“Wait until the physician finishes examining them,” Mingxi replied.
Wan Mama nodded, but after a pause, she asked, “Now that things have blown up like this, should we inform the Old Madam?”
“Of course we will. But let’s get to the bottom of things first, and then report everything clearly to Grandmother. Otherwise, if she hears only bits and pieces, she’ll just worry. She’s old and can’t take the stress,” Mingxi said with a sigh.
“You’re right, Miss. We’ll wait then,” Wan Mama nodded quickly. With the commanding presence Mingxi had just displayed, she didn’t dare say otherwise.
Thinking back on what Mingxi had just said, Wan Mama’s heart trembled with unease.
Let’s just hope no one dies.
Ren Mian came out of the main room, glanced at Duan Mingxi, and seeing she had no questions for him, immediately followed the maid to continue his work.
He went to check on Yang Yiniang first, then returned to treat Mingcui. Only after that did Ren Mian report to Duan Mingxi.
“Miss, the Madam’s condition isn’t too serious. Someone mixed some sedative powder into the ointment used to treat her facial wounds. That kind of powder causes lethargy and lack of spirit, making her weak and sleepy. As for that little maid—she’s got a serious case of diarrhea from ingesting too much croton seed. Fortunately, we caught it early; otherwise, it could’ve been fatal. I’ve prescribed medicine, and she should recover with a few days of rest.”
He paused, then hesitated before continuing, “Yang Yiniang’s condition is much worse. Her pulse is weak, and her energy is very low. A few days ago, she could still get out of bed, but in the last two days she’s barely been conscious. If I’m right, she was poisoned with rosary pea—it’s extremely toxic. Luckily, only a small dose was used. Otherwise…”
Mingxi took a deep breath. She knew about rosary peas. While not exactly instant death, just one seed was enough to be fatal.
“Can she recover?” Mingxi asked with concern.
Ren Mian sighed, “The poison is very potent. Even if her life is saved, she’ll need careful care from now on. It may affect her lifespan.”
“I understand,” Mingxi said, then looked at Li Mama.
Li Mama immediately took out a small sachet—not with coins, but a silver note—and handed it to Ren Mian. “This is your consultation fee. We hope you’ll keep today’s matters confidential.”
“Of course. As a physician, medical ethics are something I take seriously,” Ren Mian replied as he accepted the payment. Refusing it might’ve made them suspect he didn’t intend to keep the secret.
Mingxi ordered someone to accompany Ren Mian to get the medicine. Then she turned to the strong-bodied servant women guarding the area.
“Go search Qiao Wan’s room and the other servant women’s quarters. Whether it’s rosary peas or croton seeds, bring back anything you find. Can’t let good things go to waste.”
Cold sweat trickled down Qiao Wan’s back as she tried to hide behind the other servant women.
Mingxi didn’t even glance at her—just sat still.
Silence fell, so thick it made people uneasy.
One of the old women with a broken bone had fainted from pain—the injury had never been set, and she’d been bound up tightly.
Qiancao looked at them without the slightest pity—she only wished she could go over and kick them a few more times.
“Miss, Yang Yiniang is awake. She heard you’re here and wants to see you.”
Mingxi stood up. “Lead the way.”
They went straight to Yang Yiniang’s room. As soon as they entered, a strange smell hung in the air. Even with the windows open, it still lingered.
Mingxi recognized it—it was the scent of someone suffering from poisoning. The stronger it smelled, the closer death was.
She quickly entered the inner room. Yang Yiniang was half-sitting with support, trying to rise when she saw Mingxi but unable to do so.
Mingxi held her steady. “Yang Yiniang, no need for formalities. The physician already gave you life-saving medicine—you’ll live. With a period of nourishing decoctions, you’ll slowly recover.”
Yang Yiniang was moved to tears upon hearing this and clutched Duan Mingxi’s hand. “I owe my life to you again, Eldest Young Miss.”
“There’s no need to say that. But you’ve always been cautious—how did you fall into someone’s trap so easily?” Mingxi asked in confusion.
It was precisely because she knew Yang Yiniang was always careful that she hadn’t worried too much when she came along with Madam Jiang.
Who would’ve thought…
Yang Yiniang covered her mouth with a handkerchief and gave a light cough. Mingxi picked up a teacup from the bedside table and offered it. “Have some water to soothe your throat. No rush, take your time—we have plenty of it.”
Yang Yiniang couldn’t even hold the teacup herself, her hands trembling weakly. Mingxi had to help her drink. Her pale face had a greenish hue, looking quite frightening.
“I was very cautious when we came here. I thought to myself, for that Qiao Wan to have such a hold on Master, she must not be a simple woman.”
Mingxi nodded. Yang Yiniang was indeed meticulous and prudent.
“You wouldn’t have guessed, Eldest Miss—by the time we moved here, Qiao Wan had already taken up residence. Madam was so furious she nearly passed out. She had a big fight with Eldest Master.”
Mingxi: …
She truly hadn’t known about this.
Her expression turned grim.
“What happened after that?”
“That Qiao Wan is cunning and smooth-tongued. She had Master wrapped around her finger. Naturally, Madam was even more upset. I was the one who calmed her down. Looking back now, maybe that’s when I caught Qiao Wan’s eye.”
Madam Jiang had status as the legitimate wife, and Yang Yiniang was clever and cautious. Together, they made Qiao Wan’s life difficult.
Qiao Wan was smart enough to know that if she got rid of Yang Yiniang, Madam Jiang would be much easier to deal with.
So, the drug used on Madam Jiang only made her too weak to manage affairs, but the poison used on Yang Yiniang was meant to be deadly. Killing her outright would raise suspicion, so she was given Rosary Pea poison, which would slowly destroy her health until she quietly passed away. With Eldest Master’s indulgence and favor, Qiao Wan would then be able to take over the household without challenge.
After hearing Yang Yiniang’s explanation, Mingxi understood everything. She looked at her and asked, “So, how exactly did Qiao Wan get you to ingest the poison?”
Yang Yiniang clenched her teeth in hatred. “I’ve always been cautious, especially with food. Qiao Wan never got the chance herself, so she used Master instead. I never ate anything suspicious—only twice did I eat the things he brought when he came to visit me.”
“I never would’ve guessed she’d dare to use Master like that. I just kept thinking, wouldn’t she be afraid he might eat it too?”
“If she dared send it with him, then she was confident it wouldn’t enter his mouth,” Mingxi replied coldly.
Yang Yiniang gave a bitter smile. “That makes sense… The things he brought were all foods I liked. I thought he still cared about me…”
Mingxi looked at her. “Don’t dwell on it. Focus on recovering first. If Second Brother and Qingyin find out, they’ll worry about you. As for everything else—just leave it to me. I will get justice for you.”
“Thank you, Eldest Miss…” Yang Yiniang choked out, tears streaming down.
Mingxi patted her hand and instructed the maid to take good care of her before getting up to leave.
When she returned, she saw Qi He already waiting. Just as she was about to go to him, she noticed a familiar figure standing quietly by the flower tree nearby, almost unnoticeable.
Xiao Muchen!
