How could Qiao's father, who had lived to such an old age, not be able to see through natural disasters and man-made calamities? Qiao Qiu's serious expression left him somewhat speechless.

Qiao Qiu looked at the so-called ancestral tablets and said, "If it's not a natural disaster, it must be man-made, and it was left behind by everyone. Since I have the ability to heal, I will never ignore those who are injured. In the village, no matter who is injured or sick, I will do the same. Life is more important than anything else."

"You, fine, you've grown up. Do you know that what you're doing is ruining your reputation! Running out disheveled and coming back in such a sorry state, how are you going to get married in the future? Tell me!" Mr. Qiao didn't know whether to be angry or heartbroken. It was a good thing that his daughter was kind-hearted, but she was ruining her life like this. He would rather she be selfish.

“Father! I’ve said it before, life is more important than anything else. If you can’t see this, you’re not worthy to be Qiao Qiu’s husband. He doesn’t understand me, and he doesn’t have a kind heart. Being with him will only bring me endless pain, not happiness.” Qiao Qiu’s voice was steady, and her tone told everyone present that she was right.

"You stay kneeling here and are not allowed to get up without my permission."

“Yes, Father,” Qiao Qiu replied.

"Master, you've used up too much internal energy; you need to rest." The ring was very worried about her health.

"No need, now is not the time for me to rest. I can still hold on, let's hold on for now, I'll be fine after a while of resting," Qiao Qiu said.

"Alright then." The ring originally intended to be restored using mental power.

"Sister Xiaohui, please stay outside and don't let anyone in," Qiao Qiu said.

"Miss, you haven't eaten for two meals. Let me get you something to eat." Xiao Hui was very worried about her.

Qiao Qiu shook her head. "It's okay to miss a meal or two. You can go out now. I have to accept the punishment my father gave me."

"Yes, Miss." Xiao Hui knew she couldn't persuade her, so she stopped trying.

Qiao Qiu closed her eyes and circulated her internal energy.

"Xiao Jie, you're worried that some people might be coming and Xiao Hui might not know. Could you scout around for me and warn me if you spot anything?"

"Okay, Master, don't worry."

The sun is at its zenith until it sets in the west, and then it gets dark.

No one has come in for such a long time.

Xiao Hui didn't dare to bother her, because she had bothered her once before, and Qiao Qiu had gotten very angry.

Qiao Qiu didn't eat, and Xiao Hui, worried about her, also didn't eat, constantly looking inside.

Qiao Qiu's back remained kneeling straight, as if nothing had changed throughout the entire afternoon.

"Master, your father has arrived."

Qiao Qiu opened her eyes, a glint of light flashing in her pupils. She knelt down, supporting herself on the ground with her hands.

"Master! How are you?"

"I'm fine, just a little weak."

“You haven’t eaten all day and have been using your internal energy frequently. Although you’ve recovered a lot, this will happen once you let go of the support of your internal energy.”

"I know, but I shouldn't use my internal energy right now, otherwise I'll be discovered."

Qiao Qiu barely managed to hold on, her arms trembling slightly.

"Master, if you can't hold on any longer, then don't."

It really hurts to see the ring.

"I have to keep going." She told another lie today, and to keep this lie going, she has to do everything in her power.

Qiao Qiu struggled to her knees, the sweat on her forehead proving how hard she was working.

Mr. and Mrs. Qiao walked in, followed by several other people.

Mr. Qiao walked to her side. "Qiu'er, do you know what you did wrong?"

Qiao Qiu kept her voice steady and said, "I knew it from the beginning."

"What went wrong?"

"They don't value their own reputation."

"Since you know this, do you regret it?" Qiao's father made her kneel for so long, just to make her give up her kindness.

Qiao Qiu closed her eyes. "If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would still choose to do it this way."

"Don't you care about yourself? Haven't you thought about us?" Qiao's father only cared about her marriage. He didn't want her to be some kind of saint; he just wanted her to live a simple, peaceful life.

"Xiao Hui lost both her parents at a young age and had no one to rely on..."

Before Qiao Qiu could finish speaking, Xiao Hui rushed in, hugged her, and cried, "Miss, you can't say that. Master and Madam only have you as their daughter."

Qiao Qiu curled the corners of her lips, "I've never seen you react this quickly before."

Mr. Qiao was at a loss for words. "Qiu'er, Xiao Hui is a good girl, but you are our biological daughter!"

Mrs. Qiao wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. "Master, please spare Qiu'er. She has been frail since childhood. How can she endure kneeling for half a day?"

When Xiao Hui heard her say this, she noticed that Qiao Qiu's body was trembling. She started crying again, "Master, I beg you to spare Miss. She hasn't eaten all day. She ran out early this morning and came back covered in sweat. She knelt all afternoon. How could she bear it?"

Mr. Qiao's body stiffened, and he immediately dropped his airs, squatted down, and saw that Qiao Qiu's face was very pale and her forehead was covered with fine sweat again. He said with heartache, "You child, what time is it and you're still forcing yourself!"

"Dad, don't worry, I'm fine." She just felt a little weak, but she really was alright.

Mr. Qiao turned to Mrs. Qiao and said, "Madam, quickly go and prepare some food for the child."

"Okay." Mrs. Qiao hurriedly turned around and ran outside.

Qiao's father picked up Qiao Qiu and then realized how light his daughter was.

Mr. Qiao felt very guilty and carried her out.

Qiao Qiu was not physically exhausted, but mentally exhausted. Her father walked steadily, which gave her a sense of security from her father. Her eyes were drooping, and before she had even gone halfway, her head tilted to the side and she fell asleep.

Mr. Qiao sensed her change, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt a chill run down his spine, stopping in his tracks.

Xiao Hui watched carefully from behind. When she saw Qiao Qiu's head tilt to the side, she was startled and quickly reached out to check his breathing.

Feeling the warmth at his fingertips, he breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "Master, Miss is asleep."

Mr. Qiao breathed a sigh of relief and walked even slower and more steadily.

Qiao Qiu woke up the next morning and, seeing the familiar ceiling, knew she was in her own room.

She sat up and saw Xiao Hui lying by her bedside, wearing a coat.

"Sister Xiaohui, wake up."

Xiao Hui looked up abruptly, and seeing that she was alright, her eyes reddened again. "Miss, you're awake, that's wonderful."

Qiao Qiu laughed and said, "Why are you crying? I'm just too tired, it's nothing."

Xiao Hui hugged her waist, "Miss, I won't allow you to say those things again. I am your maid, I was before, I am now, and I will always be."

"You will eventually get married."

"If Miss doesn't marry, neither will I." Xiao Hui already knew how serious yesterday's events were.