Chapter 9: Zhi Chuai Removes Guigui (Middle)

  "Pei Zhucheng furrowed his brow and shouted, 'What's going on? Don't you know the fourth young lady is ill? What a ruckus, what decorum is this?'"

  Only then did a maid in light green clothing hurry in, bowing to everyone, and said: "In response to Master's question, the maid Ziyu from the Qianjing courtyard said that she was sent by Madame to visit Fourth Miss. Sister Baiwei said that Fourth Miss is resting and cannot receive guests. Back and forth they went, the two of them arguing, and even we servants together couldn't stop them, just as we were about to ask Master for instructions."

  Qingyi Courtyard? Pei Zhucheng's brow furrowed even deeper, Shu Xueyu sent someone to visit Yuan Ge? What was she planning?

  Zhang Yun was also quite suspicious, Shu Xueyu had been banned for ten years and didn't care about the affairs of the mansion. It's unlikely that she would suddenly send someone to visit Pei Yuange without a reason. Was she trying to show off in front of Master? Humph, she wouldn't give that cheap person an opportunity! She leaned over and whispered in Pei Zhoucheng's ear, her eyes constantly scanning towards Pei Yuange, making Pei Zhoucheng nod repeatedly, just about to order someone to drive the person away.

  But then Pei Yuansong's weak voice rang out: "Nonsense! Although the lady is praying to Buddha and many people are ignoring the affairs of the mansion, she is still the lady. The maids in her courtyard, how dare you be lazy? Since the lady still misses me and sent someone to see me, let Ziyun come in!"

  At first, Shu Xueyu was under house arrest in the Jingji Courtyard due to Ming Jin's death, but after all, it was a family scandal that couldn't be spread far and wide. On the surface, it was said that Shu Xueyu was sincerely worshiping Buddha and not paying attention to external matters. Pei Zhoucheng thought that Yuange didn't know about this matter, so he spoke like that. Although she wasn't at ease with the people in the Jingji Courtyard, worrying they might be unfavorable to Yuange, Yuange had already spoken out. If he said anything more, it would be a slap in Yuange's face. Moreover, with herself by their side, she thought that even if a maid stirred up trouble, it wouldn't amount to much, so she didn't say a word and let them bring Zi Yun in.

  Zhang Yun furrowed her brow in silence, she was very clear that under the provocation of Gui and Bai Wei, Pei Yuange had always believed that Shu Xueyu harmed her mother, and had been resentful of Jingjianyuan, not driving people away was already a favor, how could she let the maid of Jingjianyuan come in?

  This thing, no matter how I think about it, seems fishy!

  Zi Yun came in, knowing that Pei Zhuo was guarding against her, and did not approach. She bowed her head to the crowd, conveying Shu Xueyu's concern for Pei Yuange's illness. Suddenly, her expression solidified, she slightly raised her head, and stole a glance at the medicine bowl in Pei Yuange's hand, exclaiming: "Miss, don't drink the medicinal soup, there's something wrong with this medicine!"

  Before others could speak up, Pei Yuange shouted: "Nonsense! This medicine was prescribed by a doctor, what problems could it have?"

  She asked in such a tone that Zhang Yun and Gui Yatou couldn't open their mouths to stop her, or let someone drive Zi Yun out, but had to listen to Zi Yun explain clearly. However, they were not worried because the medicine Pei Yuange was drinking now was completely fine.

  "Miss, this bowl of medicine has the taste of 'beauty tears'. This medicine is extremely cold in nature and can cure heat toxin, but women should be cautious when taking it, especially someone as weak as you. If taken excessively, it may harm your body and possibly... render you infertile! Looking at your complexion, I think you're suffering from heart palpitations and depression, coupled with occasional wind chill. How could you have heat toxin? And how could the doctor prescribe beauty tears for you? I'm afraid someone has tampered with your medicine!" Zi Yun's expression was one of indignant sorrow, using beauty tears to harm Miss's body was a despicable move!

  Eternal childlessness, how can a beauty have no tears? The name of this medicine is beautiful, but its nature is extremely poisonous.

  The medicine that Zhang Yun added to Pei Yuange's medicinal soup was precisely this one. If she never had any children, then Pei Yuange would thoroughly lose all hope for this lifetime. When she heard the three words "beautiful woman's tears", Zhang Yun felt a little startled, but quickly calmed down, thinking she understood Zi Yun's intentions.

  It's probably because the news of her adding that medicine to Pei Yuansong's prescription got out, and somehow Shu Xueyu found out. She wants to use this to frame me in front of Pei Zhoucheng, so she can turn the tables on me! Otherwise, why would they suddenly send someone to investigate Pei Yuansong? Hmph, after being imprisoned for ten years, she still doesn't give up and wants to fight with me again!

  What a pity, Shu Xueyu, you're still as stupid as before!

  Long before she "cut her flesh to cure the disease", Gu Yiniang was no longer in favor of Cai Mei, otherwise how could Pei Yuange recover? At present, the medicinal soup that Pei Yuange is drinking is completely brewed according to the doctor's prescription, and there is not a single problem! Thinking of this, Zhang Yun's tightly furrowed eyebrows slowly relaxed, dare to scheme against her? This time she wanted to let Shu Xueyu thoroughly fall into the eighteen layers of hell, never to be able to turn over again.

  At this thought, Zhang Yun's face changed, and she pretended to be angry, saying: "Gui Yatou, what is going on here?"

  The old woman immediately understood, and pointed at Zi Yun, scolding: "What do you mean by this? The medicine for the fourth young lady is all made by me, are you saying that I'm poisoning her?" She twisted her hand on her thigh, covered her face with a handkerchief, and knelt down crying loudly, wailing: "Master and Madam Zhang will surely stand up for me! I've always served the fourth young lady with loyalty and dedication, without any negligence. I really don't know where I offended the mistress, to be accused and framed like this. It's so unjust!"

  This crying speech cleverly shifted the spearhead from Zi Yun to Shu Xueyu. The meaning before and after is connected, making people think that it was because she served Pei Yuange too well, so Shu Xueyu wanted to frame her, in order not to let Pei Yuange live a good life.

  "I knew it, she's been uneasy about Yuange from the start, why would she send someone to investigate? It's indeed a plot to stir up trouble!" Due to Ming Jin's death, Qing Yang Yuan had always been a thorn in Pei Zhuo Cheng's heart. Upon hearing this, he became furious and shouted loudly, "Guards, take this insolent maid out and give her fifty lashes! Then send someone to Qing Yang Yuan to spread the word: without my orders, no one from Qing Yang Yuan is allowed to step foot outside, anyone who disobeys will be flogged to death!"

  He rarely gave such harsh orders, showing he was extremely angry.

  Pei Yuange was about to speak, but Zi Yun had already kowtowed to Pei Zhucheng and said: "Master, I am willing to accept the punishment of flogging, but before that, please ask a doctor to come and identify the medicine. I don't mind dying, but if Fourth Miss has any accident, it will be too late to regret!" As she spoke, she continued to kowtow, her forehead quickly swelling with bruises.

  Listening to her words, Pei Zhucheng hesitated slightly, then made a decisive decision: "Alright, I will ask the imperial physician to identify the medicine. However, if the imperial physician says that there is nothing unusual about this medicine, then you, Purple Swallow, will be beaten to death!" After speaking, he didn't even look at Purple Swallow and ordered his personal attendant, Shiyan, to take a note to the Imperial Hospital to summon Physician Chen.

  Zhang Yunmu looked at Gu Jiaojiao, Gu Jiaojiao understood, nodded slightly, indicating that the medicine was absolutely fine, and the previous evidence had long been destroyed.

  This time, Shu Xueyu is going to make a fool of herself again! A satisfied smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Yun's mouth.

  The imperial physician was quickly summoned, and after listening to Pei Zhongcheng's words, he immediately began the examination. Soon, he said: "General Pei, this bowl of medicine indeed contains the 'Tears of a Beauty'!"

  Zhang Yun and Gui's smiles froze on their faces, they stared at each other in dismay, almost not daring to believe their ears: How is this possible?