Gao Shi wasn’t a fool. She naturally held doubts about this monk and Taoist.

But the miraculous aspects were also what she had witnessed with her own eyes. These two people, if not coming and going without a trace, were pretty close to it. This was simply not something ordinary people could accomplish—these were people with real abilities.

They had taken the initiative to come to her door. Perhaps they harbored some purpose, but if she could obtain what she wanted from them, even if they truly had some purpose, as long as it was harmless to her, it didn’t matter.

Gao Shi had never been someone who believed in gods and Buddhas, whether Buddha or the Supreme Lord of Dao.

Anyone who could help her achieve her goals—even if they weren’t gods or Buddhas, she was willing to treat them as such and offer them worship.

From this monk and Taoist, Gao Shi obtained two pills. She secretly gave one to someone to eat and observed for a while. After hearing good news and confirming the other party was pregnant, only then did she truly treat the remaining pill as a treasure.

She carefully questioned the physician—the most famous physician in their area: “Are you certain the pregnancy is going well in all respects?”

The physician was already unhappy being questioned so much: “If you don’t believe me, then find someone more skilled!”

Gao Shi: “Of course I believe the physician. It’s just that my friend has been infertile for many years, and now she’s overjoyed beyond measure.”

Only after hearing this did the physician’s expression soften: “I see.”

After Gao Shi confirmed that the pulse diagnosis hadn’t detected any abnormalities, only then did she properly pack her belongings and bring her son to the capital.

Last time, the actions of Old Madam Lin from the Lin family had nearly scared the Mei family members out of their wits. If they weren’t careful, the Mei family’s years of accumulation could collapse in one moment. But if you asked whether they were resigned to it, that was also impossible. Everyone held a breath of resentment in their hearts and placed even more importance on power.

If their family had power, could Old Madam Lin from the Lin family just send them back to their hometown like that? Impossible.

So after returning to Xingtai Prefecture, the master fiercely focused on the studies of those young men in the household, hoping they could achieve some results.

Her own son, being a scholar, was the rare cultured person in the family, so naturally he was also among those forced to study. Concubine Gao certainly wouldn’t oppose this.

Even if he could just pass the provincial examination, he could become an official.

Unfortunately, up until now, her son still hadn’t succeeded.

But it didn’t matter. If he hadn’t passed, he hadn’t passed—there were still opportunities. If that didn’t work, purchasing an official position was also fine.

This way could also be considered establishing the family’s standing.

This trip to the capital was an opportunity.

The Mei family also wanted to return to the capital. They believed that so much time had passed, Old Madam Lin should have calmed down. After all, they hadn’t managed to do anything yet, had they? No matter how great the anger, it should have dissipated.

Now with Concubine Gao bringing a few people over, it was also a test.

If the Lin family had already turned the page on the past, they could also prepare to return to the capital. If the anger hadn’t subsided, then they would wait longer.

Concubine Gao had her own thoughts. Did that monk and Taoist not know about Concubine Gao’s distrust of them?

They knew, which was why they specifically gave her two pills—to let her feel at ease.

They hadn’t come to harm her. They had truly come to help her.

Speaking of it, their fate was also bitter. Having been caught by someone with leverage over them, they were forced to go out and do things that walked the edge of danger. Afterward, the Immortal Maiden was denounced to Heaven by the current Emperor during a sacrificial ceremony. The Immortal Maiden was struck dead by lightning, and the two of them were also hit on the head by a small bolt of lightning. If not for having some treasures on hand, plus this being just residual energy not primarily targeting them, they might not have been lucky enough to keep their lives.

Now they had saved their lives, but their cultivation had regressed in one stroke, and hundreds of years of arduous cultivation had gone down the drain.

They had consumed all their possessions to preserve that one life, but now they couldn’t accomplish much. After being struck by lightning, they fled the capital and secluded themselves to recover from their injuries. Only recently had they emerged from seclusion. Upon emerging, they discovered without surprise that the Immortal Maiden was thoroughly dead, her soul already scattered. The various methods she had left behind could no longer contact her. They didn’t know if she still had a chance to cultivate anew.

Moreover, too many things had happened in these two years. That Lin family had diverged greatly from the previously divined results, embarking on a completely different path.

He had a daughter who had been betrothed into the imperial family and had given birth to an imperial grandson carrying imperial family fortune. This was already beyond what they could interfere with. Once they acted, they would immediately suffer backlash.

Very dangerous. But for their current situation, that precious jade had become a treasure they couldn’t let go of. No matter how dangerous, they had to snatch chestnuts from the fire. Otherwise, given their current condition, they weren’t far from their death date.

Moreover, they couldn’t act directly—they could still take a roundabout approach.

Looking left and right, the Mei family was a breakthrough point.

They didn’t dare approach the capital now, fearing accidents might occur, so this arrangement came about.

Gao Shi and her son and others rushed to the capital at full speed, first going to Concubine Mei’s residence to settle in.

When returning to their hometown back then, they had sold off all their properties in the capital. Now wanting a permanent foothold, they needed to search anew. A good foothold wasn’t so easy to find. This was the capital—apart from having silver, one also needed connections.

The residence in Concubine Mei’s name was actually also bought with silver sent by the Mei family. Previously when the natal family had gotten involved with the Ninth Prince’s side, the Old Madam and the master were very angry. Concubine Mei didn’t dare mention this matter and just treated it as her own.

Now people from her natal family had come. After settling them in, Concubine Mei anxiously told Lin Ruhai about this matter: “Master, my younger brother has come to the capital to study. He wants to purchase an Imperial Academy studentship and attend the Imperial Academy.”

For those who had silver but no connections, purchasing such positions was also a path.

Although among all the various types of Imperial Academy students—those recommended, those with hereditary privileges, those with merit, and those by grace—purchased studentships had the lowest status, what should be there was still there.

The concubine’s reasoning made sense. If other reasons would make the master dissatisfied, this reason the master wouldn’t oppose.

Her younger brother couldn’t have made decisions about previous matters. The master wouldn’t transfer his anger onto her brother. Another point was that the master also hoped for Ying Yu to do well. Her younger brother and daughter were blood relatives. If her brother did well, the daughter could also benefit somewhat. Concubine Mei understood this mentality.

Lin Ruhai looked at her deeply: “I understand.”

He wanted to see what the Mei family intended to do now.

Afterward, Gao Shi and the others sent over calling cards. Yun Shuyao also learned of this matter. People from the Mei family had come to the capital?

Yun Shuyao became curious. Moreover, this matter couldn’t be separated from her involvement.

Since her daughter-in-law announced the good news, all those matters in her hands had been transferred back, to let her rest easy and nurture the pregnancy.

On the day Gao Shi brought her daughter-in-law, the legitimate wife, to call, Yun Shuyao met them. Upon this meeting, Yun Shuyao discovered a familiar gleam in Gao Shi’s eyes.

She had previously interacted with Concubine Mei’s birth mother. Back when they were pregnant one after another, because Concubine Mei’s pregnancy symptoms were extremely severe, the Old Madam had Concubine Mei’s birth mother brought into the household to personally care for her.

Afterward, Ying Yu was born, and only after completing the postpartum month did Gao Shi return to the Mei family. However, although they weren’t far apart at that time, she was nurturing the pregnancy in her courtyard while Gao Shi was also in Plum Fragrance Court caring for Concubine Mei. Both rarely went out. Speaking of it, they hadn’t met many times, but there was once when she had seen the look Gao Shi revealed, which left an impression on Yun Shuyao even now. Now she saw it again on her.

This kind of gaze was like a hungry wolf that had discovered an opportunity.

Upon meeting, mother and daughter embraced. Concubine Mei: “Aunt, I’ve missed you so much.”

Gao Shi stroked her daughter’s hair, her eyes slightly reddening: “Ruixue, Aunt has missed you very much too.”

Concubine Mei wiped her tears: “We’ve finally reunited.”

Coming along with Gao Shi was also Concubine Mei’s younger brother’s wife. After paying respects, she tactfully went to the outer room, leaving the space to them.

Gao Shi had just taken out a porcelain white bottle when Concubine Mei’s eyes lit up: “Aunt, is this real?”

Gao Shi smiled: “Of course it’s real. I already had someone take it. One month later she became pregnant. Tell me, is it real or not?”

Concubine Mei reached out to take it: “Wonderful! I’ll give this thing to Ying Yu when I return.”

Gao Shi blocked her hand, staring into her eyes: “Ruixue, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”

Concubine Mei was puzzled: “What matter?”

Gao Shi: “This medicine can’t be given to Ying Yu.”

Concubine Mei frowned: “Why not?”

Gao Shi sighed, looking at her with tender concern: “Ying Yu is still young. She won’t lack for opportunities. But you’re already over thirty this year. You can’t afford to wait.” Gao Shi tightly gripped her daughter’s hand, looking directly into her eyes: “You need this pill more than Ying Yu does!”

If her daughter could give birth to a son, that would be better than the granddaughter having good news.

The granddaughter hadn’t grown up by her side, and her feelings for the Mei family were mediocre. Even if she gave birth to a son, it would be of no benefit to them. But her daughter was different—she depended on herself, had deep feelings for the Mei family, and wouldn’t be stingy about extending a helping hand to the Mei family!