Chapter 8: No One Will Survive!

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Nanny Li spared no time for Yuetang’s idleness and led her to He Hui’s bedroom, revealing some unspeakable matters. With the Second Madam firmly in control of the household affairs, Nanny Li would soon wield considerable power in the inner quarters. No one would dare defy her; those who once forced her to plaster on a smile would now have to grovel at her feet and obey her commands. Once today’s plan succeeded, the Madam’s promise to appoint her son as steward would also be fulfilled. Both mother and son would become the real decision-makers in the estate—would the Li family’s share diminish thereafter?

Nanny Li’s pride swelled as she said arrogantly, “Don’t think that by becoming the Second Master’s person, you will become the mistress here. Before Madam, you remain a servant. If you are to serve tea or water, then you must serve tea or water. If you must kneel and show submission, then kneel and submit. If I ever see you disrespect Madam, I will teach you the rules all over again. Understand?”

Yuetang glanced toward the courtyard gate and said calmly, “Whether I understand or not doesn’t matter. Why don’t you first think about how to save your life?”

Nanny Li’s expression darkened with anger, but before she could lash out, a large group of servants and maids burst in from outside, rushing into the room shouting, “Seize her! Seize the vile slave who killed the eldest young master!”

Nanny Li was startled. “What are you doing?!”

They were from the main branch family, specifically men loyal to He Jianzhong. Without a word, they charged forward and quickly pinned the once arrogant Nanny Li to the ground. Her face pressed to the floor, burning with pain, she turned her head only to meet the fierce glare of the steward’s wife.

“Take this murderer of the eldest young master to the front yard!” the steward’s wife ordered with a grimace.

This woman, who usually accepted Nanny Li’s bribes and called her “elder sister” with such familiarity when receiving gifts, now transformed into a terrifying fiend, as if she no longer recognized her. Grabbing Nanny Li by the back of the neck, she barked orders as the others shoved her toward the door.

Nanny Li panicked, stammering, “What murderer? I serve the Second Madam! How dare you be so rude to me?”

The steward’s wife slapped her across the face, then spat in disdain. “Doomed and still pretending innocence? Save your words for the master! — Take her away!”

Nanny Li’s fear deepened as she shouted hoarsely to Yuetang behind her, “Quick! Tell the Second Madam! Have her come to save me!”

Yuetang lifted the corner of her mouth. “Nanny just said the Second Madam ordered me to attend the Second Master’s tea. I dare not act recklessly or leave.”

The steward’s wife, hearing this, slapped Nanny Li again. “Wretched thing! This is a doctor girl invited by the household to serve Madam’s medicinal decoctions. Since when have you been mistaken for a tea-serving handmaiden of the Second Branch? The eldest young master’s body is not yet cold, and you already send someone to the Second Master?”

“—Take her away!”

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Nanny Li was dragged away amid shouts.

Yuetang turned back to the display cabinet and picked up the porcelain cup from the Jingyang Prince’s mansion, examining it thoughtfully.

…

The officials had been temporarily invited to rest in the flower hall. The main hall was closed off as the courtroom. The poison was found in Nanny Li’s room, and since Nanny Li was her trusted aide, it was obvious who the real mastermind was.

Liu Shi had long since knelt before He Jianzhong, enduring several slaps from the maids. Her cheeks were swollen and bruised; she looked utterly miserable, even worse than Zhang Shi, who had been accused the previous night.

Yet Liu Shi was somewhat more composed than Zhang Shi—no mad outbursts or wild tantrums. She stared blankly at the floor, shaking her head while whispering something repeatedly. At times, her eyes flashed with fierce anger, glaring at He Jianzhong and his son with venom.

He Hui’s heart was no longer with Liu Shi. With this sudden upheaval, fearing repercussions, he hastily severed ties with her and, alongside He Jianzhong, harshly rebuked her for her misconduct.

Even though Yuetang stayed hidden with Madam He and did not appear publicly, such news still reached her through Madam He’s maidservants.

Madam He was certainly not truly mad, but Yuetang’s previous actions had unsettled her deeply. Now, upon seeing Yuetang, she became uncontrollably agitated. These successive upheavals made it difficult for her to remain calm. Without Yuetang present, she did not even speak to the servants.

Yuetang once again carried the medicinal decoction.

As expected, Madam He pointed at her and scolded, “Why haven’t you left yet?”

Yuetang replied, “Soon. At most, one more day.”

The medicine bowl was overturned again, accompanied by curses. Nearby, someone nervously relayed news to the front yard, informing He Jianzhong: “Madam has lost control of her emotions. No matter how we try to soothe her, she insists that Madam Lin is abnormal…”

He Jianzhong, already overwhelmed, ordered that Liu Shi be locked up as well and commanded, “Lock all the front and back doors. Bring more men to guard closely! Watch her at all times! When the Liu family arrives, there must be no mistakes!”

This was to prevent Liu Shi from suffering another accident like Zhang Shi.

Liu Shi was soon dragged away.

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Yuetang watched from behind the crowd as Liu Shi and Nanny Li were bound up, then returned to the small courtyard she shared with Hualin.

In front of the courtyard was the upper chamber where Madam He resided.

After He Jianzhong entered, Madam He continued shouting, nearly every sentence containing “Madam Lin.” Having drunk two cups of tea in the dim room and sat through the changing sky for an unknown length of time, Hualin finally returned.

“I gave her two injections; she calmed down and spoke more smoothly. He Jianzhong firmly believes she has gone mad, but he has yet to suspect anything else.”

Yuetang poured a third cup of tea and pushed it toward him. “It’s only a matter of time.”

Hualin nodded and continued, “Later, He Jianzhong took people to interrogate Liu Shi, but she refused to confess. The Liu family has just arrived; she still cries innocence.

“The Liu family is more anxious than the Zhang family was initially, but given what happened with Zhang Shi, they insist on no compromise. They refuse to admit guilt and demand the matter be taken to the authorities.

“The He family originally did not want their disgrace made public, but since the Zhang and Liu families refuse private settlement and insist on sending Liu Shi to the government for judgment, He Jianzhong had no choice but to agree.

“So, in the end, both Liu Shi and Nanny Li were sent to the Shuntian Prefecture prison. They should now be in custody.”

After speaking, he wiped his hands and asked her, “How are you? Can you endure the fatigue of these past two days? I told you before, you don’t have to come in person…”

Yuetang opened her cup, poured another cup of tea from the pot, interrupting his rambling: “My father has managed the Imperial City Office for years. Wei Zhang and his group were all mentored by him, and young Huo has accompanied his father to all the major prisons since childhood. He should still remember how to get into the Shuntian Prefecture prison.”

She handed him the token she had used for Zhang Shi’s case. “Give this to young Huo. Have him find out exactly where Liu Shi is before nightfall. Next, it’s time for our Marquis of Guangling to make an appearance.”

Hualin’s mouth opened in surprise. “Are you going to the prison yourself? You’re going to risk yourself again?”

“Correct,” Yuetang said, handing him the cup of tea.

Hualin frowned. “I won’t drink it!”

“It’s the tea leaves Qin Niang gave me.”

Hualin turned his head, sighing mournfully as he accepted the cup.