Jirong smiled slightly and said, “Don’t worry, how could I let you be in danger?” With that, she retrieved a small box from under the bed and opened it, revealing various bottles and jars along with several books inside. Chunxiu had seen this box before—whenever someone had a headache or fever, Jirong would take medicine from it, which was quite effective. As for those books, they were medical texts passed down through generations of the Ji family.

Jirong took out a small paper packet and handed it to Chunxiu, saying, “This contains a powder I made from datura flowers, which has the effect of inducing sleep. If consumed, one would sleep for at least a day and night before waking up. When the time comes, keep this in your hand. If you see Shen Yunyi, immediately sprinkle this powder on her face. Though the effect of inhalation is somewhat weaker, it’s still enough to make her limbs powerless and unable to harm you. Then you can immediately bring people to capture Shen Yunyi.”

Chunxiu took the medicine packet and asked worriedly, “Sister Jirong, will this… really be effective?”

“Of course it will. What’s wrong? Are you afraid I might harm you?” Faced with Jirong’s words, Chunxiu quickly shook her head, saying, “That’s not it, it’s just… I’m just a bit worried, after all, the assassin is so vicious and dangerous.”

“I understand. This task should have been mine to do, but you’ve been arguing with them so fiercely before that I’m afraid you’ll start quarreling again before I can even lure them out.” Seeing Chunxiu remain silent, she added, “However, if you’re really not at ease, I’ll go instead.” With that, she made a gesture to take back the paper packet, but Chunxiu gritted her teeth and pulled her hand back, saying, “I’ll go. Just as sister said, I don’t have the patience to deal with them.”

A flash of relief passed through Jirong’s eyes as she said, “Then it’s settled. You must be extremely careful.”

They waited until evening, when Jirong went alone to knock on Meixue’s door. When Jiang Caiping opened the door and saw it was her, she pulled a long face and said coldly, “What are you here for?”

Jirong smiled and said, “I saw that it’s about time for dinner, so I came to call you to go to the kitchen together to get our meals.”

Jiang Caiping looked at Jirong with surprise, then shook her head, saying, “No need, we’ll go get it ourselves.” During these days in the mansion, they could almost be called mortal enemies, so Jirong’s sudden friendliness made her very uncomfortable.

Seeing her about to close the door, Jirong said, “What’s wrong? Are you still angry about what happened at noon? Chunxiu has that kind of temperament—she says whatever comes to mind. Actually, she’s not bad at heart, so don’t take it to heart.”

“Not bad at heart?” Jiang Caiping said sarcastically, “You couldn’t have forgotten how she became the lead dancer, could you?”

At this moment, Meixue also came over. She hadn’t heard their conversation clearly from inside the room and asked puzzledly, “Caiping, what’s wrong?”

“Sister, don’t…” Before Jiang Caiping could finish, Jirong had already taken Meixue’s hand and said, “Meixue, I know Chunxiu has done some excessive things, but it’s better to resolve grudges than to hold them. Rather than being angry like this, it would be better if everyone took a step back and stopped arguing endlessly like before. Don’t you think so, Meixue?”

Meixue looked at her and said, “I’ve never wanted to compete for anything. It’s Chunxiu who insists on competing and fighting with me.”

“I understand. I’ve spoken to Chunxiu about this more than once. Actually, she’s realized she was wrong, but she just can’t bring herself to lose face.” With that, she said earnestly, “Meixue, let’s forget about what happened before.”

Before Meixue could speak, Jiang Caiping was already sneering, “Didn’t Chunxiu say something about ‘forgetting about it’ last time too? And what happened? She tricked my sister into drinking a whole cup of ginseng soup and then accused her of stealing it. Now you’re saying this—who knows if you’re trying to harm us again. Besides, if what you’re saying is so sincere, why doesn’t Chunxiu come herself?”

Jirong sighed and said, “After all this talk, you still won’t believe us. Fine, I won’t force you. But surely we can go get dinner together?”

Jiang Caiping was about to say more when Meixue said, “Since we need to get dinner anyway, let’s go together.”

Seeing her speak up, Jiang Caiping reluctantly nodded. After taking the food box, the three of them walked toward the kitchen together. Once they were out of sight, Chunxiu emerged from her room and quietly slipped into Meixue’s room, clutching the datura powder Jirong had given her.

Originally, according to Jirong’s plan, there should have been no problem with the whole affair. By the time they returned with dinner, Chunxiu’s side would have been finished long ago. However, they hadn’t walked far when Meixue stopped, her face looking somewhat pale.

Jiang Caiping asked with concern, “Sister, what’s wrong?”

Meixue touched her shoulder and said, “I don’t know if it was when I was wiping the tables and chairs earlier, but I think I aggravated my wound. It’s hurting quite badly now.”

“I told you before, let me handle these things. Even though medicine was applied, how could it heal so quickly? But you just wouldn’t listen.” Saying this, Jiang Caiping continued, “Since that’s the case, sister, hurry back and rest. I’ll go get dinner and bring it back.”

Hearing this, Jirong immediately became anxious and quickly said, “With so many things, I’m afraid it won’t be easy for one person to carry them all. We should go together. The kitchen isn’t far away.”

Jiang Caiping disagreed, saying, “It’s just one food box—what’s difficult about carrying it? Besides, aren’t you alone too?” Then she said to Meixue, “Sister, hurry back and rest. We’ll have dinner together later.”

Meixue smiled gently and said, “Alright, thank you for the trouble.”

Watching Meixue walk back, Jirong was extremely anxious. She wanted to call out to her but couldn’t think of a suitable reason, so she could only watch helplessly as Meixue walked farther and farther away, hoping that Chunxiu’s side was already finished.

As for Chunxiu, after closing the door, she searched everywhere—under the bed, in the cabinets—but found no trace of anyone. Strange, could they have guessed wrong? Was Shen Yunyi not hiding here?

But Sister Jirong had clearly heard the kitchen matron say that Jiang Caiping had asked for many things today. It didn’t make sense for just the two of them to eat so much. There must be somewhere she hadn’t searched yet.

The room wasn’t large, so Chunxiu carefully examined every bit of it. Sure enough, she discovered an inconspicuous cabinet in the corner. That’s it! The assassin must be hiding there!

Chunxiu clutched the datura powder tightly and walked toward the cabinet, her heart beating violently. As long as she could catch the assassin here, even if Second Young Master protected her, Meixue would surely die. She would never have to see this eyesore again, and moreover, by catching the assassin and achieving great merit, Second Madam and the eldest young master would surely reward her.

Just as Chunxiu was only two steps away from the cabinet, Meixue suddenly walked in. Seeing Chunxiu in the room, she couldn’t help but be stunned and asked in amazement, “How are you here?”

Chunxiu was also startled and quickly hid the hand holding the datura powder behind her back, saying uncomfortably, “I… I came to find you, but I didn’t know you were all out.”