"But Guihua’s sister-in-law is different. We’re all neighbors, and she’s a truly good person. I can’t bear to see her struggling like this, so I’ll say a few words," Yun Jiao looked at Guihua’s sister-in-law gently.

Guihua’s sister-in-law quickly said, "Doctor Gu, please go ahead."

"I previously thought to invite you over to enlighten Yingzi a bit."

Yun Jiao smiled and said, "Sit, everyone sit."

"Whether Yingzi takes my words to heart or not, I’ll only say them this once."

Yingzi lowered her head and sat on the edge of the bed.

"People are different, and the world has never truly been fair."

"Some are born into wealthy families, adorned with gold and silver. Yingzi, do you remember the life you and your mother had before coming to Xiang City?"

Yingzi remained silent, and Guihua said, "Our family has just two acres of land. Yingzi’s father passed away early, and I, as a woman, had to do farm work while raising the children. After paying taxes, there’s hardly any grain left."

"We could only eat about half-full each day, and with this, the more work we did, the less strength we had, and the worse the harvest."

Suddenly, Guihua’s sister-in-law knelt down to Yun Jiao and kowtowed, "If it weren’t for Doctor Gu lending us a hand, my daughter and I might have starved to death in the village."

Yun Jiao quickly helped her up, "Guihua’s sister-in-law, I’m not saying these things to make you grateful."

"I hope Yingzi thinks about; if you were still in the village, what kind of husband could you find?"

"It would just be an illiterate farmer from the neighborhood, nowhere near as good as Da Lang from the Shen Family’s rice shop."

Yingzi bit her lip and said nothing.

Yun Jiao continued calmly, "Marriage is a union between two families."

"San Ya could marry a scholar because her third brother is the Grand Secretary and her sixth brother is a Colonel."

"People marry her mainly because of San Ya’s third and sixth brothers, not just for San Ya herself."

She looked straight at Yingzi, "You don’t have a brother in public office, nor do you have a father in public office. Why would someone choose to marry you?"

"Just because you’re prettier than San Ya?"

Yingzi’s face turned red from her ears to her neck.

Guihua’s sister-in-law felt embarrassed for her daughter but also realized that without these words, Yingzi might never wake up to reality.

"Moreover, with San Ya’s marriage, she brought a dowry of five hundred acres of land, a two-story residence in the city, and a shop."

"Even so, I dare not choose those high-status families for San Ya, fearing they would look down on her and make her life difficult."

"I picked a scholar from a family poorer than dirt for her, so everything would be balanced and truly well-matched."

Yun Jiao spoke slowly, "What do you think you have to match with a scholar or a scholar’s family?"

She chuckled lightly, "As for me—I remain the National Lady appointed by His Majesty, whether or not I marry San Lang."

"Because my ability to treat and save lives is what I rely on."

Yun Jiao coldly looked at Yingzi, "Don’t fantasize about nobles suddenly fancying you due to your looks, allowing you to rise to success.

"That requires extraordinary beauty and extraordinary luck, which is rare among millions. Do you have that?"

Yingzi bowed her head deeply, close to tears.

Yun Jiao chuckled softly, "Do you remember? Last time at Kaiyuan Temple, Young Master Zhang clearly fancied you. Yet, why didn’t they mention marriage in the end?"

"What did Young Master Zhang ultimately express to you? It’s nothing more than a mismatch."