After being sentenced to death, she came to her senses.

The Marquis's villa was very large. It was a villa specially awarded by Emperor Zhao for the Marquis of Zhenyuan's outstanding military achievements. Even the interior was designed and decorated by a specialist. Every flower, plant, rockery, and pond was carefully arranged. Even princesses and princes rarely had such a magnificent residence.

This explains why Zhao Jin wanted to wipe out the Zhenyuan Marquis's family. A marquis with such high prestige and military power would be a major threat if he didn't stand by his side.

As Fang Xiaoran walked along the pebbled path, the surrounding scenery unfolded before her eyes. It was quite charming, but there was one place that caught her attention.

It was a small island in the lake, covered with bamboo, and a corner of a house could be seen peeking out, which looked like someone's residence.

However, with such a large villa and so many places to live, why would they choose such a remote and secluded place where the sun never shines?

Suddenly, Gu Yuqing spoke up leisurely, "You're interested in that area? I advise you not to even think about getting close. My mother has always disliked being disturbed by anyone. If you disturb her peaceful sleep, she'll suffer a terrible fate."

Mother? Shang Lingzhu actually lives there?

After building a small courtyard, there wasn't even a name on the plaque at the entrance. The courtyard was unique, elegant, and exceptionally quiet, suggesting that it was rarely disturbed.

Upon entering the room, one sees a woman in her forties or fifties lying on the bed, barely breathing. Her complexion is poor, and her breathing is weak. Hearing footsteps entering, she tries to open her eyes and hurriedly tries to get up, but she has no strength left.

“No need for formalities, wet nurse. You can just lie down.” Gu Yuqing stopped her. The young man, being very perceptive, went over and helped the woman up, placing a pillow behind her back so she could sit up and talk to them.

After calming down a bit, the woman looked up at Gu Yuqing and said, “Young master, you don’t need to waste your energy on me anymore. I know my illness. Being able to watch you grow up is already a great blessing for me. Everyone has to die eventually, so please take it easy.”

Although she was terminally ill, she was unusually lucid and wanted to do her best to ensure that Gu Yuqing would not have any regrets. It was clear that this wet nurse was very important to Gu Yuqing.

Gu Yuqing gripped the wheelchair armrests tightly, his eyes flickering slightly. He ignored what the wet nurse said and turned to Fang Xiaoran, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Qi."

Upon hearing the words "Doctor Qi," the woman was very surprised. Before she could speak, Fang Xiaoran had already pulled up a chair and sat down on the edge of the bed, gently taking her hand in hers.

After examining the pulse, Fang Xiaoran looked troubled. She then carefully examined the woman's condition and inquired about her recent situation and the symptoms she had developed.

After doing all this, Fang Xiaoran placed the woman's hand back on the bed, turned to Gu Yuqing and said, "Young Master Gu, may I have a word with you in private?"

Having received Gu Yuqing's approval, Fang Xiaoran was about to get up when her hand was grabbed by the woman. "Doctor Qi, you don't need to hide it from me. I will accept whatever the outcome may be. I just hope that you will give up and stop worrying about me."

Since she had already said that, Fang Xiaoran couldn't say anything more. She could only truthfully explain the woman's condition. The woman's illness had already penetrated to the lungs and was beyond medical help. Even with Fang Xiaoran's excellent medical skills, she couldn't save her.

Both the woman and Gu Yuqing were probably already aware of this outcome, since Fang Xiaoran was certainly not the first doctor Gu Yuqing had found.

The woman looked relieved and bowed her head slightly, "Thank you, Physician Qi."

Fang Xiaoran shook her head. "No need to thank me. Although the illness is already critical, medication can still slow down the progression of the disease."

Of course, it would only take a few more months at most, but for Gu Yuqing, even adding a few more days would be worth a try.

After leaving the woman's room, Gu Yuqing first sized up Fang Xiaoran, then squinted and said, "I heard that Doctor Qi has refined a divine medicine called Yi Shen Dan, which has the effect of prolonging life?"

He actually set his sights on the Yi Shen Dan? The Yi Shen Dan is indeed incredibly effective, but it's not very useful for someone who is terminally ill; at most, it can only alleviate their pain.

The foundation has been destroyed; it cannot be repaired by one or two nourishing pills.

Fang Xiaoran told him the truth, but Gu Yuqing said very firmly, "Even if it's just to relieve the pain, that's enough. I hope the wet nurse can pass away peacefully."

"I didn't refine that many Ke Yi Shen Dan pills. The ingredients are too precious, and they were all pre-ordered long ago."

"What if I provide you with enough medicinal herbs?"

"For example, snow ginseng, red cicada, polar ice lotus, or similar things?"

Gu Yuqing's eyes darkened slightly. "The Divine Energy Pill actually requires such an extremely precious medicinal herb? No wonder it can prolong life."

That's not entirely true. Where would Danxi Pharmacy find these things? It's already difficult enough to get even one of them. The reason she asked for such an exorbitant price was because she was curious whether Gu Yuqing had the ability to find these medicinal herbs.

Of course, the current Yi Shen Dan only uses inferior substitute medicinal materials. If these are added, it will be the complete version, and the medicinal effect will be incomparable.

Fang Xiaoran smiled and said, "Yes or no, it depends on whether Young Master Gu is willing to provide it."

Gu Yuqing said calmly, "Little Stone, bring me paper and pen."

They actually made her make a list? It seems Gu Yuqing is indeed quite capable.

After making the list, Fang Xiaoran prescribed some medicine for the woman to alleviate her condition. As for the Yi Shen Dan, she didn't have any extra on hand at the moment, and would wait for Gu Yuqing to send over the medicinal herbs.

After doing all this, Fang Xiaoran was escorted away by the boy Xiao Shitou. Along the way, Fang Xiaoran couldn't help but keep glancing at Xiao Shitou.

Where does this seemingly young boy get such strength? Is he a martial arts prodigy? If it weren't for the fact that she hasn't returned to her peak condition yet, I would really like to test her strength.

Noticing her glancing at him, Little Stone tilted his head and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

Fang Xiaoran smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing."

Little Stone's eyes flickered slightly, and he strode forward. After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, looking somewhat worried. "Is Granny Zheng really unable to cure him?"

Zheng Mama must be Gu Yuqing's wet nurse. It seems that Xiao Shitou is very reluctant to part with her, but Fang Xiaoran is powerless to help her now that she is so ill.

Fang Xiaoran gently shook her head, "Her illness has penetrated to the lungs and is truly incurable by medicine. All we can do now is alleviate her pain."

"I see." Little Stone lowered his eyes in disappointment, his little mouth drooping like a wounded kitten. "Young Master was raised by Granny Zheng. If she passes away, Young Master will be very sad."

Fang Xiaoran was quite surprised by these words. Gu Yuqing was actually raised by a wet nurse. Did his mother, Shang Lingzhu, imprison herself in that small space from the very beginning and refuse to come out? Even if she had no feelings for the Marquis of Zhenyuan, she shouldn't have relinquished the power of the family. Was she tired, or was she heartbroken?

The marriage between Zhenyuan Marquis and Shang Lingzhu was an arranged marriage between families, bestowed by Emperor Zhao. Neither of them had the right to refuse.

The difference is that the Marquis of Zhenyuan could remarry and give her a sufficient status, but Shang Lingzhu could only be trapped in the inner palace and be depressed.

Come to think of it, it's really not fair at all.

Fang Xiaoran clenched her fists inwardly. She absolutely could not repeat the mistakes she made in her past life. She wanted to live for herself, and no one could stand in her way.

“Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural laws we must follow. Whether it’s Granny Zheng or anyone else, they will all come to this day. After being sad, we still have to continue living, right?” Fang Xiaoran said calmly, which made Xiao Shitou look at her with a surprised expression.

I always felt that these words weren't meant to comfort him, but rather to comfort herself.