Sheng Minmin was stunned speechless after hearing this, frozen in place for a long time.
For a moment, she was overjoyed—ecstatic that Sheng Mingzhu had become a tool, a vessel!
Whoever was behind Sheng Mingzhu had gone through so much trouble to turn her into this, so they would definitely make full use of her.
The first to suffer would be those who had feelings for Sheng Mingzhu.
People like Zhu Qisheng, like Sheng Mingjian, and perhaps Sheng Mingyi and Sheng Mingbo too.
And then, her path to revenge would become much easier!
But then, a flicker of doubt crept in.
Who had turned Sheng Mingzhu into a vessel?
In her past life, had Sheng Mingzhu also been a vessel?
No—that wasn’t the case. Because after Zhu Qisheng married Sheng Mingzhu in her previous life, he remained alive and well.
If Sheng Mingzhu had used forbidden arts back then, Zhu Qisheng would have died long ago.
So, in this life, who had made Sheng Mingzhu—or rather, who had the power to turn Sheng Mingzhu into a vessel?
Sheng Minmin thought of Master Daluo…
Of course, she also worried about Master Daluo’s influence.
With Master Daluo’s protection, Sheng Mingzhu would become very difficult to kill.
Sheng Minmin felt that someone being used as a tool and a vessel would find life nothing but suffering…
But what if Sheng Mingzhu found an opportunity to turn the tables?
She too needed to have the means to ensure Sheng Mingzhu would suffer for a lifetime!
Sheng Minmin slowly sat down, pondering how she could make Sheng Mingzhu fulfill her role as a vessel as soon as possible.
And also how to find allies to help her deal with Master Daluo…
Just then, Qingdai also told her about Concubine Ruan being poisoned with Withered Vine Grass.
“What—” Sheng Minmin shot up from her seat in shock. “Is she in danger?”
“This substance isn’t fatal to healthy people—at most, it causes lethargy.
“But if someone with a weak constitution, especially with weak lungs, takes it long-term, aside from feeling unwell, there’s a high chance they’ll suddenly die in their sleep—and afterward, no one would be able to find anything unusual.”
Hearing this, Sheng Minmin sucked in a sharp breath!
What a vicious person, what deep scheming!
Concubine Ruan had always been in poor health, so everyone was used to her being low-energy.
If she one day died in her sleep, and the house physician found nothing suspicious, everyone would just assume Concubine Ruan had suddenly fallen gravely ill…
And as for Sheng Mingshu—if he overthought things, he might only suspect Huang Yaning.
After all, Huang Yaning had recently improved Concubine Ruan’s treatment and had her taking medicine to nourish her health.
Sheng Minmin was both anxious and furious. “Can you treat it?”
“Yes! I can prepare an antidote right now.
“Rest assured, Madam. From what I can see, Concubine Ruan’s symptoms are very mild—there’s no immediate danger to her life—”
Sheng Minmin’s face was dark and grim as she paced the room.
“Can the house physician detect this poison?”
“The house physician’s skills are mediocre, so probably not. But a doctor from Renxin Hall should be able to—”
Sheng Minmin thought for a moment. “Prepare some antidote first. When Fourth Brother returns from the academy, have him come see me secretly in the back garden—”
That afternoon, Sheng Minmin avoided others and went to the garden, where she met Sheng Mingshu.
A quarter of an hour later, Sheng Mingshu returned to his own courtyard first, spending money to order some good wine and dishes from the main kitchen.
Then he had Huaishan pack everything in a large food box and headed to Concubine Ruan’s courtyard.
——-
The two matrons in Concubine Ruan’s courtyard—one craved wine, the other craved meat, and both had noses like bloodhounds.
Just as Sheng Mingzhu and Huaishan reached the door, before they could even knock, the two women opened it from inside.
“Oh, Fourth Young Master, you’re here—”
They grinned like blooming chrysanthemums, their eyes fixed on Huaishan.
They spotted the wine gourd hanging from Huaishan’s waist and the large food box he was carrying.
Both their eyes lit up several shades brighter as they swallowed hard.
Because Concubine Ruan and Sheng Mingshu were never harsh to their servants.
Whenever they brought back good food from outside, they’d always share some with them, which was why the two matrons dared to act so forward.
Sheng Mingshu smiled.
“Matrons, you work hard taking care of my mother year-round. Today I’ve brought some wine and dishes. Huaishan, give the matrons some meat and wine.”
Huaishan was unusually generous this time, handing the top tier of the food box to the two matrons and even untying the wine gourd from his waist.
“Oh, Fourth Young Master, this old servant can’t possibly accept—”
“Right, Fourth Young Master, if you give us all the wine, what about you and the Concubine…”
The two matrons said all the right polite words, but their eyes showed not a trace of reluctance.
Huaishan’s mouth twitched. “Matrons, go ahead and enjoy—it’s no trouble. There’s more wine in the food box.”
The two matrons only went through the motions of declining. Hearing this, they quickly took the items.
Huaishan added that there was nothing urgent, so they were free to go enjoy themselves.
The two matrons thanked him profusely and retreated to their own room, bolting the door behind them.
The moment they left, Sheng Mingshu’s demeanor turned ice-cold in an instant.
Huaishan hadn’t known what the Madam had told the Young Master earlier.
It was only after they returned to the Young Master’s courtyard that he learned the truth—and he was scared out of his wits!
Now, with his heart in his throat, he first closed the main gate and followed the Young Master into the small rear courtyard.
As soon as they entered, Huaishan felt the Young Master’s aura soften again. Then he heard Matron Wen’s voice.
“Fourth Young Master is here—”
Wen Yan heard the commotion and came out. Seeing Sheng Mingshu, she hurriedly greeted him.
“Matron Wen.”
Sheng Mingshu returned the smile with a greeting, his expression no different from usual. Then he led the way into the inner room.
Wen Yan went to help Huaishan with the food box.
“Shu’er…”
Concubine Ruan, resting on a lounging chair, broke into an involuntary smile at the sight of her son.
When she noticed the food box the two behind him were carrying, she asked in surprise, “This is…”
“Your son received praise from the tutor today, plus I was feeling a bit peckish…”
Sheng Mingshu looked a little embarrassed.
Concubine Ruan pursed her lips and chuckled. In a mother’s eyes, no matter how old her child is, he’s still a child—and everything he does is adorable.
“Let me see what we have…”
Afraid her son might feel shy, Concubine Ruan quickly changed the subject.
Wen Yan had already opened the food box.
Inside were braised fish—Concubine Ruan’s favorite—and stuffed tofu.
There was also a salted duck, four roast squabs.
Plus braised pork, oil-braised shrimp, a bowl of spicy chicken, two small side dishes, and a small flagon of wine.
Huaishan and Wen Yan didn’t sit at the main table. Concubine Ruan gave them the spicy chicken and braised pork, plus a squab each. They took their food to a low table outside to eat.
Wen Yan stared at that bowl of spicy chicken, guilt gnawing at her.
She knew that Concubine Ruan, Fourth Young Master, and even Huaishan couldn’t handle spicy food—but she loved it.
This dish was specially prepared for her by the Fourth Young Master. He and Concubine Ruan were such good people!
Yet she had betrayed Concubine Ruan…
She really shouldn’t have—
With such a heavy heart, Wen Yan ate without tasting a thing.
“Matron Wen, no appetite?” Huaishan asked, puzzled.
Wen Yan quickly shook her head. To keep Huaishan from noticing anything amiss, she forced herself to finish all the food.
But not long after eating, Wen Yan felt a sharp, twisting pain in her abdomen.
She was just about to ask if the food had gone bad when she saw Huaishan’s gaze turn vicious and menacing.
Realizing something was wrong, she wanted to scream—but Huaishan was quick and clamped a handkerchief over her mouth.
He dragged her straight toward the inner room…
By now, Concubine Ruan had already learned from Sheng Mingshu that she had been poisoned.
