Chapter 40
Poisoning

This summer was particularly hot, and Lin Jiayue’s ice-making shop saw increasing profits. The steady flow of money into the Marquis’ residence made Mother Jiang and the old madam view her differently.

Recently, Jiang Xingjian had been bringing Lin Jiayue along for morning and evening greetings. Previously, Mother Jiang would make a few remarks, but lately, she pretended not to notice.

“Jiayue’s cosmetics shop is about to open, and she has selected a few names for the old madam to review.”

Jiang Xingjian handed a red card to Bao Zhu, but the old madam directly passed it to Mother Jiang. “You choose one.”

Song Wan sat quietly on the side, fanning herself, seemingly indifferent to everything, but she was quite puzzled. She had Nanny Zhao keep an eye on Lin Jiayue’s cosmetics shop, but she hadn’t seen her acquire any ingredients or recipes related to cosmetics. How could the shop be ready to open?

“This ‘Huan Yan Zhai’ sounds good. You can tell what it is just by the name. What do you think, Wan’er?”

Mother Jiang handed the list to Song Wan, who glanced at it and smiled. “Mother’s choice is naturally excellent.”

Lin Jiayue smiled confidently at this.

In recent days, she has been very affectionate with Jiang Xingjian, and now she doesn’t find Song Wan as unpleasant as before. The better her relationship with Jiang Xingjian, the more she pitied Song Wan.

Recalling that Mother Jiang had sent things to her courtyard several times in recent days, Lin Jiayue didn’t mind Song Wan choosing the name for her shop.

“Since Mother likes it, I’ll use the name ‘Huan Yan Zhai.'”

Hearing her call Mother Jiang “Mother,” Song Wan raised her eyebrows and looked over. She saw that although Jiang Xingjian frowned slightly, he didn’t stop her, and Mother Jiang and the old madam acted as if they hadn’t heard. Song Wan couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

The rules of the Marquis’ residence were becoming increasingly lax.

The others who had come to pay their respects lowered their heads, not daring to look at Song Wan, except for Jiang Yan, who frowned with anger.

Song Wan didn’t want to waste time there. After greeting the old madam and Mother Jiang, she left Fuhe Hall with Heng Zhi and Heng Wu.

“Miss, this…”

“We’ll talk about it when we get back.”

When they returned to Lan Ting Courtyard, Heng Zhi said, “What do the old madam and madam mean? Lin Jiayue just made some money, and now she can call the madam ‘mother’? Has the Marquis’ residence fallen so low? Have they forgotten all the rules and propriety for the sake of some money?”

“Let’s not talk about that. What’s going on with the cosmetics shop? I haven’t heard of her acquiring any recipes. How can she open the shop in just a few days?”

“I don’t know either. I’ll go find Nanny Zhao.”

When Nanny Zhao returned, Song Wan was staring out the window, lost in thought. Seeing this, Nanny Zhao felt a pang of sorrow. “Miss, I had someone watch for a few days, and indeed, that little harlot didn’t receive any raw materials.”

“Never mind. When her shop opens, have someone buy some products for me to see.”

Song Wan had intended to see how Lin Jiayue’s cosmetics shop would open, but before she could send someone to buy anything, a little maid from Xiu Yan Pavilion brought over a large box of cosmetics.

“Madam, my mistress asked me to bring this over for you and the ladies in the main courtyard to enjoy.”

The little maid opened the red velvet box, and Song Wan saw that it contained nested boxes, each more elaborate than the last.

The largest and most luxurious box was made of golden nanmu wood. Inside was a complete set of cosmetics, with seven or eight different colors of lip balm. Unlike before, both the powder boxes and the pure gold filigree lip balm containers were extremely luxurious.

The boxes were inlaid with East Pearls and colorful gems, and the craftsmanship was so exquisite that even Song Wan had to admit that these items were indeed eye-catching.

“These are for Heng Zhi and Heng Wu.”

After opening the most luxurious set, the little maid continued to open several relatively ordinary sets. Although the craftsmanship of these sets was not as luxurious as Song Wan’s, the boxes and containers were still quite unusual.

“My mistress sent this set named ‘Xi Yan’ for you. This powder has the effect of repairing dull skin and lightening spots. The set for the sisters is called ‘Zhu Yan,’ which has…”

The little maid continued to explain enthusiastically. Song Wan stepped forward and picked up the most eye-catching gold filigree powder box. She opened it and brought it to her nose for a gentle sniff.

A strong fragrance made her frown slightly. It wasn’t unpleasant, but she preferred more subtle scents and didn’t like this strong aroma. She took a small amount with her fingertip and applied it to the back of her hand.

The powder was fine and transparent, making her skin smooth and fair.

“It’s good stuff.”

The little maid beamed with joy. “Of course, it’s good stuff. My mistress said that this set for the madam costs 660 taels of silver, and there are only twenty sets in the entire capital. Even the sets for the sisters cost 200 taels each. Besides the maids in the old madam’s and madam’s rooms, only Heng Zhi and the others have them.”

Hearing this, Heng Zhi stepped forward and handed her set to the little maid. “If you like it, you can have mine.”

The little maid was flustered and refused, but Heng Zhi coaxed her into accepting it.

Seeing this, Song Wan smiled. “Since it’s for you, why not keep it?”

“I don’t want her things.”

Heng Wu and Xiang Cao followed suit, taking their sets and distributing them to the lower-ranking maids in the courtyard.

“A gentleman does not judge people by their words, nor discard words because of the person. The same applies to things.”

Song Wan smiled. “If it’s good, use it. Why hold a grudge against the items?”

Xiang Cao said, “No matter how good it is, if it comes from that little harlot, I don’t want it.”

Song Wan had no choice but to follow the others. She then began to ponder over the cosmetics Lin Jiayue had sent.

According to the little maid, Lin Jiayue’s cosmetics shop wasn’t opened on a whim but was carefully planned. The claims about lightening spots and whitening were well-articulated, likely based on some ancient recipe.

Song Wan opened the powder box again and sniffed it carefully but couldn’t figure out anything.

“No wonder Nanny Zhao couldn’t find out about her procurement. It seems she was very cautious about keeping the recipe secret and didn’t reveal any information.”

Nanny Zhao replied, “We underestimated that little harlot. She has a deep mind.”

As the two were examining the powder and cosmetics, they saw Lv Zhu hurriedly bringing a low-ranking maid from the courtyard.

“Miss…”

Lv Zhu’s face was pale. “Miss, Concubine Lin from Xiu Yan Pavilion wants to harm you. This powder is poisoned.”

Song Wan saw Lv Zhu extend the maid’s hand in front of her, and the area where the powder was applied was blackened.