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

Inside the Jade Pavilion, Zhu Wan thought about how she had embarrassed Yang Ziwei earlier, criticizing them for not being at home on the Lantern Festival. But Yang Ziwei kept saying that she hadn't done well and that she would be more careful in the future.

Thinking of Yang Ziwei's ever-present smile, as if she were the happiest person in the world, it made her furious. Her husband had been missing for five years, and her daughter, apart from being good-looking, had a terrible reputation. Nobody knew who she would marry into. Any family with a bit of influence would want such a woman as their daughter-in-law.

With that radiant smile on her face, she clearly doesn't care about her husband and daughter.

Wang Mama said, "Madam, I think there's something wrong with the Second Madam. She doesn't seem like a madam who has been widowed for five years at all. She looks so happy. Has she been having an affair with someone else lately?"

"Be careful what you say, or I won't be able to protect you if someone hears you."

“Madam, the Second Madam now has a legitimate son, but the Fourth Young Master is too young. The Marquis treats him so well. Doesn’t this affect the eldest young master’s position as heir?”

“He has no father, so the position of heir can’t be his. It can only be Gu Hao’s. If I can’t be the wife of the Marquis, I can be the mother of the Marquis. I will be just as noble.”

"The Third Miss is disrespectful and arrogant. Sometimes I feel that she has reverted to her mischievous childhood self, and sometimes I feel that she is not."

"That's a hedgehog. Don't mess with her. She'll get married in a year or two. You don't need to risk your life."

"This old servant just feels that she is disrespectful to Madam, and Madam does not need to put up with her."

Zhu Wan originally planned to kill Gu Xinyue when she found out that Wang Mama had pushed her off the artificial hill, but now that Gu Xinyue doesn't remember Wang Mama pushing her, she'll spare her life.

Although she was the head of the household, she couldn't interfere too much in the affairs of the second wife's family.

"Gu Bai and Gu Xinyue are getting close. Be careful not to let Aunt Yu get too close to Gu Xinyue, lest it ruin things."

“This old servant knows that Aunt Gui has become much more obedient now. She keeps a close eye on the Fourth Miss, as if she is afraid that someone will take away her child.”

"That's good." Zhu Wan nodded in satisfaction. "By the way, send someone to find out who Yang Ziwei has been associating with lately. Also, keep a close eye on Miss Yang and see if she's getting close to any young master."

“Yes, Madam,” Wang Mama replied.

Zhu Wan thought to herself that she absolutely couldn't let anyone threaten Gu Hao's position. She needed to find a way to make Yang Ziwei make a mistake, and ideally, find evidence of her infidelity, so that she could completely eliminate this thorn in her side. As for Gu Xinyue, she wouldn't pose a threat to them anymore after she got married.

Gu Xinyue went to Yang Ziwei's yard and saw Yang Ziwei packing Gu Siming's new clothes.

"Moon, Xiahe, go and deliver it."

"Okay, I'll have her deliver it later." Gu Xinyue looked at her mother, who was in a good mood. "Mom, did your aunt bully you?"

"How far can we bully them? Your aunt has been managing the Marquis's mansion for many years, and it's no wonder she's tired. We've been enjoying a peaceful life all these years, so it's not a big deal for your aunt to complain a little."

"Didn't she tell you to stay home and reflect on your actions?"

"I spend all my time in the yard, it's like I'm reflecting on my mistakes behind closed doors!"

Jixiang came to report, "Madam, the lady of the Chengen Earl's mansion has arrived. The gatekeeper said that she has sent invitations several times, but the lady is not there each time."

"Please come in quickly," Yang Ziwei said.

"Mother, are you friends with the Lady of Chengen?"

"I guess so," Yang Ziwei said, looking at Gu Xinyue. "Your father and I stayed at the border for five years. Then you got sick, and then your mother got sick too. All my close friends from before have stopped contacting me. I was already familiar with Lady Liao Fang, the wife of the Marquis of Chengen. Now that she has extended an olive branch, I have accepted it."

"Mom, I'm so glad you have your own friends now."

When Liao Fu came in, Gu Xinyue noticed that she looked much better and younger, a truly elegant lady.

"I didn't bother your parents' home. It seems you've been doing well these past few days," Liao Fang said, taking Gu Xinyue's hand. "Thank you for your treatment. I didn't expect you to be such a skilled doctor. My body is slowly recovering."

Then her maid took out a silver note and gave it to Gu Xinyue.

“Xinyue, take this 1000 taels of silver, it’s my consultation fee.”

Gu Xinyue was about to refuse when her mother had just made a new friend, and she couldn't accept the money.

"Xinyue, don't be so formal with me. If any of my friends or family members are unwell in the future, I'll need to consult you. Since you've accepted my consultation fee, they'll be more likely to pay you back honestly when they come for treatment. I can't let you get treatment for free."

After she finished speaking, the laughter in the room made everyone look happy. Yang Ziwei then asked Jixiang to take Liao Fang's maid out.

"You're doing well now."

“Some destinies are meant to be together. I poured my heart out to that unfilial son, almost exhausting myself, and I fulfilled my responsibilities as a mother. The only good thing that unfilial son did was to give me the opportunity to meet you all.”

“Madam, it’s good that you no longer have the same emotions when you talk about him as before.”

“This unfilial son is utterly wicked. Three days after I came to your residence to apologize last time, he fell off his horse and broke his leg. Now he’s lying in bed, and his temper is so bad that he can’t control himself. I’ve had people take care of his eating, drinking, and toileting needs, but I’m not going to do anything else.”

"It's good that you've come to terms with it."

"I thought a lot after returning from your mansion, and I also learned to let go. I adopted a legitimate son, Ren Guangliang, and a legitimate daughter, Ren Ling'er. The son is sixteen years old, and the daughter is twelve years old. I chose them from among the children who had no concubines. I found a few clever concubines to handle the affairs of the Earl's mansion, and I assigned them each a task. They are very motivated and compete with each other, so I don't have to worry about them handling their tasks properly."

“I used to dislike my concubines, but I suddenly realized that if I use them well, they can be my resources. I feel much more relaxed now, enjoying the service of my children and concubines. I truly feel that living a different way can be very happy.”

“I don’t want to argue with the Earl now. I’m not angry or expecting anything from whichever concubine he favors. On the contrary, the Earl is always around me.”

"I didn't expect that two of the Lord's concubines were business savvy and turned a loss-making shop into a profitable one. I've assigned them the tasks that the steward of the manor used to do, and I'll reward whoever does the best."

Gu Xinyue was surprised that in just a few days, Madam Bo had managed the mansion so well. She was deeply impressed and realized that it was a blessing for her mother to have such a perceptive friend.

Gu Xinyue listened quietly as they reminisced about the past.

"The skin cream you gave me last time worked really well, and I'd like to take some more with me today."

Gu Xinyue asked Shaoyao to get a few boxes for Liao Fang, and then said, "Madam, please take these and use them."

Liao Fang stood up, took the skincare products, and straightened her clothes. "Ziwei, I had a very pleasant chat with you today. I will invite you and your daughter to my home another day."

"Alright, Madam, take care." Gu Xinyue saw Liao Fang to the door and watched her get into the carriage and leave.

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Yang Ziwei sighed, "What an interesting person."

Gu Xinyue took Yang Ziwei's arm and said coquettishly, "Mom, I think so too. You can visit Auntie more often in the future, it'll be good to have her as a companion."

Yang Ziwei nodded, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say, Yue'er."

The setting sun cast long shadows on them. The mother and daughter walked hand in hand into the courtyard, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.