Are you sure you can get it back?

Xiao Qingyin sneered.

“The gold-inlaid jade openwork double phoenix and peony forehead ornament that Yao has been wearing these past two days is exactly the same as the one in my mother’s dowry list.”

"You've squandered my mother's dowry over the years, haven't you? The warehouse must be empty by now."

"With your character, you dare to talk to me about reputation?"

Xiao Shengyuan was, after all, a scholar, and he still had some sense of shame. He never coveted Yun's dowry and left it to his mother and Yao to manage.

Xiao Qingyin's words made him feel dazed.

They wouldn't have actually touched the Yun family's dowry, would they?

He still had to deny it outwardly, otherwise, what would become of his fatherly authority?

"Don't worry, you won't be shortchanged by a single penny."

"Then I'll wait and see."

After saying this, Xiao Qingyin left the study directly.

It took Xiao Shengyuan a while to realize that he had intended to teach her a lesson, but instead he had been outmaneuvered.

He couldn't help but squint his eyes and ponder deeply.

Originally, I thought this daughter was a useless piece of chess, but I didn't expect that she not only knows medicine but is also intelligent. If we can win her over, she will be a great help.

He thought for a while and then went to the main courtyard.

Before Madam Yao could even offer any words of comfort, she saw him sweep around the inner room and adopt a stern expression.

“I remember these items were part of the Yun family’s dowry,” Xiao Shengyuan said, pointing to the paintings and calligraphy on the wall and the vase in the corner. “How come they’re all here?”

Yao was stunned.

Why are you suddenly asking about the dowry?

She considered it for a moment and replied, "Things spoil easily if left unused. I'm afraid they'll disappear while they're stored in the storeroom."

"Put it away. Don't touch the Yun family's dowry anymore. Qingyin is getting married soon."

Xiao Shengyuan said calmly.

Yao: "..."

After Xiao Shengyuan left, Madam Yao smashed a teacup with a "bang".

Xiao Qingrong happened to come over and saw what was happening. She walked to her side and asked in confusion, "Mother, what's wrong?"

Her voice was rough and hoarse, like that of an old woman.

Madam Yao frowned. "Your throat still isn't better?"

Xiao Qingrong's face instantly turned furious.

"These quack doctors' prescriptions are completely useless! The more I drink them, the worse my throat sounds!"

The heir of the Marquis of Yong'an almost strangled her to death that day. It took her two days to recover, and her throat has been hoarse and terribly unpleasant ever since.

She was furious.

“Let’s get you another doctor,” Yao sighed. “If your father hadn’t been ordered to stay home and reflect on his actions, we could have gotten the imperial physician to see you.”

She was also extremely worried; with such a voice, it would be difficult for her to rise to prominence.

"Don't worry, it will probably be fine in a few days."

Xiao Qingrong could only hope for this.

She glanced down at the broken porcelain on the ground and asked, "Mother, were you angry just now?"

Mentioning this made Yao furious. Others might not understand what Xiao Shengyuan meant, but how could she not understand it!

“Your father saw that that little bitch has become more capable and wanted to win her over, so he made me return the Yun family’s dowry.”

Don't you even think about what it was that allowed him to live such a lavish life all these years?

Do you really think he's making a living off his paltry salary?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingrong felt a sense of panic.

Did Xiao Qingyin embarrass her at the Yong'an Marquis's residence and now try to steal her father's favor?

He only saved Princess Zhaoyang's life by sheer luck!

Xiao Qingrong didn't believe she really knew any medical skills.

"Mother, I have an idea..."

...

The next day at 9:00 AM, Xiao Qingyin was about to go out for a follow-up appointment when Chunhua gave her a note.

"Miss, this is an invitation from the Duke of Anguo's mansion."

The letter was written by the heir of the Duke of Anguo, saying that his mother was seriously ill and that he had heard of her excellent medical skills, so he wanted to invite her to come and take a look.

Xiao Qingyin knew nothing about the Duke of Anguo's mansion. After thinking for a moment, she took the invitation and went out.

A familiar carriage was parked at the door. Xiao Qingyin lifted the curtain and went in. She saw the man sitting crookedly on the couch, propping himself up with one hand, flipping through a book with a bored expression.

The outline is so perfect that it makes you want to draw it.

"How long did you wait?"

Xiao Qingyin sat down and poured herself a cup of tea.

"Less than fifteen minutes."

"I have something to ask you. Do you know about the illness of the Duchess of Anguo?"

Yi Shuihan nodded.

“She has been sick for several months. We have consulted all the doctors in the capital and even the imperial physicians, but her condition has only gotten worse.”

"What illness?"

"These doctors make all sorts of diagnoses: pharyngitis, pneumonia, rheumatism, neurasthenia, bone pain... they say all sorts of diseases, and there's no definitive conclusion."

Yi Shuihan sat up straight, looking quite interested.

"The Duke of Anguo's mansion has invited you?"

"Yes, I just received a letter from the heir of the Duke of Anguo."

"I'm giving you a piece of advice: it's best not to get involved in this mess."

Xiao Qingyin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

“The Duke of Anguo holds military power, and his eldest son, who is both scholarly and martial, is his right-hand man. His legitimate son is physically weak and cannot even wield a sword, so his position as heir apparent is precarious.”

"The Duchess of Anguo's illness this time is strange; she may have been poisoned."

This involves the private affairs of the inner quarters and the disputes between legitimate and illegitimate children.

Xiao Qingyin understood, and looked at the man thoughtfully: "Just who are you?"

Yi Shuihan smiled but remained silent.

The feeling of others knowing everything about you while you know nothing about them is awful.

Xiao Qingyin ground her back teeth; she would find out this person's identity sooner or later.

After the consultation, Yi Shuihan asked about the teaching, and Xiao Qingyin gave him a stack of drawings, telling him to prepare the surgical instruments first.

He then explained how to make alcohol and catgut.

"We also need to prepare a batch of rabbits for practice."

Yi Shuihan wrote it down.

"That's all for now, I'm going to cook."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!