044 Only a Concubine

After prescribing several doses of antidote, the physician took his leave, saying he would return later. Once he was gone, the old lady immediately instructed someone to follow him and fetch the medicine to be decocted. When all this was done, she turned to look at Yu Ziqi and the others. “You three have seen it for yourselves—your father’s life hangs in the balance. I must find out the truth: who is behind this?”

Yu Zixin was troubled and confused. “Mother, just as you said, this whole affair is deeply suspicious. Last night at the birthday banquet, everyone in the courtyard saw that Father was perfectly well. How is it that in just one night, he has become like this?”

Ning Qian quietly edged closer to the bed, standing on tiptoe to get a better view. The master of the Yu family, lying there, had lost all his former vigor—his breathing was labored, his body curled in a bow, his shoulders and legs convulsing uncontrollably. At that sight, only two words remained in her mind—stroke victim.

Thinking carefully, it was not unlikely that the master had suffered a stroke. He was advanced in years, and last night, in his joy, his emotions had run high; coupled with excessive drinking, it could well have resulted in a stroke. Yet, recalling the physician’s recent words, she immediately dismissed her own theory. The physician had spoken of poisoning.

The old lady’s face was clouded with anger as her gaze swept over those present, finally settling on Madam Chen, who was shaking like a leaf. “Jiaoran, you stay here and watch over the master. The rest of you, come with me to the outer hall.” Supported by Ginkgo, her maid, she made her way out, the others following in single file.

In the outer hall, the old lady seated herself in the place of honor, while the others took their seats below her. Once all were settled, she fixed her eyes on Madam Chen. “Sister, you have truly astonished me. Was it my words yesterday that made you vent your anger on the master? How wicked your heart must be! You know well the gravity of poisoning your husband.”

With a thud, Madam Chen fell to her knees. “Sister, I am innocent! I truly do not know what has happened.”

The old lady slammed her hand on the table. “Nonsense! Do you think a simple denial can conceal everything? Have I not always treated you well? How could you commit such a disgraceful act? You have brought shame upon the Yu family.”

Madam Chen kowtowed repeatedly, her cheeks wet with tears, crying out her innocence. Her expression seemed to hold endless grievance.

“Very well. I am not one to be unreasonable. If you have anything to say in your own defense, speak now. But if your words are false, do not blame me for being ruthless.”

At this, Madam Chen quickly raised her head. “Thank you for your mercy. Last night, the master did drink rather a lot. After I helped him back, I instructed the servants to fetch him a sobering broth from the kitchen. After drinking it, the master seemed much improved, and then we retired for the night. It was only this morning, when I woke, that I found him in this state. I truly do not know what has happened. Sister, you must judge fairly.”

The old lady’s expression changed slightly; it was clear she hadn’t truly listened to Madam Chen’s words. “Sister, your story is full of holes. The master was perfectly well last night—how is it that after returning to your quarters and drinking a single bowl of sobering broth, he is now poisoned? You all heard what Doctor Chen said just now. If even he cannot identify the poison, it shows how vicious the perpetrator is. No matter how you try to explain, you cannot escape involvement in this matter.”

Madam Chen’s fear had grown so great that she no longer trembled, but gazed at the old lady with tear-filled eyes. “Sister... I... I truly am innocent, I am!”

“Silence,” the old lady roared. “Do not call me sister—you have forgotten your place! You are a concubine; in front of the principal wife, how should a concubine address her? I permitted you to call me sister only for the master’s sake. But now you dare to commit such a grave transgression and still call me sister? Hmph!”

At these words, the expressions of most of the women in the room shifted ever so slightly. After all, there were but a few principal wives; the rest were all concubines. The old lady’s rebuke was a warning to all. For a moment, every woman in the room was lost in her own thoughts.

Madam Chen was now prostrate on the floor. “Sister, I truly did not do it, I did not, I did not...”

“That’s enough. Someone, take her to the woodshed and lock her up. We will wait for the master to awaken before making any decisions.” The old lady, to her credit, did not judge Madam Chen before the master had regained consciousness.

Madam Chen’s heartrending cries echoed as she was dragged away. Once the room returned to calm, the old lady rose. “These are my orders for now. All of you return to your own courtyards. If anything happens with the master, I will have you summoned.”

Though none wished to leave at such a time, the old lady’s word was final. One by one, they took their leave.

Back in their own courtyard, Yu Ziqi returned to his chambers with a grave expression. Ning Qian, after instructing Nianyu to prepare breakfast, followed him in. “My lord, do not be too anxious. Father is a good man; heaven will surely protect him. He will be all right.”

“It is simply that today’s events are so strange. By the way, madam, you must be tired. Go and rest for a while. There is no use rushing this matter.”

“No need. I have already asked Nianyu to prepare breakfast. Let us eat first, then see what comes.” Seeing the worry etched on Yu Ziqi’s face, Ning Qian’s heart was full of emotion. She knew he had never enjoyed his father’s favor. If it had been her, she would certainly have harbored resentment. Yet seeing him like this, she finally understood that Yu Ziqi did truly care for his father.

When Nianyu brought in their meal, Yu Ziqi and Ning Qian ate a little before sending her away. Left alone, Yu Ziqi went to the study, while Ning Qian, carrying tea and pastries, entered to find him poring over medical texts.

Yu Ziqi’s study was filled with books of every kind. Seeing him with a medical text in hand, Ning Qian was not surprised. She set the refreshments on the table and spoke gently: “My lord, have some tea.”

“Thank you.” Yu Ziqi set down his book and sipped the tea.

“My lord, have you discovered what kind of poison father was given?”

“I have some ideas, but I dare not be certain. From what I can surmise, father may not have been poisoned with a single substance. Perhaps someone deliberately mixed two poisons, which is why Doctor Chen could not identify them. But I am no physician, so I cannot say for sure.”