On the way, Uncle Zhong couldn't help but chime in, "Master, that sixth young lady isn't actually from your branch of the family, so why did you have to humiliate her in the street like this today?"

It would have been better if Uncle Zhong hadn't brought it up, because the moment he did, Pei Yuan's face immediately darkened with displeasure. "As long as she still bears the surname Pei, she is a member of the Pei family. Xiao Liu's unreasonable behavior today will only lead outsiders to say that our Pei family has failed to properly raise its daughters. She deserves to be punished!"

Moreover, because of Pei Lanyi's unreasonable behavior today, he almost lost his life. He thought that only punishing her to kneel in the ancestral hall for one day was too lenient!

"Yes, sir, you are right."

The commotion on the street today has made it known that a goddess-like doctor has arrived in the capital.

This miraculous doctor was none other than the Lady of Ning'an County, who had recently cured the plague in Jinling City.

Normally, a mere county magistrate wouldn't even be worth the attention of these powerful and wealthy people, but she cured Prime Minister Pei!

That's a big shot who just joined the cabinet not long ago. Moreover, everyone who is on good terms with the Pei family knows that Prime Minister Pei's old ailment was something he had since birth.

For decades, the Pei family has been searching far and wide for renowned doctors and miraculous medicines, all in an effort to cure Lord Pei's illness.

But all of them had little effect.

Moreover, as Lord Pei grew older, the frequency of his illness increased.

After each episode of illness, I have to stay in bed for ten days to half a month.

But things are different today.

Today, Lord Pei fell ill in the street, but after receiving only one pill and three acupuncture needles from that woman, he was as good as new.

These powerful and influential people in the capital may have held prestigious positions, but they were still just mortals after all.

They get sick and grow old, so naturally they'll be afraid of dying.

For a time, most of the powerful and influential people in the capital were secretly inquiring about the address of this Lady of Ning'an County.

With fame comes trouble.

Liu Yingying originally intended to come to the capital quietly on business and did not want to make such a spectacle of herself.

Now look what's happened; all the powerful and influential people in the capital are looking for her.

If it were an ordinary person, they would be overjoyed, after all, it's such a great opportunity to ride on the coattails of the powerful and wealthy in the capital.

But Liu Yingying didn't see it that way.

If one's own strength is insufficient, it is actually very dangerous to rashly contact these powerful figures.

After a brief disguise, the three stood in the alley opposite the inn, observing the scene.

Why not just go straight into the inn?

Because some busybodies have already found this place.

Xiaoxue apologized to her with a guilty look on her face; "I'm sorry, Sister Liu, it was all because I spoke too quickly and caused you trouble..."

As she spoke, a tear rolled down her cheek, a look of self-reproach on her face.

Liu Yingying patted the back of her hand; "Don't cry, I'm not blaming you. When problems arise, we can all work together to find solutions. It's not like it's an insurmountable obstacle."

The three of them waited until it got dark.

Since it was inconvenient for Liu Yingying to go back into the inn, Xue Ye and Xiao Xue went to the inn to retrieve their luggage and then checked out of the room.

The three of them then disguised themselves again, first by giving Xue Ye a full beard.

Liu Yingying and Xiaoxue, dressed as men, went to the North District and found a secluded inn to stay in.

The North District is a melting pot of ordinary people and all sorts of people; the powerful and wealthy generally don't come here.

Looking at the simple furnishings in the guest room and the cramped little bed, Xiaoxue felt even more guilty.

If it weren't for her stupidity, they could have continued living comfortably in their original place; why would they have moved here...

Liu Yingying didn't seem to care much, and reached out to pinch her cheek.

"Alright, I've already told you not to blame yourself. You need to know the saying, 'Since you're here, make the best of it.'"

The long night dissipates, and the sun rises in the east.

Pei Lanyi was punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall all night, while the maids and servants stood guard outside the door with worried expressions.

They would hand her a handkerchief, then water, and then offer her pastries.

But no one dared to plead for her.

This was a punishment imposed on her by a high-ranking elder in the family, and even Pei Lanyi's parents dared not say a word.

Pei Lanyi naturally dared not harbor resentment towards her third grandfather.

But she held Liu Yingying responsible for the punishment, saying, "It's all that bitch's fault. If she hadn't been so attention-seeking, I wouldn't have been punished."

When she had finally knelt for the required time, the maids and servants rushed over and helped Pei Lanyi up, whose knees had long since lost all feeling, and offered her words of comfort and concern.

"Miss, are you alright?"

"Let's go back inside first... Qiu Hong, go and fetch a doctor right away..."

When the doctor arrived, he prescribed medicine for her wound, which was then applied by a maid.

Pei Lanyi sat in her boudoir with a terribly gloomy expression, coldly instructing the wet nurse beside her.

"Granny Liu, have a few servants investigate that wretched woman's background!"

"It's Miss!"

That vile woman dared to humiliate her like this; she will make her pay the price for her actions!

A moment later, another maid came to report: "Sixth Miss, Young Master Shangguan has arrived!"

Pei Lanyi's eyes immediately lit up; "Brother Ren is here? Quick, quickly help me get ready!"

Another flurry of activity erupted in the boudoir...

The "Brother Ren" that Pei Lanyi mentioned is Shangguan Ren, the eldest grandson of the Duke of Jing's mansion, and also her fiancé.

Although the two had only recently gotten engaged, it was clear that Pei Lanyi was very satisfied with her fiancé.

After Pei Lanyi had carefully dressed up, she arrived at the front hall.

At a glance, one could spot a man sitting upright in a chair, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with subtle patterns, exuding a handsome and dashing air.

If Liu Yingying were here, she would recognize the man in front of her at a glance as Meng Renhun, who had shaved off his full beard!

"Brother Ren, what brings you here? Didn't you say you were busy with military affairs last time?"

Pei Lanyi walked towards him with a gleam in her eyes.

Shangguan Ren's originally gloomy eyes turned to worry the moment he looked up at him; "Lan Yi, I heard you were bullied yesterday, are you alright?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Lanyi's expression instantly darkened. She sat down in a chair, ordered her maid to serve tea, and then began to complain to Shangguan Ren in a coquettish manner.

"I never expected that you, Brother Ren, would find out about such an embarrassing thing. How can I ever face visiting your Duke Jing's mansion again?"

Shangguan Ren walked up to her, extended a finger with distinct knuckles, and gently lifted her chin.

With a hint of confusion in her voice, she said, "This isn't your fault. Blame that blind fool who got the wrong person."

"Yi'er, is there anything I can do for you?"

Hearing this, Gu Lanyi felt a surge of joy, but said, "Brother Ren, you have only recently been recognized by the Duke of Jing and your position in the capital is not yet secure. You must not let my affairs implicate you."

She held Shangguan Ren's hand lovingly and said softly, "I am, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Pei family. How could I not do anything to a mere lowly woman?"

As Pei Lanyi spoke, a sinister glint flashed in her eyes, as if she had already devised a hundred ways to torture Liu Yingying.