Chapter 10: Poisoning Attempt

Chapter 10: Poisoning Attempt

In He Zhiran's chamber, her two maidservants, Qiao Yu and Qiao Xin, shared a room. Today was Qiao Yu's shift, while Qiao Xin had already fallen asleep.

The sound of the door opening roused Qiao Xin. Assuming it was Qiao Yu, she mumbled, "Qiao Yu, why are you back?"

"It's me," He Zhiran clarified her confusion.

Qiao Xin sprang up and hastily put on her shoes.

"Miss, is there something you need to instruct me?"

He Zhiran didn't wish to waste time. She placed two indenture contracts on the table.

"Take these contracts and leave Duke's residence under the cover of night. From now on, you'll be free."

The two maidservants were perplexed by their lady's actions.

"Miss, if there's anything wrong with Qiao Xin's service, please punish me accordingly."

"Yes, Miss, Qiao Yu wishes to serve you for life as well."

He Zhiran was well aware of the unwavering loyalty these two maidservants had for her.

She said helplessly, "Just now, Duke mentioned that he has offended the Emperor. Unless there's an unexpected turn of events, the Imperial Court will hold the Duke's household accountable.

When that happens, we'll all be in danger, let alone being able to protect you two.

It's better for me to set you free now than for you to be sold again by the authorities."

With that said, He Zhiran discreetly took out forty taels of silver from her sleeve and gave each maid twenty taels.

The two young servants were taken aback; they hadn't expected that the reason Miss was letting them go was this. They found it hard to accept the reality at first.

After all, the idea of serving Miss for their entire lives had deeply ingrained in their minds.

"Miss, Qiaoxin isn't leaving."

"Neither is Qiao Yu."

If this were in the past, He Zhiran would have taken the time to explain her decision to them. But now, she lacked both the energy and the time for such a task.

"There's no room for your objections. Pack your belongings immediately. In fifteen minutes, I'll send someone to escort you out of the manor."

"Miss... Qiao Yu..."

Seeing that Qiao Yu was about to speak again, He Zhiran raised her hand to silence her. "Enough, there's no need for further discussion."

While she was freeing these two maidservants, Mo Jiuye was doing the same with his own loyal servants.

After He Zhiran left, he called over a few trusted servants who usually attended to him and granted them their freedom as well.

As for the rest of the servants in the Duke's residence, it would be up to his mother and sisters to decide their fate.

By the time all the servants with returned indenture contracts were dismissed, the sky had already begun to brighten.

Glancing at the clock in her space, He Zhiran noticed that it was almost five o'clock in the morning.

She had emptied the Duke's kitchen, and later, in preparation for moving supplies from the national treasury, she piled all the cumbersome kitchen utensils into the annex.

Fortunately, Madam Mo's courtyard was equipped with a small kitchen.

Even if they were to be exiled, they had to eat first before leaving. Thus, Madam Mo instructed her servants to cook porridge in her private kitchen.

At this moment, the porridge was ready. An elderly servant came to the newlyweds' chamber to invite them for breakfast.

As for the tradition of He Zhiran presenting tea to her mother-in-law on the first day of marriage, it was entirely overlooked.

Looking at Mo Jiuye who was still lying on the bed, He Zhiran asked, "Are you going to have breakfast with Mother?"

Mo Jiuye shook his head. "I'll skip it. I'll keep pretending to be unconscious."

He Zhiran knew that Mo Jiuye's decision was the right one.

Since the Emperor had chosen to summon him to the palace last night to create trouble for him, wasn't it all to ensure he would die on the way to exile with severe injuries?

If he appeared healthy and lively, the Emperor might think of other ways to deal with the Mo family.

It was better to pretend to be unconscious than to constantly fear for one's life. Any reprieve was better than none.

"I'll go take a look first and bring you something to eat on the way back," He Zhiran said, then followed the old servant woman to the courtyard where Old Lady Mo resided.

The Mo family members were well-versed in etiquette. The sisters-in-law and young aunt had already arrived at the elderly matriarch's courtyard ahead of time.

A group of women sat orderly around the dining table in the living room. None would dare to start eating until Old Lady Mo gave the word.

Old Lady Mo intended to wait for Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran before they all began their meal. After all, it was the first day of her son's marriage, and it should be treated with formality.

Seeing only He Zhiran approaching, and unaware of the impending disaster for the Mo family, Mo Hanyue warmly went out to greet her.

She beamed as she linked arms with He Zhiran. "Ninth Sister-in-law, why didn't Ninth Brother come with you? What happened?"

From Mo Hanyue's demeanor, it was clear she was ignorant of the situation at home.

He Zhiran decided to continue hiding the truth. "Ninth Brother returned late from the palace last night and has just fallen asleep."

This explanation was entirely believable to Mo Hanyue.

"Brother Nine has worked hard, let him sleep a little longer. Nine Sister-in-law, come quickly, let's have breakfast."

Madam Mo and the other sisters-in-law were aware of the situation and did not press Mo Hanyue for more information as she did.

However, everyone's expressions were rather grim.

Seeing He Zhiran approach the table, Madam Mo personally invited her to take a seat.

"He Family's daughter, you're aware of the circumstances at home. On your wedding day, with no prior preparation, let's make do with our simple meal."

"Mother, this is already more than adequate."

As she spoke, He Zhiran sat down beside Mo Hanyue.

Glancing at the rice porridge in front of her, she immediately frowned.

"Mother, Sisters-in-law, who prepared this porridge?"

Madam Mo picked up her rice porridge bowl, ready to take a sip, but upon hearing He Zhiran's question, she put it back down.

"It was prepared by the servants in my courtyard. What's the matter?"

"Mother, sisters, this porridge is poisoned."

Upon hearing this, the other sisters and Mo Hanyue hastily set down their own bowls, all eyes now fixed on He Zhiran.

"Ho, you say the porridge is poisoned?" asked Madam Mo, disbelief in her eyes.

He Zhiran affirmed, "Mother, if I'm not mistaken, this is a deadly poison called Ascension. Once consumed, there's no chance of survival."

Just as she finished speaking, a servant rushed in, panicked. "Something terrible has happened, Madam! Chen Ma and Cuixia don't know what came over them; after drinking some water, they suddenly collapsed on the floor, foaming at the mouth..."

"What did you say?" Madam Mo quickly stood up, stepping hastily towards the exit.

"Where are they?"

"In the side room, Madam!" the servant replied.

Together with her sisters-in-law, He Zhiran accompanied Old Madam Mo to the side room.

As expected, Chen servant girl described the two individuals lying on the ground, frothing at the mouth, convulsing violently, with their eyelids rolled back, seemingly on the verge of death.

After examining them, Old Madam Mo turned and her gaze fell upon He Zhiran.

"It was indeed poisoning," she concluded.