Chapter 046: The Third Young Lady

The summons for pink tickets and PK votes continues, and if the PK score reaches 200, an extra chapter will be added~
Someone came to inform Yu Ziqi and Ning Qian that Old Master Yu had been moved to the matriarch’s chamber. It made sense; the incident had occurred in Yu Chen’s room—should he remain there? Yet Yu Ziqi harbored some resentment about this matter.
Ning Qian had quietly asked him; it turned out that after being poisoned by those two toxins, it was not advisable to move the patient. But what did the matriarch know of such things? With Mr. Chen absent, it fell to her whims.
Worried something might go wrong, Yu Ziqi and Ning Qian hastened their pace to the matriarch’s courtyard. They thought they were fast enough, only to discover others had arrived before them: First Master Yu Zixin and Second Master Yu Zihao. They were already by Old Master Yu’s bedside, acting the part of dutiful sons.
Upon seeing them enter, the matriarch raised her voice, “Now that you’re all here, let Mr. Chen explain the poisoning. How insidious! One poison wasn’t enough; two were used consecutively. If a toxin went undetected, wouldn’t Old Master Yu be in danger? Mr. Chen, quickly, tell us—what exactly are the two poisons?”
Mr. Chen, seated by Old Master Yu’s bed, stood up and stepped to the center of the room. “The two poisons are strychnine and aconite. Their effects manifest rapidly. I have just examined the sobering soup Old Master Yu drank last night, and found no trace of either poison. Then I checked the tea in the room; the toxins were in the tea. It seems Old Master Yu, thirsty upon waking, drank the poisoned tea. Fortunately, it was discovered early, and I sealed his heart meridian with a silver needle, sparing him from harm. Madam, that is how events unfolded.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chen. Is Old Master Yu now out of danger?”
“Yes, you could say so. As long as he rests for a while, he’ll recover. However, he should not be moved during this period. I will prepare a list of foods to avoid and hand it to you, Madam. I’ll rely on you to oversee it.”
“Naturally. Jiaoran, take Mr. Chen downstairs so he can prepare the list. Tell the accountant to prepare a generous red envelope for Mr. Chen.” After speaking, she turned and smiled at Mr. Chen. “Mr. Chen, you’ve truly helped us this time.”
“It’s my duty, my duty.” Mr. Chen packed his medical kit and followed Jiaoran out.
With the outsiders gone, the matriarch, feeling fatigued, let Mother Ling help her to a chair by the bed. She looked around at those standing in the room, her face cold with contempt. Those few concubines, caught in her gaze, trembled with terror. How could they not be frightened? The matriarch’s fierce methods were beyond their ability to withstand.

Now that the evidence had been found—the poison placed in the tea, and that tea kept in Chen’s room—the matter was clear. The poison must have been administered by Chen herself. “I trust you have no further questions?” she declared. Even if anyone had doubts, none dared voice them.
At that moment, a wailing cry came from outside, “Mother, mother…” The sound was mournful, not unlike a funeral lament.
Hearing this, the matriarch’s face darkened with irritation. She glanced at Mother Ling, who called loudly, “Jiaoran, let Third Miss in.”
A tall woman entered, her features bearing a resemblance to Yu Ziqi. Ning Qian immediately understood: this must be Yu Ziqi’s third sister, Yu Yan, the only daughter of Yu Chen. Still, why had she arrived so late? Even if she was married, it shouldn’t have taken so long for her to receive news. Clearly, someone had deliberately withheld it.
Yu Yan rushed past the others, heading straight for the matriarch. She knelt before her with a thud. “Mother, Aunt would never do such a thing. You must investigate thoroughly! Aunt is timid by nature; she wouldn’t dare commit such an act. Moreover, she has no reason to—there’s no benefit for her. How could she do something so foolish? Mother, I beg you, please find out the truth!”
The matriarch turned away, speaking softly, “Mother Ling, aren’t you going to help Third Miss up?”
Mother Ling stepped forward to assist, but Yu Yan broke free and continued to kowtow, pleading for a thorough investigation.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew strange. Apart from Third Miss’s sobs and pleas, there was silence.
Ning Qian discreetly nudged Yu Ziqi’s back, whispering, “Master, shouldn’t you say something?” Though she knew it was not the right moment, seeing Third Miss cry so bitterly, she could not help but feel sorrow herself.
Imagine, if one day she herself met with disaster, knelt here in tears, would anyone speak for her? The mere thought filled her with deep sadness.
Yu Ziqi quietly gestured for her to stop, then murmured, “Don’t act rashly.”

Upon hearing this, Ning Qian realized Yu Ziqi would not intervene. It seemed Yu Chen’s fate was sealed. Such things had never happened at the Ning household; by comparison, the Yu family seemed ever more shrouded in intrigue.
Seeing that Third Miss could not be lifted, Mother Ling glanced helplessly at the matriarch.
“Hmph!” The matriarch snorted coldly.
“Yan’er, if you refuse to rise, are you threatening me?”
Third Miss raised her tear-stained face. “Mother, how could I dare? I only hope you will give Aunt a chance. Aunt is of advanced age and would never do such a thing at this time.”
“Oh? So you’re saying I’ve falsely accused her?”
Yu Yan waved her hands in panic. “No, no, how could I think that? But she is my own mother. Mother, I hope you will show mercy for my sake.” At this point, she understood—insisting on Aunt’s innocence was futile. All she could do now was plead for leniency.
The matriarch finally turned her face back, gesturing for Yu Yan to stand. Once she was upright, the matriarch spoke, “Yan’er, this matter must wait until Old Master Yu awakens for a proper judgment. Yet, she has served him for a lifetime; I’m sure he will remember their past.”