Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Cannot Tolerate Such a Daughter-in-law

“Madam,” Concubine Ping, who stood attending by the side, spoke up suddenly. “These past few days, the Heir Consort hasn’t come once to pay respects. Then, the medicine you’ve been taking lately… perhaps wasn’t prepared by her anymore?”

At these words, Madam Cui was startled.

She recalled the medicines she had drunk these past few days; indeed, they seemed different from before. The color of the medicinal soup was somewhat lighter, and its taste carried a subtle bitterness…

An uneasy feeling suddenly crept into her heart. “Quickly, quickly! Go find out where the medicine came from these past few days!”

As soon as Madam Cui spoke, the nanny at her side rushed out, returning hurriedly within half the time it takes to drink tea.

Upon hearing that the recent medicines had been brewed in the Main Kitchen, Madam Cui immediately grasped Qi Shu Xian’s arm tightly.

This was the first time Qi Shu Xian had discovered how powerful his mother’s grip could be.

“I knew it! I knew she did it on purpose! Just because I said I’d keep Meng Yang, she now intends to harm me!”

“Bring here the person responsible for decocting the medicine!” Duke Qi commanded, his voice dark and heavy.

He rarely interfered with the affairs of the inner courtyard, but this small issue had already drawn the attention of the Yamen, and now it involved even the poisoning of his wife!

Even if she was a Princess, she owed their Duke’s estate an explanation!

“My lord… this is the prescription the Heir Consort left behind.” The old servant woman responsible for brewing medicine trembled fearfully as she handed over a slip of paper.

Duke Qi immediately gestured for her to pass it to Imperial Physician Li.

Imperial Physician Li looked over the prescription and nodded slowly. “Indeed, it is correct. Right… I hadn’t noticed before. The roots should only be processed just before brewing, rather than adding them directly…”

He murmured to himself, oblivious to the expectant gazes fixed upon him until he had finished reading.

Frowning, Duke Qi asked, “Imperial Physician Li, is there anything wrong with this decoction method?”

“No! None at all!” Imperial Physician Li exclaimed firmly. “Not only is it correct, but if strictly followed, the medicinal effects should be gentler and even more effective!”

At these words, a glimmer of astonishment flashed in Duke Qi’s eyes.

“Impossible!” Madam Cui refused vehemently. “If that were true, how could my condition worsen? How could I even start coughing up blood!”

“This…” Imperial Physician Li was at a loss.

His gaze settled upon the old servant who brewed the medicine. Seeing the faint purple stains beneath her fingernails, he paused. “Did you strictly follow the instructions on the prescription?”

“I… I did,” the old woman quivered.

“Nonsense!” Imperial Physician Li pointed at her hand sharply. “If you followed these instructions, the Purple Moon Flower’s roots should have been processed only at the time of brewing. Although called Purple Moon Flower, its fresh juice is actually red. Only after exposure for more than half an hour does it slowly turn purple. If you processed it correctly, where did that purple stain under your nails come from?”

“I… I…” The old woman’s hand trembled faintly, knees going weak as she suddenly fell, knocking her forehead hard against the ground. “Please spare me, Lord Duke, Madam! I really didn’t know just changing the order would have such a big impact!”

“Brewing one batch takes so long, I thought it would save time to prepare all the herbs beforehand, then brew them together.”

“Besides, Purple Moon Flower roots are extremely troublesome—so fine and delicate, they must be carefully pricked open with needles without breaking the inner skin, and the outer skin must be completely removed. I had to tend the fire while handling this; it was simply impossible for me to manage!”

She sobbed bitterly.

Enraged, Madam Cui flung a jade pillow at her, causing the servant woman to cry out in pain, an ugly bruise immediately appearing on her arm.

Surprisingly, Imperial Physician Li sympathized with her. “Actually… she isn’t wrong. Many of these herbs easily clash if handled carelessly. To harmonize their medicinal properties, strict control over the timing and intensity of heat is essential. Even for me, I need two assistants to help me get it right.”

“Useless!” Madam Cui could not accept this. “Why can Sheng Zhi Wan brew it, then? You are responsible solely for decoctions, yet you can’t even match her?”

Though aimed at the servant, her words caused Imperial Physician Li’s face to darken instantly.

[Forget it!]

He finally understood that Madam Cui did not regard him highly at all—no wonder he had not been allowed to examine her until now. Moreover, her every word seemed dismissive of his expertise.

Imperial Physician Li spoke no further, picked up his medicine box, and simply left.

Seeing this, Duke Qi shot a displeased glance toward Madam Cui.

Although theirs was a second-rank ducal house, it had already declined greatly, yet Madam Cui still managed to offend people everywhere she turned. Thankfully, Imperial Physician Li was not particularly favored, unlike Imperial Physician Song who was close to His Majesty.

Clearly, Madam Cui thought the same and was utterly unconcerned.

What she cared about most was who would brew her medicine next.

“Since your wife brewed it previously, then from now on, let her continue brewing it,” Duke Qi looked pointedly at Qi Shu Xian.

Qi Shu Xian wanted to agree immediately but hesitated when remembering Sheng Zhi Wan’s recent attitude. “This son will go and persuade her.”

“Good. Tell her clearly—if your mother truly suffers any harm because of her, even if it was an Imperial Edict marriage, our Duke Qi Manor will never tolerate such a daughter-in-law!”