This was another problem Wen Ning had to solve. She immediately put on a serious face and said: “I’ve always known medicine. Do you remember, before I turned three, I lived in Xuzhou? At that time, Grandfather often took me along when he treated patients. After we returned to Fenglin, Grandfather visited me several times, and each time he spoke at length about pharmacology and medical principles. These medical books were gifts from him—I’ve treasured them ever since.”
Her words were half true, half false. The original Wen Ning’s grandfather had indeed taught her some basics, but she had never been interested. The books had been kept only as a sentimental reminder.
“Later, Grandfather passed away, and as I grew older, I neglected this path. But when I nearly died the other day, I saw Grandfather again. He told me to pick up medicine once more—it is, after all, a skill that saves lives. I agreed wholeheartedly. You only came to me when I was eight, so naturally you wouldn’t know these things.”
“So… so that’s how it is.” Chunxi listened, stunned, but not suspicious. After all, everything her mistress said was factual. And since her mistress had changed after falling into the water, perhaps it really was Grandfather Zhao’s spirit watching over her.
Wen Ning pressed further: “Grandfather often said I had talent in medicine. Alas, I didn’t cherish it. But I haven’t touched medical texts in years. Outsiders don’t understand me, and I don’t care to explain. If anyone asks, just say I study medicine in my spare time. As for my mother—she disappointed Grandfather by insisting on becoming Father’s concubine. Their relationship was poor, so she never knew about his teaching me medicine. I dared not mention him often in front of her. If she or Yu’er ask, you say I learned from reading books.”
In the Protector’s household, this maid was the one who knew the original Wen Ning best. As long as she convinced this girl, no one could disprove her story.
Chunxi found her mistress’s words perfectly reasonable, perfectly convincing. Her eyes shone like stars. “Mistress, don’t worry. I understand.”
Only then did Wen Ning smile in satisfaction, yawning lazily. “Enough. It’s late. Let’s sleep.”
Perhaps because the matter of Concubine Cheng and her lover was resolved, Wen Ning now had direction in this world. That night she slept soundly, not waking until the sun was high.
But soon after she rose, Chunxi rushed in, shocked. “Mistress! Just now Chief Fang brought a physician into Concubine Cheng’s courtyard. Moments later, Concubine Cheng was carried out, bound hand and foot, and dumped at her family’s gate!”
Wen Ning, calmly eating what might be breakfast or lunch, only blinked and sipped her chicken‑shred porridge. “I see.”
Concubine Cheng’s lover had venereal disease. As his partner, she was high‑risk.
Wen Ning hadn’t expected Chen Jinfeng to act so quickly.
“And more! They say… they say Concubine Cheng was caught in adultery and infected with that filthy disease! Heaven help us, the Cheng family has lost all face!”
Wen Ning already knew, so she wasn’t surprised. She stirred her porridge idly, thinking Chen Jinfeng’s method was brutally simple.
The Cheng family wasn’t one of Jin’s three great clans, but Old Master Cheng was a general with military power.
Two years ago, even if such a scandal broke, Chen Jinfeng would not have slapped their face so openly.
Tsk, tsk. Her “husband” had truly grown into a qualified overlord.
She glanced at Chunxi. “Calm yourself. Don’t act like you’ve never seen the world.”
Chunxi: “!!!” Who in the world had ever seen such a thing!
Grandfather Zhao’s spirit must be too powerful—her mistress hadn’t just changed, she was reborn.
Maintaining her calm persona, Wen Ning finished her meal, drank a bowl of medicine Chunxi had prepared, and felt refreshed. She was about to nap again when hurried footsteps sounded outside.
The next moment, Concubine Luo led a group of women storming in like a whirlwind. Wen Ning blinked in surprise. “You…”
Concubine Luo had lost all her former dignity. She glared fiercely. “Last night—what exactly did you say to the Protector? Why did he strike against Huiyu first thing this morning?!”
Last night, she had watched the Protector keep Wen Ning behind alone. Her heart had been restless ever since.
Wen Ning looked timid and fragile, yet who would have thought she had such means?
Originally, Concubine Luo hadn’t wanted to appear too anxious and lose face, so she hadn’t come to confront her early in the morning. But who could have imagined that right after, Concubine Cheng’s scandal would erupt like a thunderclap.
Wen Ning immediately put on a frightened, helpless expression. “Sister Luo, last night… I only asked the Commander to capture the man who broke into my room. As for Sister Cheng’s matter, I truly don’t know much…”
Concubine Luo frowned deeply, clearly unconvinced.
Wen Ning lowered her lashes sorrowfully. “I don’t understand why, the moment Sister Cheng is in trouble, Sister Luo insists it’s my fault—as if you think I bear some grudge against her…”
Concubine Luo was momentarily choked. Just yesterday, Wen Ning had been calling Concubine Cheng “sister” with all affection. How could outsiders suspect discord between them? Unless… Concubine Luo was not an outsider. Behind the veil of her lashes, Wen Ning’s eyes flashed with a hidden gleam.
Most likely, Concubine Luo had already discovered Concubine Cheng’s secret trysts and guessed that the man who attacked Wen Ning last night was her own lover. That was why she was so certain Concubine Cheng’s downfall was connected to Wen Ning.
Wen Ning sighed inwardly. No wonder ordinary schemers in the inner court rarely survive past one episode.
By this logic, Concubine Luo must also have guessed that the original Wen Ning’s fall into the lake was Concubine Cheng’s doing. But she had pretended ignorance—after all, whether Wen Ning or Concubine Cheng won, it would benefit her either way.
“What are you insinuating! Everyone knows you stirred up trouble last night just to catch the Protector’s eye!” A sharp, girlish voice suddenly rang out. It was a woman in pink standing just behind Concubine Luo.
Another concubine from the rear courtyard—Lady Hua. The Hua family had long been close to the Luo family, so Lady Hua was always Concubine Luo’s shadow, following her lead.
Now her beautiful eyes glared fiercely at Wen Ning. “Who knows what lies you whispered to the Protector to bring Sister Cheng to ruin! I think your next target is the rest of us! Too bad—even after all your scheming last night, the Protector didn’t keep you in his bed. Wen Ning, I truly underestimated you before. How could he ever favor a woman with such a venomous heart? Best give up your foolish delusions early!”