Not staying long was good—no time to harm my son.

Madam Wu smiled what she considered a dignified and proper smile. “Since Miss says so, I can rest easy.”

Yan Sanhe looked at the excessively upturned corners of her mouth and said coldly, “It’s late. Madam, please return.”

“I’m waiting for Manager Li.”

Madam Wu: “I had the small kitchen prepare some pork rib and lotus root soup for Miss. It’s especially good for clearing heat and replenishing qi. Since Miss doesn’t hold grudges against me, I also wanted to do something to please Miss.”

Yan Sanhe found it somewhat unbelievable that Madam Wu would lower herself this much.

Just then, Manager Li arrived carrying a food box, smiling. “I’ve kept Miss waiting. This soup needs to simmer for over an hour before it’s ready.”

Madam Wu quickly asked, “Was it delivered to the old lady and the master’s study?”

Manager Li smiled. “Replying to Madam, all delivered—not one missed.”

Madam Wu stood. “Miss, please rest. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Tangyuan.”

Yan Sanhe felt relieved. “See Madam out for me.”

After Tangyuan saw Madam Wu out and returned, she pointed at the food box and asked, “Will Miss drink it?”

“No.”

“Miss may not know—Madam’s family is from Hubei. This soup is a famous dish from her hometown. Even the old lady, who can’t eat oily foods, praises it.”

Tangyuan smiled. “That Madam would bring this soup shows she wants to please Miss. At least taste a sip!”

Although Yan Sanhe disliked inner courtyard complications, she understood that “tasting a sip” meant wiping the slate clean of past grievances.

“Mm.”

For the monk’s sake if not the Buddha’s—she’d give Xie Zhifei some face.

Tangyuan quickly ladled out a bowl. Yan Sanhe looked—indeed, not a trace of oil.

She slowly drank half a bowl when she suddenly thought of something. “Madam’s family—does she still interact with the Xie family?”

“The old lady and master don’t allow it.”

“Why?”

“The Wu family are too shallow-minded, only knowing to seek benefits when they visit. Madam has a soft heart and always secretly gives away Xie family things to help her family. Ten or eight times is fine, but endlessly doing it angered the master.”

Tangyuan sighed. “The master doesn’t regard Madam well. Handing the household to the eldest madam to manage—part of the reason is Madam’s family. Oh my, Miss, why is your face so red?”

“I… I…”

Yan Sanhe struggled painfully at her collar. “I… can’t… breathe… you… quickly fetch… a physician… I…”

Poisoned?

Good heavens!

Tangyuan took off running, running for her life while shouting, “Someone come quickly! Miss is poisoned! Help! Quickly, help!”

…

At the restaurant, it was bustling and lively.

Xie Zhifei leaned lazily against the chair back, his gaze sweeping over Zhuqing. Zhuqing immediately rose to settle the bill with the proprietor.

Another fruitless evening.

Li Buyan sat across from Xie Zhifei and leaned forward. “Several days now with nothing to learn. Third Master, what does this indicate?”

Xie Zhifei momentarily darkened. After a moment, he said quietly, “Extraordinary times—no one wants to invite trouble. Let’s head back!”

Li Buyan: “Tomorrow too?”

“Tomorrow?”

Xie Zhifei suddenly smiled at Li Buyan. “Tomorrow is the fourteenth—the residence has matters. Oh right, any movement at Jingsi Residence?”

“What movement?”

Li Buyan pretended ignorance. “Don’t know. Miss gave no instructions.”

This bucket of cold water…

No matter—Third Master was broad-minded and thick-skinned. If that girl truly showed no movement at all, he’d straightforwardly ask for something.

The carriage entered Fourth Alley when suddenly urgent hoofbeats approached from far to near.

“Master, looks like Young Master Pei.”

Hadn’t he left first? Why was he coming to the Xie residence?

Xie Zhifei jumped from the carriage. Just as he steadied himself, horse and rider charged right up to him.

Young Master Pei yanked the reins. As the horse’s hooves reared high, he shouted, “Xie Fifty! Yan Sanhe is poisoned! My father left a quarter-hour ago—has he reached your Xie residence?”

Before Xie Zhifei could react, a shadow flashed past him. Using the carriage top as a stepping stone, the figure leaped onto the wall and vanished into the night in three quick movements.

Xie Zhifei’s expression changed dramatically. He grabbed Young Master Pei’s arm and with a light pull and flip, mounted the horse. “Quick, back to the residence!”

Young Master Pei squeezed his legs. “Hyah—”

…

At Jingsi Residence, the lights blazed bright as day.

The old lady sat in her armchair, with Tangyuan kneeling before her, sobbing and sniffling as she recounted what happened.

The account was simple—three sentences sufficed.

When finished, everyone’s gazes fell on Madam Wu.

Madam Wu’s face was deathly pale. She threw herself toward the old lady and wailed, “Old Lady, heaven is my witness—I never intended to harm Miss Yan! I wanted to please her!”

The old lady banged her cane forcefully on the ground, her face livid with rage. “Are you pleasing her or taking her life?”

Madam Wu’s tears streamed down. “Old Lady, I didn’t.”

Didn’t?

Who would believe it?

You openly criticized Yan Sanhe.

She fell ill after drinking soup you sent. Showing goodwill without cause—either treachery or theft!

Xie Daozhi took a deep breath, suppressing his fury. “Eldest Madam, go inside first and see what the situation is. How is she?”

“Yes.”

Just as Madam Zhu was about to step forward, Physician Pei emerged from inside.

Xie Daozhi quickly approached. “How is she?”

Pei Yu glanced at Xie Daozhi, then at Madam Wu on the ground. “Where’s the remaining half-bowl of soup? Let me examine it.”

Tangyuan quickly scrambled up and presented the soup to Pei Yu. “Physician Pei, here.”

Pei Yu touched some with his finger, tasted it, and asked, “What was this soup made with? What was added?”

Madam Wu’s eyes were hazy with tears. “Just made with pork ribs. Nothing was added. The old lady drank it too, the master drank it—nothing happened to them.”

Pei Yu handed the bowl back to Tangyuan. “Miss Yan isn’t poisoned—it’s an allergic reaction.”

“See! I said I was wronged!” Hearing this, Madam Wu shouted at Xie Daozhi.

Xie Erli stepped forward. “Uncle Pei, what exactly is going on?”

“I’ve had the fortune of drinking Madam’s hometown soup several times.”

Pei Yu frowned. “Today’s soup seems to have an additional ingredient.”

“What was added?”

Madam Wu looked bewildered. “I don’t know.”

Physician Pei: “I just tasted it—this soup has flavor-enhancing mushrooms added.”

Xie Daozhi: “Mushrooms?”

Physician Pei: “Miss Yan’s constitution is allergic to mushrooms.”

Physician Pei looked at Madam Wu thoughtfully. “A tiny amount wouldn’t trigger a reaction. Add too much, and it causes breathing difficulty, body-wide red swelling, even fainting and shock.”

“How is she now?” the old lady asked anxiously.

“I induced vomiting several times. She’s mostly fine now, though the red welts on her body will take several days to fade. I’ll prescribe some bitter medicine to take for a few days.”

Physician Pei’s expression turned severe. “In the future, she absolutely cannot consume these things. Others are fine eating them, but for her, it could take her life.”

“I didn’t have them add it—I didn’t tell them to add it.”

Madam Wu sobbed brokenly. “I didn’t know Miss Yan couldn’t eat mushrooms. I didn’t know anything…”

“Who says you didn’t know!”

Everyone felt a flash of sword-light, and looking again, the gleaming soft sword was already pressed against Madam Wu’s neck.