Chapter 622: This Is Scheming Freely [Many thanks! Bowing again! 40 chapters owed]

Back in Xinzhou,

Lady Gu, pregnant with her second child,

holding her own son in her arms while lying in bed,

spoke aloud her worries and schemes,

and this young Lord Yu, son of the Great Shen Daxianggong standing before her,

wore that same insincere expression.

His mouth said it was impossible,

yet in the end, did he not allow the physician invited by the Gu family to enter the Hou Fu,

to 'regulate' the health of that Fan Da Da Niangzi?

Watching Fan Da Da Niangzi's health deteriorate day by day until she was utterly weak,

young Lord Yu used the excuse that Bianjing boasted many holy hands of medicine to send Fan Da Da Niangzi from Xinzhou to Bianjing, a journey of a thousand li.

Such torment would be hard for even a healthy person to endure, let alone a woman whose fundamental vitality had been damaged by childbirth and who had been weak for years.

The result of Lady Gu's scheming was that she leaped from being a concubine-born daughter of a small local family to becoming the principal wife of the Great Shen Daxianggong's son, a high-ranking provincial governor.

Her own pair of children thus became legitimate offspring of the principal wife.

Truly, the harvest was exceedingly rich!

Thinking back, when that Fan Da Da Niangzi was still in her maiden quarters, her father doted on her and her mother loved her; her mind was simple, she treated people with kindness, and she had no idea that many things must be fought for and seized.

In her leisure time over these years,

Lady Gu would often reminisce about those schemes of the past.

After all, the flavor of success achieved after exhausting one's wits and pouring out every ounce of effort is truly exquisite and nostalgic.

That success of long ago greatly bolstered Lady Gu's confidence!

When Lady Gu was young and her status low, she could still plan for herself and her children;

today, with this excellent marriage alliance with the Gu family placed right before her eyes, she would certainly plan for her own daughter!

'Back then, even as an outer consort I could succeed; now that I am the principal mistress managing the Yu family's inner quarters, I ought to scheme freely!' Just as Lady Gu was thinking these thoughts,

"Tell me again about the situation at the polo field today," young Lord Yu said aloud.

The cold sneer at the corner of Lady Gu's mouth vanished instantly; she took a deep breath and slowly said, "Husband, today—"

After Lady Gu finished speaking,

"Impossible!" young Lord Yu said the word 'impossible' while shaking his head.

"Why is it impossible?" Lady Gu frowned and asked with imposing momentum.

"You still ask? The Gu family's Yuan Yuan Erlang has already won the prize bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress, which means Her Majesty the Empress is already aware of this happy event! If we now stick our oar in and swap sisters for marriage, that would be sheer ingratitude!"

Looking at young Lord Yu's expression, Lady Gu shook her head and said, "Husband, you have gone astray in your thinking! Do you suppose the Gu family and that Lady of Marquis Gu took a fancy to our Miss Yu Yanran?"

young Lord Yu: "If not her, then who?"

Lady Gu shook her head and said softly, "Husband, as I just mentioned, it seems the Gu family has taken a fancy to our Yu family's reputation as a scholarly household and a prestigious lineage of pure officials!"

"In the eyes of others, our father-in-law is a towering figure among civil officials and a giant of the court!"

"What the Hou Fu truly values is the Yu family's network of connections! As long as they can form a marriage alliance with our Yu family, which girl they marry makes no difference!"

"Even if Her Majesty the Empress knows of this matter, if we provide a reason for the unavoidable substitution, it will be for the Gu family's own good, to ensure this happy event is not ruined! The one suffering the grievance will be our own Hong'er!"

"With such sincerity on our part, could the Gu family possibly renege on the marriage between our two families?"

"By that time, husband, you will see that Her Majesty the Empress knowing of this matter will instead become the very reason the Gu family must finalize the marriage."

After this barrage of words from Lady Gu, young Lord Yu, who had just been firmly opposed, paced back and forth several steps, his eyes full of hesitation.

Seeing this, Lady Gu continued, "In this way, both our girls will have ties to the Gu family! If the Gu family refuses, it will be they who have delayed our girls' entire lives! Our Yu family will hold the moral high ground!"

Halting his steps, young Lord Yu took a deep breath and said, "This matter... ponder it carefully yourself once more! I shall go to the study to read."

Having said this, young Lord Yu walked out with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Yes, husband," Lady Gu said, bowing her head.

young Lord Yu left the room.

Inside the room, Lady Gu lifted her head and straightened her chest; after taking a deep breath, a smile once again appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Alas! 'Ponder it carefully'? Does that not mean he has agreed!"

Her voice was so faint it was barely audible.

A few days after the polo gathering concluded,

on the eighth day of the fourth month,

Jinming Pool closed its gardens as it did in previous years,

and with no anglers fishing in the northwest corner of the pool gardens, the fish in the water found it much more troublesome to seek food.

Two more days passed,

and mid-fourth month arrived,

the sun rose higher each day, and the temperature rose along with it.

Along the roadsides and within the gardens inside and outside Bianjing, lush greenery prevailed, interspersed with blooming flowers of various colors.

The warmth in the wind blowing against one's face became increasingly obvious.

Sometimes, after staying in the sunlight for too long in the afternoon, one's skin would feel somewhat scorched.

On this day, at the first mark of the Si hour (after nine in the morning),

in Jiying Lane,

at the Sheng family residence,

"Everyone, rest awhile!"

After Master Zhuang finished speaking, he took his folding fan, walked over to a nearby Luo Han chair, lay down by himself, and closed his eyes for a short nap.

The others in the study hall stood up one after another, stretching their bodies which had grown somewhat stiff from sitting for so long.

Standing behind his desk, Qi Heng stretched his waist while seizing the opportunity to glance back at Minglan.

Minglan, who usually kept her head lowered, today rarely lifted her head, yet now she did, with a faint smile playing on the corners of her lips.

Flashing briefly in Qi Heng's eyes, Minglan's smile unknowingly brought a smile to his own lips as well.

But very quickly, Qi Heng's smile froze on his face.

For following Minglan's line of sight, Qi Heng discovered that the person she was looking at was actually Gu Gu Tingye, who sat in front of Xu Xu Zaijing.

"Young Master, have some water."

Hearing Buwei, standing to the side, said this while holding a large handled porcelain cup.

Coming back to his senses, Qi Heng nodded, took the porcelain cup, and began to drink, yet his gaze remained fixed on Gu Gu Tingye to his right.

After finishing the water and handing the cup back to Hearing Buwei, Qi Heng used the motion of stretching his arms to glance back at Minglan once more.

Minglan, who had been looking at Gu Gu Tingye, sensed the gaze, raised her eyes to look at Qi Heng, and the instant their eyes met, she hurriedly lowered her head again.

Before Qi Heng could even feel happy about making eye contact with Minglan, a voice floated up in his heart: 'These past two days!'

Thinking of this, Qi Heng instantly felt a hollow emptiness in his heart.

After sitting down, Qi Heng looked at Gu Gu Tingye again, trying to discern what about Gu Gu Tingye had attracted Minglan's attention.

Having finished speaking with Xu Xu Zaijing with a smile, Gu Gu Tingye turned his head over and said, "Yuanruo, why do you keep looking at me like this?"

As he spoke, Gu Gu Tingye even swept his gaze over his own clothes.

Qi Heng hurriedly smiled and said, "Second Uncle, I see that you have been very happy these past two days, so I couldn't help but look a few more times."

Hearing this, the smile on Gu Gu Tingye's face became even more proud; raising an eyebrow, he said, "Haha! Not bad! In another couple of years, Yuanruo, you will understand too."

Sheng Changfeng, standing behind Qi Heng, also smiled and said, "My three younger sisters and Miss Yu Yu Yanran have always been on good terms; my Fourth Sister has been clamoring these past two days to prepare a congratulatory gift."

Mo Lan, sitting in front, shyly turned her head back; seeing that Xu Xu Zaijing and the others were all looking at her, she shyly gave a slight nod.

Seeing this, Ru Lan rolled her eyes with some disdain.

After a moment of stunned silence, Qi Heng's eyes brightened, and he smiled, saying, "So my three younger sisters are also happy for this reason."

Saying this, Qi Heng, having finally figured it out, swept his gaze over the three Lans.

Seeing Minglan smile and nod, Qi Heng's mood became even more joyful, and the hollow feeling in his heart from just moments ago vanished instantly.

Xu Xu Zaijing, standing to the side, looked at Gu Gu Tingye in front and also let out a soft chuckle.

At the same time,

in the Inner City,

within Guangfu Ward,

the streets inside the ward were very wide, with pedestrians passing by from time to time along the roadside.

On both sides of the road stood many lush trees, and when the sunlight shone upon them, it created patches of tree shade.

A breeze blew past,

"Rustle~"

the tree crowns swayed gently, and the leaves on the trees rustled one after another.

On the ground beneath the trees and on the wall surfaces, mottled spots of light were cast, which, along with the swaying of the leaves, sometimes grew larger, sometimes smaller, and sometimes disappeared entirely.

Amidst the rumbling sound of carriage wheels,

a procession of carriages and horses drove over from not far away.

Protected in the center by mounted guards, the four carriages were made of exquisite materials with understated colors, and clusters of blooming fresh flowers were tied all around the carriage compartments.

Inside the carriage,

the female servant Miss Yun Mu lifted the carriage curtain, looked at the street scenery outside, and said, "Miss, it looks like we are almost there."

"Mm, tell the ones in front that we will enter the courtyard directly and disembark at the second gate."

"Yes, Miss."

Listening to the conversation between the mistress and her servant,

the noble young lady sitting beside Chai Chai Zhengzheng, who was about the same age as Chai Chai Zhengzheng, also reached out to lift the carriage curtain and look outside.

"Sister Chai, the scenery around here looks quite nice! Is this a new residence your family bought?"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng smiled and shook her head: "Sister Yuan, this residence is one that my family has rented!"

The young lady addressed as 'Sister Yuan' looked at Chai Chai Zhengzheng with some surprise on her face and smiled, saying, "It is common for your family to buy residences! But not buying and instead renting a residence is rather a rare occurrence."

Hearing this, Chai Chai Zhengzheng also laughed.

The Yuan family's ancestral home was in Hejian Prefecture; after the founding of the Great Zhou dynasty, they had produced several Five Jinshi scholars, and nowadays still had clan members serving as officials in the court, making them one of the prominent aristocratic families of the Hebei East Circuit.

Previously, when Chai Chai Zhengzheng was in Cangzhou, she had met the young ladies of the Yuan family a few times.

This young lady of the Yuan family had come to the capital on this occasion but was not selected to enter the palace; during these recent days, she had been staying in the capital with her mother at a relative's home.

"Sister Yuan, my mother said that Wu Da Da Niangzi already has an idea in mind regarding your marriage?" Chai Chai Zhengzheng asked with a smile.

Lowering the carriage curtain, the young lady of the Yuan family nodded slightly, her face showing a touch of embarrassment.

"Which family's Young Master is it?" Chai Chai Zhengzheng asked curiously.

The young lady of the Yuan family smiled, pressed her lips together, and said shyly, "It seems to be Wu Da Da Niangzi's nephew from her maiden family."

Pondering for a moment, Chai Chai Zhengzheng smiled and said, "Minister Wu of the Ministry of Revenue? That is a very good family! Have you seen the person yet?"

The young lady of the Yuan family shook her head.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng smiled and said, "If you stay in the capital and do not leave, perhaps by attending a polo match, a tea tasting gathering, or something similar, you might have a chance to meet him."

The words had just left her mouth when,

"Whoa! Whoa!"

With the coachman's sharp reins and the sound of halting the horses, the carriage paused briefly before turning.

"We are about to enter the courtyard,"

Miss Yuan said with a smile.

After traveling a while longer,

the carriage came to a steady stop.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng and Miss Yuan, accompanied by their maids, stepped off the carriage using the mounting block.

Glancing around at the surrounding houses and scenery, Miss Yuan smiled and said, "It would be a pity not to buy such a beautifully constructed courtyard."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng laughed and replied, "That depends on whether the owner is willing to sell."

Having said this, Chai Chai Zhengzheng waved to her sister-in-law, Lady Lu, who had just alighted from the carriage behind them.

Before heading to the rear courtyard,

Chai Chai Zhengzheng instructed her personal maid, ZiTeng: "When the noble young ladies from various families arrive, make my excuses when you greet them, then directly invite them to the rear courtyard."

ZiTeng hurriedly smiled and agreed.

Passing through corridors and gateways,

Chai Chai Zhengzheng, her sister-in-law Lady Lu, and Miss Yuan arrived outside the northernmost courtyard.

Before even entering the courtyard, they heard the gentle, melodious sound of a pipa drifting down from the upper floor.

"This pipa is played excellently," Miss Yuan praised.

After entering the courtyard

and ascending to the second floor of the wooden tower within,

they found the inner windows, draped with thin gauze, already open, revealing a breathtaking view of the imperial gardens in the distance.

"This slave pays respects to the Da Da Niangzi and the Third Miss."

Wei Wei Fangzhi, the Yang Xingshou who had been waiting there, veiled and holding her pipa, smiled as she performed a formal bow to Lady Lu and Chai Chai Zhengzheng, then nodded respectfully to Miss Yuan.

"Sister Yuan, just tell Yang Xingshou Wei what piece you wish to hear," Chai Chai Zhengzheng said with a smile.

Pulling her gaze away from the beautiful scenery before the window, Miss Yuan scanned Wei Wei Fangzhi and exclaimed in surprise:

"Yang Xingshou Wei? It is actually you? I heard of your reputation even back in my hometown in Cangzhou! Some say your pipa playing is 'like hearing celestial music, making one's ears suddenly clear'! Today, I finally have the honor of hearing it myself!"

Wei Wei Fangzhi hurriedly bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Miss, for your high regard; this slave does not dare to accept such praise."

"You do! You certainly do!"

With that, Miss Yuan requested a specific piece.

Amidst the sound of the pipa,

noble young ladies from various families occasionally arrived on the upper floor.

Those who had never been to this tower could not help but exclaim in awe upon seeing the scenery outside the windows.

"Miss Rong Feiyan has arrived."

Amidst the maid's announcement,

Rong Rong Feiyan, accompanied by Seeing Xi Bu and Seeing Seeing Ningxiang, ascended to the second floor.

"Wow!" After Seeing Xi Bu and Seeing Seeing Ningxiang behind Rong Rong Feiyan exclaimed in awe, they exchanged a glance with complex expressions.

Rong Rong Feiyan, standing in front, also widened her eyes in astonishment at the beautiful scenery before her.

"Is it not beautiful?"

Gu Gu Tingyi, who had arrived a little earlier and was standing nearby, asked with a smile.

Rong Rong Feiyan nodded with a smile.

"Come, let us sit over there," Gu Gu Tingyi said with a laugh.

As the several noble young ladies were chatting,

"The Miss from the Gao family has arrived," the maid ZiTeng said breathlessly as she hurried up the stairs, speaking urgently.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng stood up in great surprise: "What? Is it Sister Xiao Taotao?"

"Yes, Miss!" ZiTeng hurriedly replied.

Upon hearing this, the other young ladies on the second floor also exchanged surprised glances.

Subsequently, everyone hurriedly rose and walked downstairs.

After waiting for a moment beneath the wooden tower,

Miss Gao Xiao Taotao entered the courtyard with a smile on her face, accompanied by her entourage.

Before Chai Chai Zhengzheng could speak, Miss Xiao Taotao laughed and said, "Chai Zhengzheng, do not mind us coming uninvited today!"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng hurriedly performed a formal bow and smiled, saying, "Sister Xiao Taotao, how could I possibly mind!"

While Chai Chai Zhengzheng was speaking, the other young ladies nearby also promptly performed formal bows.

Sounds of greetings such as 'Paying respects to Sister' and 'Paying respects to Miss' varied among them.

After nodding and returning the greetings with a dignified smile, the Miss from the Gao family walked to the front of the group.

"Let us go up," the Miss from the Gao family said with a smile.

With the Miss from the Gao family leading and the others following, they all ascended to the second floor together.

"Wow!"

"Such scenery is truly rare!"

After the Miss from the Gao family finished her exclamation, Chai Chai Zhengzheng smiled from the side and said, "Sister speaks the truth."

Looking at the crowd on the tower, the Miss from the Gao family smiled and said, "My arrival seems to have made you all somewhat restrained, preventing you from enjoying yourselves fully."

"Sister, what are you saying! That is not the case," Chai Chai Zhengzheng continued.

"Chai Zhengzheng is right; it is not the case!" the Fifth Miss from the Zhang family said with a laugh from the side.

Miss Gao smiled.

At Chai Chai Zhengzheng's insistence, she took the seat of honor on the second floor.

"Everyone, please be seated," Miss Gao said with a laugh.

After everyone had complied and taken their seats, Miss Gao continued, "Her Majesty the Empress said that since I spend little time in Bianjing, I should meet more people in the capital. Today, when I went to the Chai residence to find Chai Zhengzheng, I learned that you had all come here."

Hearing this, Gu Gu Tingyi and the others all nodded slightly with perfect decorum.

Watching their behavior,

"Pfft!"

Miss Gao could not help but burst out laughing.

Rong Rong Feiyan asked softly, "Sister, why are you laughing?"

Shaking her head with a smile, Miss Gao replied, "You are all far too stiff! Every frown and smile resembles those of our elders who hold imperial titles."

At these words,

The young ladies all glanced at their companions around them, then could not help but laugh as well.

Seeing everyone laughing, Miss Gao said, "That's more like it!"

"There are few people I know well at this polo gathering; if I cannot recall your names, please do not take offense."

Miss Han Wu Niang of the Zhang family bowed and smiled, "Sister, we would certainly not take offense! Since Chai Zhengzheng has brought new wine from the Qingfeng Tower today, if you fail to recognize someone, you need only punish yourself with a cup."

Nodding with a laugh, Miss Gao said, "That will do!"

After a few more exchanges, everyone realized that Miss Gao's earlier remarks had been mere jests.

There was not a single young lady who had ever appeared before Her Majesty the Empress whom she failed to remember.

Miss Gao Xiao Taotao's status as the Crown Prince's consort was set in stone; she was the future Empress.

Naturally, no one would hesitate to leave a good impression in her presence.

While Miss Xiao Taotao was speaking with the other young ladies,

Ziteng approached Chai Chai Zhengzheng and whispered, "Miss, the eldest Miss of the Yu family says she is unwell and will not be coming today. The female servant sent by the Yu family asked me to convey the eldest Miss Yu's apologies."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng nodded. "Understood! Go to the Yu residence this afternoon to express our regards."

Ziteng assented and departed.

Observing the glance Miss Xiao Taotao, who had just finished speaking and was now drinking tea, cast in her direction, Chai Chai Zhengzheng leaned over and whispered a few words.

Miss Xiao Taotao nodded and asked in a low voice, "Has her monthly cycle arrived?"

"She did not mention that," Chai Chai Zhengzheng replied.

"Oh! By the way, do you intend to practice archery today?" Miss Xiao Taotao asked with a smile.

"Ah? We had planned to, but since you are here, Sister, we sisters decided against shooting arrows," Chai Chai Zhengzheng said.

"Don't stop! We can watch from the second floor on the south side, while the archers go to the courtyard on the first floor! We will just arrange two sturdy women to keep watch nearby! It will be perfectly safe!" Miss Xiao Taotao declared.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng thought for a moment. "That should work."

Very soon,

Archery targets were set up in the courtyard.

Whenever a young lady participating in the archery contest went downstairs to draw her bow and loose an arrow, a sturdy woman who had accompanied Miss Gao would stand beside her.

This ensured that no one would suddenly turn their arrow to shoot at Miss Gao or any other young lady.

After they had played for a while,

"Miss Zhang Wu Niang: ten arrows on target, seven hitting the bullseye."

Following the sturdy woman's announcement, Miss Zhang Wu Niang, having completed her round, returned to the second floor.

Watching Rong Rong Feiyan warming up downstairs, Miss Zhang Wu Niang said, "Sister Gao, actually, I am even better at sword dancing than at archery."

Miss Gao laughed. "Oh? Then after the archery, we must have a look."

Just as she finished speaking,

"Wow!"

"Wow!"

As Rong Rong Feiyan drew her bow and shot downstairs, the noble ladies on the second floor occasionally let out cries of amazement at the arrows striking the target.

"Miss Rong Feiyan: ten arrows on target, seven hitting the bullseye!" the sturdy woman on the first floor shouted.

"Clap, clap, clap!"

The young ladies on the second floor all began to applaud.

"It seems Miss Rong Feiyan truly knows her craft! Chai Zhengzheng, it is your turn!" Miss Gao said with a smile.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a smile and walked downstairs.

Rong Rong Feiyan then ascended to the second floor.

Listening to the words of admiration from the noble ladies around her, Rong Rong Feiyan smiled somewhat shyly.

"Yo!"

"Wow!"

"."

"What a pity!"

"Miss Chai Zhengzheng: nine arrows on target, seven hitting the bullseye."

When Miss Gao Xiao Taotao went downstairs to shoot,

Miss Yuan raised her thumb toward Chai Chai Zhengzheng, Rong Rong Feiyan, and the others, saying, "You ladies are truly formidable..."

Before Gu Gu Tingyi and the others could speak, this young lady continued, "But, Sister Chai, your archery skills were not like this before."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng said somewhat embarrassedly, "Today... this is my first time shooting arrows here; I am just a little unaccustomed to it."

Rong Rong Feiyan looked down from the building with an expressionless face and said, "Me too."

Gu Gu Tingyi said, "I, I just changed to a new bowstring."

Zhang Family's Fifth Lady said, "Mm, I am skilled at sword dancing, as you all know."

Hearing the young ladies' conversation, Lady Lu, standing to one side, raised her round fan to cover her mouth and laughed.

In the middle of the fourth month,

at the first mark of the Shen hour (after three in the afternoon),

the sky was overcast with dense clouds,

and although it was clearly afternoon, the light was as dim as dusk.

In Jiying Lane,

at the Sheng Family Academy,

a strong gust of wind blew into the academy,

causing the robes of everyone seated inside to flutter and the papers on the desks to turn.

Xu Xu Zaijing faced the wind, took a deep breath, and smiled, saying, "It smells like rain is coming."

Hearing these words, Hua Xiang, Xiao Xiao Xiaotao, and Xique on the wooden platform behind him all began to sniff the air.

"Clack clack!"

Master Zhuang at the front tapped his desk with a folding fan; waiting until everyone looked up, Master Zhuang said, "Stop reading for now, take a short rest, and let us listen to the wind and watch the rain."

"Yes, Master."

Everyone bowed in response.

After speaking, the academy fell silent.

Suddenly,

a flash of Bai Guang illuminated the academy.

"Thunder is coming!" Hearing Rulan's voice rang out.

Seeing the lightning, Xu Xu Zaijing, by the wall, began silently counting in his heart.

"Boom~"

A deep rumble of thunder came from beyond the sky.

Having finished counting, Xu Xu Zaijing scratched his head, thinking, 'Is the speed of sound in air three hundred and forty?'

After the thunder passed,

another cold breeze blew through,

and soon, the rain began to fall in a pattering drizzle.

Watching the raindrops falling continuously from under the eaves, Xu Xu Zaijing stared blankly, thinking, 'The scent of a rainy day seems much the same everywhere.'

"Brother Jing!"

The annoying voice of Gu Gu Tingye arrived.

Xu Xu Zaijing stopped looking at the raindrops under the eaves, frowned, and looked at Gu Gu Tingye: "Hmm?"

Gu Gu Tingye hesitated before speaking in a low voice: "Brother Jing, does Physician Xiao Yu have any free time recently?"

Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head: "I haven't been to the Yu family these past few days, so I'm not very clear. Does Yuan Yuan Erlang have some matter to attend to?"

Gu Gu Tingye nodded repeatedly, saying, "It has been many days since the polo match ended; hearing my sister speak, the Yu family's Eldest Miss has hardly made an appearance."

Smelling the fresh and cool air, Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Yuan Erlang, since your Wedding date with her is already set, isn't the Yu family's Eldest Miss busy embroidering her dowry? How could she go out as often as before?"

Gu Gu Tingye said, "What you say, Brother Jing, I have also considered."

"But two days ago, when Miss Chai Zhengzheng of the Chai family sent a female servant to the Yu family to pay respects, she also failed to see the Yu family's Eldest Miss."

Xu Zaiyan was startled: "Even the female servant couldn't see her? Why?"

Gu Gu Tingye said, "They said they feared transmitting illness. Since the Yu family said this, I thought she must not be busy embroidering things. So..."

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded seriously: "Yuan Erlang thinks correctly; the Yu family's Eldest Miss may truly be ill! Then after classes end, let us go together to the Yu family to pay a visit."

Gu Gu Tingye gratefully reached out and pinched Xu Xu Zaijing's shoulder.

After patting Gu Gu Tingye's arm, Xu Xu Zaijing continued leaning against the wall, closing his eyes to listen to the sound of the rain.

A moment later, Xu Xu Zaijing suddenly opened his eyes and said to Gu Gu Tingye, "Look, I still need to invite a high expert to help."

"An expert whose medical skills surpass those of Physician Xiao Yu?" Gu Gu Tingye asked.

Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head: "A high expert who can allow us to visit the Yu family with proper justification."

At the exact mark of the You hour (around six in the afternoon),

after the rain had stopped,

there was a hint of coldness in the air.

In the Sheng Family's rear courtyard,

everything was wet,

and several flowers and plants still held crystal-clear water droplets.

In Shou'an Hall,

because of the overcast sky, candles had already been lit inside the room.

Lady Sheng, wearing an extra-thick beizi robe, rose from her Luo Han chair,

walked two steps with her hands behind her back, looked at Xu Xu Zaijing, and said, "Brother Jing, are you saying you wish to use my name to take Physician Xiao Yu to the Yu family?"

Xu Xu Zaijing bowed his head: "Yes, Great-Grandmother Yu; the Yu family's Eldest Miss has always been without support in the Yu family. With your dispatch, Brother Yu will also be able to see the Yu family's Eldest Miss."

Lady Sheng glared at Xu Xu Zaijing in displeasure and said, "Brother Jing, look at what you are saying! Lady Yu is Yu Yanran's own grandmother! If Yu Yanran falls ill, how could Lady Yu not summon a Physician for her?"

Xu Xu Zaijing pressed his lips together and spoke hesitantly: "Great-Grandmother, please do not take offense at your grand-nephew's words! Lady Yu naturally dotes on the Yu family's Eldest Miss, but matters within and without the Yu family were previously handled by Elder Lord Yu, and now they are managed by Young Lord Yu and his wife."

"Some of the inner workings here, Old Lady Yu ultimately does not know."

"Moreover, if there truly is nothing wrong, it merely allows Big Brother Yu to take one more look; but if something untoward happens—"

Frowning, the Old Lady sat back down in her Luo Han chair; after pondering for a moment, she nodded and said, "Very well! I shall write a visiting card."

Hearing this,

Xu Xu Zaijing happily rose to his feet, bowed with hands clasped, and said, "Thank you, Great-Grandmother."

The Old Lady waved her hand to signal Xu Xu Zaijing to sit, then turned sideways and began writing on the small table attached to the Luo Han chair.

Xu hour, exact mark (around eight o'clock in the evening)

North side of Bianyang Ward,

Old Song Gate Inner Street,

Lanterns hung from roadside snack stalls, illuminating the wet ground.

Not far away, Brother Qingyun and Zhique were standing there, looking at several fine horses.

At a table beside the stall, Xu Xu Zaijing, Gu Gu Tingye, Watching Yu Yu Huguang, and Physician Ren were seated together.

Looking at Watching Yu Yu Huguang, Xu Xu Zaijing frowned and whispered, "Was Miss Yu suddenly struck by terror, causing her qi to stir and her spirit to shake, with her fright-qi flowing rebelliously?"

Beside him, Gu Gu Tingye also followed Xu Xu Zaijing's gaze and looked over.

Watching Yu Yu Huguang nodded.

Xu Xu Zaijing then turned his gaze to Physician Ren.

Physician Ren likewise nodded and whispered, "Fifth Young Master, my view aligns with Imperial Physician Yu's."

Lowering his voice, Gu Gu Tingye said, "In other words, Miss Yu is not ill; she was merely frightened?"

Watching Yu Yu Huguang and Physician Ren nodded in unison.

Seeing this, Gu Gu Tingye breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That is good, then."

After casting a sidelong glance at Gu Gu Tingye, Xu Xu Zaijing looked at Watching Yu Yu Huguang and said, "Big Brother Yu, was the prescription given by that physician correct?"

"The medicine matches the symptoms; there is no problem with it," Watching Yu Yu Huguang said, "but—"

Looking at Xu Xu Zaijing and Gu Gu Tingye, Watching Yu Yu Huguang continued, "But, when dispensing the medicine, if the dosage is improper, it may instead disrupt the qi with medicine and worsen the rebellious flow of fright-qi."

Xu Xu Zaijing snorted, "Hmph! Just as I thought—"

After pondering for a moment, Physician Ren looked at Xu Xu Zaijing and said, "Fifth Young Master, do you mean that there is some hidden story behind Miss Yu being frightened?"

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "Miss Yu Yanran has been under Old Master Yu's care for so many years without ever encountering such a thing! Yet less than half a month after becoming betrothed to Yuan Erlang, she suffers this fright."

Gu Gu Tingye was stunned; with a troubled expression, he said, "Brother Jing, are you saying that I am at fault? That I have harmed Miss Yu Yanran?"

Xu Xu Zaijing frowned and looked helplessly at Gu Gu Tingye, saying, "I suspect it has some connection to you."

Gu Gu Tingye's expression darkened, and he nodded heavily.

Xu Xu Zaijing continued, "Yuan Erlang, go back and recount tonight's events in full to Auntie Bai, and see what she says! Oh, and you pay!"

As Gu Gu Tingye went to Zhique to get silver money, Xu Xu Zaijing stood up, clasped his hands, and said, "Today has troubled both Big Brother Yu and Physician Ren."

Watching Yu Yu Huguang smiled and shook his head, saying, "Brother Jing, if you continue being so polite, do not seek me out again."

Patting Xu Xu Zaijing on the arm, Watching Yu Yu Huguang walked toward his own horse.

Smiling, Physician Ren performed a formal bow to Xu Xu Zaijing, then walked toward the carriage on the other side.

Later that evening,

Xingguo Ward,

Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu, main hall in the rear courtyard.

Under the bright yellow candlelight,

Bai Shi, her hair undone, sat in her nightclothes on an Luo Han chair, with Cui Cui Mama Chang standing beside her.

Looking at Gu Gu Tingye standing not far away, Bai Shi said softly, "Is that all?"

Gu Gu Tingye nodded, saying, "Mother, that is all. Brother Jing told me to return and recount everything to you in full."

"On my way home, I thought about it the entire journey and feel that Brother Jing's reasoning is sound: Miss Yu's fright was most likely caused by my involvement."

Bai Shi smiled faintly, saying, "At least you are not stupid."

Cui Cui Mama Chang, standing beside Bai Shi, frowned and said, "My Lady, among the great noble houses of this Bianjing capital, when they lose all shame, each has its own bag of tricks!"

"I have always heard that Miss Yu's father and stepmother are stingy and greedy; now, seeing this young Master Yu, it seems he is even willing to sacrifice his own daughter's reputation!"

Looking at Gu Gu Tingye, whose eyes had widened in surprise, Bai Shi said, "Ye'er, what is wrong with you?"

Gu Gu Tingye said in disbelief, "Mother, Cui Cui Mama, are you both suggesting that Miss Yu's fright was, was plotted by the Yu family?"

Looking down on the Yu family in her heart, Cui Cui Mama Chang sneered, "Brother Ye, there is nothing new under the sun! The inner quarters are but a tiny plot of land; use your brain a little, and you can deduce that person's intentions."

"Judging by the fact that Miss Yu is currently taking medicine, her 'illness' may well worsen in a few months."

"Our Gu family naturally cannot take a sickly girl as our principal wife!"

"But since you, young master, won the Empress's jade ring at the polo match, and to avoid breaking this happy event known even to the Empress, the Yu family will most likely push forward Third Miss Yu, arranging for the sisters to swap marriages."

Bai Shi shook her head, saying, "In the end, those unaware of the inner truth will still feel that our Gu family owes the Yu family a favor."

(End of chapter)