By the time evening arrived, Nanny Fu and Luyue once again helped Qin Shuying have some porridge. Luyue stayed on guard at the door while Nanny Fu stepped out.
Before leaving, Nanny Fu expined the whereabouts of the two main maids, Huiqin and Hongjuan. Huiqin had "something to attend to," while Hongjuan had taken a day off to care for her sick father.
Hongjuan was a gift from the Old Madam, while Huiqin was assigned by Madam Xu. The two loyal maids who had served Qin Shuying since childhood were dismissed by Madam Xu, married off poorly. Additionally, Madam Xu assigned a housekeeper, Nanny Chen, ostensibly to manage the borers in the courtyard but also to monitor Qin Shuying. However, due to the Old Madam's authority, Nanny Fu was allowed to stay and care for her.
Qin Shuying y in bed, tears silently streaming down her face. The pain of losing her son was a heart-wrenching torment. How could she possibly remain calm?
A maid dressed in a scallion-green jacket and a goose-yellow skirt, with a slender and graceful figure, walked in. She carried a bowl of dark medicinal broth, casting an indifferent gnce at Qin Shuying's tear-streaked face before speaking, "Miss, it's time for your medicine."
This was Huiqin, responsible for overseeing Qin Shuying's meals, while Hongjuan managed her clothing and personal items. As for financial matters, Madam Xu assigned them to Nanny Fu.
Not that there was much money left for Qin Shuying to manage—Madam Xu, of course, reaped the benefits while earning praise for her diligence.
Previously, Qin Shuying had even agreed with Madam Xu's arrangements, as Madam Xu cimed that delicate young dies shouldn't be involved in mundane matters. Qin Shuying's mother, Madam Long, had also been unfamiliar with household management and had raised her daughter to focus on arts and refinement. Thus, the original Qin Shuying was accomplished in poetry, painting, and music but was fragile, reserved, and inexperienced in practical matters.
In practice, Huiqin merely handled her medication, leaving meals and other tasks to Nanny Fu and Luyue. Observing the state of her evening meals, it seemed Madam Xu hadn’t tampered with the food, leaving Huiqin content to pass off her responsibilities. The kitchen steward, naturally adept at currying favor, provided meals based on the status of the masters they served.
Huiqin's attention wandered to her nails as she waited. Seeing Qin Shuying remain motionless, her impatience fshed across her face. Eventually, she propped Qin Shuying up, pced a rge embroidered red bolster behind her, and picked up a spoon to feed her.
"Ah-choo!"
Suddenly, Qin Shuying coughed violently, leaning forward and knocking the medicine bowl out of Huiqin's hand.
Crash!
The porcein bowl shattered loudly against the floor, its dark liquid spilling all over Huiqin's bright clothing, soaking her completely.
"Ah!" Huiqin shrieked, stumbling backward in a panic. Anger fred in her eyes as she excimed, "How could you be so careless?!"
Qin Shuying, coughing and observing Huiqin's reaction, caught the look of disgust on her face.
"Ugh, what bad luck!" Huiqin grumbled loudly.
Just a mere maid, and she dared act this way? Qin Shuying's mind whirled, already calcuting her next steps. She coughed again, her voice weak, "I... I didn't mean to..."
But Huiqin, showing no respect, scowled and snapped, "You're so annoying!"
Luyue, standing nearby, trembled with anger. These lowly, arrogant servants! Back when Miss first returned to the manor with her wealth, they had all eagerly offered their service. Miss, being kind and gentle, had selected many of them to assist her. Who would have thought that now, with Miss unwell, they would change their tune entirely, offering only half-hearted service? Without Nanny Fu and Luyue doing everything themselves, even a simple hot meal would have been impossible.
Ignoring Luyue's obvious anger, Huiqin huffed and walked out, leaving the shattered bowl on the floor and not even bothering to clean up.
When Nanny Fu returned, she saw the mess and rushed over, her face full of concern. "Miss, Miss, don’t be upset. It’s not worth it to lower yourself to argue with such a shameless servant. It’s just as well the medicine spilled—you shouldn’t drink it anyway!"
Nanny Fu was fuming with anger herself, but she was more concerned about Qin Shuying's health. She quickly patted her back gently, trying to help her calm down.
Qin Shuying kept her eyes lowered, her long shes casting deep shadows like butterfly wings. It seemed her current circumstances were hardly better than her past life. A mere maid dared act so brazenly; it only underscored how timid and powerless Qin Shuying had been in the past.
Her gaze shifted to the spilled medicine on the floor. Nanny Fu, hunched over, was busy cleaning it up. Earlier, Nanny Fu had mentioned suspecting that Qin Yaoyao's death was linked to Madam Xu and Qin Feifei. Clearly, Nanny Fu was a blessing from the heavens, someone meticulous and loyal.
Unfortunately, Nanny Fu's straightforwardness made her no match for Madam Xu, and Qin Shuying had been an easy target for Madam Xu’s schemes. The original Qin Shuying had long since perished.
In her previous life, Qin Yaoyao had diligently studied pharmacology while managing her pharmacy. She could recognize both common and uncommon medicines at a gnce. Although there was no poison in the spilled medicine, it contained a potent tonic. Even in small amounts, such a tonic was too much for Qin Shuying’s frail body. Prolonged use would have surely led to her demise.
Nanny Fu, though suspicious, had cked any concrete evidence. Meanwhile, Madam Xu had instructed Huiqin to supervise Qin Shuying's medication closely, and Qin Shuying herself had willingly complied. As her nursemaid, what more could Nanny Fu do?
Now, things had to change. Stopping the medication was the first step, and Qin Shuying’s body needed to be nursed back to health. Though weak, her condition could improve with the right treatment. But with spies everywhere in the house, repcing the medicine would require careful pnning. After some quiet thought, Qin Shuying devised a strategy.
"Luyue, stand guard at the door," Qin Shuying instructed calmly. Once Luyue was stationed, she lowered her voice and said to Nanny Fu, "Nanny, I have a prescription. While you're out, personally go and fetch the medicine. If anyone asks, say it's for yourself. When you return, brew it yourself and only bring it to me when no one is around."
She finished the instructions in one breath, leaving herself panting slightly. Nanny Fu’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Qin Shuying. The young woman’s bright, star-like eyes gleamed with crity, yet they carried an inexplicable chill, as deep and calm as a still pond.
Nanny Fu grasped Qin Shuying's hand tightly, her voice trembling with emotion. "Miss, you—you finally believe me? I’ve always said Madam Xu and Second Madam have ill intentions. You mustn’t drink those medicines… Heaven be praised! You’ve finally, finally…"
Qin Shuying opened her eyes and let her gaze drift past Nanny Fu to the intricately designed red cquer tray on the table. On it rested a complete set of Ru kiln blue-and-white porcein teapots and teacups. Such exquisite porcein—if it were shattered, wouldn’t that be a pity?
In Madam Xu’s eyes, Qin Yaoyao had been nothing but a disposable life. Qin Shuying was also seen as disposable, as was Feng’er. But if Madam Xu’s precious daughters—Qin Lianlian, Qin Feifei, or Qin Yunyun—were to die, would it be as devastating as those delicate porcein pieces shattering? Wouldn’t it also be a pity?
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Dear readers, I understand the opening chapters may feel a bit slow, but please bear with it. These foundational details are essential for the intense and gripping conflicts ahead. As hinted in the synopsis, the protagonist is no longer the submissive person she once was. This life is about her being ruthless and vengeful. Since it’s a rebirth revenge story, prepare for a thrilling, no-holds-barred vendetta! Life should be lived unapologetically! If you enjoy this kind of story, dive in. Thank you for your support!
