The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

Gu Huaizhou's expression changed, and he said in a deep voice, "Do you think I'm idle?"

“But just now, my husband looked so anxious, searching for someone. Wasn’t that right?” Song Wenjun asked, feigning ignorance.

"I... I was looking for the cat. The cat just jumped onto my table and spilled the ink, ruining the calligraphy I painstakingly wrote." Gu Huaizhou's mind worked quite quickly, and he even held out his hand for Song Wenjun to see the ink stains on it.

Jiang Miaoyin hadn't gone far.

She hid behind the bushes, peeking.

Seeing the hem of her dress, Song Wenjun smiled coldly to herself and said to Gu Huaizhou, "Cats often eat mice and are full of germs. Husband, you should be careful not to get scratched by wild cats. They're so dirty."

As she spoke, she fanned herself with her hand.

Behind the bushes, Jiang Miaoyin bit her lip tightly.

Damn Song Wenjun, who is she calling a wildcat?

Gu Huaizhou's smile was somewhat forced: "How could that be? Never mind, I won't look for it anymore."

He glanced at Jiang Miaoyin with some concern, then returned to his courtyard with a sullen face.

Jiang Miaoyin became anxious when she saw him turn back. She had finally managed to corner Gu Huaizhou in the study and have a big fight with him.

The old Marquis wanted to marry her off, so she went to Gu Huaizhou to discuss what to do.

To everyone's surprise, Gu Huaizhou could only sigh and couldn't utter a single word.

She suggested that either Gu Huaizhou would elope with her, or she would kill herself, which made Gu Huaizhou panic.

He pleaded with Jiang Miaoyin to give him some time, promising that he would come up with a solution that would satisfy both sides.

But Jiang Miaoyin wouldn't listen and even had a big argument with him, almost smashing the entire study.

Still furious, she made a harsh statement: she would go to the old Marquis right now and tell him everything about her and Gu Huaizhou.

The worst case scenario is that the fish will die and the net will fall apart.

Gu Huaizhou hurriedly chased after him.

He had just chased after her to the door when he saw Song Wenjun returning from outside.

Jiang Miaoyin would never actually tell the old Marquis the truth; the old Marquis wouldn't tolerate any dishonesty.

If they knew about the shameful things she and Gu Huaizhou had done, they would definitely drown her.

But Gu Huaizhou refused to reveal his plans, and with the old Marquis about to propose marriage to her, how could she not be anxious?

After Gu Huaizhou returned to the courtyard, his trusted aide Laifu had already tidied up his study.

Seeing him dragging his heavy steps in, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "My lord, the First Madam is ill and has been running a fever for two days."

"What? Have you seen a doctor?" Gu Huaizhou asked anxiously.

"We've already consulted a doctor. He said the lady's condition is caused by excessive internal heat, and he has already prescribed medicine."

Gu Huaizhou felt physically and mentally exhausted.

His mother's situation and Jiang Miaoyin's situation weighed on him like two mountains, making it hard for him to breathe.

It seemed like everyone was pressuring him, forcing him to make a decision.

After a long while, Gu Huaizhou raised his head, a venomous glint flashing in his eyes.

A man who is ruthless cannot be a hero; how can someone who is destined for great things be soft-hearted?

He beckoned to Laifu with his finger and instructed, "Has Father been drinking tonics all along?"

"Indeed, the old Marquis has never missed a meal."

"Go find someone and add aconite in."

Lai Fu looked surprised: "My lord, although aconite is not poisonous, if it is mixed with other medicinal herbs and consumed over a long period of time, it can cause mental confusion..."

Gu Huaizhou looked at him coldly: "Stop talking nonsense."

Lai Fu dared not speak again, and replied softly, "Yes."

Then he went outside.

In the afternoon, Aoyama brought back news.

"That young master is the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo and has already been granted the title of heir apparent. Two years ago, he married the eldest daughter of the Minister of Revenue and they had a daughter."

Song Wenjun was somewhat surprised. She never expected that Xiao Ji was actually the heir of the Duke's mansion. His background was indeed quite impressive.

She was puzzled and asked Qingshan, "How come I've never heard of him?"

"The young master was training in the army before and only returned last year, so not many people know about him. Even after getting married, he did not stay in the capital for long. Last year, he was injured and the Duke of Zhenguo used his connections to get him discharged from the army. He only recently returned to the capital."

At this point, Qingshan said to Song Wenjun, "The old lady of the Duke of Zhenguo and the old lady of the Marquis's mansion are very close friends."

"When the old lady was alive, she often invited the old lady of the Duke of Zhenguo to be her guests. That's how the Marquis and this heir became acquainted. Before the lady entered the household, she often drank and hunted with the Marquis. Their relationship was extraordinary."

"After the two old ladies passed away, they gradually lost contact, but the relationship between the Marquis and the Heir Apparent remained unchanged."

So that's how it was; Song Wenjun understood.

Xiao Ji is now the heir apparent, and the title will eventually fall to him.

Gu Huaizhou certainly wouldn't distance himself from Xiao Ji. He was determined to climb the social ladder, so he had to hold on tightly to the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion.

……

Xiao Tao has been drinking the herbal medicine Qin Qing prescribed for her these past few days, and after a few doses, it has indeed been effective.

That day, after taking the medicine to the kitchen to brew it, she saw Laifu sneaking into the kitchen, and Xiaotao quickly hid behind the wall.

It was lunchtime, and no one was in the kitchen.

A medicinal soup was simmering on the stove, its rich aroma wafting from the kitchen.

Through the crack in the window, Xiao Tao saw Lai Fu lift the lid of the medicine pot and put something he didn't recognize inside.

Then, they left quickly.

After Laifu left, Xiaotao went up and opened the medicine jar, and saw a small piece of aconite floating on it.

She didn't understand the properties of the medicine, so she knew something was amiss. Xiao Tao took out the aconite, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and put it in her purse.

She'll show this to Song Wenjun, and then she'll know what Gu Huaizhou is up to.

Xiao Tao returned to Qiufeng Courtyard and handed the aconite to Song Wenjun.

Song Wenjun tested it with a silver needle, and it did not turn black.

In other words, the aconite was not poisoned.

She consulted medical books and found that aconite has the effects of restoring yang, dispelling cold, and eliminating wind and dampness.

It's not poison, it's a tonic.

Gu Huaizhou wouldn't add this to the old Marquis's medicine for no reason; he must be plotting something wicked.

Song Wenjun put the medicine away and left the mansion with Xiao Tao.

She wanted to find a doctor to ask about the medicinal properties of aconite, or whether it would have any side effects when mixed with other medicinal herbs.

The streets were crowded with pedestrians, all dressed smartly and smiling, as it was the New Year.

Red lanterns and colorful ribbons were hung on both sides of the road, creating a festive atmosphere.

Song Wenjun wanted to find a nearby pharmacy, and just then she saw Xiao Ji, with Qin Qing looking distressed opposite him.

She hurried over and heard Xiao Ji making empty promises to Qin Qing: "Miss, you know medicine. I run a clinic. If you don't mind, would you be willing to help out at my clinic? I'll give you five taels of silver every month..."

"Sister Qin." Song Wenjun couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted Xiao Ji.

A normal doctor earns only two taels of silver a month, but Xiao Ji offered five taels. It's no wonder Qin Qing was moved by this timely act of kindness.

The two often met at the clinic, and even if they didn't like each other, they could still develop feelings for one another.

Qin Qing, this naive girl, is no match for Xiao Ji.

Interrupted from speaking, Xiao Ji looked at the newcomer with displeasure, and when he saw that it was Song Wenjun, a look of disgust appeared on his face.

It's her again.