Some things even Master Song did not know. The reason she told Song Ziyao was that these matters had been weighing on her heart for far too long. Seeing him on the verge of death, there was no harm in telling him.
This time, Song Ziyao was truly shocked. He had never heard of any connection between his mother and her. He never expected they had once been best friends.
He couldn't help but swallow, regretting his gullibility in believing others too easily, and prayed that Wu Caiwei would come quickly to his rescue.
"Are you still waiting for your so-called mother to save you? Let me tell you, my people have placed sleeping gas in every room. If nothing unexpected happens, she is currently unconscious. Just accept your fate obediently," Madam Song sneered, seeing his expression and knowing his thoughts.
This time, Song Ziyao was truly despairing. Not only had he failed to avenge himself, but he had also lost his life. He was so young and did not want to die.
Just then, the door was violently kicked open. Everyone's gaze snapped to the entrance. Seeing the person who walked in, some were delighted, some were surprised, and some were in a panic.
"Mother, you've come to save me?" Song Ziyao exclaimed with joy.
"Men, surround her! I originally intended to spare her life, but she has brought this upon herself. Do not blame me for my cruelty," Madam Song said, casting a venomous glance at the mother and daughter. They immediately broke out in a cold sweat. They didn't know where things had gone wrong, only that they would face consequences upon their return.
Upon hearing Madam Song's command, the two immediately stepped forward, wanting to redeem themselves. Unfortunately, their ambitions were grand, but reality was harsh. Soon, everyone lay on the ground, unable to get up for a long time.
"Madam, I have no quarrel with you. I am merely here to discipline my stepson. I know your business in the prefectural city is substantial, but who would refuse more money? As long as you forget about today's events, I will give you twenty thousand taels of silver." Madam Song's mind worked quickly. Seeing that things were about to be exposed, she tried to silence the other party with money.
"Madam Song, let us talk further," Wu Caixia said, feigning a hint of interest. In Song Ziyao's disbelieving gaze, she slowly approached Madam Song. Madam Song thought she had persuaded her, and a smug expression appeared on her face.
Just then, she suddenly felt something in her throat. Before she could react, it melted and entered her body. She knew instinctively it was nothing good. She quickly tried to dig it out of her throat, but despite gagging repeatedly, she couldn't spit anything out.
"What did you give me?" Madam Song demanded, her voice filled with alarm.
"Naturally, it's a medicine to stop you from being so cruel," Wu Caiwei said playfully, watching her frantic state.
"What do you want? To tell you the truth, even if you report me to the authorities today, I can turn it around. I'll say you kidnapped our Song family's young master, and we discovered it and wanted to bring him home, but you caught us. These are all my people, and they will testify for me."
From the very beginning of her plan, Madam Song had considered what to do if things went wrong. If Song Ziyao denied it, she could easily claim he was acting childishly and had been deceived by Wu Caiwei.
"What I gave you is called 'Duanchangcao' (Heartbreak Grass). You'll need an antidote every fifteen days, or you'll feel like millions of ants are gnawing at your body. The taste is simply exhilarating." This was Wu Caiwei's latest creation, not yet tested, and the other party could help her with the trial.
As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Song's face changed. Immediately, she cried out in pain. Everyone rushed forward to comfort her, but no matter what they said or did, Madam Song seemed not to hear them. She writhed on the ground in agony.
The others wanted to plead with Wu Caiwei, but they feared acting on their own and facing punishment later. A full half hour passed before Wu Caiwei gave Madam Song the antidote. If it weren't for the approaching dawn and the fear of attracting attention, Wu Caiwei would never have let her off so easily.
Having taken her medicine, Madam Song, her pain somewhat relieved, lay on the ground, her clothes soaked with sweat. She no longer dared to underestimate the woman before her.
Although she was unwilling, compared to her own life, everything else was insignificant.
"Madam, I was blind and failed to recognize your status. I beg you to overlook my ignorance." Regardless of her true feelings, Madam Song managed to put on a smile when facing Wu Caiwei.
This impressed Wu Caiwei. She hadn't expected the other party to adjust her mindset so quickly.
Back at the inn in town, Song Ziyao still looked at her with sparkling eyes. He had initially thought his mother was only skilled in martial arts, but he never expected she would be an expert in poisons. He had seen the frustrated look on Madam Song's face.
He couldn't help but fantasize. If he had even half of his mother's skills, those people in the Song family wouldn't be able to touch him. He secretly resolved that once he returned to Yucheng and his situation improved, he would definitely ask his mother to teach him.
As daylight broke, they packed their belongings and hurried, arriving in Yucheng before dark.
As soon as they entered the city, they heard that Madam Song was summoning doctors from all over the city to treat her. The doctors entered with medicine boxes, their faces beaming with joy. Everyone knew that the Song family was generous; if they could cure Madam Song's illness, they would surely earn a substantial amount of money. Su Dan Novel Network.
To their surprise, they all emerged confused. Madam Song was not ill at all, yet she insisted she was and demanded they examine her carefully. This angered the doctors, who clearly felt their medical skills were not trusted.
Wu Caixia heard this and merely smiled. The poison she had administered was not easily cured.
In the Song family's courtyard, the atmosphere was tense. Even Master Song looked at his wife with confusion. She was usually gentle and virtuous, but after staying at her maiden home for a night, she seemed to be acting strangely since her return.
"What's wrong with you? Why insist you're sick when you're not?" Master Song frowned as he watched his wife hysterically dismiss the last doctor in the city. He could imagine a future where people would hesitate to be invited to their home. However, he could sense the fear and sorrow radiating from his wife, and he couldn't bear to disappoint her. He stood by silently watching.
Madam Song opened her mouth, wanting to voice her fear, but afraid her husband would investigate her actions based on her words. She could only swallow all her grievances, her eyes reddening, and finally burst into loud sobs.
This was the first time in their many years of marriage that Master Song had seen his wife appear so vulnerable. All his resentment vanished, replaced by boundless heartache.
He quickly stepped forward and hugged her, coaxing, "Tell me what's wrong. I'll face it with you."
After venting, Madam Song felt much better and said helplessly, "I'm really not being unreasonable. I am indeed seriously ill. It flared up last night, and it was worse than death. I never expected these incompetent doctors to be unable to diagnose it, and yet they acted so high and mighty."