“Going through all that trouble to disguise yourself as Zao’er—how foolish! I still recognized you!”

Old Madam Liang muttered to herself and cursed several more times.

Then she began to feel drowsy. Not good—the pill was taking effect!

What kind of medicine had that beast given her?

She wanted all these beasts to die horrible deaths!

And him—hadn’t they agreed back then that as long as she sent out the message, someone would come to report within three days? Half a day had already passed, so why was there no sign of anyone at all?

Men’s words couldn’t be trusted, couldn’t be trusted, couldn’t be trusted…

The next day, most of the maids and servants in Ning Garden fell ill, and Old Madam Liang was also bedridden. Luo Meixiang naturally immediately summoned an imperial physician to treat Old Madam Liang and called for doctors to attend to the maids and servants.

However, rumors immediately spread wildly throughout the Earl of Pingxi’s mansion: People from Ning Garden had killed Zao’er, and Zao’er died with unresolved grievances—she had come to claim lives!

Liang Yunshan had returned to his outer study the previous night feeling extremely troubled. Concubine Yue brought soup to the study, and since he hadn’t eaten dinner, he didn’t drive her away.

After drinking the soup and eating a little something, Liang Yunshan grew tired and needed somewhere to rest. Besides, he and Concubine Yue had spent many years together at the border and were quite familiar with each other, so without much thought, he went to Concubine Yue’s courtyard.

Today was Liang Yunshan’s rest day. Having drunk some wine the previous night under Concubine Yue’s gentle ministrations, he had no inclination to practice martial arts at the training ground this morning. For once, Liang Yunshan slept in.

He had just awakened when Concubine Yue entered, saying: “My lord, word has come that Old Madam is ill. Madam has already gone to summon an imperial physician.”

Upon hearing this, Liang Yunshan immediately got up to dress.

Concubine Yue helped him dress, feeling very pleased.

Last night, another mysterious note had told her the Earl hadn’t eaten dinner, instructing her to prepare soup with perfect timing and deliver it to the outer study.

Who exactly was helping her? Could it be one of grandmother’s old servants?

This was truly wonderful.

Thinking of this, Concubine Yue added: “My lord, I just heard that several maids and servants in Ning Garden have fallen ill. They all say it’s Zao’er’s vengeful spirit returning to claim lives.”

Liang Yunshan’s brow furrowed tightly: “What did you say?”

Concubine Yue repeated her words, then tactfully remained silent. After Liang Yunshan finished dressing, Concubine Yue followed behind him as they went to Ning Garden together.

When Liang Yunshan entered Old Madam Liang’s bedroom, Imperial Physician Xia, who regularly checked Old Madam Liang’s pulse, was already examining her.

Liang Yunshan bowed respectfully, not daring to disturb the physician’s examination, and sat to one side while Concubine Yue stood behind him.

After carefully taking Old Madam Liang’s pulse, Imperial Physician Xia pondered for a moment before speaking to Liang Yunshan: “My lord, Old Madam suffered a fright and caught cold in the middle of the night, which has left her lacking energy and sleeping deeply. I’ll prescribe a remedy. Once Old Madam awakens, give her two doses and ensure she rests well—she’ll recover quickly.”

Liang Yunshan asked: “Imperial Physician Xia, does this mean there’s no serious harm?”

Imperial Physician Xia stroked his beard and nodded: “Indeed, no need for concern.”

After Imperial Physician Xia wrote the prescription, Steward Qin personally escorted him out.

Liang Yunshan then asked Nanny Luo, who had been attending nearby: “Nanny, what exactly happened last night?”

Nanny Luo was still confused herself. She had slept soundly last night and knew nothing. However, as Old Madam Liang’s trusted attendant, what use would she be if she knew nothing at all?

Nanny Luo replied: “Last night, this servant vaguely heard Old Madam speaking, but it was as if a ghost had pinned down my body—I couldn’t get up no matter what.”

Concubine Yue couldn’t help but gasp in fright: “Could there really be ghosts?”

Immediately realizing she had spoken inappropriately, she quickly covered her mouth and dared not make another sound.

Nanny Luo glared at Concubine Yue. What ghosts? Others might not know, but she knew that Zao’er’s drowning had nothing to do with Old Madam Liang at all.

Old Madam Liang forbade people from Ning Garden to confront the accusation because she was too proud to acknowledge that Liang Zhen could command the Earl’s household staff, simply ignoring her completely.

It was also to diminish Liang Zhen’s authority, lest she truly think herself important enough to casually command the Earl’s servants.

It was also because Madam was truly too incompetent, actually allowing Liang Zhen and Qin Shuying to make such a mess of things, and now rumors were even spreading today.

No wonder Old Madam often scolded Luo Meixiang.

Nanny Luo felt somewhat troubled. Old Madam had indeed underestimated Liang Zhen and Qin Shuying’s audacity—they actually showed no restraint, daring to say anything, even to Liang Yunshan!

Qin Shuying had a silver tongue, while Liang Zhen spoke with veiled implications. Now the Earl’s servants were all discussing how there was something suspicious about the matter between Liang Zhen and Zhao Wanniang back then, and even something suspicious about the lord’s parentage, which was why Old Madam had killed all who knew the truth.

Even Jinxiu’s expression had been very strange since returning.

Even Liang Yunshan had come last night to question Old Madam.

In Nanny Luo’s opinion, Old Madam should have gone to Qianxi Garden yesterday to properly scold Liang Zhen and Qin Shuying, just as she had scolded Liang Yunshan last night, disciplining them until they slunk away speechless. Then there wouldn’t be so much trouble today.

But Old Madam was such a person that Nanny Luo didn’t dare advise her.

While she was pondering this, they heard Old Madam Liang on the bed make an “mm” sound and mumble a few unclear words. The three couldn’t understand what she was saying, so Liang Yunshan approached the bed.

Just then, many more people entered one after another. Looking over, Liang Yunshan saw that except for Ayuan and Aning, all the masters of the household had come.

Luo Meixiang walked at the front. Upon entering and seeing Concubine Yue, her sorrowful expression immediately turned three degrees colder. That wretch really knew how to scheme—last night she had again pulled Liang Yunshan to her courtyard. What a persistent ghost!

But she showed no sign of this, only saying to Liang Yunshan: “Yunshan, I’ve ordered someone to prepare the medicine. Don’t worry, Mother will surely recover quickly.”

Liang Yunshan didn’t respond, his expression still poor.

Liang Zhe stepped forward and said: “My lord, everyone in the Earl’s mansion is now saying that because people from Ning Garden killed Zao’er, Zao’er came to claim souls last night, which is why Old Madam is bedridden and all the first and second-rank maids in Ning Garden have fallen ill. I just returned from the garrison and heard people on the street spreading this story. It seems that before long, the whole city will be buzzing with it.”

My lord, my lord…

Looking at Liang Zhe’s incomparably handsome face, Liang Yunshan felt incredibly stifled—he couldn’t beat him, couldn’t scold him, couldn’t speak harshly to him. Liang Zhe was the father while he was the grandson!

Liang Yunshan coughed lightly: “These are all rumors. Rumors stop with the wise. Meixiang, pass down the order—anyone in the household who spreads such talk will immediately receive thirty lashes.”

Luo Meixiang acknowledged the order.

As Luo Meixiang responded, Qin Shuying stood beside her. Liang Yunshan saw the barely perceptible mocking smile at the corner of her lips.

Immediately, a wave of irritation and unease surged in Liang Yunshan’s heart.