“Is it done?” Back in her own quarters, Wanqing noticed that Hongyan had already left, and all her belongings in the room had been cleared away.
Thinking of the days she had spent with Hongyan and Chunhong in the courtyard, though Wanqing felt a pang of loss, she composed herself when she saw Honglian return and asked,
“Did you take it back to the room? The young mistress sealed Third Miss’s mute acupoint but left her hands free. Can you guarantee she won’t write to the madam or the eldest miss for help?”
Honglian replied respectfully, though she didn’t understand her mistress’s intentions. Recalling the tacit understanding between the young mistress and the master earlier, she couldn’t help but question the loophole in Wanqing’s actions.
“I want her to call for help. By the way, go pour this near my father’s window. I believe that woman in the rear courtyard will lose her composure within three days, and the assassin targeting my father will show up too.”
Contemplating her plan, Wanqing smiled darkly, handing a bottle from the medicine cabinet to Honglian. Watching Honglian leave, she lay back on the bed, murmuring with rare anticipation as she pieced together her scheme and suspicions.
Sure enough, early the next morning, as soon as Wanqing rose, Honglian reported that something had happened to the master.
Mu Zhenfeng, her father, had fallen into a deep, inexplicable coma. Liu Shi, who had been reflecting in the secluded garden, rushed to the front courtyard upon hearing from a maid about her daughter’s plight, demanding answers from Mu Zhenfeng.
“Hmm, how is Liu Shi reacting now?”
Though she hadn’t witnessed the scene, Wanqing could easily imagine Liu Shi’s fury and desperation.
With a faint smile, she calmly washed her face and followed Honglian out to the dining table where Wanchun had set breakfast. Eating elegantly, she looked up and asked,
“Liu Shi is nearly driven mad. Young mistress, you’re truly something. Do you think she’ll suspect us and come after us?”
Thinking of everything they had orchestrated and Liu Shi’s current state, Honglian couldn’t help but feel eager. Considering the enmity between the young mistress and Liu Shi, along with the latter’s possible misdeeds, she was practically itching for action.
“Hard to say. I’d actually welcome her coming to me—it’d give me a chance to settle scores. Just wait, there’s bound to be quite a show soon.”
Wanqing chuckled lightly at Honglian’s expression. Imagining the chaos among the women, she continued eating with a faint smile in her eyes.
Just as Wanqing finished breakfast, Lian’er hurried in, pleading for help.
“Young mistress, please save the master! After he was injured last night, he took Physician Xu’s medicine and suddenly fell unconscious. This morning, no matter how much we called, he wouldn’t wake. The madam stormed in, furious, and punished all of us. Now she’s forcing medicine down his throat to wake him!”
Lian’er and Xing’er had served Mu Zhenfeng since childhood. The night before, Wanqing had asked them to watch for anyone who might harm or even attempt to assassinate the master.
Though she believed the madam meant well, the sheer rage on Liu Shi’s face—as if she wanted to kill the master—made Lian’er uneasy. Seizing the moment while Liu Shi was busy ordering medicine, she left Xing’er to keep watch and sneaked out to seek Wanqing’s help.
She wasn’t sure if the second young mistress would intervene, but with the master being her father, Lian’er had no one else to turn to.
“I see. Let’s go take a look.”
Recalling her earlier suspicions about Liu Shi, Wanqing responded indifferently and headed out with Honglian.
“Mother, Father… Mu Wanqing! It must be you—you did something to Father, didn’t you? You vile woman! I knew it! Father doted on me—why would he suddenly betroth me to some cloth merchant outside the city? You—!”
As Wanqing and Honglian arrived outside Mu Zhenfeng’s room, they saw Liu Shi by his bedside, her face etched with worry. Mu Wanxia stood nearby, equally anxious, torn between concern for her father and her own distress.
Mu Wanjun’s eyes were red and swollen like walnuts, tears streaming as she gazed at her father. Spotting Wanqing, she recalled the previous night’s events and accusations, convinced it was all her doing.
With a shriek, she lunged at Wanqing like an enraged kitten.
“Mind your manners, Third Miss. If you keep acting like this, even a common merchant’s family would reject you.”
Honglian stepped forward, blocking her path with a cold smirk, though she knew Wanqing could handle herself.
“You—!” Humiliated by a mere servant, Mu Wanjun glared hatefully, emboldened by her mother and sister’s presence.
“Jun’er, quiet! Your father is unconscious. We’ll only know the truth when he wakes. Qing’er, I know there have been misunderstandings between us, but was your third sister’s betrothal your father’s decision—or yours?”
Liu Shi swiftly intervened, stopping her daughter. Though Mu Wanjun seethed with resentment, she retreated at her elder sister’s tug. Liu Shi then turned to Wanqing, her tone measured but probing.
“Does it matter whether it was Father’s decision or mine?”
Facing Liu Shi’s thinly veiled fury, Wanqing smiled breezily, her eyes glinting with mockery.
“You—! If it was your father’s will, we’d accept it. But if it was yours, I won’t let this slide today.”
Liu Shi hadn’t expected such a reply. Her eyes flickered with suspicion before she rose, her voice icy.
“Oh? But I’m more curious—what did you just feed Father? All medicine carries risks. I never knew you were skilled in healing. Quite surprising, given your scholarly background. Surely you wouldn’t recklessly prescribe drugs?”
Wanqing tilted her head, feigning innocence. Noticing the empty medicine bowl a maid had carried away earlier, she examined her nails lazily before throwing the question back.
Liu Shi’s expression remained composed, but Wanqing caught the fleeting panic in her eyes.
“Don’t fret. I just want to know—was that medicine prescribed by a physician, or by you?”
Wanqing’s lips curled slightly as she stood and approached Liu Shi.
“Of course it was the physician’s!” Mu Wanxia cut in, her mother’s face paling. Though unsure of Wanqing’s motives, she lied reflexively.
“Really? Because Lian’er and the maids told me no physician was summoned. Father was merely exhausted and needed rest, yet you force-fed him medicine. Do you realize this could kill him? Lian’er, fetch that bowl. I’ll inspect it myself.”
Wanqing arched a brow at Mu Wanxia’s excuse. Watching the mother and daughters tense, especially Liu Shi’s frosty glare, she smiled and ordered Lian’er.
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