Upon returning to the Marquis Mansion, Chu Tianjiao heard that Wang Elderly Physician had arrived, so she hurried to the main courtyard.
Old Madam Chu had been feeling weak lately, spending most of her days lying in bed. At this moment, she had just entered the main hall with her makeup done to receive Wang Elderly Physician.
"Grandfather Wang, is Grandmother's medicine ready?" Chu Tianjiao asked.
Wang Elderly Physician nodded, asking Old Madam Chu to place her wrist on the table as he began to take her pulse.
After a while, Wang Elderly Physician said, "From Old Madam's pulse, I can tell that the cold toxin is almost impossible to suppress now. It's the right time to use the medicine."
Wang Elderly Physician took out a jade bottle from the medicine box he had brought. "I prepared this 'Turtle Roasting Pill' overnight according to an ancient formula. Fearing Old Madam's body might not handle it well, I divided it into seven doses."
"Old Madam only needs to take one pill daily. After seven days, theoretically, the toxin should be cleared."
Old Madam Chu took out one pill from the bottle and swallowed it with some clear water.
Wang Elderly Physician carefully observed Old Madam Chu's complexion, worried that there might be any unusual reactions after taking the medicine.
Taking advantage of the idle time before the medicine took effect, Chu Tianjiao began to chat with Wang Elderly Physician.
"Grandfather Wang, I'd like to ask you about something."
Chu Tianjiao dismissed the servants. "Grandfather Wang, have you heard of the 'Thousand Mechanism Powder'?"
This Thousand Mechanism Powder was the poison Ye Tinglan had used to kill Chu Tianjiao in her previous life.
Ye Tinglan had said that she concocted it herself.
Chu Tianjiao couldn't understand how Ye Tinglan, a sheltered young lady, could create such a vicious poison.
When Wang Elderly Physician heard the name "Thousand Mechanism Powder," his expression changed.
"Young Miss, how did you come to know the name of this Thousand Mechanism Powder?"
Chu Tianjiao couldn't reveal the true source, so she made up a reason.
Wang Elderly Physician didn't believe her.
"Young Miss, this Thousand Mechanism Powder is a closely guarded secret of the Dongyi royal family. I only heard about such a colorless and odorless poison by chance in very particular circumstances."
Chu Tianjiao didn't want to explain further. She was shocked.
To think that Ye Tinglan could concoct the "Thousand Mechanism Powder" that only the Dongyi royal family possessed. In her previous life, Ye Tinglan had been a favored concubine of Li Country.
Li Country was eventually defeated by the allied forces of Dongyi, Western Rong, and other countries. Could it be that in her previous life, Ye Tinglan had colluded with the Dongyi people?
Lu Zhaoling doted on her so much, why would she need to do such a thing?
Chu Tianjiao couldn't understand.
After collecting her thoughts, Chu Tianjiao asked:
"Grandfather Wang, is there an antidote for this Thousand Mechanism Powder?"
Wang Elderly Physician shook his head, "There is no cure."
Chu Tianjiao thought to herself: It seems I'll need to be more careful when interacting with Ye Tinglan in the future.
As Chu Tianjiao was continuing to inquire about the properties and methods of administering the Thousand Mechanism Powder, Old Madam Chu suddenly stood up: "It's so hot, Jiao'er, quickly open the window..."
Chu Tianjiao immediately looked at Old Madam Chu and realized that her face was flushed red, with large beads of sweat dripping from her forehead.
Chu Tianjiao hurried to open the window.
Wang Elderly Physician checked Old Madam Chu's pulse.
"Don't worry, this should be a normal reaction after taking the medicine."
"For these seven days, after taking the medicine, Old Madam will feel intense heat for about two hours. This is the reaction of the medicine taking effect."
"After two hours, Old Madam might feel cold. This is because part of the cold toxin has been expelled."
Chu Tianjiao hadn't expected that even after taking the antidote, Old Madam Chu would have to endure such torment during the healing process. A fierce hatred ignited in her heart.
"When I have time, I must tear down that Qizhen Pavilion and drag out the person behind all this!"
Old Madam Chu said, "Nonsense!"
Seeing how uncomfortable Old Madam Chu looked, Chu Tianjiao rushed over to hug her, while calling for Nanny Li to come quickly.
Everyone worked together to help Old Madam Chu back to her bedroom.
Wang Elderly Physician was left outside.
Nanny Li led the maids into the room to fan Old Madam Chu and loosen her clothes, while ordering servants to go outside and buy ice.
"No ice!" Wang Elderly Physician, standing outside the door, prohibited.
After a good while, Old Madam Chu finally recovered and ordered a bath.
After bathing, Old Madam Chu walked out refreshed and thanked Wang Elderly Physician: "This medicine seems to be working. I feel much more relaxed."
She then advised Chu Tianjiao: "Don't be rash. Even if you destroy Qizhen Pavilion, what's the point if you can't find out who's behind it?"
Just then, Old Madam Chu's face began to turn pale, and her teeth started chattering: "So cold, quickly, I need a quilt."
Everyone bustled about again, bringing quilts, filling hot water bottles, lighting braziers...
Seeing her grandmother suffer so much, Chu Tianjiao's heart ached terribly.
After Old Madam Chu's chill passed, she was left as weak as if she had suffered from typhoid fever, and fell asleep immediately.
Chu Tianjiao had Nanny Li prepare a guest room and requested Wang Elderly Physician:
"Grandfather Wang, please forgive my presumption, but I ask that you stay in our mansion tonight to observe Grandmother's condition."
Wang Elderly Physician had already planned to do so and gladly agreed.
After settling Wang Elderly Physician, Chu Tianjiao stayed by Old Madam Chu's bedside until her Second Uncle and Third Uncle returned home to relieve her.
Third Master Chu, Chu Sheng, hadn't taken an official position and managed the Chu family's shared businesses.
These past few days, every time he returned home, Old Madam Chu forced him to study or eat pig brains, which had filled him with resentment towards his mother.
Now, seeing Old Madam Chu lying haggard and unconscious in bed, he burst into tears.
"What's wrong with Mother? She was kicking me just yesterday, how did she suddenly fall ill?"
Second Uncle Chu Ye exchanged a glance with Chu Tianjiao.
After both nodded, Chu Ye recounted the incident with the warm jade pillow to Chu Sheng.
"Mother was poisoned? Such a big event, and you kept it from me?"
Chu Ye said seriously, "It was Mother's idea. She said your mind isn't good, and you often socialize outside. She was afraid you might let something slip if someone tried to get information from you. She said to tell you after you've eaten a hundred pig brains to supplement your brain."
Third Master was so surprised his mouth hung open.
He looked at Chu Ye, then at Chu Tianjiao.
Chu Tianjiao controlled her facial muscles and nodded gravely.
Third Master muttered regretfully in a low voice: "No wonder Mother has been watching me eat pig brains these past few days. I wronged her."
Just as he finished speaking, Third Master became suspicious again and asked, "Second Brother, you're not smarter than me, you eat pig brains too. Why did Mother tell you?"
Chu Ye rubbed his nose and continued to deceive him: "Jiao'er discovered this matter. She's a girl and can't handle everything, so the family needed a man to deal with it, right? With Eldest Brother not here, of course Mother chose me."
Third Master felt this explanation was reasonable and muttered, "No wonder Mother forces you to eat pig brains every day too. She must be afraid you're too stupid to handle it."
Chu Tianjiao rolled her eyes and looked up at the ceiling, thinking: "No wonder in my previous life, this Third Uncle of mine was sold out and still helped count money for others. His intelligence is really worrying!"
Chu Tianjiao coughed and said, "Second Uncle, Third Uncle, let's take this opportunity to discuss how to lure out the person behind Qizhen Pavilion."
The three put their heads together and discussed for a long time, first deciding to send someone to keep an eye on the manager of Qizhen Pavilion.
Chu Ye asked Chu Tianjiao, "Jiao'er, do you have any other ideas?"
After pondering for a moment, Chu Tianjiao said, "I noticed today that the manager of Qizhen Pavilion seemed particularly interested in me. I wonder if I should use myself as bait to see what exactly they want to use me for?"
Upon hearing this, Third Master nodded vigorously, "Jiao'er, go buy that jade ring tomorrow. Three thousand taels, your Third Uncle will cover it!"
Saying this, Third Master took off his shoe and pried out a five-thousand-tael bank note from the sole, handing it to Chu Tianjiao.
"The extra two thousand taels are for you, my niece, as operating expenses."
Chu Tianjiao took the bank note somewhat disgustedly with her fingertips and tucked it into her purse.
Second Uncle quickly said, "For the next few days, niece, I'll assign people to protect you."
Chu Tianjiao waved her hand, "Second Uncle, no need. I can protect myself."
The three were so focused on their discussion that they didn't notice Old Madam Chu had opened her eyes behind them at the head of the bed, her face showing a look of satisfaction.
