Volume One, Chapter 16: The Poisoned Porcelain Vase
“What's wrong?”
Yu’s heart still felt unsettled, fearing that Shang Yinqiong might sense something amiss.
But then she thought better of it—this item was crafted with extreme subtlety; someone like Shang Yinqiong, no matter how sharp, wouldn’t easily detect its hidden secret.
Shang Yinqiong, relying on her keen sense of smell, had noticed something strange about the contents of the porcelain bottle, but what exactly was strange?
She couldn’t quite put it into words.
However, if she didn’t take it, who knew what other tricks Yu had up her sleeve.
“Such a precious item—did Mother also give it to Second Sister?” Shang Yinqiong asked, her gaze fixed intently on Yu’s expression, missing no detail.
Yu smiled affectionately. “This is valuable, but Yu’er has no wounds, and her skin is delicate and fair. Using this on her would be pointless. Qiong’er, you’d better keep it.”
“Then I won’t be polite with Mother.” Shang Yinqiong accepted the little porcelain bottle.
There was nothing more to say, and Shang Yinqiong excused herself first.
Once she left, the smile vanished from Yu’s face. The maid took up a handkerchief and wiped her hands, muttering, “Could Third Miss have sensed something?”
“Impossible. Those who knew about that matter long ago have all been dealt with by me, except for the matriarch. But she is, after all, a member of the Duke’s household. Would she really side with Shang Yinqiong?”
Yu rose from her seat, and the maid quickly handed her a warming stove. “Madam is right. Perhaps Third Miss has changed after a trip to the palace, taught by those people there, which is why her temperament has altered so much.”
Yu glanced toward the direction Shang Yinqiong had gone and murmured, “I hope that’s true.”
As soon as Shang Yinqiong stepped out of the courtyard, Fangshai hurried over carrying a hot water bottle. “Miss, warm your hands.”
“Is everyone settled?” Shang Yinqiong asked in return.
Fangshai tightened the cloak around her and carefully inspected it for any flaws. “Miss, you can trust me to take care of things. The weather’s getting cold, so you must keep warm.”
“Father isn’t coming back today?”
As dusk deepened, there was still no movement in the main hall. Most likely, Father had not returned, otherwise the whole family would gather for dinner.
“Miss, the Duke hasn’t come back yet. When the weather turns cold, the matriarch is too lazy to move. The kitchen will send meals to each courtyard separately,” Fangshai replied.
Together, they returned to the courtyard.
The kitchen delivered three dishes and a soup, along with a plate of pastries.
Shang Yinqiong sampled a little, but as the night grew darker, she immediately set down her chopsticks and rushed to the cabinet.
“Miss, what are you looking for?” Fangshai asked as she caught the items Shang Yinqiong pulled out.
Shang Yinqiong turned her wardrobe upside down and finally found a somewhat loose male garment at the very bottom.
“Miss, you...” Fangshai’s words were interrupted as Shang Yinqiong covered her mouth with her hand.
“Shh, I have to go out for something. At this hour, no one will come to my courtyard. If anyone does, just tell them I’m resting. Understood?”
Unable to speak, Fangshai only nodded, but her eyes were filled with worry.
“Miss, it’s not safe for you to go out alone.”
The matriarch had insisted she stay close to Shang Yinqiong.
Moreover, how could she feel at ease letting Miss leave the mansion unaccompanied?
Lowering her voice, Shang Yinqiong said, “I can’t bring anyone with me this time. Don’t worry—I won’t let anyone bully me.”
With that, she removed her hand and effortlessly changed into the male attire, loosening her hair and tying it up high.
After giving a few final instructions, she dashed out.
Shang Yinqiong had scouted the route beforehand and arrived at the lowest wall. Looking around carefully to ensure no one watched, she used a nearby tree to vault over.
Walking down this street, it felt both familiar and strange.
Being trapped inside the Duke’s mansion had never been her wish.
Meanwhile,
Jiang Xuanyan was discussing matters with his aides. Canren hesitated several times before speaking.
Jiang Xuanyan gave a knowing wave. “You may leave now.”
The aides exchanged glances before bowing and exiting.
Once alone, Jiang Xuanyan toyed with the jade ring on his thumb. “Speak.”
“Third Miss disguised herself as a man and left the mansion.”
“Bring me my mask. I’ll meet her personally.”
Canren fetched half a mask, and Jiang Xuanyan swallowed a pill, his voice instantly transforming.
…
After asking several people for directions, Shang Yinqiong barely found a pawnshop.
She opened the bundle she carried, revealing the set of silver jewelry given by Shang Fei.
“How much can this set be pawned for?”
Shang Yinqiong’s eyes sparkled, but the clerk only glanced briefly. “Three taels of silver.”
“Three taels??” Shang Yinqiong’s tone was full of disbelief.
The clerk picked up a silver hairpin. “This little lot is very light, three taels is already quite a lot. Why complain?”
“That’ll do.”
In the end, all the items were exchanged for just three taels.
Shang Yinqiong weighed the silver in her hand and cursed inwardly: Shang Fei was truly stingy. Even the apology gift could only fetch this little.
She needed to find a way to earn money—she couldn’t just live off her grandmother’s silver forever.
Tucking the silver into her pocket, Shang Yinqiong took the porcelain bottle and sought out a renowned medical clinic.
“Doctor, can you examine the contents of this bottle? Is there anything wrong with it?”
The doctor brought the bottle close to his nose and sniffed carefully. His expression instantly grew grave as he moved the bottle away.
“There is... something added that shouldn’t be.”
Shang Yinqiong’s expression stiffened.
Just as she suspected.
“What is it?”
She had long guessed that Yu had no good intentions. Whatever was added was likely meant to disfigure her.
The doctor stroked his graying beard thoughtfully. “Wolfbane pollen.”
Shang Yinqiong: “!!?”
The name alone sounded ominous.
The doctor dismissed those around him and spoke slowly, “If this pollen directly contacts the skin, it causes red rashes and intense itching. Because the bottle’s contents are mixed with other substances, it’s hard to detect at first use. But with prolonged application, the skin slowly ulcerates. This pollen is highly toxic.”
Shang Yinqiong clenched her fist hidden inside her sleeve.
Did Yu truly think she was a fool to dare present such an obvious poison?
Taking a deep breath, Shang Yinqiong asked, “Doctor, do you have this pollen in your shop?”
“Yes, but it’s rare and not easily obtained. Only wealthy people can afford it,” the doctor said with a meaningful smile.
Shang Yinqiong produced the silver. “Is this enough?”
“It’s sufficient.”
The doctor pocketed the silver and placed a paper bag of pollen before Shang Yinqiong. “Remember, do not let it touch your skin directly.”