Xie Qinyun sighed and drank quite heavily, showing some signs of drunkenness as she spoke, "Now it seems, Second Sister-in-law... oh no, Miss Du is actually doing quite well. After leaving our family, she took her maids to Jinxiu City. Although the Du Family and the Yu Family have fallen into decay, a camel on its deathbed is still bigger than a horse, and in the end, they left her quite a fortune, enough for her to splurge for a lifetime. If she really can make the Embroidery Workshop successful, a life of wealth and honor will surely be hers."
Seemingly recalling something, she suddenly burst into laughter.
Then, realizing that the banquet was not the place for such laughter, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand and lowered her voice, "When Miss Du gets tough, she’s really something special. When she left, she took everything from the Du Family... including everything in the Concubine Du’s room that came from the Du Family, she took it all.
Imagine how many things belonged to the Du Family; these years, Concubine Du had been hoarding them. But once she moved them out, she completely emptied Concubine Du’s room. Isn’t that hilarious?"
Hilarious? They only felt it served them right.
Lin Qianqing clapped her hands and said, "That’s the way to do it, but didn’t your Second Brother try to stop her? He just let her bully Concubine Du like that?"
"He wouldn’t dare, with my father watching. Besides, Miss Du wasn’t wrong; she is the legitimate daughter, after her parents passed, everything in the household was hers. Concubine Du, being born out of wedlock, would have to get Miss Du’s approval for any dowry. With their relationship, why would Miss Du give her a share of the dowry?"
"That makes sense," Lin Qianqing said.
As they gossiped and sipped their wine, more than an hour passed by.
The Empress, wealthy and a shrewd merchant, spoke beautifully and did great business. Over the course of the banquet, she had all the distinguished Madams and Misses glowing with pleasure, and as the feast drew to an end...
She wiped her mouth and shifted her gaze toward Gu Youyou and her group.
She asked, "Madam Lin, that must be Lin Daoren’s dear niece, the one who cured the epidemic in Lingnan and was even granted a memorial plaque by His Majesty, Miss Gu, right?"
Madam Lin nodded slightly and answered, "Exactly."
The Empress broke into a warm smile upon hearing this and beckoned Gu Youyou, "Come, let me have a look at you."
Gu Youyou quickly stood up and gracefully moved closer to the Empress, performing a respectful curtsy.
The Empress was very pleased and smiled as she told her to rise, then turned to Madam Lin and said, "I always felt you were literate, courteous, and intelligent, doing everything better than your sisters. Seeing Miss Gu so well-mannered, I know you’ve taken great care in mentoring the younger generation."
Madam Lin, flattered by the praise, expressed her thanks.
"The Empress flatters me unduly; it is Youyou who is clever and eager to learn, resembling her uncle!"
"Oh, everyone can see Lin Daoren’s intelligence and wit. Being like her uncle is a fortunate thing for the niece," the Empress replied.
In the hall, some of the Madams had been treated by Gu Youyou, and they still vividly remembered the comforting sensation of her treatments, filling the room with varying praises for her.
This was the advantage of being a doctor, especially one with good medical skills and ethics - there was no greater favor than saving a life.
So far, the visit seemed profitable for her, and she understood their intentions even more clearly.
"Miss Gu, I’ve heard that there’s a rule in your medical clinic, that you do not make house calls unless absolutely necessary?"
Gu Youyou knew what was coming and, maintaining a humble attitude, replied softly, "Responding to the Empress, there indeed is such a rule in my clinic."