She knew her son too well.
If this woman wasn't dealt with, even if she was sent away, he would surely find a way to bring her back.
After all these years, he hadn't grown tired of her. It was unlikely he would let her go easily.
However, the Tantai clan absolutely forbade a woman of such a low status from entering their household, as it would tarnish their reputation and make them a laughingstock in the capital.
"Miss Lan, why do you hesitate? Must I personally deliver the decree?"
As the words fell, two burly wet nurses seized her.
Lan Murou's kneeling body weakened. She stared fixedly at the poisoned wine, the dagger, and the white silk, her pale lips trembling slightly.
The day had finally come!
Madam Yuehua sat serenely on her high seat, her gaze upon Lan Murou devoid of any emotion.
"Stop delaying. My dear son is currently attending a banquet with Ayen and has no time to rescue you. If you are wise, end it yourself, and do not force my hand."
Upon hearing this, Lan Murou bit her lip fiercely, a hint of sarcasm flashing in her lowered eyes.
She had never relied on him!
He had never been her support.
"To commit murder in the Buddhist hall, what venomous heart do you possess, Madam?"
Suddenly, her slightly mocking words cut through the air.
Madam Yuehua's hand, which was pouring tea, paused. She glanced sideways at the woman on the ground.
Seeing the usually gentle eyes looking at her with a trace of mockery, she watched for a moment, then curled her lips.
"Has the fox's tail finally been revealed?"
Lan Murou let out a sarcastic laugh. "Madam, not all women desire to marry into prominent families. I truly cannot abide by the sordid methods employed by your esteemed clans."
"Sordid?!"
Madam Yuehua murmured, tasting the word. After a moment, she chuckled lightly, blowing lazily on the hot tea in her cup.
The clink of the porcelain cup was particularly jarring in the silent Buddhist hall.
"You are correct. This inner court is indeed too sordid. A man's favor can only bring you fleeting glory. Without the backing of a family, a frail woman like you would be devoured alive."
"Miss Lan, death is your best destination. Do not blame me."
Her voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable finality.
Hearing her words, Lan Murou felt a strange urge to laugh, a wordless sorrow welling up from the depths of her heart.
Seeing her reaction, Madam Yuehua narrowed her eyes and issued another threat.
"Your brother may be in Saipei, far from the emperor's reach. However, if the Tantai clan is determined, he will surely die there, unknown to anyone."
"You cannot withstand the methods of the Old Master."
"----"
A shock went through Lan Murou, and she lowered her head.
Ayan!
Tantai Ye used Ayan to threaten her, and now his family was using Ayan to threaten her again.
Ridiculous.
Utterly ridiculous.
Thinking of her brother, an immense sorrow washed over Lan Murou.
An indescribable grief permeated her limbs, and tears silently traced paths down her cheeks.
Before her death, she wouldn't even be able to see her brother one last time.
Since following Tantai Ye, she had rarely seen Ayan. Now, as she was about to die, she still couldn't see him.
Her only kin, the one she relied on, she would never see again.
"Miss Lan, I shall give you one last piece of advice: there is no good end for those who oppose our Tantai clan."
The harsh, threatening voice reached her ears.
Lan Murou's senses returned, a flicker of sarcasm on her lips, her eyes now clouded with a desolate sorrow.
As long as she remained by Tantai Ye's side, the Tantai family would never leave her alone; her life would always be forfeit!
Forget it.
As long as she lived, Ayan would be implicated and his life would be in constant peril.
No one could save her!
She accepted her fate.
She accepted her fate.
With her death, everything would end.
"Since Miss Lan cannot make the choice, I shall choose for you."
Madam Yuehua glanced at her indifferently, her voice cold. "The poison takes effect swiftly and painlessly. Commit suicide by drinking it."
"Hold her down and force the medicine down her throat."
Lan Murou was forced to her knees, her hands held by the two rough wet nurses.
Another wet nurse approached with the medicine, fiercely gripping her cheeks and forcing her mouth open.
She violently shook her head, her usually gentle face now etched with a coldness she had never displayed before.
"You do not need to do this."
With that, she broke free from the wet nurses and snatched the bottle of poison.
Madam Yuehua's expression faltered at her movements.
After a moment, she gestured with her eyes, and the servants holding Lan Murou respectfully retreated.
"Since Miss Lan has come to her senses, may you journey peacefully. I will ensure you are buried with due respect."
Lan Murou ignored her. She looked at the medicine bottle in her hand, her slightly reddened eyes flashing with a desolate resolve, a deep despair.
In the silent Buddhist hall, the flickering lamp and shadows of Buddha cast a poignant silhouette.
Her fingertips, clutching the bottle, turned white.
With a soft pop, the stopper was removed.
Lan Murou suppressed her tears with all her might.
She raised her gaze and looked towards the window. A faint light, filtering through the gauzy pane, cast a warm glow upon her pale face.
Tantai Ye, in the next life, I do not wish to meet you again.
Then, she withdrew her gaze, tilted her head back, and resolutely drank the poisoned wine.
Black blood instantly flowed from her lips, a terrifying crimson.
Her slender body collapsed to the ground with a thud, her eyes closing.
"Madam, she is dead."
The wet nurse leaned in, checked her breathing, and respectfully reported.
Madam Yuehua cast a cold glance at the figure on the ground and slowly rose.
"Take her out and bury her properly."
"Yes."
Seeing her about to leave, wet nurse Li hurried forward and offered her hand.
"Madam, if the General finds out about this, I fear there will be trouble."
The General had caused a commotion before when they tried to kill that woman. This time, with her actually dead, there would likely be even more trouble.
Madam Yuehua placed her hand on Li's wrist and slowly walked out. At the doorway, she glanced back at the deceased and spoke calmly.
"Now that she is dead, will he kill his own mother?"
"The General now holds immense power, controlling the Northwest Army and colluding with the Dingbei King in military and political matters in court, essentially holding absolute sway. At such a time, a rift between mother and son would not be beneficial for you."
Madam Yuehua said, "What does wet nurse Li mean?"
"Why not play along and divert the blame?"
Li was her wet nurse. She had followed Madam Yuehua from her days as an innocent young lady to her current position as the mistress of the Tantai clan, and had helped her resolve many difficult situations.
Upon hearing her words, Madam Yuehua pondered for a moment and then replied calmly.
"This is the intention of the Old Madam and the Master. It is the will of the entire clan. Does he dare to oppose the entire clan?"
"Moreover, even if we divert the blame, it will be of no use."
"My son is omniscient. If he truly investigates, he will undoubtedly trace it back to his own mother. The Old Madam asked me to handle this precisely so that he would not dare to act against the Tantai clan."
Madam Yuehua spoke coldly and walked out.
"Furthermore, she is merely a woman. He has played with her for so many years; he is likely bored by now and would not cause trouble at the manor over a mere woman."
He was Tantai Ye, his surname was Tantai. These were his kinsmen. How could he possibly oppose the entire clan for a woman?
His wife must be a legitimate daughter of a prominent aristocratic family.
The Tantai clan could absolutely not tolerate rumors of keeping a mistress.
This woman had to die!