Old Madam was still shaken, and Nanny Luo hastily brought her a bowl of tea: “Old Madam, calm yourself.”

Old Madam involuntarily turned toward Li Weiyang and said: “What on earth is happening?!”

Li Weiyang’s face showed a troubled expression: “Old Madam, the weather has been warming these past few days. Elder Sister loves beauty and dressed lightly—I’m afraid she attracted some kind of poisonous insect…”

Old Madam couldn’t help but furrow her brows: “What kind of insect could be this vicious! All her hair has fallen out!”

The two exchanged a glance and both looked toward the inner room. Li Changle had drunk the calming dew and now lay there like a corpse. Li Weiyang lowered her eyes. This poison seemed to make one’s entire body unbearably itchy, unable to control the scratching, until finally dying from ruptured intestines and perforated stomach—truly extremely vicious. Now Li Changle had barely fallen into unconsciousness. If she woke up later, she would still be unable to control herself.

Jiang Yuelan’s face was ashen as she said to Tanxiang: “Quickly go find rope. When your young miss wakes up and starts acting wildly again, tie her up first! We absolutely cannot let her scratch randomly!”

Li Weiyang glanced at Li Changle’s head and face, scratched bloody and unrecognizable, and couldn’t help but sigh: “Elder Sister treasured her appearance most. Now to end up like this is truly…” deserved.

Jiang Yuelan followed her gaze. On Li Changle’s once breathtakingly beautiful face, there were now bloodstains everywhere, looking as if she had leprosy, scratched beyond recognition. Especially around her beautiful eyes—they were nearly gouged out. She turned her face away, a trace of fear rising in her heart. However beautiful Li Changle had been before, that’s how terrifying this face was now. She had been a celestial maiden before; she would be a demon hereafter. Even if she could survive, she would wish she were dead.

Li Xiaoran hurried over from the front courtyard. Seeing the scene in the room, he froze in shock. Jiang Yuelan wanted to speak several times but was frightened into silence by his expression.

Li Weiyang watched from afar and sneered coldly. She didn’t know what Father was feeling now.

“Master, we’ve already sent someone to summon the Imperial Physician!” After a long while, Jiang Yuelan dared to stammer, “As the mistress, I am responsible for Li Changle!” She truly hadn’t expected that only a few months after marrying into this household, such a thing would happen. It was simply too incredible!

“Summon the Imperial Physician?! No! We cannot summon the Imperial Physician!” Li Xiaoran’s expression was dark. “With her looking like this ghost—if word gets out…”

How could Jiang Yuelan not understand?! Li Changle and Tuoba Zhen had a marriage alliance. If the Third Prince learned that Li Changle’s celestial beauty had been injured to this extent, everything would be ruined! Even if Tuoba Zhen was still willing to marry her, with such a face, how could she possibly gain her husband’s favor! In Li Xiaoran’s heart right now, he wished Li Changle would just die—that would be better. But if she lived, he would completely lose face! However, Jiang Yuelan couldn’t let him do that, because if Li Changle died, the Duke’s wife would never spare her! Thinking of her father’s repeated warnings before she married over and her stepmother’s secret threats, Jiang Yuelan felt her scalp tingle. She had only one thought: Li Changle cannot die. If she lived, she had an extra card to play! If she died, she would have no shield at all!

Thinking this, Jiang Yuelan said with a worried expression: “Master, the Duke’s wife said she would visit in two days. If by then… I’m afraid there will be a huge uproar.”

Li Xiaoran had long grown tired of the Jiang family’s coercion and said coldly: “So what?!”

Jiang Yuelan said softly: “Master, we are all in-laws, prospering and suffering together. Why make this a big issue?”

Li Xiaoran’s expression was uncertain for a long time. Not knowing what he was thinking, he frowned and said: “Fine. Quickly have the Imperial Physician come examine her!”

Li Weiyan had already had Tan Shi take the child back. Now she stood beside Old Madam, her expression as worried as Old Madam’s.

Imperial Physician Wang finally arrived within half an hour. He dared not delay a moment and immediately took Li Changle’s pulse for diagnosis. After one cup of tea, then two cups of tea passed, he turned around and said: “Prime Minister, your esteemed daughter shows signs of poisoning.”

Poisoning again! Li Xiaoran roared angrily: “What kind of place has this household become! Poisoning at every turn! Who is behind this!”

Imperial Physician Wang was somewhat caught off guard, but knowing that the less he knew about affairs in wealthy families the better, he smiled and said: “Right now the key isn’t to pursue responsibility, but to think of a way to cure the eldest young miss.”

Li Xiaoran said: “What method is there?”

Imperial Physician Wang pondered for a moment and said: “Prime Minister Li, my specialty is internal medicine and stubborn ailments. I have no expertise in poisons. In my opinion, we should quickly summon that Master Lu from last time!”

Old Madam grasped Li Weiyang’s hand: “Weiyang, where does this Master Lu reside?”

Li Weiyang said softly: “As for the location, Weiyang does know it, but Master Lu is eccentric and his whereabouts unpredictable. Even if we find him, I’m afraid it will be too late to save Elder Sister.”

Li Xiaoran’s face showed anxiety: “Stop talking and go find him first!”

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside. Li Weiyang narrowed her eyes as a maid rushed in quickly: “Master, someone outside claims to be the Jiang family’s Fourth Young Master and says he’s brought Doctor Lu…”

Jiang Nan? When Li Xiaoran heard this, he said: “Let him in!”

The maid quickly withdrew. Soon they saw the tall and robust Jiang Nan stride in quickly, followed by a humble-looking old man. When Li Weiyang saw the person behind him, she couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows—it really was Master Lu.

Li Weiyang glanced around but didn’t see any trace of Nanny Liu who was beside Li Changle. She immediately guessed who had invited Jiang Nan and couldn’t help but look at him coldly, just in time to meet Jiang Nan’s eyes full of murderous intent. Jiang Nan stared at her for a moment, then turned and bowed his head toward Li Xiaoran: “Uncle.”

Even though the First Madam had passed away, the in-law relationship between the Jiang family and Li Xiaoran would not change. Especially in official circles, these two families were tied together like bones and sinews. This was why Li Xiaoran couldn’t easily make a move—unless he could completely extricate his own family, he had to endure the Jiang family’s control. Watching Jiang Nan walk before him, Li Xiaoran’s face actually broke into a warm smile as he patted his shoulder: “When I last saw you, you were only a few years old. You’ve grown so much.”

An affectionate manner, completely concealing his heart’s loathing for the Jiang family.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. Li Xiaoran was neither an upright minister nor a treacherous one—he was simply a worldly-wise pragmatist. Having served at court for over ten years, cautious in all things and skilled at currying imperial favor, he had thus maintained his position securely. He would not casually oppose the Jiang family. Even if they spat in his face, he could endure it, let alone all those things the First Madam had done before. In his view, those were merely inner household matters that couldn’t affect the bigger picture. But this didn’t mean he and the Jiang family were as friendly as one family. On this point, Li Weiyang actually admired Li Xiaoran. This middle-aged man who seemed like a cowardly turtle might not truly be as magnanimous as he appeared on the surface. His disgust toward the Jiang family had probably not been just a day or two. Perhaps she should learn from him—this skill of forbearance. Li Weiyang was thinking this when she heard Fourth Jiang say anxiously: “I heard my cousin was unwell, so I specially brought Master Lu. I hope we’re not too late.”

Li Xiaoran quickly said: “That’s good, that’s good. We were just about to send someone to invite him! Master Lu, please save my daughter!” Just moments ago his face had been dark with gloom; now he was every bit the loving father. His expression changed faster than flipping through a book.

Master Lu immediately said: “Let me examine her first.” He walked to Li Changle’s side and examined her carefully for a long time, then suddenly turned around and said: “This… what a vicious poison!”

Everyone remained silent. Jiang Nan frowned: “What exactly happened?! How did she scratch herself into this condition?!”

Master Lu shook his head and said: “I once traveled to the southern frontier. This poison resembles those from there. Once contaminated, it causes unbearable itching until one scratches oneself to ruptured intestines and perforated stomach. Strictly speaking, those who die from this poison aren’t killed by the poison itself, but die from scratching out their own intestines. That said, you were clever to tie up her hands and feet with something. Otherwise, by now she would probably be…”

Jiang Nan turned his head and glared viciously at Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang looked back at him calmly, without the slightest hint of guilt. This poison came from your Jiang family. Now you know what it means to suffer the consequences of your own actions. If you dare to poison Minzhi, you must be prepared for retaliation. Of course, if only officials can set fires while common people can’t light lamps, they’ll naturally be burned to ashes by that very fire. Seeing that she wasn’t afraid of him at all, Jiang Nan’s eyes only grew colder and more fierce. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—why provoke such a malevolent star? Now it truly was a fight to the death. He turned to Master Lu, who was actually Jiang Wu: “Is there a method?”

Master Lu nodded and said: “Fortunately, I have a bottle of Hundred Flowers Pills on me that can cure all strange poisons.” As he spoke, he fumbled in his chest for a long time before pulling out a porcelain bottle, then poured out a pale purple pill and handed it to Tanxiang: “Dissolve it in water and have your young miss take it.”

Li Weiyang stared at the porcelain bottle in Master Lu’s hand. Master Lu quickly said: “I only have this one pill, and it was left by my master years ago…” In his anxiety, he let slip the word “master.” Li Weiyang narrowed her eyes and looked at him but said nothing.

Master Lu felt chilled by her gaze and said: “Quickly give it to the eldest young miss!”

Tanxiang hurriedly dissolved the medicine, then with others’ help, gave it to Li Changle.

Li Weiyang’s gaze swept over Fourth Jiang and Master Lu. She couldn’t help but curl her lips. It seemed that what Minde said was correct—this Master Lu really was rather peculiar. She thought for a moment, then suddenly beckoned to Zhao Yue. After hearing her instructions, Zhao Yue’s lips curved into a smile, and she quickly departed. Soon she returned carrying a pot of tea and said softly: “Miss, this servant has prepared the finest Biluochun. I’ll bring it to Doctor Lu right away.” Then she walked smiling toward the table beside Master Lu, as if to pour a cup of tea. But before she reached the table, she deliberately stumbled, and the entire pot of scalding tea was about to spill onto Master Lu. Master Lu, with quick eyes and nimble hands, quickly stepped back. Zhao Yue’s teapot still flew toward him, and Master Lu—a man of advanced age whose movements should have been inconvenient—caught it with remarkable agility.

Jiang Nan’s expression instantly became very ugly. He immediately looked toward Li Weiyang, but saw her gaze resting on Old Madam as the two spoke in low voices, as if they hadn’t seen anything. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and quickly shot Jiang Tian a warning look.

Zhao Yue said apologetically: “Doctor Lu, my sincerest apologies.”

Master Lu smiled bitterly: “It’s nothing.” He didn’t know if Li Weiyang had just seen that, but this maid’s movements had been too fast, and he had instinctively reacted.

Over there, Li Changle had completely quieted down and was no longer scratching everywhere. Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Li Weiyang sneered inwardly. When Li Changle woke up and saw herself in the mirror, she would probably go mad with rage. Compared to watching Li Changle die, she deeply felt that moment would be far more interesting…

At this moment, Jiang Nan said quietly: “How exactly was she poisoned?!”

Li Xiaoran glanced at him: “I will investigate this matter thoroughly.”

A trace of something cold flashed across Jiang Nan’s handsome face. He smiled and said: “Uncle, I must return to report to Grandmother.”

This meant he wouldn’t leave until they found an answer.

Li Xiaoran frowned and ordered: “Tanxiang, tell us what the young miss has eaten these past few days?”

Tanxiang trembled, almost unable to speak. Just then, a figure emerged from the crowd—a plainly dressed, tall and thin middle-aged woman with a gaunt face. She bowed to Li Xiaoran and said: “Master, the eldest young miss’s daily meals are all handled by Nanny Zhou and undergo many inspections. There would be no mistakes, so this servant suspects the problem isn’t in the food.”

Li Xiaoran looked at her suspiciously. Jiang Nan said loudly: “Nanny Liu, in your view, where does the problem lie?”

Nanny Liu raised her eyes and surveyed everyone in the room, her gaze pausing on each face for a moment. Seeing everyone’s unease, she continued: “The problem most likely lies in the furnishings, incense, or the hair ornaments and clothing supplied by the household.” Actually, she didn’t mention that these items had all been carefully inspected by Nanny Zhou previously and there had been no problems. But Nanny Zhou hadn’t been present these past few days. Although she had personally checked the food, she was no expert in poisons. Plus, with many new items in the room, they would need to be thoroughly inspected again.

Li Weiyang glanced at Nanny Liu and said slowly: “Does Nanny Liu mean that someone in our household wanted to harm Elder Sister?”

Nanny Liu said mildly: “Third Miss, this servant dares not say it was someone in the household, but this servant dares say that the thing that harmed the eldest miss may still be in the room. As long as we search carefully, we’ll know.”

This Nanny Liu was quite a character. Li Weiyang was beginning to understand why Li Changle had grown smarter after returning—it turned out there was a strategist here.

Jiang Nan said coldly: “I ask Uncle to give my cousin justice.”

Li Xiaoran’s gaze swept across his face, then glanced at Old Madam who had been keeping her head down drinking tea. Seeing Old Madam give an almost imperceptible nod, he said: “Changle is my own daughter. With her in this condition, I’m the one most heartbroken. Of course I won’t let the culprit who harmed her get away with it.”

Jiang Nan looked toward Li Weiyang. He was certain this culprit was not only in the room but was calmly conversing with Old Madam right now. Her nerve was truly impressive—no less than his own as a butcher who had killed countless on the battlefield! He sneered coldly: “Nanny Liu, I leave everything to you.”

Nanny Liu bowed: “This servant will definitely root out the one who harmed the eldest miss!” After speaking, she selected several maids and began searching throughout the entire room.

Fourth Yiniang looked with disgust at Li Changle lying there and said to Li Changxiao: “Let’s go. This room is truly unlucky!”

Li Changxiao was somewhat worried: “Leaving now might not be appropriate.”

Fourth Yiniang really couldn’t stand that nauseating smell of foul blood: “Let’s go. What’s there to fear!”

However, just as she turned around, she heard Jiang Nan say: “I apologize, but no one in this room may leave! Not until we find the culprit!”

Li Xiaoran’s expression wasn’t pleasant: “How can you be certain the culprit is someone in this room?!”

Jiang Nan said respectfully: “Uncle, the culprit used such a cruel method to harm my cousin—they must have deep hatred. Precisely because of this, after harming my cousin, they would naturally come to see the results!”

Li Weiyang smiled. She quite liked those four words—utterly devoid of conscience—only these four words weren’t quite appropriate to describe herself. They should be used to describe the Jiang family and Li Changle. Since they dared to attack Minzhi, her actions were entirely appropriate! Simply repaying them with their own methods!

Jiang Nan looked at Li Weiyang from afar. Yet on her face, he could see no trace of nervousness, as if she had no guilt in her heart whatsoever, nor any anxiety about being exposed.

Fourth Yiniang couldn’t help but say: “Young Master Jiang, what do you mean by this! Are you saying we harmed the eldest miss?”

Jiang Nan snorted coldly: “That’s not certain!”

Fourth Yiniang looked at Li Xiaoran with an aggrieved expression: “Master!”

But Li Xiaoran had no sympathy for her fragile feelings and only said angrily: “Enough, no one leaves! Not until this is cleared up!”

Fourth Yiniang began to envy the bedridden Sixth Yiniang. Whoever got caught up in this mess was truly unlucky.

“Master.” Nanny Liu held up a tray. On it was the peony hair oil Li Changle had used that day. She announced: “This servant has inspected everything in this room. Most are items the miss has used regularly. Only this bottle of peony hair oil hasn’t been used for long.”

Li Xiaoran frowned: “Is there a problem with this hair oil?”

Nanny Liu said: “Some poisons cannot be detected. If Master wishes to verify, why not have someone test it.”

Li Xiaoran nodded and was about to order someone to do so when he heard Jiang Nan say: “No need!” As he spoke, he grabbed a random maid and pulled her over. The maid shrieked, but before she could resist, she was force-fed the peony hair oil.

Old Madam couldn’t help but say angrily: “This isn’t something to eat—what are you doing!”

Jiang Nan released the trembling maid and raised his eyebrows: “Old Madam, my apologies, but this peony hair oil is made from peonies and sesame oil. It won’t normally kill anyone if eaten. If there’s no poison, this maid will naturally be fine—”

Li Weiyang coldly reminded him: “This is a maid of our Li household, not some cat or dog.”

Jiang Nan smiled. His handsome face showed not a trace of pity, revealing the arrogance and presumptuousness in the Jiang family’s bones: “A maid who can’t even protect her own master—what use is keeping her!”

Everyone’s expressions were very ugly, but no one dared say anything. Li Xiaoran laughed coldly and said: “The Mighty General grows more imposing by the day.” His voice was very calm, but Li Weiyang heard the storm brewing within it. Jiang Nan of course knew his behavior was extremely arrogant, but he wasn’t the least bit afraid: “My cousin’s life is naturally far more important than these servants! If she has suffered innocently, I don’t know how to explain this to Grandmother and Father! I ask Uncle and Old Madam Li to forgive me!”

A flash of savage killing intent crossed Li Xiaoran’s face, finally transforming into a neither-smiling-nor-not expression. For a junior to be so presumptuous in the Li household certainly showed the Jiang family’s arrogance and tyranny, but similarly, such a family had also exposed its weakness before him. If Jiang Nan showed him such disrespect, what about toward the Emperor? How much respect could he truly have in his heart? The Jiang family had been careful all their lives, but hadn’t expected to reveal their true nature through their younger generation.

Just then, the little maid screamed and began rolling on the ground, scratching wildly. Everyone watched in horror as she repeated the same actions as Li Changle moments ago. Clearly she had been poisoned with the same toxin. Everyone froze, so shocked they could barely speak. Only Li Weiyang said sternly: “Master Lu, will you just watch a patient die before your eyes?”

Master Lu suddenly snapped back to awareness and quickly ordered people to restrain the maid, then said: “I have no pills left, but there are other methods to try slowly. I won’t let her lose her life—” Of course, the maid would suffer greatly, but he didn’t say this, though everyone understood. The maid was quickly carried away. For a moment, the room was as silent as a tomb.

Jiang Nan said slowly: “It seems the problem lies with this bottle of peony hair oil.”

Tanxiang’s throat was nearly hoarse as she said tremblingly: “The steward delivered this ten days ago. The miss was very pleased and used it every day—” She thought about how she had handled this hair oil daily but had luckily not been poisoned. She couldn’t help but feel like she’d narrowly escaped death. Actually, she wouldn’t have been poisoned because she only dabbed a little and washed it off with water, whereas Li Changle was poisoned because her scalp contacted the hair oil for six hours a day, and if she accidentally broke her scalp, the poison worked even more rapidly.

“If the hair oil is used externally, naturally the toxicity won’t activate so severely. It requires daily accumulation to take effect.” Master Lu explained to everyone.

Jiang Nan’s voice carried a trace of coldness: “Who sent this cursed thing!”

Li Xiaoran roared: “Summon the steward!”

Jiang Yuelan’s face grew even paler. Her figure was practically swaying as she said through gritted teeth: “I ordered the steward to deliver this year’s peony hair oil!”

Everyone’s expressions became incredulous. The new madam sent the peony oil?! How was this possible!

Jiang Yuelan quickly said: “How would I dare harm the eldest miss! This peony hair oil is customized from Feicui Pavilion every year. I distributed it to every courtyard, and even kept two bottles in my own courtyard. Weiyang, Changxiao, I sent some to you as well. Oh right, Weiyang, yours was osmanthus scented, and Changxiao, yours was jasmine. But how could I have poisoned them?!”

Jiang Nan’s expression changed. He hadn’t expected the person who sent the hair oil would be Jiang Yuelan. This was simply too incredible! If one said Jiang Yuelan harmed Li Changle, he could not believe it no matter what. If Jiang Yuelan were an ordinary second wife, she would naturally resent the legitimate daughter left by the first wife, fearing she would steal her own children’s favor and status. But Jiang Yuelan came from the Jiang family. Her father still depended on Jiang Xu’s protection. To establish herself in the Li household, she absolutely had to curry favor with Li Changle. How could she cut off her own arm?! This meant someone had tampered with things along the way?! He pressed: “Did someone tamper with it midway?!”

Jiang Yuelan’s face grew paler. She said urgently: “It must be! Someone must have tampered with it!”

At this point, Li Xiaoran also understood somewhat, but he couldn’t let Jiang Nan descend the stairs gracefully, so he said coldly: “The peony hair oil was all bought from outside. Only your people handled it. Who could have poisoned it?” As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Yuelan with a trace of distrust.

But Li Weiyang shook her head and said very kindly: “Father, Mother is a kind person. How could she do such a vicious thing? I imagine the steward was bribed and tampered with things. In my opinion, we should detain him and interrogate him severely.” In this, there was naturally her handiwork. She had first bribed the steward’s mistress, promising her a hundred taels of gold, because every time this steward returned from Feicui Pavilion, he would certainly send the embezzled money to his own courtyard—it was by seizing this opportunity that Li Weiyang had someone switch the hair oil. Now she was framing him because this steward was already in Jiang Yuelan’s palm. As for that mistress, she had long since fled with the money without a trace…

Jiang Yuelan knew Li Xiaoran wasn’t suspecting her but wanted to make things difficult for Jiang Nan. Though aggrieved, survival was paramount, so she could only say: “Master, I was truly foolish to be used to send hair oil to the eldest miss. Please punish me, Master.”

Jiang Nan of course didn’t believe the steward was the culprit. He said coldly: “This steward must certainly be thoroughly investigated! As for everyone else’s courtyards, they must all be searched as well!”

Old Madam coughed heavily and said: “Mighty General, based on your third-rank position, you hardly have the standing to search a first-rank official’s household!” Once Old Madam spoke, everyone’s faces showed strong rejection. Fourth Yiniang was first to say: “That’s right, Young Master Jiang. This isn’t the Jiang household—how can you search whenever you want? Too arrogant!”

Li Xiaoran snorted coldly: “Of course, if you request an imperial edict from His Majesty, that would be acceptable.”

In the current situation, if Jiang Nan immediately turned hostile, Li Xiaoran would probably seize the opportunity to go see the Emperor in the palace and charge him with the crime of great disrespect! In this deadlock, Jiang Nan’s mind turned, but he suddenly knelt down with a grave expression: “Today Jiang Nan was rash. I ask Old Madam to forgive me! But my cousin was innocently harmed. If Jiang Nan cannot investigate this clearly, I’ll have no way to explain to my family when I return home! Old Madam, my cousin is also your own granddaughter. She has now become neither human nor ghost. How can you remain unmoved? If word spreads, others might think the Li family harmed my cousin!”

Li Weiyang was somewhat surprised that Jiang Nan would actually kneel before Old Madam—she had thought he was inherently an arrogant young general, but now it seemed he was definitely not a fool! Because as long as he took a soft approach, he was treating Old Madam as an elder, which also implicitly reminded the Li family that the two families were still relatives.

“Ridiculous! Truly ridiculous!” Old Madam laughed coldly three times: “Jiang Nan, you go too far!” Just then, Jiang Yuelan said softly: “Alas, Old Madam, since the Mighty General wants to investigate, let him investigate thoroughly. Otherwise, if he goes out and says our family is harboring the culprit, what will we do? Our family’s century-old reputation cannot withstand such slander.” Her words, on the surface, were for the Li family’s consideration and beyond reproach.

Old Madam’s face showed a trace of hesitation. Indeed, if Jiang Nan spread such talk, wouldn’t the Li family become a place harboring culprits and concealing filth?

Li Xiaoran glanced at his new wife. Not until she uneasily lowered her head did he wave his hand: “You all, go search everyone’s courtyards. If there are similar filthy things, get to the bottom of everything!”

Several steward nannies in the room all led their subordinate maids to take action separately. Li Weiyang glanced at Zhao Yue and saw her nod gently. Only then did she smile slightly and turn back to ask Master Lu: “I wonder if Elder Sister’s appearance can be restored in the future?”

Master Lu’s expression was indescribable. He smiled bitterly: “This… I’m afraid I’m powerless.”

Jiang Yuelan was also somewhat anxious: “How can there be no method at all?”

Master Lu said dejectedly: “Being able to preserve her life is already extremely fortunate. How could she possibly recover completely?”

Jiang Yuelan glanced at Li Changle lying unconscious on the bed. Her face couldn’t help but show grief that might or might not be genuine: “My poor child! What will become of her now!” Though she spoke, she dared not approach the bedside. Li Changle’s terrifying appearance—one look meant one nightmare.

Jiang Nan wasn’t concerned about Li Changle’s beauty. He had seen plenty of disfigured people on the battlefield and didn’t take this matter to heart. He only cared whether they could find any incriminating evidence in Li Weiyang’s room. He knew Nanny Liu was skilled in this area. With just a trace of evidence, she could follow the vine to find the melon. He believed Li Weiyang couldn’t have left no trace at all! Now he had completely forgotten about his cousin and instead felt competitive—he didn’t believe he would lose to an inexperienced little girl!

A full hour passed. No one in the room made a sound. Only Old Madam changed her tea four times midway through, ate snacks twice, and spoke seven or eight sentences with Li Weiyang. The others had no such peace of mind and only exchanged glances from time to time, venting their inner anxiety and oppression. This was an atmosphere so oppressive it made breathing difficult. The maids and nannies all kept their heads down, afraid of accidentally offending some master.

Jiang Nan observed Li Weiyang. Her face showed not the slightest trace of guilt or panic—not even a hint of unease. He had to admire her, because he had never seen a woman with such deep scheming that it was frightening. And his fifth brother, Master Lu on the other side, just kept his head down drinking tea. Having seen countless wounds, he dared not look at Li Changle’s face. Now he truly pitied Li Changle. With such a ghastly appearance, how could she ever marry in the future!

Jiang Yuelan sat to one side, accompanying the grim-faced Li Xiaoran, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated, until Nanny Luo came in leading people, holding a tray in her hands.

Jiang Nan’s face instantly showed a smile. He thought victory was at hand.

However, Nanny Luo said: “After inspection, there is also a problem with the scented oil in Third Miss’s courtyard.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Nan’s smile was as if twisted by a hand, instantly becoming very strange. He looked toward Nanny Liu and saw her gently shake her head at him. Damn it, how could this be!

Li Weiyang’s face showed grief: “Old Madam, I didn’t expect even the scented oil in granddaughter’s room had problems…”

Old Madam patted her hand: “Fortunately you never use such things, otherwise today you would have ended up like Changle.”

Li Weiyang sighed: “Indeed. If I hadn’t forgotten to reward the maids with it, I’m afraid Baizhi and the others wouldn’t have escaped this calamity either!” Her manner was one of complete regret.

Jiang Nan watched Li Weiyang act in disbelief. He clearly knew this dead girl was acting, clearly knew she was the mastermind behind all this, but he had no way to say anything! He felt that the methods he could use against enemies on the battlefield were utterly useless here. Even the most circuitous tactics ultimately required a direct confrontation, but not Li Weiyang—she would dig a pit for you to jump into yourself, then sit beside it and watch, viciously stepping on you once more, ensuring you could never turn things around. That’s right—from the very beginning she had been using him. He had wanted to investigate thoroughly, using Nanny Liu’s sharp eyes to find evidence, but Li Weiyang had turned it around to clear her own suspicion. This proved that Li Weiyang had long since cleaned up all traces, so thoroughly that even someone as shrewd and meticulous as Nanny Liu was helpless! Don’t blame Jiang Nan for placing too much hope in Nanny Liu. The reason he did so was entirely because Nanny Liu had served in the palace for twenty years. Her being sent to help Li Changle was definitely not for show!

Li Changxiao was scared half to death. She couldn’t help but grab Fourth Yiniang’s sleeve: “Mother, when the hair oil was delivered last time, a maid accidentally knocked it over. Otherwise I would have ended up like Elder Sister too?!”

Fourth Yiniang’s face naturally showed shock—she hadn’t known about this.

Jiang Nan said through gritted teeth: “There are two possibilities for Third Miss’s room having poisoned hair oil. One, she’s a victim. Two, she’s the one hiding the poison!”

Li Weiyang frowned: “What kind of talk is this, Cousin! This hair oil wasn’t sent by me. How would I have the ability to poison it?! Are you saying I colluded with Mother to poison Elder Sister?! Or that I bribed the steward to poison it? If you truly think so, why not tie up me, Mother, and the steward together for interrogation to see what you can discover! Your suspicions are utterly laughable!”

Jiang Yuelan’s face paled. She hadn’t expected Li Weiyang to drag her down so firmly. This made it completely impossible to explain. After all, the hair oil was delivered on her orders, and this steward was someone she had won over—this was no longer a secret in the household! Whatever she said would be wrong!

Jiang Nan glared viciously at Jiang Yuelan, thinking it was all her meddling. Just as he was about to press Li Weiyang relentlessly, Li Xiaoran said coldly: “Enough!”

Li Xiaoran didn’t know how this had happened. He only felt annoyed. He had already lost one daughter and couldn’t, regardless of whether this matter was related to Li Weiyang or not, afford to lose her as well, because now that Li Changle was ruined, he couldn’t lose two daughters in one day! So he stared coldly at Jiang Nan: “You’ve already searched my household once. Now what more do you want! This is a Li family matter. If Jiang Xu has any opinions, he can come find me directly! Now that Changle is injured, I only hope she recovers well. Other matters can be discussed later! If you don’t want to leave, go to the reception hall for tea, just don’t let me hear you making wild accusations everywhere!”

Jiang Nan’s expression was very ugly. He hadn’t expected Li Xiaoran to be so firm. But it was also his own arrogance that led to being shown the door, naturally making him unable to accept it. He said coldly: “Since Uncle wants me to leave, I’ll leave. But the Li family must give us an explanation for this matter!” After speaking, he shot Master Lu a warning look, then strode away quickly.

Old Madam glanced at his retreating figure and showed a cold smile. Even Jiang Xu wouldn’t dare run wild in the Li household like this. These young upstarts truly couldn’t contain themselves. However, the more arrogant the Jiang family was, the better—that way they would die faster. She exhaled lightly: “Then I’ll leave everything to Master Lu.” She planned to return to rest because she truly couldn’t bear to look at Li Changle’s terrifying face again. One more glance and she wouldn’t be able to eat for three days.

Li Weiyang supported her as she stood: “I’ll see you back.”

Old Madam patted her hand: “No need. You should go rest too.” Then she said to everyone: “Everyone go back.”

Fourth Yiniang and Li Changxiao felt as if granted amnesty and hastily followed behind Old Madam.

Li Weiyang said softly: “Father, Mother, you’ve had a tiring day. Please return to rest. Daughter takes her leave.”

Li Xiaoran looked at Li Weiyang as if wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing. He only sighed deeply and watched her leave helplessly. The student surpasses the master—this daughter, in terms of ruthless scheming, was exactly like himself when young! She showed absolutely no mercy even toward her own sister. But he also understood clearly that Li Weiyang’s sudden eruption after long suppression must be because she had discovered something—for instance, the matter of Minzhi’s poisoning. He took one last look at Li Changle on the bed and shook his head. Jiang Yuelan said softly: “Master, let me accompany you to rest a while.”

Li Xiaoran nodded and walked out leisurely. Jiang Yuelan smiled at Master Lu, then looked at Li Changle with a worried expression before following and leaving.

In the room, for a moment only Li Changle’s nannies and maids remained, along with Master Lu who had been kept behind to treat her. Master Lu glanced at Li Changle and couldn’t help but shudder. This face was truly too terrifying now. He was already beginning to fear that if Li Changle truly woke up, she would probably go mad!

However, hiding was useless. Li Changle suddenly opened her eyes on the evening of the seventh day.

Tanxiang was carrying a basin, just walking in from outside, when she suddenly heard Li Changle calling her name. Her heart tightened and she quickly hurried inside.

All of Li Changle’s beautiful hair was gone—this obviously couldn’t be hidden. But she clearly hadn’t seen that face yet, and no one in the room dared tell her. Even Nanny Liu, usually her trusted confidante, had been finding various excuses to avoid her these past days. So Li Changle only said sharply: “My hair! What happened to my hair!”

Tanxiang felt her scalp tingle and absolutely dared not look at her face. She could only say: “Miss, your hair will grow back… Master Lu is here!”

Li Changle felt pain all over her body. Looking down, she discovered many places were bandaged with cloth strips covered in bloodstains. She instinctively said: “Bring water for me to wash my face.”

Tanxiang kept her head down and brought the basin over, but stood three steps away from Li Changle, not daring to approach further. Li Changle shouted: “Are you deaf? Bring the basin here!”

Tanxiang’s whole body trembled. Ultimately she had no choice but to bring the basin over. Li Changle snorted coldly: “Useless thing!” Before she finished speaking, she instinctively lowered her head, and with one glance saw in the rippling water a face covered in bloody flesh, full of scars…

Li Weiyang reached the courtyard entrance when she heard an extremely miserable scream. She turned her head and smiled at Zhao Yue: “Take the gift. Let’s go in.”

In the corridor, Master Lu had obviously also heard the scream. Knowing something was wrong, he quickly walked into the room, but at the doorway he saw Li Weiyang. In that instant, Master Lu’s expression was a mixture of crying and laughing. He could only follow behind her into the room.

As soon as Li Changle in the room saw Li Weiyang, she pounced from the bed like a madwoman. Tanxiang tried to stop her, but she didn’t hesitate to slap Tanxiang across the face. Master Lu quickly said: “Eldest Miss! You cannot lose your temper! All your wounds will split open!”

Li Changle paid no heed and acted like a madwoman, cursing: “Li Weiyang, you bitch! You’re the one who made me like this! You bitch! I’ll kill you! I’ll definitely kill you!” She concluded without thinking that it was Li Weiyang who had injured her like this, completely forgetting that this poison had been personally approved by herself!

Li Weiyang said coldly: “Are you all dead? Can’t you see the eldest miss has lost her mind? Quickly restrain her!” The maids and nannies in the room exchanged glances. All feared causing trouble, so they quickly grabbed Li Changle. Li Changle was firmly held down in a chair by the strong nannies, her body still struggling desperately, her eyes bursting with blood-red savage light, staring fixedly at Li Weiyang: “Li Weiyang, you bitch! May you die a terrible death!”

These words sounded so familiar. Li Weiyang couldn’t help but show a thoughtful expression. Oh, it turned out the former First Madam had also said this to her. It seemed her fate was truly great and hard—no matter what, she couldn’t die. Instead it was Li Changle who ended up half-dead, wishing for death. Thinking this way, perhaps what the First Madam said back then was correct. She, Li Weiyang, was born to bring doom to others—specifically bringing doom to the First Madam and Li Changle! That’s why they ended up so miserable today!

Li Weiyang glanced at Li Changle’s unbearably tragic face. That originally celestially beautiful face—her entire forehead had been scratched raw, the flesh on her cheeks torn bloody, especially around those beautiful crystal-like eyes, looking like meat that had been rotting for over ten days… as disgusting as could be. This face, even if treated, was utterly and completely destroyed. Li Weiyang felt very satisfied, very happy. But to let this satisfaction reach its peak, she said slowly: “Elder Sister, don’t be so agitated. I came to visit you today. Zhao Yue, hang the gift I’m giving Elder Sister on the wall.” Zhao Yue responded “Yes,” then quickly walked to the wall, hung up the painting, and retreated to the side.

Li Changle opened her eyes wide and saw on the wall a painting of a beautiful woman. In a garden full of blooming peonies, there was an absolutely gorgeous beauty with handsome eyes and elegant brows, glancing about with flying spirit. She wore a plain silk dress covered in begonia flowers as brilliant as clouds. Her waist was slender as a bound willow, further displaying her figure as delicate as a flexible willow, very much the graceful, wind-swept posture of a flying swallow. With just one glance, she recognized this was herself! No—it should be her former self!

Li Weiyang smiled very gently, very sweetly: “Elder Sister, I spent three days and nights without sleep painting this for you, ruining countless sheets of paper before I was satisfied. I’m hanging it on your wall. Master Lu says he’ll try to help restore your appearance, but he’s never seen your beautiful face before. I thought I should let him have an impression, so I specially painted this. Even if it can’t be restored, you can reminisce in the future.”

Master Lu’s eyes widened in disbelief. He suddenly understood Li Weiyang’s intention, because at that moment Li Changle had already started howling like a slaughtered pig. She struggled desperately, trying to pounce at Li Weiyang, but those maids and nannies held her down with all their might, making it impossible for her to move even half a step. So she could only madly slap her own face, as if wanting to completely tear this face apart. The scene was as miserable as could be. Master Lu quickly reacted and shouted: “Stop your miss! Quickly!”

The maids and nannies hurriedly restrained Li Changle, not hesitating to tie up her hands and feet completely with cloth strips. Due to her violent struggling, Li Changle rolled from the chair onto the floor, falling in a wretched heap with sharp screams. She looked exactly like a leper under restraint, and her appearance was indeed similar. Even several maids turned their faces away in disgust, all feeling their eldest miss had become so terrifying, exactly like a wild beast that had been caged for days and suddenly released. Li Changle’s face was pressed against the floor, covered in dust. She turned her head sideways, staring at Li Weiyang with eyes full of vicious hatred, shouting loudly: “Bitch! I’ll kill you! I’ll definitely kill you!”

At this moment, Li Weiyang gazed at her quietly. Her face showed no pride, no fear or disgust, only calm—an unfathomably deep calm. Those eyes were like a dark ancient well, pupils reflecting Li Changle’s wretchedness and despair, yet unable to reflect the master’s true feelings, only refracting a faint cold gleam.

Master Lu—no, he should be called Jiang Wu—stood not far away, quietly observing her expression. He couldn’t help but think that although Li Weiyang’s appearance indeed couldn’t compare to Li Changle’s, her scheming and strategy far surpassed her opponent’s. At Li Changle’s most triumphant moment, Li Weiyang had delivered a vicious blow with perfect timing, truly making one shiver with fear…