"Second Young Lady!" Mrs. Xia’s sharp, piercing wail instantly echoed throughout Mengyun Pavilion.
Fu Jing'an, who had just stepped through the entrance, was startled by the sudden cry and couldn't help but frown. "Second Young Lady, the moment I arrived at the Third Young Lady’s courtyard, she ordered me to take up sweeping and chores. At my age, how could I withstand such torment? This is surely going to be the death of me!" Mammy Xia clutched the hem of Fu Jing'an’s skirt, sobbing hysterically as if she had suffered some profound injustice.
"Second Sister." Fu Yingzhi glanced at Mammy Xia, bowed to Fu Jing'an, and then turned to Mrs. Xia with an aggrieved expression. "When I saw the Mammy, I noticed her rather heavy frame and how short of breath she was after standing for even a short while. I assumed it was due to her advancing age, leading to sluggish blood circulation and internal stagnation. I asked her to take over the cleaning duties simply to encourage her to stretch her limbs and improve her health."
With red-rimmed eyes, she added, "How could I ever wish for the Mammy’s death? I only hope she lives a long and healthy life, blessed with peace and longevity."
Upon hearing this, Mammy Xia’s face flushed a deep crimson. She stood there, completely at a loss, not knowing how to respond.
Seeing this, Fu Jing'an shot a cold, disdainful glance at Mrs. Xia.
Without another word, she turned to Fu Yingzhi, instantly donning a gentle smile. Her tone was soft. "Are you tired, Sister? Today’s events were a lapse in my judgment, and I feel truly uneasy about it. I have specifically prepared some peach blossom pastries for every courtyard as an apology. I hope you won't take it to heart."
Having said that, she didn't even spare a glance for Mammy Xia, instead taking Fu Yingzhi by the hand and walking straight toward the inner room, as if the preceding scene had never occurred.
Once inside, Qinyin, who had been carrying the black lacquer floral food box, placed it on the table. Following her mistress's nod, Qinyin opened the box, and a rush of peach blossom fragrance filled the air.
Fu Yingzhi leaned in to look. The exquisite pastries on the plate were truly mouth-watering. However, one of the plates carried an unusual scent...
Her nostrils twitched slightly, and after a careful sniff, she identified the scent of henbane seeds. If ingested, these seeds could cause everything from hallucinations to a deep coma. If she were to truly fall for this trap, by tomorrow, rumors would surely spread that the "Third Young Lady had lost her wits due to extreme shock."
One wave of trouble after another! Since they wanted to act, she would play along until the very end.
Fu Jing'an picked up the plate containing the henbane-laced pastries and said with a gentle face, "Third Sister, this one is for you. I’ve already sent some to our eldest sister, and I still need to send some to Father and Mother in a little while."
Fu Yingzhi sneered inwardly, but wore a look of flattered surprise on her face. "Thank you, Second Sister. You are truly a woman of great heart and refinement."
Fu Jing'an gave a shy smile and urged her, "Go on, try it and see if it suits your taste."
"Alright!" Fu Yingzhi sat down, picked up a peach blossom pastry, and put it into her mouth.
Watching Fu Yingzhi swallow the pastry, Fu Jing'an felt her mood improve immensely. *It seems this girl knows nothing of medicine; she didn't even notice the trick hidden in the pastries,* she thought. *As for the matter regarding Prince Jing, it was likely just her own frantic imagination. Nothing to worry about.*
With that thought, a satisfied smile spread across her face.
Little did she know, Fu Yingzhi had long since secretly concocted an antidote in her mind using licorice, gastrodia, and rhinoceros horn, and had popped it into her mouth when no one was looking.
At this moment, her cheeks were bulging, and she was chewing with gusto—on the antidote!
Fu Yingzhi looked up and met Fu Jing'an’s gaze. Both sisters shared a smile, looking like the picture of sisterly affection—a scene that would make any outsider feel truly envious.
Seeing that her plan had succeeded, Fu Jing'an stood up leisurely. "Sister, have a good rest. I’m going to Mother's courtyard now."
Hearing this, Fu Yingzhi hurriedly called out to her, her brow creased with concern. "Sister, let me go with you to see Mother. She must be exhausted from today's events as well; I would like to visit her."
Without waiting for a refusal, she stood up and pulled Fu Jing'an toward Jinxiu Courtyard.
Fu Jing'an had wanted to refuse, as she still had many things she wished to discuss privately with Madam Wen, but she was being pulled along so tightly by Fu Yingzhi that she couldn't break free. She decided it was best to simply play along for now.
In the courtyard, Mammy Xia was sweeping, drenched in sweat. Seeing Fu Jing'an emerge, she tried to approach with a pitiful look, only to be stopped by a sharp glare from her mistress. Mammy Xia let out a long sigh, thinking to herself that she would have to stay here and "monitor" the Third Young Lady for the Side Consort. If she wanted to return to her former position, her only hope remained the Side Consort.
...
Inside Jinxiu Courtyard, Madam Wen felt a flash of surprise at seeing both sisters arrive together.
"Mother." Fu Yingzhi was the first to greet her, pulling at Madam Wen’s sleeve. "You must be exhausted today."
A kind, motherly smile immediately appeared on Madam Wen’s face. "It is no burden. As long as you are safe, I am at ease."
Fu Jing'an pursed her lips, stepped forward, and placed the black lacquer floral food box on the table. "Mother, everyone in the courtyards was frightened by today's events, so I specifically prepared some peach blossom pastries to help everyone settle their nerves." She took a dish of pastries from the box and said softly, "These are for you, Mother."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Fu Yingzhi nimbly picked up a piece of the pastry and, with a beaming smile, offered it to Madam Wen’s lips. "Mother, have a taste. Elder Sister’s handiwork is excellent."
Madam Wen paused for a brief moment, then subconsciously opened her mouth to take a bite. She looked at Fu Jing'an with a trace of confusion, but seeing her daughter's expression was unchanged, she thought nothing more of it.
Little did she know, Fu Yingzhi had already paid her back in her own coin. She had secretly added a heavier dose of henbane seeds to the pastry and, while Madam Wen wasn't paying attention, had made sure she received the "extra-strength" serving.
All three women harbored their own motives, engaging in hollow pleasantries, while on the surface, the scene appeared one of perfect harmony.
A moment later, Fu Jing'an and Fu Yingzhi parted ways at the gates of Jinxiu Courtyard. As soon as her elder sister’s figure disappeared, the smile vanished from Fu Yingzhi’s face, replaced by a cold, sharp gaze.
She looked at Qinyin and said languidly, "There is a good show tonight; we shall wait for it." She paused, then added, "Keep a close watch on Mammy Xia. Do not let her make a single move."
...
On the other side, after the two had left, Madam Wen let out a long breath of relief.
Today, she had nearly thought the girl was slipping out of her control, and she had felt a wave of tension. She hadn't expected the girl to be as foolish as ever, still viewing her as a benevolent mother. Thinking of this, Madam Wen felt a sense of self-satisfied triumph, and a cold sneer tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Side Consort, the Master has sent word that he will be staying the night in Jinxiu Courtyard," a young maid hurried over to report in a low voice.
Hearing that Count Jingwen was coming to her courtyard tonight, Madam Wen was overjoyed. Life in the Count's Estate was indeed entirely under her thumb!
...
Inside Prince Jing's Estate, Song Xiuyuan sat by his desk, idly turning a jade thumb ring as he listened to Mosong report everything that had happened at the Count's Estate that day.
He frowned, his expression growing increasingly grave as Mosong recounted the events. After a moment of thought, he stood up to change his clothes and, under the cover of night, vaulted over the walls into the rear of the Count's Estate.
Fu Yingzhi was sitting at her table, intensely focused on recalling the plot of the original book, when she was interrupted by a soft sound.
She turned her head and felt a jolt in her heart—a tall, thin man in night attire stood before her. His face was wrapped tightly in a black mask, leaving only a pair of deep, dark eyes visible.
Those eyes were profound and cold, yet carried a unique familiarity. Fu Yingzhi immediately recognized their owner and hurriedly rose. "Guard Mo?"
Song Xiuyuan’s brow creased slightly, and he spoke coldly, "I had never heard that the Third Young Lady of the Count's Estate was well-versed in medicine."
Fu Yingzhi lowered her gaze and said softly, "How do you know it is not a case of long-term illness leading to a knowledge of medicine?"
Seeing that Song Xiuyuan’s expression remained unchanged, she sighed lightly, her tone tinged with a hint of choked emotion. "The current Prince Jing is a royal of high status and still suffers from an underlying ailment. How much more likely is it for a mere Third Young Lady of a Count's Estate to suffer the same? Since you were able to investigate my medical skills, you must surely be aware of my current situation within this household."
Hearing this, Song Xiuyuan felt a stir in his heart, as if some long-forgotten memory had been triggered. His tone softened slightly. "It was my own overthinking."
Suddenly, as if remembering something else, he raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully, "Since you told your family that someone from my estate would come tomorrow, what will you do if I fail to keep my word to you?"
Fu Yingzhi remained calm and composed as she bowed gracefully. "Guard Mo is a man of upright character; how could you be one to break your word? Besides..." She looked up, meeting Song Xiuyuan’s gaze directly, "You have seen my medical skills with your own eyes today. I imagine there will come a day when you will have need of me." She smiled at him.
Song Xiuyuan gazed down at the young girl, a flicker of intrigue flashing in his eyes.
...
The moonlight gradually faded behind the clouds. Suddenly, a piercing scream tore through the night sky.