Bell Spirit Pavilion
Yun Ci’s return left Hong Ling utterly astonished. She scrutinized her mistress from head to toe—not only was Yun Ci unharmed, but there wasn’t even a trace of grievance on her face.
“Second Young Madam…”
“I’m hungry. Go fetch the meal,” Yun Ci instructed.
Hong Ling hesitated briefly.
Before long, Nanny Gu arrived in person, carrying a complete set of priceless ruby jewelry.
Standing beneath the corridor, she said softly, “The Old Madam said that Second Young Madam suffered an injustice today. This was the Old Madam’s dowry from her youth, specially gifted to Second Young Madam to soothe her nerves.”
At this, Hong Ling was completely dumbfounded. The Old Madam was actually giving gifts to Second Young Madam?
“Thank you, Grandmother.” Yun Ci affectionately addressed her as Grandmother once more, then glanced at Nanny Gu.
Nanny Gu instinctively took two steps back and hurriedly said, “The Old Madam is still waiting for this old servant to return. Second Young Madam, I take my leave.”
“Take care, Nanny.” Yun Ci wore a bright smile. These rubies were truly fine treasures—if sold, they would surely fetch a hefty sum. She cast a sidelong glance at Hong Ling.
Hong Ling promptly understood. “This servant will go fetch the meal at once.”
As Yun Ci held the rubies, intending to admire them, she suddenly detected a faint, unusual fragrance at the tip of her nose. She lowered her head to glance at the rubies on the tray, a slight smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
In the 21st century, Yun Ci had been a top-tier assassin specializing in the study of various poisons, excelling in creating and using them. She was hailed as a genius toxicologist within the medical research institute.
That old hag dared to openly poison her? Truly reckless!
“Today’s turnaround was quite successful.”
At some point, Fu Xi had already seated himself opposite her.
Yun Ci smiled faintly. “Without your help, this battle wouldn’t have been so easily won.”
She had always been isolated and without support, making things rather inconvenient.
After just a day of interaction, Fu Xi had thoroughly investigated all of Nalan Yunci’s background, while also marveling at the growth of an individual.
“You’ve offended Lu Jia today. They won’t let you off easily. Have you thought about the future?”
Fu Xi poured himself a cup of tea and brought it to his lips.
“I’ve long lost hope in Lu Jia. I have my own plans for the future.”
Fu Xi didn’t press further.
“Let me check your pulse.” Yun Ci had promised Fu Xi that once today’s matters were settled, she would research an antidote for him.
Fu Xi cooperatively extended his hand. Yun Ci gently placed her fingertips on his wrist, then suddenly furrowed her brows. After a moment, she said, “The poison in your body has been there for at least seven or eight years. Apart from the most severe Dugu, layers upon layers of various toxins have accumulated. It’s truly a miracle you’ve survived to this day.”
This was no joke—every organ in his body was saturated with poison. As old toxins were neutralized, new ones were added, making him practically a walking vessel of toxins.
Fu Xi withdrew his hand, his expression calm.
Yun Ci walked to the table and wrote several prescriptions, handing them to Fu Xi. “There’s no solution for the Dugu yet. First, we must clear away the remaining toxins. Follow my method, and within five days, the residual poison will be eliminated.”
Surprisingly, Fu Xi didn’t doubt Yun Ci’s words in the slightest. He took the prescriptions and tucked them into his robe. “Thank you.”
“By the way, you only recently broke your vow. You must not break it again.”
Yun Ci blushed as she reminded him, never expecting that he, too, had only just broken his vow.
Fu Xi’s composed expression showed a faint crack, a flush creeping up to the tips of his ears. He cleared his throat awkwardly and turned to leave.
Yun Ci touched her flushed cheeks. Though she had witnessed countless occasions, when it came to her own turn, it truly felt like a maiden's first time riding the bridal sedan.
"Second Young Madam, the meal is here," Hong Ling said as she approached carrying a food box.
From the shadows of the tree, a figure whispered to Fu Xi, "Master, I just discovered that maid tampered with the food outside the courtyard."
The figure was Fu Xi's personal guard. He knew his master's life was entirely tied to Yun Ci, so she absolutely must not come to harm.
"No need to intervene. She will notice it."
Sure enough, as soon as the box was opened, revealing three dishes and a soup inside, Yun Ci sensed something amiss.
"I suddenly don't feel hungry anymore, Hong Ling. You may have all of this."
Hong Ling looked up in surprise, panic flashing in her eyes. "Second Young Madam, I am merely a maid. How dare I partake of my mistress's meal? Besides, you rose early and did not eat last night. If you skip another meal, your health will suffer."
Yun Ci sneered. It wasn't the first time Hong Ling had secretly eaten her meals behind her back.
Sitting to the side, Yun Ci tilted her chin and commanded coldly, "Eat!"
"Second Young Madam!" Hong Ling's legs gave way, and she knelt on the ground, her face filled with guilt. Meeting Yun Ci's icy gaze, she had a feeling the Second Young Madam knew the food was poisoned.
"Look how frightened you are. Get up," Yun Ci suddenly smiled, speaking gently to Hong Ling. "I just lost my appetite and would rather have some chicken wontons instead."
That smile sent shivers down Hong Ling's spine. She quickly said, "Second Young Madam, please wait a moment. I will go change it."
She packed the food back into the box and took it away, soon returning with a steaming bowl of chicken wontons. The translucent wrappers were filled with stuffing, and the soup was sprinkled with tender green scallions—it looked utterly tempting.
This time, Yun Ci picked up her chopsticks without hesitation and began to eat.
Behind her, Hong Ling was drenched in cold sweat.
After the meal, Yun Ci dismissed everyone and fell into a deep sleep. Having returned from Yuntai Ge and endured a whole night of turmoil, she hadn't even had a moment to rest.
She slept until dusk before waking.
"Second Young Madam, allow me to assist you with your bath," Hong Ling said.
Yun Ci noticed Hong Ling's gaze fixed on her wrist and her attempt to tug at her clothes. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and slapped Hong Ling.
Hong Ling was stunned.
"From now on, do not touch me without my permission. Do you understand?" Yun Ci scolded coldly.
"Yes!" Hong Ling nodded, aggrieved.
Her eyes fell upon the ruby set placed on the dressing table, and Yun Ci fell into thought. She needed to send this item out as soon as possible, not to disappoint Old Madam Lu's kindness.
She stood up. "Is there any news of the Shizi?"
Mentioning the Shizi, Hong Ling couldn't help but feel disdain inwardly. Knowing the Shizi had been taken away, yet lying in her room all day—where was the slightest sign of concern?
"Second Young Madam, the Shizi has not returned yet."
Good that he hasn't returned!
Yun Ci's mood grew even more pleasant. It was time for Lu Yanci to taste the torment of being imprisoned. She glanced sideways at Hong Ling. "Prepare the bath."
Upon hearing this, Hong Ling immediately instructed a young maid to make preparations and followed closely behind Yun Ci.
Yun Ci turned around and said coldly, "Stay right here."
"Second Young Madam, do you find my service unsatisfactory? I—"
"If you know you're clumsy, don't get in the way!"
Yun Ci walked into the inner room without looking back, leaving Hong Ling fuming with reddened eyes as she stood waiting outside. Remembering the instructions from the First Young Madam, she gritted her teeth and was about to step inside, lifting her foot to take a small step forward.
Bang!
A teacup landed precisely at her feet.
Startled, Hong Ling stumbled backward.
"Get out!"
Helpless, Hong Ling could only grit her teeth and go report.
Qiongliu Pavilion
Hong Ling recounted the events of the afternoon in detail, explaining that she couldn’t get close to Yun Ci at all. Enraged, Ye Jiayi cursed her as useless.
"How did that wretch become so cunning after just one trip out?"
"First Young Madam, could it be that Second Young Madam is feeling guilty and that’s why she won’t allow this servant to attend to her closely?" Hong Ling speculated.
Ye Jiayi frowned, not ruling out the possibility. She could only advise, "Serve her attentively and don’t provoke her again. Even tigers have moments of drowsiness. There’s no rush with this matter."
"Yes."
Before leaving, Ye Jiayi specifically ordered someone to reward Hong Ling with several silver ingots, offering a few words of comfort. Hong Ling left with a beaming smile.
Once she was gone, Ye Jiayi’s expression grew even darker. "That wretch, I wish I could kill her right now."
"First Young Madam, please calm down. Now is not the time to clash with Second Young Madam. The Nalan family will decline sooner or later. Old Madam Lu cannot tolerate Second Young Madam. You should focus on taking good care of yourself and give the Shizi a healthy, chubby little son." Ling Xi spoke soothingly.
In the past, Ye Jiayi would have been pleased to hear such words, but today, she grew furious. Placing a hand on her abdomen, she said, "This child will never be able to call Erlang 'Father' openly. It’s all that wretch’s fault!"
Growing angrier the more she thought about it, Ye Jiayi swept the teacup off the table, her face twisted with malice. "Tell Mother to think of a way to clear the Shizi’s name as soon as possible. I can’t bear this resentment for another day."
At that moment, on the roof above, Yun Ci squinted as she watched Ye Jiayi’s outburst, silently marveling. So, Hong Ling’s master was indeed Ye Jiayi!
She glanced at the maid about to enter from outside, holding a delicate bowl of bird’s nest soup—something Ye Jiayi consumed daily.
It would be impolite not to return the favor. Yun Ci took out a small, exquisite porcelain bottle from her sleeve and, from a distance, dripped a few drops of liquid into the bird’s nest. She watched as, under Ling Xi’s persuasion, Ye Jiayi drank the entire bowl of bird’s nest soup.
Only then did she leave, satisfied.
Next, she would go pay her respects to Old Madam Lu.