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

Early in the morning, Gu Xinyue went to Meixiang Courtyard to pay her respects. Yang Ziwei held Gu Xinyue's hand and said earnestly, "Yue'er, the Marquis of Chengen's mansion will be coming to express their gratitude today. Although your grandfather has gotten justice for you, some people will inevitably remember it in the future. Women always suffer in these kinds of things. You should be on good terms with the Marquis's wife. I will help you."

Gu Xinyue felt warm inside, thinking how thoughtful her mother was. She could only wait until she met the Madam before making any further plans.

When she was young, Lady Bo was a gentle, beautiful, and well-educated woman. After she got married, she only had one child. She worked hard for the Chengen Earl's Mansion, but she did not receive any pity from her mother-in-law or husband.

Gu Xinyue was making medicine in the pharmacy. She was making some sedatives and itching powders, medicines that would cause people to develop rashes all over their bodies after a day. If anyone dared to mess with her, she would show them what she was capable of.

When Yang Ziwei brought Madam to Lingmeng Pavilion, Gu Xinyue was already waiting in the flower hall.

Although Lady Chengen had dressed up carefully, the corners of her eyes were covered with fine lines, as if they had been mercilessly carved by the knife of time. Her eyes revealed a deep weariness, making her face look even more haggard.

After Gu Xinyue greeted her, the Lady of Chengen took out a crystal-clear jade bracelet and put it on her wrist. Gu Xinyue looked at Yang Ziwei, who nodded slightly before she accepted it. It was a top-quality jade bracelet. Then she took out silver notes and gave them to Gu Xinyue's two maids.

“Miss Gu, my good-for-nothing son has dragged you down. This is an apology. You don’t need to feel burdened.”

After thanking them, Gu Xinyue watched the two women and listened to their conversation.

Lady Bo envied Yang Ziwei for having a daughter, and for her daughter for being sensible. Her son was spoiled by his mother-in-law, who had suffered a lot at the hands of concubines when she was young, and she looked down on illegitimate children.

Ren Guangxin was an uneducated and incompetent man who frequented brothels. The once handsome young man had become fat and bloated. She didn't know if her mother-in-law truly loved her grandson or was trying to ruin him by praising him too much. She tried her best to correct her son's thinking, but in the end, mother and son became enemies.

Now that the Earl of Chengen has given up his legitimate son, his mother-in-law is not happy, but she dares not disrespect the Emperor's decree.

The Earl of Chengen is not very capable, but he has many concubines and a lot of illegitimate sons and daughters. She plans to choose a good one from among these illegitimate sons.

She devoted herself to managing the affairs of the Marquis of Chengen, but the hard work made her sick. She consulted many doctors, but none of them were effective. She didn't want to work so hard anymore, and in the end, it was all for naught.

Looking at the dejected Madam, Gu Xinyue said, "Madam, may I take a look at you?"

Yang Ziwei was very pleased. The fact that Xinyue was able to treat the aunt showed that she had let go of Ren Guangxin's rudeness towards her, and she hoped that Xinyue would be happy.

The aunt asked in surprise, "You know medicine?"

Gu Xinyue smiled and said, "I know a little bit."

After examining the prescription, Gu Xinyue wrote it down and said to Madam Bo, "Madam, you're overthinking things. For your health, you should let go of many things and maintain a good mood every day. You took medicine before, but it didn't work because you were overthinking. From now on, as long as you're in a good mood, you'll see results in 7 days."

"Little sister, I envy you so much. How wonderful it would be if I had such a thoughtful daughter!"

Yang Ziwei joked, "When your sister was choosing a legitimate son, she chose a caring legitimate daughter, so she can stay with you in the future too."

“Sister, you’re right. I’ll take care of it as soon as I get back.”

Mrs. Bo left happily and expressed her gratitude many times.

Yang Ziwei praised Gu Xinyue for handling the situation well and also told Gu Xinyue that she used to have a relationship with the aunt, but the aunt broke off contact after getting married.

Xia He handed a letter to Gu Xinyue, saying it was from Pear Blossom Lane. Gu Xinyue thought she now had a legitimate reason to search for her father and was very happy.

When she opened the letter, she found it was from Chu Yize.

The letter was brief, saying that he missed Xinyue and would return to Beijing on the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month.

Looking at the letter, Gu Xinyue recalled her life in the Deadly Forest. The memories were still vivid. Did she miss him? She seemed to think of him occasionally, but she was thinking of him more often at the moment. He would be returning to the capital in just a few days.

It was another sunny day. Yang Ziwei was instructing Gu Xinyue on playing the zither when Jixiang ran over and said, "Madam, Miss, the Prince Yi and his family of four have arrived at the Marquis's residence. Several young ladies from the Zhu family arrived at the Marquis's residence early."

Yang Ziwei asked, "When did the Prince Yi's residence send out the invitation?"

Gu Xinyue said, "Send someone to find out when the invitation was sent, who Miss Zhu came from, and what they are doing."

Yang Ziwei said, "Xinyue, shall we go and take a look? After all, we have distinguished guests."

"Mother, let's not go. Aunt doesn't want to tell us because she doesn't want us to have any contact with Prince Yi and Princess Yi. If Prince Yi and Princess Yi want to see us, they will send someone to call us."

"That would be very impolite."

“Mom, think about it. You’re not in charge of the household, nor are you the mistress of the house. If Aunt doesn’t tell us, and we just act like nothing’s wrong, then Aunt will be the one who feels awkward and rude.”

"You child, can't stand seeing your mother suffer?"

“Mother, Aunt wants to make Princess Yi think you are rude. We must learn to fight back, otherwise the servants in the mansion will look down on us when Father is not here.”

"Mother will not let your efforts go to waste. Last time you punished Granny Li with a cane, which made your aunt lose face. In the end, your uncle ordered Granny Li to be beaten to death. She blamed you for it. You have to be careful."

“Mother, I don’t want to see you have to swallow your pride when your aunt embarrasses you.”

"Mother knows."

"Mother, can you promise Yue'er that you won't wrong yourself?"

"Mother has agreed." Yang Ziwei pointed at Gu Xinyue's forehead and said, "Are you satisfied?"

Gu Xinyue grabbed Yang Ziwei's finger and said with a smile, "Satisfied, satisfied."

Jixiang rushed in and said, "Madam, Princess Yi has come directly to Plum Blossom Courtyard."

When the princess arrived, everyone in Meixiang Courtyard quickly tidied their appearance, afraid of offending the noble lady.

Yang Ziwei and Gu Xinyue hurried out to greet them. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Zhu Shi accompanying the Princess.

Today, the princess wore a moon-colored brocade dress embroidered with exquisite peony patterns, exuding elegance and nobility. Her face wore a gentle smile, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

Princess Jingning wore a gorgeous light blue brocade robe embroidered with exquisite silver thread patterns, and a jade hairpin with a crystal-clear gemstone inlaid in her hair.

She had a beautiful face, fair skin, and bright, star-like eyes beneath her willow-leaf eyebrows. Her nose was straight, and her lips were slightly upturned, giving her a friendly yet noble air.

Such a stunningly beautiful woman was no ordinary young woman from Shihu Town.

"Greetings, Your Highness; greetings, Princess Jingning." Yang Ziwei and Gu Xinyue bowed to the Princess.

"Please rise, Second Madam." The Princess helped Yang Ziwei up and then looked at Gu Xinyue.

"Sister Xinyue," Princess Jingning said warmly as she helped Gu Xinyue up.

Madam Zhu and Granny Wang were puzzled; wasn't this the first time they had met?

"I was unaware of Your Highness's arrival and did not greet you at the door. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

"I posted it two days ago, didn't anyone tell you?"

"My sister-in-law has been working very hard managing the Marquis's mansion. She's probably too busy to remember. Is she my sister-in-law?"

"Yes, it was my oversight. It won't happen again."

"Since the First Madam is busy, I'll have someone deliver the invitation directly to the Second Madam next time," the Princess said to Madam Zhu.

Zhu could only say that Yang Ziwei used to be considerate of the Marquis's reputation, but now she's different.

"I've come today for three reasons. First, to thank Xinyue for bringing Yu'er and Jingning back to the capital. Second, to invite you to a banquet at Prince Yi's residence, where I can introduce my two children to everyone. Third, I have some private matters I'd like to discuss with the Second Madam."

Hearing these words, Madam Zhu was so angry she almost jumped up. She wanted to embarrass Gu Xinyue and her son, but she didn't expect them to know each other, and that Xinyue was even a benefactor of the Prince Yi's Mansion. If she didn't tell them that the people from the Prince Yi's Mansion were coming, wouldn't she be slapping herself in the face? Was she the one who was being ridiculous?

"Mother, I would like to visit Sister Xinyue's courtyard."

"Come to my yard."

"You may all leave. The rest of you may withdraw. I wish to speak with the Second Madam alone."

Gu Xinyue noticed the hidden jealousy in Zhu Shi's eyes. Looking at the sisters Gu Xinyao and Zhu Jiaojiao behind Zhu Shi, she wondered why Zhu Shi had called her niece over and what she was up to.

Upon arriving at Lingmeng Pavilion, Jingning said, "Sister Xinyue, this is your courtyard."

That's right.

"The day after my brother and I returned, Mother was completely recovered. We learned many rules at the Prince's residence. I haven't had time to come see you. You won't blame me, will you?"

"I don't blame you."

"You must come to my and my brother's banquet, and you must dress up in your finest attire."

"it is good."

After everyone finished touring Lingmeng Pavilion, Gu Xinyue invited them to rest in the flower hall, where the maids served tea.

Gu Xinyue introduced Gu Xinyao and Zhu Jiaojiao to Princess Jingning, but Princess Jingning only greeted them and didn't show any intimacy. Zhu Jiaojiao and Gu Xinyao didn't seem to care.

Zhu did not summon Gu Xinrou and Gu Xinyi, but instead notified Zhu Jiaojiao, who was dressed up carefully.

Gu Xinyue thought for a long time and finally figured it out. Was it most likely that her aunt wanted to matchmake Prince Yu and Zhu Jiaojiao? But her aunt would be disappointed, because Zhu Jiaojiao's mind was full of her older cousin.