"This lowly one would naturally not dare to disrespect Madam, but Concubine Ning has already given instructions that no one is to be disturbed. Even if Madam were to scold or kill me, this lowly one would not yield an inch."
The servant faced Bai Xinxin, who was seething with rage, with neither subservience nor arrogance, blocking the doorway resolutely.
"Good, good you loyal dog!"
Bai Xinxin was furious. She lunged forward and slapped the servant hard across the face. Blood trickled from the corner of the servant's mouth. Still not appeased, Bai Xinxin grabbed the servant by the collar and kicked him fiercely.
The servant dared not retaliate. He curled into a ball on the ground, covering his head, yet still refused to move.
"You scoundrel, who are you truly loyal to? Even if I beat you to death today, what can your master behind you do to me?"
She thought it was merely a matter of disciplining a servant. She didn't believe the Lord would punish her for a mere servant.
Wei Rulan watched Bai Xinxin, who resembled a shrew, and a flicker of amusement appeared in her eyes. What a foolish and impulsive idiot. However, this idiot was a good pawn!
As she thought this, a look of anxiety appeared on her face. She urgently advised, "Sister, sister, please stop. If Concubine Ning truly doesn't wish to see us, then we shall leave."
Bai Xinxin's reason had already been consumed by rage. How could she discern whether Wei Rulan's intentions were good or malicious? Hearing Wei Rulan's advice only made her more determined to enter. Her actions did not cease, and she shouted at Wei Rulan, "Leave? I will enter today no matter what!"
Jia Huan, hearing the commotion, came to investigate.
Upon seeing Wei Rulan and Bai Xinxin, his head began to throb. He quickly ordered someone to fetch the Princess Consort.
In the Xinyuan Pavilion, upon hearing of Bai Xinxin and Wei Rulan's uproar at the Linglong Pavilion, Bai Zhi became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. "Sister Lvwan, what should we do? Why do these two choose today to cause trouble! Madam went out with Master Thirteen early this morning and is not even in the manor. Now the manor guards are here to summon us. What are we to do?"
Lvwan glared at Bai Zhi and reprimanded, "Why are you panicking!"
As she spoke, she raised her hand, cupped her throat, and mimicked Madam's usual tone, saying, "Lvwan, I am not feeling well. Please go and see to it!"
Then, Lvwan resumed her own voice and replied, "Yes, Madam!"
Bai Zhi, having witnessed the entire scene, regarded Lvwan with a reverence as profound as flowing water from a high mountain. She had almost forgotten that Sister Lvwan possessed the ability to alter her voice.
Bai Zhi blinked her eyes. Lvwan had already risen and walked out the door.
...
Jia Huan waited for a long time, but instead of the Princess Consort, Lvwan appeared.
"Guard Jia, what are you still staring at? Hurry and pull Madam away!" Before Jia Huan could ask, Lvwan said with some displeasure.
The Madams and ladies in the back courtyard might not know who this person was, but Jia Huan knew very well. The principal maids by the Princess Consort's side were all maids who had served the Lord in the past.
Their bearing and aura were no less than that of the wives of ordinary officials.
Now, hearing Lvwan's command, Jia Huan asked no further questions. With a wave of his hand, the guards rushed forward with a whoosh and seized Bai Xinxin.
"You bunch of dog slaves, are you trying to rebel?"
Bai Xinxin struggled and angrily questioned them.
Lvwan suddenly stepped forward and slapped Bai Xinxin hard across the face. She let out a cold哼 and declared, "Madam Xinyang has committed insubordination and offended Concubine Ning. She is confined to her courtyard for one month."
"Guard Jia, hurry and escort Madam back to her courtyard!"
"Yes!"
Jia Huan was indeed obedient.
"I'd like to see who dares! You are merely a lowly maid, how dare you treat me like this? Punish me? You are not worthy! Jia Huan, do not mistake yourself. If the Lord finds out you treat me like this, he will never forgive you!"
Bai Xinxin's mention of the Lord only made Jia Huan move faster.
Others might not know the Princess Consort's standing in the Lord's heart, but how could he not? Moreover... as soon as he recalled the Princess Consort's methods of interrogating criminals that day, Jia Huan dared not show any negligence.
That person was a ruthless individual, no less formidable than the Lord.
"Madam Xinyang, please excuse my offense!"
Jia Huan personally stepped forward and grasped Bai Xinxin's wrist. No matter how much Bai Xinxin struggled and cursed, he refused to let go even slightly, holding her firmly and escorting her back to her courtyard.
"Madam Rulan, please!"
Seeing Bai Xinxin being escorted back to her courtyard by Jia Huan, Lvwan smiled and made a gesturing invitation to Wei Rulan.
Wei Rulan looked at Lvwan and nodded softly. A sharp glint flashed in her slightly lowered eyes—why was Lvwan here? Where was Nan Shiying? Was she too disdainful to come? Or unable to come?
Could it be that Nan Shiying had exempted them from the morning and evening salutations for fear they would discover her frail health? If so, then Qin Yurou had succeeded in poisoning her? But hadn't managed to poison her to death?
If that were the case, then this would be truly good news.
The commotion today had not been in vain.
...
Nan Shiying was unaware of the events unfolding in the manor. She spent the entire day amidst piles of herbs, tirelessly experimenting with the medicine.
The medicine was used to lure the蛊 worms.
Poison Elder wished to try if the poisonous insects could be lured out without bloodshed, but this idea now seemed somewhat difficult.
"Ai!"
Poison Elder sighed and straightened his weary back. As he stood up, his peripheral vision caught sight of Nan Shiying, who was still preparing medicine. He sighed, remarking how good it was to be young.
"Let's stop for today. We'll continue with anything tomorrow."
Nan Shiying agreed without looking up. Her response was prompt, but her actions did not cease. She merely perfunctorily said, "Wait until I finish this one."
There was no day or night in the stone cave, but calculating the time, it was likely already dark outside. She had been busy all day, yet she was like an tireless iron man.
But her learning speed was truly astonishing, so fast that Poison Elder began to wonder if she was the reincarnation of the Medicine King.
Poison Elder stepped back a few paces and sat on a chair. His peripheral vision caught sight of a slender figure slowly approaching. He turned his head and saw Ji Jinmo entering the room.
"Done!"
He flicked some dust off his clothes and slowly rose from the chair, walking out with great perceptiveness. As he passed Ji Jinmo, he even gave him an encouraging glance.
Ji Jinmo couldn't help but chuckle.
He walked to Nan Shiying's side and sat down cross-legged.
The shadow beside her loomed. Nan Shiying mistook it for Poison Elder squatting back down. While rummaging through herbs, she said, "Old man, do you think we should tie up that Mu Baiyu? He only has the love蛊, and I've sealed it in his carotid artery with acupuncture needles. Wouldn't this little white mouse... oh no, this patient, be simpler?"
Nan Shiying felt her suggestion was very reasonable, as everything should proceed step by step.
"Old man, speak up!"
Receiving no response from Poison Elder, Nan Shiying turned her head.