Yun Jiao spoke lightly, "If this matter is accomplished by her, my brother’s reputation would be ruined as well?"

"If I’m not mistaken, she deliberately chose to act when my father is getting married, intending to make it widely known, forcing my brother to marry her."

Yang Ying spat from the side, "A toad wishing to eat swan meat!"

"You’re dreaming if you think someone like you can catch Mr. Gu’s attention?"

"Let me tell you, if this really gets out and causes a stir, you’ll at best become a concubine."

"With such means to marry in, who would think highly of you? After one or two years, when the matter has faded, selling you away or killing you are both easily done."

Yingzi became increasingly frightened and cried.

Yang Ying sneered, "You don’t know your place. Girls like you who are intent on climbing the social ladder, big families lose several each year!"

Guihua continued to kowtow before Yun Jiao, "Doctor Gu, Mrs. Gu, vent your anger by beating her if you must, just please don’t send her to the authorities, I beg you, for the sake of being from the same town, spare this girl."

Yun Jiao looked down and saw Guihua’s forehead was quickly bruised, feeling somewhat compassionate.

Lao Jiu also kowtowed forcefully, "Please have mercy, owner."

Yun Jiao pondered for a while and slowly said, "Considering you two, I won’t send her to the authorities, but punishment is unavoidable."

She looked at the half cup of tea in the servant’s hand, "Give it to her to drink, it’s the potion she prepared, let her taste what it’s like."

Two maids stepped forward to restrain Yingzi, one pinched her mouth open, and poured the half cup of cold tea inside.

Watching her daughter struggle, Guihua couldn’t bear it and lowered her head, sobbing quietly, while Lao Jiu lowered his gaze without a word.

Seeing the maids finish pouring the tea, Yun Jiao then slowly said, "At this point, Renxin Hall can no longer keep your family."

She couldn’t let Yingzi linger under her watch any longer.

After this incident, there’s no guarantee the family wouldn’t hold resentment.

Guihua cooks, Lao Jiu makes medicine; should they harbor resentment, the consequences are hard to predict.

It’s a pity that Lao Jiu’s excellent skills in making medicine will benefit others now.

Guihua and Lao Jiu exchanged glances, seeing panic in each other’s eyes.

Yun Jiao looked at Lao Jiu, saying, "Once you leave here, you may produce any market-available medicine, and I won’t interfere."

"But if it’s a unique Renxin Hall drug, regardless of how simple the recipe is, you mustn’t make it."

Lao Jiu bitterly smiled and kowtowed, "Rest assured, owner, I understand the rule."

Yun Jiao said indifferently, "It’s late today, tomorrow you will receive your wages and move out from Renxin Hall."

Guihua and Lao Jiu kowtowed on the ground, "Thank you, Doctor Gu, for your mercy."

Yun Jiao waved her hand, "Release her."

The maids untied the ropes binding Yingzi, who then threw herself into Guihua’s arms, crying bitterly.

Yun Jiao spoke lightly, "There’s a celebration at home today, cry here if you must."

"Later, when you return, don’t let me hear a single sob."

Guihua quickly covered Yingzi’s mouth.

Yingzi sniffled for a while, and her cries gradually subsided.

Guihua supported Yingzi while Lao Jiu followed behind, the family of three walked out.

Yun Jiao also returned to the backyard.

The three children were playing in the front courtyard living room, Jiang Youzhi watching over them, and Gu Yuheng was there too.

Seeing Yun Jiao come over, Gu Yuheng asked, "Did something happen?" He hadn’t asked before because there were guests around.