Haitang Courtyard
The weather was unbearably hot today, and the young mistress had no desire to brave the scorching sun to return home.
Furthermore, the last time the three sisters had met was at the Third Princess’s estate. So much had happened that day, and they hadn’t had a proper chance to chat.
Therefore, Duanmu Rui decided to stay at Haitang Courtyard to spend some time with Huang Yaning and Huang Xianjing, planning to return home only after lunch.
Over the years, Duanmu Rui had dined at Haitang Courtyard several times. The cook there was already familiar with the young mistress’s tastes, so the midday meal was exceptionally well-prepared.
The three had just finished eating, and the servants were clearing the dishes when Qiuju, carrying the blood-spitting Dongkui on her back, “burst” in…
Initially, Qiuju had intended to take Dongkui to the estate physician first. But the moment she took her first step, a voice echoed in her mind.
“Do you wish to climb higher?
“Right now, there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
The voice continued, saying that climbing up didn’t necessarily require relying on Sheng Mingzhu’s influence; she could seek support from those opposed to Sheng Mingzhu.
For instance, the Seventh Young Miss, or the young mistress, or the Madam!
If everyone were to learn that she and Dongkui were Sheng Mingzhu’s biological sisters, and that Sheng Mingzhu wanted to kill her own two sisters—
The Seventh Young Miss would surely seize the chance to strike a blow against Sheng Mingzhu.
If the Seventh Young Miss could uncover concrete evidence, Sheng Mingzhu would be in serious trouble!
Even in the worst-case scenario, if no crucial evidence was found, just the poison in Dongkui and that piece of pastry would be enough to ruin Sheng Mingzhu’s reputation!
This would be her “return gift” to Sheng Mingzhu!
On the other hand, it would also become difficult for Sheng Mingzhu to target her again in the future.
Because if anything happened to her, Sheng Mingzhu would be the first suspect.
Although taking this path might offend several young masters of the estate, Qiuju had already made up her mind.
She wasn’t like Dongkui. She wasn’t as fortunate as Dongkui, who served the healthy and simple-minded Fifth Young Master.
The Third Young Master she served was in poor health and exceedingly shrewd, leaving her with almost no opportunity.
Previously, she had thought to leverage their status as Sheng Mingzhu’s sisters to strive for something, but now she realized how naive she had been.
It was likely that if she actually achieved anything, Sheng Mingzhu would be the first to “sacrifice family for righteousness.”
Because Sheng Mingzhu was inherently cold-blooded and merciless. Having already developed murderous intent towards them now, she would certainly not help them in the future.
Therefore, rather than relying on someone who wanted them dead, it was better to gamble and align with Sheng Mingzhu’s enemies.
Given her usefulness, the Seventh Young Miss and the Madam would not treat her poorly!
Besides, her deed of sale was still in the Madam’s hands!
The more Qiuju thought, the clearer her mind became!
Since Sheng Mingzhu showed no mercy, she shouldn’t blame her for being unrighteous!
Of course, Qiuju also knew that going to Haitang Courtyard would cause a longer delay, making Dongkui’s situation even more dangerous.
But Qiuju hesitated for only a second before deciding to go to Haitang Courtyard.
When weighing Dongkui’s life against her own future prospects, Qiuju chose her own future.
“Young Mistress, save us! Seventh Young Miss, save us!
“The Sixth Young Miss found out that this servant and Dongkui are her biological sisters, so she poisoned us! I beg the Young Mistress and the Seventh Young Miss to uphold justice for this servant—”
This was like two bombs dropped out of nowhere, “shocking” everyone in Haitang Courtyard.
Although Huang Yaning had long known the two were Sheng Mingzhu’s sisters, she never imagined Sheng Mingzhu would poison them…
She immediately sent someone to fetch the estate physician while asking Qiuju what had happened.
Soon, all the masters in the estate learned of the incident at Haitang Courtyard.
When Sheng Yong and Sheng Mingbo received the news, they were having a meal in their own courtyard.
Sheng Yong was so furious he smashed his bowl, while Sheng Mingbo was stunned for a moment, his face filled with shock, before he dropped his chopsticks and bowl, leaping over the table in his haste to leave.
Sheng Mingjian was “exchanging sentiments” with Qingxin. Having been refused by Sheng Mingzhu that morning, he had pent-up frustration and had summoned Qingxin.
When Gaoshan reported outside the door, Sheng Mingjian was at a critical moment…
He was forced to stop abruptly, dressed himself, and emerged with a face flushed dark red.
Sheng Mingyi, being frail, was taking an afternoon nap. Woken up, he rubbed his throbbing temples and hurried towards Haitang Courtyard.
As for Sheng Mingzhu, upon hearing the news, she fainted into Lin Zhijing’s arms the very next second. He needled her a few times before she regained consciousness, weeping and proclaiming her innocence, insisting on going to Haitang Courtyard to seek justice for herself.
Only Sheng Minmin was “leisurely and carefree.”
Because this entire incident had been planned by Sheng Minmin from start to finish, and she was very satisfied with Qiuju’s performance.
Qiuju hadn’t gone to Sheng Mingyi, nor to Sheng Mingbo, nor even to her. Instead, she went directly to Haitang Courtyard to find Duanmu Rui and Huang Yaning!
Huang Yaning wished nothing more than to see Sheng Mingzhu dead. With such favorable news delivered to her doorstep, she would undoubtedly do everything in her power to make Sheng Mingzhu suffer greatly.
Duanmu Rui would also stand by Huang Yaning’s side. Even if Sheng Yong and the others wanted to show favoritism towards Sheng Mingzhu, they couldn’t go too far in front of the young mistress.
Qiuju was not lacking in courage or brains!
And she was just as cold-blooded and ruthless, using her own sister’s life as a bargaining chip!
Truly worthy of being a member of the Feng family!
By now, the estate master and mistress, along with the legitimate young masters and misses, had gathered at Haitang Courtyard, and everyone had been briefed on what had transpired.
“Father, Mother, your daughter can swear to heaven!
“If I poisoned or ordered someone to poison those pastries, may I die a miserable death in this lifetime and fall into the eighteenth level of hell after I die!”
Sheng Mingzhu fell to her knees with a “thud,” tears streaking her face, her expression full of grievance as she raised her hand to swear.
Lin Zhijing, heart aching, helped Sheng Mingzhu to her feet and spoke up.
“Young Mistress, Lord Sheng, those pastries were ordered by this humble one’s servant from Yipin Lou yesterday. They are certainly not poisoned!
“Moreover, my junior sister sent them to every courtyard—
“Many people ate them without issue. Only she fell ill after eating. Could it be—that someone is intentionally framing my junior sister?”
As he finished speaking, his gaze turned sharp and icy, fixed on Qiuju.
Kneeling in the center, Qiuju felt as if she were being watched by a venomous snake, her entire body tensing instantly.
But remembering that she too had almost been poisoned to death today, that lingering fear and anger dispelled her dread of Lin Zhijing.
She pulled out the last piece of pastry from her pocket.
“Young Mistress, Master, Madam, this is the pastry my sister hadn’t finished eating…
“She had invited this servant to share it, but the weather was too hot, and I had no appetite, so I didn’t partake…
“If I had eaten it with her, I’m afraid both of us would have died in that patch of grass…”
Just as she finished speaking, the estate physician emerged from the side room.
“How is Dongkui?” Sheng Minmin was the first to ask.
The physician wiped the sweat from his brow and replied respectfully.
“Reporting to the Madam, Miss Dongkui’s poisoning has been stabilized. With proper rest and a period of medication, she should make a full recovery…”
Hearing this, Sheng Yong, Sheng Mingjian, and the other brothers visibly relaxed.
“What kind of poison was it?”
A hint of shame appeared on the physician’s face as he bowed slightly.
“My knowledge is limited; I could not identify it…”
“Examine that pastry. See if it’s poisoned—”
The physician took the pastry from Qiuju, sniffed it, his expression gradually growing serious. He tested it with a silver needle before saying.
“This pastry is poisoned!”
