At Shuiyue Small Residence, the maids attended to their duties. Though not many, the place was meticulously organized. Even with their mistress ill, there was no sense of decline. Neither was there any sign of panic when the Old Madam paid a sudden visit.
"Greetings to the Old Madam," they said.
"How is your young lady?"
"My young lady has just woken and is having her meal," Qiu Tong said, quickly lifting the bamboo curtain and ushering the Old Madam in. "My lady, the Old Madam has come to see you."
Xiao Man quickly put down her chopsticks and rose to pay her respects.
The Old Madam waved her hand, indicating she need not be so formal, and sat down by the dining table.
She looked at Xiao Man's pale, bloodless face and sighed, "How are you feeling?"
"Thank you, Grandmother, for your concern. Your granddaughter is alright, just feeling very weary and wanting to sleep." After speaking for a few sentences, Xiao Man already appeared a little tired. "I heard from the maids that my fourth sister's condition is not good. How is she now?"
"Your fourth sister has been poisoned."
The Old Madam's gaze was fixed on Xiao Man, wanting to know if Xiao Man was involved in the fourth young lady's poisoning.
"Poisoned?" Xiao Man looked at the Old Madam with great surprise, followed by a violent coughing fit. Her pale face flushed slightly from the exertion. "Heavens, who could be so cruel as to poison my fourth sister? She is just a child."
Seeing that Xiao Man's reaction was genuine, the Old Madam breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This matter is being investigated. The culprit will surely be caught. Your fourth sister's condition is worsening. Fortunately, Doctor Ye said the poisoning is not deep and will not be life-threatening."
Xiao Man took a breath. "That's good, that's good. Grandmother, this matter must be investigated thoroughly. We must not let the villain behind this go unpunished. If that person dares to poison fourth sister today, he will dare to poison Grandmother and Father tomorrow. Our General's Mansion cannot tolerate such a wicked person."
Seeing that Xiao Man looked as if she might faint at any moment, the Old Madam quickly comforted her, "Don't worry, Grandmother will certainly not spare the wicked. You must rest well and not get agitated."
Xiao Man gasped, her face growing paler. The Old Madam was startled and quickly had someone help Xiao Man to bed. After Xiao Man was lying down, the Old Madam left Shuiyue Small Residence with her retinue.
As soon as the Old Madam was gone, Xiao Man sat up in bed, her eyes shining. "It seems my good grandmother's first suspect is me. I wonder if Concubine Lin is smart enough."
"My lady, why was fourth young lady poisoned?"
"Of course, it's because of the antidote Cen Yu gave," Xiao Man said slowly.
The poison she gave Xiao Ting was in direct conflict with the antidote. If Concubine Lin had not given Xiao Ting the antidote, Xiao Ting would have only been weak for a while and would have been fine. But she had received the antidote!
With the fourth young lady poisoned, the household was in a state of panic. Madam Yan, however, seemed quite at ease, spending her days embroidering and tending to the plants in her courtyard, as if unconcerned with the events unfolding outside.
"Madam, fourth young lady is poisoned, and the eldest young lady is also fading. The General will likely..."
Madam Yan, holding a watering can, watered the flowers and plants in the courtyard. "The eldest young lady died of illness. What does that have to do with me? Even if the General is unreasonable, he cannot blame us for the eldest young lady's death."
"But did the eldest young lady truly die of illness?" Nanny Luo harbored some doubts.
"Whether she did or not, it has nothing to do with us. Fortunately, Ling'er has left the manor and is not involved in these messy affairs. Have the dark guards protect Miss well."
"Yes, Madam."
After Nanny Luo withdrew, Madam Yan's lips curved into a satisfied smile. She even hummed a little tune. As expected, Lin Wan Wan was quite capable. However, Xiao Man was not to be trifled with. If she guessed correctly, Xiao Man was likely involved in the fourth young lady's poisoning. She hoped Lin Wan Wan would hold on and absolutely not reveal the antidote.
"Someone!"
"Madam."
"How are the potential matches for the second young lady coming along?"
"Madam, this is a list of eligible bachelors in the capital, all 'carefully selected'." Chun Xing handed the list to Madam Yan. Madam Yan put down the watering can, took the list, and sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, perusing it carefully.
Indeed, they were all carefully selected, each one a scoundrel with a vicious temper. No matter which one Xiao Xiang chose, if they learned of her premarital indiscretion, Xiao Xiang would surely die.
Before, Concubine San had betrayed her and sided with Xiao Man. How could she let the mother and daughter go unpunished?
Everyone must pay the price for their choices, and Concubine San's price would be Xiao Xiang's life!
"These individuals are all good in terms of status and appearance. I believe the Old Madam will find no fault with them. Tomorrow, I will speak with the Old Madam. If she agrees, I will send this list to the second young lady's courtyard and let her choose a suitable husband." Madam Yan wore a gentle smile, like a matriarch who cared for her concubine's daughter. Who would have known that her gentleness was merely a facade?
Ye Qing took some blood from the fourth young lady to analyze the poison's composition. After his analysis, Ye Qing found himself in a predicament.
This poison was exceptionally tricky. Merely identifying its components was not enough to create an antidote. It was also necessary to know the precise amount of each ingredient, the timing of its administration, and especially one particular herb that had several different medicinal properties. Any mistake would not only fail to neutralize the poison but could also cost the fourth young lady her life.
"Doctor Ye, how is it?"
Ye Qing shook his head. "This poison is extremely tricky. The medicinal properties of one of the herbs vary depending on when it is administered. I do not know the correct timing, and any mistake could not only fail to save her but also cause the fourth young lady to die immediately from the poison."
Concubine Lin slumped onto a chair in despair. What should she do? Should she seek out Cen Yu?
But would Cen Yu admit that he had given a fake antidote?
No, he wouldn't. The Cen family would not give up on her as a chess piece so soon. How could she save her daughter?
"Doctor Ye, I beg you, save my daughter. She is still young. She shouldn't die."
Concubine Lin knelt down, tugging at Ye Qing's robes, pleading.
Ye Qing's expression was calm and indifferent. Not the slightest trace of emotion showed on his face. Even though the woman kneeling before him was charming and alluring, he felt no lustful thoughts. He simply gazed at Concubine Lin's slightly pale face and said,
"Who deserves to die?"
"What?" Concubine Lin asked, taken aback.
"No one deserves to die," Ye Qing said slowly. "But if I don't know the medicinal properties of the viola tricolor when administered, I cannot save the fourth young lady. If only I knew the medicinal properties of the viola tricolor during administration."
"I will find a way," Concubine Lin said excitedly. For her daughter's life, she was willing to go to any lengths. She decided to seek out Cen Yu again.