After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

"Impossible." Gu Ce's expression instantly turned cold, and he spoke with unusual certainty.

If he were not his father's child, how could his father have asked him to be named heir apparent, how could he have ensured his safety, and even hired renowned teachers to instruct him?

"I was just guessing. Since you're so sure, just pretend I didn't say anything." Rong Yingluo had never met the Duke of Zhenguo. There were some similarities between the father and son, and with her ability to read faces, she could probably tell something.

However, the Duke of Zhenguo is far away at the border and there is no way to meet him. This matter can only be discussed later.

Sometimes, if the bond between adoptive fathers and sons is too deep and the affection too strong, they may develop a father-son relationship over the years.

The saying that couples look alike applies to the same thing.

Gu Ce only stayed at the Silver Willow Courtyard for one day to recuperate before going to court.

Thanks to the prescription given by Rong Yingluo, her body was not as weak as before after the poisoning, and her blood loss was under control. She recovered her spirits after drinking three doses of medicine.

In the following days, Rong Yingluo spent her time paying her respects to Madam Su and making clothes.

On the night of the tenth day since she last administered acupuncture to the old lady to detoxify, before Gu Ce returned from the outer courtyard, she secretly went to administer acupuncture to the old lady again and drew blood.

The old lady is in much better spirits than when I first saw her. At least she doesn't have to lie in bed all day anymore; she can sit up on her own and even go out to bask in the sun when the weather is nice.

That day, after paying her respects to Madam Su, Rong Yingluo asked to go out of the mansion to buy some incense.

The Rong family invited Doctor Qu to examine Madam Su. Given such a great favor, Madam Su was exceptionally kind to Rong Yingluo.

"We have incense in our mansion. If you run out of the incense in your courtyard, just ask your mother for more. Why spend money to buy more?" Su Jingyi said very nicely.

"Mother, actually I'm just bored at home, so I wanted to go out for a stroll and see what's going on. You know, my father is a businessman, and I often go out with him. I'm used to being adventurous. It's really too difficult for me to suddenly not be able to go anywhere." Rong Yingluo put on a tearful expression, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"You silly child, go if you want, but you must be back by noon, or your mother will worry. Granny Zhao, tell the steward to arrange a carriage." Madam Su was always a very kind mother, even though she knew that the child had her own carriage, she still pretended to be a kind mother.

"Mother, there's no need to arrange a carriage. You've forgotten that I bought one myself."

"Look at my memory, I almost forgot."

Oh, and since you want to go shopping, remember to buy me two bolts of light purple brocade.

"Your sister has had her eye on this color for a while and wanted to have two winter outfits made, but I've been sick lately and haven't had time to go out. Could you please buy them for me while you're at it? I'll pay you back when I get back," Mrs. Su said with a smile.

Rong Yingluo's body stiffened.

Alright, here I am, waiting for her. No wonder I was so generous with the fabric I gave her before; it turns out I had to buy other things to make up for it.

They said they'd give her money when they got back, but as a newlywed daughter-in-law, how could she possibly accept it? They were taking advantage of her.

She had no choice but to suffer this loss, as it would damage her reputation if word got out.

"Daughter-in-law has taken note."

After leaving the Duke's mansion, Rong Yingluo went straight to a restaurant called Honghao Restaurant, which was owned by the Rong family and was now part of her dowry.

Rong Yingluo had the two guards from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion who had come with her eat and drink in the main hall, while she took Yinghong to a private room at the very back on the second floor.

She changed into a Taoist robe, put on a hood, and left through the back door.

A horse was already waiting there. It was arranged by the shopkeeper.

Rong Yingluo mounted her horse and headed towards the Fourth Prince's residence.

Today was her scheduled follow-up appointment. She had been on tenterhooks for the past two days, worried that Yuwen Zhang might disobey her and worsen her injuries.

Upon reaching the back gate, the token was flashed, and entry into the mansion was smooth.

This was her first time visiting during the day.

She was surprised when she saw the servants in the mansion.

Most of them were men with disabilities.

That night, she only saw two guards and did not know that most of the men in the Fourth Prince's residence were disabled.

She was led into Yuwen Zhang's bedroom.

Yuwen Zhang was leaning against a pillow, reading a book.

Upon seeing this familiar outfit, Yuwen Zhang broke into a bright smile and unconsciously exclaimed, "Little Fairy!"

Rong Yingluo lifted her cap, a bright smile on her face: "Does your leg still hurt?"

"It hurt a lot on the first day, a little better on the second day, and today I only feel a dull ache," Yuwen Zhang said truthfully.

Rong Yingluo sat down on the edge of the bed and carefully examined him. There was nothing wrong: "You're very obedient."

He truly did not make any unnecessary movements during those three days.

"I must follow the doctor's orders given by the little fairy." Yuwen Zhang said honestly.

"Have you found out who harmed you?" Rong Yingluo asked.

"It's the Crown Prince." Yuwen Zhang's eyes sharpened instantly.

Rong Yingluo wasn't surprised; only the Crown Prince would have that motive.

Now that the Emperor only has one son, the Crown Prince, to inherit the throne, he has no rivals and can rest easy. All that's left is for the Emperor to die soon.

This is why the emperor supported Gu Ce to oppose the crown prince.

"So what are your plans?" Rong Yingluo wanted to know what he was thinking.

"What do you think I should do?" Yuwen Zhang trusted Rong Yingluo a lot.

"I hope you can live a good life and stay away from trouble."

"Why?" Yuwen Zhang asked, somewhat surprised.

Shouldn't she be encouraging him to try and get that position?

If he doesn't fight for it, the Crown Prince might not let him go; if he does fight, there's still a sliver of hope.

"Because I can read faces, and you don't have the countenance of an emperor. So don't throw your life away in vain. You are one of my best friends, and I don't want you to die." Rong Yingluo spoke from the bottom of her heart.

"But I want power so that I can protect you in the future."

Gu Ce might not be able to protect you.

He's currently opposing the Crown Prince, and once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the first person he'll target is Gu Ce. "At that time, if I have power, I can protect you." It was rare for Yuwen Zhang to care about someone; he hoped she was well.

Moreover, he wanted to wait for an opportunity.

If something were to happen to Gu Ce, he wanted to take her away and elope.

But he wouldn't say it aloud; he'd leave it to fate.

Rong Yingluo was moved by Yuwen Zhang's words.

She's so popular; he's so considerate of her, he's practically family to her.

"Brother Zhang, you don't need to do this. I can protect myself." Rong Yingluo's eyes welled up with tears.

"By the way, when I came in just now, I noticed that you have so many disabled servants?" She deliberately changed the subject.

"I spent four years at the border and got to know many soldiers. They were all wounded soldiers from the battlefield who had nowhere to go, so I took some of them in." Yuwen Zhang concealed his identity when he went to the border and lived and ate with the soldiers. He had a deep understanding of their difficult lives.

"So Brother Zhang is actually quite kind-hearted. No wonder he's so good to me as a friend." Rong Yingluo praised his character highly.

Although he was not favored, he still cared about his country and the world, and felt sorry for the soldiers who were disabled for the country.

"Brother Zhang, I have a suggestion that might help you." Suddenly, Rong Yingluo thought of a way.

Doesn't he want power?

Even if he wasn't favored by the emperor, he was still a prince, and that status was his advantage. Which ordinary official would dare to openly disrespect him? Naturally, his power would be greater than that of ordinary officials.

In fact, "power" refers to whether you have people at your disposal.

The emperor will definitely bestow upon him the title of king and grant him a fiefdom. If he has enough manpower, he will naturally not fear the crown prince plotting against him.

"What suggestion?" Yuwen Zhang was not quite sure.