Nanny Lu entered the room holding two paper packets, a look of triumph on her face.
"Madam, it's done."
"These are the medicinal dregs found in the Eldest Young Lady's rear courtyard. Qiu Ye was sneaking around burying them in the soil. If our people hadn't been meticulous, they would never have been discovered."
Upon opening the packets, a pungent odor wafted out. Liu Fufeng wrinkled her nose in distaste, covering it with a handkerchief as she leaned back.
"Have they been shown to a physician? What ailment are these dregs meant to treat?"
Nanny Lu pointed to the dregs on the right. "On the surface, they were brewing this one for stomach troubles and poor appetite. But the dregs Qiu Ye secretly buried are actually from a formula for regulating menstruation and treating infertility. They're trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes."
Liu Fufeng let out a cold laugh. "She certainly has her ways, managing to procure medicine even without leaving the house."
She pointed at the dregs on the left and pressed, "How effective is this prescription? Can it cure Guo Yiyao's condition?"
Nanny Lu shook her head, eager to claim credit, her plump cheeks squeezing together into several unpleasantly deep folds.
"Rest assured, Madam. After two months of consuming those specially prepared meals, the Young Lady's condition cannot be cured so easily."
"She cannot leave the estate. Whether it's because the physician Qiu Ye found is incompetent, or because she couldn't describe her symptoms clearly, the prescription is flawed. It's missing two key herbs, and the dosages are incorrect. The treatment effect is minimal at best; it simply won't cure her."
Liu Fufeng leaned back against the soft pillows on her daybed, a wave of satisfaction washing over her. "Afraid the Meng family will find out, she dares not let word of such an illness spread."
"In a few days, it will be Old Madam Meng's birthday. Since she has recently recovered from her illness, the Meng family plans a grand celebration. If, on such an occasion, Guo Yiyao were to appear as if suffering a miscarriage... even if a physician later diagnosed it as a misunderstanding, her condition of being unfit for pregnancy would be impossible to conceal."
"The Meng family would surely disdain her and demand to break off the engagement. That's when I will propose a substitution. Both the Master and the Meng family will agree."
Inside the Song Family Clinic, Song Jinzhao was checking the account books.
Once the farm connected to the hills behind the villa estate was built, they would buy a first batch of piglets.
Before the weather turned cold, they should also incubate another batch of breeding eggs, aiming for them to hatch before November. By the following spring, the chickens and ducks would be ready for market.
The 120 mu of vacant land in front of the estate could be used to plant peanuts come spring. If the peanuts didn't sell, they could be pressed for oil. The peanut oil market here was completely untapped; she would be the first to seize the opportunity.
As for the idle time during winter, she pondered setting up a vegetable greenhouse. It might yield a considerable profit.
"Miss Song."
Both Song Jinzhao and Song Shixue looked up.
"Miss Bihe." It was Old Madam Meng's personal maidservant.
Bihe walked up to Song Jinzhao with a smile and respectfully presented a golden-edged birthday invitation with both hands.
"In three days, it will be my mistress's sixty-fifth birthday. She specifically asked me to deliver this invitation to you, Miss. You must bring your family to join the festivities."
Song Jinzhao took the invitation and opened it.
Bihe made polite conversation. "That day coincides with a break at Anyang Academy. Several of the teaching masters will be attending. You could bring Young Master Song and the Second Young Lady Song along to the banquet."
Song Jinzhao smiled faintly and closed the invitation. "Thank you for making the trip, Miss Bihe. If nothing comes up, I will certainly bring my younger brother and sister to offer our congratulations to the Old Madam."
Bihe gave a slight nod, bid farewell, and turned to leave.
Liu Xuanqing handed a wrapped package of medicine to a patient, then turned to remind Song Jinzhao.
"Every year for Old Madam Meng's birthday banquet, Lord Meng invites all the dignitaries and nobles of Anyang Prefecture. If you wish to make connections, this is an excellent opportunity."
The golden invitation gleamed on the table. After returning home, Song Jinzhao mentioned the matter to Song Qiming.
"The Meng residence also sent an invitation to my teacher. He said he would take me along."
Song Jinzhao raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.
Ye Liangyu still couldn't walk without his crutches. He went to the academy in a wheelchair pushed by a servant and rarely went out otherwise.
Considering the number of guests at the birthday banquet, it was surprising he had agreed.
"In that case, stay with Master Ye then. I expect the men's and women's seating will be in separate areas."
Song Anhao tugged on Song Jinzhao's clothes, looking up at her to plead. "Anhao wants to go too."
Song Jinzhao picked him up and sat him on her lap, putting on a stern face. "There will be many people at the banquet, and your elder sister won't be able to watch you closely. You stay home and be good."
Song Anhao buried his head in Song Jinzhao's neck, wriggling his body like an itchy caterpillar. "Anhao wants to go. Anhao will go. Eldest Sister, take me."
It really would be inconvenient to bring a two-year-old to such an event.
Song Shixue pointed at Lanxi, who was sweeping the courtyard. "Second Sister will have Lanxi stay home and play ball with you."
Song Anhao stopped wriggling. His two faint, misty eyebrows, delicate as distant mountains, furrowed together adorably.
He tilted his head, resting it on Song Jinzhao's shoulder. "Alright then. But remember to bring back tasty treats. I want date paste rolls."
