Ma Chengteng received a ssage sent by Zhuang Ruolan and stord out of Yan, leaving his colleagues stunned and uncertain about what major incident had occurred.
Doctor Zhang arrived quite quickly. He was not familiar with Lady Mo or Lian Dongfang and had been summoned by Zhuang Ruolan, so he acted without reservation.
After examining Yueyao’s pulse, Doctor Zhang also questioned Xi Yu and Xiang Wei. He then told Zhuang Ruolan, "The young lady has been poisoned. Fortunately, the thod they used was appropriate and there is no danger to her life. However, so poison remains in her body. I will prescribe three doses of dicine first, and then she must be nourished properly." Doctor Zhang had seen many sches employed by the concubines in the palace, and was also familiar with the tricks of the back house. It was, however, the first ti he had seen soone so blatantly target a child.
Zhuang Ruolan was very worried about potential lingering effects.
Doctor Zhang shook his head and said, "Don’t worry. Normally, people would suffer lingering effects, but Third Young Lady’s body is exceptionally well-maintained, with a robust foundation. Once the poison in her stomach is cleared and she is properly nourished for so ti, she will recover completely without any residual effects."
The poison administered by Xiang Wei was carefully calculated to only cause Yueyao trouble for a few days without resulting in any lingering effects.
Zhuang Ruolan was still very anxious: "Doctor Zhang, then why hasn’t the child awakened yet?"
Doctor Zhang prescribed the dicine, instructed the attendant to fetch it, and said, "Once the dicine is prepared, we’ll administer it to her. After she has taken the dicine, I believe the young lady will wake up." In fact, Doctor Zhang had already determined from taking her pulse that Yueyao’s condition was not severe, and although he did not know why she had not yet awakened, he was sure it was unrelated to the poisoning.
anwhile, Lian Dongfang, who was conducting interrogations outside, was so furious his veins bulged. He had thought that by detaining the kitchen maid’s family, he could force her into compliance, but unfortunately, she had stubbornly insisted that Lady Mo was the mastermind behind the scenes.
At that mont, Lian Chun whispered to Lian Dongfang, "Old Master, Lady Zhao’s biological daughter has already married and is not in the mansion." It turned out that the kitchen maid Lady Zhao was Liu Da’s stepmother, not his first wife. Lady Zhao had only one daughter, who was married into a peasant family after reaching marriageable age and had died in childbirth.
Lian Dongfang was about to speak when soone outside reported Ma Chengteng’s arrival. Lian Dongfang knew Ma Chengteng would not let the matter rest, but it had to be resolved, as the Lian family could not afford to lose face in the future.
Regarding Lian Dongfang’s claim that soone had frad Lady Mo, Ma Chengteng did not argue but responded with a sneer, "Fine, since you ntion framing, let the Yan investigate and see what is really going on. We’ll see who has been framing your wife." Ma Chengteng had already concluded that Lady Mo was the orchestrator behind the scenes, and with such a treacherous woman, he could not risk leaving Yueyao in Lian Mansion any longer.
Lian Dongfang naturally did not dare let the Yan investigate, as it would bring sha upon the family regardless of who the real culprit was. He reluctantly said, "Ma Chengteng, rest assured, I will provide you with a satisfactory explanation."
Ma Chengteng sneered, "Since you’re talking about a thorough investigation, then make sure it’s done properly. Just don’t end up using a Maternal Auntie as a scapegoat like last ti."
Hearing that her husband had not arrived, Zhuang Ruolan asked, "Why hasn’t Eldest Young Master co?" It was impossible for her husband to be absent at such a crucial ti.
The young servant who had gone to pass the ssage said, "Eldest Young Madam, Eldest Young Master is not at Hanlin Academy. According to the people there, Eldest Young Master had to leave for so urgent matter. Servants have already been sent to look for him."
Zhuang Ruolan did not ask further; it did not matter that her husband had not co, what was important was that her father-in-law had. They would definitely not let this matter rest.
The Kitchen Maid was tortured to her last breath but still she insisted the instigator behind the scenes was Lady Mo. Left with no choice, Ma Chengteng arrested everyone who had contact with the Kitchen Maid and tortured them. After half a day, the accusations pointed directly at Maternal Aunt Bu’s personal maidservant.
Lian Dongfang imdiately ordered his people to arrest this maid. Not everyone could endure torture like the Kitchen Maid, and this maidservant confessed quickly.
Lian Dongfang could not understand why Maternal Aunt Bu would want to harm Yueyao and tried to fra Lady Mo, "Go fetch Maternal Aunt Bu for ."
When Maternal Aunt Bu t Lian Dongfang, she greeted him respectfully. Her deanor was so calm that it was frightening, as if she had no idea what had transpired.
Lian Dongfang looked at Maternal Aunt Bu’s expression and let out a deep sigh, "Tell , why did you want to poison Yueyao to death?" Lian Dongfang needed to clear Lady Mo’s suspicion. If Lady Mo’s reputation was ruined, it would affect the future of his two sons. Without much consideration, he decided to sacrifice Maternal Aunt Bu to preserve Lady Mo.
Maternal Aunt Bu’s expression remained disturbingly calm, "I do not know why Old Master would suspect as the mastermind. Old Master, I have never even exchanged words with the Third Young Lady, let alone bear her any grudge. Why would I harm her without any reason or grievance?" Indeed, she lacked any motive whatsoever.
With a gesture from Lian Dongfang, a house servant brought forward one of Maternal Aunt Bu’s personal maids. Lian Dongfang said coldly, "She has already confessed. The poison was given to the Kitchen Maid by you. Now that the evidence is conclusive, you still dare to argue. Tell , why did you poison Yueyao?"
Maternal Aunt Bu looked at the maid covered in blood and smiled faintly, "The last ti it was rumored in the mansion that the Third Young Lady was a Jinx, it ended up being Maternal Aunt Chen who took the bla. Now, with the Third Young Lady poisoned, it seems my turn has co to take the bla."
Lian Dongfang said through gritted teeth, "The evidence is right before you, yet you still dare to argue."
Maternal Aunt Bu showed a sorrowful smile, "Old Master, you call the murderer, not to ntion that I have no quarrels with the Third Young Lady. What advantage would it bring if she were dead? Would the money and jewelry turn to mine?" Maternal Aunt Bu was almost accusing Lady Mo of plotting for wealth and blaming her in the end.
Lian Dongfang’s complexion turned a dark shade as he was about to speak, but Maternal Aunt Bu said, "Forget it, bla my bad luck. Whatever they say goes, I’ll sign and seal it as is."
If Maternal Aunt Bu had cried out that she was wronged, Lian Dongfang would have continued the torture, but faced with her attitude, Lian Dongfang was instead silenced. Lian Dongfang was no fool, he was well aware of what Maternal Aunt Bu implied. Yet, when weighing his sons’ future against a servant, his choice was clear without a second thought.
Maternal Aunt Bu had already anticipated her own fate and did not beg for rcy; instead, she said, "Old Master, after I pay for the Third Young Lady’s life, I hope you can burn more joss papers on my grave. I only wish for a better rebirth in my next life."
Lian Dongfang heavily replied, "Very well."
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