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

Gu Xinrou was absentmindedly thinking about what would happen when her stepmother found out that Gu Xinyue had committed a crime in the street after she got home.

The maids were all a little frightened. They never expected their mistress to be so violent when she got angry. They vowed to be absolutely loyal from now on, and if they betrayed their mistress, they would be reduced to ashes.

As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the Gu residence, Zheng, the nanny beside Zhu Wan, said, "Second Miss, Third Miss, Madam invites you to the hall."

In the hall, Zhu Wan glared angrily at Gu Xinyue and Gu Xinrou.

What did you all do today?

"Let's go shopping," Gu Xinyue said.

"What about you?"

"I, I, am shopping."

Gu Xinyue glanced at Gu Xinrou. Usually such a clever child, why was she so timid in front of her stepmother? Luckily, she was on her side.

"Xinyue, don't you know you're wrong?"

“I was so angry at the time that I couldn’t help but beat him up.”

Do you know who you're smoking?

"I don't know, I only know that he bullied me, and I must get back at him."

"How can you be so reasonable? That's the eldest son of the Minister of Revenue."

“His son, the Minister of Revenue, can just snatch my candied hawthorns in the street. A candied hawthorn doesn’t cost much, but he has to give the person who snatched my candied hawthorns a hundred taels of silver. He’s a spendthrift and uses me for amusement, but he shouldn’t let me be his laughing stock. I was so angry that I couldn’t help but beat him up.”

"Tomorrow, the Minister of Revenue will report the Gu family to His Majesty. Do you think you've gotten yourself into a lot of trouble? You'd better think about how to apologize."

“An apology? That’s impossible. I’m not afraid even if it’s taken to His Majesty’s door, because he mocked me first.”

"If you don't repent, go kneel in the ancestral hall. You'll only come out when you realize your mistakes."

When Yang Ziwei came in and saw that Gu Xinyue was not injured, she quickly said, "Sister-in-law, I beg you on behalf of the two children. Please don't make them kneel in the ancestral hall. You can even confine them to copy books."

"You're still protecting them? The whole capital is talking about the Gu family's young lady committing a crime in public. I wonder what will happen in the court tomorrow, and how much it will affect the Gu family's sisters?"

"Sister-in-law, calm down. I will teach Xinyue a good lesson."

"I'm so angry! You two are grounded for a month and made to copy 'Admonitions for Women' 100 times each."

Zhu Wan felt a slight pain in her chest from anger. She wondered how the Marquis would face the Minister of Revenue in court tomorrow.

After understanding the whole story, Yang Ziwei said earnestly, "Xinyue, I know you've been wronged. The one who wrote the ballad might not be those纨绔 (spoiled brats); it might be someone else. You rationally didn't want to go, but your mood was affected, and even after you went with him, you didn't feel much better. Those who have been persecuted by those纨绔 will definitely be happy, and those who want to find fault with the Gu family will spread rumors and ruin your reputation. Besides, we are citizens of the Great Yue Dynasty. If you act like an adult in the street, people who don't know the situation will only see that you hit someone, and that you have violated the laws of the Great Yue Dynasty."

"Mother, thank you for comforting me. I didn't hurt his bones when I hit him. He only bled from the three lashes. It looks bloody, but he'll be fine after a few days of rest."

"You know, I wonder if he'll take you to the authorities?"

"I don't think so. If nothing happens tomorrow, this matter will just pass."

"If you're confined to your home, just do whatever you like in your yard, okay?"

The confinement period didn't seem to have any impact on Gu Xinyue. She probably just copied "Admonitions for Women" as a way to practice her calligraphy.

The next day, there was no news in the imperial court about Gu Xinyue committing the crime in the street.

It was already early March when Gu Xinyue was making a kite for Gu Hui. Xia He said, "Miss, the Third Prince has invited you to Tianxiang Tower."

When Gu Xinyue arrived at Tianxianglou, Chu Yize and Zhao Jie were drinking tea.

"Xinyue, this is my friend Zhao Jie."

"Is Young Master Zhao in good health?"

"Thanks to you, I have recovered."

"Did your father find you a tutor?"

"You found out? How did you know?" Zhao Jie was surprised. Thanks to Gu Xinyue, he had started to study openly. However, he had just learned that his stepmother had treated him badly when she revealed her true colors.

"Don't tell you."

Gu Xinyue sat down, took the tea Chu Yize handed her, and leisurely began to drink it.

Chu Yize's investigation with the Crown Prince has yielded results.

It turns out that Xiling had planted spies in the Great Leap Forward. The first batch was planted ten years ago, mainly women, and they were placed in the backyards of officials. Zhao Jie's stepmother was also a spy. After receiving the news, she arranged for her two children to commit suicide.

The last time Gu An and his team found out, it turned out that Yan Fei, the Assistant Minister of War, and Cui Peng, the merchant, had already been bribed.

This line of investigation has indeed been clarified. Ten years ago and now, they have been recruiting women from the Great Leap Forward to be sent to the capital as spies.

The Emperor sent Gu Siming home to investigate the matter thoroughly, as the investigation was not yet complete.

“I’m going back now. My father has suffered a great blow because of my stepmother. The beautiful image he had of her has collapsed.” Zhao Jie stood up. “Miss Gu, I must keep my bet with you.”

“Okay,” Gu Xinyue said casually.

After Zhao Jie left, Chu Yize said, "Xin Yue, my birthday is coming soon. What gift are you planning to give me?"

Do you need a gift?

Tell me what you like, and I'll prepare it for you.

"I just hope we can be together. Your feelings are enough."

"I'll prepare it for you when I get back today."

"Xinyue, Doctor Huo will be back soon. He'll be pestering you to learn medicine from him."

How do you know he's been pestering me to learn medicine?

"He already knows you cured my poison. You cured the poison he couldn't cure. How could he not come looking for you?"

"What I'm more concerned about now is when my younger brother will return to the mansion?"

"Just one or two days."

Gu Xinyue was overjoyed to hear the news; her family of four could finally be reunited.

Back at the Marquis's residence, Shaoyao said, "Miss, the Fourth Prince has come to our residence. The eldest young master and young lady are accompanying the Fourth Prince."

"Okay, I understand." Gu Xinyue said, and then picked up a book to read.

"Miss, the Fourth Prince has arrived. Aren't you going to see him?"

"Let him come if he wants; it has nothing to do with us. Let's just focus on doing our own thing."

"Okay, miss."

A little while later, Gu Xinyao's maid came to call her to see the Fourth Prince.

“Our young lady is not feeling well and is not able to receive guests,” Chun Tao said.

The maid had no choice but to hurry back to Plum Blossom Garden. On the way, she encountered the Fourth Prince, Gu Xinyao, and Gu Hao.

Gu Xinyue realized that her mother's illness was a pretext; their real purpose was to ambush her here.

"Xinyue, this is my cousin, the Fourth Prince."

"Greetings, Fourth Prince." Gu Xinyue curtsied slightly.

The fourth prince said with a smile, "My cousin often mentions you. Seeing you today, you are indeed gentle and charming."

Gu Xinyue sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. "Thank you for the compliment, Fourth Prince. However, I have other matters to attend to, so I will not disturb you any longer."

After saying that, she turned and left, leaving the Fourth Prince and Gu Xinyao looking embarrassed.

When the Fourth Prince saw Gu Xinyue's face, he was surprised to find that she was quite good-looking.

Back in her room, Gu Xinyue felt irritable. She knew that the Fourth Prince's purpose was nothing more than to win over the Marquis's family, and she would never become a sacrifice for the family's interests.

In the Plum Blossom Garden, Gu Xinyue saw Yang Ziwei making clothes for her father. She went over to take a look and saw Yang Ziwei smiling.