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

After Gu Xinyue and Gu Hui had dinner at Meixiang Garden, Yang Ziwei told Gu Xinyue that her grandfather would be going to thank her maternal grandfather's family for taking care of her and her son over the past five years, and that her maternal grandfather would be formally becoming Gu Hui's tutor, imparting cultural knowledge to him. They would be going together tomorrow.

Gu Xinyue said happily, "You're amazing! Your maternal grandfather is a great Confucian scholar. He's teaching a four-year-old like you. You must study hard and improve every day!"

Gu Hui said, "I will study hard. Sister, what gifts are you preparing for Grandpa and Grandma tomorrow?"

"What gift are you going to prepare? Let your older sister give you her opinion and see if it's good?"

"My grandfather likes calligraphy brushes, but I don't know how to choose one. I've looked at all my brushes, but I don't know which one to give him."

"Grandpa has so many pens. If you give him one, he'll be torn between the ones he likes and the ones Hui'er gives him."

"My maternal grandmother loved pastries, and my older cousin often gave them to her. I've also eaten them many times."

"Sister, let Xiahe buy them tomorrow, and we can give them to Grandma, okay?"

"Okay, then what should I give everyone? I want to give everyone a gift." She counted on her little fingers for a while, then looked at Gu Xinyue and said, "Sister, I want to give ten gifts."

Gu Xinyue silently counted. There were eleven people in her maternal grandparents' family. Her eldest uncle was at Qingshan Academy, so there were ten people now. This little one is not bad at math.

She said earnestly, "Hui'er, you are still young, there's no need to rush to give gifts to everyone. Wait until you have the means to buy them in the future. The key to giving gifts is conveying your feelings. A good gift should be something you can afford and that you prepare yourself. Only such a gift can truly express your deepest emotions and care. Do you understand this?"

"Don't quite understand?"

"What do your maternal grandparents and older cousin hope you will do in the future?"

"I understand, they want me to study hard, grow up happily and healthily."

"So, what gift have you decided to give?"

Gu Hui scratched his head and said with a smile, "Sister, I've got it! I'll write a piece of calligraphy today and bring it to Grandpa tomorrow. I'll also show Grandma and my cousins ​​the boxing skills I've been practicing these past few days."

"Hui'er is so smart, everyone will definitely like your gift."

"What do you want to give as a gift, sister?"

"My sister is skilled in medicine, so of course she would take their pulses."

Gu Xinyue was frustrated. Even a four-year-old child understood social etiquette, yet she hadn't thought about the issue of gift-giving.

She saw Yang Ziwei looking at them tenderly, and she pouted helplessly.

Yang Ziwei said, "Yue'er, don't worry about the gifts. Mother has already prepared some, and Steward Gu will also prepare some."

"Mom, you say he's so young yet already understands social etiquette, while I'm all grown up. When I heard we were going to my maternal grandparents' house, I was so excited that I didn't even think about gifts. Besides, I didn't bring any gifts for anyone when I came back from Shihu Town." Gu Xinyue pouted and said pitifully, "I'm not even as good as a four-year-old!"

"Don't talk nonsense. You haven't been by your mother's side for the past few years. I taught you what you didn't know. Your safe return is the best gift for us."

"It's so good to have you, Mom. I clearly didn't do well, but you comforted me like this."

"Moon, speaking of which, your coming-of-age ceremony is coming up soon. After your grandmother's mourning period ends next March, it will be time for you to get engaged. In another year, you will be ready to get married."

"Mother, do you despise me? I don't want to get married. I just want to stay with you and Father."

"Nonsense, how could you not get married? Even if you get married, you can still come to visit your parents often."

"Mother, can I get married when I'm twenty?"

“Moon, a girl who is eighteen years old and still not engaged will be laughed at, unless she is in mourning. Give your mother a reason why you don’t want to get married.”

"Mom, do you think two people who don't know each other well can be happy together?"

"Mother understands. You're right. You should learn how to manage a household." It turns out that Yue'er was afraid of marrying strangers, so she would find her a family she knew well.

"Okay, I'll do whatever Mother says."

The next morning, the sun shone brightly. Gu Yong returned home after court, while Gu Xinyue and her entourage, carrying gifts, went to her maternal grandparents' house.

Upon arriving at his maternal grandparents' house, everyone exchanged pleasantries. Gu Hui handed his calligraphy to his grandfather, who examined the childish characters with a pleased smile, praising Gu Hui's calligraphy for its significant improvement. Next, Gu Hui demonstrated his boxing skills, each move executed with impressive skill, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Gu Yong and Old Master Yang went to the study to discuss matters. A quarter of an hour later, Gu Yong left first, telling Gu Xinyue and her daughter to return to the Marquis's residence later.

Yang Ziwei and her two sisters-in-law accompanied Madam Yang. The three of them surrounded Madam Yang, listening attentively as she recounted her past stories, occasionally bursting into cheerful laughter.

Yang Muyan led Gu Xinyue to the flower hall, where several of her cousins ​​were present. They chatted for a while until the flower hall quieted down.

Yang Mujin smiled and asked, "Moon, I've heard that plum blossoms burst open in the morning breeze, and snow piles up all over the mountains. How can I transform into billions of forms, one plum blossom for each Lu You? Is this the poem I wrote?"

Gu Xinyue was shocked at first, then said embarrassedly, "Cousin, how did you know?"

"What do you think?"

Xia He quietly told Gu Xinyue that there were people nearby when they were admiring the plum blossoms that day.

"Big cousin, the main problem is that you have a great reputation as a talented writer. As soon as I mentioned it, my second sister assumed that you wrote it. I can't very well contradict her and tell her that you didn't write it."

"Cousin, you gave your second sister a poem, so shouldn't you give me one too?"

"I don't want to give it to you. My poems are very ordinary. You've been immersed in the ocean of poetry since you were young, so you wouldn't appreciate mine."

I've read quite a few Tang and Song poems, but judging from my older cousin's reaction, they're not available in this era. However, we can't just take them out and use them right away, so we'll keep them for now and use them someday.

"Cousin, why don't you give my brother a poem instead? We don't need it."

"Big cousin, you don't need the poem I wrote, do you?"

Everyone's attention turned to Yang Mujin, who picked up his teacup, took a sip, slowly placed the teacup on the table, and then looked at Gu Xinyue with a smile.

He finally spoke, “Xinyue, your cousin is really looking forward to it.”

Yang Muxiu was very happy, and he and his sister were also happy.

"Big cousin, I've been waiting for you to speak for so long. I thought you were going to say not to make things difficult for Xinyue."

The maid quickly brought over a writing brush, ink, and inkstone.

She stood up and glanced out the window, her gaze drawn to the few plum blossoms blooming exceptionally brightly in the courtyard. These plum blossoms stood proudly on their branches in the cold winter, emitting a faint fragrance that reminded one of Wang Anshi's famous five-character quatrain.

So, Gu Xinyue picked up her pen and wrote the poem: "Several plum blossoms in the corner of the wall, blooming alone in the cold. I know from afar it is not snow, for there is a faint fragrance." Her brushstrokes were smooth and natural, and her characters were beautiful and neat.

Upon seeing this, everyone clapped and cheered, praising Gu Xinyue's talent.

Gu Xinyue said, "I learned all of this from books."

Yang Muxiu said, "I learned it from that book, so I'll learn it too."

"I forgot the book, but I remembered it."

Everyone just thought Gu Xinyue was being modest.

Yang Mujin was full of admiration for his cousin, and he felt that every time he saw her, she would bring him many unexpected surprises.

He smiled and said, "My cousin's handwriting is just like her—elegant and refined; and this poem is even more exquisite, leaving a lasting impression!"

Yang Muyan and Yang Muzi both looked at their eldest brother, who rarely appreciated anyone.

After exchanging glances, the brother and sister, with perfect understanding, turned their gazes simultaneously to their older brother and cousin. They made no sound, but their eyes were filled with curiosity and inquiry.

The two pretended to be nonchalant while carefully observing the interaction between the older brother and cousin. The older brother clearly adored his cousin, Shi, his eyes filled with admiration; and the cousin seemed to sense his affection, maintaining a sweet smile throughout.

The siblings who observed the situation had different ideas.

Yang Muxiu excitedly said, "Cousin, we all feel the joy of the wonderful gift you gave to my brother. Why don't we take it to Grandpa and Grandma now and share this joy with everyone!" With that, he took Gu Xinyue's poem and ran off to find the elders.

Yang Muyan said sweetly, "Cousin, can you write me a poem about plum blossoms too?"

"Okay." After thinking for a moment, Gu Xinyue picked up her pen and began to write. She finished the entire poem in no time.

Yang Muzi couldn't wait to recite the poem: "The plum blossoms on the snowy branches are full of fragrance, standing alone and proudly laughing at the cold wind. Their unyielding spirit welcomes the spring colors, and their fragrance sends forth countless thoughts."

Everyone praised the poem, saying it was not only perfectly matched but also had a profound artistic conception, making it a masterpiece.

Yang Muyan was naturally very happy. She wanted to show the poem to her grandfather, so she invited Gu Xinyue to go with her.

Gu Xinyue thought to herself that her cousin even knew about her using his name to write poems, and that he would eventually find out about her using his name to avoid conflict with Princess Jiayang and Zhu Jiaojiao. Rather than waiting for trouble later, she decided to confess to her cousin now to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Cousin, you go first. I have something to say to my older cousin," Gu Xinyue said shyly.

Yang Muzi left first. Yang Muyan saw her third brother, Yang Muqian, who was sitting between her eldest brother and cousin, and pulled him out. Yang Muqian said, "Yanyan, why are you pulling me?"

Yang Muyan whispered, "Are you a blockhead? Didn't you see that your older brother and cousin have something to say to each other?"

Yang Muzi smiled as she looked at Yang Muyan and Yang Muqian.

They were too embarrassed to eavesdrop, so they stood under the long corridor opposite the flower hall and happened to see the older brother and cousin inside. They saw the cousin speaking with a conflicted expression, and after she finished, she looked at the older brother expectantly. Finally, the older brother smiled and patted the cousin's head.

Yang Muxiu finally reacted, "So, big brother likes his cousin."

Yang Muzi's face darkened. What did he mean by "big brother likes cousin"? He had never seen any affection in his cousin's eyes. His older brother looked at his cousin the same way he looked at Yan Yan.

Yang Muyan had a wild idea: her cousin confessed her love to her older brother, and it seems he agreed.

Unbeknownst to the three of them, Gu Xinyue coyly explained that she had used Princess Jiahe and Zhu Jiaojiao's affections for her cousin to avoid conflict with them. Yang Mujin said indulgently, "Since you're my cousin, you can use my name as you please."

"I won't dare use it anymore, your admirers will tear me apart."

After saying that, Gu Xinyue walked into Madam Yang's courtyard.

Gu Xinyue took Old Madam Yang's hand and took her pulse. After a while, a relaxed smile appeared on Gu Xinyue's face, and she said to her grandmother, "Grandmother's pulse is steady and strong, she is in good health, there is nothing to worry about."

Madam Yang's eyes were filled with love and satisfaction. Looking at her clever, well-behaved, and sensible granddaughter, she said with deep emotion, "In these five years in the village, I never imagined that you would not only learn such superb medical skills, but also be able to write such talented and beautiful poems."

Gu Xinyue smiled slightly and replied modestly, "Grandmother is too kind. I am far from being as good as my eldest cousin."

When Madam Yang saw Gu Xinyue casually mention her eldest grandson, she couldn't tell whether Gu Xinyue truly cared about him or not, so she asked, "Xinyue, what do you think of your eldest cousin?"

"So? You like your older cousin, don't you?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xinyue glanced at her mother and said softly, "Of course I like him. When I was little, everyone thought I was stupid, but my older cousin was very patient with me. He is knowledgeable, talented, and gentle."

Seeing this, Madam Yang smiled knowingly. She gently patted Gu Xinyue's hand and said in a loving tone, "I also think your eldest brother is very good! You are very good too, you are happy to see your grandmother."

Gu Xinyue sensed that his two aunts looked at him with much more affection today.

Gu Xinyue went to her maternal grandfather's study. After exchanging pleasantries for a while, she took out the painting with a poem inscribed on it that Li Fu had given her and handed it to Old Master Yang, saying, "Grandfather, what do you think?"

Grandpa Yang took the painting, unfolded it, and examined it closely. He saw that the brushwork was skillful, the ink was used perfectly, and the poem inscribed with it was profound in its meaning. He couldn't help but exclaim, "What a fine painting! What a fine poem! I wonder which famous artist created this painting?"

Gu Xinyue chuckled and replied, "This was made by a friend I met in Shihu Town."

Old Master Yang stroked his beard and nodded in praise: "It is truly rare to find someone with such talent. This person is worth befriending."

At this moment, Yang Mujin walked in. When he saw the painting, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Grandpa Yang asked, "Jin'er, what do you think of this painting?"

Yang Mujin smiled and said, "This painting is of superb skill, and the poetry and painting complement each other perfectly. The person who created this painting must be extraordinary."

Gu Hui had just finished writing a piece of calligraphy and showed it to Grandpa Yang. Grandpa Yang encouraged Gu Hui, saying that it was well written, and Gu Hui was very happy to receive the affirmation.

“Sister,” he said, pointing to Li Fu’s painting, “did you prepare this as a gift for Grandfather?”

"Yes."

"Sister, were the poems you wrote for my older cousin and cousin's sister also gifts you prepared?"

"Yes, the poems I write are my gifts."

"Sister, you only gave a gift to my eldest cousin and my older cousin, but everyone was very happy. I know how to give a gift now. Look, my maternal grandfather and eldest brother both really like this painting."

Gu Xinyue didn't expect Gu Hui to still remember the gift. These two poems weren't in her preparations, and she didn't want to explain. This kid was a high-quality potential stock, seeking answers through life observation and experience at such a young age.