Chapter Twenty-Nine: Laxative

The atmosphere in Biyu Pavilion was livelier than ever. Qing’er was recounting to the others just how magnificent the expression on Madame Qiao’s face had been. The maids felt a long-awaited sense of vindication. For years, the suffering the young mistress had endured in Luzhou at the hands of the Third Madame was all thanks to Madame Qiao!

Lan Zhi remarked, "The Master sent Concubine Su and her son to live in such a remote area; on the surface, it was to spare Madame Qiao the sight of them, but in reality, he just didn't want them constantly under her nose."

Jiang Nian chuckled, "What difference does it make? The entire Jiang household is under Madame Qiao’s control; where could they possibly go to escape her? Is Concubine Su settled in?"

Qing’er nodded, "The moment the Master stepped out, Concubine Su’s belongings were brought into the manor. She is generous, and the servants were so dazzled by her silver that they fought to help. In just a morning’s work, everything is mostly unpacked."

"They say gold and silver are vulgar, but who doesn't worship the God of Wealth?"

Jiang Nian narrowed her eyes, pondering for a moment before asking, "Does Concubine Su have a maid who knows medicine?"

Qing’er nodded, "Yes. After my younger brother tracked the Master to find Concubine Su, he kept people watching. They say the one named Fuxiao has medical knowledge."

Jiang Nian smiled, "Concubine Su just arrived today. When Father returns from his official duties, he will surely go to see her... Have your brother get some laxatives, and be quick about it—I want them used tonight!"

With people like the Old Madame or the Third Madame, only direct, forceful suppression worked. But to deal with someone like Madame Qiao, one had to be even more devious.

...

As dusk approached, Su Zhiyan was directing her maids to organize her personal belongings, as these were tasks outsiders could not assist with.

Fuxiao, while tidying, whispered, "Mistress, although that First Madame didn't utter a word of dissent, she is not a kind soul."

Su Zhiyan lowered her eyes, "She doesn't dare touch Feng’er for now, but I fear she will scheme to take my life first. Since we just arrived and the small kitchen is not yet operational, we must be careful with our meals. None of you should wander outside casually."

"I understand, Mistress."

As they were speaking, the main kitchen sent over their dinner. The dishes looked decent, with no hint of neglect. However, after Fuxiao inspected them, her brow furrowed, "Mistress, there is a laxative in this roast quail."

Su Zhiyan raised an eyebrow, "What is the meaning of this? To resort to such a low-handed trick as a laxative?"

Fuxiao speculated, "Could it be a way to give you a warning? Or perhaps to make you humiliate yourself in front of the Master?"

Su Zhiyan thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "I don't think it is necessarily Madame Qiao. But once a scene is made, everyone will assume it is her—just as you thought. It seems there is someone else in this house who cannot bear to see Madame Qiao live in peace."

Fuxiao was slightly stunned, "Then, should we tell the Master?"

Su Zhiyan shook her head, "Not only must we not tell him, we must ensure he eats it..."

"What?"

Su Zhiyan’s eyes curved into crescents, "A laxative won't kill anyone, but it can cause quite a stir. It can make someone lose face and stir up trouble. I wonder whose brilliant idea this was... Fuxiao, go and find out if the Master has returned."

Just as Fuxiao stepped out, Jiang Ping entered Wuhua Courtyard.

Su Zhiyan heard the commotion and went out to greet him, "Master, you are back."

Jiang Ping immediately asked about his son, "Where is Feng’er?"

"The child was excited all day and has fallen asleep from exhaustion."

Jiang Ping smiled dotingly, "Children adapt quickly."

Su Zhiyan served him water to wash his hands, "Master, you haven't eaten yet, have you? The main kitchen just sent over some food. Why don't you join me for a few bites before going to the Madame’s quarters?"

Jiang Ping, who most admired her intelligence and decorum, nodded and sat at the table. He glanced at the meal and was quite pleased with Madame Qiao’s apparent generosity.

Fuxiao stood by, serving them, and placed a piece of roast quail into Jiang Ping’s bowl. Su Zhiyan picked up a piece of wild vegetable and ate slowly.

Jiang Ping loved roast quail, but before he had taken more than a few bites, his stomach began to rumble loudly. His expression changed instantly, and he rushed out of the room toward the latrine!

Su Zhiyan chased after him, "Master, what is wrong?"

Before long, Jiang Ping returned with a dark face, clutching his stomach, and the servants were sent to fetch a physician. During the time it took for the physician to arrive, Jiang Ping made three more trips to the latrine.

Once the physician arrived, prescribed medicine, and confirmed that the roast quail had been spiked with a laxative, Jiang Ping flew into a rage, "Bring me everyone who was on duty in the main kitchen tonight!"

There were over thirty people in the main kitchen. Excluding those involved in procurement and other miscellaneous tasks, about a dozen people who had access to the roast quail stood before Jiang Ping.

The head steward, Mother Tong, stepped forward to bow, "Master, why have you summoned us?"

Jiang Ping said concisely, "The roast quail was poisoned."

At such a sensitive time...

The faces of the kitchen staff turned pale with fear, and they glanced at one of the cooks. The cook, assuming it was a lethal poison, dropped to her knees, her face drained of color, "I prepared this dish, but I didn't put any poison in it..."

Jiang Ping deliberately did not explain what kind of "poison" it was and stared at the cook, "Besides you few, did anyone else touch this dish?"

Mother Tong and the others exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Jiang Ping sneered, "If no one else touched it, then the poison must have been added by one of you!"

Mother Tong’s face changed, and she fell to her knees as well. The cooks, maids, and older women behind her all knelt down, crying out their innocence.

"You all claim you didn't poison it—did the quail decide to do it itself?" Jiang Ping, feeling another wave of abdominal pain, looked livid, "Since no one will admit it, serve the dish to them and make them eat it!"

Fuxiao picked up the roast quail and walked toward them. Seeing them pale and motionless, she said coldly, "Do you need me to feed you?"

Under Jiang Ping’s predatory gaze, the women, deathly pale, each took a small piece. None of them wanted to die so inexplicably, so they hesitated, reluctant to put it in their mouths.

Jiang Ping slammed the table, "Eat! If you don't, I’ll have you all dragged out and beaten to death!"

Fuxiao added persuasively, "Once the poison is in your stomach, you just close your eyes, and it will be over quickly without much pain. Being beaten to death, however, is a long, agonizing process."

Their faces ashen, the women ate while sobbing. Jiang Ping watched them closely. Once they had finished, he pointed to the maid who had finished first, "You stay; the others may go."

Mother Tong and the others, too terrified to question the Master’s intent, scrambled up and fled. Clearly believing they had consumed a lethal poison, they rushed off to settle their affairs with their families.

The maid named Xiangcao, who had been singled out, remained on her knees, pale and bewildered.

Jiang Ping slammed the table again, "The others could barely take a bite, yet you finished yours so readily. It seems you knew the quail wouldn't kill you."

He was, after all, a second-rank official; he wasn't without that much discernment.

Xiangcao shook her head frantically, "I just thought that if I was going to die anyway, I might as well make it quick..."

Jiang Ping sneered, "What a glib-tongued girl! Do you think I would believe that? Guards! Drag her out and beat her to death!"

"Master, mercy! I have no grudge against Concubine Su; I was forced to do it!"

Xiangcao, knowing her life was at stake, confessed immediately. She had known they would investigate the kitchen and had been prepared to deny everything to the end.