Chapter 48 Advance Planning

Qian Mengyun was not foolish either; slipping away tactfully from the General's Mansion, she scrambled into the Marquis's carriage and sped off.

The poisoned Old Madam Mo was forced to swallow cup after cup of clear water until she finally vomited, yet her breath remained exceedingly faint.

Anxious to the point of desperation, Chu Xi asked, "Imperial Physician, what is the Old Madam's condition now? You must save her at all costs."

Zhao Cheng said with a face full of urgency, "Once the Old Madam regains consciousness, everything will come to light."

Having finally withdrawn the last silver needle, the imperial physician sighed and said, "I have done everything in my power. Whether Old Madam Mo can wake up now is entirely up to fate."

Hearing this, Chu Xi staggered backward and collapsed into the arms of Caiping behind her. "Old Madam, it is all my momentary folly that has harmed you so. I have failed Zixiao, who is away leading troops into battle, and I have failed you even more."

At that moment, a pageboy came running in. "Steward Zhao, those Qian parents—one is trying to make away with themselves and the other is playing dead. They are making quite a tremendous fuss."

Just then, the old madam on the bed let out a retching sound and vomited a large mouthful.

Quick to react, Chu Xi rushed forward and caught the filthy vomit with both hands, a sight that moved and deeply impressed everyone present.

Zhao Cheng, witnessing this with his own eyes, felt convinced that it was simply impossible for her to have poisoned the old madam.

Consequently, his suspicion locked firmly onto Qian Mengyun.

"If they make any more trouble, give them a sound beating. Can I not deal with a couple of lowly commoners?" Zhao Cheng said angrily.

The pageboy immediately replied, "This servant understands," and turned to run out.

***

However, matters having reached this point, Zhao Cheng had no choice but to let Nanny Wang come in to serve closely, considering that Chu Xi still remained under suspicion.

Therefore, Wang Mu and Caiping helped her return to her own courtyard.

Caiping heated water for her to take a bath, and only then did she relax slightly from her tense state.

"Call Wang Mu in."

"Yes," Caiping acknowledged.

Soon, Wang Mu lifted the curtain and walked in. "Did the young lady call for me?"

Chu Xi nodded and said, "Tomorrow is the day the eunuch from the Empress Dowager's palace comes to inspect the progress of my embroidery. Wang Mu, you must remember to tell him about Old Madam Mo being poisoned today. Be thorough; recount in detail how Qian Mengyun came to the General's Mansion earlier demanding to take charge of the household as a prospective daughter-in-law, understand?"

Wang Mu nodded and replied, "This servant understands."

Caiping asked with perplexity, "Young lady, why must we let the Empress Dowager know about this?"

"For self-preservation," Chu Xi lowered her gaze and said.

"Self-preservation? But what if the Empress Dowager finds out and instead lays the blame on us? After all, Mo Zixiao is currently pacifying the rebellion in the southwest; the Emperor and the Empress Dowager will surely attach great importance to this matter and demand an explanation from Mo Zixiao."

In a cold and crisp voice, Chu Xi said, "Compared to that, what the Empress Dowager values more is the *Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix* embroidery piece I am currently working on. Therefore, before this piece is finished, she will not allow me to die."

Caiping and Wang Mu understood in an instant.

***

"The young lady thinks with such careful thoroughness; this servant understands."

Wang Mu said, "In the unlikely event that something happens to the young lady, this will buy us time to search for evidence and clear our names. Best of all would be to wait until General Mo returns to the mansion—then we will be saved."

Chu Xi sighed, "Precisely."

Wang Mu consoled her, "The young lady is brilliant and always plots strategies in advance whenever something arises, so nothing bad will happen."

Chu Xi looked worried. "I only hope Old Madam Mo can wake up soon so that Qian Mengyun's vile deeds can be exposed."

That night, contrary to being troubled by these vexing matters to the point of insomnia, Chu Xi slept quite soundly.

Waking up early, she heard the good news: Old Madam Mo had regained consciousness.

Upon learning this, Chu Xi happily ran to see her.

"Has the Old Madam woken up?" Chu Xi said as she stepped across the threshold.

Yet the moment she entered, she saw that the room was already packed with people, and the atmosphere was heavy with tension. Everyone cast angry gazes in her direction.

Chu Xi's heart sank, filled with utter bewilderment.