“Why can’t I come? What did your mother ask you to find your father for?”
Mu Wanqing’s expression was calm as she smiled faintly, her tone light as she inquired about the earlier conversation between Liu Shi and the black-clad man.
“None of your business! Who told you to come into my courtyard and ruin my flowers? Mu Wanqing, you owe me for my plants…”
Wanqing’s words suggested she had already met with her mother. Mu Wanxia, flushed with anger, lashed out furiously, clutching her dead flowers as she vented at Wanqing.
“What does it matter if the flowers died? It’s not like a person died. The things you’ve done behind Father’s back—I hope you know what’s best for you.”
Mu Wanxia’s tantrum was hardly worth Wanqing’s time. With a dismissive remark, she turned away, issuing a warning before leaving with Dongmei.
“Mother, Uncle Liu, why did you leave so soon? You… you promised to help me deal with that wretched girl at the Grand Princess’s birthday celebration. Why did you leave so quickly? It must be that vile girl—it must be her! Her arrival must have caused a conflict, forcing you to leave. That’s the only explanation. Mu Wanqing, I swear I’ll ruin you this time and make sure you die a miserable death!”
After Wanqing and her maid left, Mu Wanxia stared at the mess at the door. She had just reunited with her mother and Uncle Liu, yet they had already departed. Recalling Uncle Liu’s warmth—how he treated her even more affectionately than her own mother—her hope and excitement faded.
Blaming everything on Wanqing, she clenched her teeth, her beautiful face twisting into a mask of malice. Her eyes burned with hatred, her expression turning sinister and terrifying.
Half an hour later, as the entire Hou Mansion frantically searched for Mu Wanyu, she was found in her own room.
“Kill her, kill her, kill Mu Wanqing! You are Mu Wanqing, Mu Wanqing…”
Though not particularly outstanding, she was still a somewhat delicate and pretty maid. When Chunlan and another maid entered and lifted the bed curtain, Wanyu suddenly opened her eyes, a gleaming dagger flashing from her sleeve as she lunged at the maid standing before Chunlan.
“Be careful! I’ve got her. Quickly, inform the master, Third Madam, and Second Miss—tell them she’s here.”
Indeed, it was bizarre for her to be sitting motionless behind the bed curtain in broad daylight. Even as she spoke, the dagger in her sleeve lashed out again. Chunlan reacted swiftly, grabbing a brush from the nearby table and hurling it at Wanyu with a sharp whistle.
The brush struck her, sending her tumbling to the floor with a thud. Though immobilized, she continued muttering under her breath, her eyes filled with venomous hatred as she hissed, “I’ll kill you, kill you…”
Though restrained, it was unclear whether the poison in her system could break through the acupressure. Chunlan quickly snapped the stunned maid out of her daze, urging her to run and alert the others. The maid nodded frantically before bolting out of the room, grabbing a long wooden stick on her way back, ready to subdue Wanyu if she acted up again.
Soon, Wanqing and the others arrived, finding Wanyu slumped on the floor, her spirit seemingly gone, her lips and eyes still twitching with the same murderous chant: “Kill you, kill you…”
Wanqing swiftly retrieved a small bottle from her prepared medicine pouch and blew a fine powder around Wanyu. The reaction was immediate—Wanyu’s muttering ceased, her eyes fluttered shut, and she collapsed backward, unconscious.
Only then did Wanqing step forward, pressing her fingers to Wanyu’s wrist to check her pulse.
“How is she? Qing’er, Yu’er, she…”
Concerned, Xu Yiniang watched her daughter’s sudden collapse, her face pale as she studied Wanqing’s shifting expression.
“Don’t worry. Thankfully, we caught it early. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.”
Wanqing reassured Xu Yiniang, her father, and the frightened maids before instructing Chunlan to carry Wanyu to her bed. She then proceeded to insert numerous silver needles into Wanyu’s head and body.
“Don’t remove the needles. Place her in a large tub. Xu Yiniang, find two trusted maids to stay by her side and change the water. Remember—the moment the water turns murky, replace it immediately. Only when the water remains clear can you stop. Also, have the maids responsible for changing the water take these two pills beforehand.”
Thirty of the sixty-four silver needles were embedded in Wanyu’s body and head. Seeing Xu Yiniang’s lingering worry, Wanqing reiterated her instructions before stepping out into the outer hall of Wanyu’s quarters.
“Qing’er, your third sister…”
Having waited outside while his daughter was treated, Mu Zhenfeng anxiously looked up as Wanqing emerged, his face tense with concern over his fourth daughter’s bizarre behavior.
“Xu Yiniang is taking care of her. She’ll recover gradually. Now, let’s prepare for the banquet. I’ll need to change again. Father, you all go ahead to the front courtyard. I’ll join you once I’ve changed.”
Reassuring her father, Wanqing glanced down at her own disheveled robes and offered an apologetic smile before heading back with her maids.
“Father, let’s go. Fourth Sister has Third Mother looking after her—she’ll be fine. But how did she end up poisoned like this?”
Mu Wanjun supported her father as they walked, her voice laced with worry as she murmured about her sister’s sudden affliction.
“I don’t know. We’ll have to ask your second sister later. Jun’er, you and your second sister are the only ones I can rely on now. Promise me you’ll both stay safe…”
Mu Zhenfeng sighed, touched by Wanjun’s constant companionship these past few days. Though impulsive, her loyalty warmed his heart. Thinking of the recent turmoil in the household, he spoke with quiet hope.
“Yes, Father. I’ll remember your words. But… Father, are you truly so disappointed in Eldest Sister? She was only acting out of love for my mother, trapped by her emotions…”
Wanjun nodded obediently but couldn’t help pleading for her eldest sister, troubled by her father’s coldness toward her.
“I know. But to treat her own father this way… Enough. Let’s not speak of her. You’re not young anymore—have you taken a liking to anyone? If so, tell me or your second sister. We’ll make sure you’re well-matched.”
Mu Zhenfeng’s voice was weary as he thought of his eldest daughter—her defiance, her poison, her relentless ambition. Despite allowing her to attend the celebration, she had insisted on leading the procession.
Her stubbornness and lack of true merit only deepened his disappointment. When Wanjun tried to defend her, he cut her off irritably, unwilling to dwell on the subject. Instead, he turned his attention to his most devoted daughter, his expression softening with affection.
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