The county magistrate pressed Doctor Cao relentlessly, demanding, "Doctor Cao, can you swear that the patient's death had nothing to do with you?" Doctor Cao replied with an unyielding and resolute expression, "As long as my prescription and medical instructions are followed to the letter, the patient will undoubtedly remain safe and sound."
The magistrate then turned his gaze to Madam Yu, asking, "Madam Yu, did you fill the prescription exactly as written?" This question seemed to open a window of escape for Madam Yu. A flash of hope crossed her eyes, and she hurried to reply, "Yes, I filled the prescription precisely as written, without a shred of dishonesty."
Liu Cunren continued, pressing her, "Which apothecary did you go to?" Madam Yu pointed without hesitation at her eldest daughter-in-law, answering, "I had my eldest daughter-in-law fetch the medicine. If there is any blame to assign, go ask her." Inwardly, she congratulated herself on finally finding a scapegoat. As long as she pinned the blame squarely on Madam Hua, she herself stood a chance of escaping the entanglement of culpability.
Chapter 116