In my previous life, I was poisoned. Could that poison have come from Yang Shi’s hands? And even made it undetectable by the Imperial Physician?
Impossible. How could a woman confined to the inner quarters possess such advanced medical skills?
Over all these years in the Huo Family, she had never shown any sign of it.
It is indeed rare for women to practice medicine.
As Huo Ningyu realized this, a cold sweat broke out on her back.
No wonder Xie Zhengyang and Jiang Ning had been together for so long without conceiving a child.
With such a Medical Expert by her side, how could Jiang Ning be allowed to bear a child before even marrying into the Xie Family?
“Little sister, what’s wrong?” Huo Mingxian noticed his sister’s unusual demeanor.
“Elder brother, let’s go home.” Huo Ningyu’s expression was grave.
After leaving the Pharmacy, Huo Ningyu lost all interest in shopping.
“Little sister, we haven’t had lunch yet. Should we find an Eatery to grab a bite?” Huo Mingxian suggested.
If they returned now and had lunch later, it would be too late, and their mother would surely scold him for not taking good care of his sister.
“Alright.” Huo Ningyu couldn’t wait until they got home either—she wanted to share her suspicions with her elder brother.
The two found a nearby Wine Shop and reserved a Private Room.
They sent the two maids downstairs to eat on their own.
“Little sister?”
“Elder brother, I suspect Yang Shi knows medicine, and her skills are exceptionally advanced,” Huo Ningyu said solemnly.
“How do you know?”
“Last night, Second Brother and I crouched by the rear window of that small courtyard for quite some time, listening to the mother and daughter talk.
Yang Shi said that from now on, she would no longer hide her abilities and would fully support Jiang Ning in achieving her aspirations.
A woman in the inner quarters typically only knows skills like music, chess, calligraphy, painting, accounting, or managing household affairs.
Yet, in all these years in our family, Yang Shi has never displayed any exceptional talents.
But today, I saw that both Prescriptions were written in Yang Shi’s handwriting, indicating that the skill she has been hiding is her knowledge of medicine.”
Huo Ningyu analyzed.
“Father should know about her background. We’ll ask him tonight.” Huo Mingxian didn’t pay much attention to Yang Shi. As a man, he spent most of his time in the outer courtyard.
Moreover, Yang Shi and her daughter lived in a relatively remote area, farther away.
They were only guests at Huo Manor and even had a key to a Side Gate, allowing them to come and go as they pleased.
“Little sister, you seem quite resistant to the idea of her knowing medicine?” Huo Mingxian had noticed earlier that his sister’s shock at Yang Shi’s medical knowledge went beyond a normal reaction.
Although it’s rare for a woman to know medicine, it’s not unheard of. Since she hasn’t made a living from it and has lived quietly as a woman in the inner quarters of the Huo Family, whether she knows medicine or not shouldn’t matter much.
“Elder brother, someone who knows medicine is, nine times out of ten, also knowledgeable about poisons. If she wanted to poison our entire family, it would be effortless. That mother and daughter have never been grateful for Father taking them in—instead, they’ve always wanted to avenge the loss of their relatives.” Huo Ningyu analyzed.
“All these years, she hasn’t taken any action.” Huo Mingxian poured tea for his sister, already vaguely understanding what she meant.
“Because they see the Huo Family as a stepping stone. They haven’t finished using us yet—how could they let anything happen to the Huo Family? Once they’re done, they will carry out their revenge.” Huo Ningyu detested this deeply.
So that was it.
“But they’re just two women. How much power could they possibly have? The servants attending to them are all from the Huo Family.” Huo Mingxian underestimated the power of women.
Huo Ningyu shook her head faintly.
The Huo Family had no concubines, no illegitimate children, and none of those sordid affairs.
That was why her elder brother underestimated a woman’s methods.
He also underestimated how deranged a woman could become once she resolved to be ruthless.
“Brother, women and men are both human beings. Don’t underestimate anyone. As long as they have desires, they will try every means to obtain what they want.
Just like how you study hard to become a Jinshi – if you don’t strive, you’ll remain an ordinary noble son your whole life.
Similarly, if that mother and daughter want to live a superior life, they must use the Huo Family and then seek greater support.
Step by step, they plan to take revenge on the Huo Family to achieve their goal of vengeance.
The Xie Family is the support they’ve chosen.” Huo Ningyu felt somewhat helpless about her elder brother’s dismissive attitude toward women, so she could only explain more.
“You make a valid point,” Huo Mingxian agreed deeply. “Sister, we can’t let her marry into the Xie Family. Once she gains power, it will be difficult for us to suppress her. After all, the Xie Family are nobles while we’re just officials – to be honest, the Huo Family’s status is inferior to the Xie Family’s.”
“Yes, the previous incident of catching adultery didn’t damage her relationship with Xie Zhengyang. Instead, it made their affair public.
After Xie Zhengyang recovers from his injuries, his first action will definitely be to visit her at the small courtyard and discuss their future plans.
Last night, when Second Brother and I released those snakes, it was merely childish mischief to vent our anger.” Huo Ningyu understood the situation clearly.
The two siblings continued eating while contemplating how to prevent Jiang Ning from marrying into the Xie residence.
If they didn’t act, Jiang Ning could at least become a concubine in the Xie Family. With the scheming nature of that mother and daughter, she would eventually become the principal wife.
Even if Xie Zhengyang married another principal wife, she would likely be poisoned to death, just as Huo Ningyu had experienced in her previous life.
“Brother, I’ve thought of a brilliant plan. Come closer.” Suddenly, inspiration struck Huo Ningyu.
Huo Mingxian leaned in.
Huo Ningyu whispered in his ear for a while.
“Good, leave this matter to me. I’ll handle it.” Huo Mingxian took responsibility for the task.
Having settled their plan, the gloom in the siblings’ hearts lifted.
Meanwhile, Yang Shi returned to the small courtyard with medicine and saw Xie Zhengyang at the entrance.
“Young Master Xie, you’re still recovering from your injuries. Why have you left your residence? You should rest more. How is your health?” Yang Shi was grateful that Xie Zhengyang had come to see her daughter during such times.
“Thank you for your concern, Aunt Yang. The ointment Ning’er sent with Zhuo Jin works very well. I can already get out of bed, so I came to see you both at the first opportunity.
This is all my fault for causing you to be driven out of the Huo Family.”
During these three days confined to bed, Xie Zhengyang had tossed and turned, unable to sleep, constantly worrying about Jiang Ning.
“Ah, this is fate. You and Ning’er were too hasty. If only you had waited longer.” Yang Shi wanted to blame him, but it was too late now.
They were still too young and had considered matters too simply.
Her daughter had given herself to him without even discussing it with her first.
“I heard from Zhuo Jin that snakes got into the courtyard. What happened?” Xie Zhengyang’s face flushed slightly as he changed the subject.
He had been sending Zhuo Jin to check on the small courtyard daily, and today’s report had frightened him greatly.
Being bitten by a snake was no small matter – if not handled properly, it could lead to poisoning and death.
He and Ning’er hadn’t even married yet – she couldn’t die.
“We don’t know either. Last night, five large patterned snakes suddenly appeared in the room. One of them crawled onto the bed and bit Ning’er.
We had no choice but to cut the skin and squeeze out the venom. We called a doctor, but her leg was still badly swollen this morning. The medicine from earlier wasn’t very effective, so I just went to get more.”
Yang Shi recounted what had happened the previous night.
Upon entering the bedroom, Jiang Ning lay pale-faced on the bed.
The moment she saw Xie Zhengyang, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Four days had passed since she last saw him after leaving the palace that day.
“Zhengyang… sob…” Like finding a pillar of support, Jiang Ning began weeping pitifully.
“Ning’er, don’t cry.” Xie Zhengyang felt his heart breaking.
That day in the palace, he had received thirty strikes and lost consciousness.
He knew nothing about what happened when Ning’er was punished.
When he woke up, he was already in his own bed receiving treatment from the Imperial Physician.
He had wanted to check on Ning’er immediately.
But with his parents present, he dared not act rashly, only quietly instructing his Personal Attendant to wait outside Huo Manor and report back on the situation.
Just as he suspected, the mother and daughter had been driven out of the Huo Family.
He was also severely injured, finding it difficult even to get out of bed.
He had been recuperating these past few days, otherwise he would have come sooner.
“Zhengyang, you’re all I have now. I have no one else to rely on.” Jiang Ning wept so sorrowfully that anyone would pity her.
“Don’t worry, you’re already my person. I won’t abandon you. Tell me quickly, how did you get bitten by a venomous snake? Since when have there been snakes in this courtyard?” Xie Zhengyang was deeply puzzled.
With so many households in the neighborhood, no one had ever reported snakes appearing anywhere.
“Zhengyang, it must be Huo Ningyu taking revenge on me.”