Wenren Ying and You Shi nodded slightly. Wenren Ying knew that Li Ruoshui was strange, but it didn’t stop her from liking her poetry.

Wenren Yang spoke slowly, “After all, poetry is just a minor art.”

Xiao Cao chuckled, “Indeed.” As expected, Fourth Sister was the most considerate. Everyone else’s words just hurt.

Wenren Ying seemed to catch on to something. “Fourth Sister doesn’t like it?” Did she have a special reason? Or, could it be that Fourth Sister also…

“I’m just a simple person; poetry and such things, I don’t understand. Seventh Sister can say that I’m jealous of those talented women.” Xiao Cao said with a self-mocking smile.

Wenren Ying heaved a sigh of relief. She had been worried that something was wrong with Fourth Sister too. “It is indeed something that makes people envious.”

Though they said so, none of them truly took it to heart.

Xiao Cao wasn’t skilled in pretense, though the reason no one had noticed anything earlier was because of where she was standing and how she had been carefully keeping her emotions in check. It was probably best to stop here; if the conversation went on, she might slip up.

They went upstairs and directly into a private room. Once the door was closed, it isolated them from all the attention outside.

The shopkeeper personally led the way, being quite solicitous. After the tea and snacks were ordered, the shopkeeper left after saying, “Please wait a moment.”

Finally, Xiao Cao’s legs could get some much-needed rest. Standing downstairs for so long earlier had made them feel numb.

Xiao Cao held her head, thinking how strange it felt—after all, even after performing surgeries that lasted hours or even dozens of hours, she never felt this kind of exhaustion.

While they chatted among themselves, little did they know that two private rooms away on the Tianzi floor were some other people. One of them was Xiao Cao’s supposedly deceased former husband. He had been going by the surname Xue but was originally Wei Tingyu.

Wei Shizi had been longing to see Xiao Cao day and night, but today’s encounter was purely by chance.

And because of that coincidence, they were all about to witness an extraordinary performance.

“Your sister-in-law’s brother-in-law has been famous for a while, but I never knew he was such a tough character until today. When he gets angry, he’s incredibly sharp to deal with. Given his broad knowledge base and wit, it’s no wonder the Emperor himself had a hard time keeping a straight face back then. He even granted him a golden plaque that allows him the privilege of seeing the Emperor before anyone else. That plaque’s been with him for four or five years, and he’s never used it. Many probably forgot about it. But judging by his expression earlier, it seems he’s thinking of using it soon.” Despite being in a teahouse, the speaker casually peeled some peanuts and drank a little wine as he spoke.

Wei Tingyu was quietly leaning against the wooden wheelchair, lost in thought.

“The young master doesn’t have anything to say?” The other man’s eyes gleamed mischievously. Suddenly, he grinned wickedly. “How about this, Brother. If you die, why don’t you leave your wife to me? Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her. I’ll even bring her to your grave each year during your death anniversary to burn some incense. When we have children, I’ll bring them along too to pay respects.”

Wei Tingyu’s gaze became as sharp as a knife, filled with a murderous intensity. “Jin Wenjie, if you want to die, I wouldn’t mind sending you on a one-way trip to the underworld ahead of me.”

Jin Wenjie immediately shut his mouth obediently, but after downing another cup of wine, he couldn’t help but chatter on, “So, that Yuan Qiyu kid—how do you plan to deal with him? Although there’s a good chance your sister-in-law’s brother-in-law will ruin his future, he’s backed by some powerful connections. His days won’t be too hard, and though his prospects can be cut short for now, it may not be permanent. Holding a grudge against him means trouble for the Wenren family too—their misfortune might get dragged into this.”

Earlier, when Yuan Qiyu had humiliated Wei Tingyu’s wife, the look of wanting to dismember him alive in Wei Tingyu’s eyes was truly terrifying. With Wei Tingyu’s ruthless nature, it would be surprising if he let Yuan Qiyu off the hook.

Wei Tingyu’s slender fingers traced the rim of the teacup, his hands and face pale, with an almost translucent texture to his skin—you could faintly see the blue veins underneath. His hands were as thin and frail as his face.

He didn’t get angry this time. He remained calm and indifferent, dressed in luxurious yet understated garments that exuded an air of noble grace.

“When a person dies, they lose everything.”

Jin Wenjie nearly jumped up at these words. “Hold on! Brother, don’t act rashly. Yuan Qiyu is not just anyone; he has connections with Prince Dun. If you harm him, you’ll inevitably face Prince Dun’s wrath. Prince Dun is an imperial son, and you’re just a subject. If the Emperor finds out, all your previous efforts will have been for nothing. Don’t you still want your wife to live in peace? Plus, this involves your family, the Pingyang Marquis’s household. If you die, your mother will become a convenient scapegoat for everyone’s frustrations.”

Wei Tingyu glanced at him but didn’t say anything more. It seemed like he had abandoned the dangerous idea. Indeed, if he wanted to make a move, he had ways to ensure everything was done flawlessly.

Even though Jin Wenjie, who had shared a life-and-death camaraderie with him, wasn’t truly his brother by blood, Wei Tingyu wouldn’t reveal his entire plan. It wasn’t a matter of trust, but rather of not wanting him involved.

“Master, the Second Young Master is almost here, and he brought Prince Dun with him.”

“I see.” Wei Tingyu replied and sat for a moment longer before silently pushing his wooden wheelchair through a hidden passage to the backyard, avoiding everyone’s notice.

Jin Wenjie clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair, still unable to figure out what was going through Wei Tingyu’s mind. “This sickly man, moving around despite his condition and constantly putting himself in danger.” Sighing in exasperation, Jin Wenjie followed him. After all, his illegitimate half-brother had tricked him out here and even manipulated circumstances to remove the people closest to him. Knowing all this well, Wei Tingyu didn’t avoid the trap but rather played along, obliging him to provide protection.

Wei Tingyu didn’t know that shortly after he left, Xiao Cao also left her private room to relieve herself. Refusing the company of her sisters-in-law and only bringing two maids with her, she took a different staircase and exited through the back door where a maid led her to the restroom.

Almost the moment Xiao Cao descended the stairs, Prince Dun and Wei Tingyu’s half-brother, Wei Jincheng, entered the teahouse. It was common for such places to harbor gatherings of those trying to recruit talent around examination periods. If not visiting themselves, influential figures would send their subordinates. Naturally, what happened earlier between Yuan Qiyu and Wenren Yang had been reported to them right away.

Instead of getting angry, Prince Dun smiled as he ascended the stairs, heading toward the private room where the Wenren family was. Meanwhile, Wei Jincheng went to meet his brother as planned, though he wondered what expression Wei Tingyu would have upon meeting him.

The backyard was impressively laid out. After using the restroom, Xiao Cao couldn’t resist strolling around.

Yet on her brief walk, something startling happened—right before her eyes, someone she vaguely recognized was abducted. Her heart raced with anxiety. She hadn’t seen the person’s face, but she recognized the wooden wheelchair—it belonged to Wei Shizi, the heir of the Pingyang Marquis, the man she had wanted to see to confirm certain things. As a doctor, she couldn’t turn a blind eye, especially since she had the ability to help. She had no choice but to act.

Out of habit, Xiao Cao always carried several self-defense tools, never parting from her silver-needle bracelet. Her purse also held anesthetics and a specially crafted spray, a formula she and her foster father had frequently used to knock out wild beasts in the mountains. Over the years, she had refined the concoction more than once. It could easily subdue an elephant within seconds—much faster with humans. She carried enough to affect dozens of people. When inhaled in small doses or absorbed through the skin in larger quantities, it would take effect almost instantly.

“Miss…” One of the maids spoke, confused.

Xiao Cao, sensing her voice might draw attention, instinctively pressed the trigger of her spray. The maid instantly went limp, collapsing within three breaths. Both maids were now unconscious. Xiao Cao, looking around to ensure no one else was in sight, quickly dragged them into a nearby bush for concealment. Taking a deep breath, she dashed out of the back door and chased after the abductors.