seeing too much was pointless.


    "I’m full,"


    Qiao Xi wiped her mouth and said quietly.


    She looked around and asked, "Where’s Old Chen?"


    Aunt Qian was surprised, "What do you need Old Chen for?"


    "I want to go out this afternoon."


    She was supposed to draw lots this morning. She had note clean to Huo Xingzhou about the bet the night before. So naturally, she hadn’t informed him about the schedule for the draw; such minor details needn’t distract him.


    After looking at her for a bit, Aunt Qian nodded, "Then I’ll tell Old Chen. When will Young Madam be returning?"


    "Soon,"


    The drawing of lots shouldn’t take long.


    There were too many registrants for thepetition, necessitating that they be divided into groups.


    Ten people per group would be assessed, with two from each group advancing. The advancing participants would then be ranked ording to their scores, resulting in a publicized list of the top hundred. The scores from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association would certainly be fair unless they wanted to forfeit their credibility.


    But whether it was entirely impartial was still a matter of doubt; there might be room for personal favor.


    Reassured by her words, Aunt Qian felt at ease.


    ...


    In the afternoon, Qiao Xi got into Old Chen’s car and headed for Haicheng City’s branch of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association.


    The national association was in the Imperial Capital, with each city hosting its own branch. Haicheng City’s branch was one of thergest, so the preliminary rounds were held there.


    The car stopped in front of a very majestic building; it must have had fifty or sixty steps leading up to it.


    With a history stretching back quite a few years, the building was modeled after ssical European castle architecture,plete with fair-faced red brick walls. It had the style of the Renaissance and the charm of Jiangnan, looking both ancient and stately with a full sense of history.


    By this time, many people had already arrived at the entrance.


    When Qiao Xi’s Rolls-Royce stopped, it attracted quite a bit of attention. As she got out, she could feel the assessing eyes from all around, and they didn’t look too friendly.


    Qiao Xi frowned slightly, took her purse, and walked inside.


    The lot drawing was a mere half-hour affair; she wanted to finish as quickly as possible and return to her research on Plum Blossom Nine Needles. Grandpa Cheng had mastered the eighth needle after years of study, and Qiao Xi was on the verge of breaking through to the seventh needle’s threshold.


    Given time, she would break through that barrier.


    "She evenes in a Rolls-Royce, as if worried we wouldn’t realize she married a rich husband."


    "Look at that, a country girl turns into a phoenix and suddenly knows how to unt her wealth ostentatiously. It must be the Huo Family’s backing that’s emboldening her to challenge Xiang Mingzhu. But our profession isn’t like the business world; Cheng Han didn’t teach her manners!"


    "Exactly. Cheng Han hasn’t even shown up. At his age, with no sessor, he just picked any country girl. I guess she doesn’t have much talent!"


    This time, Qiao Xi heard everything clearly.


    She stopped in her tracks, and those people immediately ceased their discussion.


    Qiao Xi wasn’t weak enough to shrink back, but instead walked toward them and said, "I am myself, and my master is my master. You can belittle me, but you cannot belittle my master, Cheng Han. He has spent his life treating and saving people and does not deserve such nder. As medical students, don’t you have any moral integrity?"


    Those few were left red-faced and embarrassed by her words, one of them named Han Jia was particrly unwilling to ept this.


    He retorted, "If you truly care about Cheng Han’s reputation, you shouldn’t have provoked Miss Xiang, leaving her with no choice but to ept your bet. I think you’re just grandstanding and fishing for fame!"


    A flicker passed through Qiao Xi’s eyes.


    They knew about her bet with Xiang Mingzhu and were saying it was she who had provoked it!


    It seemed something unfavorable to her had happened without her knowledge.


    Qiao Xi replied coldly, "Sir, did you see it with your own eyes or hear it with your own ears? If not, please watch your words and actions. In what I do, I can answer to both myself and my master."


    Whether she gambled or not made no difference.


    If she did bet, at least she could win back some of the Cheng family’s reputation.


    "Psh, who knows if all these lofty words of yours are true or not!"


    "Han Jia, stop talking! Let’s hurry and leave. It’s almost time for the draw."


    After pulling Han Jia away, they left, and Qiao Xi watched them go. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Xiang Mingzhu, dressed in a bright red gown, gracefully approaching. She had clearly seen the whole incident.


    With confidence curling her lips into a smile, she said to her, "Qiao Xi, the preliminary selection hasn’t even started yet, and your reputation is already so poor. What if you lose? I’m getting a bit worried."


    Qiao Xi looked at her, having already figured out her scheme. "Xiang Mingzhu, I should thank you for making such a big fuss about this. The more people who watch, the less they can tamper. I’m not afraid topete with you openly and fairly. What I fear are those who resort to trickery."


    With a mocking tone, Xiang Mingzhu said, "Do you think I need to stoop to underhanded methods to beat you?"


    "It’s best that you don’t."


    Qiao Xi looked at her coldly.


    Xiang Mingzhu felt unnerved by her gaze, a flicker of uncertainty in her heart.


    Qiao Xi sidestepped her and walked inside. As she entered the main conference room, she saw Tang Chengde, the owner of Fu’an Hall, waving at her. She hurried over and greeted him.


    "Miss Qiao."


    Tang Chengde said in a gentle voice, "The draw isputerized; there’s bound to be foul y. I see Ma Hongwen getting quite chummy with the Xiang Family, and the draw is sure to be to your disadvantage."


    "Losing the first round doesn’t matter, as long as you make it to the finals, there’s a chance for a turnaround." Tang Chengde lowered his voice, his expression grave.


    He was reminding Qiao Xi not to lose heart if she lost to Xiang Mingzhu in the preliminary round; winning the finals was still a victory!


    The one whosts to the end is the real winner!


    Qiao Xi looked at him seriously and said, "I can’t afford to lose any round."


    "You stubborn girl! What about the order of the draw then?"


    "The draw is the easiest to rig. Let them have their way. I want to be in the same group as Xiang Mingzhu!"


    If she couldn’t even win against an Xiang Mingzhu, what right did she have to talk about changing the status quo of traditional Chinese medicine?


    Tang Chengde looked at her with both pride and concern: "You are indeed as Cheng Han described, stubborn and never giving up!"


    Qiao Xi smiled.


    She wasn’t naturally strong.


    She had learned from an early age that she must rely on herself for everything.


    From the loudspeaker came an announcement, "All contestants, please proceed to the conference room for the draw and group allocation. We will register in sequence. Once the order is set, it cannot be changed. The preliminaries for the needle testpetition will ur in three days."