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

Gu Xinyao entered the VIP room and saw Gu Xinyue deep in thought.

"Third sister, what are you thinking about?"

Gu Xinyue smiled and said, "Waiting for you."

"These people really know how to enjoy themselves. The place where they dine is so elegant and luxurious, yet it doesn't look vulgar at all."

"As long as you like it."

"We love it! We're enjoying such a nice room, all thanks to Third Sister. But thankfully, your reputation hasn't been damaged."

"Let bygones be bygones, don't dwell on it."

"Third sister, I still want to go into business, but I'm afraid my stepmother won't agree. Anyway, she's always looked down on my aunt because she comes from a merchant family."

The waiter had already served the dishes. After the dishes were served, Gu Xinyue said, "Let's eat first and talk later."

Gu Xinrou commented as she ate.

Gu Xinyue asked, "Are you planning to start a food business?"

"Tianxianglou has already done very well. If I can't surpass them, I'll become lukewarm and won't be able to make any money unless I can come up with a better way to run the business."

"You're making such a fuss, I thought you were going to run a food business."

"We think about what to do every day, but we haven't decided yet."

Do you remember those two pastry shops from that day?

"The one with the poor business won't last much longer."

“If you help that struggling pastry shop to improve its business, I will invest in your business in the future.”

"Third sister, it's wonderful to have your support. Should I take over that pastry shop?"

"If you take over like this, you probably won't be able to do business."

"If I take over the shop and make it my own, and I go there frequently, it will be easy for others to find out that it's my shop. If I don't take over the shop, how can I run it?"

"What do you need from them, and what do they need?"

“They have a pastry shop, pastry-making skills, and staff; all I have is the business management method.”

Gu Xinyue smiled as she looked at Gu Xinrou; this little girl was quite clever.

Looking at Gu Xinyue smiling at her, Gu Xinrou suddenly realized.

"Third sister, you mean cooperation? How are you so smart? These days, businesses are all family-run. Cooperation is one way to go."

I expect you to succeed.

"I'll send you a pound of pastries every day."

"Okay."

When are you going back home?

"Is my maternal grandmother unwell? My aunt needs to take care of her, so of course Rui'er and I should go with our mother," Gu Xinrou said with a smile.

"It seems your maternal grandmother is not in any serious health problems?"

"As people get older, they start to have a lot of minor health problems."

"Small problems shouldn't be ignored."

"Got it."

Back at the Marquis's residence, Peony quickly reported to Gu Xinyue what had happened that day.

Today, while attending school at the Imperial Academy, Third Young Master Gu Bai and his classmates, who often skipped classes, got into big trouble.

The three of them teased the teacher. At first, they imitated the teacher, which made their classmates laugh. Later, they encouraged Gu Bai to put the little turtle he had drawn on the teacher's back. When another teacher saw this, he made Gu Bai stand outside as punishment, which made many people laugh at Gu Bai.

Gu Bai felt ashamed and, unable to contain his anger, decided to take revenge on the teacher. He secretly went to the teacher's room but found nothing that would satisfy his anger.

When he was about to go back, he saw a book on the desk. Thinking that his teacher especially liked books, he splashed ink on the book and went out happily. As a result, a big incident occurred.

It turned out that the teacher had to relieve himself and went to the restroom. When he returned, he saw Gu Bai happily walking out of his room. When he got back to his room, he found that the rare book he had borrowed had been stained with ink. It was a rare book, and it was borrowed by the teacher.

Today, the Imperial Academy notified Master Gu Sicheng to come to the Imperial Academy to pick up Gu Bai. The Imperial Academy not only wants to expel Gu Bai, but also wants the Marquis of Changning's mansion to compensate for the rare book. Gu Sicheng felt very ashamed today and was very angry about Gu Bai's behavior. He was utterly disappointed in this good-for-nothing child who was only good for growing big.

In particular, Gu Bai's perfunctory attitude when he apologized to the teacher made him so angry that he wanted to beat him up. He would rather not have this rebellious son.

After Gu Sicheng returned, he ordered Gu Bai to be flogged 20 times, but Madam Zhu forbade it, saying that Gu Bai was still growing and it would be bad if he was hurt.

Aunt Yu said that the Third Young Master was wrong, and Gu Bai argued with Aunt Yu in front of Gu Sicheng. Gu Sicheng slapped Gu Bai twice, and Gu Bai hid behind the First Madam and cried loudly.

"Does Grandfather know?"

"The whole manor knows about this, Miss. Steward Gu already knew."

“Let’s go take a look. Let Granny Liu go and check on Steward Gu, and let Grandfather know about this.”

At Xuanranju, the First Madam said, "Husband, if the child is not good, we can teach him slowly. If you beat him and he becomes crippled, that will be a lifelong matter."

"This unfilial son, how come he's so different from Gu Hao? You're nothing like me!"

"Husband, Gu Bai is the child who looks most like you."

Gu Sicheng said, "Look at you, hiding behind your stepmother, you don't look like you have any ambition at all."

Aunt Yu cried and said, "Master, don't give up on the Third Young Master. He is actually very smart. As long as you teach him diligently, he will learn well."

Seeing Aunt Yu's tearful face, Gu Sicheng felt bad. He said to Gu Bai, "Tell me, what did you do wrong today?"

Gu Bai hid behind Zhu Shi and poked his round head out to stare at Gu Sicheng.

Gu Xinyue saw that the problem couldn't be solved by continuing like this. Gu Bai felt that Madam Zhu loved her, and Gu Sicheng felt that Madam Zhu was very protective of her illegitimate son.

"Third brother, do you not like studying?"

Gu Bai didn't speak, but he nodded vigorously, which made Gu Siming shake his head in anger.

"Then tell me, third brother, what books have you read? What books have you memorized?"

Zhu said sternly, "Xinyue, your eldest uncle is lecturing your third brother, don't interrupt."

Gu Xinyue smiled and said, "What are you worried about, Aunt? As the young master of the Marquis of Changning's mansion, we know that he is not studying hard at the Imperial Academy. Isn't it right for us to find out what level his studies are at?"

Gu Sicheng said, "If you can recite any of the books you've read, recite them now. I'd also like to check your academic performance."

Gu Bai looked at Gu Sicheng, feeling extremely wronged, but he remained silent.

Gu Sicheng retorted angrily, "Aren't you going to recite it? Do you want to be punished according to family rules?"

This roar made Gu Bai tremble and recite: "At the beginning of life, people are inherently good; their natures are similar; but their natures change, and their natures change..."

Seeing his father's wide-eyed, shocked expression, Gu Bai couldn't continue reciting.

If Aunt Yu hadn't helped Gu Sicheng up, he would have almost fainted. Back then, he was the second-highest scorer in the imperial examinations, and now his 11-year-old son is writing in a different style and is even taking up a spot as a student at the Imperial Academy.

"Third brother, you can't recite the Three Character Classic, can you?"

Gu Bai nodded again.

"You don't need to memorize it. Just tell me what the books you've read are about."

Madam Zhu wanted to scold the meddlesome Gu Xinyue, but seeing Gu Sicheng's exasperated state, she dared not say a word. Gu Sicheng whispered something to the servant beside him.

"Third brother, do you know why your eldest brother is so good at studying?"

Gu Bai shook his head.

"When my sister came back from the border when she was four, I saw my aunt tear up my older brother's bad handwriting and make him rewrite it. He knew that he would only get food if he wrote it well. When my older brother played with us for too long and hadn't memorized his books, my aunt wouldn't let him sleep. He had to finish his studies for the day. My older brother was only six years old then. Look at you, you're already 11."

Xiao Si presented Gu Bai with handwriting that looked like a dog's scribbles. Gu Sicheng was so angry that his head ached. "Your stepmother is so talented, how come you've turned her into this?"

Gu Xinyue first heard that her aunt was exceptionally talented from her uncle, so why was this different from what they had found out?

However, why doesn't the eldest uncle understand that his aunt's excessive praise is actually a form of sabotage for Gu Baizhe?

"Third brother, when you don't write well or haven't memorized your lessons, doesn't your aunt punish you?"

"My mother is the best to me. She never scolds me or hits me," Gu Bai said confidently, completely losing his earlier fear.

"You know your stepmother treats you well, so why don't you study hard? You good-for-nothing, unfilial son!"

Gu Xinyue really wanted to roll her eyes at her uncle; he couldn't see through such obvious flattery.

“Uncle, I’ve been in Shihu Town for five years. I’ve heard that some wealthy families’ matriarchs raise their legitimate sons and daughters very well, but never make any demands on the education of their illegitimate sons and daughters. Instead, they provide them with the best food, clothing, and housing, thus spoiling them.”

Aunt Yu was so moved that tears streamed down her face. The Third Miss understood her suffering, but she couldn't respond. Madam Zhu was so angry that her eyes were practically sparkling. At that moment, she only wanted to chop Gu Xinyue into mincemeat, but she couldn't show it; her husband was still alive.

Gu Sicheng looked at Madam Zhu with suspicion. He didn't believe that Madam Zhu would praise Gu Bai to the point of ruin. Both were sons of concubines, so why was Gu Rui so outstanding? It must be this rebellious son's fault. He had seen every effort Madam Zhu had made for the Marquis's mansion.

It seems that Zhu's position in her uncle's heart is unshakeable.

"I don't think my aunt would flatter my third brother to the point of ruining him. When the eldest brother inherits the title, he will need the younger brothers to support him."

Gu Sicheng's expression softened a bit. "You're right, your aunt wouldn't do that."

Standing to the side, Zhu felt a mix of emotions. She hadn't expected Gu Xinyue to try to sow discord between her and her husband. The reason she failed was because her husband always trusted her. She was determined to get revenge.

Qingdong came in and called Gu Sicheng to the Marquis's study; everyone else dispersed.

Lying on the chaise longue, Gu Xinyue realized how good the relationship was between Gu Sicheng and Madam Zhu. It seemed she could only try to get to Madam Zhu through those around her. Although she had acted rashly earlier, Aunt Yu must have realized she was helping her.

She quietly recalled every detail of her meeting with Zhang Peng today.

"Xia He, is there something you want to tell me?"