Yang Chen was dumbfounded.
Since their engagement, Lin Tangtang had never spoken to him in such an arrogant tone.
Yet, she seemed to have a point.
“It must be a misunderstanding! There must be some misunderstanding here!”
Lin Jiaojiao suddenly spoke up, breaking the awkward tension between the two. “Young Lady Yang cares most about the elders and siblings of the Marquis Estate. How could she possibly poison anyone?”
Yu Shi immediately caught on. “Yes, Jiaojiao is right. Zhong Daifu, please take another careful look. Perhaps there are other oversights.”
Yang Chen’s gaze toward Lin Jiaojiao held a hint of admiration.
She was clever and considerate—with just a few words, she had mitigated Yang Xiao’s mistake and diverted everyone’s attention.
Lin Tangtang glanced sideways at Lin Jiaojiao.
Chunxue tightened her grip on the sword hilt, cursing inwardly: What a traitorous bootlicker.
Zhong Daifu examined several portions of unbrewed bird’s nest, inquired about its storage method and duration, and reached a conclusion.
“This bird’s nest has spoiled and produced toxins. Do not consume it again,” Zhong Daifu declared. Yang Xiao’s face burned with shame.
She had only bought discounted bird’s nest to show off in front of the Marquis Estate’s household, never expecting it would cause such a major incident.
The others’ gazes toward Yang Xiao turned hostile.
“Alright, everyone, Xiao Jie’er was likely deceived. Look at her—she’s been vomiting and suffering from diarrhea for a long time too, hasn’t she?”
Yu Shi hurriedly mediated. “I’ll cover Zhong Daifu’s consultation fee this time. Later, I’ll use my private savings to have two extra sets of spring clothes made for everyone.”
Her implication was clear: Let bygones be bygones.
As the legitimate wife of the eldest branch and the one managing the household, with all other branches relying on the eldest branch, everyone suppressed their dissatisfaction upon her word.
She then asked Zhong Daifu, “Zhong Daifu, could you please check the prescription from the previous physician? Can we still take it?”
“The previous prescription wasn’t entirely appropriate. I have ready-made medicine here that can treat the condition.”
Zhong Daifu glanced at it and paused. “However, the ingredients are rare and quite expensive.”
“No matter. As long as everyone recovers quickly, any cost is worth it,” Yu Shi thought to herself—how expensive could one ingredient be?
“Given the number of people in the estate who need medication, the total cost for the medicine and consultation fee is ten gold,” Zhong Daifu calculated.
“What?” Yu Shi’s teacup wobbled, spilling a few drops.
This was nearly the entire Marquis Estate’s monthly expenditure!
But since the trouble originated from the eldest branch, she could only force a smile and bear it, her head aching. “I’ll send someone to fetch the consultation fee right away. Granny Zhou, please go to the treasury.”
After everyone had taken the medicine, Yu Shi claimed fatigue and dismissed them to rest.
“Madam of the Hou Estate, what about me?” Lin Tangtang refused to leave.
“You?” Yu Shi frowned sternly.
“The truth about the poisoning is out, but Young Lady Yang falsely accused me without evidence—that’s unjust. I don’t want you to pay the consultation fee, nor do I want clothes from the Hou Estate. I only seek fairness.” Lin Tangtang gently smoothed her sleeve, awaiting Yu Shi’s response.
The others, who had been leaving, halted at the doorway.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Yu Shi pondered for a moment before turning to Yang Xiao. “Xiao Xiao, apologize to her.”
“Mother, how can I bow to her? She’s just a martial…” Tears welled in Yang Xiao’s eyes. Seeing Yu Shi remain firm, she turned to Yang Chen.
This time, Yang Chen also remained silent.
With no one to support her, tears glistened in Yang Xiao’s eyes.
“I’m… sorry…” Yang Xiao bowed her head before Lin Tangtang for the first time, her proud demeanor finally broken.
“In the future, Miss Yang, I suggest you think before you speak.” Lin Tangtang let out a scornful laugh before turning to leave.
Yang Xiao’s face turned as colorful as a dyehouse, her expression utterly unpleasant.
The crowd gradually dispersed.
As the wife of the second branch passed by Lin Tangtang, she cast an apologetic glance her way and gave a slight nod.
Acknowledging the goodwill, Lin Tangtang nodded in return.
“Miss, they nearly pinned a serious crime on you today. How can a simple apology be enough?” Xiangxue was puzzled, feeling it was unjust.
“Who said it’s enough? They’ve suffered quite a loss today. And there’s more trouble waiting for them.”
If Lin Tangtang remembered correctly, Yu Shi was about to face misfortune over the bird’s nest incident.
Upon returning to the West Garden, Zhong Daifu was waiting at the entrance.
Lin Tangtang invited him into her room.
He took out a consultation fee from his robe. “Miss Lin, here are five gold coins.”
Xiangxue’s jaw dropped in astonishment. Why would Zhong Daifu be giving gold?
Lin Tangtang accepted the gold with a smile curling at the corners of her eyes.
The Lin family and Zhong Daifu were co-investors in Qi Huang Hall, and the profits were split equally between them.
“Miss Lin, would you like this old man to check your pulse?” Before leaving, Zhong Daifu glanced at Lin Tangtang.
Chunxue immediately grew tense.
“No need, I’m perfectly fine.” Lin Tangtang lowered her gaze.
Zhong Daifu stroked his snow-white beard and said nothing more. Instead, he handed her a white porcelain bottle. “This contains a unique health-preserving pill that I formulated. You may take one daily.”
“Thank you, Zhong Daifu.” Lin Tangtang took the bottle and tucked it into her robe.
She was well aware of her physical condition, truly…
Shaking off the tangled thoughts in her mind, Lin Tangtang saw Zhong Daifu out and then went to Lin Jiaojiao’s room.
“Earlier in the South Courtyard, you didn’t speak a single word in defense of your own flesh-and-blood sister. Instead, you sided with the Marquis Estate’s people at every turn.”
Lin Jiaojiao leaned against the doorframe, her gaze icy. “I never realized my cousin was so cunning and sharp-witted.”
“Sister, I was just avoiding suspicion!”
She wore an innocent and helpless expression. “The Marquis Estate is your future in-laws. Everything I said was out of concern that you might clash with the Madam of the Hou Estate in a fit of anger, which could harm your marriage prospects.”
She made it sound as though she had Lin Tangtang’s best interests at heart.
Ignoring her sophistry, Lin Tangtang pressed, “The Madam of the Hou Estate was poisoned earlier and should have been preoccupied in the South Courtyard. How did she find out so quickly that I wasn’t poisoned?”
“How would I know? The Madam of the Hou Estate has eyes and ears everywhere. It’s not something I can guess.” Though Lin Jiaojiao’s face remained calm, her hand subtly tugged at her skirt.
A cold, half-mocking smile curved Lin Tangtang’s lips. “You keep mentioning the Madam of the Hou Estate left and right. Why don’t you go be her daughter-in-law instead?”