Madame Jin took out a porcelain bottle and poured the medicine inside into Minister Jin's bowl, stirring it evenly with a spoon. "You and the Empress Dowager share a deep affection, so I won't be the one to break you up. I'll grant you your wish."
"You... what did you put in here?" Minister Jin asked in terror. "You venomous woman, are you trying to murder your own husband?"
"My lord, you misunderstand me. What I put in is something good, the Divine Pill you've always favored. Come, my lord, it's time to take your medicine!"
Madame Jin climbed onto the bed, pinned Minister Jin down, and gripped his chin, forcing the medicine down his throat. She couldn't let anyone suspect she had poisoned Jin Xiao, lest her son be implicated. All she could do was to accelerate the effects of the Fei Mo within him, hastening Jin Xiao's death!
Minister Jin struggled with all his might, but he had been bedridden for a long time, his limbs weak. He was no match for Madame Jin. Most of the medicine in her hand was forced down his throat.
Minister Jin tried to use his hands to induce vomiting and expel the medicine, but Madame Jin wouldn't let him succeed. She held down his hands, watching his face turn red, a smug look of revenge on her lips. Su Dan Novel Network
"My lord, that girl Yushu, did she taste delightful?" Madame Jin said with a smile, watching Minister Jin's terrified expression. "That girl was a gift from the Empress Dowager to you. I knew the Empress Dowager's intentions, so I sent her to Jin Yu's courtyard and had someone secretly administer Fei Mo to her daily."
Minister Jin's eyes widened in disbelief!
"You... why did you do this?"
"Actually, it was out of good intentions," Madame Jin said with a sinister smile. "She's an unfaithful hussy. I gave her the Fei Mo to make her devoted to Jin Yu. Who knew that even as Jin Yu's concubine, she remained restless and conceived with you, playing you and Jin Yu against each other? Jin Yu didn't learn much else, but he did learn your lechery. Visiting courtesans was common for him. Although you've restrained yourself somewhat, there isn't a maid or servant in your courtyard you haven't touched, nor have you spared anyone from my own courtyard. If you had been content and hadn't touched her, how could you have been poisoned? You Jin family are born lowlifes, shameless wretches. Jin Yu is one, and Nangong Yi is even more so!"
Minister Jin looked at the frenzied Madame Jin, utterly terrified. His gaze darted towards the door, hoping someone would come to his rescue. He didn't want to die; his ambitions were yet unfulfilled. He absolutely could not die!
"Madame, I was wrong. I will never do it again. Please forgive me, won't you? It was the Empress Dowager who seduced me. She is the high and mighty Empress Dowager; I couldn't resist her."
"Do you think admitting your mistakes will resolve everything?" Madame Jin patted Minister Jin's face. "Do you know how desperate I was when I discovered Rong'er was my son? Do you know how many times I wanted to take his life? If he hadn't been so lucky, he would have died by my hand long ago. I almost became an executioner of my own flesh and blood. All of this is because of you Jin family!"
"Isn't he still alive? I am his biological father. Surely you don't want Rong'er to know that you murdered his father?"
"Father? You dare call yourself that?" Madame Jin gritted her teeth. "From childhood to adulthood, did you ever show him a shred of affection? Did you ever hold him? No, you didn't. You also stripped me of my rights. Every time I think about what I've done, even dying a hundred or a thousand times wouldn't be enough to compensate him. But I will help him reclaim all the wrongs he has suffered! I want the Jin family to have only one master from now on, and that is my son, Jin Rong! As for you, you are a stumbling block on his path forward. My lord, rest assured, I will make your death swift and painless. On the road to the underworld, take your time. That harlot in the palace will soon join you!"
Madame Jin got off the bed and clapped her hands. Seven or eight women, dressed provocatively and with an air of worldly charm, entered. They were clearly courtesans.
"Serve him well. There will be generous rewards for good service."
"Thank you, Madame."
Minister Jin looked at the women in terror. In the past, he would have been extremely excited and turned into a wolf to pounce on them. But now, poisoned, he was incapable of approaching women!
"Chun'er, I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. Don't do this to me. Go away, don't touch me..." Minister Jin tried to stop the women from getting close to him, but the effects of the medicine were also taking hold, and he had no control over his own body.
The door closed in front of him, severing his last shred of hope. He had always treated women as playthings, never imagining that one day he would fall victim to a woman.
Muffled sounds of revelry emanated from the room. Madame Jin flicked a speck of dust from her clothes. "Nanny, let's go."
The wet nurse immediately followed Madame Jin out. Madame Jin's face was wreathed in smiles, her demeanor graceful, as if utterly unconcerned with what was happening in Minister Jin's room.
"Nanny, Rong'er said he has a girl he likes. Do you know who it is?" Madame Jin asked curiously, playing the part of a doting mother.
"This servant does not know."
"I'm so anxious, like a cat scratching my heart. I wonder which family's daughter has caught his eye, what her character is like, her appearance, her background, and if she is worthy of my Rong'er."
"Madame, as long as the young master likes her, even if she were a beggar, we must welcome her into the manor," the wet nurse reminded Madame Jin. After all, Jin Rong was not close to her. Even if he were her own son, after being mistreated by her for nineteen years, it would be a miracle if he didn't resent her. If she interfered with her son's marriage, he might truly disown her.
"Nanny, you are right!" Madame Jin said quickly. "No matter which family's daughter he likes, as long as it's his choice, I will go to great lengths, even if it means losing face, begging and pleading, to marry her for Rong'er. But I fear that girl may not have pure intentions, not truly loving Rong'er but coveting the Jin family's wealth and power."
"Madame, please don't worry. Our young master is a man of great wisdom. The girl he likes must be exceptionally outstanding."
"Indeed." Madame Jin comforted herself. "Rong'er has always been a good judge of character. The girl he likes must be exceptional. It's just, who is she? The way he's keeping it a secret is truly making my heart ache."
"When the young master returns, Madame could ask him?"
"I tried, but he wouldn't tell me."
"Then this servant can have someone investigate. Madame could then secretly observe the girl. If she is virtuous, then all will be well. If her intentions are impure, Madame can then step in and make her realize it's futile."
"Excellent. Nanny, quickly send someone to investigate and find out which family's daughter Rong'er has set his sights on," Madame Jin said excitedly. "As long as I don't know, my heart will be uneasy."
"Yes, this servant will send someone to investigate immediately."