An elderly couple, Situ Yan naturally took Lu Nianfu's hand, "Fu'er, how is Father doing?"
"He's a bit better today. He even drank half a bowl of porridge this morning."
"Is he lacking any medicinal herbs?"
"Suxin said we have enough. He just needs to maintain a good mood and rest well."
Situ Yan nodded, "Then I'll go see him."
"Perhaps not at this moment. He just fell asleep and won't wake up until noon."
"That's perfect. I came in a hurry and didn't bring anything. In that case, I'll go out and buy some medicinal herbs first, and then I'll visit him later."
Lu Nianfu said, "I'll go with you."
It was a good opportunity to go out for a walk. Although no one at Pingning Marquis's manor mistreated her, she always felt a bit uneasy staying there. Zeng Weiyang also wanted to follow, but couldn't find a good reason and could only watch them leave.
Yin Zhu sighed quietly.
Prince Rui couldn't even look at his own young lady more than once, how could he possibly take her into his household? The story of Ehuang and Nüying was a celebrated one in the time of Emperor Yao and Shun, but in the Great Yin Dynasty, the one who entered first was considered a laughingstock.
Looking at the natural way Prince Rui and Princess Rui interacted, it was clear that Prince Rui would never do something that would embarrass his princess.
Zeng Weiyang clearly thought of this too, her expression dim and unclear even under the sunlight.
Suxin, having received the news, was extremely relieved. Fortunately, she had taken the blood in the morning while Qingya was away. If she had waited until the afternoon for Prince Rui to arrive, she would have had no opportunity.
With the new blood as a medicinal guide, Pingning Marquis's complexion improved significantly after taking the medicine. His pale face became rosy. He got out of bed and stretched his limbs, showing no signs of being on the verge of death.
Suxin said, "The Eldest Miss's blood is much more useful than the Second Miss's. However, given her noble status, it might be difficult to obtain blood from her in the future."
After all, the Marquis couldn't pretend to be sick forever, could he?
It was said that no filial children stayed by a sickbed for long, let alone the Eldest Miss, who was already Princess Rui. It was impossible for her to come every day to care for him. Moreover, if a lot of blood were lost, it would definitely show in her body, and then the imperial physicians would take her pulse…
Suxin dared not think further.
Lu Nianfu was different from Zeng Weiyang.
Zeng Weiyang had been raised as a blood slave by the Marquis since she was young. She had no backing. Her biological father, the Marquis, held control over her life and death. Even if she bled to death, with the Marquis in charge, no one would raise any objections.
But Lu Nianfu was different. She was a princess on the imperial jade slips, and judging by today's encounter, Prince Rui also doted on her greatly.
Pingning Marquis's brows furrowed slightly. He wouldn't have been so reluctant to give up if he hadn't used Lu Nianfu's blood before.
However, after two attempts, her blood was significantly more effective than Zeng Weiyang's. His body, which had been drained by the poison, felt as if it had been injected with new life, making him incredibly energetic.
Having experienced such benefits, to ask him to go back and settle for Zeng Weiyang's blood…
No one would be willing.
He narrowed his eyes, "The only way now is to make Prince Rui quickly tire of her and divorce her."
Suxin shook her head, "That might be difficult. The Eldest Miss is known as a bringer of good fortune, and Prince Rui probably won't easily move against her."
"Then we'll force him to," Pingning Marquis's cloudy old eyes flickered. He beckoned Suxin closer and whispered a few words in her ear.
Suxin's eyes widened, but meeting Pingning Marquis's fierce gaze, she quickly suppressed her surprise, "My Lord, this is indeed a good plan. However, we still need to plan carefully on how to implement it."
"Naturally. This matter cannot originate from our manor. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time, and we can plan slowly."
"What about your illness then?"
"Keep pretending. We still need to take blood from her before the matter is settled. Let's take as much as we can, one time at a time." In his eyes, Zeng Weiyang, who had grown up by his side, was nothing more than a blood slave, let alone this daughter he had acknowledged halfway.
If it weren't for her status, he would have brought her back to raise her long ago.
He regretted it now. If he had known this cheap daughter's blood was so effective, he would have found a way to bring her back before Situ Yan became successful, no matter what. But now that Situ Yan had prospered and become a prince, he absolutely couldn't forcibly take her.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Marquis's wife of Pingning was greatly relieved to hear that Lu Nianfu had left with Prince Rui, "With Prince Rui's concern, Zeng Guangyi will surely not dare to harm Xixi."
Qiangwei said, "Madam, your servant thinks it would be best to let the Eldest Miss know the truth as soon as possible, so she can be prepared."
"This matter is too unbelievable. Even if I told her, Xi Xi might not believe it."
"We must at least plant the seed of doubt, shouldn't we? Besides, there's the Second Miss. With her personal testimony, plus the relationship with Young Master Yan. Even if the Eldest Miss doesn't believe it, she will take it to heart."
This way, at least the father could still recognize the Eldest Miss.
However, the Marquis's wife of Pingning shook her head. For so many years, she had lived under Zeng Guangyi's control. The scheme she had planned for her daughter had exhausted all her courage. She didn't dare to gamble with the consequences of revealing this matter. Moreover, Zeng Weiyang might not necessarily testify.
Qiangwei persuaded her again, "Madam, the Eldest Miss is now of noble status. What else do you have to worry about? The Marquis only throws his weight around within the manor. Outside, who would pay him any mind? You don't need to be so cautious."
The Marquis's wife of Pingning, however, did not dare to think so. She waved her hand, "Let me think about it again."