Old Ning also felt a tightness and pain in her chest. The sudden pain in her waist made her feel uncomfortable all over. She said with a pale face, "It hurts, my whole body hurts."
Rui Yuhuan and the others were shocked: "Pain? What's going on? The old lady is usually in the best health, how could she suddenly be in pain? What... what's going on?" Rui Yuhuan's face was pale with fright. She was one of the people in the mansion who should be in pain, since if something happened to Old Madam Ning, she would probably not be well. Everyone thought her reaction was normal.
An Ran suddenly grabbed Ouyang Yue's hand and said, "Third Miss, what did you feed the old lady before? Why is she suddenly in so much pain?"
After Rui Yuhuan's words, everyone looked at Ouyang Yue. Indeed, Ouyang Yue seemed to have been feeding Old Madam Ning something earlier; they had all seen it when they entered, and Old Madam Ning immediately reacted violently. It seemed there was more to the story than met the eye. During this period, Old Madam Ning had clearly been intentionally targeting Ouyang Yue. In the year or so since Ouyang Yue left the mansion and the capital, Old Madam Ning had indeed suffered a great deal of humiliation. Not only her, but everyone in the General's Mansion dared not leave the mansion casually; if recognized, they would inevitably be subjected to a barrage of curses. Ming Yiniang, Rui Yuhuan, and Old Madam Ning were the most pitiful. Whether Ming Yiniang's hands were chopped off or cursed by a so-called jinx, no one knew. Rui Yuhuan was crippled and disfigured; if it weren't for Old Madam Ning's care, she would have been a cripple. Old Madam Ning, however, was abandoned by the Ning family because of her stubbornness, causing a great rift between the two families. If it weren't for the Ning family in the middle, they probably would have wanted to remove Old Madam Ning from the ancestral register.
Therefore, Old Madam Ning deeply resented Ouyang Yue. When Ouyang Yue returned to the manor, she would find ways to vent her anger, which was understandable. However, sometimes things spiraled out of control. For example, regarding the matter of establishing rules and regulations, the more subpar Ouyang Yue's performance, the more Old Madam Ning wanted to torment her until she cried for her parents, just to vent her own anger. This had nothing to do with kinship; it was simply Old Madam Ning's resentment towards Ouyang Yue. Old Madam Ning didn't try to stop the matter from spreading. Now everyone in the manor knew that Old Madam Ning deliberately used the pretext of Concubine Hong's execution to specifically target Ouyang Yue over the matter of establishing rules and regulations. Even Ouyang Zhibei had openly and secretly advised her against it several times, demonstrating the excessiveness of Old Madam Ning's behavior.
So, it's not impossible that Ouyang Yue, unable to bear it any longer, would try to find another way to exonerate herself. What other way could she possibly exonerate herself? Perhaps she could simply feign illness and not come, but that would be rather crude. If Ouyang Yue were discovered to be faking illness, she would only be branded as unfilial, which would do her no good. There are many other options, such as Ouyang Yue bowing her head and apologizing to Old Madam Ning, begging for forgiveness, but given her personality, that possibility is extremely low. Now it seems that Ouyang Yue has resorted to the most foolish method: drugging Old Madam Ning so that she can never bully her again.
Ouyang Zhide was also startled, staring at Ouyang Yue in disbelief. Ouyang Yue simply returned Rui Yuhuan's gaze calmly: "Miss Rui, what do you mean by this? What did I feed Grandmother? It was just a cup of tea. Why do you make it sound like I'm trying to harm her? You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Knowing that my relationship with Grandmother isn't very harmonious right now, Miss Rui's words only make things more complicated. What are you up to?"
Rui Yuhuan, caught off guard, looked displeased, her lips pursed in a slightly aggrieved manner. Her eyes darted towards Old Madam Ning, giving the impression of someone who had been bullied but dared not retaliate. It was clear who had bullied whom. Old Madam Ning immediately frowned and reprimanded, "There's no legal basis! Yuhuan only asked a few questions because she saw I was in pain. She came in late and saw you feeding me tea; isn't it normal for her to ask such a question? Are you angry at her, or at me?" Old Madam Ning snorted coldly, her eyes sharp. "I think you're here at me. You're unhappy, and you feel wronged by having to establish rules in front of me; you've come for revenge. Ouyang Yue, Ouyang Yue, when did you become so vicious? I ask you, as the oldest member of the General's Mansion, shouldn't I, as your grandmother, make you come to my side every day to establish rules? Is that wronging you, or is it not legal?"
Ouyang Yue's expression turned somewhat unpleasant after being spoken to, but she still pursed her lips and said with some dissatisfaction, "Grandmother is the most respected person in the General's Mansion, so whatever you say goes. You only asked me to come to your side to establish rules, so of course it is only right. Yue'er would not dare to say that Grandmother has wronged Yue'er. Yue'er is doing this willingly."
"And you say it's all from the bottom of your heart? Listen to this! How much resentment is in your words! What do you mean I only asked you to establish these rules? Look at everyone in the manor! Who among them is less disciplined than you? You can't even do it properly. I was just trying to help you by letting you establish these rules for a few more days, and yet you're so ungrateful! You've truly broken my heart! You heartless thing, you utterly ungrateful thing!" Old Madam Ning was furious, pounding her chest with her fist, which immediately startled everyone in the room. Rui Yuhuan, however, had a smile playing on her lips.
The medicine she gave Old Madam Ning wasn't immediately effective; the more Old Madam Ning argued with Ouyang Yue, the more unreasonable Ouyang Yue became. If Old Madam Ning suddenly succumbed to the poison and died, given Ouyang Yue's previous behavior, she wouldn't be able to explain herself no matter what. After all, everyone in the room witnessed Ouyang Yue personally feeding Old Madam Ning, and the two had such an unresolved conflict. Ouyang Yue's motive for poisoning Old Madam Ning, the scene, and the method were all clear. With so many people watching, Ouyang Yue was doomed; there was no chance of survival!
Old Madam Ning wasn't actually pounding her chest; she was just putting on an act. Ouyang Zhide wasn't often in the manor, and while he was worried about her setting rules, it was ultimately a matter of the inner quarters. He couldn't interfere unless it went too far, since Old Madam Ning was her mother. Even if he doted on Ouyang Yue, he couldn't simply go against Old Madam Ning's wishes and humiliate her. How could Old Madam Ning survive in the manor? He naturally wouldn't do that. However, if she allowed Ouyang Yue to continue like this, De'er might truly resent her.
That won't do. Even if she intended to make things difficult for Ouyang Yue, she couldn't say it now. Ouyang Yue would have to take the blame. Her performance made Ouyang Yue seem petty and disrespectful to her elders, making her behavior seem extremely bad.
Ouyang Yue simply pursed her lips and gazed at Old Madam Ning, letting out a deep sigh. "Whatever Grandmother says is what it is. Yue'er will accept it all." This was a mistake.
However, admitting fault is a delicate matter. Her helpless demeanor suggested that Old Madam Ning was the one in control. Madam Ning, watching from the sidelines, should have been happy that Old Madam Ning had been outmaneuvered, but seeing Ouyang Yue's expression, she felt no joy at all. She suddenly realized that Ouyang Yue had changed since leaving the capital a year ago. Her entire aura seemed to have doubled, and even her appearance had blossomed. After all, she was already fourteen, almost of marriageable age. Ouyang Yue's speech and manners were increasingly refined, and her etiquette had improved considerably. No one in the household had taught her these things. Had she learned them outside the household, or was it a tradition, something she would eventually master on her own? These past few days, as Old Madam Ning was establishing rules, she had often come to observe. Truly, Ouyang Yue's behavior was impeccable. From whom had she learned all this? Moreover, Ouyang Yue is clearly smarter now. In the past, she would have argued with Old Madam Ning long ago. That would have truly made her look bad. It's not something to be proud of to directly argue with an elder. Whether she's right or wrong, Ouyang Yue has no reason to believe it.
Unexpectedly, Ning thought of someone whose gentle smile seemed to fill the air with the fragrance of spring blossoms, beautiful and serene. Thinking of this, Ning's eyes darkened, her gaze towards Ouyang Yue flashing with boundless hatred and murderous intent.
Ning Shi's lips curled into a cold smile as she said, "Yue'er, what kind of behavior is this? Your grandmother didn't mean anything by it; she's doing this for your own good. She wanted you to come to Anhe Hall to establish a marriage agreement. Don't you think about how you're already fourteen this year, and in another year you'll be fifteen, reaching marriageable age? Your reputation in the capital wasn't good before, and at fifty, you're already at the age to be engaged. If you continue like this, what will you do if no one comes to your door?" As she spoke, Ning Shi walked over, took Ouyang Yue's hand, and said earnestly, "Yue'er, we're all family, and our intentions are all for your own good. You can't be ungrateful."
Ouyang Yue coldly returned the gaze, a sneer rising in her heart as she looked at the feigned sincerity in Ning's eyes. Ning's sudden words had completely shattered her previous acting skills; every word she uttered indicated that everything was for her own good. Even if Old Ning was torturing her, it was to temper her temperament, and considering her original reputation, Old Ning had truly become someone who cared for her.
Old Madam Ning immediately chimed in, "Yes, Yue'er, how can you be so oblivious to your grandmother's heart? You have the most unruly temperament in the entire household. How can we not put in some effort to temper your character? Whether it's for your future dealings in the capital or for a better life after you get married, this is all necessary. When your mother and I got married, the Ning family specially hired palace tutors to temper our temperaments. Back then, if we couldn't learn, they would whip us with rattan canes. If we didn't kneel properly, we'd kneel for a whole day without food. If we didn't kneel properly for two days, we'd kneel for two days without food. My education of you has been the most lenient. If you really encountered a palace tutor, you'd probably want to die." Old Madam Ning shook her head and sighed, "It's because we've spoiled you all these years that you're so careless and can't even endure this little bit of hardship. When you're really married, it will be too late to regret it, and you'll still be complaining all this time, sigh..."
What Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning said makes sense, but that's not what they really think. When it comes to actually doing things, they never genuinely care about Ouyang Yue.
Ouyang Yue gave a cold laugh. Rui Yuhuan's eyes narrowed slightly. How did Ouyang Yue feel now that she was the target of everyone's criticism? She was in a much worse situation back then. She exclaimed in surprise, "Then... could it be that you, Third Miss, were so angry and resentful that you lost your mind and did something that was detrimental to the Old Madam?"
Rui Yuhuan's words caused a sudden change in the atmosphere of the entire hall. Everyone stared at Ouyang Yue in astonishment; such a thing was not impossible. Ouyang Zhide also clenched his fists slightly, his face grim as he looked at Ouyang Yue, but he said nothing, waiting for her answer. For Ouyang Zhide, Old Madam Ning had disappointed him many times. After all, she was his mother, and he absolutely did not want such a thing to happen between his own mother and his beloved daughter; it would be a disgrace to her as well.
Ouyang Yue stared coldly at Rui Yuhuan: "Miss Rui, are you just trying to stir up trouble? It's just a small matter, why do you have to drag so much into it? Grandmother has always treated you well, why do you seem to want me to poison her? Shouldn't a normal person be concerned about this first thing? Why are you only concerned about whether I poisoned her? You seem quite indifferent to Grandmother."
Rui Yuhuan paused, her expression turning cold as Ouyang Zhide narrowed his eyes at her. Ouyang Yue was right; Old Madam Ning had suddenly called out earlier, and Rui Yuhuan's reaction was the most prominent, insisting on investigating, her words all pointing to Ouyang Yue, as if she were certain Ouyang Yue would do something. Rui Yuhuan quickly said, "Third Miss, what are you saying? Ever since I was brought to the General's Mansion by the General, the Old Madam has doted on me the most. Even if something happens to me, I don't want the Old Madam to suffer any loss. It just so happens that the Old Madam seemed to be in great pain before being in your hands, so of course I'm very concerned. It's perfectly understandable that I would think this way."
Ouyang Yue sneered: "Is that so? I find Miss Rui's behavior quite strange."
Rui Yuhuan's face darkened. She knew Ouyang Yue was trying to pin the blame on her, but Ouyang Yue's words were believable. Ouyang Zhide's gaze towards her grew even colder, which was detrimental to her previous plans. She couldn't afford to fail like this. Rui Yuhuan's face was icy, and tears welled up in her eyes: "Third Miss, I don't blame you for looking down on me, but you can't pin these unfounded accusations on me. I'm the one who most wants the Old Madam to live to a ripe old age. Your conjectures about me are truly heartless. I stay by the Old Madam's side day and night, hoping she will take me in and care for me. I've done my best for her, without any selfish desires. Third Miss's words are like stabbing me in the heart. How can I live in the General's Mansion after this? How can I live in this world?" As she spoke, she covered her face and cried, her voice extremely mournful, making one's heart clench.
Ouyang Yue's expression was indifferent, and most of the others in the room watched coldly. Only Aunt Liu and Aunt Ming's eyes flickered slightly, their thoughts unknown. Only Old Madam Ning felt a pang of heartache and immediately picked up Rui Yuhuan to comfort her, saying, "Yuhuan, don't cry. Don't worry, I'll protect you. I'd like to see who in this mansion dares to harm you. You're someone I've protected; no one dares to touch you. Just live peacefully in the General's Mansion. I know how good you are, I know how good you are. Don't be sad." Rui Yuhuan, however, covered her face and wept bitterly, refusing to lift her head. Old Madam Ning immediately shouted at Ouyang Yue, "Look at what you're saying! You bully someone as filial as Yuhuan! Don't you even know your own character? You're not even as good as one of Yuhuan's fingers! How can you be so filial to me? What right do you have to criticize Yuhuan? You...you...you're simply too wicked! You're so vicious...cough cough..."
Old Madam Ning was extremely agitated. She pointed at Ouyang Yue's nose and started cursing. However, as she spoke, her face turned red and her eyes widened. Suddenly, she coughed up a mouthful of blood. Rui Yuhuan smelled the blood, and a cold and vicious look flashed across her face. She immediately raised her head and asked in surprise, "Madam, what's wrong with you? Why are you coughing up blood?"
Not only her, but everyone else in the room stared at Old Madam Ning in utter astonishment. No one had expected that the person who had been so full of life, pointing at Ouyang Yue and cursing her, would suddenly vomit blood and turn pale. Ouyang Zhide's heart skipped a beat. "Mother, what's wrong?" he cried, rushing over to Old Madam Ning and patting her back, hoping to make her feel better.
Ning's eyes flickered, and she immediately said, "Quick, quickly pour some water for the old lady so she can moisten herself, hurry!"
Chaos erupted immediately in Anhe Hall. Rui Yuhuan was pushed aside by Ouyang Zhide, but she felt no displeasure. Instead, she felt inexplicably excited. Suddenly, she was startled and stumbled backward, leaning against the foot of the bed. Her face changed drastically as she looked at Ouyang Yue, pointing directly at her and saying, "Third Miss, what exactly did you give the Old Madam to drink? The Old Madam is usually in such good health. How could she have become so weak after drinking what you brought her, even vomiting blood? This could be a serious matter! Third Miss... what exactly... what exactly did you give the Old Madam to drink!"
Everyone in Anhe Hall looked at Ouyang Yue with strange eyes. Before, they could say that Rui Yuhuan and Ouyang Yue were just arguing, but first Old Ning Shi drank in pain, and then Old Ning Shi suddenly vomited blood. This matter didn't seem simple at all. It was as if... as if Ouyang Yue had drugged her.
Ouyang Yue pursed her lips tightly: "I didn't. Grandmother said she was thirsty, and I just brought her a cup of tea. I don't know why Grandmother would do this, but I definitely didn't put anything in her mouth, absolutely not!"
Rui Yuhuan's face darkened, and she looked incredulous: "At that time, only the old lady and the third young lady were in the room. The old lady was still lying in bed at the time. If the third young lady had taken the opportunity to pour tea and put something in the room, the old lady would not have seen it. You had the motive and the time to do so, third young lady."
Ouyang Yue stared coldly at Rui Yuhuan: "Shut up. We still don't know why Grandmother vomited blood. What makes you think you can accuse me of poisoning her? You've served at Anhe Hall the longest. It's possible that I'm the one who poisoned her and slandered her."
Rui Yuhuan paused, but a cold smile appeared on her lips. She had already seen Ouyang Yue clench her fists and look very nervous. Under these circumstances, Ouyang Yue certainly had the motive, place, and time to drug Old Ning. Even if she didn't admit it, it would still arouse suspicion. "Third Miss, whether or not it happened, why don't we ask a doctor to take a look first?"
Ouyang Yue was startled and instinctively looked at Old Madam Ning, a hint of panic flashing across her face as she said, "If we invite a doctor over like this, wouldn't that mean they already suspect me of doing it? But I didn't do anything at all. How am I supposed to face the people in the army like that?"
Ouyang Yue's behavior clearly showed that she was afraid of being found out and then unable to clear her name. However, to outsiders, she seemed to be acting guilty, as if everything was going according to her plan. Rui Yuhuan's eyes brightened as she said, "Third Miss, it is precisely because you did nothing that you should have someone call a doctor. That way, you won't be implicated when the investigation is clear. Why do you seem unwilling to have a doctor called now? That's a bit unreasonable. Putting aside everything else, the old lady just vomited blood. As juniors, we all hope she is alright. It's only right to have a doctor come to check on her just in case. Your fear is suspicious."
"I...I didn't drug her at all, don't frame me." Ouyang Yue gritted her teeth and stared at Rui Yuhuan, the hatred in her eyes making Rui Yuhuan very smug.
Ouyang Yue was quite clever; she seemed to have already suspected her. However, it was too late. Her plan had already been fully implemented, and Ouyang Yue was trapped, unable to escape. Rui Yuhuan said coldly, "Third Miss, whether you drugged her or not can be determined by having a doctor test it. Why are you so afraid now, and why are you preventing us from calling a doctor? Could it be that you really did drug her, and that's why you're afraid of the doctor finding out the truth?"
"What! You vile woman, you beast! I am your grandmother! Are you even human? You actually drugged me! You have such a vicious heart! Drag her away and beat her to death! Beat this unfilial and wicked child to death!" Old Madam Ning was already terrified after spitting blood earlier, and now, hearing Rui Yuhuan's words, she was even more shocked. Could it be that Ouyang Yue really drugged her out of revenge? That damned woman!
Madam Ning immediately added, "Miss Rui's words are not without reason. Even if Yue'er did nothing wrong, it's not a good thing that Mother just vomited blood. We must find a doctor to take a look first. This matter cannot be delayed. Go find a doctor quickly!"
As soon as Madam Ning spoke, a servant was about to leave the mansion to find a doctor when Ouyang Zhide suddenly called out, "Wait."
"What are you waiting for? You've really forgotten your mother now that you have a daughter! I carried you for ten months and gave birth to you. How could you abandon your old mother for this wretched child? How could you treat me like this? I hate you!" Old Madam Ning shouted angrily upon hearing this.
Ouyang Zhide didn't answer, but turned and handed a token to the servant, saying, "Go and fetch Physician Liu from the Imperial Hospital." The servant was taken aback, took the token, immediately responded, and went out to find someone. Ouyang Zhide turned back to look at Old Madam Ning and said, "Mother, you just vomited blood, and I was very worried. I was afraid that ordinary doctors wouldn't be able to find anything and would make up stories, which would delay your health. Physician Liu's medical skills are superb. If he says there's a problem, then there is; if he says there isn't, then there isn't. How could I abandon you, Mother?"
Old Madam Ning was taken aback upon hearing this, pressing her lips tightly together without speaking. Of course, Physician Liu was highly skilled; he was the Chief Physician of the Imperial Medical Academy, and it wasn't easy for lower-ranking ladies in the palace to get him to treat them. Moreover, Physician Liu had visited the residence before and seemed quite arrogant; she wasn't worried that he had been bribed. Ouyang Zhide invited Physician Liu to the residence precisely because Physician Liu couldn't be bribed; having him treat patients would demonstrate impartiality.
Rui Yuhuan sneered inwardly. Ouyang Zhide's actions were clearly out of concern for Ouyang Yue. As long as Ouyang Yue hadn't done anything wrong, no problem would be found. However, Ouyang Zhide had miscalculated this time. If it were an ordinary doctor, perhaps they wouldn't have been able to find anything wrong with Old Ning, but this Imperial Physician Liu was different. As the head physician of the Imperial Hospital, his medical skills were superb, and he was very knowledgeable about medicines and poisons. He would definitely find something different about Old Ning, and then Ouyang Yue would be unable to defend herself, and no one could save her. All of this was within her expectations. Ouyang Zhide doted on Ouyang Yue, and even with the conclusive evidence, he found it hard to believe that Ouyang Yue would actually dare to poison her grandmother. She would use Ouyang Zhide's intentions to her advantage. When the problem was indeed discovered, the first person to be disappointed in Ouyang Yue would be Ouyang Zhide, and to cover up the scandal, the first person to kill Ouyang Yue would probably be Ouyang Zhide.
Ouyang Yue looked somewhat nervous, and the entire Anhe Hall was very quiet. Only occasionally did maids bring water for Old Madam Ning to wash away the blood and feed her to rinse her mouth and drink. Time seemed to pass very slowly, making everyone wait anxiously. Even Rui Yuhuan gradually showed a nervous expression. At this moment, Ouyang Yue silently approached her and said coldly, "Miss Rui, you have quite the methods, but I wonder what exactly you put on Grandmother."
Rui Yuhuan was slightly taken aback, but smiled faintly at Ouyang Yue. After so much time, Ouyang Yue had already figured out the whole story, and Rui Yuhuan had also expected this. She looked at Ouyang Yue and said in a sinister voice, "What do you mean by this, Third Miss? I don't understand what you're talking about. Everyone in the room saw that you personally served the old lady the tea. If something was poisoned, it was definitely Third Miss. Why are you asking me instead? I dare not admit to anything. If you, Third Miss, are truly innocent and did not poison anything, why are you so nervous?"
Ouyang Yue sneered: "I was caught off guard and you still managed to outmaneuver me. You're really ruthless. You even dared to lay a hand on your grandmother. Aren't you afraid of digging your own grave and never being able to get back up?"
Rui Yu's laughter was tinged with smugness. Seeing Ouyang Yue's annoyance and hostility, she felt even more triumphant. Ouyang Yue could only talk big, because even she herself was starting to have doubts. She would slowly torture Ouyang Yue's remaining willpower, and Ouyang Yue would suffer a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand times more than her: "Third Miss, you keep trying to pin this on Yu Huan, but you should know that if I didn't do it, then I didn't do it."
"Hmph! I hope you stay this smug." Ouyang Yue said through gritted teeth, while Rui Yuhuan stared at her coldly, her face full of confidence.
"Physician Liu has arrived." At this moment, the servant finally brought Physician Liu over. Ouyang Zhide immediately went to greet him and said, "Physician Liu, my mother suddenly vomited blood earlier, and her condition seems somewhat dangerous. Please, Physician Liu, examine my mother first."
Physician Liu was accompanied by a young apprentice carrying a medicine chest. Physician Liu, dressed in a long gray robe and stroking his long beard, exuded a dignified and scholarly air. Seeing Ouyang Zhide's anxious expression, he intended to say a few more words, but instead nodded and said, "General Ouyang, please rest assured, your esteemed matriarch has always been in good health and will not suffer any serious consequences." As he spoke, he walked towards the bedside.
Servants had already lowered the bed curtains, revealing only Old Madam Ning's wrist. A silk handkerchief was placed on it as she approached Physician Liu. Physician Liu immediately sat down and quietly began to take her pulse. However, as soon as he took her pulse, his expression darkened, his back straightened even more, and his face became solemn and serious.
Physician Liu's actions clearly indicated that Old Madam Ning had a problem. Everyone in the hall felt a pang of anxiety, even those who had previously paid no attention to Old Madam Ning held their breath and waited. Physician Liu's expression remained unchanged for a long time as he continued to press on Old Madam Ning's pulse.
Ouyang Yue clenched her fists, her expression extremely tense. Seeing this, Rui Yuhuan slowly smiled, the smile growing wider and deeper. Just as she expected, Physician Liu had indeed noticed something amiss. She turned to look at Ouyang Yue, her smile growing increasingly cold. Ouyang Yue, you're finished. This time, no one can save you. Just wait to be caught and tortured to death. Only in this way could she quell the hatred in her heart.
For a good half hour, when the people in the room were almost suffocating, Physician Liu finally withdrew his hand, but his expression was much more solemn than before.
Ouyang Zhide asked anxiously, "Doctor Liu, how is my mother?"
Rui Yuhuan suddenly cried out and rushed to the bedside: "Grandma, are you alright? Are you feeling better?" Her face was wet with tears as she spoke, clearly terrified of knowing the truth, yet she couldn't help but ask, "Physician Liu, when Grandma vomited blood earlier, could it be... could it be that she was really poisoned and became like this! Third Miss, how cruel you are! How could you harm Grandma like this? She's your own grandmother!"
As he spoke, he glared angrily at Ouyang Yue, but then Liu Taiyi was taken aback. He frowned and said, "Poisoning? The old lady is not poisoned at all!"
"What!" Rui Yuhuan suddenly exclaimed, staring at Physician Liu in disbelief!
☆、121, A turtle in a jar! (Exquisite)
No poisoning? That's impossible!
Rui Yuhuan was immediately stunned. No, Old Madam Ning must have been poisoned. She had personally put the poison in the teacup. Could it be that the powder was faulty? No... that couldn't be. If both of those were fine, then there was only one left. Doctor Liu was lying, or perhaps his medical skills weren't as good as people said. He simply hadn't detected the poison.
Rui Yuhuan immediately looked at Physician Liu, and the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. This poison was Miao poison, which some doctors could not detect. It was also possible that Physician Liu had not detected it.
Rui Yuhuan's mind raced slightly as she asked, "Doctor Liu, have you really investigated thoroughly? The old lady was in a lot of pain before, it's clear that something was wrong. Could you have made some mistakes or overlooked something?" Rui Yuhuan couldn't help but voice her doubts.
Physician Liu's face immediately darkened. Ouyang Zhide shouted at Rui Yuhuan, "Step back." His eyebrows twitched slightly, and he was slightly annoyed. Rui Yuhuan, however, just stared straight at Physician Liu, showing no intention of compromising. She seemed to distrust Physician Liu and insisted on hearing his explanation.
Physician Liu paused, stroking his beard, and glanced at Rui Yuhuan with a mocking expression. The most detestable people in the world are those who are not professionals but instruct professionals; in short, they pretend to know what they don't, displaying utter incompetence, lack of manners, and self-righteousness. Of course, if such a person held a high position, Physician Liu would naturally treat them with utmost respect. But if it were any other time, Physician Liu probably wouldn't even give Rui Yuhuan a second glance. He was only at the General's Mansion out of respect for Ouyang Zhide; he had no need to speak to such a nobody as Rui Yuhuan.
Seeing this, Rui Yuhuan said, "Doctor Liu, to be honest, we all suspected that the old lady had been poisoned. This morning, she was perfectly healthy, and her skin was rosy. But just now, after drinking a cup of tea, she suddenly felt unwell, and was in pain and crying out. Isn't this a sign of poisoning? Could it be that Doctor Liu has never seen this poison before, so he can't make a diagnosis?"
Physician Liu stroked his gray beard and carefully examined Rui Yuhuan. Since her disfigurement, Rui Yuhuan usually had to cover half of her face, but since the scar ran across her face, it was still visible upon close inspection. At this moment, she asked Physician Liu with extreme anxiety, as if she wouldn't let the matter rest until he gave her a clear explanation.
Physician Liu turned to Ouyang Zhide and said, "General Ouyang, after examining her pulse, I can confirm that the old lady has not been poisoned."
“But…” Rui Yuhuan did not believe it. It was clearly because Physician Liu could not find anything, that he said there was nothing there.
Ouyang Yue looked at Rui Yuhuan coldly and said, "Miss Rui, I remember from beginning to end, only you mentioned that Grandmother was poisoned. It seems that no one else mentioned it. Does Miss Rui know medicine? Perhaps even better than Physician Liu, who is highly respected and has served many masters in the harem, ensuring their good health. Physician Liu uses observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation to diagnose illnesses. How come Miss Rui only looked coldly and knew that Grandmother was poisoned? Does Miss Rui have some kind of penetrating eye technique that allows her to see directly whether Grandmother is poisoned or not? Furthermore, Miss Rui is so certain. Could it be that Miss Rui is related to Grandmother's poisoning? Otherwise, I really can't understand why Miss Rui insists that Grandmother was poisoned and wants to pin the crime of filial impiety and patricide on me. So Miss Rui hates me that much, to the point of wishing me dead?"
Ouyang Zhide immediately glared coldly at Rui Yuhuan. Rui Yuhuan's heart skipped a beat. Everyone in the room turned to look at her. In their eyes, Physician Liu's medical skills were beyond question. Otherwise, if word got out, would people say that the Emperor and the ladies of the harem were blind? Over the years, Physician Liu had indeed caused no major incidents in the harem, and most of the ladies were healthy. Physician Liu was therefore very famous in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Who would say his medical skills were bad? Who would dare say his medical skills were bad? He treated the Emperor; if he wasn't good, would the Emperor use him? Wouldn't that be a slap in the Emperor's face? Rui Yuhuan's words could be seen as concern for the old lady, but they were disrespectful to Physician Liu. If she displeased Physician Liu, Rui Yuhuan would have no chance of survival.
Rui Yuhuan immediately said, "What do you mean by this, Third Miss? I'm just concerned about the Old Madam's health. If she's alright, that would be wonderful, of course. But what happened just now was too strange, and I'm worried. I don't want anything to happen to the Old Madam, which is why I have these doubts and questions. If you have a clear conscience, why don't you want me to ask you clearly? After all, it would be easier to clear up any suspicions about you if you explained yourself. Unless you're feeling guilty, that's why you don't want me to ask you clearly, isn't it?"
Ouyang Yue sneered: "You said it yourself. If I refuse again in the next moment, you should say that I bribed Physician Liu."
Rui Yuhuan had the same thought. After all, this person was invited by Ouyang Zhide. Physician Liu was an official in the same court as Ouyang Zhide, so he naturally had more influence than she did. If Ouyang Zhide, out of love for Ouyang Yue, knew that Old Madam Ning might be in danger, but still wanted Physician Liu to save Ouyang Yue, who could say for sure? Although Rui Yuhuan didn't say it aloud, her expression was enough to tell her what she was thinking.
Physician Liu coldly retorted, "How dare you question my medical ethics! I have been practicing medicine for many years, and I know that you would pretend not to know if someone is in danger but report that they are safe. When it comes to a matter of life and death, I will never be negligent."
Rui Yuhuan simply said, "I didn't say that Physician Liu was negligent, but there are some poisons that you might not know about, so you didn't discover them."
Ouyang Zhide frowned: "Rui Yuhuan, shut up. If you say another word, get out of here immediately."
Rui Yuhuan raised her head, a smirk playing on her lips, and said, "General, why are you in such a hurry to get rid of me? Is there some unspeakable secret you're hiding? I know you dote on the Third Miss, but there's a limit to that. And your indiscriminate doting isn't for her own good; it's harming her. If she dared to harm the Old Madam this time, there will be a second and a third time. And that second and third time might be because she's in a bad mood and then attacks you, General. Are you really going to let this go on? Besides, if the Old Madam is really alright, why did Physician Liu take so long to examine her? There's clearly something wrong here, so why didn't Physician Liu honestly tell us?"
Rui Yuhuan's words became increasingly absurd, and Ouyang Zhide's face flashed with anger. Were Rui Yuhuan's words accusing him of incompetence, even knowing his mother was poisoned and refusing to treat her—a deliberate attempt to kill his own mother? The imperial physician Liu was still nearby; if she were to leave and voice her suspicions, Ouyang Zhide would be finished. Ouyang Zhide cared deeply about his current status and position; he had fought hard for everything, so why wouldn't she care? Moreover, he had never intended for Old Madam Ning to die. Rui Yuhuan's audacity in slandering him had already ignited a murderous intent in Ouyang Zhide's heart.
Physician Liu then smiled and said, "Oh, this young lady speaks so eloquently. I am quite curious. If you can explain what poison the old lady has been poisoned with, how effective the medicine is, and what effect it will have on the old lady's body, I will naturally believe you."
Rui Yuhuan opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a sound. How could she speak? If she mentioned the name of the poison, its effects, and its impact, wouldn't others suspect her? If she spoke, wouldn't she be exposing her own weakness and revealing her involvement? But if she didn't speak, would she let this so-called imperial physician confuse the issue? Wouldn't her plan have failed? That was absolutely unacceptable: "I don't know, but judging from the old lady's appearance just now, perhaps she was poisoned."
"Perhaps?" Physician Liu stroked his beard and sneered, "So it's just a guess. Then shut up. When I practice medicine, I hate those laymen who pretend to know everything and give orders. Because your meaningless guesses will only worsen the patients' conditions. You are harming them."
Ouyang Zhide immediately asked in confusion, "Doctor Liu, what do you mean? Is my mother perhaps ill?"
Old Madam Ning also stared straight at Physician Liu. At her age, she longed to stay young forever and live to be a hundred. The older people get, the more they fear death, and that was how she felt now.
Physician Liu said frankly, "Based on my extensive medical experience, I can assert that the old lady has absolutely not been poisoned as of today. However..." Physician Liu seemed to hesitate about how to put it, but finally said, "There is indeed a reason why I spent so long examining the old lady just now, and that reason lies with the old lady herself."
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with me?" Old Madam Ning asked anxiously. Rui Yuhuan was also stunned. Could it be that the poison had some other medicinal properties? But if so, how could she forcefully pin this on Ouyang Yue?
Physician Liu sighed and said, "I was also quite surprised by this. When I examined the old lady's pulse, I felt that it was weak and lacked strength. The flow of qi in her body was slow. To put it bluntly, the old lady's vitality was gradually decreasing."
"Wh...what? Physician Liu, what are you saying? I'm usually in excellent health, how could something like this happen?" Old Madam Ning exclaimed in shock. Although she didn't understand all of Physician Liu's terms, she understood the word "life force"—wasn't that the life force? To put it bluntly, Old Madam Ning's bodily functions were failing, and they were slowing down. Perhaps one day, her body would suddenly stop functioning, and she would die.
Physician Liu asked with doubt, "Is the old lady truly free from pain and illness, and very healthy?"
Ouyang Zhide was also very nervous and hurriedly said, "Doctor Liu, yes, my mother is usually very healthy and rarely suffers from minor illnesses or pains. How could she be weak?" No matter how many things Old Madam Ning had done that displeased Ouyang Zhide, she was still his own mother, a person of flesh and blood. A trace of fear flashed through Ouyang Zhide's heart.
Upon hearing this, Physician Liu was taken aback. He looked at Old Madam Ning and said, "I would not have misread the pulse. The old lady's pulse indicates exactly this. If that is the case, has the old lady consulted a doctor in the past year or so?"
"This...this, we really haven't called a doctor." Old Madam Ning had fainted from anger because of Ouyang Yue's matter, but she was later revived. After waking up, she was fine, so she naturally didn't need to see a doctor. After Physician Liu said this, everyone realized that Old Madam Ning's health had always been very good, so the family rarely called a doctor. Otherwise, they might have been discovered long ago.
"Then... Physician Liu, you must save me!" Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ning's face immediately turned pale with fright, and she hurriedly begged Physician Liu for help.
Doctor Liu looked at Old Madam Ning with a hint of sympathy in his eyes, but said, "Don't worry, Madam. I'll prescribe some medicine for you to replenish your strength. However, you can't take too much of this medicine. You can only take it slowly each time. You can't take other tonics casually either, otherwise you won't be able to handle them and it will only harm you."