Chapter 2: Mystery of the Poisoning

Just as the First Madam was about to speak up to stop her, the Third Concubine impatiently took over the conversation: "The Master is right, but I am a woman of little ability. I must trouble the First Madam to visit my Qiulan Courtyard often to provide me with guidance and to teach the Second and Third Young Misses more." She then turned to him, "Master, as for the Second Young Miss..."

Su Ying, of course, knew exactly what the Third Concubine was trying to say, and she was happy to play along: "Third Sister, go quickly to the ancestral hall and bring Nieping out. The Master naturally will not make things difficult for his own children."

Murong Zhi added, "Xiuzhen, go. Organize Nieping's and Qian'er's belongings together. Go back and tidy up the side chambers first; if you lack anything, tell the First Madam."

The First Madam was practically driven mad with rage, but since she couldn't show it on the surface, she could only endure the humiliation, suppressing her fury, and replied, "Rest assured, Master, I understand." Leaning on the hand of the nanny beside her, she walked gracefully out of the Fifth Madam's courtyard, Bailu Jianjia, alongside the Third Concubine. However, a flash of venomous intent flickered momentarily in her eyes: *Su Ying, do you truly think you've won this round? Just you wait.*

On the way, the Third Concubine followed closely behind the First Madam, hesitating as if to speak: "Madam, that matter, could it be..."

The First Madam interrupted sharply, "What, has your heart already wandered while your daughter hasn't even returned? If you ruin my plans, you'll regret it." After a pause, she spoke in a heavy, kind, and gentle tone: "Lufu, it is not that I am heartless. Nieping is your daughter, but she is also my child. As long as Su Ying is here, the Master will never spare us a second glance, and we will never have peaceful days. This is for me, for you, and even more so for our children's future. Look at how the Master treats Murong Niechen—he practically wants to give her everything good." The Third Concubine lowered her eyes submissively: "The First Madam is right."

In the study of Bailu Jianjia, Niechen was utterly bewildered: *What kind of drama is this? Is the First Madam just looking for trouble? Is that the kind of person she is? It seems Mother's skills are a level higher.*

Seeing Niechen's eyes darting around, Murong Zhi picked her up, patted her head lightly, and smiled: "What is my little girl thinking about? Your mother says you've learned chess quite well. Come, play a game with Daddy."

Su Ying brought out a mahogany chessboard and two mahogany boxes of chess pieces, placing them on the table, and smiled: "No matter how clever Chen'er is, she is only five. Let me play with you instead." Murong Zhi placed Niechen on his lap: "Then Madam must show some mercy." Watching the couple's deep affection, Niechen rolled her eyes inwardly: *I say, if you're going to flirt, at least have some awareness; I'm still right here. Even if you don't know my mind is already over twenty, it's not right to do this in front of a child.* As she thought, a bit of bitterness welled up in her heart; back when she and that person had such deep feelings, it was a pity that in the end, only resentment and hatred remained.

A wisp of orchid incense drifted from the censer. The family of three by the chessboard was harmonious, chatting as they played: "Zhi, how long will you stay this time?" Murong Zhi stroked Niechen's small head: "I'll stay until Chen'er's birthday is over. About two months." "You, you spoil her too much. Don't let our daughter become spoiled," Su Ying teased.

Niechen watched her parents' love for their daughter and thought: *If they knew their daughter had actually died during the fall into the water, how heartbroken they would be. I've taken over this body and inherited its memories for no reason; I can't let her parents suffer grief.* Of course, she also feared they might become suspicious. If they found out she was a lone soul from another dimension, would they treat her like a living specimen and lock her up for research? Especially in this era that revered ghosts and gods, it was quite possible. She pondered the original personality of this body and how a five-year-old would speak, then tilted her head and said in a milky voice: "I won't! Chen'er is the best girl. If anyone is bad, it's Mommy."

While the three in the room were laughing, a commotion broke out outside. Then, Nanny Luo, who was by the First Madam's side, came running in hurriedly: "Master, Fifth Madam, something bad has happened! The Second Young Miss has been poisoned! She is currently in the First Madam's courtyard. The First Madam has already sent someone to fetch a physician, but the Second Young Miss keeps coughing up blood. The First Madam is extremely anxious and thought that since Fifth Madam is skilled in medicine, she should send this old servant to invite her immediately."

Su Ying and Murong Zhi stood up before she could finish. They exchanged a look; Murong Zhi, ultimately moved by familial ties, pulled Su Ying and hurried out the door. Su Ying glanced at her maid, Lianqiao, who quickly grabbed Niechen, who was also trying to follow: "Miss, you've only just recovered; you cannot be exposed to the wind." Niechen was speechless: *If you won't let me go, I'll go anyway. With only a few years of memories from this body, I really can't have a detailed understanding of this whole family. Today is a great opportunity, especially to learn about Mother.*

Niechen looked at the table, wiggled her way toward it, and raised her chubby little hand to tug on Lianqiao's hanging sleeve: "Sister Lianqiao, I'm hungry." After saying that, she gave a hard shake, her small arm brushing against the chessboard and sweeping the pieces all over the floor: "Ah! This is Daddy's favorite set! Quick, pick them up, quick! We can't lose a single piece!" As she spoke, she bent down as if to pick them up, but knocked over another box of white pieces, sending the white jade pieces scattering across the floor. "Oh no, Daddy will hit me when he comes back!" Niechen covered her eyes with her small hands, looking as if she were about to shed golden tears.

Lianqiao hurriedly picked up the crouching Niechen: "Miss, don't cry. Sit still, I'll clean it up right away. None will be missing." She then called to the other servants: "Hurry up and pick them up! Check every corner, don't miss any!" Watching the room full of chess pieces, Niechen wiggled against the back of her chair. Before she knew it, she had wiggled out of the room, then out of the courtyard, and then, without even noticing, she had wandered into the First Madam's Chunkan Courtyard. Finally, she accidentally slipped right outside the room of her second sister, Murong Nieping.

In Murong Nieping's room, an eight-panel pearwood screen painted with landscapes partitioned the space. Murong Zhi, Su Ying, the Second Concubine, and the Fourth Concubine were sitting on pearwood armchairs in the outer room. A row of servants knelt before them. Pale yellow water-smoke gauze curtains hung down, obscuring the inner room. Niechen couldn't see what was happening inside, but she guessed the First Madam and the Third Concubine should be in there. *But didn't they say they were inviting Mother to detoxify? Why are they all outside?* Niechen leaned against the side door and peeked inside.

Before long, a man dressed as a physician emerged from the inner room—an old man with a white beard—talking softly to the First Madam.

Murong Zhi stood up hurriedly and asked, "How is she?" The physician stroked his beard and said with a troubled expression, "It is fortunate it was discovered early; the poisoning is not deep. I have already induced vomiting, and most of the toxins have been cleared. However, the Second Young Miss was poisoned with Fish-Ant Grass. While the poison itself isn't extremely potent, it is very difficult to completely neutralize. My medical skills are limited; perhaps Physician Shen of Baicao Hall would have a way, but unfortunately, he went on a long journey a few days ago."

"What should we do then?" The people in the room all appeared extremely anxious and sorrowful. The First Madam was even wiping away tears, though everyone knew exactly how much was genuine and how much was fake.

Murong Zhi frowned deeply: "Physician Zhou, is there no one else? No other way?"

The Third Concubine cried even harder, throwing herself down before the physician: "Physician Zhou, in Ningzhou City, aside from Physician Shen, you are the most capable. I beg you, please save our Third Young Miss! Please, find a way!" She cried with snot and tears, her eyes occasionally darting toward Su Ying. Her gaze collided with Su Ying's, and she hurriedly looked away guiltily, crying even more vigorously.

How could Physician Zhou dare to accept such a grand gesture from the Great General's Third Concubine? Being constrained by etiquette, he couldn't reach out to pull her up, so he could only step aside: "This... this... I cannot accept such a gesture. Please, please rise. The Second Young Miss is not in mortal danger. I will write a prescription to suppress the toxicity, and it will be fine once Physician Shen returns. If that fails, you could go elsewhere to invite a physician from Baicao Hall."

The Fourth Concubine was originally a head maid by the Old Madam's side and was most skilled at reading people. Seeing the displeasure in Murong Zhi's eyes, she hurriedly helped the Third Concubine up: "Third Sister, don't be like this. The Second Young Miss is still counting on you to look after her."

The Second Concubine, however, was the type to add fuel to the fire. She took the opportunity to say: "Indeed, Third Sister, you must take care of your health. Oh dear, I wonder which despicable person could be so heartless as to poison the Second Young Miss?" She didn't forget to use a handkerchief to wipe away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes.

The Third Concubine seemed to regain her senses and threw herself at Murong Zhi's feet again, wailing: "Master, you must seek justice for our Second Young Miss!"

The First Madam snorted inwardly, but her face maintained the decorum expected of a primary wife: "Master, look, shouldn't we wait for Physician Zhou to ret..." For a prestigious clan, reputation was paramount; a scandal like poisoning a concubine's daughter naturally could not be handled in front of an outsider like Physician Zhou.

Murong Zhi sat back in his chair, glanced at Su Ying, who was silently sipping tea, and commanded: "No need. Go, call the maid who brought the tea snacks and the people from the kitchen."

The First Madam snorted coldly in her heart: *Su Ying, you may have the Master's indulgence to protect you today, but today will surely be the day you find no place to be buried.*

***

A message to the readers Please support, collect, and recommend!