"So, someone with ulterior motives increased the dosage?"
"That's exactly what I mean," Doctor Cui said. "Did I hear before that a ghost doctor would come to treat us?"
"Yes." Ji Wushang asked, then inquired, "Does the old gentleman know him?"
"I am but a humble student of his, haha!" Doctor Cui laughed heartily.
Immediately, Ji Wushang was filled with respect and joy. Judging from his age, Doctor Cui must be his senior brother or fellow disciple. Their medical skills must be of different levels, and he would surely be able to completely cure his mother's illness!
"But Miss, don't be too happy yet. Madam's condition is not good." Doctor Cui saw through Ji Wushang's thoughts.
Ji Wushang looked somewhat dejected.
Dr. Cui smiled.
Ji Wushang watched for a while, then went to the Xiaoyao Hall. There, her head maid Chunfeng and second-class maid Xiaomi were kneeling and waiting for her. Upon seeing Ji Wushang, the two immediately kowtowed, "Young Miss!"
Ji Wushang glanced at them, then walked to the chaise lounge in front and asked, "Who brewed the medicine? Who fed my mother the medicine?"
Chunfeng, dressed in a fresh and elegant green dress, said, "Replying to Miss, it was this servant who fed the madam the medicine." Xiao Mi, dressed in simpler clothes and wearing a wooden hairpin in her hair, lowered her head and said timidly, "Replying to Miss, it was this servant who brewed the medicine."
"Was anyone else present at the time? Did you brew the medicine in a separate, private kitchen in the North Garden?" Ji Wushang naturally asked a few more questions.
In General Ji's mansion, only the Madam, the Master, the Old Madam, and the Old Master are allowed to have their own private kitchens for minor supplements.
"Miss, I brewed the medicine in the small kitchen." Xiao Mi still didn't dare to look up at Ji Wushang, while the maid Chunfeng looked at Xiao Mi, as if she cared a lot about what Xiao Mi said.
"Was anyone present at the time? Who were they? Tell me all of them."
“Reporting to Miss, at that time, only I was in the small kitchen preparing the medicine. Not long after, the maid Xiaoyu came in. She brought in the bird's nest soup that she had just fed the madam, and left after seeing her put it aside.”
"And then?" Ji Wushang looked at her. Her eyes seemed unfocused, as if she was hiding something. And Chunfeng, standing beside her, seemed to be paying too much attention to what Xiaomi was saying. Staring at her, humph, she must have something to hide.
"Later, let me think about it." Xiao Mi was a little troubled. She didn't know whether she should say this or not. As she thought about it, her eyes drifted to Chunfeng's side. Chunfeng saw this and immediately winked at Xiao Mi. It was only for a moment, but Ji Wushang still saw it.
Xiaomi said, "Nothing else happened." As she spoke, she lowered her head.
"Yes, right?" Ji Wushang stood up and stood next to Xiao Mi. "You went out once in the middle of the journey. Was it the head maid Chunfeng who asked you to go out?" As he spoke, he looked at Chunfeng. "Chunfeng, you must have encountered something that made you send Xiao Mi away, right?"
Upon hearing this, Chunfeng's legs trembled slightly, her eyes darted around, and she stammered, "Miss, I didn't call Xiaomi out. Xiaomi just said that there was nothing else going on; she was just decocting medicine!"
"Is that so?" Ji Wushang suddenly placed a hand on Chunfeng's shoulder. Chunfeng, feeling guilty, was so frightened that she fell to the ground and screamed, "Ah!"
Ji Wushang frowned. "I didn't even hit you, so why are you acting like this? As the saying goes, if you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear. Chunfeng, it seems you really are something else!"
Chunfeng immediately got up from the ground and knelt in front of Ji Wushang. "Miss, just now, I just fell down by accident."
"Let me ask you, why is Xiaomi looking in your direction? You're exchanging glances, do you both think I'm blind?" Ji Wushang asked sternly, her aura making the two maids tremble, but they dared not speak out.
Xiao Mi was already at her breaking point. "Sister Chunfeng..." she pleaded, looking at Chunfeng with hope that she wouldn't make things difficult for her. Ji Wushang coldly said, "Xiao Mi, in your eyes, is Chunfeng your master? Huh? Hurry up and tell the truth!"
"Miss, spare me! Miss, spare me!" Xiao Mi kowtowed several times, then pointed to Chunfeng kneeling to one side and said, "It was Sister Chunfeng who called me out. I was watching the medicine being decocted, but she told me to go out because someone was looking for me. I thought the madam's medicine was important, so I wanted to go see that person later."
But Sister Chunfeng said she would keep an eye on the medicine. Thinking the person looking for me must be getting impatient, I went out, but after looking for a long time, I couldn't see anyone in the courtyard. When I returned, Sister Chunfeng was already dozing off. The medicine had been boiled down to almost nothing, so I secretly added some herbs and boiling water and continued to boil it. After saying this, Xiao Mi kowtowed several more times.
Ji Wushang thought about what she said. If she said it this way, wouldn't it sound like she made a mistake?
wrong.
"Spring Breeze, what explanation do you have for this?" Ji Wushang looked intently at Spring Breeze's expression, trying to find some information in her eyes.
Chunfeng's eyes darted around, trying to come up with an excuse, but Ji Wushang had already stepped forward, his voice sharp and ruthless, "Don't think I don't know the truth! Who ordered you to drug me? Tell me obediently! What Xiaomi said is just what she saw on the surface! Trying to fool me!"
Chunfeng listened, her face turning pale. She knelt on the ground, her hands hanging limply. "Young Miss, I really only went to the kitchen to find Xiaomi because someone came looking for her. I pretended to be Xiaomi and checked on the medicine that was being prepared. But after a while, I felt very sleepy and fell asleep without knowing when! I don't know anything. Xiaomi woke me up. Please investigate, Miss!"
"Really?" Ji Wushang smiled, looking into her eyes. If he had heard her gentle and aggrieved tone, he might have believed her. But those eyes of hers were so sharp! She was already thinking of some excuse to get away with it! Could it be that easy?
"Every word I have spoken is the truth. If even a single word is false, may I die a horrible death!" Seeing Ji Wushang's disbelieving expression, Chunfeng hardened her heart and swore a poisonous oath.
Ji Wushang sneered, "You really made a vicious oath; you'll suffer a terrible death!"
The two maids were terrified upon hearing this! Hearing Ji Wushang's words, Chunfeng felt even more fearful and regretful, regretting that she had just made that poisonous oath! Now she couldn't change it! But, there was also a sliver of hope; if that oath had come true, perhaps many people would have already died!
"Let me tell you the truth, so you can both hear it properly." Ji Wushang looked at the two of them. "I gave you a chance, but you didn't cherish it, so don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Miss!" Xiaomi looked at Ji Wushang pitifully.
"Shut up!" Ji Wushang snorted, then said, "I never said there was anything wrong with the medicine. I only asked who brewed it and who fed it to my mother. But what did you all do? You all got so nervous and thought there was something wrong with the medicine? How ridiculous! Chunfeng, what do you want me to investigate? Did I say there was anything wrong with the medicine? When did I say you harmed my mother? Don't rush to do something that's just admitting guilt!"
Upon hearing this, the two of them immediately collapsed to the ground.
Xiao Mi didn't care about anything else and immediately crawled to Ji Wushang's feet. "Miss, it was really Sister Chunfeng who called me out. It wasn't my fault. I didn't do anything to wrong you or Madam!"
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Ji Wushang kicked Xiao Mi, who rolled to the side. "Kneel properly!" Ji Wushang gave her a cold look.
Xiaomi knelt down, sobbing.
"Chunfeng, you're very calm. The person behind you has really picked a good one! Congratulate your master for me!" Ji Wushang stepped forward, leaned close to Chunfeng's ear, and whispered, "You've already been exposed. Do you think you still have any use? No! Tell me the truth obediently, and I might still be able to keep you alive!"
Upon hearing this, Chunfeng felt as if all her strength had been drained from her body. She stared at Ji Wushang, and Ji Wushang stared back at her. This was exactly the psychological tactic she needed to use to defeat him from the heart!
If you want to punish her, there will be plenty of punishments to come! Tell the truth, and I can strangle her however I want!
Chunfeng finally couldn't overcome her inner turmoil and suddenly kowtowed to Ji Wushang, "This servant was wrong, please spare my life, Miss!"
“Speak.” Ji Wushang stood expressionless to the side, looking down at her like an empress.
Chunfeng looked around and, finding no one else besides Ji Wushang and Xiao Mi, said with relief, "The one who instructed me to increase the dosage in Madam's medicine was... uh!"
Ji Wushang stared at Chunfeng, who was coughing up blood and collapsing to the ground dead. He was completely stunned, unable to even blink. He had been killed at such a crucial moment!
Xiaomi looked at Chunfeng's fallen body, the blood still splattered on the floor, so vivid! Xiaomi's heart couldn't take it, and she immediately fainted.
Seeing this, Ji Wushang immediately hid behind the table and hurriedly shouted, "Someone come here!"
Immediately, the guards standing outside opened the door and walked in, only to be immediately startled by the stench of blood.
"Young Miss!" everyone exclaimed in surprise and began searching inside.
They saw the maid Chunfeng lying dead on the ground, her eyes wide open, kneeling in a position. Beside her lay the unconscious Xiao Mi, but the young lady was nowhere to be seen. Everyone searched around before Ji Wushang emerged from behind the small table.
"I'm fine." Ji Wushang looked at the worried faces of everyone, but he remained much calmer. This wasn't the first time he had witnessed someone's life or death! The first time was the night he died in his previous life! The first time someone died in front of him was Zhu'er!
She would never forget the horrific sight; those wide-open eyes, as if questioning, "Why? Why did you kill her!" Her hand hung limply, and she was still wearing the bracelet she had personally given her…
Ji Wushang felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight into his heart. He tried his best to calm himself down before saying, "Someone assassinated Chunfeng, and Xiao Mi fainted from fright. I was also frightened when I saw it, so I called you."
"Is the young lady alright?" The leader was Tie Yi, a young man in his early twenties. He was tall and strong, with a clear face and regular features. He wasn't exactly handsome, but he gave off a sunny and resolute vibe. He was wearing armor and carrying a long sword. Behind him were about twenty guards who were also wearing armor.
Ji Wushang looked at the man before him, sizing him up, before recalling that when he paid his respects to Madam Yuan some time ago, Ji Tiankui had mentioned that Tie Yi, the son of Tie Rong, Ji Dingbei's old subordinate, would be coming to General Ji's mansion to take over the guard duties. This newly appointed leader was none other than Tie Rong's son, Tie Yi.
Ji Wushang glanced at the twenty or so men behind him and nodded. "You're Tie Yi?"
"Yes, Miss, please give your orders!" Tie Yi immediately bowed and said.
Ji Wushang nodded, "No one is allowed to talk about what happened today. Chunfeng's body is buried in the back mountain! Give Chunfeng's family fifty taels of silver and say that Chunfeng died suddenly from an illness and it is not appropriate to send her home for a proper burial! We can only follow the rules of the manor."
"Tonight, all of you must thoroughly search every corner of the surrounding area! Look for any suspicious people or objects!" Ji Wushang ordered sternly.
Tie Yi immediately cupped his hands in greeting, "Yes!"
Ji Wushang looked at Chunfeng lying on the ground, slightly covering his nose to mask the smell of blood, and walked forward. He saw a silver dart embedded in the back of Chunfeng's neck! So accurate, right in the center! Ji Wushang gasped. If the target hadn't been Chunfeng, but himself, he probably would have been the one lying on the ground instead of Chunfeng!
"Deal with her," Ji Wushang said after regaining his composure.
"As for Xiaomi, take her away, wake her up, and have Steward Xue arrange for her to be transferred to another manor." Ji Wushang stepped out of Xiaoyao Hall without looking back, then stopped and said, "Clean it up thoroughly. I don't want to see any trace of it! I don't want to smell any unclean odors." After saying that, he walked away.
Tie Yi immediately ordered his servants to do it.
Ji Wushang walked out of Xiaoyao Hall and sighed. He had thought things could develop further, but it turned out someone was indeed sabotaging him in the shadows! Who was the mastermind behind this? Their martial arts were so high, which was extremely disadvantageous for him! If they wanted to take his life, it would be incredibly easy for them!
Looking at the surrounding night, Ji Wushang returned to Madam Bei's room in the North Garden. She inquired and learned that her two uncles, due to the late hour, had already left some words of advice and bid farewell to Madam Yuan. Granny Shi, who had been taking care of her, immediately stood up upon seeing Ji Wushang arrive, saying, "Young Miss."
"Granny Shi, how is my mother?" Ji Wushang looked at her, then at Madam Bei.
Seeing her sleeping peacefully now, I felt a little relieved.
"Doctor Cui prescribed the medicine, and this old servant personally prepared it, so Miss can rest assured." Granny Shi said, looking at Ji Wushang's somewhat haggard face. "Miss, you might as well go and rest well. Perhaps Madam will wake up tomorrow. If Madam sees that you look unwell when she wakes up, it will sadden her. This illness cannot be rushed."
Ji Wushang nodded, what she said was indeed true, "Okay, then I'll trouble you, Granny Shi." As she spoke, Ji Wushang took out a purse from her bosom and stuffed it into Granny Shi's hand, "Granny Shi, this is a purse I made. Although my embroidery skills are not as good as those of the embroiderers, it is still a small token of my appreciation. Please take good care of my mother, Granny Shi."
Granny Shi declined, "Miss, what are you saying? I've been working at the General's Mansion since I was twelve, and I've been taking care of Madam ever since she married into the family. To put it nicely, I even watched you being born! Your formality makes me feel uneasy!"
"Granny Shi, as you said, I was born under your care. This purse is a small token of my filial piety and goodwill from Wu Shang. Please accept it." Ji Wu Shang said with a smile, "I'm grateful for your help with my mother's affairs."
"Sigh." Seeing her determination, Granny Shi accepted the purse.
Ji Wushang thought for a moment and said, "I heard that your little granddaughter has also come to the manor?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of heartache flashed across Granny Shi's face. "Yes."
"What rank of maid is she? Is she quick and efficient?"
When Granny Shi saw her asking, she said, "Reporting to Miss, that girl is useless. She's still a fourth-class maid, doing rough work in the laundry area."
"Bring her here tomorrow. She can work as a second-class maid in this courtyard, replacing Xiaomi. Xiaomi has some matters to attend to, so I've already had Steward Xue send her to another manor."
Granny Shi was immediately moved and knelt down on the ground, "Thank you, Miss!"
"No need to thank me." Ji Wushang helped Granny Shi up. "Granny, please get up first. What's your little granddaughter's name?"
"Her maiden name is Shi Xiaohu." Granny Shi was thrilled.
“Yes, now that we’re in Beiyuan, we need to be more careful. You should teach her proper manners. Being a second-class maid isn’t easy. She needs to be careful in everything. Whether she can be promoted to head maid in the future depends on her fate.” Ji Wushang stood up, slightly raised her eyelashes, and glanced at Madam Bei. “I’ll entrust my mother to your care.”
Granny Shi nodded and bowed hurriedly. What Ji Wushang had just said was truly a great help to her! That young lady Shi, because of her lowly birth, had finally managed to get into the General's Mansion, starting as a fourth-class maid. Unexpectedly, Ji Wushang had directly appointed her as a second-class maid! She no longer had to work as a third-class maid. Most importantly, if she did well, she might be promoted to head maid!
Granny Shi was overjoyed and didn't know where to put her hands.
Seeing her like this, Ji Wushang knew that she would definitely work wholeheartedly for him from now on. As long as she protected Madam Bei, then everything was negotiable.
Ji Wushang sat for a while longer before leaving.
Ji Wushang returned to Xinyuan Garden. As soon as she entered the gate, Xian'er greeted her with a smile, "Miss, you're back?"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang saw the bird's nest in her hand and said, "Put it on the desk, I'll eat it later."
"Yes." Xian'er placed the bird's nest on the table and then helped Ji Wushang undress. At this moment, Yue'er ran in from outside carrying a brocade box, "Miss, Miss, there are things for you here!"
Ji Wushang took off his jacket, then turned around and said, "What is this? Who sent it? It's already evening, what else could they be sending!"
Yue'er looked at Ji Wushang and said, "This servant doesn't know who sent it. The gatekeeper gave it to me, saying that someone asked him to deliver it to Miss."
"Leave it there!" Ji Wushang said, looking at the scene. "You may all leave now; it's getting late."
"Yes." Xian'er and Yue'er then went out together.
Ji Wushang sat at the table, looking at the small brocade box in front of him. Who sent this? And what was it? He knew quite a lot of people—people he'd met, people he'd never met, people he knew by name, people he didn't know by name—a whole bunch of them. There were truly a lot of people who wanted to send him gifts.