Chapter 14: Poisoned

From a distance, Baozhu had thought she saw her own young lady when she saw Madam Jiang walking over.

Madam Jiang’s appearance and bearing were very much like Jiang Chuyue’s, even their names were quite similar.

Jiang Chuyue smiled dismissively: “You’re mistaken, she and I are nothing alike.”

Baozhu tilted her head, studying Jiang Chuyue’s features closely. Today, Jiang Chuyue wore her hair in a flowing cloud bun, adorned with emerald and jade hairpins. Her face was like a bright moon, her presence refined, more dazzling than the peach blossoms blooming in the garden.

Baozhu nodded: “True, Madam Jiang is a dainty beauty, but she’s not as pretty as you, Miss. In all the capital, you won’t find a young lady more beautiful than you.”

Jiang Chuyue’s eyes curved in amusement: “You always have a sweet tongue, spending all day coaxing me with pretty words.”

Baozhu muttered: “This servant isn’t coaxing you, Miss.”

Cre-eak—

The fishing rod, still all afternoon, suddenly moved. Baozhu’s attention shifted, and she exclaimed excitedly: “Miss! The fish took the bait!”

Jiang Chuyue returned to her senses, lifted the fishing rod, and reeled in a beautiful crucian carp.

…

In the peach blossom grove of the garden.

While trimming peach branches, Madam Jiang asked her personal maid: “Dujuan, Second Young Miss is already eighteen, yet she hasn’t found a husband?”

Dujuan had served Madam Jiang since childhood and was her right-hand woman.

Dujuan replied: “This servant has heard that the Old Madam is already looking for a husband for Second Young Miss. I imagine she’ll be married off soon.”

Madam Jiang sighed: “She is rather pitiful. Her parents died in battle, her elder sister’s whereabouts are unknown, and she’s like a rootless duckweed in the Xiao household.”

Dujuan curled her lips, her tone carrying a trace of envy: “I don’t see anything pitiful about her. She’s an outsider in the Xiao family, yet she lives so comfortably, better dressed and fed than the princesses in the palace. When she marries, the Old Madam and the General will surely give her a generous dowry.”

An outsider with such good fortune—it was enough to make people jealous.

Madam Jiang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she patiently chided: “You love gossiping far too much. How many times have I told you not to speak carelessly about others? The General has treated me with great kindness, and I am willing to serve him faithfully for life. The General’s sister is naturally my sister as well.”

Dujuan closed her mouth begrudgingly.

Madam Jiang stroked her flat belly: “Right now, I only hope to give the General a child soon.”

She had once heard rumors in the capital that General Xiao Ji could not perform as a man.

But in recent days, she had experienced firsthand that Xiao Ji was strong and vigorous, nothing like what the rumors claimed.

Madam Jiang silently prayed that she could bear him a healthy son soon. She had nothing else— the General’s household was her only refuge for the rest of her life.

…

Two days later.

In the afternoon, Jiang Chuyue was painting in her boudoir when a maid came to announce that the Tenth Concubine had come to visit.

Madam Jiang walked in carrying a food box, smiling warmly: “Second Young Miss, I made two boxes of mung bean cakes today. I heard you like them, so I brought you one.”

Madam Jiang was skilled and versatile—she was accomplished in the four arts and also adept at making delicious pastries.

Jiang Chuyue, holding her brush, said kindly: “Have a seat and a cup of tea. Once I finish this painting, I’ll try your handiwork.”

Madam Jiang agreed and sat down.

This was her first time in Jiang Chuyue’s boudoir. She let her gaze sweep discreetly around and was inwardly amazed. No wonder she was the Old Madam’s most beloved—everything in Jiang Chuyue’s room was of the finest quality.

A precious carved jade screen, top-grade scholar’s tools on the desk, even the curtains were made of soft Yanluo silk worth hundreds of taels… Coming from a small southern town, Madam Jiang had only read about such luxury in books.

A trace of envy glimmered in her eyes.

“I’m done.” Jiang Chuyue’s voice came.

Madam Jiang looked up to see her painting—a “Carp Leaping for the Lotus” scene, with a golden carp breaking the water’s surface, biting a pink lotus petal.

It was vivid and lifelike.

Such exquisite technique!

In her county town, Madam Jiang had been celebrated as a talented woman, admired by many young scholars. But in the capital, she had learned there were always greater talents. Jiang Chuyue’s painting skills far surpassed her own.

Madam Jiang praised: “Second Young Miss paints beautifully.”

Jiang Chuyue replied: “Just a casual doodle to pass the time.”

Setting the painting aside, she washed her hands, then picked up a piece of mung bean cake.

Madam Jiang had shaped the cakes into petals with tiny green stamens in the center. Jiang Chuyue took a small bite—cool and melting in the mouth, perfectly sweet, with the rich aroma of mung beans lingering on the tongue.

“Delicious.” Jiang Chuyue praised, handing the box back to Madam Jiang: “You should have one too.”

Madam Jiang smiled and waved her hand: “I already had two pieces in my room—”

Before she could finish, she suddenly clutched her chest, her lovely face contorting. She bent over and spat out a mouthful of dark, foul blood.

Jiang Chuyue was startled, dropping the cake in her hand.

She quickly supported Madam Jiang: “What’s wrong? Did you eat something bad?”

Madam Jiang’s stomach cramped in agony, sweat pouring from her forehead: “I only had two pieces of mung bean cake today…”

Baozhu jumped up in alarm, grabbing the tea on the table and thrusting it toward Jiang Chuyue: “The mung bean cakes must be poisoned! Miss! Spit out what you just ate!”

Jiang Chuyue held down the panicked Baozhu and ordered calmly: “Go get the household physician immediately! Send someone to the kitchen to find out who handled the mung bean cakes—bind them all for questioning.”

Her composure was unshaken, a testament to the training she’d received from the Old Madam in managing household affairs.

The physician arrived quickly.

Madam Jiang vomited up all the mung bean cake she had eaten, took an antidote pill, and barely escaped with her life.

Jiang Chuyue had only taken one bite; after spitting it out and drinking some milk to cleanse the poison, she was unharmed.

The news soon reached the Old Madam.

She hurried over, and though Jiang Chuyue looked fine, she still sent for an imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Only after hearing the imperial physician confirm Jiang Chuyue’s safety did the Old Madam finally relax.

Her beloved granddaughter had nearly been killed—she would not let the culprit go unpunished. She ordered sternly: “Investigate! Find out who poisoned the mung bean cakes!”

Madam Jiang was sent back to her quarters to rest.

Jiang Chuyue, still worried, went to check on her, instructing the servants to prepare her medicine. Madam Jiang had awoken, lying weakly on the bed, her face wan and haggard.

“Xiaoyue!” Xiao Ji’s anxious voice came from outside the courtyard.

Both Jiang Chuyue and Madam Jiang turned to look toward the door.

They each thought he was calling for them.

A tall figure in black strode in, his powerful hand gripping Jiang Chuyue’s shoulder, his eyes scanning her up and down.

Jiang Chuyue’s heart pounded.

“I heard you ate poisoned mung bean cake—are you alright? Does your stomach still hurt?” Xiao Ji’s tone was urgent.

It was as if his eyes and heart held only her.

Jiang Chuyue shook her head lightly, pointing toward Madam Jiang on the bed: “I’m fine. But the Tenth Concubine is still in a lot of pain.”

When he had first entered, Xiao Ji’s attention had been entirely on Jiang Chuyue, sparing no glance for the more gravely poisoned Madam Jiang.

He said to Jiang Chuyue: “Go back to your courtyard and rest. Madam Jiang has her maids to tend to her.”

Jiang Chuyue did not linger and left the room.

Only after she was gone did Xiao Ji say a few words of concern to Madam Jiang. She responded gently, but in her heart, an indescribable, peculiar feeling arose.

An observer could see clearly—Madam Jiang faintly sensed that Xiao Ji seemed to treat Jiang Chuyue… differently.