Yin Tianzhao led the Emperor into the inner hall. Only then did Zhou Tianshou raise his head and frown, thinking to himself: What scheme is that old codger plotting now?! Unfortunately, the Emperor had gone inside to speak—otherwise he would certainly know! He couldn’t help thinking the old man might be slandering him to His Majesty?! Thinking this, he immediately grew afraid. He gave a eunuch a meaningful look, then quickly walked out of the Emperor’s bedchamber. If he couldn’t find out, naturally someone else could! Now His Majesty told Consort Lian everything! Humph!

Inside the inner hall, Yin Tianzhao wasn’t hasty to speak but instead fiddled with his star chart for a while.

“The Daoist Master studies celestial phenomena day and night for the sake of our Great Li’s imperial foundation—I deeply admire this. However, your words just now seemed somewhat inappropriate. I wonder if there have been any auspicious signs in the night sky recently that favor our Great Li’s imperial foundation?” On the surface the Emperor asked about auspicious signs, but actually he was asking about inauspicious signs—because just now Yin Tianzhao had already said his lifespan was short. Wasn’t that an inauspicious sign?!

“Our Great Li’s imperial foundation will endure for ten thousand generations. There’s no need to observe celestial phenomena at all.” Yin Tianzhao’s answer was even more clever—saying nothing yet saying everything, indicating that even if there were inauspicious signs, he couldn’t speak of them.

The Emperor said tactfully, “That’s not quite right. Though our dynasty’s foundation will endure forever, there will still be minor disasters and troubles. Daoist Master, you constantly observe celestial phenomena. If you can foresee calamities, you should report them to me promptly. Whatever you need to say, just speak directly. I won’t blame you.”

The old Daoist’s eyes shifted, revealing a needle-point gleam of light. Smiling sinisterly, he slowly raised his head as if his gaze could penetrate the roof to see the stars, “Your Majesty, since you insist on hearing it, this poor Daoist must tell you truthfully. Indeed, Your Majesty will soon face a great calamity!”

At this moment, Li Weiyang was watching Minzhi rolling about in his cradle and smiling. Tan Shi shook her head, “He’s like a little monkey. Just recovered and he’s already making mischief.”

Minzhi grinned with his chubby face, not knowing if he understood or not, just laughing happily.

“This child truly has no worries.” Tan Shi said helplessly.

Li Weiyang poked her brother’s pudgy little hand, “I think not necessarily. This is great wisdom appearing as foolishness, isn’t it?”

Hearing his sister’s words, Minzhi happily clapped his little hands, making even Tan Shi want to laugh. Then she worried again, “I wonder if they’ll still try to harm Minzhi.”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly, “I’m hoping they do!”

Tan Shi was startled, but Li Weiyang had already changed to a gentler tone, “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll make those who harmed Minzhi pay the price!”

Just then, Zhao Yue entered from outside and whispered a few words in Li Weiyang’s ear. Li Weiyang smiled faintly and stood up, “Mother, I have something to attend to first.”

Tan Shi nodded. Li Weiyang quickly walked out, asking Zhao Yue in a low voice as she went, “You caught her?”

Zhao Yue smiled, “Yes, Miss.”

Li Weiyang returned to her courtyard but didn’t enter her room. Instead she turned into a dark, cramped room—clearly a storage area. A tall, sturdy matron was bound with her hands behind her back, gagged. Seeing Li Weiyang enter, her eyes flew open.

Li Weiyang waved her hand. Zhao Yue removed the cloth from the matron’s mouth.

Li Weiyang carefully examined this matron before smiling, “So it’s Nanny Zhou.” This woman wore a blue cotton dress with a brocade vest. She had no ornaments in her hair—only an inconspicuous-looking wooden hairpin. However, her eyes were very alert. She immediately said, “Third Miss, what is the meaning of this!”

Li Weiyang looked at her face, but Nanny Zhou showed not the slightest trace of guilt. She said coolly, “Nanny Zhou was lurking suspiciously outside Fourth Brother’s courtyard. What were you trying to do?”

Though bound, Nanny Zhou appeared innocent, “Third Miss, this servant was following the Young Miss’s orders to check if Fourth Young Master had recovered. Look, I even specially brought a bowl of ginseng soup. But Seventh Concubine said the young master was too small to drink it, so I could only take it back the way I came. But I don’t know which clumsy maid knocked it all over!”

As she spoke, she glared at Zhao Yue. Zhao Yue snorted coldly, “Who told you to act so suspiciously and not answer when questioned!”

Nanny Zhou laughed coldly, “Aiyo, Miss Yue, you don’t run the household so you don’t know how expensive things are. I was planning to take the ginseng soup back for my grandson to drink. You suddenly bumped into me and I spilled it all. How could I be happy about that? When you questioned me, naturally I didn’t answer you!”

Zhao Yue grew angry, “Nonsense! I clearly called to you from behind but you completely ignored me!”

Li Weiyang looked at Nanny Zhou, who showed no regard for Zhao Yue. She smiled radiantly, her eyes becoming even more luminous, filling the room with spring. Nanny Zhou felt dazzled before her eyes. Then she heard that person in the light and shadow ask coolly, “Have you searched her?”

Zhao Yue said quietly, “In response to Miss, this servant has searched her thoroughly, inside and out. Nothing unusual was found.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang’s face showed no anger. She only said, “There’s no rush. I have the patience to make her tell the truth.”

Nanny Zhou’s face showed a trace of mockery, “Third Miss, this servant has done nothing wrong. What are you trying to do?!”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly, “Nanny Zhou, many things—everyone knows in their hearts. Why ask knowingly?”

Nanny Zhou’s expression changed slightly. Looking at those ice-cold eyes, sweat dripped down her face. But she gritted her teeth. She knew all too well the methods used in inner households to deal with people. She didn’t believe Li Weiyang could play any new tricks. As long as she didn’t return within an hour, the Young Miss would certainly find a way! No matter how formidable Li Weiyang was, she was just a concubine’s daughter. What could she really do to her?!

Ultimately, Nanny Zhou was simply relying on the Jiang family’s reputation, not taking Li Weiyang seriously.

Li Weiyang continued laughing coldly, “Nanny Zhou, the poison on Fourth Brother’s body—you administered it, didn’t you? Ninth Concubine was just a scapegoat.”

Nanny Zhou’s body couldn’t help trembling. She swallowed hard and said, “Third Miss, this servant doesn’t know what you’re talking about! I’m just a servant. I know nothing about matters between masters. I only know Ninth Concubine harmed Fourth Young Master. Now she’s received her karmic retribution. What does this have to do with me!”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help laughing, “How utterly absurd! You aided and abetted evil, attempted to harm Fourth Brother and cover up the truth. How can you say this has nothing to do with you?”

“Whether this servant is proper or not—only the Young Miss can say. If Third Miss doesn’t believe it, by all means confront her!” Nanny Zhou said coldly.

Bai Zhi said angrily, “Such audacity! Just a lowly servant, yet you dare speak to Miss like this!”

“This servant is from the Jiang family. Whether I’ve done wrong—Third Miss has no say.” After the initial panic, Nanny Zhou had calmed down… Li Weiyang didn’t dare do anything to her. She must keep her mouth shut, reveal no flaws, give no opportunities. If she persisted like this, there would be a turning point. So no matter what Zhao Yue pressed her about, she stuck to one refrain: “I’m not your Li family’s servant.” As for the rest, she answered nothing.

Li Weiyang smiled as she looked at the unyielding Nanny Zhou, knowing she must be a stubborn one. She ordered, “Bring burning coals.”

Nanny Zhou looked in shock as Zhao Yue brought over a brazier. Li Weiyang laughed coldly, “The weather is cold. I’m afraid Nanny Zhou can’t endure it. We should warm her up a bit.”

Zhao Yue used fire tongs to pick up a red-hot piece of charcoal and was about to stuff it directly into Nanny Zhou’s clothing. Nanny Zhou shrieked, desperately trying to dodge, crying out repeatedly, “Third Miss! You’ve gone mad! You’ve gone mad!” But just then, two rough servant women pounced forward, gripping her arms from left and right. Zhao Yue mercilessly placed the burning coal inside Nanny Zhou’s clothes against her bare skin. A sickening smell of burning flesh arose. Nanny Zhou screamed once, nearly fainting from pain.

Li Weiyang watched coldly without a trace of pity. If this Nanny Zhou had any humanity, she wouldn’t have made such a small child as Minzhi suffer so much. If Minzhi had truly died young, no one would have pitied him! So dealing with such a vicious old woman required being three parts more vicious than her! Otherwise it would be too easy on her!

Nanny Zhou had originally thought Li Weiyang, being a young girl, would at most have her beaten with a few rods. She never imagined the other would think of such a cruel method. She watched in despair as Zhao Yue raised the fire tongs again, crying out hoarsely, “Third Miss, this servant truly knows nothing! Spare me!”

Li Weiyang said coldly, “How noisy.”

Zhao Yue immediately said, “Miss, if we burn her tongue, she won’t be noisy anymore!”

Nanny Zhou was terrified beyond measure. For the first time she felt what deep-bone fear meant. This was also the first time she truly recognized this fifteen-year-old girl before her. In terms of ruthless cruelty, she’d probably never seen anyone like Li Weiyang!

Though Zhao Yue said this, the burning coal actually landed on Nanny Zhou’s left cheek. Nanny Zhou shrieked like a pig being slaughtered—it hurt too much! The pain nearly drove her mad. She begged loudly for mercy, her voice barely human, “This servant knows her wrong! No! Just kill me! Kill me!”

Li Weiyang said slowly, “Minzhi was so young, yet you made him walk to death’s door. When you struck, why didn’t you think to show mercy? The suffering my brother endured—naturally I’ll make you taste it too!”

Nanny Zhou now truly regretted—regretted volunteering to help the Young Miss. She had promised the Duke’s Wife she would definitely teach Li Weiyang a lesson, but she never imagined Li Weiyang was such an evil star! One brings calamity upon oneself!

The room filled again with that burnt smell. Nanny Zhou finally fainted.

“Wake her up.” Li Weiyang ordered.

When Nanny Zhou woke again, she had steeled herself to say nothing. After all, she’d endured such cruel torture—what more was there to fear? As long as she held out, the Young Miss would have to protect her to prevent her from revealing secrets. Perhaps the Young Miss was already on her way here! She looked coldly at Li Weiyang, “Third Miss, this servant knows nothing! You’re wasting your efforts. I absolutely won’t listen to you and frame the Young Miss!”

“Frame her?!” Li Weiyang sounded as if she’d heard something laughable, then said, “I only want to know how exactly you managed it. Yet you’re so stingy. Sigh. Since you’re so obstinate, don’t blame me.” As she spoke, she extended her hand to Zhao Yue, who immediately passed her the soft sword from her waist. Li Weiyang’s arm swung. Nanny Zhou only felt her wrist turn cool, then stinging pain, then heard blood dripping to the ground.

“This is the artery in your wrist. In no more than a quarter hour, if the blood drains completely, even Hua Tuo reborn couldn’t save you.” Li Weiyang smiled, “By then Elder Sister will be even more at ease. After all, what she wants is a servant who keeps secrets. Whether you’re dead or alive doesn’t really matter. By doing this, I’m actually helping her greatly!”

Nanny Zhou was utterly terrified. Her breathing grew heavier and heavier. She only felt blood flowing from her body, her body temperature dropping lower and lower. The bone-chilling cold made her convulse in waves. Her teeth chattered with fear—clearly she’d reached the extreme of terror.

The most frightening thing in the world isn’t death itself, but the moment of waiting for death. No one understood this better than Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang’s smile was warm as spring, “I’ve discovered that being evil feels truly wonderful. Nanny Zhou, go in peace. After you die, I’ll properly perform rituals for you so you descend to the eighteenth level of hell, never to rise again!”

The last thread in Nanny Zhou’s mind snapped. Nearly collapsing, she cried out, “This servant will tell everything! I’ll tell it all!”

Li Weiyang waved her hand. Zhao Yue went forward and pressed gauze against Nanny Zhou’s wound, saying quietly, “If there’s even half a lie, you try it!”

Nanny Zhou’s face was covered in tears and mucus as she kept saying, “This servant doesn’t dare! I don’t dare! Ninth Concubine was innocent. I bribed a maid called Yuer beside her to work for me. I deliberately staged a scene to make another maid see the gold being melted, making her mistakenly think Ninth Concubine put something inside… Ninth Concubine’s death was also because I had Yuer tamper with her food long-term in ways others couldn’t detect. I deliberately had Yuer give Ninth Concubine undercooked poisonous things, and things that caused mental confusion…”

Li Weiyang had already guessed these things and wasn’t interested. She only wanted to know, “Did you tamper with anything else?”

Nanny Zhou hesitated momentarily. Seeing the flickering cold light in Li Weiyang’s eyes, she was compelled to say, “Yes! In Seventh Concubine’s food. Knowing Seventh Concubine liked eating fish, I bribed the person who regularly supplied fish to the Li household, having him feed mercury to the fish. Though only a little—not enough to kill the fish—accumulated over time it could poison a person. Doesn’t Seventh Concubine keep saying she feels dizzy and weak… That’s because of the fish meat with mercury…”

“What else!” Li Weiyang continued.

“And… and… and…” Nanny Zhou bit her teeth, not daring to continue. Zhao Yue snorted coldly. She quickly said, “I’ll tell! I’ll tell! I’ll tell everything!” As she spoke, “On my head is a wooden hairpin—”

Zhao Yue yanked out the hairpin she’d already carefully examined, “What trick is this?!”

Oil sweat dripped from Nanny Zhou’s forehead, soiling her delicate brows, but she didn’t care. Her face full of fear, she said, “This hairpin is hollow. You only need to break it open—inside is poison. It was originally prepared to find an opportunity to poison Fourth Young Master again…” Who knew she’d be caught here by Li Weiyang? Actually, Li Changle couldn’t be blamed. This past month, every courtyard had sent something to Fourth Young Master to show their regard. So she had Nanny Zhou go over, intending to take advantage of the busy confusion to give Li Minzhi something more—fishing in troubled waters…

Li Weiyang smiled. This elder sister had truly started using her brain. She’d even thought of injecting mercury into fish meat—much more advanced than before. No matter how much she prepared, she couldn’t cover everything—there would always be oversights when the other found opportunities.

Nanny Zhou forcibly suppressed her heart’s terror, staring at Li Weiyang.

Bai Zhi said quietly, “Miss, hand her over to the Old Madam for disposal.”

Li Weiyang laughed coldly, “Hand her to the Old Madam?” The Li family was extremely cautious toward the Jiang family. At most the Old Madam would have this Nanny Zhou beaten fifty times, then send her back to the Jiang family. But what about Minzhi? Who would compensate for his suffering? Li Weiyang said coolly, “This hairpin is quite pretty. I wonder how effective the medicine inside is.”

Zhao Yue glanced over and immediately understood. With a light pinch, the hairpin shattered. Some light brown powder rolled out. She laughed coldly, lifted Nanny Zhou’s jaw, and poured the powder in. Nanny Zhou shrieked, desperately wanting to tear at Zhao Yue, but her hands and feet couldn’t break free no matter how she struggled. She could only make muffled sounds, struggling desperately like a wild beast.

Li Weiyang said slowly, “Nanny Zhou, originally I wanted you to testify against Li Changle. Unfortunately, the Jiang family’s power is great. Even if we proved Li Changle was the mastermind behind harming Fourth Brother, no one would seek justice for him. I’m tired of your repeated provocations. Since you’re merciless, don’t blame me for being unrighteous. When you reach the King of Hell, remember to denounce Elder Sister—it was her conspiracy that killed you!”

But Nanny Zhou’s voice failed. She rolled wildly on the ground like a madwoman, then both hands desperately clawed at her face. Even after tearing the skin raw she didn’t stop. Soon she began desperately clawing at her navel area. Everyone present watched this scene in terror—they’d never seen such a horrifying way to die. Nanny Zhou had already torn through her outer clothes. Her belly was clawed to shreds, blood continuously gushing out. Bai Zhi involuntarily covered her eyes at this terrifying scene.

After a full half hour of torment, there was a tearing sound. Nanny Zhou’s eyes suddenly bulged huge. Her hands pulled outward with force—her abdomen split open. Her head tilted—finally she expired.

Only then did Bai Zhi open her eyes. Seeing this scene, she felt inward shock. This was truly intestines torn and stomach burst, blood flowing everywhere—extremely miserable.

“Bai Zhi, from beginning to end Nanny Zhou couldn’t make a sound. Do you understand now?”

Bai Zhi nodded. Indeed, from eating that poison, Nanny Zhou kept rolling about, desperately clawing at her own body as if something strange was at work inside. If even an adult was like this, if Fourth Young Master had eaten the medicine, it truly would have been… This Nanny Zhou was too vicious! No wonder Miss used her own methods against her. She deserved it—otherwise it would have been too easy on her!

Zhao Yue said quietly, “Miss, this servant will immediately have someone dispose of the corpse.”

Li Weiyang looked coldly at the filthy blood that had flowed to her embroidered shoe’s edge, saying slowly, “I still feel regret.”

Zhao Yue couldn’t help saying, “Miss, such a person—death is not punishment enough.”

Li Weiyang raised her head. Her eyes were completely icy cold, “I regret not saving that medicine to feed Li Changle.”

From just this one sentence, one could hear how much Li Weiyang now hated Li Changle. Previously, no matter how Li Changle schemed against her, Li Weiyang didn’t care because she wasn’t afraid. But the other party actually struck at a child only months old, poisoning him again and again. If possible, she’d have the heart to tear Li Changle to pieces! However, that said, with experts like Nanny Zhou at Li Changle’s side, defenses were certainly very tight. Trying to seize her and force-feed her medicine wouldn’t clear her own name. Even trying to tamper with food would likely be very difficult…

Returning to her room, Bai Zhi changed Li Weiyang’s soiled embroidered shoes and carefully wiped blood stains from her hem. But Li Weiyang suddenly stood up and walked toward the bronze mirror. Bai Zhi glanced at her, feeling her expression was rather strange. However, Li Weiyang quickly smiled.

She suddenly picked up an exquisite purple sandalwood box, casually opened it, and took out the beautiful small porcelain bottle inside. Gently removing the wooden stopper, rich osmanthus fragrance immediately wafted over in wisps and threads. This box of hair oil had been distributed from the common household stores. She disliked overly strong hair oil scents and usually rewarded it to the maids. Counting the days, new ones should arrive today. Moreover, to show her care, Jiang Yuelan personally selected the most precious ones to send each time.

Bai Zhi said, “Miss?”

Li Weiyang mused thoughtfully, “This osmanthus oil must take great effort to make.”

Bai Zhi paused, “It’s not too difficult. You just need to specially select fresh osmanthus flowers when they’re fragrant—only small blossoms one by one. After slightly air-drying, put the flowers in small jars, add prepared fragrant oil. When the time comes, the osmanthus oil is ready. But that’s just the common method. The highest-grade osmanthus oil Miss uses—poor families can’t afford it.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang smiled faintly, “Have Zhao Yue come. I have something for her to do.”

Bai Zhi quickly said, “Yes.” Then she hurried out.

At noon in the main hall, sunlight cast mottled shadows through the flower-lattice window veiled by rose branches, illuminating the soft gauze curtain embroidered with blooming peonies. The bronze incense burner burned lily fragrance—an extremely sweet scent. The room was very warm. Li Changle had just washed her hair. Not wearing an outer robe, she wore only a pink crabapple brocade jacket and tied a pale moon-colored pleated skirt, lazily sitting before her dressing table, “Where’s Nanny Zhou?”

Tanxiang glanced over. Under those long lashes, those eyes were beautiful as autumn waters, rippling with captivating tenderness. Yet her heart grew more afraid. She lowered her head, “Nanny Zhou went out yesterday. She still hasn’t returned!”

Li Changle frowned, “Don’t tell me she failed!”

Tanxiang said quietly, “This… should this servant go inquire?”

Li Changle snorted coldly, “That little bastard should have died long ago. Yet someone saved him. It’s all that Elder Lu’s fault—meddling busybody!” Clearly she only knew Elder Lu had ruined things. She didn’t know Elder Lu was Jiang Tian—otherwise she’d be cursing heaven and earth.

Tanxiang lowered her head. She truly felt the Young Miss’s heart was too vicious—even Fourth Young Master, such a happily smiling little baby, she could bring herself to harm.

“Forget it. Help me dress first.” Li Changle clearly wasn’t very concerned about Nanny Zhou. Either way, just an old servant—if gone, she’d ask Grandmother for another.

Tanxiang accepted a white embroidered towel from a nearby maid, draped it over Li Changle’s shoulders, then picked up a wooden comb to gather her dark hair bit by bit before the mirror. Then she said quietly, “Miss, yesterday evening the butler personally delivered newly released peony hair oil. Would you like to try it?”

All Li Changle’s food, clothing and necessities were carefully checked by Nanny Zhou. Ordinary items couldn’t enter. But now with Nanny Zhou absent, no one did this work. Li Changle beckoned. A small maid brought in the peony oil. She sniffed it lightly, then said, “That old thing—when I was favored, this stuff was in abundance. Later after Mother died, when I asked him to send more, he made all sorts of excuses!” Naturally she spoke of the opportunistic butler.

Tanxiang smiled, “Now that the new Madam has entered, she listens to Miss in everything. This must also be what she had the butler send over. Clearly Miss needn’t suffer grievances anymore.”

Li Changle smiled faintly, her eyes revealing three parts satisfaction. Seeing her happy, Tanxiang took two drops in her palm, rubbed her hands together lightly, and while Li Changle’s just-washed hair was still half-wet, quickly combed it smooth with a fine-tooth comb, then carefully applied the oil to the ends. The bedroom air filled with refreshing peony fragrance. On such a cold Great Li day, the peony scent created a poetic, dream-like warmth that involuntarily intoxicated people. Tanxiang then piled Li Changle’s thick black hair into beautiful cloud-like coils, firmly embedding an exquisitely wrought flower hairpin inside, hanging down a single strand of jade-green and crimson tassels. Following along the coiled hair, she dotted it with scattered large and small crystal flowers—all studded with gemstones. The effect looked both fresh and elegant.

Li Changle examined herself carefully for a moment, clearly very satisfied.

For ten consecutive days, Li Changle increasingly loved the scent of peony hair oil. Daily she washed and applied it, finding it increasingly fragrant. However, Nanny Zhou had completely vanished. She ordered people to investigate carefully but couldn’t find her anywhere. She vaguely suspected Li Weiyang had captured her, but without evidence, she didn’t dare act rashly. She could only report to the household that Nanny Zhou had escaped or disappeared, while privately continuing to search.

At this time the weather was gradually warming. Jiang Yuelan kept hoping for news from her belly, but after marrying in for several months, there was still no good news at all. Feeling restless, she took her maids to stroll the garden. Just reaching the pond’s edge, she saw Li Weiyang and Seventh Concubine holding Minzhi, amusing the golden carp in the pond. In the nearby pavilion, the Old Madam sat while Fourth Concubine, Li Changxiao and others attended her with smiling, harmonious expressions.

Jiang Yuelan smiled, “The Old Madam is in good spirits.”

Seeing it was her, the Old Madam smiled, “I was just about to send someone to call you, and you came yourself. Quickly come sit.”

As Jiang Yuelan approached, everyone bowed to her. She looked at Li Minzhi, her eyes full of loving affection, “Minzhi grows more adorable—truly endearing.” But she didn’t dare reach out to hold him. These past months, no matter how many times she tried, whenever she extended her hands to hold Minzhi, this child would start wailing. It truly puzzled her.

Speaking of appearance, Minzhi had inherited Li Xiaoran’s features and Tan Shi’s eyes, growing tender and pink with features like a painting, babbling constantly. Tan Shi held him. He only nestled against her shoulder, his tender little face nuzzling her neck. His bright round black eyes curiously surveyed everyone. Occasionally his mouth would pucker, then he’d laugh happily—as adorable as could be. Watching made Jiang Yuelan’s heart more frustrated. This child had originally been hers. Now this cooked duck had flown away.

Just then, everyone saw Li Changle approaching angrily from a distance. Upon seeing the Old Madam, tears fell as she knelt, “Please, Old Madam and Mother, give me justice!”

The Old Madam frowned, glancing at Jiang Yuelan. Jiang Yuelan couldn’t help saying gently, “Changle, what happened to you?”

Li Changle only cried sorrowfully, “Just now… the maids saw Nanny Zhou’s corpse… buried in the bamboo grove behind my courtyard. Because of last night’s heavy rain, she was washed out…”

At these words, everyone present was shocked. Jiang Yuelan couldn’t help saying, “Nanny Zhou? The one the Duke’s Wife sent?”

Li Changle glanced at the smiling Li Weiyang, thinking: This time I’ll definitely destroy you. Aloud she said, “Yes! It’s her! A perfectly fine person—I had her deliver food to Fourth Brother. Who knew she’d never return? At first I found it strange, sent people everywhere to find her but couldn’t. I thought she’d left the residence. But when I inquired at the Jiang household, she hadn’t returned there either. Even her own home had no sign of her… At first I wondered if she’d done something wrong and fled in fear of punishment. But I never imagined someone killed her!”

The Old Madam said coldly, “Not necessarily killed. Perhaps she suddenly fell ill?!”

Li Changle said quietly, “As far as I know, Nanny Zhou had no illness. Moreover, she died extremely miserably—clearly someone poisoned her. I don’t know who could be so heartless!” As she spoke, she suddenly stood up, staring intently at Li Weiyang, “Third Sister, did you see Nanny Zhou that day?!”

Li Weiyang said coolly, “Nanny Zhou? Sigh, Elder Sister, you have too many matrons around you. How would I know which one is surnamed Zhou?” She asked nearby Bai Zhi, “Do you remember?!”

Bai Zhi smiled, “Miss, this servant remembers who Nanny Zhou is, but she’s never come to our courtyard.”

The atmosphere immediately congealed like glue. Li Changle’s face darkened, “I clearly instructed her to deliver things to Fourth Brother…”

“Oh! To deliver food to Fourth Brother!” Li Weiyang turned to look at Tan Shi, “Seventh Concubine, did you see her?”

Tan Shi thought for a moment, then shook her head, “I did not.” She truly hadn’t seen her. Last time when Nanny Zhou delivered food, it was merely an excuse pre-arranged with Li Changle. How could she have seen her?

Li Changle showed apparent alarm, saying fearfully, “Could someone visiting Seventh Concubine’s courtyard just die for no reason? This is Grandmother’s beloved matron. She was supposed to return in two more months. How can I explain this!” At this point, her eyes showed fear as she bit the handkerchief in her hands hard, appearing extremely worried. “No wonder I’ve had nightmares these past days,” she sobbed, “In my dreams Nanny Zhou is covered in blood, demanding I avenge her and find whoever killed her for no reason. Old Madam, what should I do!”

The corners of Li Weiyang’s lips gradually formed an icy smile.

The Old Madam forcibly suppressed her anger, “Then investigate properly! See where this old servant went, where she disappeared. I must give you an explanation!”

Li Changle showed some satisfaction, glancing at Li Weiyang before saying softly, “If the investigation reveals this was done by a master of which courtyard?!”

What did this mean? The Old Madam’s anger gathered at her brow. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Li Weiyang’s sigh—light as clouds and smoke, a trace of coolness like a shooting star across the sky with such brilliant light and shadow, “Naturally it must be handled strictly.”

Li Changle laughed coldly, “Third Sister speaks truly. I ask the Old Madam to severely punish this culprit!”

Fourth Concubine glanced at everyone’s expressions, smiling, “Young Miss, it’s just a servant—”

Li Changle’s smile was gentle as a pink cherry blossom on a spring branch, yet the icy meaning within made people uncomfortable, “Fourth Concubine, the key isn’t Nanny Zhou’s identity but that someone used private punishment in this household! I don’t know when—besides the Old Madam—anyone in our Li family could beat servants to death at will!”

The Old Madam’s expression grew uglier, “Enough! Since we’ve already said to investigate, investigate thoroughly!”

Li Changle smiled faintly, “Thank you, Old Madam.” Then she glanced coolly at Li Weiyang, bowed to the Old Madam, and left with her maids.

Fourth Concubine muttered to Li Changxiao, “Just a dead servant—look how arrogant she is!”

Li Changxiao said quietly, “Mother, keep your voice down.”

The Old Madam stopped thinking about this matter. Instead she beckoned to Tan Shi, “Come, Minzhi, come to Grandmother.”

Tan Shi’s worried expression lifted as she approached smiling with Minzhi. Just as the Old Madam was about to take him, everyone heard a terrified shriek—Li Changle’s voice.

Everyone looked at each other, momentarily not knowing what had happened. Jiang Yuelan recovered fastest, immediately saying, “That’s Changle’s voice. Quickly go see!” Then, in her urgency, she led people rushing in first. Only then did the Old Madam stand, “Let’s go see!”

Everyone hurried over. Just reaching the corridor corner, they saw Li Changle huddled against the wall, trembling. Jiang Yuelan had just called “Changle” when Li Changle’s entire face was white tinged with gray-blue. She desperately called, “Save me! Mother, quickly save me!”

Jiang Yuelan’s gaze fell on Li Changle’s head. She nearly stepped back several paces in fright. Everyone couldn’t help crying out. Li Changle’s luxurious hair had completely fallen out, leaving only a few scattered strands. Her fingers kept clawing. Her entire scalp was covered in blood—looking extremely nauseating…

Fourth Concubine exclaimed, “Heavens, what’s happened!”

Everyone retreated over ten steps in fright. The Old Madam, seeing this scene, nearly fainted. Jiang Yuelan’s heart was in chaos. Seeing Li Changle’s fingers had begun clawing at her face—from forehead, eyes to nose, desperately clawing as if even the bones must be dug out from the itching—in mere moments that beautiful face became a bloody pulp. Jiang Yuelan was even more frightened. If something happened to her, how could she explain to the Jiang family! Steeling herself, she ordered the maids around her, “Quickly restrain the Young Miss! Don’t let her claw anymore!”

So all the maids and matrons, enduring their nausea, rushed forward and held down Li Changle’s limbs with all their might. Yet Li Changle kept writhing on the ground, desperately trying to reach out and claw her face. Unable to reach it, she clawed everywhere else on her body as if something itched beyond endurance. Jiang Yuelan couldn’t control her dry heaving yet kept saying, “Quickly get my calming essence! Hurry!”

Li Weiyang watched this scene coldly. Of course Li Changle’s whole body would itch. She had put the poison extracted from Nanny Zhou’s filthy blood into hair oil and sent it over. One could imagine—Li Changle was now experiencing what kind of living hell! She wanted the other to also taste how cruel the method originally intended for Minzhi truly was!

Li Changle screamed hoarsely, rolling all over the ground. Several maids and matrons, despite their best efforts, could barely restrain her. Even so, her head full of black hair had fallen all over the ground. Blood was everywhere—looking unbearably horrifying. That face could no longer be called human. The current Li Changle, forget being a devastatingly beautiful young lady—probably even beggars crawling on the ground were better off than her.

Just then, a maid suddenly shrieked, pointing at Li Changle’s body, “Ah! How terrifying!”

Everyone looked to see blood seeping from the skin Li Changle had clawed through, faintly showing traces of black qi. Li Changle kept struggling, desperately trying to break free from everyone’s hands. Like Nanny Zhou before her death, as if poisonous insects in her belly kept biting—she wanted to claw them out but, restrained by others, could only desperately claw at the air futilely.

Li Weiyang’s expression remained calm watching this scene. Without everyone holding her down, Li Changle would probably have clawed out her own heart and liver by now!

Just then, Jiang Yuelan’s people brought the calming essence and quickly poured it down Li Changle’s throat. Having just swallowed it, Li Changle’s movements slowed somewhat. Jiang Yuelan quickly grabbed a nearby maid, immediately saying, “Quickly find someone to knock the Young Miss unconscious! Absolutely cannot let her claw anymore!”

Everyone was originally terrified out of their wits. Hearing Jiang Yuelan’s instruction, one clever matron quickly grabbed a wooden plank and struck Li Changle’s head hard. Li Changle made one last beast-like cry before finally fainting.

Tanxiang, who had been standing nearby in a daze, finally burst into tears, her expression devastated, “Young Miss! Young Miss, what on earth happened!”

Jiang Yuelan immediately ordered people to carry Li Changle back, then asked, “What exactly happened? How could this suddenly occur?”

Tanxiang’s expression was dazed, “This servant doesn’t know either. We’d just walked here when I saw the Young Miss suddenly go mad and start clawing everywhere…”

Jiang Yuelan sighed deeply, pressing her chest—she too was just recovering from shock, “Quickly summon a physician! Go quickly!”

Everyone watched the blood-covered Li Changle with varied expressions. Only Li Weiyang calmly walked to Tan Shi’s side, saying softly, “All right, you can turn around now.”

During that miserable scene just now, Tan Shi had desperately covered Minzhi’s eyes. Now he still looked around strangely, not knowing what had just happened or why everything had suddenly gone dark. Li Weiyang easily pinched his face, using an inaudible voice, “Little brother, big sister has avenged you.”