Finally, the old madam handed over the antidote.
Xiao Zhen sent the antidote to Shui Yue Xiao Zhu for Ye Qing to examine. After confirming it was the antidote, he administered it to Xiao Man.
"General." Steward Lu appeared behind Xiao Zhen without a sound.
"Let's go."
Xiao Zhen returned with his men. The old madam had not yet recovered from the shock and was stunned to see Xiao Zhen reappear. Su Dan Fiction Net.
"Someone, the old madam is unwell. Send her back to her ancestral home in Cangzhou to recuperate."
The old madam stood up, wanting to retort, but Xiao Zhen's next words made her swallow her words back in fear.
"The attendants have been prepared. Mother, it's time to depart. It happens that Mother misses Miss Qu." Xiao Zhen waved his hand, and two burly women immediately stepped forward, supporting the old madam on either side, and forcefully escorted her out.
The maids and servants in the upper courtyard were terrified, kneeling on the ground, not daring to move. They never imagined that the old madam, the most honored woman in the General's Mansion, would end up like this. Even more so, they never imagined that the Great General Xiao Zhen would go this far for the eldest daughter!
The old madam did not want to leave, but she also knew that with what had happened, Xiao Zhen would never allow her to live under the same roof as Xiao Man again. If she left now, she would never be able to return.
The old madam looked back at the courtyard she had lived in her entire life. In her old age, she had to move out, and it was all her own doing.
Xiao Zhen stood at the doorway, watching the carriage carrying the old madam depart. A trace of exhaustion appeared on his face. The closest of kin were more venomous than enemies!
"General, the people in the old madam's courtyard..."
"Dispose of them all. Not a single word of today's events is to be leaked," Xiao Zhen ordered coldly. "Also... prepare a generous gift and send it to the He family, for He Qing Yi. She is a smart woman and knows what to do."
"Yes, General."
Xiao Man, poisoned and unconscious, was carried back from the old madam's upper courtyard. In less than half a day, the old madam was sent back to her ancestral home in Cangzhou to recuperate. Although outsiders did not know what had happened, the masters in the General's Mansion were all clear. It was likely that the old madam had taken action against Xiao Man, completely angering the General, who then sent her to Cangzhou. Ostensibly for recuperation, but in reality, for house arrest!
Concubine Lin closed her courtyard gates, not daring to go out.
The sky in this General's Mansion could change in an instant. Originally, with the old madam around, Xiao Man, no matter how arrogant, would have some reservations. But now, with the old madam gone, wasn't this General's Mansion Xiao Man's domain!
"Concubine, will Grandmother ever come back?" the Fourth Miss asked cautiously, her large dark eyes filled with fear. It was after all because she and Xiao Ling had gossiped in front of the old madam. She was also afraid that her stern father would, in a fit of anger, vent his wrath upon them.
"I don't know."
"Then will Father... will he hit me?" Although Xiao Ting was cunning, she was still young and greatly feared Xiao Zhen, naturally feeling dread.
"This matter has nothing to do with us at all!"
"Concubine, I'm scared..."
"Don't be afraid. You are his daughter too. No matter how biased he is, he won't blame you."
Xiao Ling was also quite shocked to hear the news of the old madam's departure. She had originally thought Xiao Man would suffer some hardship this time. Little did she know that although Xiao Man had suffered some hardship, it had completely severed her backing in the General's Mansion!
"Miss, what should we do?"
"What can we do?" Xiao Ling gnashed her teeth. "I also didn't expect Grandmother to be so foolish as to openly poison Xiao Man!"
"The old madam doesn't seem this foolish."
"What did you say?"
"This servant said, the old madam doesn't seem this foolish."
Xiao Ling's heart skipped a beat. Yes, the old madam wasn't this foolish. Then there was only one possibility: the old madam had been set up, and the person who set her up, other than Xiao Man, was no one else!
"Miss, should we go and see the eldest miss?"
"Go, why not?" Xiao Ling stood up. "I'm afraid I want to see how long she can keep up this pretense!"
Shui Yue Xiao Zhu was in chaos. Xiao Ling went but was refused entry. The Second Miss and Third Concubine paced back and forth in the room: "Doctor Ye, wasn't the antidote already taken? Why hasn't the eldest miss woken up yet?"
"I don't know what's going on either. The eldest miss's body was already weak, and she was poisoned with such a fierce poison. After taking the antidote, it also needs time to detoxify. It's just that for some reason, the eldest miss's pulse is getting weaker and weaker." Ye Qing was also at a loss now. Xiao Man's pulse was so weak it felt like it could break at any moment.
Xiao Xiang sat by the bed, holding Xiao Man's hand: "Big sister's hands are still so cold. Qiu Tong, turn up the floor heating and light two more braziers."
"Yes, Second Miss."
The Third Concubine sat in the room, sweating profusely. Xiao Man's room was very warm, a stark contrast to the outside. Yet, Xiao Man's body was so cold that it had no warmth at all. If it weren't for her heartbeat, everyone would suspect she was already dead.
Ye Qing worked tirelessly until evening, and only then did Xiao Man's condition stabilize, and her body began to warm up. The few head maids guarded the bedside with red eyes. The Third Concubine and her daughter wanted to stay but were persuaded to leave by Yin Zhu.
"General, you should go and rest too. The young lady's condition has stabilized. We will watch over her here." With Xiao Man down, Qiu Tong had to assert her authority as a head maid, ensuring everyone performed their duties and that no mistakes were made because Xiao Man was incapacitated.
Xiao Zhen shook his head, looking at Xiao Man's pale face, his eyes full of guilt.
Recently, the most frequent sight for him was her lying in bed, either unable to get up after being beaten, or being punished, or being ill and unable to get out of bed. Now, because of the poisoning, she lay in bed, devoid of life. He suddenly realized that he was truly not a qualified father.
"Doctor Ye, when will Man'er wake up?" Xiao Zhen sat by the bed, tucked in Xiao Man's quilt, and asked.
Ye Qing shook his head: "I don't know either. The eldest miss's poison has been resolved, and waking up is only a matter of time. I will do my best to help the eldest miss recover. General, please rest assured."
There was a look of worry in Ye Qing's eyes.
Xiao Zhen had encountered Ye Qing on the street today. Ye Qing had inquired about Xiao Man's condition, and he had invited Ye Qing back to examine Xiao Man. Thinking back now, it was fortunate that he had invited Ye Qing to diagnose Xiao Man at that time. Otherwise, Xiao Man might have lost her life today.
"I entrust my daughter to you."
"General, there's no need for that. The eldest miss and I are friends. How can I stand by and do nothing when a friend is in trouble? Even if the General hadn't said anything, I would have done my utmost."
"It is her fortune to have a friend like you, Man'er."
"It is also my fortune to have a remarkable woman like the eldest miss as a friend."