After my luck was stolen, I led my whole family to defy fate and change our destiny.

Duan Ping pulled down the hood of his nightclothes: "They're here to help you."

"Who are you, and what do you want?"

You don't need to know who I am; just remember that I'm here to help you.

Duan Ping took out a small white bottle and a blue bottle: "This medicine is colorless and odorless. The white bottle contains the poison, and the blue bottle contains the antidote."

"What do you mean?"

After Duan Ping whispered a few words in her ear, Chen Chen suddenly smiled and bowed to Duan Ping: "Thank you, young master. I'll make sure you receive a generous gift from the Lady of the Marquis once I'm settled."

……

The following day, Chen Chen went to the old Marquis and his wife's courtyard to pay his respects.

Before an incense stick could burn, the old marquis suddenly collapsed to the ground, convulsing, foaming at the mouth, and talking incoherently.

The old lady turned deathly pale: "Master, what's wrong?"

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and call a doctor!"

Gu Yanwu was writing a divorce agreement in his study. Although the matter was the fault of his parents, it would ultimately damage the woman's reputation. He would use his savings from the past few years to compensate Chen Chen. He finished writing the divorce agreement, put it in an envelope, and was about to go find Chen Shi when a servant rushed over.

"Young master, the master has fainted!"

"Take me there quickly!"

"Yes"

The doctor was taking her pulse with a furrowed brow when the old lady cautiously asked, "Doctor, how is my husband?"

"Sir, this illness has come on fiercely, somewhat like poisoning or a form of sorcery. I am not very capable, so I would like to find someone more skilled to take a look."

Several doctors gave the same answer: Gu Yanwu felt no evil in the old Marquis's pulse, and he didn't know why.

The imperial physician was taking her pulse when Chen Chen, supporting the old lady, said softly, "I brought some antidote pills from home. I wonder if we could give them a try?"

As he spoke, he took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve.

"This...this can really save the Marquis?"

"My daughter-in-law doesn't know, but it's worth a try."

The old lady sighed, having no other choice at the moment: "Let's take it to the imperial physician; that's... the only thing we can do now."

The imperial physician took the porcelain bottle, smelled it, and carefully gave it to the old marquis. Everyone watched the old marquis intently.

The imperial physician exclaimed in delight, "He's stopped foaming at the mouth..."

The old marquis's eyelashes trembled as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Alright, alright, sir, how are you feeling?"

"I...what's wrong with me?"

The old lady wiped away her tears and said, "You suddenly started foaming at the mouth and talking nonsense, saying that the medicine your daughter-in-law brought saved you."

"father-in-law"

Chen Chen walked to the bedside and called out.

“Father-in-law, this medicine can only suppress the symptoms, not cure them, but your daughter-in-law will definitely find a way.”

"Good, good, good, we...we...the Gu family has married a good daughter-in-law..."

"Then Father, please rest first. My husband and I will go downstairs now."

The old Marquis nodded, and the imperial physician stepped forward to continue taking his pulse. Gu Yanwu knew this meant he was to leave.

In the corridor, Gu Yanwu said, "Our Gu family wronged you with the marriage. I will make it up to you after the divorce. Name your price for the medicine!"

Chen Chen looked at him with a smile: "I can give you the medicine, and the formula is known only to me and cannot be sold anywhere else. I only have one request."

"you say"

"I want the position of the young mistress of the Gu family, and I also want to control the central government."

Gu Yanwu hadn't expected her to bring this up: "Don't say these are two separate matters; I could never agree to either of them."

"If I don't take control of the court, how can I secure my position as the young mistress? You can refuse to give me the divorce papers, and then you can watch the old Marquis die in front of you."

Chen Chen left after speaking, but Gu Yanwu felt a chill run through his body. If he agreed to Chen Chen's request, it would mean that he would lose He Miao completely.

Why, why would my own parents lie to me like this?

He wandered the streets like a zombie, and unknowingly walked to He Miao's inn. What reason would he use to keep He Miao here?

Concubine? Mistress?

But He Miao was the wife he married!

He gently knocked on the door of He Miao's house.

"You're here? Have you taken care of things?"

Gu Yanwu didn't dare tell her the whole story. He Miao listened quietly and wasn't angry as expected. She turned her head and said, "I understand your decision. I won't blame you. You can go now."

"I...I'll buy a house outside so we can still live together."

He Miao laughed: "You can't disobey the imperial decree, you can't leave here, and you have a wife here, so what am I here? A mistress?"

"I...I will definitely find a way to cure my father's illness, and then..."

He Miao stopped him, her eyes filled with sorrow. She could understand Gu Yanwu; anyone would compromise with their parents at this moment. But she was just sad, unable to stop the sadness.

"I……"

Before he could finish speaking, He Miao fainted, which startled Gu Yanwu.

“Ah Miao…”

Gu Yanwu summoned a doctor to the inn. After taking her pulse, the doctor smiled and bowed, saying, "Congratulations! This lady is pregnant."

"Then...then how did she faint?"

"Madam must have suffered some kind of shock. She should rest well for the time being and avoid upsetting her further."

He Miao, who had been awake for a while, stared blankly at the mosquito net. She touched her belly, wondering what to do. "Child, you've come at the worst possible time."

He Miao struggled to her feet: "I want to go back to the village."

The doctor quickly advised, "Madam, you've been through a shock, so it's best for you to rest in bed. Otherwise... the baby in your womb will be in danger."

He Miao was stunned and indeed didn't move. She sat blankly on the edge of the bed.

After seeing the doctor off, Gu Yanwu excitedly held He Miao's hand and said, "Did you hear that? A Miao, we have a child!"

He Miao withdrew her hand: "Do you want this child?"

"Of course, why wouldn't our children want this?"

"I'll let you give birth to the child, but I have one condition."

"you say"

"I'm not fit for long-distance travel right now, but I want to take the baby back to the village and raise it myself after it's born."

"You...you're leaving me?"

He Miao turned her head away: "If you don't agree, I'll hit this child."

Gu Yanwu's eyes welled up with tears. He knew that all of this was his own fault: "Fine... I... I promise. After dealing with His Majesty in two years, I will resign and go to find you and your son."

……

When He Miao became pregnant, Gu Yanwu bought a scenic manor for her to rest and recuperate, and she mostly stayed there.

He Miao was sunbathing in the yard when a dark figure on the yard wall saw He Miao's belly and his eyes lit up.

"The son of a saintess must have descendants with infinitely powerful spiritual roots. My good senior brother will surely cast his good disciple as this person's descendant. Hahaha, it's truly an effortless windfall."

Duan Ping, who was guarding the seedlings, noticed something amiss and thrust his sword at the nun. The nun lightly bounced away, her eyes filled with disdain.

"Kill me? You're overestimating yourself."

Duan Ping's eyes widened in astonishment. Ever since he refined the wolf demon's inner core, his strength had increased dramatically, yet this person was able to easily deflect his full-force sword strike.

Duan Ping cupped his hands in apology: "This junior has been disrespectful and hopes for your forgiveness. May I ask why you have come here, senior?"

The Taoist nun smiled and asked, "You've been protecting her so much, is she willing to marry you?"

"I wouldn't dare lie to you, senior. Once the Holy Maiden brings the child back, I'll tell her the child is mine. Given time, the Holy Maiden will surely come to like me."

The Taoist nun gave him a porcelain bottle: "If she or her future children find out that you prevented them from reuniting as husband and wife, will they kill you?"

Duan Ping was taken aback. This person even knew this?

"I...the Holy Maiden...the Holy Maiden is kind by nature, she wouldn't do such a thing."

"This medicine only prevents her descendants from cultivating. Whether you give it to her or not is up to you. Think about yourself, don't forget the power of hatred, and remember, I'm here to help you."

After the Taoist nun finished speaking, she disappeared, leaving Duan Ping standing there in a daze.

The senior is right. What if that bastard wants to kill him later?

Duan Ping entered the yard and placed a bag of fruit in front of He Miao's table: "She's almost due, why is she still sunbathing here? This sun is so scorching!"

"It's nothing, getting more sun is good for you. What was that noise just now?"

"I chased away a thief."

He Miao frowned: "But... I sensed fluctuations in spiritual energy."

"Indeed, this capital city is truly prosperous; even a thief knows how to cultivate."

He Miao nodded without doubt.

Duan Ping tentatively asked, "Ahe, let's get married when we get back to the village. I will definitely treat your child as my own."

"Duan Ping, thank you, but..."

Duan Ping gave a wry smile: "Alright, I understand. Stop talking. Anyway, the clan leader sent me and others to protect you. I'm keeping my mouth shut, but I don't know anything about the others."

He Miao pursed her lips and lowered her head, remaining silent. She hadn't yet figured out what reason to give her father to explain.

While He Miao was distracted, Duan Ping put the pill into the cup.

"Don't overthink it, have some water."

He Miao took it and drank it all in one gulp.

The next day, He Miao was taking a walk in the garden after breakfast when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach, as if she was about to give birth.

He Miao grabbed the maid, "Quickly tell the midwife, I...I'm going into labor!"

The maidservant, her forehead covered in sweat, replied, "Yes, Madam, please don't rush. Let me help you back to your room."

Upon receiving the news, Gu Yanwu rushed to the estate. He heard the rice seedlings screaming in agony outside, and his heart clenched with their pain.

Two hours later...

"It's born! It's born! It's a little boy!"

The maid came out to announce the good news.

Gu Yanwu almost jumped up: "That's wonderful! I'll go see my wife!"

"No, sir, the lady just gave birth and the blood hasn't been cleaned up yet."

"My own wife..."

Before Gu Yanwu could finish speaking, the midwife's joyful voice came from inside.

"Ah, there's one more, there's one more! Madam, hurry up and push!"

Gu Yanwu stood there, stunned. There was still one more?

"There's another young lady, another young lady, twins, a boy and a girl!"

Gu Yanwu was overjoyed and named the twin brother Gu Mingtang and the sister Gu Xinyi.

For a period of time afterward, he did not attend court and stayed with He Miao. After giving birth, He Miao was weak and her magical power declined. Gu Yanwu ordered people to send all kinds of tonics to the manor in a continuous stream.

That year, the old Marquis was often lucid and often confused, and the old lady took extra care of him, so his health was not as good as usual.

"Father, it's time to take your medicine."

The old marquis straightened himself up: "Sigh..."

The old Marquis was quite satisfied with his daughter-in-law, Chen Chen. She managed the household very well, and he also benefited greatly from her medicine when he was ill. She was also extremely filial to her parents-in-law.

“Father, I don’t know what my husband is busy with outside… He hasn’t come home for over a month. If he takes a fancy to a girl, he can bring her home. I’m definitely not a jealous person. I’m just afraid… he might be misled by someone with ulterior motives and won’t even come home anymore…”

The old marquis frowned: "Is that so?"

Chen Chen nodded and knelt down: "Father... I'm not just spreading rumors, I'm really worried about my husband..."

The old lord put the medicine bowl aside: "Get up. Leave this to me. You've been married into the Gu family for so long; I know your character."