Chapter 11 Cruelty: Since It’s an Ill-Fated Bond, Why Entangle Further?

Chapter 11: Cruel Heart Since It's a Fateful Bond, Why Entangle Further

After Dr. Zhao left, Jiang Yueyi went back to sit under the eaves, but didn't keep playing with Cui Mei and the others, and the maidservants also stopped their earlier frolicking.

A moment later, Jiang Yueyi suddenly stood up and said to Yu Ju, "Lead the way."

Yu Ju understood and led Jiang Yueyi to the side room where the medicine was being decocted. Xing An had come back at some point, and Qi Hao's pot of medicine had just finished brewing; he was pouring the medicine into a bowl.

Xing An didn't know what had happened earlier when Yu Ju almost mixed up the medicines and had to call Dr. Zhao back to double-check. When he saw Jiang Yueyi approaching, he quickly smiled and said, "Why has Madam come here? It's all smoky in here; please don't let it bother you. I'll deliver the medicine to the master right away."

Jiang Yueyi said, "Xing An, go and let the master know. I haven't visited him today, so now is the perfect time to bring him the medicine."

She visited the study daily to see Qi Hao, but she had to notify him ahead of time and get his permission. Without suspecting anything, Xing An handed the medicine to Qing Lan and ran off to tell Qi Hao.

Qing Lan stepped forward, looking worried, and called out, "Madam..."

Jiang Yueyi looked at them and said in a low voice, "Pretend you don't know anything, understood?" The maidservants acknowledged one by one.

By the time Jiang Yueyi got to the study door, Xing An had come back to invite her in, indicating Qi Hao's consent. Jiang Yueyi personally carried the medicine in.

Qi Hao was lying on the couch resting, his eyes closed. When he heard her come in, he opened his eyes and sat up. Jiang Yueyi brought the medicine to him and asked with a smile, "Do you feel any better today?"

Qi Hao took the medicine, but finding it too hot, set it down on the small table. He smiled faintly at Jiang Yueyi and said, "What's the point talking about better or worse? It's just the same as always."

Jiang Yueyi didn't hurry off after checking in; instead, she sat down beside Qi Hao and continued, "Your cousin's medical skills are so good, and he's been treating you for some time. Though it's slightly better than before, why aren't you fully better?"

"No need to rush. Take it slow," Qi Hao said, lowering his eyes, though his eyebrows lifted slightly.

Normally, Jiang Yueyi wouldn't have noticed anything off about his expression, but today she caught it.

Jiang Yueyi wondered if Zhou Congshen's prescription was wrong, but she couldn't fathom Zhou Congshen's motive for doing so. It wouldn't do Zhou Congshen any good if Qi Hao stayed sick or if Zhou Congshen's reputation as a famous doctor's student was ruined.

So, was it the person who prepared the medicine? Jiang Yueyi also thought it unlikely. The mansion was Qi Hao and Feng Shi's territory; no one would dare tamper with Qi Hao's medicine.

Moreover, aside from Qi Yuan, the former Lord had no other illegitimate children. Qi Yuan had been driven out, and the former concubines had long been sent away by Feng Shi. The mansion was clear of trouble.

As for outside the mansion, Qi Hao never got involved in worldly matters and rarely went out. No one would go to so much trouble to target a sickly guy.

Going back to the point, even if someone truly wanted to harm Qi Hao, and could manipulate his medicine, why bother just swapping it for some harmless tonic instead of just poisoning him and being done with it?

None of this made sense.

"Medicine should be taken while it's hot," Jiang Yueyi took the bowl from the small table again, stirring it gently with a spoon. "Let me help you drink it."

Qi Hao sighed, took the bowl himself, stirred it a few times to let it cool a bit, and downed it in one go.

Jiang Yueyi watched him, her face looking satisfied. She carefully wiped his mouth with a silk handkerchief and said, "I don't understand medicine, but if there's no improvement, maybe we should ask your cousin to try a different prescription?"

Qi Hao waved his hand. "No need."

"But it was clearly getting better before," Jiang Yueyi said with concern. "Or maybe switch back to the old prescription for a while?"

"You don't have to worry so much. Your cousin and I both know my condition," Qi Hao said, more resigned. "This is the previous prescription. Since it worked before, we'll continue with it."

After saying this, Qi Hao immediately called for Xing An: "Escort Madam back."

Once again, Qi Hao saw her out.

But she didn't mind.

Back in her room, she kept thinking about what she'd managed to pry out of Qi Hao.

According to Qi Hao, if the prescription had never changed, why had his condition improved during the initial period?

Those were just ordinary tonic herbs. They might work for other people, but Qi Hao had been weak since childhood, so this stuff probably wouldn't help him at all. How could it have made such a noticeable difference?

Jiang Yueyi could only think of one possibility: Qi Hao was fully aware of the medicine situation, and the initial improvement was faked.

But why would Qi Hao do that?

And why would Zhou Congshen prescribe ineffective medicine? Even if his illness was incurable, he should at least get some helpful medicine.

In truth, Jiang Yueyi could simply pretend not to know and wash her hands of the matter. After all, her relationship with Qi Hao was indifferent, lacking even a shred of marital affection. But Jiang Yueyi's nature demanded clarity, even unto death.

Why were Qi Hao and Zhou Congshen lying about the medicine?

This matter bugged her like a pebble stuck in her shoe.

Jiang Yueyi thought about going to Zhou Congshen to straight-up ask, but then changed her mind. Since Zhou Congshen and Qi Hao were so close, even if she asked, he might not tell her the truth, but he would definitely tell Qi Hao. It would be pointless.

What about telling Feng Shi directly?

That idea was quickly dismissed by Jiang Yueyi.

If Feng Shi found out, it would blow up into a major issue. Qi Hao already disliked her enough; Jiang Yueyi had no desire to stir up trouble.

After weighing the matter, Jiang Yueyi finally called Cui Mei and said, "Find someone trustworthy among our own people and have them secretly tail Xing An, especially when he goes out."

Xing An was Qi Hao's most trusted attendant. Since she couldn't glean anything from Qi Hao or Zhou Congshen, she had to start with Xing An. There wasn't much to investigate within the mansion, as Feng Shi would know of any disturbance first. The key was to see who Xing An met outside and what he did.

Before she could resolve the matter with Qi Hao, another more pressing issue arose.

About three months had passed since Qi Yuan left. Now, he had sent his servant back to the Chengping Bo mansion.

Fortunately, Jiang Yueyi had been prepared.

She remembered what Qi Yuan had said to her that night. Though she hadn't taken it seriously, she had to be cautious just in case Qi Yuan really sent someone to take her away, which would cause trouble.

Rather than guarding against Qi Yuan, Jiang Yueyi was more concerned about Feng Shi.

The whole affair had been initiated by Feng Shi, but in the end, it was Feng Shi whom Jiang Yueyi least wanted to involve, even more so than Qi Hao.

The relationship between Feng Shi and her stepson Qi Yuan was well known throughout the mansion. It was all about her son. She didn't want to let Qi Yuan succeed legitimately and have others laugh at her. That was why Feng Shi was willing to let Jiang Yueyi or someone else approach Qi Yuan. Jiang Yueyi believed this matter was a thorn in Feng Shi's side.

Her own son was useless, and even though the stepson had left, she still had to rely on his bloodline to inherit everything she had fought for. Who could swallow that bitter pill?

Since it was already done, Jiang Yueyi intended to minimize Qi Yuan's role, blurring him into an insignificant shadow, so that she and her child could have a smoother future.

Thus, Jiang Yueyi had long instructed Qing Lan to keep a strict watch around the mansion, intercepting anyone suspicious at the first sign.

She couldn't let Qi Yuan's people see Feng Shi or let Feng Shi know that Qi Yuan wanted to bring her over.

Fortunately, Qi Yuan had sent Xing De, a servant he often kept by his side, whom Qing Lan recognized. As soon as Xing De appeared, Qing Lan intercepted him directly.

Xing De saw Qing Lan and asked, "Sister Qing Lan, the second master has everything ready now. The residence has been arranged. The second master sent me to bring the lady over. When can she leave? The second master wants it done as soon as possible. He also said he's prepared enough silver for the betrothal gifts. He needs to meet the lady's family to discuss the matter."

"The second master is quite thoughtful," Qing Lan couldn't help but sneer, though she forced out a few tears. "But I'm afraid this won't be possible. The lady... passed away from a sudden illness last month."

Xing De stood stunned, his hands dangling, and after a long pause, he asked, "Dead?"

Qi Yuan had sent him to bring the person back; Xing De had never imagined such an outcome.

Qing Lan gritted her teeth, nodded, and said, "She's dead. Already buried long ago."

As she spoke, she pulled over a woman beside her, who had also been arranged by Jiang Yueyi long ago. She was not a servant of the Earl's mansion, but a maidservant from the Jiang family who had long served Concubine Gu and was most trusted. Qing Lan pointed at the woman and said, "This is Aunt Zhang. She's the girl's aunt by marriage. If you need to report back, just ask her."

Although Aunt Zhang did not know exactly what had happened, nor who they were talking about, since Jiang Yueyi had told her to speak, she put on a grieving expression and said, "She caught a chill earlier and didn't take it seriously. Who would have thought she'd pass away so young? She was an unlucky girl."

"Oh dear, this..." Xing De slapped his thigh after hearing this. "How am I supposed to tell the Second Master about this!"

Qing Lan was afraid that Aunt Zhang might slip up, so she sent her inside first, then pulled Xing De aside and said, "This can't be helped. Life and death are fate; who can control that? You are the Second Master's close attendant, so all you can do is try to console him. Tell him not to dwell on the past and to take a wife soon, otherwise she won't rest in peace."

Hearing this, Xing De knew that the person was dead and there was no way to reverse the situation. So he handed the silver that Qi Yuan had prepared earlier to Qing Lan and said, "Then you keep this silver, miss. Since it's no longer needed, if I take it back, the Second Master will scold me. Give it to that Aunt Zhang to take care of the girl's family and burn some paper money for her, add some things so she won't suffer too much in the underworld."

Qing Lan did not refuse. After she accepted it, Xing De took his leave. However, Qing Lan was cautious; she quietly followed Xing De until she saw that he had indeed hurried out of the city, only then did she feel at ease.

Returning to Xingyun Court, Jiang Yueyi asked her, "Has the person been sent away?"

Qing Lan nodded and handed the money to Jiang Yueyi, but couldn't help saying, "Madam is too harsh. Who would pretend to be dead like that?"

"If I were dead, it would be good for me and for him," Jiang Yueyi said calmly. "Since it's a doomed relationship, why stay entangled?"

Qing Lan dared not say more. She watched as Jiang Yueyi split the silver into two portions. She kept one portion herself and gave the other back to Qing Lan, saying, "You take this to Aunt Zhang and tell her to bring it to Concubine Gu when she goes back home."

Author's note:

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