Peerless Physician: The Path of a Foolish Eldest Daughter's Rise to Power

"Second sister, I'm starting to doubt myself. Back then, that Taoist priest said I was a jinx, and now I really want to tear him to pieces."

"Don't talk nonsense! You're my lucky star! My eldest sister is very close to Zhu Jiaojiao and also associates with Princess Jiayang. Although I am a young lady from a marquis's family, I am just an illegitimate daughter, and they look down on me. Moreover, my maternal grandfather and uncles are all merchants, and they despise me. That's why I don't go to those banquets with my eldest sister. I still have some self-awareness."

"I support you. Let's live our lives well."

"Why did that person say you could use the top-tier room next time you go to Tianxiang Restaurant? Do you know each other?"

We don't know each other.

"Maybe he just wanted everyone to know that he sincerely apologized to us so as not to affect their business. I thought I could go with you to see the top-tier Tianxianglou restaurant."

"Don't overthink it. They're just being polite. Don't let your imagination run wild."

Upon arriving at the Marquis's residence, Gu Xinyue went straight to Plum Blossom Garden, while Gu Xinrou went to Aunt Wu's place.

"Moon, is your plum garden big? Have you had dinner? Are you tired?"

Seeing her mother's deep concern, Gu Xinyue said softly, "Next time I go out, I'll take someone with me so I can keep you informed of my whereabouts and not worry you."

“You know your mother was worried. You’ve been away from the capital for five years, and you left with such a bad reputation. I was worried that the young ladies in the capital would ridicule you when they saw you. I’m so happy to see you return safe and sound.”

Hearing her mother's words, Gu Xinyue felt a warmth in her heart, and her whole body relaxed. She hugged Yang Ziwei's arm and said, "I'm so happy to have you with me, Mom. The grievances I suffer outside are nothing. Mom, if I ever suffer any grievances in the future, I will definitely come to you first!"

Gu Xinyue leaned against Yang Ziwei, remaining silent and quietly enjoying her mother's warmth.

Yang Ziwei quietly stayed with Gu Xinyue, letting her little face rub against her shoulder, her little hands playing with her fingers, and feeling her steady breathing.

After a while, Yang Ziwei asked softly, "Yue'er, can you tell your mother what happened today?"

Gu Xinyue knew very well that she should let her mother know who she befriended and who she had enemies with. Only in this way could her mother better manage the social circles of their Marquis's mansion and thus safeguard the interests of the entire family. After she had thought all this through, she began to tell her mother about what had happened that day.

As Gu Xinyue continued her story, Yang Ziwei was surprised to find that she became increasingly excited, and the worry on her face had completely vanished. She seemed to have forgotten the troubles she had when she first entered the house, and was completely immersed in her own narration.

Yang Ziwei was also captivated by her vivid and interesting description, and before she knew it, she was engrossed in listening. However, when she heard about the playboy, Yang Ziwei became angry. How could her daughter's reputation be affected by such a shameless person? She kept this in mind.

"Since you can talk about it like this, it means everything's alright. From now on, if anything happens, just say it. Don't keep it to yourself, okay?"

"Okay, I will tell Mother."

"Mother knows you've been wronged. For the next few days, don't leave the mansion. Let's see how they react."

“I also think it’s better to stay home. I’m too weak now, and anyone can easily bully me. My cousin is really powerful. If Princess Jiayang and Zhu Jiaojiao didn’t admire my cousin, we would have even more trouble.”

When Gu Xinyue returned to Lingmeng Pavilion, Chuntao had already brewed tea. Gu Xinyue drank the tea while listening to Chuntao tell her what everyone in the courtyard had done.

"If that's what you're saying, then that little red girl is both diligent and clever. Call her in so I can take a look."

The maid who entered had a dark yellow complexion, and even her hair was yellowish. She was petite and knelt down to greet Gu Xinyue.

"Get up and talk."

"yes ."

Looking closely, his features were quite delicate. "How old are you?"

"The maid is 12 years old."

"What will you do?"

“A maid can do any kind of work, and I learn things quickly. I can also gather information.”

Who are the members of your family?

"This maid has a father, mother, and younger brother at home. They live in the south of the city." The south side of the capital is where commoners live.

How old is your younger brother?

"She's 8 years old and already helps her father with some farm work."

"Why did you come to the Marquis's mansion to become a maid?"

“My mother has been ill for four years. We have no money to treat her, so I have been working as a maid in the Marquis’s mansion for two years.”

What illness does your mother have?

“My mother can’t do any work. She gets very tired if she does, and she needs to rest often.”

"Please elaborate."

After listening, Gu Xinyue wrote a prescription for Xiaohong, "Go home tomorrow and get the medicine for your mother to take for seven days according to this prescription."

"Thank you, Miss." She knelt down again to express her gratitude.

Chuntao whispered in Gu Xinyue's ear, "Miss, would you like to be given a name?"

From now on, your name will be Peony.

"Thank you, Miss."

After Shaoyao left, Chuntao helped Gu Xinyue bathe, and then Chuntao and Xiahe helped Gu Xinyue dry her hair.

They talked for a while, then she told them to leave, as she planned to read for a bit and then go to sleep.

Gu Xinyue was reading a book, and before she knew it, it was late at night. She lay in bed but couldn't fall asleep. She was thinking about the days when she would return to the capital. She couldn't just be a young lady from a noble family every day. Princess Jiahe's father was the emperor, her mother was the empress, her brother was the crown prince, and Zhu Jiaojiao was being fawned over by noble ladies.

As for myself, although my grandfather was a marquis, he hadn't attended court for several years. My maternal family, the Yang family, were model scholars. In the capital, I was considered an illiterate fool and a jinx. It seems that the Marquis's family and the Yang family were concerned about their reputation, so no one called me a fool or a jinx.

We can't just leave the Marquis's residence and be ridiculed.

Gu Xinyue thought a lot and finally sorted out her thoughts and set a goal for herself: to do these three things well and then she could just relax and be the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's mansion.

First, she wanted to find her father. After returning home, seeing her grandfather, uncle, and elder brother reminded her of her father, and she kept dreaming about him. She longed to experience fatherly love in the same way she was experiencing motherly love.

Secondly, we need to investigate the eldest aunt. Since it was her people who wanted to harm her, it must be because they were afraid that she knew something. This secret could cost the life of the eldest daughter of the Marquis's family, so it must be a matter of great importance.

Thirdly, her medical skills were excellent, and making friends while treating others was a good thing. After returning to Beijing, she didn't encounter any patients in need of treatment on the streets; instead, she ran into some unpleasant people.

After thinking things through, she fell peacefully asleep.

The next morning, Gu Xinyue arrived at her grandfather's Qingfeng Courtyard.

Watching Gu Hui practice his kung fu in the yard, she couldn't help but stare at him for a while longer. The little guy was full of energy and, despite his young age, he performed a set of boxing techniques quite well.

The servant beside her told Gu Xinyue that the Marquis had gone to court early this morning.

Gu Xinyue was shocked, but after thinking about it, she realized it was a good thing. It was better to have something to do than to be idle at home.

Back at Lingmeng Pavilion, Gu Xinyue asked Chuntao to gather all the maids and servants. Everyone except Shaoyao came. Chuntao asked them one by one, and Xiahe took notes.

Finally, it was decided that a maid who could do needlework would be named Chenxiang, and she and Shaoyao would be second-class maids. Two other maids would be named Baihe and Fengxian, and they would be third-class maids. Two old women would be in charge of the courtyard garden, planting, etc.

Gu Xinyue said, “Once you’ve entered Lingmeng Pavilion, you must always remember your identity and responsibilities! This is where you will live from now on, so cherish this opportunity, do your job well, and work together. If you have any difficulties, you can ask Granny Liu for help, but you must never betray me or Lingmeng Pavilion. If you do, I will not let you off lightly.”

Gu Xinyue's words were firm and resolute, and they dared not disobey. Just these past few days, their young lady had been practicing whipping in the courtyard every morning. The whip must have left her skin torn and bleeding when it struck her. Just imagining it made them shudder.

Looking at the obedient crowd, Gu Xinyue thought to herself, "Aren't servants in those palace dramas always causing their masters a lot of trouble? Forget it, I shouldn't think about it anymore. I spent the whole day yesterday and didn't encounter a single patient."

Gu Xinyue planned to have Granny Liu arrange for some people to set up a room as a pharmacy, and Granny Liu would ask Steward Gu where to buy the medicinal herbs, and also ask for some herbs herself.