Seventh Miss barely managed to collect herself and smiled at Xiaoxue.

“Sit down!” Her tone softened considerably. “I’m afraid if you keep standing, you won’t be able to hold yourself up!”

Xiaoxue’s face showed gratitude as she timidly settled onto the small stool below Seventh Miss.

“Indeed, I don’t have the strength…” she said with a trace of explanation. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to be so improper…”

Seventh Miss sighed inwardly.

A few years ago when Xiaoxue had served in Ninth Brother’s rooms, when had the word “propriety” ever entered her mind?

Even though Seventh Miss hadn’t particularly liked her originally, at this moment she felt three parts pity for her.

“Chushu was quite skillful in her methods.” She pondered and brought up the past. “When did you first realize something was wrong?”

Xiaoxue’s expression darkened.

“That bowl of cream cheese was especially sweet. After a few bites I put it down. That afternoon when I used the privy, I don’t know what happened, but my throat felt sweet and a mouthful of blood sprayed out.”

She proceeded to recount her ordeal in fits and starts.

“Thinking back, Chushu had complained of dizziness and said she wanted to eat some fruit. Only then did I swallow my pride to go to the small kitchen and beg for food for her.”

“As soon as I entered the small kitchen, I saw Sister Cao making cream cheese… I used Ninth Brother’s name to take a bowl, thinking that if Ninth Brother ate it, fine, but if not, it would be a treat for Chushu and me…” “Looking back, it was when Chushu took the tray and placed the cream cheese on the cabinet that she tampered with it… I’ve thought about it a thousand times over, and that was the only moment she had the opportunity to act…”

Sister Cao naturally had no issues—otherwise Ninth Brother would have died ten thousand times over. If the problem wasn’t with Xiaoxue, then it was with Chushu.

Seventh Miss pondered without immediately responding.

Xiaoxue also smiled self-deprecatingly and continued.

“Although I understood then that Chushu was trying to harm Ninth Brother, but… what evidence did I have?”

“I was the one who brought the item back. If Miss hadn’t reminded me, who knows whose stomach it would have ended up in. Even if I raised an outcry, Chushu would be clean… How could I prove anything?”

“Fortunately, after eating that bowl of cream cheese, I only coughed up that mouthful of blood with no other abnormalities. I hastily wiped up the blood on the floor and returned with Chushu. Along the way she kept stealing glances at my expression. Neither of us slept well that night, but the next day when I got up, I actually felt refreshed with nothing else wrong. I thought she had been bribed but wouldn’t dare use any particularly potent poison—otherwise where could she escape to?”

“I never expected this poison to take effect so slowly… No ordinary physician could detect anything wrong, only saying I had deficiencies of qi and blood! Hmph, Chushu never once came to my door to explain after being expelled. She was certain I would swallow this bitter pill in silence. What could I say? If Seventh Miss weren’t someone reasonable who gave me a seat, I would rather accept my fate than raise a fuss and have her family turn around and accuse me, implicating my younger brothers and sisters.”

With Xiaoxue’s level of understanding, she could probably only bury this matter in her stomach.

After all, Chushu was the one who was clean, without a trace of suspicion. Once things escalated, how could Xiaoxue’s family fare well?

Chushu had calculated everything to exhaustion!

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but search her memory for an image of Chushu.

She only remembered a fresh, pretty young girl who was usually quiet and reserved, much more introverted than Xiaoxue.

She never imagined it was she who had laid this simple yet meticulous poisonous plot. If she herself hadn’t spoken that extra sentence, if Xiaoxue also hadn’t been genuinely greedy.

Ninth Brother would probably look like Xiaoxue does now!

Seventh Miss shuddered.

A cold fury rose from the depths of her heart.

In great households, no matter how many things weighed on one’s heart, when faces met, there were only smiles.

Even though she rationally knew Second Madam had always been scheming to pull Ninth Brother down from his position as heir, seeing her affection toward the younger generation and deference to elders, Seventh Miss found it emotionally difficult to generate true hatred toward her.

Now it was different.

This poison took effect so slowly and manifested so subtly—naturally it was precious and rare.

And such poison naturally wasn’t something Fourth Concubine could produce—if Fourth Concubine could have produced it, she probably would have used it on the Grand Madam long ago!

Besides Second Madam, who would be willing to use such precious poison on Ninth Brother?

If Chushu had truly succeeded, sending several young masters back to Suzhou at that time would have perfectly consoled the Grand Madam’s grief, wouldn’t it?

If she hadn’t been alert that day, Second Madam would have already succeeded!

Seventh Miss suddenly understood the Grand Madam’s pathological protectiveness toward Ninth Brother.

She suddenly understood Nanny Wang’s fright that day.

With even the slightest negligence, Ninth Brother could die young halfway through life. No wonder the Grand Madam needed to keep Ninth Brother under her watchful eye to feel at ease.

But if the Master knew this kind of poison existed, how could he allow Second Madam to continue appearing around Ninth Brother?

Seventh Miss felt cold all over!

For the first time, she realized she had still been too naive!

That she had come this far today was merely due to her own luck.

She couldn’t wait any longer—she must eliminate Second Madam immediately!

If Second Madam wasn’t eliminated, not only would Ninth Brother never have peace, but the Yang family’s situation would never settle down either!

Xiaoxue was still rambling on, expressing her thoughts.

“This slave later thought, this poison should be extremely precious… from beginning to end, there was probably only this one dose!”

Over these years, Xiaoxue had certainly spent all her mental energy pondering this matter.

She must have thought it through more thoroughly than Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss concentrated on listening to her analysis. “How so?”

“You see, in this household, there are only two people who would oppose our main courtyard.” Xiaoxue began coughing again.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but gently pat her back.

Just like serving Ninth Concubine… from top to bottom, slowly massaging over the chest and abdomen.

“Thank you, Seventh Miss…” Xiaoxue indeed soon felt more comfortable. “Even if these two people had two doses of such medicine, they would have used them long ago. Though this slave has been recuperating at home, I’ve also heard that Second Madam has frequently visited these past few years…”

As long as she could obtain a second dose of this colorless, tasteless, nearly invincible slow-acting poison, Second Madam would probably find an opportunity to poison Ninth Brother.

Seventh Miss felt something was off.

Though Second Madam had visited frequently these past years, Ninth Brother had already moved to eating in his own courtyard, and Sister Cao guarded the small kitchen like an impenetrable fortress.

The few times they dined together were only during festivals, and Ninth Brother always sat eight feet away from Second Madam.

The defenses around Ninth Brother seemed to have relaxed, but were actually loose on the outside and tight within!

“Go on.” She remained composed.

Hearing Xiaoxue’s perspective could serve as a reference.

“Furthermore, this slave heard from Mother… when daughters of great families marry, they bring one dose of such poison from their natal home, intended for giving to disobedient concubines at their husband’s home. Since such matters aren’t glorious, most of this poison is procured at great expense from overseas—colorless, tasteless, and extremely fast-acting. And fearing the young miss might develop an arrogant temperament, they only provide one dose…” Xiaoxue’s lips curled with cold mockery. “This slave thinks that using a reduced amount would make about two doses, right? Half was given to the Ninth Miss born to Concubine Xiang, and the other half ended up benefiting me…”

The reasoning Xiaoxue had worked out over these years actually wasn’t without merit.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but think of Ninth Concubine.

The Grand Madam and Second Madam were ultimately distant cousin sisters.

Even the poison in their dowries came from the same source.

Ninth Concubine had also used half a dose—had the Grand Madam already used up the remaining half, or was she still clutching it in her palm?

What Xiaoxue said should all be true.

She had no need to deceive her anymore… after all, this explanation resolved all the suspicious points from back then.

Precisely because she didn’t know there was poison in the cream cheese, she had calmly eaten a whole bowl.

And precisely because that mouthful of blood was coughed up so unexpectedly, she hadn’t wiped the bloodstains completely clean.

Otherwise, why would Chushu have died so early, so ill she couldn’t even speak?

The answer was finally found, though this answer had lost its timeliness and was no longer important due to the death of the party involved.

“According to what you’re saying, I harmed you.” Seventh Miss collected her thoughts and spoke lightly.

After all, if not for Seventh Miss’s words, even if Xiaoxue had wanted to steal and eat the cream cheese, Chushu would have found a way to make Ninth Brother consume that poisoned bowl.

Xiaoxue started and hurriedly professed her loyalty. “Miss, you absolutely mustn’t say that… To block a calamity for Ninth Brother is my honor!”

Seventh Miss smiled slightly.

Honor or not, when it came to matters of life and death, who would take it seriously?

But given Xiaoxue’s current circumstances, she truly didn’t dare harbor any resentment.

“Your family still has a few younger sisters, right?” she asked.

Xiaoxue couldn’t help but tremble.

“In another two or three years, the household will be marrying off another batch of maids… Though Ninth Brother’s courtyard is impossible, I could speak up for placement with Sixth Miss.”

Seventh Miss didn’t wait for Xiaoxue to respond and continued in a low voice.

Tears appeared in Xiaoxue’s eyes.

For someone like her, a maid expelled due to suspicion, there would be no face left. Naturally, there was no question of looking after her sisters.

Though Little Xiangxue couldn’t compare with the oil and water of the main courtyard, it was still an enviable good position.

If not for Seventh Miss’s care, Xiaoxue wouldn’t have dared even dream that her sisters could have such dignity…

“This slave thanks Seventh Miss for her care!” She immediately turned and prostrated herself, kowtowing resoundingly to Seventh Miss.

Everyone who lived in the household knew what face Seventh Miss now had in the main courtyard.

Not to mention arranging someone at Little Xiangxue—even arranging someone in the main courtyard wouldn’t be difficult.

However, for Xiaoxue now, the main courtyard was probably no different from a dragon’s pool or tiger’s den, right?

Seventh Miss watched her kowtowing while desperately suppressing her cough, and her heart felt uncomfortable.

“Get up!” She bent down to personally help Xiaoxue up. “There are still matters I haven’t instructed you about!”

Looking at Xiaoxue’s sickly state made Seventh Miss lose her interest in speaking in circles.

She too was a pitiable person like Ninth Concubine…

“I await Seventh Miss’s instructions.” But Xiaoxue wasn’t particularly surprised.

The matter from two years ago, dredged up as soon as Chushu died… Seventh Miss certainly had her own purposes.

Otherwise, why promise her benefits? Not punishing her would already be incredibly lucky!

Ever since learning Seventh Miss wanted to see her, Xiaoxue hadn’t slept all night, calculating the pros and cons.

Muddle through, and she could certainly protect herself, but if Seventh Miss was disappointed, she might not refrain from venting anger on her family.

Tell the truth, and there might be the danger of punishment, but given Seventh Miss’s temperament, why would she go to such lengths to dredge up events from two years ago just to punish a minor maid?

Moreover, Seventh Miss’s temperament was well known among the servants—always generous and magnanimous… she wouldn’t make people work for nothing.

In this gamble, she hadn’t bet wrong.

Xiaoxue tilted her head and listened attentively to Seventh Miss’s instructions.

#

Nanny Liang only entered the West Side Courtyard after Xiaoxue had left.

“Did you learn anything?” she asked Bailu in a low voice.

Bailu shook her head, looking toward the west inner room, biting her lower lip, her voice like a mosquito’s buzz.

“Seventh Miss is still lost in thought. We don’t dare disturb her.”

Nanny Liang had no choice but to enter the west inner room herself.

Seventh Miss was indeed resting her head on her arm, staring blankly at the candlestick, lost in thought.

Nanny Liang didn’t dare disturb her either and stood respectfully to one side with lowered hands.

After a quarter hour, Seventh Miss came back to herself and quickly straightened up courteously. “I’ve neglected Nanny Liang.”

She also chided Nanny Liang, “You should have called me.”

Nanny Liang smiled. “Seventh Miss, please don’t mock this nanny. No matter how improper I might be, I wouldn’t dare casually disturb a young miss.”

This wasn’t Nanny Liang’s usual demeanor…

However, gaining others’ respect was naturally a good thing.

Seventh Miss didn’t continue being courteous with Nanny Liang about this matter.

Bailu brought in tea. Seventh Miss offered Nanny Liang a seat, and the two sat close together for an intimate talk.

“This matter is quite strange…” Seventh Miss looked hesitant. “It’s good we didn’t report this directly to the Grand Madam… I don’t even know how to tell you, Nanny.”

Nanny Liang found this very interesting. “Oh? Seventh Miss, just speak freely. What is there to fear with me?”

Seventh Miss sighed.

“Xiaoxue said that during those days, she encountered… that thing several times in the privy!” She leaned close to Nanny Liang and recounted in a soft,细 voice.

Nanny Liang’s shoulders jerked up as she covered her mouth.

“Th-that thing?” Her voice already carried fear.

Women in great households—none were unafraid of ghosts and spirits.

“I suspect Xiaoxue is somewhat…” Seventh Miss tapped her head. “She could say such absurd things? Nanny Liang, you mustn’t believe it. It’s fortunate this didn’t reach the Grand Madam, otherwise during this New Year period, it would be too inauspicious.”

Nanny Liang stood up, nodding distractedly, but couldn’t help asking, “What exactly did she say?”

“I asked repeatedly for ages and only got these few sentences.” Seventh Miss shook her head with a shamefaced expression. “I was too hasty, implicating you in doing all this work for nothing. These ghost stories—how can they be believed? Even if I told the Grand Madam, it would only add to her worries… I think we should just let this matter drop!”

“This…” Seeing Seventh Miss’s determined expression, Nanny Liang could only agree. “You’re right. Better not to add to the Grand Madam’s concerns!”

After exchanging a few more courtesies with Seventh Miss, she hesitantly took her leave.

Seventh Miss also instructed Bailu, “Help me see Nanny Liang back… and apologize profusely. It’s all my fault for being hasty, not realizing that girl Xiaoxue had become possessed…”

Bailu pressed her lips together and escorted Nanny Liang out.

Seventh Miss let out a sigh of relief and let her shoulders sag.

Acting wasn’t her strong suit.

Lixia’s light footsteps reached her side.

“You barely ate anything at lunch. I got some freshly made wine-lees cakes from Sister Cao at the small kitchen. Would you like to have some to tide you over?”

Accompanying her arrival was the steaming fragrance of just-baked wine-lees cakes and the delicate aroma of tea.

Seventh Miss gave Lixia a genuine smile.

“Mm, I am rather hungry.”

As she spoke, she picked up a small cake and brought it to her lips, but after two bites couldn’t eat more. She remembered to instruct Lixia, “When you take your day off tomorrow, help me send word to Aunt Zhou. Away from others, quietly, buy a few items for me…”