7
It Turns Out She Really Is Crazy
Bai Jingchu was on high alert, and Mama Li’s words instantly put her on edge.
She crossed her arms over her chest, taking two frightened steps back. “No! Stay away from me! You big bully!”
Mama Li was taken aback, then sighed with pity. “Alright, alright, we won’t take it off. Mama Li won’t look. What a tragedy.”
Xuecha soon returned empty-handed, her face full of dejection.
Mama Li asked, “Where’s the hot water I asked you to fetch?”
Xuecha’s face flushed red with anger. “The kitchen said that since the mistress hasn’t given any instructions, they won’t provide any meals or hot water for the young lady. They told us to figure it out ourselves.”
Mama Li fumed, “We have no pot, no charcoal—what can we do? Where’s your sharp tongue when you need it?”
Xuecha said indignantly, “I told them exactly that, but the kitchen refused, saying the stoves are already banked for the night. The ready hot water is reserved for Lady Jingshu and the mistress—our young lady doesn’t deserve any.”
Mama Li’s eyes reddened again. “If only the old master were still in the mansion, they wouldn’t dare act so boldly.”
It was already the middle of the night, and any issues would have to wait until tomorrow.
Helpless, the two tidied the bedding and prepared Jingchu for bed.
Just then, voices could be heard from the courtyard outside. The maid Shuisu came in carrying a half-bucket of hot water, set it down at the foot of the steps, and shook her wrist.
“I heard you needed hot water. My Lady Jingshu was kind enough to spare a bucket for you.”
Shuisu had originally been a second-tier maid serving Jingchu. But as soon as Bai Jingshu entered the household, she immediately switched allegiances, joining Jingshu’s retinue and aiding her in her schemes, often causing trouble behind the scenes.
Xuecha happily stepped forward to take the bucket. “Thank you, Lady Jingshu. This is truly help in a time of need.”
Steam rose from the bucket. Bai Jingchu sniffed the air, and her expression shifted slightly.
Bai Jingshu was not this kind-hearted. Moreover, the hot water carried a faint medicinal scent—clearly, something was amiss.
Shuisu set down the bucket but made no move to leave. She glanced at Jingchu and said with a hint of sarcasm, “How carefree and heartless she is, living without a worry. If it were anyone else in her situation, they’d probably be crying themselves to death. Yet she remains so at ease.”
Mama Li replied coolly, “Is there anything else you need?”
Shuisu deliberately or not, flashed the silver bracelet on her wrist at Mama Li. “Old Mama Bai was caned today. My lady has decided not to keep her anymore and is sending her to the laundry to do odd jobs. Now, she’s in need of a steady, capable person to manage things. Mama Li, I think you’re much more principled than that old woman.”
“Is that so?” Mama Li scoffed. “I’m a simple person, not as worldly as you, Miss Shuisu. I at least know my place. You may leave now.”
Mama Li was blunt, but Shuisu paid no mind and continued, “Lady Jingshu is the true master of this household. Serving her comes with plenty of perks—fine food and comforts. It’s far better than following some unclean fool. One must have foresight.”
She was openly trying to recruit Mama Li right in front of Jingchu, without any attempt at discretion.
Eunuch Li was right—even fools have their advantages. At the very least, those who secretly wish you harm won’t bother expending too much effort on you.
Bai Jingchu remained expressionless.
Xuecha, however, was furious. She set down the bucket, placed her hands on her hips, and snapped, “You eat from the bowl but curse the hand that feeds you! How long has it been since you left Lady Jingchu, and you’re already badmouthing her? If you think it’s better over there, then stay there. Don’t come here to annoy us!”
Scolded so harshly and without any regard for her dignity, Shuisu felt deeply humiliated. “I came to find Mama Li, what’s it to you? Someone as foolish as you only deserves to serve an idiot.”
“Who are you calling an idiot?”
“Would it be fair to anyone else? She once served an old eunuch—her body must be filthy from all the play. Back then, Xuejian didn’t listen to my advice and insisted on following her, and now she’s ended up dead, crashing against a stone tablet, buried alongside a eunuch. Serving such a mistress, you’re no better…”
Before she could finish, a ladle of hot water was flung straight into her face.
Xuejian was a thorn in Bai Jingchu’s heart—no one could touch her, much less insult her.
She snatched the watering ladle from beneath the flower stand, scooped up hot water, and with a playful laugh, masked the gloom in her eyes with feigned cheer.
“Let’s play with water!”
Shuisu, drenched head to face, let out a sharp scream: “Ah! My eyes!”
Clutching her eyes, she stumbled around like a headless fly. “Water! Give me water!”
Could she have been scalded?
Mama Li bent down to test the water temperature—it shouldn’t have been that hot.
But Bai Jingchu wasn’t done. She stepped forward, grabbed Shuisu by the hair, and dragged her, forcing her head into the water bucket.
Shuisu was forced to her knees, gulping down mouthfuls of water, choking and flailing wildly.
Xuecha watched, stunned.
Her young mistress had always been gentle as water, not even making a sound when pricked by a needle! How had she suddenly become so rough and domineering?
She’s gone mad—she really has lost her mind.
Seeing Shuisu bubbling and gasping for air, Bai Jingchu loosened her grip slightly.
Under the warm glow of the lantern, Shuisu panted heavily, her eyes red and swollen as if filled with blood.
Bai Jingchu giggled like a child: “So fun! Steal a needle, steal some thread, show off your red eyes. Let’s play again!”
“No!”
Shuisu shrieked: “Second Young Miss, spare me!”
Bai Jingchu frowned in confusion. “What, isn’t it fun?”
She applied pressure again, and Shuisu finally cried out in terror: “Mama Li, save me! There’s poison in this water!”
Bai Jingchu paused. “What poison?”
“It was Young Miss Jingshu! She added pokeweed nettle powder and chili water to it!”
Bai Jingchu smiled faintly. “I don’t believe it. Pokeweed nettle powder would cause redness, swelling, and itching. Your face looks perfectly fine! Let me test it again!”
Terrified, Shuisu overturned the bucket. Bai Jingchu reacted swiftly, releasing her hair and salvaging half a bucket of water.
Shuisu scrambled to her feet and fled in disarray.
Mama Li looked on, shaken. “Heavens, how could Young Miss Jingshu be so malicious?”
Malicious? That was an understatement.
Bai Jingchu sneered inwardly.
Bai Jingshu knew full well that the nursemaid was going to use this water to clean her most delicate areas. If used, the sensitive skin would inevitably become unbearably itchy and irritated. And at such a critical moment, no one would suspect the water—they’d assume she had contracted some filthy disease!
The Bai family would swiftly and quietly dispose of her!
Without even sparing her life!
So this was no mere prank—it was a deliberate attempt to kill her.
Three years on, her hatred for me hasn’t faded in the slightest.
Xuecha, unaware of the underlying scheme, exclaimed in shock and anger, “I’ll take this water and confront the Madam!”
Mama Li stopped her. “Going to accuse Young Miss Jingshu? You’d only be asking for trouble. Besides, it’s the middle of the night.”
Xuecha immediately deflated. “So we’re just going to let her bully us like this? She’s getting worse and worse.”
It was indeed very late.
But by tomorrow, she might be sent away.
Bai Jingchu stared at the bucket of hot water. After a brief moment of contemplation, an idea struck her. She decisively crouched down, scooped up another ladle of water, and brought it to her lips as if to drink.
Mama Li was instantly alarmed. She rushed forward and knocked the ladle away. “Miss, this water is poisoned! You mustn’t drink it!”
Of course, Bai Jingchu wasn’t foolish enough to actually drink the poisoned bathwater. She feigned distress and said, “I’m thirsty. I want a drink.”
Mama Li asked anxiously, “How much did you drink? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
Bai Jingchu clutched her stomach. “My throat hurts, and my stomach seems to ache too!”
Mama Li was both heartbroken and furious. “Child, when will you learn to be more careful? How could you drink water so recklessly? The Old Master and the Young Master aren’t in the residence—what are we to do now?”