Yao Shiyu has not had a pleasant time at the Gu residence these past few days. She goes to pay her respects every day as required, but is repeatedly ignored by Madam Gu on the grounds that she is "busy managing her business," and rarely even gets a proper look from her.
She naturally understood what kind of person Madam Gu was—a typical opportunist who changed sides with the wind.
When you give her favors, she'll smile and speak sweetly; but once she realizes you're no longer of any use to her, she'll spare no effort to make things difficult for you.
Yao Shiyu was neither surprised nor annoyed by this. After all, she had seen too many things like this in her previous life and was already used to it.
To her, this scene was nothing more than a replay of an old drama.
Today was no different. Yao Shiyu waited for a long time in Madam Gu's courtyard. The cold wind in the garden made her hands and feet feel cold, but Madam Gu did not show up.
Just when she was about to lose patience, she received an unexpected surprise: Princess Anrou sent her an invitation.
Yao Shiyu took the invitation, a slight smile playing on her lips, a hint of mockery in her eyes. This Princess Anrou was indeed an arrogant and domineering person; she'd already become restless after only a few days.
After a moment's thought, a calculating look appeared in her eyes: Jiang Yunjiao can't cause any trouble now, so it's better to let Lu Anrou, this sharp sword, be drawn first to test the waters for her.
Having made up her mind, Yao Shiyu didn't delay any longer. She left the Gu residence with her maid and headed straight for Lu Anrou's mansion.
At this moment, Lu Anrou was displeased because her maid had accidentally spilled tea on her dress, and she was fiercely whipping the maid.
The force was so great that it seemed to be venting some long-suppressed dissatisfaction.
The maid's back had already been whipped until the skin was torn and bleeding, but she could only grit her teeth and endure it, not daring to beg for mercy.
At this moment, a servant outside hurriedly announced, "Princess, Physician Yao has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Lu Anrou paused in her actions, then snorted coldly, casually tossed the whip aside, and ordered, "Drag this useless person away."
Two old women immediately stepped forward and dragged the barely alive maid away.
Afterwards, Lu Anrou ordered someone to bring clean water to wash away the bloodstains on the ground. Only then did she tidy herself up and go to the main hall to wait for Yao Shiyu's arrival.
When Lu Anrou met Yao Shiyu, her face was already full of smiles, and she acted very friendly, as if they were old friends.
However, what she was planning was not as simple as it seemed on the surface.
Yesterday, Lu Anrou went to the palace to meet Consort Lu and heard from her that the Empress Dowager was about to hold a flower-viewing banquet, the purpose of which was to select a consort for Xie Yizhi.
This proposal not only received the Empress Dowager's approval but also Xie Yizhi's consent.
However, Xie Yizhi made a special request: his princess must meet three conditions: be well-educated and courteous, be beautiful, and be able to heal Xie Zhichen's lips.
It was only yesterday that Lu Anrou was shocked to learn that the boy she had casually called a little monster was actually Xie Yizhi's biological son.
Thinking of this, she felt a chill run down her spine. Xie Yizhi always protected his own, yet she had insulted and shoved that child in the street. Logically, Xie Yizhi should have taken action long ago, but to her surprise, he hadn't done anything.
Lu Anrou couldn't help but wonder if Xie Yizhi truly treated her differently from other women.
After all, that was Xie Yizhi's son, and she was unharmed. Wasn't this a special attitude, the beginning of Xie Yizhi showing her goodwill?
Lu Anrou's thoughts drifted back to the last palace banquet.
That day, she was pouring wine for Xie Yizhi when her swaying skirt accidentally knocked over his wine glass.
Xie Yizhi's expression changed instantly. He smashed the wine glass on the ground, his icy demeanor still haunting her. From that moment on, she felt a greater sense of awe towards Xie Yizhi.
Even so, her love for Xie Yizhi did not diminish in the slightest, but rather grew stronger day by day.
That aloof and noble young general, that war god prince who protected the Great Qi, was someone she always looked up to, the man she longed for and wanted to spend her life with.
It was precisely because of Xie Zhichen's incident that Lu Anrou saw hope.
Xie Yizhi not only didn't pursue the matter, but even tacitly approved of her offense. This made Lu Anrou even more convinced that Xie Yizhi might indeed have some special feelings for her.
It was this unwavering determination that made her decide to use this flower-viewing party to secure her own future.
As for the first two conditions proposed by Xie Yizhi for selecting a concubine, Lu Anrou believed that there were no problems with them.
She was beautiful and talented from a young age, and came from a distinguished family; these two qualities seemed tailor-made for her.
However, the last condition left her helpless. Although she was exceptionally talented, she knew nothing about medicine and had no chance of curing Xie Zhichen's cleft lip.
After some thought, Lu Anrou finally thought of someone—Yao Shiyu, the second female physician of the Great Qi Kingdom.
Yao Shiyu learned medicine from the famous doctor Duanmu Lin from a young age and served as a military doctor in Yunchuan for many years, treating countless patients with injuries, both major and minor.
In terms of medical skills, she was renowned throughout the entire Great Qi Dynasty. Lu Anrou concluded that if Xie Zhichen's cleft lip could truly be cured, only Yao Shiyu's intervention would offer any hope.
With this in mind, Lu Anrou warmly welcomed Yao Shiyu, and the two chatted and laughed in a harmonious atmosphere.
After a while, Lu Anrou took the opportunity to extend an olive branch, promising that as long as Yao Shiyu could help her heal Xie Zhichen's cleft lip.
Then she could facilitate Gu Boyuan's appointment as the commander of the Imperial Guard. Although Gu Boyuan had been back in the capital for some time, the emperor had not yet issued an edict for him to return to Yunchuan. Now he only held a sinecure and had nothing to do every day, which was really frustrating.
Now, Yun Chuan's Flying Feather Army has been taken over by Xie Yizhi, and it will be extremely difficult to take back control from Xie Yizhi.
However, if Gu Boyuan were to obtain the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard, his influence in the court and the military would be greatly enhanced, making it more convenient for him to act in the future.
After listening, Yao Shiyu pondered for a moment before decisively nodding in agreement to Lu Anrou's request.
She knew that such a promise was crucial to the Gu family, and Lu Anrou's eagerness to seek her help was a rare opportunity. She could also use Lu Anrou to deal with Xie Yizhi and Jiang Luoluo, killing two birds with one stone.
As Yao Shiyu emerged from Lu Anrou's residence, a slight smile played on her lips, and she felt exceptionally cheerful.
Now, her chessboard is getting bigger and bigger, and she has more and more support in her hands.
Lu Anrou's eagerness and ambition were exactly what she needed to use.
When she last visited Yuanhua Temple, she had secretly investigated the situation and had a good idea of what was going on.
Next, she only needs to observe and wait for Lu Anrou to take the initiative.
Once everything unfolds according to plan, we can reap the benefits without lifting a finger, with everything under our control.
Yao Shiyu looked up at the setting sun in the distance. The soft light shone on her face, gentle yet unable to conceal a hidden sharpness.
She murmured softly, as if talking to herself, or perhaps silently declaring what was about to happen: "Jiang Luoluo, you just wait, the real show is just beginning."
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