CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: COUNTERATTACK (6)

In the silent main hall, it seemed as though the grinding sounds of Madam Wang’s teeth and the tearing of cotton cloth could be heard!

Doctor Hu pondered for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "This herb comes from the Western Regions, and medical books record its effects of beautification and calming. It can be applied to wounds or used in soups, with remarkable efficacy. Judging by my diagnosis, this lady’s diarrhea might be related to the amount ingested." That is to say, the First Lady consumed very little, so she was fine, while Madam Wang consumed too much, resulting in continuous diarrhea and miscarriage.

The First Lady’s eyes brightened, and she looked coldly at Madam Wang: "Does the doctor have evidence?"

Doctor Hu replied, "This matter is not entirely speculative; I traveled to the Western Regions in my youth and heard that though this herb is beneficial, overeating can lead to continuous diarrhea or even dysentery. During wartime, it was used to mix into the opposing army’s horse feed..." He seemed comforting as he said, "Such properties may not be commonly known by doctors. Born within the inner court, it’s not surprising that the lady was not aware of consuming more."

"So that’s how it is!" The First Lady said, "Thank you for your trouble!" She signaled Nanny Fang to see him off.

Once Doctor Hu left, Madam Wang finally exploded, unable to hold her emotions any longer, rushing frantically towards the First Lady: "It was you, it was you all along! First, it was Madam Qiu who died in childbirth, then Madam Luo who lost her offspring, Madam Xia who fell out of favor for six years, and now finally it’s my turn... my turn." She grabbed the First Lady’s hand, staring coldly at her.

These must all have been orchestrated by the First Lady beforehand. Doctor Hu was familiar with the First Lady; he must have spoken under her instructions, claiming overeating caused diarrhea, clearly intending to harm her and her son by tampering with the soup...

She guarded against everything yet ultimately couldn’t save her child.

Her gaze locked onto the First Lady like an arrow, as if she were a hungry wolf, ready to bite and tear apart the First Lady at any moment.

Madam Wang, weak, with little strength to grasp the First Lady, was ruthlessly slapped by the First Lady’s swinging sleeve, causing her to stagger backward as Tong Xiyang hurried forward to support her to prevent her from falling.

Madam Luo smiled broadly, showing satisfaction and pleasure...

The First Lady arose, trembling with anger, shouting, "Madam Wang is not in her right mind, quickly take her inside."

Tong Xiyang, quaking and trembling, moved to drag an unwilling Madam Wang.

The First Lady squinted her eyes, half-smiling and half-dismissing, never afraid of provocation. Otherwise, how could she have let Madam Wang act presumptuously before her at the Tong Mansion for so many years?

Merely a wildly foolish dog, thinking it can bite just by baring its teeth?!

Tong Xiyang’s heart pounded, pale-faced, as she held Madam Wang. If not for the sound of Nanny Fang opening the door to awaken her, she wouldn’t have known what to do next. Torn between her biological mother and her esteemed stepmother, she dared not speak, only pulling Madam Wang tightly and saying to the First Lady, "Madam is momentarily grieved, please calm your anger! I’ll take her inside to rest!"

The First Lady coldly glanced at Madam Wang, "You heard the doctor, think before you speak next time. Without evidence, you foolishly utter nonsense! You’re not young anymore; you indulge yourself and suffer the consequences. Do you need me to teach you such matters?" She spoke and then turned to Nanny Fang: "Send a few maids to attend to her. From now, be careful with her daily necessities." Nanny Fang promptly responded.

The First Lady then looked at Tong Xiyang: "Though Madam Wang is weak, she will be fine with care. You’re still young; it’s best to avoid such matters. Pack up and move back tonight."

Madam Wang, awakened by the slap from the First Lady, realized that with the First Master absent no one in the Man Mansion would speak for her. All she could do was wait... wait for the First Master to return! Turning head in anger, she tightly clenched her fist, tears streaming down her face, she smiled bitterly at the First Lady, saying through gritted teeth: "Thank you for your concern, I won’t forget your kindness until death, and I will recover well to continue the family’s lineage!"

The First Lady instantly felt a surge of agitation, coldly replying, "That’s for the best!" With her words, she spun her sleeve and exited the courtyard without looking back. At the courtyard entrance, her voice chillingly commanded the gathered maids and women: "Should anyone speak a word of today’s events, they will be immediately beaten to death!" The First Lady’s formidable gaze caused everyone to nod mechanically in fear; she looked at Nanny Fang again: "Post guards at the courtyard, and if she dares to speak nonsense again, send her to the estate."

Nanny Fang responded softly, and the First Lady then addressed Concubines Luo Mei and Madam Mei who followed: "Living together in a courtyard, you’d better take heed, don’t think you’ve washed your hands clean and are free from all burdens!"

Madam Luo remained expressionless, while Madam Mei was terrified to the point of nodding her head repeatedly, the First Lady shifted her gaze in satisfaction and declared, "Return to your respective quarters!"

The two concubines immediately curtsied and responded, then each returned to their respective courtyard.

Once everyone left, the First Lady walked out, speaking to Nanny Fang along the way: "Keep these maids and women here, and deal with them when the First Master returns." With them around, she wouldn’t fear anyone accusing her of erasing witnesses to eliminate evidence.

Nanny Fang nodded in agreement, her eyes flashing as she asked the First Lady in a low voice: "Should I go and inquire with Sixth Miss?"

The First Lady paused, looking towards Madam Xia’s closed and silent courtyard, her eyes filled with sternness: "Yes, say the First Lady asked where she read about Heavenly Fire Grass in a medical book and have her locate the book. If she can’t find it, list the books for purchase."

Nanny Fang nodded and immediately turned towards the West Courtyard.

Once everyone left, the door to Madam Luo’s courtyard quietly opened a crack. Her maid Sujin, fearful, gazed at the First Lady’s back, clutching Madam Luo’s sleeve and asked, "Madam, will the First Lady investigate the matter with the maids from last night? If she does, what will we do?

Madam Luo leisurely sipped her tea, glaring at Sujin with discontent: "Let her investigate; I’m afraid she won’t." She looked at Sujin’s pale face with satisfaction and smiled: "Relax, even if she investigates me, you’d only be sent to the estate. At that time, use the silver coins I prepared for you, let your father redeem you, and you can live a few years in comfort." The First Lady is merely posturing; with Madam Wang’s miscarriage, no one would be happier than her!

Besides, this show turned out to be truly spectacular!

Sujin, almost in tears, said anxiously, "How can Madam say such things. I won’t go anywhere, I will stay by your side for life.

Madam Luo glanced at her: "You’re the loyal one, as if I’m about to die. Let me tell you, not only will I not die, but I will live more comfortably than ever." She scraped the floating tea foam with the lid, the pale green tea brought to mind Xiqiu’s youthful face. As her thoughts drifted away, she remembered that when her child was stillborn, it was Madam Wang who had tampered with the food. She had investigated for years before knowing the result, and sought opportunities for revenge. Despite her efforts, Sixth Miss’s simple words allowed her to fulfill her longstanding wish.