Heng Wu bit her lip, so angry she strode to the small kitchen in large steps, and before long dragged two young maids over.

“Miss, this servant has inquired—it was these two little wenches who caused this mess.”

Seeing that Song Wan was going to handle courtyard matters, the residence physician pointed his medicine boy to go brew medicine, and he himself also withdrew.

The two maids were frightened into trembling, kneeling on the ground and crying: “Reporting to the First Madam, this servant didn’t do it intentionally. Huan’er developed a head sore and picked veratrum herself to treat the illness. How could she know she would bring this thing to the small kitchen?”

“This substance looks very similar to scallions. This servant had never seen it before and mistakenly used it, adding it to the First Madam’s meal, but this servant absolutely did not deliberately poison the Madam.”

The two young maids were only about ten years old, the lowest ranking servants in the courtyard. They were frightened into trembling after experiencing this matter.

The two people knelt on the ground kowtowing repeatedly, and before long a large patch of blood red appeared on their heads.

“Get up. Today’s matter will be dropped. From now on, you two will do sweeping and cleaning duties in the courtyard. Don’t enter the kitchen anymore.”

Waving her hand to dismiss the two, Song Wan covered her abdomen, forcibly enduring the pain.

Heng Wu cried: “Miss, it’s all this servant’s fault for not properly managing the small kitchen.”

Song Wan shook her head: “It has nothing to do with you. How is the shortage of staff in the courtyard your fault?”

The small kitchen was originally managed by Nanny Zhao. After she sent Nanny Zhao, Xiang Cao, and Lv Zhu out of the residence, the courtyard became short-staffed. Moreover, Lin Jiayue had previously sold off many servants, causing all the courtyards to lack help and fall into disarray.

Besides, her thoughts recently hadn’t been on Lanting Courtyard either. It was normal for mistakes to occur.

After all, it was just some abdominal pain—it couldn’t amount to much.

The only slight trouble was that today was the great Mid-Autumn banquet. In this condition, she didn’t know if it would interfere with matters.

“Help me up. I need to style my hair and apply makeup first.”

“Miss…”

Heng Zhi helped Song Wan up and took a soft cloth to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead: “Miss, you’ve taken the residence physician’s medicine but haven’t improved. What should we do?”

“It’s fine. I can endure it.”

The Mid-Autumn flower lanterns should properly be lit by the Emperor himself to pray for peace across the four seas and prosperity for the people. But since Emperor Wenhui ascended the throne, this lantern-lighting duty had been handed to the princes. This was also one of the most important festivals of the year. If Song Wan, as the wife of the Chengyang Marquis, didn’t appear, it would surely invite controversy.

This still wasn’t the crucial point. More crucially, she wanted to use this grand banquet to see Song Fu—she had words to say to Elder Brother.

Song Wan sat at the vanity, having Heng Zhi apply her makeup.

Heng Zhi took a flower ornament to place on her forehead, but before long it would be ruined by cold sweat.

“Miss, you truly cannot continue like this.”

Where was there anyone who drank medicine only to hurt more and more? In just this short while, Song Wan had weakened to the point she couldn’t sit up straight, not to mention her inner garment soaked through with sweat.

Autumn days were already chilly. If she went out like this, she would surely catch cold.

Heng Wu paced anxiously in circles. Just as she was worrying, Jiang Xingjian walked in from outside. Upon entering, he saw Song Wan’s lips pale, looking extremely haggard and pained.

Jiang Xingjian furrowed his brows: “I heard from the residence physician that you mistakenly consumed something toxic. Are you feeling better now?”

“Thank you for husband’s concern. After drinking the medicine, I’m already much better.”

“You don’t look much better.”

Stepping forward to place the rouge in Song Wan’s hand on the vanity, Jiang Xingjian said: “You should properly recuperate in the residence. Don’t go out today. In your condition, harming your health is a minor matter—losing decorum before His Majesty would be a major incident.”

Upon hearing this, Song Wan lowered her eyes without speaking.

It was also normal for Jiang Xingjian to fear she would lose propriety before the throne. The Chengyang Marquis Residence had recently produced one scandal after another, more exciting than a theatrical performance. He should also fear creating any more errors.

Though she wanted to see Song Fu, since Jiang Xingjian had said this much, if she insisted on going, it would instead seem like she harbored ulterior motives and evil intentions.

“Then I must trouble husband to convey my message to the various noble ladies—this wife’s health is truly unwell and cannot attend.”

“I understand. Rest well.”

Having said this, Jiang Xingjian turned and went to Xiuyan Pavilion.

In Xiuyan Pavilion, Lin Jiayue looked at the clothing and skirt sent by the embroidery workshop, her brows tightly knitted.

This fresh, tender emerald green color—wearing it would make her look like a matured scallion. She truly couldn’t bring herself to like it. If not for wanting to publicly display deep affection with Jiang Xingjian today and thoroughly cement his reputation for favoring concubines over wife, she would never wear it even if she died.

Just as she reluctantly changed into the new skirt, Lin Jiayue saw Jiang Xingjian silently enter the room.

“Brother Xingjian.”

She pinched her skirt hem and stood before Jiang Xingjian, her face full of sweet smiles: “Does Yue’er’s skirt look good?”

“A delight to behold.”

Jiang Xingjian sat in a redwood chair, carefully examining Lin Jiayue.

After a long while, he finally said: “Today at Dongzhi Gate there will surely be many common people viewing the lanterns. If we leave late, I fear we won’t be able to get the carriage through. If you’re ready, we two shall go ahead.”

We two?

Lin Jiayue blinked: “The First Madam isn’t going?”

“She mistakenly consumed something. She cannot go today.”

After Jiang Xingjian finished speaking, he asked Lin Jiayue if she could depart. Lin Jiayue nodded vacantly, but her heart grew chaotic.

In the past, she found Song Wan disagreeable and naturally thought the other was bad in every way. But times had changed. Now she had to admit that although Song Wan was coldly aloof and arrogant to the point of being detestable, she was exceptionally intelligent and skilled at adapting to circumstances.

So she absolutely didn’t believe that with Song Wan’s cautious nature, she would eat the wrong thing on such an important day.

Lin Jiayue lowered her eyes, concealing the worry within them.

After thinking for a moment, she smiled and said: “I’m naturally ready. Let’s go, Brother Xingjian.”

Lin Jiayue walked behind Jiang Xingjian, looking at his back, her expression growing increasingly solemn. Seeing he wasn’t paying attention, she reached up to the top of her head and pressed her palm hard against her hairpin.

“Brother Xingjian, help me for a moment.”

The two walked to the small palanquin in the inner courtyard, and Lin Jiayue smiled as she extended her hand.

Jiang Xingjian grasped her hand, preparing to help her into the palanquin. But just as he turned around, he frowned: “Your skirt is dirty.”

“Hmm?”

Lin Jiayue was puzzled: “Where?”

Jiang Xingjian’s expression was ugly as he indicated with his eyes the location stained with filth.

“Ah… I’ve started my monthly courses.”

Reaching back to touch herself, Lin Jiayue quickly showed Jiang Xingjian the blood on her hand: “I’ll go change my clothes.”

“No need. You should rest well in the residence.”

“Brother Xingjian, are you angry? Yue’er will change very quickly. Wait for me…”

Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Xingjian strode out of the inner courtyard in large steps.

Seeing him come out alone, Song Yan approached: “Master, today this…”

“The plan has changed. Cancel the archer and have him return.”

Song Yan nodded: “This subordinate understands.”

Jiang Xingjian added: “Is everything else prepared?”

“Everything is prepared. The railing position has also been moved several feet outward—it absolutely won’t harm innocent common people’s lives.”

Jiang Xingjian nodded and mounted his horse.

Success or failure, victory or defeat—it all depended on today’s lantern-lighting ceremony.