The old madam slowly regained consciousness, seeing many people seated by her bedside. Suddenly, she recalled the words she heard before falling unconscious.
"Nanny Shen..."
"Old Madam, the guards found a lot of poison in Nanny Shen's room, and even you, Old Madam, were poisoned by her," the third concubine said quickly. "Normally, Nanny Shen seemed so honest, but who would have thought she was so wicked, actually poisoning Old Madam."
"Who says not," Concubine Lin chimed in. "If Nanny Shen was afraid of being exposed and punished, and chose to commit suicide out of guilt, we wouldn't have known she was such a wicked person!"
The old madam's expression was inscrutable. She knew how the poison ended up in Nanny Shen's room, but she couldn't say it, especially in front of her own son.
"She followed me for decades, and I thought she was loyal. I never expected her to be treacherous and plot against her mistress!" the old madam exclaimed with frustration. "Don't bother with the body, drag it to the mass grave and discard it."
Xiao Man remained silent. Nanny Shen had served the old madam for decades, during which she had committed countless wicked deeds for her. Now that she was exposed, she wouldn't even get a simple coffin and would be left to the elements. Her grandmother was truly heartless and cruel.
"Grandmother, although Nanny Shen was wicked, we are not such heartless people. Considering she served Grandmother for decades, let's buy a simple coffin for her burial," Xiao Man suggested.
"She dared to poison her mistress! Such wickedness deserves to be left in the wilderness for wild dogs to devour!" the old madam said angrily. "However, I am old and can no longer make decisions. You all do as you please."
"Then let's do as Grandmother says, after all, she was the one serving Grandmother," Xiao Man replied immediately. The old madam didn't want anyone to see through her facade, yet she also wanted to label them as disobedient. She was always thinking of ways to crush her.
"Yingxue, help Miss back to Water Moon Pavilion," Xiao Zhen ordered immediately. "Your eyes are not yet healed, why did you run over here? Your grandmother always doted on the younger generation and would never bear to see you tire yourself out like this. Go back and rest."
"Then Grandmother, please rest well. Man'er takes her leave."
"Everyone stop crowding around here. Disperse," Xiao Zhen sent everyone away. Only then did he sit by the old madam's side and tuck in her blanket.
"I've had those medicines disposed of. Mother, don't be upset about Nanny Shen. If you feel you don't have enough servants, we can hire two more maids from outside with clean backgrounds to serve you."
"No need, I have enough people serving me," the old madam said dully, closing her eyes. Nanny Shen was her capable assistant, and now she was gone. She didn't believe Nanny Shen had poisoned her, but the fact that so much poison was found in Nanny Shen's room, along with the antidote, and that Nanny Shen had committed suicide out of guilt, made her unable to defend herself.
Xiao Zhen looked at the old madam's benevolent face, feeling a pang of sadness. How could the old madam not know the character of someone who had served her for decades? In the past, concubines and their children in the manor had died from various accidents. He hadn't investigated and didn't want to, but he would never allow such a thing to happen to his own daughter.
"Then Mother, please rest well. Your son takes his leave."
As soon as Xiao Zhen left, the old madam immediately grabbed a pillow and threw it on the ground. Madam Xu saw this and quickly called the attending maids out.
"Old Madam, please calm your anger," Madam Xu said, picking up the pillow. "I truly didn't expect Nanny Shen to be so ungrateful. You never treated her poorly all these years, and she dared to poison you!"
The old madam choked, wanting to say that Nanny Shen couldn't have poisoned her. But the poison was found in Nanny Shen's room, the antidote was also found there, and Nanny Shen had committed suicide out of guilt. She was truly speechless!
Having a trusted aide inexplicably removed, and not even a shadow of her enemy seen, the old madam's heart trembled. For her to have held her position as the primary wife and matriarch for so many years, Nanny Shen had contributed immensely. However, she had never revealed Nanny Shen's skill in poison, not even to Madam Xu. How could others have known?
"Go and investigate who has visited the Upper Courtyard recently and who went to Nanny Shen's room," the old madam said, rubbing her temples. "I want to see who has the audacity to scheme against me."
"Yes, Old Madam."
"Concubine Lin," Xiao Ling called out to Concubine Lin.
Concubine Lin stopped and bowed, "Third Miss."
"Concubine's temperament has changed greatly recently. You don't speak much in front of Grandmother anymore. In the past, Concubine would have been the first to speak," Xiao Ling walked up and stroked Xiao Ting's head. "Fourth Sister has grown taller again."
"Greetings, Third Sister."
Concubine Lin heard this and smiled, "What are you saying, Third Miss? I spoke today. As for you, Third Miss, you were once very favored by the Old Madam. Recently, the Old Madam has not been as close to you as before. I suppose you are still bothered by the matter of Yan Shi."
"My mother has already passed away. Why must Concubine hold onto it? Moreover, it was my mother who made the mistake, and she has paid the price with her life. Concubine, what price will you pay for your own mistakes?"
Concubine Lin stopped, "What does Third Miss mean?"
"I'm just saying a few words, Concubine doesn't need to take it to heart. Before, in the manor, my mother was the primary wife, and Concubine had a wealthy background. Fourth Sister was also greatly favored by Grandmother. In this manor, Concubine could do as she pleased. Now, my mother is dead, and Concubine is being suppressed. Can Concubine accept this?" Su Dan Novel Network
Concubine Lin finally understood. Third Miss was looking for an ally.
"I am merely an unfavored concubine. Now, I only have Fourth Miss as my hope, and no other aspirations," Concubine Lin said respectfully, as if truly desiring nothing.
"If Concubine has no other aspirations, what about Eldest Miss?" Xiao Ling said slowly. Now, she was alone and unsupported in the manor. After her mother was cast out, even the Yan family's servants were sent away. She only had two trusted maids by her side; she dared not trust anyone else.
"Whatever Eldest Miss's aspirations are, they have nothing to do with us mother and daughter," Concubine Lin, having worked in the entertainment industry, was adept at reading people. She knew when to accept and retreat. Eldest Miss's previous warning was not to be taken lightly. If she misbehaved again, it wouldn't be just a warning!
"Does Concubine intend to wait until Eldest Miss comes knocking before thinking of resisting?"
Concubine Lin smiled seductively and lowered her voice, "You don't need to worry about us mother and daughter, Third Miss. If you wish to contend with Eldest Miss, you should investigate Eldest Miss thoroughly. Our Eldest Miss is far more formidable than you imagine!"