The matter of Yan Ruoxi being driven out reached Shuangyue, who then told Jiang Ning.
"Miss Yan was driven out?" Jiang Ning was astonished.
Shuangyue nodded. "The lord ordered that from now on, no unrelated person may enter the residence, so Miss Yan was expelled."
Chu Yunli drove Yan Ruoxi out, forbidding her from entering the residence…
Jiang Ning’s eyes grew heavy. The matter was not so simple; it might be connected to the poison mixed into the wound medicine.
She had wondered who it was that sought to harm Chu Yunli. And the scheme was not aimed at his life, but at splashing the filth onto her instead.
This person must have a grudge against her and doesn’t want her to live in peace.
She had never offended anyone; the only one who bore her a grudge was Jiang Mengyue.
Jiang Mengyue was absolutely unable to approach Chu Yunli.
And then, the one who had minor friction with her was Yan Ruoxi. Yan Ruoxi liked Chu Yunli—this was clear to anyone who looked.
This time, when going to He Province, Physician Ye and Yan Ruoxi went along.
Yan Ruoxi is the most likely person to have poisoned it.
Sure enough, Chu Yunli’s actions made everything clear—the one who poisoned the wound medicine was Yan Ruoxi.
Jiang Ning lowered her gaze. She could not understand—if Yan Ruoxi truly liked Chu Yunli, why would she poison the man she loved, even if the poison was not deadly?
This is not love at all.
She could never poison the man she loved, no matter the reason.
.........
After several days of recovery, Chu Yunli’s injuries were more than half healed. Jiang Ning allowed him to practice swordsmanship, but only for one hour, and without putting too much strain on his shoulder.
The emperor decided to hold a victory banquet for Chu Yunli in the palace.
He went to He Province and managed disaster relief effectively, making great contributions to the court. In addition to receiving rewards, a victory banquet was to be held.
Naturally, the Marquis’s household was also expected to enter the palace to attend the banquet.
Officials could bring their children into the palace to attend. This was a fine chance to appear before the emperor. And with several princes yet unwed, certain families began to scheme.
Marquis Jiang intended to bring Jiang Ning into the palace with him.
Marquis Jiang considered whether to bring Jiang Mengyue along. After all, she was favored by the Crown Prince, and if she entered the palace, His Highness would regard him differently.
After understanding Marquis Jiang’s purpose, Jiang Mengyue coldly refused, saying she would not go with him.
What is she going into the palace for?
She has become the Crown Princess’s thorn in the eye. Was the last beating not enough? And now she goes into the palace to cause the Crown Princess more trouble?
Besides, the Crown Prince is still angry now, thinking it is all her fault, and probably does not want to see her.
Jiang Mengyue bit her nails in agitation, her expression unpleasant.
The scheme she had painstakingly set up was completely ruined. She could have won the Crown Prince’s trust… but the result…
In her anger, she swept aside the teacup, shattering it across the floor.
The maid outside heard the loud crash and immediately ran in. "Miss, are you alright?"
Agitated and angry, Jiang Mengyue snatched up the teapot and flung it at the maid. "Did I permit you to come in? Get out!"
The maid was drenched in scalding tea, cried out in pain, and quickly withdrew.
Jiang Mengyue’s face was clouded and somewhat twisted.
.........
Celebration banquet
Officials entered the palace one after another.
Jiang Ning followed Marquis Jiang into the palace as well. She herself had little interest in the banquet, but since it was Chu Yunli’s victory feast, its meaning was different.
After entering the palace, a maid guided Jiang Ning to where the noble ladies were.
Jiang Ning saw a few familiar people, but she had only met them a few times, was not close, and had little to say.
She found an inconspicuous corner to stand in, calmly watching the commotion.
She saw County Princess Hualian.
Princess Hualian was a well‑known acquaintance, with whom she had once shared a period of close contact.
Yet Princess Hualian could not recognize her. At the time she wore a mask, dressed in night clothes, and even her voice gave no clue of gender—so it was hard for Princess Hualian to identify her.
At that time she was abducted and nearly sold off. Princess Hualian was furious, mobilizing all the forces of the Prince’s manor to hunt the two thieves, but in the end found nothing, and could only take it as a bitter loss.
Jiang Ning thought of something amusing, the corners of her lips curved, and she gave a faint smile.
Princess Hualian seemed to sense something, lifted her face, scanned the surroundings, and finally saw Jiang Ning standing in the corner.
Princess Hualian’s expression turned ugly; she gave a cold snort and rolled her eyes broadly.
"Princess, what’s wrong?" Someone noticed Princess Hualian’s expression.
Princess Hualian said coldly: "It’s nothing, I just saw an unlucky person."
The noble ladies surrounded Princess Hualian. She was a dignified princess of exalted status, and pleasing her was advantageous.
Princess Hualian arrogantly lifted her chin; she enjoyed this feeling of being exalted by all.
But gradually, people left one after another, and soon there was no one by Princess Hualian’s side.
She frowned in dissatisfaction, saying: "Where has everyone gone?"
"I heard Miss Yan also attended the banquet…"
“Miss Yan? Miss Yan is here too?" The crowd moved toward one spot, and soon they saw Yan Ruoxi, encircled by noble ladies.
Yan Ruoxi wore simple white clothes, not dressed in finery, yet like a lotus emerging from water—fresh and elegant, standing out among the noble ladies.
"Miss Yan? Miss Yan is here too?" The crowd moved toward one spot, and soon they saw Yan Ruoxi, encircled by noble ladies.
Yan Ruoxi smiled faintly. "Yes, I went with my master, hoping to do my part for the disaster relief in He Province."
"Miss Yan’s master is Physician Ye…"
"Miss Yan’s medical skills are superb, and she is so kind‑hearted—she is truly like a goddess descended among mortals."
All the young women felt ashamed of themselves; compared to Yan Ruoxi, it was as if heaven and earth were worlds apart.
Yan Ruoxi, daughter of the Prime Minister, was already hailed as a talented girl in her youth. She could have lived pampered like other noble ladies in the boudoir, but instead she braved hardship, apprenticing herself to Doctor Ye to learn medicine.
This time, during the disaster relief in He Province, they went along together, to aid the world and save the people.
Heavens, how could there be such a perfect person?
Princess Hualian had been brimming with anger, wanting to see who had stolen her limelight. But upon seeing it was Yan Ruoxi, her aura instantly diminished, and she dared not utter a word.
Princess Hualian was arrogant beyond measure, but before Yan Ruoxi, she dared not flaunt herself.
Comparing with Yan Ruoxi, is simply bringing humiliation upon oneself.
Yan Ruoxi smiled faintly. "I didn’t really do anything during the trip to He Province. It was all my master’s effort—I only lent a hand at the side. Please don’t praise me further."
"Miss Yan truly is like a celestial fairy descended to earth—how could there be someone so kind‑hearted?"
"Yes, if it were me, a month’s journey back and forth would probably shake all my organs loose—I wouldn’t dare to go!"
"Yes, yes indeed!"
As the young women spoke, their eyes turned to Yan Ruoxi, filled with admiration.
A woman like Miss Yan—truly, I don’t know which man could be worthy of her. Perhaps only Lord Chu could match her.
The two went together to He Province this time, working together in disaster relief—truly a talented man and beautiful woman.
🐇♡🐇♡🐇♡🐇
Across the hall, Jiang Ning watched the entire spectacle while eating a pastry.
Shuangyue leaned closer. "Miss, everyone is praising Miss Yan."
"Mm."
"They say she and Lord Chu are a perfect match."
Jiang Ning nearly choked.
Shuangyue hurriedly handed her tea.
Jiang Ning drank, recovered, and glanced toward Yan Ruoxi.
"Perfect match?"
"That's what they're saying."
Jiang Ning considered this for a moment.
Then she said very seriously, "Perhaps they should ask Lord Chu whether he agrees."
Shuangyue's expression became complicated.
"Miss, if they ask him, won't he—"
"Say something unpleasant?"
"Yes."
Jiang Ning nodded sympathetically.
"Then I hope they ask him soon. I would like to hear it."
Shuangyue: "..."
Her young lady had apparently developed a new hobby.
Watching other people's romantic fantasies get murdered in public.
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