Chapter 249: Chapter 107: The Fox Spirit_1

A few days passed, and just as Yin Zheng had predicted, a light snow began to fall in Shengjing.

Overnight, the plum trees outside the medical clinic were covered with hanging icicles, and a thin layer of snow blanketed the stone pavement. Even when the sun shone the next day, a chill would still creep into one’s heart through the shoes and socks as one walked on the road.

In the hall, a maid poured tea while Lady Dong was speaking with Minister Jin’s wife from the Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue.

Since the incident at Fan Zhenglian’s residence, Lady Dong had strictly forbidden anyone around her from mentioning the Fan Family. It took some time for the dust to settle on the investigation into the imperial examination scandal, and thankfully, the emperor’s wrath didn’t extend to the Minister of Imperial Treasury’s residence. Lady Dong breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, a new problem arose in her mind.

The connection to the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion was severed.

Her initial intention had been to connect with the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion through the Fan Family, which was why she went out of her way to befriend Zhao Feiyan. But with the Fan Family’s scandal breaking out, high officials becoming prisoners, and almost implicating her own household, she found herself without a new bridge now that Fan Zhenglian was gone and Shengjing had no suitable replacement.

After much consideration, Lady Dong set her sights on Minister Jin’s wife.

Minister Jin’s wife’s husband, Jin Xianrong, was the Left Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, and Qi Yutai held a sinecure in the Ministry. If Minister Jin took extra care of him, his relationship with the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion must be good. Getting closer to Minister Jin’s wife would be beneficial and harmless to her husband’s future career and even her son’s prospects.

Luckily, Minister Jin’s wife was a genial and easygoing person with a somewhat carefree heart. She was much easier to deal with than Zhao Feiyan. In less than half a day, Lady Dong had managed to charm Minister Jin’s wife into eagerly holding her hand and affectionately calling her "sister."

The wind began to pick up outside, and the maid tightly closed the windows. Lady Dong picked up the teacup in front of her, took a sip, and said with a smile, "Speaking of which, I heard that the Grand Preceptor’s young master is also at the Ministry of Revenue now. His young master is the same age as my Lin’er. Look at him, then look at mine..." Lady Dong feigned a sigh, "It really worries me!"

"Don’t say that, sister. Your son is a fine young man, graceful and elegant. He is a good child. I believe he won’t be any less distinguished than Young Master Qi in the future," Minister Jin’s wife paused and then seemed to recall something, "If one really wants to talk about boundless prospects, then it’s Lord Zhao Ning’s son from the Zhao Ning Manor who comes to mind."

"Lord Zhao Ning’s son... Marshal Pei from the Palace Front Office?"

"Isn’t it so?"

Curiosity piqued, Lady Dong asked, "Did sister hear some rumors?"

Minister Jin’s wife, who was straightforward and not much of a deep thinker, leaned closer to Lady Dong and whispered, "I heard from my husband that there’s word in the palace that the emperor intends to arrange a marriage for the Princely Heir of Zhao Ning Manor."

Arrange a marriage?

Lady Dong’s heart stirred, and she leaned in to ask, "Does sister know who the emperor intends for the marriage?"

Minister Jin’s wife smiled mysteriously, lowering her voice even more, "I’ve heard it’s the lady from the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion."

Lady Dong was stunned for a moment. The lady from the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion – wasn’t that the Qi Family’s beloved pearl?

Minister Jin’s wife continued to chatter, "Everyone knows Grand Preceptor Qi cherishes his daughter like life itself, and Marshal Pei is already deeply favored by His Majesty. If he truly marries Miss Qi, what heights might he not reach? We may all have to look to him in the future!"

Lady Dong put down her teacup, "Is what sister says true?"

"I’m only repeating what my husband said. This matter isn’t set in stone yet, so please don’t tell others and risk ruining the young lady’s reputation."

Lady Dong nodded, "Of course." But she felt a weight in her heart.

Such an out-of-the-blue rumor couldn’t have been fabricated from nothing. Minister Jin’s words must have been based on some information he heard.

But Pei Yunmeng marrying the Qi Family’s young lady?

What about Lu Tong?

Lady Dong felt her mind in turmoil.

She had always thought that the connection between Lu Tong and Pei Yunmeng was profound, which was why she repeatedly supported Lu Tong and even introduced him to other ladies at a banquet at Prince Wen’s Mansion. When Lu Tong unexpectedly saved Pei Yunshu, Lady Dong was secretly pleased, thinking that she had in some way facilitated a deeper bond between Pei Yunmeng and Lu Tong.

The closer Lu Tong was to Pei Yunmeng, the closer she was to Lu Tong, the more she indirectly owed Pei Yunmeng a favor.

But now, like a bolt from the blue, the emperor intended to arrange a marriage between Pei Yunmeng and Miss Qi?

One was the treasured daughter of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, and the other was a Doctor practicing in a run-down clinic. Even a fool would know how to choose.

If Pei Yunmeng and the Qi Family were to become in-laws, and the Qi Family sought retribution later, what if they put the blame on her head? Even without waiting for the future, before the marriage, with Grand Preceptor Qi’s capabilities, it might not be impossible to discover the dealings between Pei Yunmeng and Lu Tong. Given her close relationship with Lu Tong, she feared that Miss Qi might vent her anger on her.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read