Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Time flew by, and soon it was August.

During this period, Li Shi went up the mountain every day with Tian Mama to worship Buddha. Each time Tian Mama urged her to donate incense money, Li Shi would make excuses, claiming her son-in-law forbade it. She vaguely suspected Tian Mama had a connection with the temple.

After the vegetarian lunch, Li Shi retired to the meditation room to rest. Tian Mama quietly slipped away to find the monk with whom she had been splitting the donations, and the two began to chat.

"Why hasn't your mistress donated any money these past few times?"

"Don't even get me started. The family has a new steward, and all the money is controlled by the newly wed young master. The mistress doesn't dare to donate."

"So that's the situation. Why don't you ask your young master if he worships Buddha? Perhaps he'd come up the mountain and donate some incense money?"

Tian Mama spat, "There's no convincing him. That young master has a mind of his own. Not long ago, he even had our mistress invite a Guanyin statue back for worship. It'll be tough to get our share from now on~"

Unnoticed by them, Li Shi, hidden behind a pillar, clutched her handkerchief, almost grinding her teeth in fury. No wonder Tian Mama always encouraged her to go up the mountain to worship Buddha—all these years, the money she had donated had ended up in the pockets of these two!

"Tian Mama, Tian Mama!"

"Yes?" Tian Mama was startled and hurried back. "What is it, Madam?"

"I just had a nightmare, and it scared me so much that I'm still unsettled."

"What did you dream about, Madam?"

Li Shi stared at her and said, "I dreamed I raised a dog, fed it well and treated it kindly, but the ungrateful beast, after eating its fill, turned around and bit me."

"Oh dear, that's not a good dream. Madam, you should quickly donate some incense money and have the master ward off the bad luck."

Li Shi almost laughed in anger. Truly, a shameless person is invincible.

"Then let's donate a string of cash. We wouldn't want them to say we're eating and drinking here for free."

"Isn't a string of cash too little?"

"I didn't bring much money with me this time. We'll talk about it next time." Tian Mama took the money, her face darkening as she walked away.

*

In the backyard, Chen Qingyan was exercising by pushing his wooden wheelchair around the courtyard.

He was truly anxious now. Ever since learning that his second uncle was plotting against him, he had been getting up before dawn every day to exercise. By now, he could push his wheelchair around the courtyard once.

"Take a break. Your clothes are soaked through," Wang Ying said, munching on a tomato he had picked from the vegetable garden.

"I'm not tired. I'll exercise a bit more." Chen Qingyan leaned on the wheelchair, finding it increasingly strenuous. Sweat dripped from his forehead into his eyes, making him hiss in pain.

Wang Ying quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it clean. The two were standing quite close, and Chen Qingyan, looking down, noticed Wang Ying’s lips glistening from the fruit he had just eaten. Suddenly, his heart raced a little faster, and he raised his hand to push him away. "No need to wipe."

"There's no need to push yourself so hard. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Since we’re already prepared, we have nothing to fear from him."

"This whole situation is because of me. If I hadn’t been ill for so long, Second Uncle wouldn’t have dared to covet my family’s property. If I don’t recover my health, I’m afraid others will come after me in the future."

Wang Ying gave a thumbs-up. "Not bad. Now you're showing some backbone."

Chen Qingyan flushed red. "Stop nagging."

"Wait for me a moment." Wang Ying walked over to the willow tree, plucked a few leafy branches, and deftly wove them into a ring-shaped hat, placing it on Chen Qingyan’s head.

"What’s this?"

"It’s for shade. My grandfather used to weave these for me when I was young. Pretty useful, right?" Wang Ying also made one for himself and put it on, shaking his head.

"Looks ridiculous."

"Tch. If you don’t like it, then just bask in the sun."

Chen Qingyan didn’t take off the willow hat. A slight smile touched his lips as he continued pushing his wooden wheelchair around. The thing was indeed quite effective for shade.

*

In the afternoon, the sky turned overcast, looking as though a heavy rain was coming.

Li Shi and Tian Mama hurried down the mountain but were caught in the rain halfway.

The downpour was heavy, and rainwater seeped through the gaps in the carriage, soon soaking their clothes.

Tian Mama cursed the heavens while using her cloak to shield Li Shi from the rain. Normally, Li Shi, considering her age, would have long excused her from such labor, but today she made Tian Mama hold the cloak the entire way. By the time they reached home, Tian Mama was drenched, her arms sore and aching.

Thinking she could finally rest at home, Li Shi instead complained of a headache and insisted that Tian Mama stay to watch over her that night. Tian Mama seethed inwardly but didn’t dare protest, cursing Li Shi silently.

While changing clothes, the packet of arsenic she had been hiding suddenly fell out, startling her. She quickly picked it up and tucked it back into her pocket. Her eyes suddenly shifted, as if she had made a decision, and she turned toward the kitchen.

Because of the rain, dinner was served separately. Uncle Chen brought the food from the kitchen to the backyard in a lunchbox.

As usual, Wang Ying tested each dish with a silver hairpin. When he tested the tonic soup that Chen Qingyan often drank, the originally silver hairpin suddenly turned black.

"Boom—"

Thunder rumbled outside, startling both of them. They hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

"What should we do now?"

Wang Ying forced himself to stay calm. "Don’t panic. First, pour out this bowl of soup."

"Uncle Chen!"

"Yes, this old servant is here!"

"Kill the chicken I bought a few days ago and bring me a bowl of chicken blood." The chicken had been secretly bought and kept in the backyard, unknown to others.

In no time, Uncle Chen came in with a bowl of chicken blood. "Young Master, here’s the chicken blood."

Wang Ying dipped his finger in it and smeared some on Chen Qingyan’s lips, then poured the rest on the floor.

"Go call the doctor. Say that the young master has coughed up blood."

"Alright!" Uncle Chen, already aware of the plan to feign death, hurried out.

Wang Ying helped Chen Qingyan lie down on the bed. "The next few days will be hard on you."

"It’s nothing. I’m just lying down for a few days. You and Mother will have to arrange the funeral and deal with Chen Biao—that will be much more exhausting."

"That’s not a big deal. But there's no going back now. Once things start, there’s no room for reversal. By then, your second uncle’s family will likely end up in jail."

Chen Qingyan said coldly, "If someone is already trying to take my life, and I still respond with kindness, how am I any different from a pig or a dog? I must make his family pay the price!"

"Good. Let’s proceed according to the plan!"

News of Chen Qingyan’s sudden vomiting of blood quickly spread throughout the Chen residence. Li Shi ran over without even putting on her shoes. Seeing the blood on the floor, her face instantly turned pale. If she hadn’t known it was an act, she would likely have fainted on the spot.

Tian Mama, who had followed along, was also terrified. Covering her chest, she repeatedly chanted "Amitabha" in her heart, thinking, "Don't blame me, blame Chen Biao. It was Chen Biao who wanted to harm you—this has nothing to do with me."

I can't believe the poison is so potent, taking effect in less than half a shichen.

"Qing Yan!" Li Shi knelt by the bedside, tears streaming down her face as she looked at her son's pale, gaunt face. She had dreamed many times of him like this, waking up sobbing and terrified. Even though she knew it was fake now, it still hurt unbearably.

Wang Ying was also wiping tears with a handkerchief that had been pre-soaked with ginger juice, the ginger stinging his eyes and making him cry as he spoke: "He was fine this afternoon, but right after dinner, he suddenly said his stomach hurt, vomited a lot of blood, and then lost consciousness."

"The doctor? Has someone called for the doctor?"

"Yes, Uncle Chen just went to get him."

Chen Qingyun and Chen Qingsong also arrived. Seeing their eldest brother lying unconscious on the bed, they were startled. But when they saw Wang Ying winked at them, the two children relaxed, realizing the plan was already in motion!

A quarter of an hour later, Uncle Chen returned with the doctor.

Wang Ying ushered everyone else out of the room, leaving only Li Shi and the two children.

The doctor checked Chen Qingyan's pulse, and after a long while, he looked at everyone with a puzzled expression.

"How is he?"

"Though weak, his pulse is strong—it doesn't seem like he's on the verge of death..."

Wang Ying took two taels of silver from his robe and slipped them into the old doctor's hand. "Thank you for coming so late. If anyone asks about my husband's condition, just shake your head and sigh—say nothing more!"

Who would refuse easy money? The old doctor tucked away the silver and agreed without hesitation.

Chen Qingyun burst into tears. "Big brother, big brother, wake up! What will we do without you?"

Who knew the kid had some acting talent?

When Old Lady Tian heard the crying, she knew the plan had likely succeeded! She made an excuse to go to the latrine and slipped out, running all the way home.

*

In the alley of East Lower Street, Tian Xiaoliu trudged through the mud and knocked on the Chen family's door.

After a while, Chen Qingling opened the door. "Liu Zi, what are you doing here so late?"

"I'm here to bring good news to Second Master and the young masters!"

The room was lit by lamplight. Chen Biao asked excitedly, "Has Chen Qingyan really kicked the bucket?"

"My mother saw it with her own eyes—he vomited up blood all over the floor, it was terrifying. The doctor was called but left after just a short while. He must be a lost cause."

Chen Biao slapped his thigh in delight. "Good, excellent! He's finally dead! I thought that sickly fool would die before the New Year, but he dragged on for so long. Li Shi even arranged a wedding to counter his ill fate—what a waste of effort."

According to the customs of the Wu Dynasty, if there were no adult males in the family, brothers could help manage the family business. This meant that after Chen Qingyan's death, Chen Biao could rightfully take over the main family's assets.

"Alright, you can go back now. I'll go check the situation tomorrow."

Liu Zi stood up. "Second Master, don't forget my help."

"Don't worry, I won't forget what I promised you."

"That's good, that's good. I congratulate Second Master in advance on achieving your wish."

After Liu Zi left, Chen Qingfeng said disdainfully, "Father, are you really going to give him half the farmland? He's just a lowly servant."

"It's just to placate him. Once everything is settled, we'll send him and his family to work on the estate. If he dares to speak out of turn, we'll have him clubbed to death."

"That's how it should be!"

"Alright, no more delays. Go pack—we'll head to the main residence tomorrow!"

Author's Note:

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Chen Qingyan: Playing dead is my specialty—I can lie still all day.