“Stop right there! Whoever dares to step out today, I, the mistress, will make sure they regret it!”
Madam Liu helped Mu Wanjun release her acupressure points and listened to her explanation. Upon learning that everything was Wanqing’s doing, she realized how formidable Wanqing was when her daughter’s chest pain vanished immediately after the acupoints were released.
Hearing that the Marquis had arranged a marriage for her daughter, and seeing Wanjun heartbroken in tears, Madam Liu naturally wanted to confront Mu Zhenfeng directly.
To her surprise, she found Mu Zhenfeng unconscious in bed. Despite her expertise in poisons, she couldn’t determine whether he had been drugged or not. She decided to use the simplest method—administering a slightly toxic substance to stimulate him awake.
Once he regained consciousness, she planned to offer a plausible explanation to cover her tracks.
But then this girl showed up, not only questioning her identity but also demanding to inspect the medicine bowl. Recognizing the girl’s cunning, Madam Liu coldly reprimanded Lian’er.
“Lian’er, stay right here. Honglian, you go instead. Auntie, why so angry? If you’ve done nothing wrong, you shouldn’t fear my inspection. Are you this nervous because you really poisoned my father and now you’re too guilty to let me check?”
Seeing Madam Liu’s intimidation freeze Lian’er at the doorway, Wanqing instructed Lian’er to stay and turned to Honglian beside her. As Honglian nodded and followed, Madam Liu tried to block her path, but Wanqing intercepted her.
“You… all of you, leave. I have something to discuss with the Second Miss.”
Madam Liu seethed with hatred for Wanqing’s defiance. Watching the capable maid leave, she suppressed her fury and smirked, dismissing everyone, including Mu Wanjun and her sister, before closing the door.
“Auntie, are you planning to bribe me or silence me for good?”
Wanqing stood calmly, watching as Madam Liu approached after locking the door. She smiled and sat down in a nearby chair, posing the question.
“What do you think, you wretched girl? I thought you were more formidable, but it seems I overestimated you. Don’t bother struggling—the powder I just used is highly toxic. The more you resist, the faster the poison spreads. But don’t worry, I won’t let you die so easily. Tell me where your mother hid what she left you, and I might grant you a quick end…”
Seeing Wanqing’s lack of defense, Madam Liu smirked and stepped forward, flicking a handful of yellow powder from her sleeve. As Wanqing’s body weakened and she slumped from the chair to the floor, her face paled, and she instinctively struggled.
Madam Liu gloated, watching Wanqing grit her teeth in pain, unable to resist. She leaned down, gripping Wanqing’s chin.
“You…” Wanqing glared at her, her voice strained with fury.
“Let me remind you of one more thing. You may not care about your own life, but your father’s? I just poisoned him. Without the antidote within half an hour, he’ll die. So, unless you want to be remembered as a patricide, even in death, you’d better speak. Hand over what your mother left, or at least tell me where it is. Otherwise…”
Noticing Wanqing’s complexion turning ashen, Madam Liu knew the poison was taking effect. She tightened her grip on Wanqing’s chin, forcing her to look up.
“If you don’t talk, I’ll crush your jaw. Then not even the Cold Prince or Lord Ning would want you—not even Sun Fengyu. You can keep stalling, but the poison will worsen, melting your organs one by one until you beg for death…”
Delighted by Wanqing’s helplessness, Madam Liu leaned closer, her grip tightening relentlessly.
“Fine… I’ll talk. But first, answer my questions—and give my father the antidote. Otherwise, I’d rather let the item rot than hand it over.”
Wanqing winced in pain, her voice trembling. Seeing Madam Liu release her chin, she shot her a resentful glare, clutching her chest and glancing at the unconscious Mu Zhenfeng.
“I’ve already given him the antidote. Ask your questions, but don’t test my patience.”
Madam Liu pulled out a vial, forced a pill into Mu Zhenfeng’s mouth, and watched him swallow before turning back to Wanqing with a cold smile.
“My first question: You’re not the real Miss Liu, are you?”
Wanqing’s forehead glistened with sweat, but her gaze remained sharp.
“Since you’re as good as dead, I’ll tell you the truth. No, I’m not the real Miss Liu.” Madam Liu smirked, looking down at her like a condemned prisoner.
“I thought so. And my mother—and Grandma Liu—their deaths were your doing too, weren’t they?”
Wanqing’s bitter smile confirmed her suspicions.
“Grandma Liu died by my hand, but your mother’s death wasn’t my doing. Don’t think you can stall until your maid returns—I poisoned the bowl. Even if she retrieves it, she won’t make it back in time. Without my antidote, you’ll both die.”
Madam Liu’s patience wore thin.
“So even if I tell you where the item is, you won’t spare me.”
Wanqing laughed hollowly.
“Of course not. You’ve always been superfluous in this household. With you gone and the item in my hands, Xiá’s marriage to Young Master Sun will proceed unhindered. Now speak, or suffer a slow, agonizing death…”
Madam Liu stepped forward, grinding her heel into Wanqing’s hand with vicious satisfaction.
“Then the poison in my mother’s body—was that you too?”
Tears welled in Wanqing’s eyes from the pain, but she refused to cry out.
“Indeed. She refused to hand over what I needed, so she had to die. Now, where is it? If you don’t talk, I’ll strip away every last bit of your defiance…”
Madam Liu’s face twisted with malice as she pressed harder.
“Father, look at the woman you’ve cherished all these years. Open your eyes and see her for what she is!”
Wanqing’s voice trembled as she turned her tear-filled gaze to Mu Zhenfeng.
“The drug I gave him won’t wear off so soon. Save your breath—”
Madam Liu sneered, but then froze. Behind her, a shadow loomed. She whirled around to face Mu Zhenfeng, his expression dark with fury. Her face drained of color, her lips parting in shock.
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