Chapter 13: Brother Niu, Sister-in-law

Ziling's faint smile vanished from her face, and the nanny stepped forward, saying, "Young Madam, please."

Ziling supported Gu Yunfeng and said coldly, "I'm not sick, I don't need to take medicine."

Princess Nanting sneered, "If it weren't for the circumstances forcing us, and for the sake of pleasing the Young Master, my Gu family would never accept a female bandit as the Young Madam. In the presence of the Emperor in the capital, you dared to openly snatch a man. When we were at Qingyun Mountain, you were lawless. I overlooked it before and didn't think much of it. I could ignore the past actions, but to ensure the continuation of the Gu family's bloodline, you have no choice but to drink this bowl of abortifacient."

Just because she had removed Gu Yunfeng's clothes last night, which had been witnessed by a maid, they were convinced that she had done something to Gu Yunfeng.

Just because they didn't find any traces of virginity on the bed sheets, they were certain that she was not intact.

Just because she had argued with Zhao Mama, they had prepared this bowl of medicine for her.

Fine!

Very well!

She had been avoiding a direct confrontation with them, but now it seemed inevitable.

Ziling's face turned icy, as if covered with a thin layer of frost. Second Madam spoke gently, "If you're not pregnant, this bowl of abortifacient won't harm your body."

Ziling smiled and said, "Since it doesn't harm the body, if I refuse to drink this bowl of medicine, it would only make me appear guilty."

Second Madam smiled and remained silent.

Ziling then said, "Medicine can be poison to some extent. I need to know what I'm putting in my mouth. Is there a prescription?"

Princess Nanting waved her hand and said, "Give her the prescription."

The nanny put down the medicine and turned to fetch the prescription.

Ziling opened the prescription, glanced at it, and handed it to Gu Yunfeng, saying, "Can you understand it?"

She asked a rhetorical question.

"I can't understand it," Gu Yunfeng shook his head.

"Then I'll trouble my husband to find someone who can understand it for me," Ziling said.

Gu Yunfeng was about to call for someone, but before he could speak, Princess Nanting said, "You've been given the prescription as well. Do you want everyone to know about this embarrassing matter?"

Ziling helped Gu Yunfeng sit down and stood beside the medicine bowl, saying, "I'm just asking for a doctor to come. There's no shame in that. I, Ziling, don't have this medicine smeared on my face as a preparation for me, the newly-wedded Young Madam. Where does the embarrassment come from? If the Gu Mansion truly thinks that my actions have disgraced the Gu Mansion, they can simply give me a divorce decree. I, Ziling, will definitely not cling on stubbornly!"

Gu Yunfeng sat on the side, his brows furrowed tightly. He could sense that Ziling was truly angry this time, her intention to divorce was stronger than ever before. That bowl of medicine definitely had a problem.

Madam San looked at her painted nails and smiled ambiguously. "Could it be that our Second Miss is afraid that we, the Duke's Manor, would poison you in the medicine?"

Ziling remained silent for a moment and said, "Aunt San, I can't hide any little schemes from you. I'm afraid there is poison in this medicine."

Madam San was taken aback for a moment, not expecting Ziling to be so candid. She then chuckled and said, "Rest assured, we wouldn't dare to poison you. If we really did that, wouldn't your parents bring people to tear down our Duke's Manor?"

Ziling felt relieved and said, "It seems I was overly suspicious. Second Aunt said that this bowl of medicine is harmless as long as I'm not pregnant, and Third Aunt said it's not poisoned. I can drink it without worry. This bowl of medicine is sufficient in quantity. I'll drink more than half of it, and I'll make the eldest sister accompany me to drink the rest. If she refuses, then I'll have to suspect her motives."

"You!" Princess Nanting was fuming with anger.

Gu Juren, Gu Jinyu, was precisely the one Princess Nanting was referring to.

Ziling was not afraid of Princess Nanting's anger. Princess Nanting smiled and said, "It seems nobody is accompanying you today. You have become suspicious to the extreme. I'll accompany you."

Ziling fiercely furrowed her brows.

Princess Nanting ordered the servant, saying, "Bring the medicine here."

The servant walked over, and Ziling smiled, lifting the medicine bowl and walked towards Princess Nanting.

Princess Nanting's face turned terrifyingly dark. Ziling respectfully said, "Mother, please."

Princess Nanting extended her hand and took the medicine bowl. She drank two sips, then when she handed it over to Ziling, Ziling's hand trembled. She didn't catch the medicine bowl, and it fell with a loud crash, breaking into several pieces.

Princess Nanting's face turned ashen.

Ziling turned to Gu Yunfeng in a hurry and said, "Husband, what should we do?"

Gu Yunfeng sighed and said, "Clumsy, really clumsy. Give me the prescription, I'll have someone prepare a new batch of medicine for you to drink."

After saying that, Gu Yunfeng looked at Princess Nanting and said, "I'll take care of this matter. Mother, you should feel at ease."

"I naturally feel at ease."

These words were squeezed out of the gap between the teeth of Princess Nanting.

Ziling supported Gu Yunfeng and left the Qihetang gracefully.

When there was no one around, Gu Yunfeng asked puzzledly, "What's wrong with that bowl of medicine?"

Any ordinary person would have dispelled all doubts after seeing Princess Nanting drink the medicine.

Ziling sneered, "That was a bowl of poison."

For Princess Nanting, who had both sons and daughters, this bowl of medicine didn't have much impact.

Gu Yunfeng's gaze turned cold.

Qianqian widened her eyes in anger and said, "If it weren't for Miss's medical skills, we would have fallen into their trap. How can their hearts be so vicious? Luckily, Miss is smart and didn't let them succeed."

Ziling poured cold water on her, saying, "She didn't actually drink it, she just pretended to drink it to show me."

This time, Qianqian was truly angry and said, "This servant will go back and tell Lord Marquis and Madam!"

Ziling held Qianqian back and said, "Don't tell them about this matter. I haven't suffered any losses either. It's better to spare them from worrying."

The Dongling Marquis Mansion without a foundation could never compete with the Zhenguo Duke Mansion. Without evidence, it would be her slandering Princess Nanting.

"So we just endure it?" Qianqian pouted.

"Bandits seek revenge, and three years is not too late."

"With their viciousness, I'm not sure if they can survive for three years. This servant has no idea..." Qianqian said worriedly.

Ziling looked at Gu Yunfeng and said, "See, even my maidservant understands this principle. Young Master Gu must understand it too, right?"

Gu Yunfeng remained silent for a moment and said, "I still prefer it when you call me 'husband.'"

"Ugh! Shameless!"

Qianqian: "..."

Gu Yunfeng: "..."

Both of them looked at Ziling together.

Tears streamed down Ziling's face. She spoke without thinking. Can she take back what she just said?

Words spoken cannot be retrieved, like water poured out. Ziling could only pretend as if she hadn't said anything and walked forward.

Behind her, Gu Yunfeng chuckled softly.

Ziling felt itchy in her teeth from hearing that. Others might have made a slip of the tongue, but it would be her who would bear the grudge for eternity. She was more wronged than Dou E!

After walking a few steps, Ziling turned back and approached Gu Yunfeng, asking, "How much money do you still have?"

Qianqian quickly interjected, "Didn't Young Master help Miss pay the thirty thousand taels? Let's not rob Young Master. There are still many people in the Zhenguo Duke Mansion. Let's rob them."

Ziling was taken aback and tapped her head, asking, "In such a large Duke Zhen's mansion, who can we rob?"

Qianqian rubbed her forehead and said with a hint of grievance, "Miss, you've changed. You used to say that there's no one in this world who can't be robbed, only careless bandits. As long as they pass under your nose, except for those you don't want to rob, no one can escape from your grasp."

"...Didn't you realize I was bragging?" Ziling asked.

"I knew, and I enjoy hearing you brag," Qianqian replied.

Ziling "..."

Gu Yunfeng's laughter made Ziling blush; why was he laughing? She felt embarrassed.

Ziling glared at Gu Yunfeng and said, "Stop laughing so much."

Gu Yunfeng managed to hold back his laughter, but the curve of his lips revealed his good mood. He said, "I haven't heard you brag yet, so why not give it a try?"

Ziling grinned, enjoying listening to people brag. What a peculiar taste. "Bring me a cow, and I'll immediately give you a demonstration."

This woman... truly quick-witted.

Gu Yunfeng smiled and took Ziling's hand, saying, "Come, I'll take you to a cattle farm and let you brag to your heart's content."

Ziling blushed and held onto Gu Yunfeng's hand, saying, "That's too much trouble. The cattle farm must be full of foul odors. I don't want to suffocate you. If you really want to see, there's no need to go far. I can give you a demonstration right away."

Gu Yunfeng raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with anticipation. He saw Ziling lean closer and blow at him, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Did you feel it?"

Her approaching face resembled a budding hibiscus flower, untainted by dust, exuding charm and beauty.

Gu Yunfeng was momentarily captivated, but before he could reach out to pinch her cheek, he suddenly furrowed his brow and looked towards a large tree nearby. "Stop hiding and come out!"

As his words fell, a burst of cheerful laughter echoed, and a graceful figure leaped down from the tree, full of elegance and liveliness.

The man appeared to be slightly younger than Gu Yunfeng but radiated vitality and enthusiasm. The words he spoke couldn't be described as anything less than asking for a beating.

"Greetings, Brother Niu and Sister-in-law Niu," he said, suppressing his laughter.