Tingyu Pavilion.
Second Concubine Yang sat at the dining table but did not touch her food, clearly lacking an appetite.
Her attendant, He Sui, noticed her demeanor and quietly said, “Aunt, Third Miss is accompanying Fourth Miss. You needn’t worry too much about her.”
Yang sighed lightly. “Die’er is sensible, but that Ruir’er… she truly causes worry.”
He Sui continued softly, arranging dishes: “Fourth Miss is the mistress of the Xiang residence. You, Third Miss, and Fourth Miss all have Madam as backing. There’s no need to be overly anxious. I’ve heard that Eldest Miss, regarding the matter of Jisheng Herb Shop, publicly dismissed Madam’s cousin and even forced Madam to hand over 200,000 taels before Old Madam and Father.”
He Sui lowered her voice: “The last incident didn’t result in Eldest Miss dying as intended. After this event, Madam will only grow more intolerant of Eldest Miss and will want her gone sooner. Once Eldest Miss is dead, no one will hold Fourth Miss accountable. Naturally, Fourth Miss will be free from her current confinement.”
Yang lifted her eyes to look at He Sui. “You mean… it would be up to me to handle Su Hua?”
He Sui nodded. “Since Madam wants Eldest Miss dead, if you deal with her, not only will Fourth Miss be freed from her confinement, but you will gain favor for solving Madam’s troubles.”
Yang pondered, when a voice laced with anger suddenly cut through—the speaker was Su Ruir.
“Mother! That wretched Su Hua slapped me and got Father to confine me. I can’t eat, can’t bear it! I absolutely agree—she must die! He Sui, do you have a method?”
Su Die’er looked at He Sui thoughtfully, curious to hear the plan.
Yang addressed He Sui: “Go on, tell us. What’s this clever method?”
He Sui spoke carefully: “Aunt, Third Miss, Fourth Miss… when I used to leave the mansion to buy things for you, I sometimes heard merchants speak of a curious person. Far to the west, about a hundred miles from the city, lies Hidden Mist Mountain. There is a snake catcher there, skilled in capturing snakes and controlling them, who keeps countless exotic serpents.”
Hearing this, Yang, Su Die’er, and Su Ruir felt a chill, sensing something ominous.
He Sui continued slowly, “This person is reclusive, both upright and sinister. He can control poisonous snakes to kill discreetly, and can also use snake venom to poison or heal. He works for money, not for individuals.”
Yang asked, intrigued, “In the capital, such a person exists? Isn’t he under official supervision?”
He Sui shook her head. “Aunt, he is merely a wandering swordsman of the Jianghu. He would never confront the court. Before acting, he ensures no trouble comes to him. In our case, Eldest Miss’s death will cause no one to trouble him.”
Su Ruir said eagerly, “That wretch… dead is dead. We just need a legitimate excuse, and no one will investigate. This method is perfect.”
Su Die’er asked quietly, “He Sui, can we be certain it will succeed without fail?”
He Sui nodded gravely, “Even a single bite from one of his trained snakes, and even immortals can’t save the victim.”
Su Ruir could barely contain her excitement. “He Sui, contact him immediately! Money isn’t an issue.”
He Sui remained calm, waiting for Yang’s signal.
Su Ruir urged, “Mother, why hesitate with such a perfect way to deal with that wretched Su Hua?”
Su Die’er reminded her, “Fourth Sister, any plan requires caution. Rash action will cause mistakes.”
Su Ruir pouted.
Yang finally said, “He Sui, start reaching out. Once the contact is established, we can arrange the details.”
He Sui: “Yes, Aunt.”
Su Die’er murmured thoughtfully, “Mother, we can lead this operation, but we should inform you properly, so there’s no miscommunication.”
Yang nodded. “Of course.”
..
Jinhua Pavilion.
Zhu and Su Xuan, mother and daughter, were having their evening meal.
Their attendant, Chun Ying, entered. “Madam, Second Concubine Yang has left Lanyue Pavilion. She seemed quite pleased.”
Zhu put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and took a slow sip of tea. She said, “Two ants think they can move an elephant just by teaming up. Let them fumble—this is their fate.”
Su Xuan smiled. “Mother is right.”
Zhu asked, “By the way, what about Yang?”
Su Xuan replied, “Third and Fourth Miss have always hated Su Hua, especially Fourth Miss. Today, with Eldest Miss’s stunt causing Father to confine Fourth Miss, she didn’t protest?”
Chun Ying responded, “Second Miss, Fourth Miss thoroughly cursed Eldest Miss, inside and out.”
Su Xuan’s lips curved coldly. “That’s exactly how Fourth Miss would react. Eldest Miss slapped her publicly—she probably wants to kill Su Hua right now.”
Su Xuan asked her mother, “Mother, do you think Yang might be plotting to kill Su Hua behind the scenes?”
Zhu’s eyes glinted. “If she truly has such intentions and has started planning, let’s see what she’s capable of.”
Su Xuan: “We can watch from the sidelines. Why wouldn’t we?”
Zhu sipped her tea, thinking, “Xuan’er is right.”
Mother and daughter exchanged a knowing smile.
At that moment, a maid entered with news: Yang Concubine requested an audience.
Zhu chuckled. “Interesting. Just as we spoke of her, she shows up. Let her in.”
Yang entered with the maid, bowing. “Madam, Second Miss, I greet you.”
Zhu: “Sit.”
Yang: “Thank you, Madam.”
Then Zhu asked directly, “What brings you here?”
Yang glanced around, noting only Zhu and Su Xuan were present. With no one else, she spoke freely, reporting their prior discussion in her quarters.
A snake catcher… skilled… able to control venomous snakes?
Zhu and Su Xuan were surprised—they hadn’t expected Yang had found such a viable plan.
Yang asked, “Madam, Second Miss, do you think this method could work?”
Su Xuan: “Yang acts for Fourth Miss’s sake. She wants to know the aftermath if Su Hua dies, correct?”
Yang nodded. “Exactly.”
Zhu: “Eldest Miss nearly drowned before and was meant to die. Living a few extra days, only to die suddenly, no one in the Xiang residence would investigate. What you want to do… just do it.”
Yang stood, bowing. “Yes, Madam. I understand.”