Chapter Two: The One Behind the Scenes

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Jiang Nian lived in Mingyue Pavilion, about fifteen minutes away from the Old Madam’s Anshou Pavilion. After changing her clothes, she called out, "Qiao'er." Upon hearing Jiang Nian’s voice, Qiao'er hurried in, "Miss." "Go tell Granny Li that I want to drink the ginger soup she personally made. Stay by her side and keep an eye on her." Though young, Qiao'er was sharp and immediately sensed something was amiss. She nodded eagerly, "Your servant will go find Granny Li right away!" Thinking of what was about to happen, Jiang Nian gave Qing’er a few more instructions. Seeing her anxious agreement, she rose and headed toward Anshou Courtyard.

Mrs. Chen recited a Buddhist sutra once more before returning to the courtyard with her maid. Granny Li came forward with her head lowered and bowed, "Madam, this old servant has something to tell you." After speaking, she glanced around and told the maids, "You all leave. I have important matters to discuss with Madam." The maids exchanged glances and left after Mrs. Chen gave her consent.

Mrs. Chen’s heart was on guard as she scrutinized Granny Li from head to toe, "What exactly is it?" Granny Li opened a food box and brought out a bowl of ginger soup. "This is what the young lady asked me to make. This old servant has brought you a bowl." Mrs. Chen narrowed her eyes, blocking the bowl with her hand, "Get to the point if you have something to say."

The bowl of ginger soup spilled onto Mrs. Chen’s robe as it was pushed aside. Seeing her refusal, Granny Li suddenly grew desperate, grabbed Mrs. Chen’s neck, and forced the soup into her mouth. The woman said that even a sip of this aphrodisiac...

"A dirty servant! What are you trying to do to Madam?!" An angry voice rang from the doorway. At the same time, Qing’er darted in and knocked Granny Li down. Granny Li cried out in surprise, and Qing’er took the soup bowl from her hand.

Shortly after, Qiao'er entered with Jiang Ping and the others. Everyone was stunned by the scene before them.

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"What is going on?!" The Old Madam leaned on her cane, her expression unreadable. Jiang Ping saw Mrs. Chen sitting weakly on the ground, her face pale and bloodless. He immediately cradled her in his arms, "What happened here?!" Qing’er knelt on the floor, raising her voice, "Someone tried to harm Madam. Luckily, she was strong enough not to drink the drugged ginger soup!"

Jiang Nian hurried out, "Drugged? Qing’er, do you have proof?" "Miss, I saw it with my own eyes!" Qiao'er knelt with her head lowered, "After I took away the ginger soup, I returned to the kitchen and saw Granny Li pour a packet of powder into it."

Everyone was shocked by this revelation.

"This old servant..." Granny Li began.

"Slap!" Qing’er slapped her so hard she was dazed for a long while. Jiang Ping looked at the bowl of ginger soup with suspicion and called out loudly, "Someone, fetch the doctor!"

The servants quickly brought the doctor over. The doctor opened his medicine box, rubbed some soup on his hand, and sniffed carefully. After confirming, he bowed and said, "Reporting to Madam, this ginger soup contains Hehuan Powder from the Western Regions, a very potent drug."

Hearing this, everyone held their breath.

Jiang Ping frowned. Fortunately, these two little maids were clever; otherwise, Mrs. Chen would have been harmed. Mrs. Chen buried her face in Jiang Ping’s arms, crying bitterly, unable to believe what she was seeing, "I have treated you well; why would you do this to me?!"

Why?

The Old Madam narrowed her eyes. Her change in expression did not escape Jiang Nian’s notice.

After the family’s downfall, the Emperor despised the Jiang family. The Old Madam grew resentful of Mrs. Chen, her daughter-in-law who bore no grandchildren. Not only did she force her to stay by her side, but she also arranged for Jiang Ping to take the granddaughter of the Grand Secretary, Qiao Qingrong, as a secondary wife in the capital.

Jiang Ping had recently been promoted to Vice Minister of Personnel and planned to bring his relatives from the Luzhou old residence to live in the capital.

Qiao Qingrong outwardly showed no objection and even sent people to prepare a residence and welcome Mrs. Chen, but secretly sent people to frame her, trying to put her to death.

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Meanwhile, the Second Madam was eager to curry favor with Qiao Qingrong and had often set obstacles for Mrs. Chen over the years. If Mrs. Chen’s death was orchestrated by Qiao Qingrong, then the Old Madam and Second Madam were the masterminds behind it.

Jiang Nian sneered coldly and kicked Granny Li hard in the stomach. "Speak quickly, who is ordering you from behind?"

Faced with Jiang Nian’s questioning, Granny Li’s face turned pale and wrinkled like a chrysanthemum, but she refused to reveal a single word.

"Jian’er, why are you so certain there’s someone behind this instead of this vile servant acting out of her own delusion?" The Second Madam walked in from the doorway, grabbing Jiang Nian’s arm.

At the same time, Granny Li seized the moment and smashed her head against the wall.

Everything happened so suddenly that no one was prepared. By the time Jiang Nian and the others reacted, Granny Li had already passed away.

Jiang Nian clenched her fists and stared fiercely at the Second Madam. "Second Aunt, did you order Granny Li to frame my mother?"

Qi was startled but quickly composed herself and looked at her reproachfully, "Jian’er, what nonsense are you talking? What benefit would I gain from harming your mother?"

Jiang Nian’s face was icy. "Second Aunt, you’d better explain why you gave Granny Li the opportunity to commit suicide!"

The Second Madam twisted her lips, "Why would I falsely accuse you, Third Miss? I only saw you crouching on the ground and wanted to help you up."

"Whether it’s a false accusation will be decided by the authorities. If you don’t give a reasonable explanation today, I will have you taken to the magistrate!"

The Second Madam was infuriated, "Jiang NianI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.