Thus, the black snake did not attack Yuanxi.

Compared to the others, Madam Chen remained much calmer.

After all, she had personally witnessed her daughter commanding the black snake to detoxify and even slapping it.

After dinner, they took advantage of the time to have a small meeting.

Jiang Fengyuan had drunk too much that day and did not make it to the backyard.

Madam Chen explained the situation clearly, and Jiang Fengyuan was so furious that he was practically breathing fire.

He drew his sword and was ready to confront the second household.

“Father,” Jiang Yuanwu hurriedly stopped him.

He had worked so hard to get rid of that traitor—what if his father caused a scene and ended up bringing him back?

“Now that Liu Ruqing has become the concubine of the second household, she can no longer leave the Duke’s mansion. We no longer have to find excuses to make her stay.”

Since Liu Ruqing was merely a guest, she could not permanently reside in the Duke’s mansion.

Jiang Yuanwu had thought of many ways to keep her there so they could monitor her.

He had even considered making her a servant girl in charge of firewood.

Jiang Fengyuan pondered for a moment and then sat back down.

Jiang Yuansheng added, “Second Brother is right. However, Jiang Ruowei’s scheme has failed this time. She will likely take action against us again. From now on, we must be wary of everyone in the second household.”

[Yes, yes, yes.] Jiang Yuanxi chimed in repeatedly.

[Jiang Ruowei is the kind of person who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals in the later stages. But no matter how cunning she is, she’s no match for Jiang Yan—after all, she was the one who ultimately got rid of Jiang Ruowei in the book.]

Jiang Yuansheng’s brows relaxed immediately.

He turned to Madam Chen. “Mother, does Jiang Yan know that she was bitten by a snake because of Ruowei?”

Only then did Madam Chen recall that when they arrived, the study had been empty.

So, Jiang Yan most likely didn’t know.

[Big Brother is so smart! Even if she doesn’t know, Mother can just go tell her. That way, she’ll go against the heroine, and it’ll be a double win! Smart Big Brother, you must protect Yuanxi well in the future.]

Madam Chen took the hint. “I’ll go visit her tomorrow.”

Jiang Yuansheng looked at Jiang Yuanxi with a gentle expression.

If not for his little sister, he would have already lost his ambition—or even his life.

The whole family was under her protection.

The least he could do was ensure she grew up happy and safe.

Jiang Yuanxi stared at her handsome big brother, thinking that he was perfect in every way.

Good-looking and highly intelligent.

The ideal son-in-law in every mother’s eyes.

The type of man mothers would fight to marry their daughters to.

[I must quickly absorb some of my brother’s intelligence.]

[Once he has a wife, I won’t be able to anymore!]

Jiang Yuanxi leaned over and planted a big kiss on Jiang Yuansheng’s cheek.

Then, she closed her eyes and made a hand gesture, muttering, [Namo Amitabha, may this lady become smart.]

After that, she secretly peeked at Jiang Yuancheng.

[Just don’t turn out like Fourth Brother.]

“Pfft!” Jiang Yuanwu couldn’t hold back his laughter.

Jiang Yuancheng: …What do you mean by that?

Jiang Yuansheng took a sip of tea to hide his inner turmoil.

What nonsense was his sister talking about? He was only sixteen.

Marriage was still… far, far away.

..

Meanwhile, in the second household of the Jiang family.

Wu Cuirou and Jiang Qisheng had a fierce argument, and Jiang Qisheng left in anger.

Liu Ruqing had officially been made a concubine of the second household.

Her food, clothing, and daily allowances were all upgraded accordingly. Feeling pity for her, Jiang Qisheng also gifted her many fine items.

As chests of valuables were carried into the second household’s backyard, everyone looked on with envy.

Concubine Hua stood at the doorway, gripping her handkerchief tightly in frustration.

“If this goes on, what will become of us? That little vixen is being doted on so much—your father will forget about us sooner or later!” she said anxiously.

Jiang Qisheng was a philanderer, and her beauty had faded over time.

Keeping his interest was becoming increasingly difficult.

She held her daughter’s hand. “I still have some savings. We just need to endure until you get married.”

Jiang Ruowei shook off her mother’s hand, her expression far more mature than her age.

Jiang Yuanxi had not died young. She had not been transferred to the main household.

Liu Ruqing had become the second household’s concubine.

Jiang Yan was still alive.

Everything was spiraling out of control.

“Mother, I will not give up,” she said firmly.

Concubine Hua stared at her in a daze.

Ever since their trip to the temple, her daughter had changed.

She used to be timid and fearful. Now, she was plotting behind her back.

“Ruowei, I don’t have any abilities. As someone’s concubine, I can only advise you to marry well. Right now, you must not act recklessly,” she warned.

She was terrified that her daughter would do something irreversible.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I only want to take back what is rightfully mine.”

But that black snake… She had clearly ordered someone to release it and had seen it bite Jiang Yan.

So why had Jiang Yan still been standing there, perfectly fine, that afternoon?

---

At Cangwu Courtyard.

The old madam lay on her bed, looking exhausted, while Granny Wang tended to her medicine.

Madam Chen entered from the doorway.

Seeing the bowl in her hands, the old madam immediately gagged.

Madam Chen raised an eyebrow and walked up to her.

“Mother, I had the kitchen prepare some millet and coix seed porridge. It’s good for the stomach—please have some,” she said gently.

She scooped a spoonful and brought it to the old madam.

The old madam barely suppressed her nausea.

In the past, when she was sick, Madam Chen would always send her the most expensive medicinal ingredients.

But recently, the things she sent had become more and more worthless.

The bowl contained a thin, watery porridge with just a few floating grains of rice.

The old madam frowned deeply.

“Chen, are you deliberately trying to disgust me?!” she finally exploded.

Madam Chen widened her eyes in apparent innocence. “Mother, what do you mean?”

“The physician said you cannot have strong tonics in your current condition. I personally made this following his instructions.” Madam Chen looked hurt, tears welling up in her eyes.

Spring Branch, her maid, chimed in indignantly, “Old Madam, our lady spent the whole morning in the kitchen!”

“Spring Branch, be quiet!” Madam Chen scolded.

[Hehe, I know the truth,] Jiang Yuanxi grinned mischievously.

[Mother actually removed the rice and replaced it with mashed lotus root!]

Madam Chen thought to herself, This little one knows everything.

Indeed, mashed lotus root mixed into porridge would be hard to detect.

The old madam choked back her words. The physician’s diagnosis was indisputable, but she couldn’t bring herself to apologize.

Granny Wang stepped forward and smoothed things over.

“Lady Chen, please don’t mind. The old madam is just upset because of Second Master.”

“Of course, I understand,” Madam Chen replied gently.

Then, she lifted a spoonful of porridge to the old madam’s mouth.

After some hesitation, the old madam finally opened her mouth.

The familiar taste filled her mouth, and she barely managed to swallow without throwing up.

But as soon as Madam Chen left—

“Urgh!”

Outside, Madam Chen walked away in high spirits.

Chun Zhi struggled to hold back her laughter.