Chu Zhiyi was going back to the Chu family estate to “show filial piety,” and Lu Qiu insisted on accompanying her. Unexpectedly, Qingzhi tagged along too.
With Xia Ying added in, the group became four people strong, which meant Xiao Chun and Xiao Mei conveniently did not have to go.
The two of them disliked the Chu residence anyway. After working there for years, they knew perfectly well what sort of people the masters of that household were.
Life at the Grand Eunuch’s residence was far better. Since being promoted to first-rank maids, they had even been studying literacy every day and were extremely busy.
Looking at the grinning Qingzhi, Chu Zhiyi raised a brow.
“Why are you following us?”
“Replying to Madam,” Qingzhi said, “the Grand Eunuch fears villains may try to harm you. Though your martial arts are formidable, petty schemers are everywhere, so extra hands are needed for all-around protection. I’m here to protect you.”
“…”
Chu Zhiyi did not know what to say. Last night Lan Huaiyu had claimed that once they left the capital gates, he would have to rely on *her* for protection. Yet today he had sent one of his own people to her side instead.
Did he simply think his own life was too long?
She swaggered right back into the Chu residence. The moment Madam Liu heard of it, she wanted nothing more than to shut the gates and drive her out.
But she dared not. The people following Chu Zhiyi all belonged to the Grand Eunuch’s household—they were arrogant precisely because they wielded his authority.
If she dared shut the gates, they would probably dare set the place on fire.
And that wild girl would likely applaud from the side.
*That cursed wretch… how had she not died back in that border village?!*
Mother and daughter faced each other. Chu Zhiyi slowly sized Madam Liu up.
“Mother’s complexion truly looks poor. I came specifically to see how your health is doing. If anything happens to you, you should hurry and write your will, leaving your dowry and properties to me, lest some petty villain snatch them away.”
“You—!”
Madam Liu clenched her fists so tightly her nails nearly broke. Curses surged to her throat, but one glance at Lu Qiu, Qingzhi, and Xia Ying standing behind Chu Zhiyi forced her to swallow them back down.
“Mother, don’t be angry. You know I grew up in the countryside—I’ve never had any education and don’t know how to speak properly.
“My words may be crude, but the reasoning is sound. Recently Father has been eager to give that little concubine a son, hasn’t he?
“If she really bears a son, wouldn’t you become unnecessary in this household? And how does one deal with an unnecessary yet wealthy person? I’d imagine secretly killing them would be best.
“Accidentally falling into a well and drowning, hanging oneself out of despair, becoming depressed and swallowing poison…
“There are plenty of ways to make someone die.”
The more Madam Liu listened, the colder her heart became.
Ever since Chu Zhiyi returned, she herself had thought of countless ways to secretly eliminate her without anyone noticing.
Every single method Chu Zhiyi mentioned had crossed her mind.
And now that seductive fox had entered the household, and Chu Zheng spent night after night in her bed, clearly intent on having a son.
Once there was a son… if Madam Liu were then killed, all her wealth would naturally fall into their hands…
Chu Zhiyi poured a cup of tea and offered it to her.
“Mother, wet your throat.”
“Take it away!”
Madam Liu slapped the cup aside and retreated in alarm.
Tea splashed everywhere, but Chu Zhiyi merely smiled faintly.
“I know Mother dislikes me. After all, a countryside-raised daughter cannot compare to Chu Miaomiao’s refinement and understanding.”
Madam Liu drew a deep breath, trying her best to regain composure.
“It isn’t that I dislike you. What mother doesn’t love her own daughter? It’s just… seeing you so close to Qu Shi last time truly chilled my heart.
“I am your mother. Naturally you should stand on your mother’s side. That vixen has entered the household—you ought to share my hatred toward her.”
“Mother is mistaken,” Chu Zhiyi replied. “I am also Father’s daughter. Considering his interests is equally my duty.
“If Qu Shi becomes pregnant, the child she bears will be my younger brother. How could I possibly harm him?
“So really, you should hurry and hand your estate over to me. Without wealth, you’d be light and free—no one would scheme against you anymore.
“And even if someone wanted to seize the fortune back, they would come after me instead. I’d be taking on the danger for you. Wouldn’t that count as filial devotion?”
Madam Liu nearly rolled her eyes straight into the back of her head.
She had hoped to manipulate this wild girl into fighting Qu Shi for her.
Who would have thought the girl only had eyes for her money?
But that wealth was Madam Liu’s greatest security.
Seeing her attempt to obtain the inheritance fail, Chu Zhiyi did not linger and turned to leave.
“Madam,” Qingzhi said while walking beside her, “taking away her fortune wouldn’t actually be that difficult.”
Xia Ying and Lu Qiu burst out laughing at the same time.
“Madam’s goal was never the money.”
“Then what is it?” Qingzhi asked.
Lu Qiu slapped Qingzhi lightly on the arm.
“To make her unable to eat or sleep in peace.”
Chu Zhiyi smiled. Exactly.
She wanted Madam Liu frightened, spending every waking hour wondering who around her might try to kill her.
Even the cup of water Chu Zhiyi handed her had terrified her too much to drink. From now on, she would probably suffer nightmares every night.
What fun would there be in destroying her all at once?
Slow torture was far more satisfying—forcing her into a state where she could neither live nor die peacefully.
That woman’s entire world was tiny: Chu Zheng, wealth, and the position of principal wife.
She endlessly obsessed over those narrow concerns, and the more she obsessed, the more terrified she became, slowly roasting herself alive in a pan of oil.
Just as Chu Zhiyi predicted, the moment she left, Madam Liu ordered all the teacups and tables Chu Zhiyi had touched removed from the room. What if she had secretly smeared poison on them?
“Madam, please drink your tonic soup,” Nanny Tao said, carrying over a bowl.
Madam Liu glanced at the milky-white broth.
From cooking to serving, how many steps had it gone through?
How many people had entered and left the kitchen?
Anyone could have slipped something into it while no one was looking.
Perhaps one sip would kill her instantly. Or perhaps it was a slow poison that would leave her weak and dying over time…
Then that old dog Chu Zheng would seize all her wealth and hand it over to that fox spirit Qu Shi.
“You drink half first.”
Nanny Tao: “…”
Seeing Madam Liu’s suspicious, gloomy expression, Nanny Tao had no choice but to drink half the soup herself and stand there under observation.
Only after two hours passed and Nanny Tao remained perfectly fine did Madam Liu dare finish the rest.
On the way back, Chu Zhiyi was intercepted by Qu Wanniang and invited to the Xianzi Courtyard.
That burly maid of hers had stewed an entire clay pot of lamb spine hotpot. Though rough in presentation, the preparation style…
“A Western Pass recipe,” Chu Zhiyi remarked.
Qu Wanniang laughed brightly.
“A Yelin Town recipe.”
Well then—that matched perfectly.
Qu Wanniang was from Yelin Town.
Chu Zhiyi looked at her carefully.
“You must have left a long time ago. There’s not even a trace of the accent left.”
“That’s right. After my father passed away, I left. First to Zhuzhou, then eventually to the capital.”
Chu Zhiyi’s brows twitched.
That was exactly the route Chu Zheng’s career transfers had taken.
He had left Yelin Town for Zhuzhou, spent three years there, and only afterward fought his way into a position in the capital.
Qu Wanniang had been following them the entire time.
“And your father was…?”
“A physician in Yelin Town.”
Understanding dawned on Chu Zhiyi immediately.
The doctor who diagnosed Madam Liu’s infertility back in Yelin Town had been Qu Wanniang’s father.
If Madam Liu was capable of stealing another woman’s child and then poisoning both the birth mother and the midwife, there was no way she would spare the rural doctor who knew she was infertile.
That meant no outsider would remain alive to know the truth.
Such viciousness fit her character perfectly.
“So Little Auntie is half a fellow townsman of mine,” Chu Zhiyi said. “As the saying goes: when fellow townsfolk meet, tears fill their eyes. We’re on the same side.”
Qu Wanniang burst out laughing.
She had known all along that this little girl understood some of the hidden truths.
An accomplice.