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

Princess Jingning said, "You must come to Prince Yi's residence to see me often from now on. Don't I have any friends in the capital?"

"Given your status as a princess, many people want to befriend you. As you attend more banquets in the future, you will meet many more people."

"That's different. They're not genuinely close to me. They can't compare to our friendship. I still prefer being with you."

Gu Xinyao and Zhu Jiaojiao were inwardly displeased. How could these two be like this? Did they say to their faces that they were not to be associated with? But on the surface, they were all smiles.

"Third sister, you know the princess's preferences. We can entertain her for a while," Gu Xinyao said tactfully, changing the subject.

The princess grew up in a remote county town. It was said that the two brothers depended on each other for survival and were probably illiterate. Her mother told her to get along well with the princess, but she didn't want to associate with someone who was not good at music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Her mother even suggested that Jiaojiao get to know the prince.

“Princess Jingning’s zither playing is quite good. Eldest sister can have a friendly exchange with her.”

"Spar with me?" The shock on Gu Xinyao's face vanished instantly. She was the most talented woman in the capital, and she wanted to compete with her in playing the zither.

Gu Xinyue looked at Gu Xinyao's aloofness and thought, "This is what a sheltered young lady is like; she doesn't know that there are people more capable than herself."

"Princess, today you should appreciate my eldest sister's zither playing. I imagine Miss Zhu is quite skilled as well." A woman who likes my cousin must also be good at playing the zither, so that she is worthy of him.

Gu Xinyao had someone prepare, and soon someone brought the guqin (a seven-stringed zither) up. Gu Xinyao sat upright in front of the guqin, extending her slender fingers to gently pluck the strings.

The music was melodious and clear, like a mountain stream, captivating everyone present except for Gu Xinyue and Princess Jingning.

When the piece ended, applause erupted.

"What does Princess think of my performance?" Gu Xinyao asked Princess Jingning with a smile.

"Yes, it sounds very nice." Princess Jingning nodded, thinking that she was just playing well.

"Then Miss Zhu, why don't you sing a song too?" Gu Xinyue turned her gaze to Zhu Jiaojiao.

Zhu Jiaojiao hesitated for a moment, but under everyone's gaze, she still sat down in front of the zither.

Although her piano playing was not as skillful and natural as Gu Xinyao's, it had its own unique charm.

"I never expected Miss Zhu to be so proficient in music," Gu Xinyue exclaimed.

"I only know a little bit," Zhu Jiaojiao replied modestly.

“You are all very talented.” Princess Jingning said to Gu Xinyue with a smile. “Xinyue, I really want to learn to play the zither from your mother.”

"Ask my mother yourself later. If she teaches you, I'll help you learn."

Gu Xinyao was delighted to hear their conversation. They were both young, but her piano skills were superb, and she received endless praise at various banquets.

“My mother said that your mother was famous throughout the capital for her talent, especially for her superb zither skills.”

"Stop praising them, let's go see them."

In the Plum Blossom Garden, Princess Yang Ziwei, the wife of Prince Yi, was having a pleasant conversation. In front of them was a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument).

Seeing them enter, Princess Yi said happily, "Jingning, come here. The Second Madam has agreed to teach you to play the zither. Play a few notes first, and let the Second Madam see."

Princess Jingning thanked Yang Ziwei happily, then sat down before the guqin, gently closed her eyes, and placed her hands lightly on the strings. With each pluck of her fingers, clear and melodious music flowed forth like celestial music. Her fingering was skillful and agile; each note seemed to be imbued with life, leaping and dancing in the air.

Gu Xinyao was so shocked that she couldn't speak for a long time. She thought Princess Jingning couldn't play the zither, but she didn't expect her skills to be far superior to hers. The disappointment in her heart was indescribable. She thought her level was really high, but she didn't expect that she couldn't even compare to a princess who grew up in the countryside.

Zhu Jiaojiao thought the princess played very well. Seeing the disappointed Gu Xinyao, she gently nudged her and whispered, "Are you really that upset? So what if she plays well? The most important thing for a woman is to find a good husband who can manage the household in the future. Don't you have someone you like? Didn't your mother agree?"

Zhu Jiaojiao couldn't understand the bitterness in Gu Xinyao's heart. She was the center of attention, but suddenly realized that she wasn't the best. Moreover, she liked Mu Nanrui, the heir of the Marquis of Changping's mansion, and Mu Nanrui also admired her talent. What should she do?

She composed herself and asked Gu Xinyue, "You know that the princess is very skilled at playing the zither."

Sigh, she already said it was a friendly exchange, but Gu Xinyao still thinks the princess is ignorant of music. Well, then blame yourself.

"Of course I know. The princess is five years older than you. If you train for another five years, you will be more powerful than the princess." Gu Xinyue knew her little thoughts and went along with it.

Sure enough, Gu Xinyao felt much better.

Yang Ziwei said happily, "Very good, with a little more practice I'll be able to catch up with my nephew."

"How could he reach that level? My lord said that Young Master Yang's qin skills have reached the pinnacle."

Yang Ziwei said with a smile, "I can't teach you this level, you guys give it a try."

"Anyway, thank you. Prince Jingning will intervene."

When seeing off Princess Yi and Princess Jingning, they encountered Prince Yi and Prince Yu at the gate of the mansion. After exchanging greetings, Prince Yu asked, "It's been a long time. How have you been?"

"Everything is fine."

Yang Ziwei saw Prince Yu in a magnificent purple robe, with a fair and smooth face, dark and deep eyes, thick eyebrows, and a high nose, all exuding nobility and elegance.

Prince Yu controlled his emotions as he looked at Yue'er. Since Princess Yi wouldn't mention Yue'er's marriage today, she wouldn't pay attention to Prince Yu. No matter how good Prince Yu was, he couldn't compare to Yang Mujin in her heart; after all, Yang Mujin was a child she had watched grow up.

Yue'er was unaware that Prince Yu had feelings for her. Princess Yi had already tested the waters today, and Yue'er had clearly told Princess Yi that the other party would propose marriage after her mother-in-law's mourning period. She wouldn't tell Yue'er these things; since Yue'er and Yang Mujin were going to get engaged, there was no need to create unnecessary trouble.

Gu Xinyue was making medicine in the pharmacy, with Chuntao and Baihe assisting her. Baihe asked curiously, "What kind of medicine is Miss making? Are we going to sell it?"

"Not needed for now, we'll see later."

"Miss, let me do the heavy work from now on. I will do my best."

"I'm afraid you'll mess up the order."

“Miss, the maid can do it too. The maid won’t make a mistake. Miss can read a book while Bai and I work together,” said Peony, who had just returned from outside.

That works too. She can't make it herself, and she remembers all the medicinal herbs she mentioned, like lilies and peonies.

Seeing that Shaoyao seemed hesitant to speak, Gu Xinyue asked, "What information did you find out?"

“Aunt Yu knelt down in the First Madam’s courtyard and begged her, crying her heart out.”

"What's wrong with the Third Young Master?"

"Miss is wise."

"Speak quickly, stop flattering me."

The most vulnerable parts of a concubine's body are her children.

“Miss, the Third Young Master is only 11 years old. The First Madam has already placed two pretty but unruly maids in his room. Aunt Yu begged the First Madam to replace the maids with servant girls. The First Madam said that the Third Young Master likes these two maids and refused.”

“Miss, the First Madam has been praising the Third Young Master to the point of ruin. The Master doesn’t like the Third Young Master. Only the First Madam dotes on him, giving him whatever he wants and not supervising his studies. The Third Young Master looks down on Aunt Yu, despising her for her low status. The Third Young Master’s studies are a complete mess, far inferior to the Second Young Master.”

"Second Sister isn't in the manor today. Where is Fourth Miss?"

"Aunt Gui was confined to her quarters by the First Madam for her rudeness, along with the Fourth Miss."

Confinement could be due to the First Madam finding fault, or it could be that Concubine Gui deliberately chose to be punished in order to escape everyone's sight.

"Have someone keep an eye on Consort Gui."