Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

When Xiao Zong returned to the manor that evening, he told Yuan Zhi about the incident. Yuan Zhi was furious and insisted on killing the doctor.

Xiao Zong carried the person back, "Little ancestor, can you please stop making a fuss?"

Yuan Zhi untied the bandages from her hands and threw them at him. "Do you think I wanted this? We paid such a high price to save Jiang Rou, and now you're telling me she's half-dead? How can I not be angry?"

He grabbed her fist and placed it on his chest. "I'm right here. You can hit me or yell at me as you please. The most important thing right now is to figure out how to resolve this."

Yuan Zhi punched him lightly. "You usually seem quite clever, so why did you let me down at this crucial moment? It's my fault for thinking too highly of you and forgetting that you're just a mortal being."

"Fine, everyone makes mistakes, even horses stumble. It's already like this, what's the use of hitting you? Now you ask me what to do? I'd like to ask you what your plans are."

Xiao Zong took her hand and unconsciously squeezed it, saying helplessly, "Take it back."

Yuan Zhi pouted, her eyes filled with resentment.

She used to believe that as long as she put in the effort, she would be rewarded. This was the first time that all her hard work had gone to waste, leaving her feeling heartbroken.

She kicked her legs in frustration, yelling, "Bastards! They're all bastards!"

Xiao Zong was initially quite angry, but seeing her like this, he couldn't help but laugh.

Yuan Zhi got even angrier when she saw this, and pushed him away forcefully, "You're so annoying, what are you laughing at!"

Xiao Zong stretched out his arms and pulled her back, "Our trip wasn't entirely fruitless, why are you so angry?"

"Then tell me, what did you gain?"

Xiao Zong analyzed in a calm tone: "We were originally worried that Jiang Rou's identity being exposed would implicate you and the Yuan family. Now it seems that sending Jiang Rou to the palace was a scheme by your father and the Empress Dowager. With the Emperor's own sister as your backer, what are you afraid of?"

Furthermore, Jiang Rou was harmed by the physician; we sent her back to save her life, so she can't possibly blame us. Besides, Jiang Xin is in our hands; even if she enters the palace and gains favor, she'll still have to be at our mercy.

Yuan Zhi felt a chill run down her spine and glanced at him sideways. "Lord Xiao, you are so cunning. If I offend you one day, won't I be doomed?"

Xiao Zong turned her face to face and looked directly into her timid eyes. "It's good that you know, so please don't do anything bad behind my back."

"No? How could that be?"

She turned her head to the left, avoiding his gaze.

"It better be."

The following day, Xiao Zong escorted Jiang Rou back to the estate, and Yuan Zhi met with Princess Pingyi to inform her of the matter.

Xu Muxin had the same fiery temper as Yuan Zhi, and she wished she could tear down the Yuan mansion and then tie up and beat the doctor. However, she didn't show it on her face, but she just mentally planned it out, wanting to vent her anger!

"Fate cannot be defied. Jiang Rou's entry into the palace is a foregone conclusion. The fate of the Yuan family is tied to hers, and with my mother backing her up, she has no worries about not receiving the Emperor's favor. If you wish to switch allegiance, it's not too late!"

Yuan Zhi looked at Xu Muxin, "Princess, when we formed our alliance, we made a promise that we would never break it. Today, I want to say it again: even if the world changes, my ally will always be only you, Princess!"

"That's good then." Xu Muxin fanned her. "Don't blame me for being overly concerned, after all, your family is standing over there."

"I see."

Yuan Zhi's mind was in a mess, so she gulped down a mouthful of ice water to clear her head.

“I’ve thought about many possibilities these past two days. His Majesty’s illness is very likely the work of my aunt and father. Of course, they are not the only ones involved, but also the county princess’s mother, and… the Director of the Imperial Observatory.”

"Jian Zheng?"

Xu Muxin hadn't expected this, but hearing her explain it was like a revelation.

Right!

If it weren't for the Director of the Imperial Observatory presenting the elixir, how could His Majesty have chosen a virtuous lady, and how could there have been such a whole mess to follow?

"You brought him up, have you thought of a plan?"

Yuan Zhi shook his head, "I'm just giving the county princess a heads-up, tell your people to keep an eye on him, and if it's convenient, it would be best to get rid of him!"

“Don’t touch it.” Xu Muxin sighed, “Five years ago, strange phenomena appeared in the sky. To quell the rumors and protect the people of Daqi, the former Crown Prince and the former Director of the Imperial Observatory committed suicide in front of Juyang Gate. As a result, the Imperial Observatory rose in status and became very popular with the people. Now that the Director of the Imperial Observatory is dead, they will definitely investigate to the end!”

“This matter is not urgent, we will think of another way!” Yuan Zhi said firmly, “What I want to talk about is the medicinal bath. I suspect that Father has Jiang Rou take medicinal baths every day, which must be for His Majesty’s old ailment.”

If we can obtain a prescription from the physician and use it on Wei Xueyao, her position as the favored concubine will be secure.

Xu Muxin said, "Leave this matter to me. Right now, the doctors in the Southern Frontier are right under my nose. It's just a prescription; I have a way to handle it!"

Yuan Zhi said worriedly, "Princess, you must be careful. The fact that she used the poisoning incident to warn you means she's already noticed something. You're still young and vulnerable; your every move is under her watchful eye. If you're not careful, you'll give yourself away."

Xu Muxin glanced at her and said, "It's Xiao Zong who's careless, not me!"

Yuan Zhi was speechless; what she said was indeed true!

*

In the past few days, Wei Xueyao's skills in all aspects have improved by leaps and bounds.

She excelled in everything she did: playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, dancing, and singing. Just standing there, a single glance was enough to stir the heart and stir the soul.

Yuan Zhi asked herself, no matter how powerful she was in her past life, she was never this outstanding. She had to admit that Wei Xueyao truly had the talent to become a favored concubine!

Regardless of past grievances, she sincerely hoped to receive divine grace so that her parents and relatives could be lessened from their sins.

After returning from Tianjing Tower, Xu Muxin brought over the prescription along with the herbs.

Yuan Zhi handed it to Wei Xueyao and instructed her that this medicine was the key to her rapid advancement and that she must soak it for a full hour every day.

Wei Xueyao's attitude towards her improved considerably. Knowing that this was for her own good, she unusually refrained from arguing back.

October 23rd was the day the ladies entered the palace.

Yuan Zhi handed the prepared silver to Wei Xueyao and watched her leave with the eunuch with mixed feelings.

Behind them, the Yuan family's carriage arrived. Jiang Rou got off the carriage, her face looking even more haggard, suggesting she had suffered a lot recently.

Yuan Zhi felt guilty towards her and thought that she should never threaten her with Jiang Xin unless absolutely necessary. After all, she was also a pitiful person.

Young girls, as bright and beautiful as crabapple blossoms, walked one by one towards the magnificent imperial city. The palace gates closed heavily, like shackles, trapping these women for their entire lives.

In her past life, she was overjoyed when she entered the palace, thinking that her mother's memorial tablet could be placed in the ancestral hall. However, at this moment, the desolation and sorrow in her heart were indescribable. It was as if she saw her former self, and as if she was grieving for these women.

The world is unjust and harsh on women. They can only be pushed forward, obeying fate, their parents' wishes, and the will of the people, and are forced to make choices.

When will we have the opportunity to make our own decisions?