With a wave of his hand, the Prince's Mansion's fortune exploded throughout the entire cap

Xiao Yu's face tightened slightly, and he lowered his voice: "The person I saw during the day was Marquis Yongyi, but the woman beside him is not Marquis Yongyi's wife. Jianfeng, who is with my second brother, has already followed them."

Xiao Shulang nodded slightly, but couldn't help but wonder in his heart.

Did the Marquis of Yongyi keep a mistress?

Why didn't his spies in the capital tell him about this?

Behind the screen, Xiao Mingzhu heard Xiao Jingjing's thoughts, and the sadness in her eyes deepened.

Should I take the money from my hands?

Although Zhenlang's father is no longer alive, his family still exists, and he still has to pay some taxes to the clan every year.

It's only a hundred taels of silver a year, why am I crying?

But besides this, who else could come to our house asking for money?

Zhenlang was only a fifth-rank official with a meager salary, and the two acres of fertile land his family owned when he was young were taken back by the clan early on.

After achieving the third-highest rank in the imperial examination, the ten acres of land given to him by his clan yielded only a mediocre harvest, barely enough to cover the daily expenses of the princess's mansion throughout the year.

As for the social interactions, etiquette, and tonics for the mother-in-law after becoming an official, as well as the family's jewelry, clothing, writing implements, and paper, they still relied on the dowry shop.

As for the embroidery shop that my mother-in-law opened later, the income was mediocre because my mother-in-law had ruined her eyesight and the other embroiderers were not very skilled. So they barely made a profit.

But as long as I'm still alive, how could I possibly owe someone money that they come to my door demanding it back?

Thinking of this, Xiao Mingzhu coughed repeatedly, and the color in her face faded.

Upon hearing her cough, Xiao Jingjing channeled even more magic power into her hands.

[Auntie! Auntie, please don't get upset!]

How about Jingjing gives you a little more magic power?

[It wasn't like this when my aunt came to the last family reunion banquet!]

What exactly happened?

The people outside the screen were also anxious as they listened to Xiao Jingjing's thoughts.

As Xiao Jingjing's magic power gradually flowed into Xiao Mingzhu's body, Xiao Mingzhu's shortness of breath gradually eased.

"Jingjing, Auntie is alright."

Seeing that Xiao Mingzhu had calmed down, Xiao Jingjing breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew her magic.

Thankfully, Auntie hasn't coughed anymore.

Otherwise, Jingjing wouldn't have any other options.

Outside the Wenxin Residence, Fang Yuhua, who had originally planned to compose herself before coming over, rushed over after hearing from the steward that the princess was unwell.

"A pearl! A pearl!"

Granny Guan and Granny Pang helped Fang Yuhua walk in quickly.

Seeing the four of them, uncle and nephew, standing outside the screen, he quickly walked inside the screen.

Upon seeing Xiao Mingzhu, pale and clearly weak, lying on the soft couch behind the screen, Fang Yuhua rushed forward and sat down beside the bed: "Mingzhu, where do you feel unwell? Tell your mother, and I'll find the imperial physician for you..."

Fang Yuhua's eyes were filled with heartache, and tears and hatred welled up in her eyes.

She resented Zhao Zhen for not protecting her Mingzhu, and she also resented herself for not going when Mingzhu said it was inconvenient for her to visit.

She was even more furious with herself for having been soft-hearted and agreeing to her daughter's request to marry her off to Zhao Zhen.

Xiao Mingzhu raised her hand and gently stroked Fang Yuhua's face, wiping away the tears that flowed from her eyes: "Mother, I'm not feeling unwell anywhere."

"nonsense!"

Fang Yuhua suppressed her emotions and looked at the people behind her, her voice slightly choked: "Alang, quickly carry your sister back to Qinlan Garden."

"it is good."

Xiao Shulang came in from behind the screen, covered Xiao Mingzhu with a cloak, and carried her step by step toward Qinlan Garden.

In Qinlan Garden, Ranqiu and Granny Pang lifted the beaded curtain at the front, and Xiao Shulang carried Xiao Mingzhu steadily in.

After gently setting Xiao Mingzhu down, Xiao Shulang looked out the window and said, "Yuanman, go see if the imperial physician has arrived yet."

Seeing Yuan Man shake his head, Lu Wenshu bent down and took Xiao Chengyan's waist token from his waist: "Qingya, take your prince's waist token and go to invite the imperial physician."

Qingya accepted the waist token and dared not delay for a moment. With a light step, he leaped out of the courtyard gate, the swords at his waist clinking softly, and disappeared into the night in an instant.

The Qinlan Garden was brightly lit, and the candlelight reflected the anxiety of everyone in the room.

Lu Wenshu placed the hand warmer that Xia had just prepared next to Xiao Mingzhu. Her fingertips touched the icy back of Xiao Mingzhu's hand, and she couldn't help but frown: "Why is it so cold? It's July, the hottest time of the year. What are your maids doing?"

Upon hearing this, the three maids, Lanxiang, Zhuxiang, and Juxiang, who had returned with Xiao Mingzhu, all knelt down: "It is because we did not serve Princess Qing well that she has been punished."

Xiao Mingzhu leaned against the soft pillows, her breath weak, and managed a weak smile: "Sister-in-law, you've gone to so much trouble. It's just that my body is weak, I don't blame them."

As soon as she finished speaking, she couldn't help but cough a few times. Ranqiu quickly stepped forward to pat her back, her expression full of worry.

Lu Wenshu sighed softly, "Alright, get up, all of you."

Little Jingjing was held in Gu Feng's arms, her big eyes fixed on Xiao Mingzhu, her little hands clutching her sleeve tightly.

My poor aunt, her hands are so cold.

[Imperial Physician, come quickly! Jingjing's magic power is almost used up.]

[That's strange. Why is it always just my aunt, and never my uncle? Where's he? Has he abandoned my aunt?]

[Besides that wicked family member who stole my aunt's money, did my uncle also bully my aunt?]

Fang Yuhua sat by the bed, holding her daughter's hand tightly, her eyes red-rimmed, murmuring repeatedly:

"It's all my fault, it's all my fault for not stopping you back then. Zhao Zhen looks honest, but he made you suffer so much."

She didn't know what had happened, but the fact that her daughter was in this state must be Zhao Zhen's fault.

Xiao Chengyan sat in a wheelchair to the side, his face stiff, his dark eyes brimming with anger.

He gently raised his hand to the bluestone outside the door, whispered a few instructions, and arranged for someone to investigate Zhao Zhen's actions over the years.

And then there are the big bad family members that Jingjing talks about.

It must be people from the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion, who are also keeping a close eye on their every move.

Xiao Shulang stood guard by the window, his gaze coldly fixed on the courtyard outside. The atmosphere around him was frighteningly low. He recalled Xiao Jingjing's earlier words and the strange behavior of Yongyi Hou, and the doubts in his heart grew even stronger.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard, accompanied by the steward's announcement: "The imperial physician has arrived."

The crowd quickly made way, and they saw an old doctor with white hair and beard carrying a medicine box, being helped in by Qingya, and two servants carrying medicine boxes behind him.

The old imperial physician was the head of the Imperial Medical Academy. He had taken care of the injured Xiao Chengyan and Xiao Shulang brothers in the past and was very familiar with the Xiao family. When he saw Xiao Mingzhu's appearance, his face darkened.

"Doctor Li, please take a look at my daughter." Fang Yuhua quickly stood up, her voice choked with sobs.

Physician Li nodded, walked to the bedside and sat down. He gestured for Ranqiu to lift Xiao Mingzhu's sleeve, placed his fingertips on her wrist, and closed his eyes to take her pulse.

The room fell silent instantly, with only the crackling of the candlelight and Xiao Mingzhu's faint breathing remaining.

Little Jingjing nestled on Gu Feng's shoulder, barely daring to breathe, silently praying:

The imperial physician must cure my aunt!

My aunt's luck compass was clearly very good, but that thing was preventing the flow of luck.

Jingjing can get rid of it, but it will be quite painful. Now that her aunt is like this, Jingjing is too scared to do it...

Noticing the disappointment in Xiao Jingjing's tone, Gu Feng raised his hand and patted her back as gently as possible.

After a moment, Physician Li withdrew his hand, then flipped Xiao Mingzhu's eyelids again, pressed her brow, and his expression became increasingly solemn.

Upon seeing this, Fang Yuhua's heart leaped into her throat: "Imperial Physician Li, how is Mingzhu?"

Physician Li sighed and slowly said, "Madam, the princess has been weak for a long time. Coupled with anger and excessive worry, her body has been gradually depleted, and her qi and blood are extremely deficient. If this continues, it may damage her foundation, and it will be difficult to recover in the future."

"What?" Fang Yuhua swayed and almost lost her balance, but Lu Wenshu quickly supported her.

It can be cured! It definitely can!

【Jingjing is here too!】

【Jingjing can help her aunt drive away bad luck every day!】

Xiao Shulang stepped forward, his tone urgent: "Imperial Physician, is there any way to cure her? I will find any medicine that can save my sister, no matter what it is."

Physician Li stroked his beard and pondered, "There is a method, but it requires patient conditioning. Under no circumstances should you get angry or waste your energy. I will first prescribe a formula to calm the mind and replenish the blood, to be decocted and taken daily. In addition, use rare ingredients such as century-old ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin to make soup for nourishment. From now on, you must be extra careful with your diet and daily life, and think less and worry less, so that you can slowly recover."

As he spoke, Physician Li picked up his pen, wrote down a prescription, handed it to Xiao Shulang, and then instructed, "Second Young Master, medicine is only an aid to the Princess's illness; the key lies in her state of mind. You must not let her be exposed to any more troublesome matters, and she must not be subjected to the slightest stimulation."

Xiao Shulang accepted the prescription and nodded solemnly: "Thank you, Imperial Physician, I have noted it down."

Qingya quickly took the prescription and went to the manor pharmacy to get the medicine. Physician Li gave a few more instructions before leaving with the help of a servant.

After the imperial physician left, Fang Yuhua sat back down on the edge of the bed, tucking the blanket around Xiao Mingzhu. Her voice was gentle but firm, leaving no room for doubt: "Mingzhu, just stay here in the manor and rest. Don't go anywhere. With your mother here, no one will dare to let you suffer any more grievances."

Looking at the white hair at her mother's temples, Xiao Mingzhu's eyes welled up with tears, which she couldn't hold back and shed: "Mother..."

Looking at Xiao Mingzhu's haggard appearance, Lu Wenshu felt a pang of sadness. This was the girl she had watched grow up, who had been raised to be as beautiful and radiant as a flower...

As she turned her head slightly to wipe away her tears, she saw the three maids and a sudden sense of foreboding rose in her heart. She pointed at them, her voice trembling uncontrollably: "There were four maids, Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju. Why are there only three of you? Where is Meixiang?!"