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"Pay my respects to the Consort of the Crown Prince!" Led by the maid, Madam Lu entered the parlor to meet Gu Youyou.

Gu Youyou smiled and said, "Madam Lu, no need for such courtesy. You’re now a highly sought-after madam, how do you find the time to visit me?"

Madam Lu’s complexion did not look too good, but since Gu Youyou was her benefactor, she still spoke to her with utmost respect.

"The Consort of the Crown Prince, you have done me a great favor. I won’t beat around the bush with you; I have something to say straightforwardly."

Gu Youyou’s expression grew serious. Judging by Madam Lu’s demeanor, something significant must have happened.

"Please speak, I always appreciate directness like that of Madam Lu."

Madam Lu nodded and said, "I’ve recently heard a piece of news. They say that the scourge of our Lu Family is still alive and is serving as a doctor by the Consort of the Crown Prince’s side?"

Searcy?

Gu Youyou looked at Madam Lu momentarily, probably understanding the situation.

Clearly, someone knew Searcy’s identity and disclosed it to Madam Lu.

Gu Youyou had asked Searcy in the past. She said she had lived in the Lu Family since she was a child, and no one outside of the Lu Family’s inner court recognized her.

Yet under Madam Lu’s tyranny, the women of the Lu Family’s inner court were never allowed to leave the Lu estate; thus, the only people Searcy needed to avoid were the few from the Lu Family who had access to the outside world.

But from Madam Lu’s current state, it was clear that Searcy was not identified by any of the few who could leave the Lu Household.

Gu Youyou asked, "Does Madam Lu know who revealed this information?"

Madam Lu shook her head and said, "I do not know who leaked this news. I dare to ask the Consort of the Crown Prince, is this matter true?"

Gu Youyou fell silent for a moment, thinking to herself: it seems someone is indeed trying to stir up trouble!

After a while, she said, "It is indeed true. Lu Xueying identified the poison in your system and also worked with me to create an antidote. She is a doctor with decent Medical Skills, a quick learner. The reason I kept her was because I valued her talent!"

Hearing Gu Youyou say this, Madam Lu became anxious and somewhat agitated.

She said, "Ah, you’ve been deceived by her.

Consort of the Crown Prince, to be frank, I trusted her mother for the same reason, because of talent.

But what happened later? Look at how she treated me.

You must not keep her around; people with such a malicious mind can be very dangerous.

If she harms you, then my sin would be great.

Ah! Look at this mess. If I had known you wouldn’t have the heart to kill her, I shouldn’t have brought her to you. What if something were to happen to you? Wouldn’t I be harming my benefactor?"

"Madam Lu, you are too serious," Gu Youyou said.

"Her temperament may be fierce, but she’s not beyond salvation.

She enjoys studying various medications, and I was in need of such a person.

Keeping her by my side, as long as she is employed properly, she could be a boon to the wellbeing of the people.

I earnestly request Madam Lu to pretend to be unaware of this matter.

She is no longer called Lu Xueying; I have given her a new identity and have named her Searcy. "

"You... sigh!"

Although Madam Lu was not a good person herself, she was clear about gratitude and grudge.

Back when everyone looked down on her, it was Gu Youyou who treated her like an ordinary patient and saved her; otherwise, even if her husband had earned his merits now, people would not treat her like they do today.

Now fully integrated into the circle of noble ladies in Beijing, her past experiences drew sympathetic glances from those who had once mocked her, and no one laughed at her anymore.