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

To everyone's surprise, Yu Wanyu arrived early the next morning.

Compared to sending a maid to inform Yuan Ge to come see her before, this time it was much more solemn and formal—she came to the herb garden in person. The old woman, who was nearly sixty, looked no more than forty, but her physical strength was not as good as that of a young person, and she was already slightly out of breath from walking all the way.

Compared to Murong Weiming, who was making a ruckus and rushing in, the old lady Murong was much more polite and courteous. She first introduced herself and then explained her purpose: "Please pass on a message that Murong Yu has come to visit Doctor Feng."

When the gatekeeper delivered the message, Feng Qingtan was having breakfast. Since losing his sight, he had been getting up much later than before. Upon hearing this, he simply put down his chopsticks, looked up at the gatekeeper, and wondered how many years it had been since he had heard that form of address.

Far away...almost unfamiliar.

Feng Qingtan couldn't remember what she was originally called. In the beginning, a mere glance from a wealthy young lady was considered a favor; a specific address was unnecessary. "Hey, you..." was enough. Even after she married into the Murong family and they reunited in Anshi, she always called him "Doctor Feng," the same address as many others. However, this address was rarely used after they arrived at Zhixuan Mountain, so much so that hearing the old name suddenly evoked a slight sense of disorientation.

Feng Qingtan lowered her head and shook her head helplessly, "Let her go back. Just say... I'm not seeing any guests for a while."

Jian Shu entered from outside and, upon hearing this, somewhat displeased, instructed the servant, "Didn't the young mistress already instruct that no matter who comes to see Master Feng these days, just refuse them directly? Don't let those messy things disturb the old master's rest."

The servant nodded repeatedly, bowed, and retreated to the door. Jian Shu thought for a moment and then said, "Never mind, I'll go and talk to her." The servant who had been sent was unaware of the situation. He couldn't very well refuse the Murong family members with a stern face, especially since she was an old woman. If she was too forceful, the servant would only be in a difficult position.

Jian Shu walked to the door, curtsied, and said, "Madam, Master Feng has been unwell recently and is unable to receive guests. Please return home." He then bowed again.

The slender young woman was impeccably dressed in a fitted outfit, her long hair pulled back with a single ribbon, exuding a composed and spirited air. Her small face, with its distinct features, made her a very pretty girl. Yu Wanyu scrutinized Jian Shu from head to toe, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, before saying, "In that case… I am an old friend of Doctor Feng, and it is only right and proper for me to go in and visit him. I wonder… if you would like to inform Doctor Feng of my identity?"

"In reply to Madam, I have already conveyed those words verbatim. However, Elder Feng is indeed unwell recently and is not fit to receive guests. Please understand and return home."

For some reason, despite her gentle and polite demeanor, Yu Wanyu sensed a subtle but unsettling hostility emanating from her. Her brows furrowed further, and she raised her hand to stop Cui'er, who was about to step forward and reprimand her. She patiently lowered her guard and spoke softly, "My old friend, whom I haven't seen for many years, is currently unwell, and I am truly worried about her. Besides, as you should know, my Murong family and the Yuan family are related by marriage, not just ordinary guests. How about you let me in? I'll just take a quick look from afar and leave, so as not to disturb Doctor Feng's rest. What do you say?"

If it were the servant from before, he might not have known how to refuse, but the person in front of her was a seemingly quiet and good-natured appraiser... who only seemed easy to talk to.

Jian Shu lowered her head slightly, still calmly refusing, "I'm sorry, Madam, but Master Feng has instructed that no matter who comes, he will not be seen."

"You—" Cui'er finally couldn't hold back and scolded in a coquettish voice, "Do you know who my lady is?! She is the first lady of the Murong family and also your Doctor Feng's childhood friend. Not to mention that the two of them have been very close since childhood, they also had many interactions in Anshi later on! Besides, maybe your Doctor Feng's illness will be half cured if he sees my lady and his mood improves!"

"Don't talk nonsense..." Despite her words, Yu Wanyu's eyebrows relaxed a little. She looked at the still motionless appraiser in front of her, pressed down the corners of her mouth, and said, "In that case, I won't make things difficult for you, my servant... I heard that the young lady, that young mistress, is, is the young mistress of the Song family, right? I heard that she lives in this herb garden?"

The scholar nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, it is true, Madam."

Yu Wanyu held her hands together, her brows furrowed, and smiled lightly. When she smiled, her neck was straight, and she lowered her eyes slightly, looking down at no one with an air of arrogant disdain. Maintaining this expression, she said, "I have some connection with this young mistress. Please inform her that I would like to have breakfast with her and have a chat."

Jian Shu curtsied again, "Replying to Madam, the young mistress has not yet risen."

"What?!" Yu Wanyu raised her voice instantly, questioning incredulously, "What time is it and she's still not up?! Even if there aren't as many rules and regulations when you're out and about as there are in the mansion, wouldn't it be ridiculous for her to sleep until this hour and still not get up?! Go in and wake her up, just tell her that I'm waiting for her at the door to have dinner together!"

Jian Shu suddenly looked up at the other person, raised her eyebrows slightly, and then quickly lowered her head again, saying softly, "The young mistress has always been like this, and the elders in the mansion have never said anything against her, much less laughed at her. If you want to wait for her to have breakfast together, I'm afraid you will have to wait for some time."

Yu Wanyu frowned even more. The neat and efficient young girl in front of her seemed to be of a gentle nature, speaking so politely without even raising her head. Who knew she was a wolf in sheep's clothing... Yu Wanyu was already proud, and now she felt even more that this little maid was so arrogant because of someone's favor. Her expression naturally turned ugly. She gave a faint sneer and asked, "Are you Feng Qingtan's medicine apprentice?"

The young girl remained calm and composed, looking down at her nose and mind. "Replying to Madam, I am a maidservant by the young mistress's side. These days, I have been ordered to take care of Master Feng in the medicine garden."

"Heh, no wonder." Yu Wanyu laughed again, her smile becoming even more arrogant. "An unruly master has brought out an unruly servant... To be honest, this herb garden isn't some secret forbidden area that everyone can't enter. Even if Feng Qingtan said she wouldn't receive guests, and asked me to wait for your young mistress in the courtyard, and then you went to wake up your own master who was still sleeping... Isn't that basic hospitality?"