♂?，，

  Miss Mingzhu's gaze swept across the faces of the crowd, then she lowered her head to smooth out a barely noticeable wrinkle on her skirt. She spoke slowly and calmly: "As far as I know, my second sister-in-law has never entered the palace."

  Wei Zixuan immediately looked at Qingfang with a pleased glance, Qingfang pouted and said reluctantly: "Even if it's not the case, Lin Furen's medical skills must be very exquisite, right?"

  Qing Fang grasped Qiu Yi Nuo's arm, seeking an alliance.

  Yinuo said: "That's for sure, the emperor wouldn't give a horizontal inscribed board for no reason."

  "It's true, Dr. Lin's medical skills are renowned." someone chimed in.

  Wei Zixuan burst out laughing, with a scornful expression: "Lin Daifu has only been in the capital for half a year, and Hui Chun Tang has only been open for a month or so. This reputation came too quickly! If we're talking about having a good reputation, then in this entire city, only the Huas of De Ren Tang can be considered worthy of those four words!"

  "I think, His Majesty's favor is probably due to my second elder brother's relationship!"

  A pearl of wisdom, and everyone is silent. Ah! Li Mingyu, the second son of the Li family, is absolutely an existence that cannot be ignored. Since childhood, he has been famous for his talent and was known as a child prodigy. Just when everyone thought that the youngest champion in the history of our dynasty would appear on him, he disappeared for three or four years. After returning to the capital, he became the focus of people's attention. First, he refused the lady of the Wei family who was matched with him and insisted on marrying a village girl from the countryside. Later, he easily passed the imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy, and then rose through the ranks three times in a row, becoming the youngest Hanlin scholar in the history of our dynasty. His reputation is so great that no one can match it.

  Thinking this way, the emperor's love for the Wu family is nothing to be surprised about. Alas... poor Miss Wei! If the marriage had succeeded, she would now be the wife of a Hanlin scholar and the lady of a first-rank official! With this momentum, it's likely that in the future, she'll rise to a second-rank title, with her husband's glory bringing her honor as well. It's absolutely not like today, where she's already 18 but still unmarried... Everyone couldn't help but cast sympathetic glances at Wei Zixuan.

  Wei Zixuan was looked at with embarrassment by everyone, did they think she was harboring hatred and intentionally trying to slander Lin Lan? Humph! Was that village girl even worthy of it? Wei Zixuan loudly declared: "What are you all looking at me for? I'm just telling the truth, didn't Miss Ming Zhu already reveal the truth?"

  Qing Fang smiled and said with a hint of sarcasm, "We didn't say anything, why are you in such a hurry, Wei Jie?"

  A young lady said, "As for Lin's medical skills, it's not up to us to decide. Last time I passed by Hui Chun Tang, I saw that there were really many people waiting in line to see a doctor and get medicine. In short, if you believe in her, then ask her to take a look; if you don't believe in her, there are other doctors in the capital city who can be consulted. If you don't believe in her, there are many people who do."

  "I'm not too clear about my second aunt's medical skills, I only know that my second aunt is quite particular about food and understands the way of nourishing her body, however... whenever my aunts are unwell, they always ask for doctors from outside to come and take a look." Mingzhu said with a slight smile.

  "Why is that?" Qing Fang asked in surprise.

  Wei Zi Xuan covered her mouth and smiled lightly: "Does this still need to be asked? Of course, one's own family members are the clearest, whether or not they can be trusted..."

  Everyone was shocked, could it be that Lin Dafu was truly just a name?

  "I think it's because some people have a guilty conscience and don't dare to ask Dr. Lin to see the illness! Who doesn't know that the aunt Miss Li Mingzhu mentioned is actually her stepmother?" A clear and sharp voice sneered.

  The crowd turned their heads, and all they saw was Pei Zhiqian walking towards them with a woman wearing a light yellow dress with large peonies embroidered on the hem. The woman's phoenix eyes were slightly raised, her gaze was light, her lips were slightly curved, and her expression was very proud.

  Someone had already recognized the newcomer as the Princess of Wuyang Commandery, the current Empress Dowager's grandniece and a favorite of hers.

  Mingzhu didn't recognize the mistress of Wuyang County because she rarely came out, but only heard that her words were not good. She publicly ridiculed her aunt and was very displeased in her heart. Coldly, she said: "What about stepmothers? You don't know other people's family affairs, what right do you have to speak recklessly?"

  The lady of the Wangyang County looked up and down at Li Mingzhu, her expression even more disdainful and coldly smiling: "Li family's cousin, although it is said that she is only Li family's cousin, but after all, she is also a member of the Li family. When hearing others praise the Li family, she should be very happy, right? Even if she doesn't like her second cousin-in-law in her heart, she should know what it means to keep family secrets private, how can she be so destructive? We outsiders don't understand family matters, but based on what was said today, it's not hard to guess a thing or two. If they are already this ruthless outside, who knows how arrogant they are at home?! Everyone says, isn't that right?"

  Not to mention that the analysis of the Princess of Wuyang is very reasonable, but with her identity as the Princess of Wuyang, no one dares to refute her words. They all cast contemptuous glances at Mingzhu.

  Mingzhu saw the situation suddenly reverse, and her heart was anxious. She also saw that everyone was somewhat wary of this young lady, and for a while, she didn't dare to act rashly either. She just pouted her mouth in indignation.

  On the side, Pei Zhiqian smiled and said: "It's all said that people fear fame, Lin Daifu is young and has exceptional medical skills, it's normal for some to be jealous."

  The lord of Wuyang turned his gaze again and fell on Wei Zixuan, snorted with a smile: "There are still people who can't eat grapes and say that the grapes are sour."

  Everyone understood the implication of his words and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  Wei Zixuan's face turned bright red with shame and anger, she covered her face and ran out of the side hall.

  Everyone laughed even louder.

  Mingzhu quietly asked Huangying: "Who is this woman in yellow?"

  Huang Ying had never seen the Princess of Wuyang either, and shook her head.

  The lady of Wuyang County smiled and sat down, scanning the room: "It's been a long time since I returned to the capital, many sisters don't recognize me anymore. Zhi Xuan, help me introduce myself."

  "Over the past two years, I've rarely gone out either. Let's just have Mei's sister introduce us instead!"

  Miss Mei stood up with great honor and introduced her family one by one to the Marquis of Wuyang.

  "This is Miss Qiu Yinu of the Dalit Temple, and this is Miss Huang Ying of the Ministry of Works..."

  "Miss Huang's family?" The princess of Wuyang asked specially.

  Huang Ying hastily stood up and paid her respects to the Princess of Wuyang: "Huang Ying has seen the Princess of Wuyang."

  Wu Yang glanced at Li Mingzhu beside her and said to Huang Ying in a gentle voice, "At such a young age, it's essential to be cautious when making friends. Don't treat just anyone as a sister, especially those who would speak ill of their own family behind their backs. Who knows what might happen next time? If some unknowing family were to marry someone like that and bring her home as a daughter-in-law, they'd be in for even more trouble."

  The canary turned its head and glanced at Mingzhu, then moved a few steps away, keeping a distance from Mingzhu.

  Li Mingzhu's face turned beet red with rage, she took a step forward and furiously questioned Wuyang: "What's wrong with me? Do you want to make things difficult for me? I'm just telling the truth, if you don't like it then don't listen, is telling the truth against the law now? Who do you think you are?"

  The Marquis of Wuyang looked at her with disdain and smiled: "I haven't broken the law, I just don't believe what you're saying. And I just can't stand people like you. As for who I am, go ask your aunt. If she doesn't know, then ask your uncle."

  Li Mingzhu was speechless, she didn't know what kind of person the Wu Yang County Master was or what her background was, but she knew that just by virtue of being a county master, she was already not someone that a mere daughter of a Secretary's family like herself could compare to. Li Mingzhu angrily turned her head and left, if she stayed any longer, she feared that the Wu Yang County Master would only continue to humiliate her even more, it was better for her to know when to retreat.

  On the other side, Han and Madame Huang chatted more and more in harmony, and the two of them couldn't wait to exchange engagement letters and settle this marriage.

  "This matter is settled then, I'll invite the matchmaker to come over tomorrow and discuss the engagement." Madame Huang said with a smile. Forming an alliance with the Li family would not only be beneficial for Master's career but also greatly advantageous for Qi'er's future prospects. Let bygones be bygones, if it were a legitimate Miss Li, they wouldn't even have a chance at their Qi'er.

  "I'll go home and ask my father about it, but I think he will like it too." Madam Han smiled and said that she was very satisfied with this marriage. The young master of the Huang family had also passed the imperial examination, so his learning was not to be questioned. As for his appearance, looking at Miss Huang's lovely and charming face, Young Master Huang would not be bad either. However, to be cautious, she still left some room for maneuver and went to inquire about Young Master Huang's character first.

  "By the way, there's something I've been wanting to ask you." Han said, this thing was indeed what she had always wanted to ask, but their relationship wasn't close enough to ask, and now that they were discussing marriage, it didn't matter if she asked.

  "You speak." Madame Huang thought Han Shi wanted to know more about Qi'er's situation.

  Han silently nodded and said with embarrassment: "I heard that your family has opened a coal mine in Shanxi?"

  Madam Huang smiled and said: "Who told you this? What nonsense!"

  Mr. Han was taken aback, then smiled and said: "Don't try to deceive me, the information I got is absolutely true, I just want to know how your family's mining business is doing?"

  "This time it was Madame Huang's turn to be stunned: 'Really nothing of the sort, if there were such a thing, would I not have told you?'"

  Han's mind buzzed for a moment, didn't Mr. Gu say that the Huang family's mining business was also managed by him?

  "Do you know a Mr. Gu?" Mr. Han asked with a glimmer of hope.

  "Which Mr. Gu? I've never heard of him."

  Han's gaze fell on Madame Huang, her expression didn't seem to be lying, but she felt a heart constantly sinking, like falling into an icy pit, her whole body chilled.

  Madam Huang looked at Madam Han's unsightly complexion and anxiously asked, "Madam Li, you didn't invest in the mine, did you? I heard that business is extremely risky. If the investment is successful, it's like embracing a treasure bowl, but if not, losing everything is also possible."

  Han didn't even know whether he was crying or laughing, and forced a smile, saying: "No, no, it's nothing. I'm just interested, wanted to ask."

  "Then that's good, our master is an official in the capital, although it can't be said to be a wealthy and noble family, why take that risk? To be honest, I'm actually doing business on one thing, although not making much profit, after accumulating for several years, it's also considerable. If Mrs. Li is interested, I can introduce you..."

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