“Miss, what’s happening to me? I…” As she pulled the poisoned silver needle from Chunhong’s body, Chunhong’s tightly closed eyes opened in confusion. Seeing that she was lying on the ground with Wanqing crouching in front of her, she sat up in bewilderment and asked strangely.
“Someone put drugs in the room. Fortunately, I discovered it early. Someone has come in. Chunhong, come here… Listen to my arrangements and lie down quickly.”
Chunhong’s questioning made Wanqing think of the scene just now. If she weren’t a descendant of the Tang Sect, she might have truly fallen into the trap. Once unconscious, she would have been at the mercy of the other party.
At the moment, she still looked at Chunhong when she suddenly heard someone calling her from outside the door. She thought it might be the person who had left and returned to check the results. With a grave expression, Wanqing pulled Chunhong close and whispered to her for a while. Seeing her nod, Wanqing solemnly instructed her again. As Chunhong lay down, Wanqing also closed her eyes and lay beside her.
Shortly after she lay down, she heard a voice full of delight and smugness.
“Xiangmei-jie, they’ve really fallen unconscious. Madam’s methods are truly brilliant. It’s just a pity that the maid sent by the heir of the Ji Prince’s household didn’t fall for it. If she had, Madam and the Eldest Miss would truly be able to rest easy.”
“Enough, go keep watch at the door and send someone to report to Madam. The rest of you, follow me. I thought she was so capable, but it turns out she’s just like this. Do as Madam instructed—carry her to the outer chamber. Madam will make arrangements later.”
The voice chattered on, but Xiangmei coldly silenced it and led the others forward. As she spoke, two people immediately grabbed Wanqing’s arms.
“Chunhong, stay calm. I’ll handle everything.”
Hearing that these people were targeting her, Wanqing took advantage of being pulled up to whisper to Chunhong beside her. Through the slits of her eyes, she saw Chunhong’s eyelashes flutter slightly but otherwise remain still. Only then did she exhale in relief and let them drag her out.
“Put her down. Go to the door and see if Madam has sent any word.”
In the adjacent chamber, Xiangmei instructed the maids to place Wanqing on the bed before dismissing one of them. Left alone with two other maids, she looked at the unconscious Wanqing.
“Second Miss, Second Miss… It seems she’s truly asleep. You two, strip her clothes off. When I call from the door, you’ll leave. Understood?”
With caution, Xiangmei leaned in and whispered into Wanqing’s ear while lightly shaking her. But after calling several times without response, she finally relaxed and instructed the two maids before turning to leave.
“You think you can strip me?”
Listening as Xiangmei’s footsteps faded and the door closed, Wanqing felt the two maids reaching for her. Her icy eyes snapped open, and with a cold murmur, she flipped up, her slender hands moving swiftly.
In just two strikes, silver needles pierced the two maids, causing them to collapse limply onto the bed where she had just lain. A faint smile curled her lips as she effortlessly stripped them bare and tossed their clothes to the floor.
Then, she pricked up her ears, listening for movement outside while waiting in the room.
Sure enough, she soon heard Xiangmei whispering instructions to someone.
“You heard clearly, right? As long as you take the person inside, Madam promises you’ll become the son-in-law of the Marquis’s household. Though the person inside isn’t favored by the Marquis, if she truly marries you, even the Marquis will have no choice but to agree.”
“Good, good! I’ll do as the young lady says. Please convey my gratitude to Madam. If I become kin with the Marquis’s household, I’ll surely repay Madam and you generously.”
Xiangmei’s words were met with a lecherous chuckle that sent shivers down one’s spine.
“Fine. Once this is done, just coax the Second Miss into marrying you. Madam and the Master won’t treat you poorly.”
With that, Xiangmei’s cold, impatient voice faded, followed by a light knock on the door.
“Why isn’t anyone answering? Can’t these two even handle this? Come, let’s go in and see.”
As the knocking ceased, Xiangmei’s suspicious voice rang out. After murmuring to someone, the door was pushed open from the outside.
Seated in the inner chamber, Wanqing listened coldly, watching from behind a folding screen as they stepped inside.
The moment they reached the screen outside the room, Wanqing sprang into action.
Moving like lightning, her pale hands flashed forward, silver needles striking Xiangmei, a maid beside her, and a rough-looking man reeking of sweat who had followed them in.
After immobilizing them, she calmly closed the door and sat back down at the table. Xiangmei and the others stared in shock at her composed figure.
Xiangmei was already stunned to see her there, but when she realized she couldn’t move at all, her eyes widened in disbelief. She tried to speak, but her lips wouldn’t budge.
“Surprised? I was worried you might be cautious enough not to fall for it. Earlier, I already removed the flowers your maid placed by the window. Yet the moment you saw us unconscious, you grew careless, thinking you’d succeeded.”
Recalling her earlier actions, Wanqing had feared they might not take the bait. But these people had been so overjoyed at seeing them “asleep” that they forgot all caution. Now, she regarded Xiangmei with cool amusement.
Seeing the regret and frustration in Xiangmei’s eyes, Wanqing knew someone must have warned her about the drugs. But the maid had been too arrogant, too thrilled at the sight of them lying there to remember anything else.
Having pointed out the flaw, Wanqing no longer held back. With a light laugh, she turned and called out.
“Xiangmei, oh Xiangmei. I never imagined Aunt and Eldest Sister would be so kind to me. Not only did they give me a house, but they even found me a man. Though, their taste is truly pitiful—this man isn’t fit to even polish Brother Sun’s shoes. Such a lowly man is only suitable for people like you. Chunhong, what are you waiting for? Come in.”
“Miss, this wretched wretch dared to scheme against you like this! I—” Chunhong, who had been waiting outside, worried for her mistress, rushed in at Wanqing’s call.
Seeing Wanqing unharmed and seated calmly, Chunhong relaxed and smiled before turning to glare at Xiangmei. Furious at her treachery, she raised her hand to slap Xiangmei.
“Enough. Hitting her will only hurt your hand. Keep an eye on them here. I’ll be back shortly.”
Thinking of the abundance of herbs in the courtyard, Wanqing caught Chunhong’s wrist to stop her. Seeing her reluctantly lower her hand, Wanqing gave instructions before leaving.
“Brother, didn’t you want to become the Marquis’s son-in-law and curry favor with Madam? These women are yours now. Enjoy yourself. Chunhong, let’s go.”
A while later, Wanqing returned with a handful of herbs. She forced them into the mouths of the two maids, Xiangmei, and the man, watching as their eyes filled with terror and rage but their bodies remained paralyzed. With a light chuckle, she patted the man’s shoulder and led Chunhong out, kindly locking the door behind them.
“Miss, that’s our courtyard. We just arrived, and now we’re leaving? You…”
Carrying their belongings, Chunhong followed Wanqing out of Xiangzhu Garden. Confused, she asked why they were abandoning the residence Madam had assigned them, leaving those servants inside.
“Silly girl, the play must be acted out fully. Just wait and see. Liu Shi, I wonder what expression you’ll wear when you learn of all this?”
Seeing Chunhong’s puzzled look, Wanqing smiled reassuringly. But when she thought of the mastermind behind this, her eyes turned icy. So Liu Shi wanted to push her daughter and Sun Fengyu together? Fine—Wanqing didn’t care for him anyway. But to blame her for everything and play such games? Liu Shi would pay for provoking her wrath.
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