It was now the twelfth month of the harsh winter, yet Chen Fuyi was sweating profusely, a clear sign of his inner fear.
“Madam… Madam is right, there’s… there’s no major problem.”
“As long as she is properly treated for a month, the poison in her body can be removed.”
Chen Fuyi wasn’t exactly lying when he said this. The poison in Madam’s body was indeed not much, likely administered not long ago, but any poison has irreversible aftereffects, and this one was no exception. Even though Madam’s poisoning was mild, her health might not be robust in the future. With proper care, she could live peacefully into old age, but her body would become quite delicate. She wouldn’t be able to withstand cold, heat, or fatigue, similar to the weakness after childbirth.
“Lanzhu, did you hear that? It’s nothing serious,” Hesheli Shi thought first about whether her daughter would be frightened, rather than asking the physician about her own condition. As for the person who poisoned her, Hesheli Shi naturally had her suspicions. But actions require evidence, and she wouldn’t wrongfully accuse anyone without reason.
“Mother!”
“Chen Fuyi, please prescribe the medicine quickly.”
Lanzhu couldn’t help but feel anxious. But at the same time, she felt fortunate. Fortunately, she noticed something was wrong with her mother, and fortunately, she called the physician to check. Otherwise, by the next time they checked her pulse, would the poison in her mother’s body have become irreversible?
“I will go right away,” Chen Fuyi said, casting a subtle glance at Madam, and under her warning, he finally closed his mouth.
Enough, enough! In this household, Madam was in charge. If she wanted to keep it from the Eldest Miss, he, as an outsider, shouldn’t interfere too much.
After Yishang escorted the physician out, Lanzhu finally revealed her worried expression: “Mother, since something like this happened, the back courtyard should be thoroughly investigated.”
The person who poisoned her took advantage of her father’s frequent absences due to his duties and her mother’s busyness because of these duties, which gave them the courage to act.
“Yujin, don’t worry, Mother has it all figured out.”
Hesheli Shi had managed the back courtyard for decades; how could she not have any precautions? It was just that she had been too busy recently, leading to negligence. This time, she must catch the rat!
“I will handle the matter myself. You should go back first.”
Lanzhu didn’t want to leave, but seeing her mother’s determined eyes, she finally relented. She should trust her mother, but it was clear that the physician had hidden part of the truth today. When it comes to her mother’s health, how could Lanzhu truly be as unconcerned as she appeared? Since her mother didn’t want her to know, she would find out on her own.
“Then I will take my leave.”
“Go on.”
After her daughter left, Hesheli Shi’s usual gentle smile faded, replaced by cold indifference in her eyes: “It’s been too long since I took action, so they think I’ve changed, daring to act so brazenly!”
“Yiyun, go investigate the situation, and also check on Lanzhu to see if anyone has reached out to her! If not, maybe I can give them a decent way out, but if they have targeted Lanzhu, they can’t blame me for being ruthless!”
“Yes, Madam.”
Yiyun’s expression also turned grim. As the most trusted confidante by her mistress’s side, she hadn’t noticed someone poisoning Madam, which was a dereliction of duty as a servant.
“Yishang, go call the physician back, and be careful not to let the Eldest Miss know.”
Hesheli Shi didn’t want her daughter to worry. Her Yujin was born to be cherished, not to have a single worry.
“I will go right away.”
After giving her instructions, Hesheli Shi finally rubbed her temples in exhaustion. It was her carelessness that led to this scheme, but fortunately, Lanzhu noticed something was wrong. Otherwise, by the time she realized it, it might have been too late.
“Madam, let me massage your temples,” Nanny Yun, who stood behind her, stepped forward and began to massage her temples.
“Nanny, who do you think is most likely to have done this?”
As the headache subsided, the weariness between Hesheli Shi’s brows eased significantly.
“It’s likely one of the two concubines in the household. Who else would do it?”
After all, the only ones dissatisfied with Madam could only be those two. The Tongjia Residence didn’t have overly complicated back courtyard relationships. The Master had only one wife and two concubines. The younger sons and daughters were too young to be involved, and the Second Master, though a possibility, was the eldest son of a concubine and had no reason to poison Madam and ruin his future. The suspects were easy to guess, but the key was whether they could catch them red-handed!
“We can’t be too certain,” Hesheli Shi didn’t jump to conclusions.
Nanny Yun said, “Madam, should we tell the Master about this?”
Hesheli Shi thought for a moment and then shook her head slightly: “Let’s not tell the Master for now.”
“The disaster relief in the capital is keeping him busy enough. These small matters in the back courtyard shouldn’t disturb him. It’s more important for him to serve the Emperor well.”
The Master returned late every night, too tired to maintain decorum, falling asleep as soon as he lay down, showing how busy he was.
“Madam, how can your poisoning be a small matter!” Nanny Yun couldn’t help but protest.
“No matter what, don’t disturb the Master’s work recently! Once I find out who is behind this, the Master’s task should be almost done. Telling him then will have an unexpected effect.”
Hesheli Shi had never claimed to be a kind-hearted person!
“I understand.”
“Also, Lanzhu will soon participate in the selection process. It’s time to find her a reliable teaching nanny. See if there are any nannies leaving the palace this year.”
Knowing oneself and the enemy is the key to victory. Don’t underestimate these old nannies from the palace; they might have unexpected talents.
“Yes, Madam.”
It wasn’t long before Yishang returned with the physician. Leaving only her trusted maids, Hesheli Shi looked at the physician with dark eyes: “Chen Fuyi, you can speak now.”
“As you command.”
“From your pulse, Madam, it seems the poisoning hasn’t been long, but the poison has bad aftereffects.”
At this point, Chen Fuyi cautiously looked up at Madam. Seeing her dark gaze, he quickly lowered his head, trembling.
“What aftereffects?”
“Your body will be much weaker in the future, not as healthy as others, but with good care, it won’t affect your lifespan.”
“I see.”
Hesheli Shi’s tone was calm, without any panic, only as calm as water. But this calmness made Chen Fuyi even more afraid. The calmer it was, the more turbulent it was inside, and when it erupted, it would be even more terrifying.
“I understand.”
“You may leave.”
Chen Fuyi wiped the sweat from his forehead: “Yes, Madam.”
Just as Chen Fuyi was about to turn and leave, he heard Madam’s cold voice again.
“By the way, if the Eldest Miss asks you, you know what to say, right?”
“I understand.”
“Madam’s health is not a major concern, just needs proper care,” Chen Fuyi quickly said.
“Good to know.”
“Yiyun, see Chen Fuyi out.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Yiyun escorted Chen Fuyi out of the main courtyard, then took out a plain pouch from her sleeve. It was flat and light, and when Chen Fuyi took it, it felt weightless in his hand.
“Take care, Chen Fuyi.”
“Miss Yiyun, you’re too kind.”
…
Fuchun Courtyard
“Gege, I heard that Madam summoned the physician again,” Liu Dong hurriedly walked in from outside and whispered to Gege.
“There really is a problem,” Lanzhu’s eyes flashed with a glimmer.
“Should we call the physician to ask?” Liu Chun suggested.
But Gege just shook her head: “No need.”
“It’s too late for anything now.”
If she guessed correctly, her mother anticipated she would seek out the physician, so she must have already warned him. Even if she called him now, what she heard would be no different from what she heard in the main courtyard earlier.
“Should I go to the main courtyard to find out more?” Although the household was run by Madam, in Liu Chun’s heart, she only had Gege as her master. Even if it was taboo for a servant to spy on the mistress, she wouldn’t hesitate if her master ordered it!
“No need, Mother has her reasons for not telling me.”
Lanzhu was only worried about her mother’s health, not about spying on her mother’s courtyard. As a daughter, what would it look like to spy on her mother’s courtyard?
“Just keep an eye on Mother’s spirits. As long as there’s no major change, I believe Mother can handle it herself.”
If worst comes to worst, there’s still Father. Even if Mother’s health is really an issue, aren’t there imperial physicians in the palace? The best doctors in the world are in the palace. If she asks Cousin, he probably wouldn’t refuse, right?
“Alright, let’s leave it at that. Don’t inquire further.”
“Yes, Gege,” the others responded.
“Liu Chun, go find that white crane warm jade. I have nothing to do, so I’ll make a knot.”
“Yes, I’ll get it right away.”
Although she didn’t know why Gege suddenly thought of that jade pendant, Liu Chun maintained a calm demeanor. She was curious, but she knew what to ask and what not to ask.
Three days later
Time flew by, and it was the eve of the New Year’s Eve banquet. After being busy for a long time, Tong Guowei finally had some free time. Today, Tong Guowei returned particularly early and was in relatively good spirits, so as soon as he returned, he keenly noticed something was off in the main courtyard.
Before stepping inside, Tong Guowei turned to Yi Qing beside him: “Has something happened in the household recently?”
Yi Qing was momentarily stunned by the Master’s question, then quickly responded: “Madam’s health has indeed been a bit unwell recently.”
Yi Qing didn’t say more. Since Madam hadn’t told the Master immediately, she must have her reasons. It was better not to speak too much. Better to let Madam explain to the Master herself.
“Is it because she’s been too tired lately?” Tong Guowei asked as he stepped through the main courtyard’s gate. Then he saw a large group of people kneeling inside, and his expression became even more puzzled.
“What’s going on here?”
As Tong Guowei spoke, the expressions of the people inside varied. Sitting in the main seat, Hesheli Shi’s cold face softened slightly upon seeing the Master enter, but her expression still didn’t look good. Meanwhile, Xiao Yiniang, who was kneeling below, seemed to be delighted. The Master had returned, so Madam should have some scruples, right? After all, she had given birth to a son and a daughter for the Master and was considered a good concubine, not like Zhao Yiniang, who had risen from being a maid.
“Master, you must seek justice for this servant. Madam summoned this servant today and, without any explanation, wanted to convict this servant. This servant has done nothing wrong.”
Lanzhu, who had just arrived, heard Xiao Yiniang’s pitiful cries before even entering the courtyard.
Author’s Note: Tomorrow, the story will enter the VIP section. Thank you, dear readers, for your continued support. There will be four updates tomorrow. Kisses~