Zhao Changdu's face was expressionless as he narrowed his dark eyes. "Those with a guilty conscience wouldn't ask Imperial Physician Wang to make a house call."
In fact, he had anticipated this move from the start and had people secretly follow Imperial Physician Wang.
Only that girl was naive, thinking that with an imperial decree, there would be no more obstacles. Unfortunately, she overlooked one thing - human hearts are as deep as the sea, let alone the treacherous situation in Bianjing.
Su He pondered, "Changdu, whose reach extends into the Imperial Medical Academy?"
Zhao Changdu didn't reply.
The power dynamics in Bianjing were complex with many vested interests. Gu Ying had more backing than just the East Ping Marquis's estate; her bigger patron was the prestigious Ye family of centuries-old noble lineage.
Who would go through so much trouble to deal with a helpless young girl and a ten-year-old disabled boy?
The mastermind must be targeting the Ye clan ultimately; the Liu clan was merely a convenient tool.
Su He added, "Mistress Ye Qin has been busy these past few days."
Oblivious to the Ye clan's activities, Zhao Changdu's brows furrowed slightly at this information. "Busy with what?"
Su He said sarcastically, "Who knows? Thanks to whatever your young lady told her aunt, Mistress Qin is now looking around for a new match for her."
Zhao Changdu's expression suddenly darkened.
Su He chuckled brightly - how rare! To see such an interesting play of emotions on the General of Hell's face was a real treat!
...
Indeed, Gu Ying did not have an easy time these past few days.
Imperial Physician Wang still hadn't come to treat her younger brother's illness. Her grandmother grounded her, ordering servants to guard her courtyard and forbid her from leaving the estate. Now she could only stay cooped up in the inner residence, unable to do anything.
Most infuriating was how the arrogant servant girls of the household openly and covertly mocked her after her broken engagement, calling her unworthy trash.
For two straight days now, Twilight Snow Studio hadn't received properly cooked, hot meals from the Main Kitchen, let alone high-quality charcoal.
Even with money, she now lacked the power to accomplish anything.
The eldest wife severed ties with her second wife's quarters, foregoing even pretenses of civility.
As soon as the engagement with the Marquis Estate fell through, Mrs. Liu immediately began matchmaking for Gu Ying, introducing her to the dregs of Bianjing - men from insignificant families, ugly, aged, disabled.
Even more absurd was that she had taken a liking to a profligate son from her own natal clan. Over thirty and still unmarried, his multitude of consorts and illegitimate children already numbered in the tens, some even beaten to death in childhood from his violent temper.
Mrs. Liu had already notified that Liu nephew to hurry to Bianjing to meet Gu Ying.
Gu Jia especially invited the noble ladies Gu Ying used to be close with, gathering them at the estate to heap scorn on her as an unwanted wretch.
She didn't take these to heart at first - in her eyes, Gu Jia was no different than a corpse.
But Mrs. Liu arranging her marriage to that wastrel nephew crossed the line.
Only now did Gu Ying understand the terror of unchecked power.
She had thought her rebirth gave her the advantage to toy with these people. Looking at it now, only money and power were the true overriding forces in this world.
"Miss, the food delivered today from the Main Kitchen has gone bad again."
Yanzhi complained as she set the food on the table, grumbling resentfully, "We already paid them, but they still look down on our Twilight Snow Studio. Those dogs, with their eyes growing on their brows, looking down on us everywhere - they think our Twilight Snow Studio is easy to bully! If you hadn't told me to restrain my temper, I would've beaten them black and blue!"
Gu Ying sat quietly at the desk, weary after considering her circumstances these past days. "At least Fourth Younger Sister and Aunt Zhao secretly sent over some things. Eat a little to fill your stomach for now."
"And remember, restrain your temper."
This servant just couldn't control her temper, always sticking up for her, thus provoking Jiang Yin's murderous rage. Foolish girl, still too young to understand how the rigid snap while the flexible endure.
"I'm about to lose control!"
How could Yanzhi eat like this, pent-up frustration churning inside? A thought occurred to her and her eyes lit up. "Miss, do you still have that unicorn jade pendant the Crown Prince gave you?"
Gu Ying's brows rose. "What about it?"
Yanzhi piteously clutched Gu Ying's sleeve, scheming for a solution to their plight. She could only think of that celestial Crown Prince. "Miss, let's go beg the Crown Prince! Right now, he's the only one in Bianjing who can help us!"
"...Do you understand what that means - begging him? It means marrying him."
Yanzhi perked up. "Wouldn't that be wonderful!"
"Oh you...don't just look at the surface. Marrying him isn't so simple. He's the heir of the Prince's Estate - I'm just a daughter of the lowly Earl's House with a tarnished reputation. It's not that easy, him marrying me or me marrying him."
"But the Crown Prince giving you that jade pendant means he doesn't care about your reputation!"
Indeed, Yanzhi's words gave Gu Ying pause.
Whatever Zhao Changdu's motives in marrying her, his gesture of giving her his personal pendant meant she held value to him.
Value meant bargaining power.
She was originally unwilling to rely on Zhao Changdu unless utterly desperate...but her brother's illness couldn't be delayed any longer.
Moreover, her marriage now rested in Mrs. Liu's hands - given the choice between Zhao Changdu and that profligate nephew, any sane person knew which to pick.
She slowly closed the medical book in her hands.
For so long, she still hadn't found a cure for her brother. She felt useless.
Before Mrs. Liu gained control, she should have struck her down first - that was her failing too.
She finally admitted her limited abilities. With the broken engagement, her status and standing in Bianjing were now insignificant.
To truly avenge herself, she needed to climb higher.
High enough that they wouldn't dare look down on her casually again.
"Yanzhi, bring me the unicorn jade pendant."
"Yes, Miss!"
Yanzhi rushed off and quickly brought back the exotic black unicorn jade, placing it in her palm.
The smooth, faintly cool jade, just like Zhao Changdu himself - seemingly gentle as water, yet emanating an edge as sharp as a blade.
She was silent for a long while, a trace of sourness welling in her heart. She heaved a long sigh, eyes reddening slightly from her powerlessness.
After much deliberation, she still laughed helplessly at her inability to act and said, "Yanzhi, go call Yin Lan. I want to see my aunt."
...
