Chapter 569 Medicated Bath

After all, he was a fifth-rank official in the court, a favorite of His Majesty. If she, a woman of no rank or status, were to actually accept his courtesy, it would truly terrify her.

Gu Renjie was quick; he changed his clothes and came over in no time.

Upon entering the living room, Gu Renjie first respectfully greeted Madam Meng with a gesture of respect befitting a peer, before turning to Meng Wei and clasping his hands in a fist salute.

Today, Meng Wei wore a lake-green pleated dress, her hair styled in a half-up bun, which complemented the gold hair ornaments. She also wore a lily sachet at her waist, which made her look more composed than usual.

Why are you back later than usual today? Did something happen that kept you waiting?

When Madam Ji saw that Gu Renjie had been looking at the young lady since he sat down, she coughed and asked him a question.

"Reporting to Mother, I was on my way back discussing some official business with some colleagues, which took some time."

Gu Renjie's mouth was answering Ji Shi, but his eyes were subtly looking at Meng Wei.

Meng Wei clearly noticed her gaze. In the past, she could remain calm when the two of them were together. But thinking of what Gu Renjie had said last night, Meng Wei's face couldn't help but blush.

"I've heard that the eldest son has entered the cabinet at such a young age; he must have a very bright future ahead of him."

Madam Meng had been sizing up Gu Renjie ever since he entered. In her opinion, most scions of noble families were either spoiled brats or extremely arrogant, and they generally showed no respect to those of them from slightly lower social classes.

However, from the moment Gu Renjie entered, apart from looking at Meng Wei, he showed no impatience whatsoever from talking to the two women.

He showed no contempt because of his low social status. On the contrary, he looked at Meng Wei without flinching or hiding his affection for her, which made him more open and honest than many others.

"You flatter me, Madam. I am deeply humbled by His Majesty's kindness."

His words were measured and appropriate, and Madam Meng's opinion of Gu Renjie suddenly improved.

Previously, Madam Meng felt that she was not worthy of the prestigious families, and also that those young men were not good enough for her daughter, Wei'er. To put it bluntly, even if it were a young man as outstanding as Gu Renjie, Madam Meng would not have felt that her daughter was marrying above her station.

"Madam, the meal is ready. Would you like to dine?"

While the two were talking, Wu Mama came in from outside. Seeing that Gu Renjie had finished speaking, she asked Ji Shi.

Seeing that everyone was sitting together and chatting awkwardly, Madam Ji simply nodded and called Ouyang Jing over to join them as well.

With another person present, the conversation became less dry, and Ouyang Jing, being easy to get along with, soon struck up a conversation with Meng Wei.

Madam Meng was initially worried that if Meng Wei really married into the Marquis's mansion, she might be bullied by the people there, or be forced to follow the rules by her mother-in-law.

Seeing Ouyang Jing's casual demeanor in front of Madam Ji put Madam Meng's mind at ease.

Since Madam Ji takes such good care of an orphan girl without a mother's protection, she must not be the kind of person to be harsh. Perhaps her daughter's choice was right, and the Gu family is indeed a family worth entrusting one's life to.

After having lunch at the Marquis's residence, Madam Meng found an excuse to leave with Meng Wei.

On the way back to the mansion, Madam Meng saw her daughter's cheerful appearance and felt happy as well.

"Have the lady and young lady returned?" At the Earl's residence, the old Earl asked a rather elderly man beside him while teasing a bird.

"She's back. Judging from her appearance, Madam seems to have softened her stance on this marriage."

The old man replied, but the old count seemed to have guessed it all along, "The Gu family has lived for so many years, and they're still the same old people. Keep an eye on what's happening outside, and remember to report to me at any time."

"Yes!" The old man glanced at the old count, wanting to say something, but in the end he couldn't say anything.

So many years had passed since then, and he thought the old count, who indulged in frivolous pursuits and detached himself from worldly affairs, had long since let go of the past. But in the end, he was too optimistic.

In a small wooden cabin on the outskirts of the capital, the old doctor, under the pretense of searching for medicine, had been out for a day. The sky was already darkening, but the person had not yet arrived.

Just as the old man was getting anxious, Xu Yunzhi, dressed in white, finally appeared outside the wooden house.

"Old man, have you been waiting long?"

Xu Yunzhi had previously come to the Great Zhou to discuss a marriage alliance after the Crown Prince of Wei, but he failed to complete his mission and instead sent Gu Shuyan into Yun Yichen's arms.

As a result, Xu Yunzhi was summoned back by a letter, and naturally, he was punished upon his return.

This time, upon receiving Yun Yichen's letter, Xu Yunzhi, despite not having fully recovered, immediately arranged for someone to set a trap and lure Liu Shangshu's men there.

"Young Master, are you sure your body is alright? Why don't you let the old man go instead?"

The old man looked at Xu Yunzhi's somewhat pale face and couldn't help but feel worried.

Xu Yunzhi shook his head. "It's nothing. This little injury is nothing to me. Besides, I've done you such a big favor. When we get to the city, I'll have to ask my brother for some things to help me recover."

Xu Yunzhi said in a tone that told the old man to relax, and although the old man was still a little worried, he didn't say anything more.

The next morning, Minister Liu took the old man to the Third Prince's residence again. However, this time they did not go to the courtyard where Lu Youming lived. Instead, they cleaned out a new courtyard in the Third Prince's residence for Lu Changqing to receive treatment.

When the old man arrived, Lu Changqing was already waiting in the courtyard.

"Minister, sir, you've arrived." Lu Changqing was as gentle and polite as ever.

The old man, without any hesitation, nodded and let Lu Changqing into the house.

"Please have someone boil more hot water, Your Highness," the old man instructed, taking out one medicinal herb after another from his medicine box.

Lu Changqing wasn't truly ignorant; seeing that the medicinal herbs the old man had taken out were indeed useful for his family's condition, he immediately nodded and instructed someone to carry them out.

In less than half an hour, buckets of hot water were brought in, only to be poured into the bathtubs.

"Old sir, are you about to take a bath?" Minister Liu was somewhat puzzled, while Lu Changqing had a better idea of ​​what the old man was planning.

Medicinal baths—Lu Changqing had heard his master mention them before. Some people, unable to take medicine due to poisoning or serious illness, would choose medicinal baths as a treatment. But it wasn't that he couldn't take herbal decoctions; why would this old man choose a medicinal bath?

The old man glanced back at the two of them, then smiled mysteriously and said, "The Minister is right. It is time for a bath. Your Highness, please remove your clothes and sit in the bathtub."

The old man's words completely overturned Liu Shangshu's understanding. At his age, he had never heard of bathing being able to cure diseases.