Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Luring Out the Snake

Ceng Huiyan, with her own agenda, affectionately guided the Old Lady to the eastern side room. Separated from the main hall by an antechamber and a curtain embroidered with pines and cranes symbolizing longevity, she had no fear of those in the main hall overhearing their conversation.

"Mother, please don't blame First Sister-in-law. Ever since Elder Brother returned, her attention has been entirely on him, naturally leading to a lapse in managing the servants. You know Second Master's temperament. I, for one, have little to do at home. Why not let me assist First Sister-in-law? I happen to know someone quite capable who could help Qian Kun manage the Transport Department effectively. Mother, shall I bring him for you to meet?" Ceng Huiyan helped the Old Lady lie down, tucking the thin silk quilt around her. Receiving no response after a long moment, she looked up to find the Old Lady's eyes closed, dozing against the headboard.

Ceng Huiyan's face flushed with embarrassment, a flicker of annoyance in her heart. "Since Mother is tired, please rest well. Wang Mama, ensure she is well cared for." With that, she left with a cold expression.

Wang Mama offered a fawning smile as she saw her out, but as soon as she turned away, she let out a soft snort. The Second Mistress was so easily flustered; it was no wonder she couldn't contend with the First Mistress.

As soon as Ceng Huiyan and her maid departed, the Old Lady opened her eyes. Wang Mama quickly stepped forward, placing a pillow behind her to make her more comfortable.

"Madam, do you think today's incident was orchestrated by the Second Mistress?" Wang Mama poured a cup of tea and offered it to the Old Lady.

The Old Lady pressed her left hand against her stomach, gently massaging it, while her right hand accepted the tea from Wang Mama, sipping slowly. "If she possessed such capability, she wouldn't be who she is. Moreover, to risk bringing shame upon the Li household merely for a steward's position—she would never do such a thing. The true mastermind behind this scheme is likely someone of lower standing. Only they would possess such a narrow perspective."

Wang Mama was not particularly surprised. Having risen from the ranks of servants herself, she was well aware that conflicts among them were no less intense than those among their masters.

"Will Madam investigate this matter?" Wang Mama inquired.

"No need. Let them handle it." The Old Lady blew on her tea. "I am old now. I shall simply enjoy my remaining years peacefully in this courtyard."

"Madam, what nonsense are you speaking? You are still young. I believe you could manage the household affairs for another ten years!" If anyone most desired the Old Lady to remain in charge, it was Wang Mama. As the Old Lady's trusted confidante, her own influence grew with the Old Lady's power.

"These past few days, merely preparing for the *Shao Wei Banquet* has utterly exhausted me. I feel completely drained. Let me rest properly. This household will eventually be entrusted to the eldest daughter-in-law anyway. Why should I add to the chaos now?"

Wang Mama asked worriedly, "Is Madam unwell? Should we summon a physician?"

"Do I not know my own body? There is no illness; I am simply overly tired these past few days," the Old Lady said with displeasure. "They always complain that I meddle too much, but they never consider the caliber of guests present today. If anything had gone awry, the Li family would have been disgraced throughout the capital."

Wang Mama couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. She recalled how the Old Lady once managed every major and minor affair of the household without ever complaining of fatigue.

The curtain embroidered with pines and cranes was lifted, and Chun Yue entered carrying a bowl. She bowed and announced clearly, "Old Lady, this is a ginseng and schisandra nervine tonic that our mistress had prepared. It's ideal after drinking alcohol—it both sobers and nourishes the body. It contains Liaodong ginseng and northern schisandra berries, simmered over low heat. Our mistress had the kitchen start preparing it when the banquet began, and it's now warmed to just the right temperature. Please drink it before resting."

She handed the bowl to Wang Mama.

A faint smile appeared on the Old Lady's face. "Your mistress is thoughtful."

Chun Yue quickly glanced around the room. Not seeing the Second Mistress or any sobering tonic she might have brought, she smiled faintly, a look of pride on her face.

The Second Mistress was the Old Lady's own niece, yet she hadn't thought of these things. It was her mistress who was truly considerate.

Wang Mama touched the side of the bowl; it was pleasantly warm, not hot at all. She called out loudly, "Yuan Xiang, come in and help Madam drink this calming tonic."

Yuan Xiang immediately lifted the curtain and entered.

The Old Lady's courtyard was quiet, with few servants. The most capable were Wang Mama and Yuan Xiang.

Chun Yue said, "Then I shall take my leave now."

Wang Mama said, "Madam, I will see Miss Chun Yue out."

Yuan Xiang sat by the couch, feeding the Old Lady spoonfuls of the ginseng and schisandra nervine tonic.

The Old Lady swallowed a mouthful and waved her hand, signaling for Wang Mama to go.

Once outside the main room, Wang Mama said casually, "The Old Lady has been so exhausted these past few days preparing for the *Shao Wei Banquet*. She just mentioned feeling unwell, and I was wondering if we should call a doctor. Then the First Mistress sent this calming tonic. Honestly, no one in the household is more thoughtful than the First Mistress."

Chun Yue pouted. "The mistress has always been this way; it's just that others haven't noticed."

Wang Mama, seeing her complacent expression, felt a surge of anxiety. Realizing she needed to be more direct with Chun Yue, she lowered her voice and said, "Sigh, I've witnessed how utterly exhausted the Old Lady has been these past few days, and it pains me deeply. Although some things happened today, overall it passed smoothly, and the Old Lady can finally rest. I was thinking—should we call a doctor to examine her? After all, the Old Lady is getting on in years and has been working so hard lately. I am truly worried. She even said she felt unwell earlier."

Chun Yue's mouth fell open in surprise. "Then I'll tell the mistress as soon as I return." In her mind, the Old Lady seemed vigorous and healthy, showing no signs of discomfort. She was somewhat in awe of the Old Lady and found it hard to believe things had reached the point of needing a doctor.

Wang Mama nodded with relief and allowed her to depart.

Dong Yuting brought Qian Kun and Zhao Si back to the Breeze Chanting Courtyard. Although she had given the Old Lady an account of the matter, she still wanted to clarify a few things.

She had Qiu He inquire about the situation in the main hall. Learning that Li Lingchuan was still speaking with the prince and his colleagues, Dong Yuting didn't send anyone else. Instead, she had Zhao Si bring the alcohol he had drunk and sent Qiu He to summon Zhu Yueru.

The small wine jar didn't hold much, but Zhao Si was a heavy drinker and had finished it all in that short time.

While waiting for Zhu Yueru to arrive, Dong Yuting questioned Zhao Si in detail about the sequence of events.

Zhu Yueru had been busy in the kitchen all day and hadn't come to the front courtyard much, sending others to check instead. Now, called to the Breeze Chanting Courtyard by Dong Yuting, she wondered what had happened until she saw the disheveled and downcast Qian Kun and Zhao Si, and her heart sank.

"Greetings, Madam." Zhu Yueru glanced at them briefly before averting her eyes.

"Steward Zhu, did you send a jar of alcohol to Zhao Si today?" Dong Yuting asked directly, pointing to the small wine jar on the side table.

Zhu Yueru was surprised and denied it immediately.

Zhao Si, his face swollen, said urgently, "Steward Zhu, before going to the palace, I asked you to save some alcohol for me. When I returned, there was a jar of alcohol in the steward's room. Wasn't it from you? You also brought some *xiaotiansu* pastries."

Zhu Yueru said, "I did bring the *xiaotiansu* pastries, but I didn't bring any alcohol! The *Shao Wei Banquet* wasn't over yet; how could I bring you alcohol? Madam expressly prohibited drinking today!"

Her words made Zhao Si feel utterly ashamed.

"Steward Zhu, can you tell if this alcohol came from the kitchen?" Dong Yuting asked.

Zhu Yueru brought her nose close to the jar's opening and sniffed intently. "This is amber wine, but not quite... Madam, may I borrow a cup?"

Dong Yuting nodded, and Qiu He fetched a clean cup. Zhu Yueru turned the jar upside down, held it for a moment to let the last few drops trickle out, then shook it vigorously. Even so, less than half a cup was produced.

Zhu Yueru took a sip, closed her eyes, and concentrated all her senses on her tongue. Everyone watched quietly. When she opened her eyes, she found several pairs of eyes fixed on her—even Qiu He and Dong Zhi were stealing curious glances. Blushing, Zhu Yueru said clearly, "Madam, this amber wine has been mixed with triple-extract wine, which is why the taste is somewhat unusual."

Zhao Si exclaimed in surprise, "No wonder the alcohol tasted so strange! I felt dizzy after just a few sips." He inwardly marveled at Zhu Yueru's sensitive palate—she could identify two wines mixed together.

Amber wine took a long time to brew, while triple-extract wine was introduced from Persia. Both were very potent.

"Can these two wines be purchased outside?" Dong Yuting asked again.

"Yes, but they're expensive and not something ordinary people can afford."

Dong Yuting pondered for a moment. "If it wasn't bought outside, who could have obtained these two wines from the kitchen?"

"That... we would need to check the records."

Dong Yuting instructed Zhu Yueru to fetch them. Qian Kun, realizing she intended to uncover the mastermind, sought to redeem himself in Dong Yuting's eyes by offering advice: "Madam, I can also check the duty logs to see who had access to the steward's quarters today."

"Go," Dong Yuting said.

Zhu Yueru and Qian Kun compared the records together. Those who had taken the wine didn't have access to the steward's quarters, and those who had access to the steward's quarters couldn't have obtained the wine.

Their initially confident expressions quickly turned dejected.

Dong Yuting also fell into thought. Could the wine really have been bought outside? If so, tracking down the culprit would be difficult—without evidence, how could they identify the person behind it?

Zhu Yueru said, "Madam, we hired some day laborers for today’s *Shao Wei Banquet*. It might have been one of them who did it."

Dong Yuting tapped the wooden table with her index finger. "Qian Kun, go back and make sure word gets out about the punishment you and Zhao Si received. Make sure everyone knows, and also let them know that I am currently selecting someone to take over as steward."

Upon hearing this, Qian Kun’s expression darkened for a moment, but he quickly composed himself. "Understood, Madam. Leave it to me."

After they left, Chun Yue told Dong Yuting what Wang Mama had said to her, including how the Old Lady had been working hard these past few days, how the Second Mistress from the east chamber hadn't visited, and that Madam was the first to show concern for the Old Lady. Most importantly, she mentioned that the Old Lady had been feeling unwell lately.

Dong Yuting immediately handed the tally to Qiu He and instructed her to bring the physician that evening to examine the Old Lady.