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

After the spring hunt, the emperor returned to the palace with his concubines.

Jiang Rou risked her life to save the emperor, and Li Kai couldn't help but think of Consort Yin, who had tested medicine for him. The figures of the two women overlapped, as if Jiang Rou were the reincarnation of Consort Yin.

Li Kai was deeply grateful and bestowed upon her the title of Imperial Concubine, while promoting her father, Yuan Pu, to the position of Assistant Minister of Revenue.

Wei Xueyao received no reward and returned to her palace in a rage.

The palace maid risked her life to step forward, took out the pills, and handed them over.

"what is this?"

"This was sent by Aunt Yuan from the Department of Pharmacy. She said it was a fertility-enhancing pill that your aunt had entrusted to find."

Wei Xueyao's eyes flickered. Aunt Yuan, Yuan Pu's sister—

Yuanliu.

Their Yuan family just produced a concubine. Why would they give such a fine item to her instead of keeping it for Yuan Rou? Could it be that they switched it with something else?

She thought for a moment and said, "Please ask Physician Pu to come over."

Before entering the palace, Pu Hong had poisoned Yuan Rou, so the two were likely adversaries. Bringing him over to examine the medicine would allow them to hear the truth and, more importantly, keep the secret.

Half an incense stick later, a palace maid brought Pu Hong over. After examining the medicine, the maid said there was nothing wrong with it and that it did indeed have the effect of helping with fertility.

Wei Xueyao pondered, wondering if she had really been overthinking things.

Pu Hong tapped the box, then changed the subject, "The real secret lies not in the medicine, but in the hidden compartment."

He used a hairpin to pry open the partition, pointed to the half-box of powder inside, and said, "Your Majesty, please stay away. This is abortion powder. If a woman inhales too much of it, it will cause infertility."

Wei Xueyao covered her mouth and nose, drew the design of the box, and handed it to the palace maid.

"Go ask your aunt if the medicine box she sent to the palace is the same as the one in the painting?"

The palace maid was Xiao Zong's person, and she had connections to pass on the message. After receiving the order, she left.

Pu Hong wrapped the medicine up, placed it on the coffee table, and got up to leave.

Wei Xueyao curtsied and thanked him, saying, "I will never forget the doctor's great kindness in the future when I rise to prominence."

Pu Hongdao said, "On Your Majesty's path to advancement, Consort Yuan will be a stumbling block. I don't care how you deal with her, but please spare her breath. I will be the one to deliver the final blow!"

"It's a word."

That evening, Wei Xueyao received a reply. The medicine given by the Wei family was sealed with wax and was not in a box at all.

Moreover, the medicine was not given directly to Yuan Liu, but was given to Yuan Liu by a eunuch whom Wei met while the Emperor was hunting in the Western Hills.

Wei Xueyao asked, "Did your aunt say what the little eunuch's name was?"

The palace maid shook her head. "Deputy Commander Dou asked, and Madam Yuan said she hadn't asked for his name."

Wei Xueyao frowned deeply. How could her aunt be so careless!

Her thoughts were in turmoil as she stared intently at the packet of powder.

The medicine box was exquisite; it shouldn't have belonged to a lowly eunuch. Yuan Liu, being a female official in the Department of Pharmacy, was knowledgeable in medicine and more likely to have done this.

Could it be that Yuan Liu wants to use her to get rid of Zheng Xiangxiang's child and clear the way for Yuan Rou?

If she falls for the trick and reveals the mastermind after the incident, only she and her aunt will die.

At that time, the entire Wei family was wiped out, and Xiao Zong, because of Yuan Zhi, would certainly not take action against the Yuan family. With connections in the previous dynasty and exclusive favor in the harem, even the Empress might not be able to compete with Yuan Rou.

What a vicious plan!

Unfortunately, no matter how angry she was, she couldn't report it. Otherwise, if her aunt's secret affair was exposed, she would be unable to escape punishment.

Wei Xueyao clenched her fists and slammed them on the table.

"Lord Xiao said that this medicine is too potent and could harm Her Majesty's health, and instructed me to destroy it as soon as possible."

Before she could reply, the palace maid picked up the powder, poured it into the tea, and splashed it through the window into the flower bushes outside the palace. Then she smashed the teacup, knelt down, kowtowed twice, and cried out "Forgive me" twice before getting up to fetch a winnowing basket and broom to clean up the mess.

Wei Xueyao sneered, "Is he concerned about my health? What he cares about is the child in Consort Zheng's belly!"

The palace maid said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, be careful what you say!"

Foreign officials showing concern for the children of empresses and concubines is suspected of causing trouble within the palace!

Wei Xueyao felt heartbroken. Xiao Zong could remain unmarried for Yuan Zhi for the rest of his life and scheme for Zheng Xiangxiang, so why couldn't he show her even a sliver of affection?

As the sun warms and hibernating insects awaken, the wind carries the message of spring, and spring quietly arrives.

Weiyanlou was packed with people; business was booming.

Yuan Zhi hired several more helpers and got up before dawn to greet guests at the restaurant. Working from dawn till dusk every day, she developed dark circles under her eyes, which Chu Lanyin jokingly called a human-shaped iron-eating beast.

When the eldest patriarch of the Chu family returned home, Marquis Changping was overjoyed and wanted to throw a grand banquet.

However, at that time, the families of officials who died during the disaster relief efforts were embroiled in a fierce dispute with the government. Marquis Changping deeply sympathized with their suffering and thus ordered the palace to remain closed to visitors, a practice that continues to this day.

Yuan Zhi said, "I have long admired Master Chu for his literary talent and elegant demeanor, but unfortunately I have never had the chance to meet him!"

“If you want to see him, I can bring your uncle over tomorrow!” Chu Lanyin sighed. “However, you’d better be prepared. His current appearance is completely different from what you imagined!”

"Would the Marquis of Changping allow your eldest uncle to leave the house?"

"Grandfather is reluctant to let him go, but he can't keep him cooped up at home forever. The doctor also said that letting Uncle go out more might help him recover his memory!"

Yuan Zhixi said with delight, "If we can really regain our memories, it will be a great thing for both the Chu family and Daqi!"

Chu Lanyin said, "Yes, I also think that with Uncle's talent, he can definitely benefit all people!"

The two chatted for a while, and then another group of customers came into the shop. Yuan Zhi went downstairs to get busy, and Chu Lan, afraid of delaying her business, downed her tea in one gulp and made room for her in a private room.

When Yuan Zhi finished her work and returned home, she found that Chu Lanyin had already left.

In the evening, just before the restaurant was about to close, Xu Muxin brought Jiang Bai over.

Yuan Zhi asked, puzzled, "What does the county princess mean by this?"

Xu Muxin took out 30,000 taels of silver notes, placed them on the table, pushed the man forward, and said succinctly, "Form an alliance!"

"But I don't lack money or manpower right now."

"Then what do you lack?"

Yuan Zhi's smile was distant. "Why does the county princess insist on forming an alliance with me? Xiao Zong commands the Leopard Guard; he has power and connections. It's much more suitable to seek his help!"

Xu Muxin sensed her refusal and said bluntly, "Xiao Zongxin is a cold and ruthless man. If I ally with him, I'll be sold out the very next day. You're different. He likes you, so he'll naturally risk his life to protect you. If I ally with you, at least I can save my own life!"

Yuan Zhi's face flushed red. "I'm already divorced from him. If something happens, he won't take care of me."

Xu Muxin waved her bone fan, "Do you even believe that yourself?"

Yuan Zhi was unusually speechless, sitting in his chair without uttering a word.

Xu Muxin glared at Jiang Bai, who immediately knelt before Yuan Zhi and slapped himself repeatedly in the face.

"Master, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have been loyal to one side while serving another! Ugh... I've been so happy and joyful with everyone during this time. Please let me come back! I swear, I'll never have any disloyalty again!"

Yuan Zhi felt embarrassed for him when she heard the voice.

"Okay, get up."

"Thank you, boss! Thank you, boss!"

Xu Muxin asked, "You agreed?"

Yuan Zhi picked up the silver note and said, "A new alliance is possible, but I have a condition."

"what?"

“The porcelain shop next door is closing down and is renting out its premises. I want you to take it over and use it as my wine shop.”

Xu Muxin felt a pang of heartache. "Didn't you say you had plenty of money?"

"Having plenty of money doesn't mean you're willing to spend it." Yuan Zhi asked, "So, do you agree or not?"

Xu Muxin gritted her teeth, "...I agree!"