Matriarch He hadn't expected Chu Lian to stand up and say something like this. After a moment of shock, her eyes became slightly moist.

She knew how much Guilin Restaurant earned in a month. After all, Steward Qin used to be her subordinate.

She knew that Eldest Lang's wife was jealous. If the household wanted stability, the inner courtyard needed to be balanced. The matriarch was pleased that Chu Lian could say something like this but was also moved by Zou shi's change.

In the end, she made a decision. "Since Third Lang's wife has this intention, you will pay for your mother's medicine in the future. However, if it exceeds your means, don't force yourself. You have to know that no matter what, you still have this old woman behind you!"

Chu Lian's almond-shaped eyes curved. "Granddaughter-in-law knows. I won't stand on ceremony with grandmother!"

Matriarch He thought about it and looked at Zou shi, who was sitting below. "Eldest Lang's wife, I didn't expect the family's business to be in such a slump.

This isn't all your fault. It's probably because you don't have any capable people around you to manage the business.

I previously gave Third Lang's wife a steward. Now, I'll give you one too. Have him help you manage the fu's business! "

Hearing the matriarch's words, Zou shi raised her head in shock. Her lips wriggled as she wanted to refuse. However, when she met Matriarch He's shrewd eyes, her anger was immediately extinguished.

It wasn't that Matriarch He hadn't guessed the little tricks she'd done before. She just trusted her and didn't care. Now that she'd set her sights on the third branch, Matriarch He naturally couldn't allow her to continue her greedy antics.

Now that she'd publicly placed a steward by her side, her personal errands would probably have to be removed in the future.

Zou shi was filled with regret. Not only did the first branch not receive any benefits today, they'd also lost a lot.

Matriarch He saw that Zou shi only hung her head and didn't speak. Her brows furrowed and she raised her voice in displeasure. "Eldest Lang's wife, did you hear that?"

Zou shi's entire body trembled. Matriarch He's voice was clearly angry. "Granddaughter-in-law heard … heard."

Matriarch He hadn't been feeling well these past few days. Now that Zou shi had made a fuss this morning, she had a headache.

"Alright, since there's nothing else, you can all go back. Bring An Jie 'er and Lin Jie' er back as well."

Madam Zou was depressed and quickly left with her two daughters.

Chu Lian was a step behind. As soon as she stepped out of Qingwen Hall's courtyard, she heard a clear voice calling out to her from behind.

"Third Madam, please wait."

Chu Lian stopped and turned slightly to look behind her. She saw that it was Old Matriarch He's personal maid, Mu Xiang, with a few maids carrying exquisite wooden boxes.

Mu Xiang quickly walked over. "Third Madam, the weather is cold, so the Matriarch sent this servant to escort you back to Songtao Court."

Mu Xiang supported Chu Lian as they chatted. It didn't take long for them to return to Songtao Court. Mu Xiang then called for the servant girls behind her to place the box on the table in the reception pavilion.

"This was bestowed by the Empress Dowager in the palace to the Old Matriarch. Among them, there is a white fox fur coat without a single strand of mixed fur.

The Matriarch had said that she was getting on in years, so it wasn't appropriate for her to wear a fox fur coat of this color. It was just right for Third Madam's age.

There are also a few pieces of fresh and precious ruby and sapphire jewelry. This servant had this servant bring them to Third Madam as well. It'll be perfect to match the dress sent from the palace! "

Chu Lian accepted the gifts and had Zhong momo send Mu Xiang out. She returned to the small study in the inner room. Chu Lian knew that this was Matriarch He's compensation to her.

She had just glanced at the white fox fur coat. It was brand new and hadn't been worn before. It was indeed an extremely valuable item. If it hadn't been for today's incident, this fox fur coat would have been bestowed to her sister-in-law, Zou shi.

If one were to ask how Chu Lian knew that it would be bestowed to Zou shi, it was naturally because it had been mentioned in the original text.

However, because of her arrival this time, some things had changed.

Just as Chu Lian was lost in thought, Wenlan came in with a message. "Third Madam, Steward Qin has arrived. He's waiting outside in the reception pavilion."

Chu Lian stood up to see Steward Qin.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Steward Qin left.

Gui momo, who was standing behind Chu Lian, was puzzled. "Third Madam, what are you doing?"

She had seen Chu Lian give Steward Qin a letter and ask him three questions. She had asked him to hang these three questions at the entrance of Guilin Restaurant. On it was written that if anyone could answer these three questions correctly, they could immediately enter Guilin Restaurant and have a free meal.

Chu Lian smiled mysteriously. "Momo, don't worry. It's not a bad thing. It's a pleasant surprise!"

Gui momo was even more confused. She couldn't guess what her mistress was up to.

But with Chu Lian's assurance, Gui momo was finally relieved.

In the afternoon, someone came to the front courtyard to rush Chu Lian for the letter for He Changdi.

The person who came was Liu momo's son, who worked in the front courtyard.

Actually, Chu Lian had already prepared the letter and the items yesterday.

If the manservant who came to take the letter hadn't seen Third Madam's maidservant carrying a large bag, the corners of his mouth would have twitched and reminded her that the letter was too thin.

It felt light in his hand. Judging from its thickness, there was probably only a thin piece of paper in the envelope. Did Third Madam not have anything intimate to say to Third Young Master?

Third Young Master's letter was so thick!

When the manservant left Songtao Court with the bag on his back, he pouted. How was he going to report such a thin letter to his mother?!

Third Madam was too broad-minded. Wasn't she afraid that Third Young Master had other women outside?

Now that she had the chance, she didn't know how to curry favor with her husband. Third Madam was still too young!

If this manservant knew what kind of life He Sanlang was living in the north, he probably wouldn't think this way.

The letter and parcel from Count Jing 'an's residence had all reached Prince Jin. These items had to be sent to the north through Prince Jin's connections before finally reaching He Sanlang's hands.

In the study in the front courtyard of Prince Jin's residence, Prince Jin was currently pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. A pair of extraordinary green eyes shone under the candlelight. After a while, footsteps could be heard outside the study's screen.

When the footsteps stopped, a man's rough voice could be heard. "This subordinate greets Prince Jin."

"Come in."

A man wearing a black flying suit and carrying a knife walked around the screen and arrived at Prince Jin's side.

"How's the matter that I ordered you to do?"

The square-faced man's expression immediately tensed up. He knelt at Prince Jin's feet and said, "This subordinate is incompetent. I still haven't found the person that Your Highness is looking for."

Prince Jin sighed and walked to the study table to sit down. He picked up the ink stained brush next to him and began to write on a piece of paper. After a while, he picked up the paper and hung it to dry before putting it into an envelope.

He placed the envelope into Count Jing 'an's parcel, then stood up and said to the man in the black flying suit who was still kneeling, "Send these things to the Eagle Group. They'll know what to do.

Also, continue to investigate the matter that I ordered. You must find that person as soon as possible! "

After the man in the flying suit left with the letter and parcel, Prince Jin returned to his seat behind the study table. His brows were slightly furrowed. Although He Changdi was one of his most trusted brothers, he still found it difficult to believe what He Changdi had said in the letter.

Countess Jing 'an's illness had been plaguing her for more than twenty years. Could that traveling physician really cure her?

What Prince Jin didn't know was that in his previous life, it was this Miracle Physician Miao who had been recommended to the palace by Xiao Bojian when Emperor Chengping was on the verge of death. He extended the emperor's life and allowed Emperor Chengping to live for another five years.

Later on, Count Jing 'an met this Miracle Physician Miao and told him about his late wife's illness. At that time, he personally admitted that her illness could be cured and that after she recovered, her body would only be slightly weaker than normal women.

At that time, Count Jing 'an, who had just returned from Ming Province, found out about this and locked himself in his study for three days and three nights.

It was precisely because of Count Jing 'an's sudden abnormal behavior that all the masters in Count Jing' an's estate found out that Countess Jing 'an's illness wasn't incurable. It was just that they hadn't met a doctor who was proficient in treating this illness.

October 16th was Countess Jing 'an's 45th birthday.

Although it wasn't a whole number, every five was still a whole number.

Moreover, Countess Jing 'an's health had always been poor. In recent months, perhaps because the quality of the medicinal herbs wasn't as good as before, her illness had worsened.

Sometimes, she wouldn't be able to get out of bed for several days.

Matriarch He was also extremely worried. Her son and daughter-in-law were very close, and her son was still stationed at the borders of Ming Province. If something happened to her daughter-in-law, her son wouldn't even be able to see her. What was she to do?!

Moreover, it wasn't just Count Jing 'an. That rebellious San Lang was also outside right now!

Matriarch He wanted to use Countess Jing 'an's birthday to cheer her up a little more.

However, she didn't send out invitations. She only invited the madams and young misses of the aristocratic families she was on good terms with to the estate as guests.

At the same time, she also sent a message to the second son of the Left Guard, He Changjue, asking him to return to the estate for a meal that day.

He Changjue was usually worried that the elders in his family would force him to get married, so he didn't usually return home. He usually rested at the Left Guard.

However, today was his mother's birthday, so he naturally couldn't avoid it. He switched shifts with his colleagues. Early in the morning, the second son, He Changjue, rushed back home with a congratulatory gift for his mother.

Chu Lian's gift had also been prepared a long time ago. It was a set of pearl head ornaments that she had personally drawn and asked a master in Jinshi Pavilion to make.

Pearls were more suitable for Countess Jing 'an than sparkling gemstones.

Moreover, the ornaments that Chu Lian had drawn were things that had never been seen in the Great Wu Dynasty. They were fresh and elegant, most suitable for noblewomen in their forties or fifties.

Princess Ruanjia would also be coming today. This was something that the two of them had agreed on when they first met. If it wasn't for the fact that she was afraid of disturbing Countess Jing 'an's birthday, Princess Wei would have wanted to come as well!

Early in the morning, Princess Ruanjia was escorted by the estate's guards to the main entrance of Count Jing 'an's estate.

Chu Liu said that if she came early, he would personally cook for her.

Chu Liu was a good eater, and Princess Ruanjia hadn't even seen her cook yet!

Thus, Princess Ruanjia had been waiting for this day for a long time. Thus, when she got off the carriage, she couldn't help but feel a little impatient.

The carriage hadn't even come to a complete stop yet, but she was already about to jump off. Immediately after, the horses neighed and the carriage fell over.