Chapter 172: Still, Du Ruo Has Skill

Chapter 172: Still, Du Ruo Has Skill

The next day, Cheng Yunshuo brought in an Imperial Physician.

Fortunately, he had risen to become an officer in the Imperial Guards, holding a respectable official position; otherwise, he would have had to ask his father to help him invite an Imperial Physician.

Relying on the status of the Marquis's estate and his considerable connections, Cheng Yunshuo managed to invite the Imperial Physician.

On that very day, news of this spread throughout the Marquis's estate and Du Ruo’s aunt’s household.

Everyone in the Marquis's estate learned that the Crown Prince had invited an Imperial Physician for his concubine’s aunt, and they all started gossiping.

"The Crown Prince actually invited an Imperial Physician for Aunt Du!"

"And it's for Concubine Du's aunt!"

"How ridiculous!"

"But hasn't our Crown Prince done ridiculous things plenty of times before?"

"Still, this is too much. If word gets out, people will say he’s overly favoring his concubine."

While it couldn’t be called favoritism toward the concubine at the wife’s expense, the fact that he doted on his concubine excessively was undeniable. Anyone would say that the Crown Prince of Ningyang was utterly reckless!

But when it came to Cheng Yunshuo, his reputation was already in tatters.

This wasn’t the first time he had extravagantly doted on a concubine.

Everyone knew he was a careless person.

After discussing among themselves, the servants then gossiped with a mix of sourness and jealousy about Concubine Du.

"I think Concubine Du’s even worse than the previous Concubine Xing!"

"Our Crown Prince has always been sentimental!"

Upon hearing that Cheng Yunshuo had invited an Imperial Physician from the Medical Bureau to treat Du Ruo’s aunt, Lu Lingyun couldn’t be bothered to say a word, letting out an internal eye roll.

This was exactly the kind of thing Cheng Yunshuo would do.

It wasn’t a huge matter, but it wasn’t small either. If someone with ulterior motives found out, they could make a big deal out of it. A charge of indulgence and debauchery could ruin his political career.

There was no chance of him getting promoted in the imperial court.

But Cheng Yunshuo had no ambition for higher office anyway; he didn’t care what others thought of him.

"Young Mistress, the Crown Prince is being foolish! There are only a few in the entire Imperial City who would invite an Imperial Physician for a concubine’s aunt!"

"In our mansion, up until now, we’ve only invited an Imperial Physician for Lord Marquis, the previous Lord Marquis, and the previous Lady Marquis. This is just not proper!"

"The Crown Prince acted so quickly and didn’t even discuss it with you."

"In my opinion, it’s Concubine Du who stirred this up, just for herself. She’s really disrespectful and out of line."

Lu Lingyun listened to the maids' words, gently shaking a small round fan as she looked at the three chubby, fair-skinned babies in front of her. "Let him be."

At that moment, in the aunt’s household, everyone was wide-eyed seeing the Imperial Physician who had actually been invited.

The Imperial Physician examined Aunt Du, prescribed a new treatment, and managed to save her life, giving her at least another six months to live.

A group of people saw this and thanked the Imperial Physician profusely, and Cheng Yunshuo also expressed his gratitude as he saw the physician off.

After the Imperial Physician left, everyone looked at Lord Cheng and A'Ruo with admiration in their eyes.

"Lord Cheng, thank you so much!"

"Lord Cheng, we can't find the words to thank you."

"We still have to rely on Yunshuo; only someone of his stature could bring the Imperial Physician here!"

"I say, it's A'Ruo who has the real talent. Marrying into the Marquis's Mansion, with Lord Cheng backing her up, our whole family benefits!"

"Yes, yes, yes, A'Ruo, we owe you this time!"

"No wonder your aunt dotes on you so much."

Listening to all this gratitude, Cheng Yunshuo felt a bit uncomfortable, finding it somewhat off-putting.

A'Ruo, on the other hand, wore a look of pride and satisfaction.

She tightened her grip on Cheng Yunshuo's arm and boasted to her relatives, "It's because my Master pampers me."

This show of pride made Cheng Yunshuo uncomfortable, and he pulled his arm away. "I have some things to attend to. A'Ruo, you stay here and take care of your aunt."

With that, he left.

"Master!"

"Lord Cheng!"

Cheng Yunshuo didn't stop for a second, and as A'Ruo watched him leave, a hint of resentment appeared in her eyes.

Turning back to her relatives, they asked, "A'Ruo, is Lord Cheng upset?"

"No, my Master loves me the most!"

"That's true; if Lord Cheng didn't adore you, he wouldn't have called the Imperial Physician for you!"

"A'Ruo, being a concubine seems to bring you more glory than being the primary wife!"

"Yes, when you married into the Marquis's Mansion as a concubine, people thought you were making a mistake. But now, it seems we were wrong!"

"You really know how to play your cards well! To be so favored by Lord Cheng, we will all benefit from your success!"

"A'Ruo is amazing; I could tell from a young age that she was special!"

Amidst the praise, A'Ruo felt a surge of pride, her vanity fully gratified.

Looking in the direction where Cheng Yunshuo had left, she no longer felt any doubt. She was convinced that Cheng Yunshuo loved her.

Her place in his heart was undeniably special!

After staying at her family's home for two days, A'Ruo returned to the Marquis's Mansion.

Upon her return, she clearly felt her standing in the mansion had risen again.

The servants treated her with even more respect, and even the gatekeepers greeted her warmly that day.

Of course, she still had to use the side entrance, though the guard smiled and spoke in a way that was clearly trying to please her.

"Concubine Du has returned, this way please."

Noticing his sudden change in demeanor, Du Ruo felt a desire to assert herself. "Can I use the main gate today?"

"Oh, my lady!" The guard half cried and half laughed, looking at Du Ruo as if begging for mercy. "The rules of the mansion don't allow entry through the main gate!"

"No, I want to use the main gate today."

"Please don't put me in an awkward position. We're all just servants. I can personally lead your horse or even carry you into the mansion! But the main gate is against the rules, I really can't do it!"

The guard pleaded and was about to come and carry Du Ruo.

Du Ruo saw no point in arguing further. Disgusted at the thought, she refused to let him touch her. "Forget it, I'll walk by myself."

And so, she entered through the side entrance.

Amidst the fawning of the guards.

As Du Ruo returned to the Marquis's Mansion, Liu Qingping was about to return to her own home.

She had been staying with Lu Lingyun for nearly two weeks and had learned most of what she needed to. Her wedding is scheduled for mid-month, and she would be getting married soon after returning home.

The family would be preparing for the grand gifts ceremony in the next two days, and today she had to leave.

"Big sister, I'm going back now."

"Yes, go ahead. I'll visit your home in a few days," Lu Lingyun said with a smile. "After you're married, live your life well. Put yourself first in everything, and with some effort, your days will be good."

Liu Qingping had grown fond of Lu Lingyun, drawn to her gentle nature and the fact that she had married well, which made her feel close to her. Now, she had developed some genuine affection.

She felt that Lu Lingyun was the purest person she had ever met.

Because Lu Lingyun had never wanted anything from her. She was calm and composed, and although her mother's aunt had privately said that Lu Lingyun was cunning, heartless, and lacked familial affection, Liu Qingping, after spending time with her, felt that she was the most sincere person.

"Thank you for your teachings, Big Sister. Qingping will remember them for life," Liu Qingping said solemnly, reining in her emotions.

Lu Lingyun smiled lightly. "Alright, don't be sad. Go pack your things, and I'll see you off later."