After rebirth, she became the favorite of the powerful minister.

After Feng Qingtan lost her sight, she stayed in the herb garden almost all day without venturing out. Murong Zhixian came to visit her once, saying that she had survived thanks to a divine physician's medicine many years ago. In the past, it was fine not to know where the divine physician was, but now that they were fortunate enough to live under the same roof, it was natural to express her gratitude sincerely.

However, this eloquent explanation only resulted in being turned away – Jian Shuwen stood expressionlessly in the doorway, saying, “Master Feng is not receiving guests these days, please leave.”

Murong Zhixian was taken aback by his unwavering refusal. He was even stunned for a moment before calmly asking, "Don't you need to announce my arrival, young lady? Just say that an old friend of the Murong family has come to visit, and the old master will definitely see me."

When asked about the book, he simply said, "Master Feng said he has instructed that he will not see any guests recently, no matter who comes." He didn't even raise his eyes while speaking, only bowing his head slightly, respectful yet resolute.

They didn't give me the slightest bit of face.

Murong Zhixian left just like that—he was a well-known philanthropist, gentle, and generous, and he never lost his sense of propriety and composure.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ge asked Feng Qingtan when she had saved Murong Zhixian's life.

The old man thought for a long time, then shook his head and chuckled, “What do you mean by bestowing medicine to save his life? Don’t let this young master’s refined appearance fool you; he’s actually very healthy. He’s probably rarely even caught a cold since he was a child. Why would he need anyone to save his life? Besides, how could I possibly save someone from the Murong family? If you insist on saying I bestowed medicine… his mother had been married for many years without children, but she came to me asking for a prescription. After drinking a few doses, she gave birth to this legitimate son… I wonder if that counts as saving his life?”

Yuan Ge was taken aback, then heard the old man laugh and say, "The reason I remember this is because the second wife is very concerned about her reputation and has a competitive nature. She couldn't accept that her legitimate son was two years younger than her illegitimate son, and it even led to someone's death... Yes, the eldest illegitimate son's biological aunt died. She claimed to have died of illness, but everyone in Anshi knows that she was beaten to death."

The old man rarely gossiped with such enthusiasm. In the warm sunshine of early spring, Yuan Ge asked in cooperation, "Since it's a secret that everyone knows, can the eldest son of the second wife, who was born out of wedlock, tolerate it?"

"Who knows... But the Murong family's traditions are what they are. Even if that concubine hadn't died, would the second legitimate son and the eldest illegitimate son have been able to live together peacefully and lovingly?" Feng Qingtan laughed sarcastically. "The Murong family is very chaotic. Fathers are not like fathers, and sons are not like sons. I'm afraid that in the face of enough benefits, they would even abandon their own parents. Besides, they're already dead. Whether they died of illness or were beaten to death... what does it matter?"

"What about the third branch?" Yuan Ge asked, recalling the seemingly ignorant Murong Weiming. "Among the people who came this time, the representative from the third branch is really not up to par..."

Feng Qingtan was taken aback, then shook her head. "I've been in Zhixuan Mountain for over ten years. The third branch of the family was very low-key a decade ago. Later, I heard that they offended Murong Zhen for some reason, and the entire branch moved away from Anshi. After that, there was no news of them."

Offended Murong Zhen? If that's the case, shouldn't it be the third branch of the Murong family who most wanted Murong Zhen dead? How could this be...?

Just then, a man's arrogant and domineering voice came from outside the courtyard, "Is Feng Qingtan here? I want to see him! Go tell Feng Qingtan that I want to see him!" He was so swaggering and arrogant that he was really asking for a beating.

There aren't many people whose voice alone is so irritating, and this is none other than Murong Weiming. Yuan Ge raised an eyebrow, slowly poured a cup of tea and handed it to Feng Qingtan, saying as he stood up, "It's good that you can't see now, so you don't have to go out and see these people and ghosts and have your mind bothered. You rest well, I'll go out and see what the third branch of the family is up to."

"Where is Feng Qingtan?!" The shouts outside grew louder. Just from the voice, Yuan Ge could imagine the person's imperious manner: hands on hips, chin raised, looking down on the girl blocking the door, roaring, "Bring Feng Qingtan out right now! I have something to discuss with him!"

The young woman who was appraising the books remained calm and composed. "Master Feng is not receiving guests these days. Please leave."

"No guests? Little girl, you need to understand, it's me who wants to see him and has something to tell him. He has no say in whether he sees me or not! ... I heard he's been hiding in this mountain for over ten years. He's really been a mountain savage for too long, and now he doesn't know his own worth anymore?" Murong Weiming rolled his eyes and sneered, then suddenly paused, his gaze sweeping over Jian Shu's face. His expression changed, and he asked with amusement, "Are you his maid? I was wondering why this old man has been hiding in the mountains for over ten years... all for this kind of good fortune."

"How old are you this year, little girl? What's your name?" He asked with a warm and friendly smile, raising his hand to touch her face. "There's nothing here on the mountain, and besides, serving a grumpy old man is so boring. Why not come back with me and enjoy the good life... Ouch!"

A scream erupted.

Murong Weiming had no idea what had happened. Before his raised hand could even touch the brat in front of him, she slightly shifted her body and raised her hand, twisting his arm behind his back. The pain made him shudder, and only then did he belatedly realize what had happened, crying out repeatedly, "Let go! What are you doing, you brat?! Do you know who I am? Do you know the Murong family? The Murong family, a prominent family in Anshi! Let go of me!"

With his arms twisted behind his back, he couldn't exert any force. The humiliation of being restrained by a little girl made him even more displeased. He turned his head and roared at the person behind him, "You ungrateful brat, let go!"

Jian Shu released her hands as instructed, stepped aside, and lowered her head slightly, saying, "Young Madam."

When Yuan Ge arrived at the courtyard gate, this was the scene he saw. Jian Shu stood leisurely to the side, while the arrogant Murong Weiming rubbed his arm and muttered coldly, "Just like that old codger, a rock in the latrine, smelly and hard... It's you again?"

He looked at Yuan Ge, frowned, and said, "Didn't that old man say he didn't see guests? What, is he just refusing to see me, his guest?"

Even so, he wisely refrained from making any further attempts to force his way in—his arm still hurt! He wondered who that brat came from; she was really strange.

Yuan Ge explained with a smile, "The old master has been unwell recently and has indeed instructed that he does not receive guests. Another young master from the Murong family came to visit before but did not see him either. It was not intentionally targeting you. May I ask what brings you here today? If it is convenient, I can pass on your message."